I am seeking a M.S. student to conduct research focused on community ecology, biology education, or science outreach beginning fall of 2018. The ideal candidate would already possess some experience working with K-12 students or the public, excellent written and verbal communication skills, and motivation to develop, conduct, and publish their research. Candidates should possess a B.S. degree in biology or a related discipline. The successful candidate will receive a graduate assistantship to work with new high school science and math teachers.

If you are interested in this opportunity, please contact Heather Vance-Chalcraft (vancechalcrafth@ecu.edu<mailto:vancechalcrafth@ecu.edu>). You will also need to submit a completed application to the ECU Graduate School prior to January 15th, 2018.

Dr. Heather Vance-Chalcraft

Director of Outreach, East Carolina Biodiversity Initiative

Teaching Associate Professor, Department of Biology

Faculty Fellow, Office for Faculty Excellence

East Carolina University

Greenville, NC 27858

252-328-9841 (Biology), 252-328-5429 (OFE)

330 Science and Technology Bldg (Biology), 1007 Joyner Library (OFE)

Althoff lab, Dept of Biology, Syracuse University

We are seeking exceptional students interested in studying the

evolutionary ecology of species interactions.  The lab focuses on studies

of coevolution, specialization, and speciation, and we use a combination

of diverse tools including field studies, molecular phylogenetics,

and population genetics.  Although we primarily examine plant-insect

and parasitoid-host coevolution, students interested in other taxonomic

groups are strongly encouraged to apply.   There are currently two funded

projects, one on the role of mutualism and antagonism in yucca and yucca

moth speciation and another using a synthetic yeast mutualism to study the

ecology and evolution of multi-mutualist species communities. Research is

question-driven rather than taxon-driven.  Please visit the lab webpage

at althofflab.syr.edu for more information.

Funding is guaranteed via teaching assistantships for 5 years and

potentially research assistantships.   Syracuse University offers

excellent benefits, a full tuition waiver, and a generous stipend

(~$25K for 2016).  Furthermore, the close proximity of S.U. to the

SUNY-Environmental Science and Forestry campus and Cornell makes this

a strong and vibrant community that facilitates an exciting graduate

experience.

Prospective students are encouraged to contact Dr. David Althoff

(dmalthof@syr.edu).

The Lessard (http://jeanphilippelessard.com/) and Nu=F1ez Labs

(https://sites.google.com/site/nunezm/home) are looking for graduate

students to work on a newly funded project assessing how soil microbes

influence the response of plants to climate change.  The project is funded

by a Concordia University Research Chair in Biodiversity and Ecosystem

Functioning to JP Lessard and will consist of a suite of comparative

studies conducted in the boreal forests of Canada and Argentina. The

graduate students are expected to be based at Concordia University and

conduct fieldwork in both Canada and Argentina.

Potential applicants interested in the project should have previous

experience or be willing lo learn next generation sequencing techniques in

order to characterize soil microbial communities along broad-scale

environmental gradients. Prior experience working in plant community

ecology or ecosystem ecology more generally is a plus.  Prior experience

conducting field experiments and the ability to speak French and Spanish

are good assets, but not obligatory.

Expected starting date is August 2018, but could be as early as May 2018.

The positions come with competitive stipends and cover research expenses

related to traveling between Canada and Argentina. Selected applicants are

expected to apply for external funding, participate in regular lab

meetings, attend departmental seminars, publish results in peer reviewed

journals and present their research in national and international

meetings.

Applicants should email Jean-Philippe Lessard (jp.lessard@concordia.ca).

This email should include: (i) 1-2 paragraphs describing research

interests and any relevant past experiences, (ii) a CV, and (iii) an

unofficial transcripts pertaining to your previous or ongoing studies. For

full consideration applicants should indicate their interest before

December 1st, 2017, but applications received after this date may be

considered.

We seek an energetic, motivated research technician to participate in experiments on the ecology, physiology, and genomics of switchgrass. This is an exciting opportunity to participate in integrative research studying the genetic basis of ecological processes in an important native grass species. The position will be administered through the University of Texas at Austin (www.utexas.edu<http://www.utexas.edu>) and stationed with my group at the USDA Grassland, Soil, and Water Lab (http://www.ars.usda.gov/spa/gswrl/pfay) in Temple, Texas. Visit https://tinyurl.com/y7cmbx5m for more information and to apply. Job number 171005014222.

I am seeking a highly qualified M.S. student to conduct a funded research

project on spotted skunk habitat use. The research project will involve

intensive capture and tracking efforts of eastern spotted skunks in

Alabama=E2=80=99s Conecuh National Forest and Blue Spring WMA. The graduate=

student

will need to spend long periods of time in the field. While conducting

research, the student will be housed at the Solon Dixon Forestry Education

Center and given access to a 4WD truck. A $12,000 stipend and tuition

wavier will be provided the first year. The second year of funding will be

contingent on grant renewal or by applying for a graduate teaching

assistantship. The selected individual will enroll in the graduate program

of the Biology Department at the University of West Georgia beginning

January 2018.

Please email a PDF application containing a letter of interest, CV,

unofficial transcripts, GRE scores, and contact information for three

professional references to Dr. Andrew Edelman, aedelman@westga.edu.  Please

include =E2=80=9CSkunk GRA=E2=80=9D as the subject line of the email. Revie=

w of

applications will begin immediately.

*Minimum Qualifications*

B.S. in biology, wildlife ecology, or related field with at least a 3.0 GPA

on a 4.0 scale

Minimum GRE scores: Verbal 150, Math 150, Writing 3.0

Strong experience in ecological/wildlife research at the undergraduate or

post-baccalaureate level

Excellent quantitative, writing, and oral communication skills

Willingness to spend extensive periods at a semi-remote location

Ability to hike across rough terrain under a variety of weather conditions

while hauling heavy equipment

Orienteering skills

Ability to drive 4WD vehicle

*Preferred Qualifications*

Proficient in radio-telemetry techniques

Experience in animal handling and camera trap methods

Current rabies vaccination

Basic training in GIS and statistics

The Marine Global Change Ecology Lab at the University of Massachusetts Amherst is recruiting two graduate students (M.S. or Ph.D.) to begin spring or fall 2018. We use field observations, lab experimentation, and quantitative synthesis to address ecological problems in coastal marine systems. Our research is focused on the following areas of study:

1. Interactions between global environmental change and species interactions

2. Biophysical coupling =96 the interaction between organismal function and physical drivers 3. Causes and consequences of biological invasion

We encourage interested candidates to visit the lab website to learn more about our research and our lab philosophy. https://bscheng.com/opportunities/

Application deadlines for graduate programs are Dec 1/Dec 15 (varies by program)

DOCTORAL (and/or MS) GRADUATE STUDENT position open in Mark Hester=92s Coastal Plant Ecology Lab in the Department of Biology at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. This program is seeking a graduate student to conduct research on the effects of climate warming on salt marsh belowground and community dynamics in areas where mangroves are currently expanding.  The research is a combination of large-scale controlled mesocosm experiments coupled with field experiments along the Florida Atlantic Coast from St. Augustine to the Keys.  Although a doctoral student is preferred, exceptional, well-qualified students interested in pursuing a Masters degree in Biology are also encouraged to apply.  The successful applicant must be enthusiastic and self-

motivated, have a strong interest in climate change and plant ecology, be a team player able to work well both independently and interdependently, display strong oral and written communication skills, and possess both the physical and mental attributes required to work under strenuous and often adverse conditions in the field.  Additional desirable skills include boat operation and a background in environmental effects on plant population and community dynamics, plant/soil sciences, plant physiological ecology and statistical ecology.  Competitive graduate research assistantship funding and tuition waivers are available.  Truly exceptional doctoral student applicants may also be considered for a University Doctoral Fellowship in Environmental and Evolutionary Biology.  For further information, please email Dr. Mark W. Hester, Department of Biology, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, LA  70504 mhester@louisiana.edu. Type Grad Research Assistant Applicant in the Subject line and attach resume/CV, as well as GPA and GRE percentile score information with all inquiries, preferably by November 1, 2017 to receive full consideration for spring 2018 admission.

The University of British Columbia Faculty of Forestry=E2=80=99s Future For=

ests

Fellowship (http://future.forestry.ubc.ca) aims to attract and retain

world-class doctoral students by supporting students who demonstrate both

leadership skills and a high standard of scholarly achievement in graduate

studies.

Value: $70,000 CAD annually for up to four years. The fellowship is

intended to cover all expenses incurred in the preparation and conduct of

research.

Applicants must intend to undertake doctoral research in one of the areas

of excellence for the Faculty of Forestry (which include Conservation; see

link for others). The research must be conducted, at least in part, in

British Columbia, and should result in an outcome which has practical

application in BC.

In order to be considered for the Fellowship, a complete PhD program

application (September 2018 intake) must also be submitted. Closing

Deadline: The FFF and PhD applications, plus all required supporting

documentation, must be submitted by 4pm PST, Friday, November 24, 2017. The

award recipient announcement will be made in January 2018.

Further details at http://future.forestry.ubc.ca

The Johnson Lab at Texas Tech University is looking for Ph.D. or Masters
students interested in plant phylogenomics and/or bioinformatics
to start Fall 2018. Our lab is motivated by a central question in
evolutionary biology: what influences the origin and maintenance of plant
biodiversity? Research in the lab integrates field work (collection
and field experiments), wet lab (tissue culture, high-throughput
DNA/RNA sequencing), and computational analysis to test hypotheses
about genome evolution in non-model organisms at both deep and narrow
timescales. Topics currently being studied in the lab include:

– Phylogenetic systematics using hundreds of nuclear genes via targeted
sequence capture (HybSeq).
– Identifying genomic events (gene/genome duplication, changes in
molecular evolution) associated with key innovations in plant
evolution.
– Optimization of HybSeq using herbarium specimens.
– Identifying the hybrid origin of polyploid species through targeted
sequencing.
– Development of novel bioinformatics tools for sequence analysis and
visualization.

We are especially interested in students who would like to employ
herbarium specimens in their research. The E.L. Reed Herbarium in the
Biological Sciences building contains 20,000 plant specimens including
an important collection of the vascular plants of West Texas. Students
interested in bioinformatics, genomics, and data visualization are also
encouraged to apply. More information about the Johnson lab can be found
at: http://secure-web.cisco.com/1hWOdWaPGUYnIhy6zF5vQwoAqXdccIY0DeDV9BKm-VIG6vwc9aOel7GLjP-ira4xJfvCeloHKsenrLp__iX6WhkJAnlv6_xKAWNTWjFB4zmev6PGAp7mrwAb5ZbT4FALIYbv-a6KL2cmngYQlEeWLtc5Y1eZsloOo83hwnpvcWlw1P8kBVGuVyajSB0tl7dlkPfa1ETMhFhhqquTFGrL59chdFaIVu1n5NoKs5HyoKDylVqbjN4L8ltDXxG0Bp2-G8v48QY4tSyvsLXGiqTPPQiEeY8u582rUG2kQizrtd0fhZ1Zc5V-O-9TKBwKtOTREP_LiKoYT8H4hOyq0wo7irbbteDAg3goA4F6XNF0t2Q70QS-iqmMIiwiQ4cWmNdMpXy4apJMSdzK1BVyvwRD9HliwTA5aoqK53aIOYGVB9jCk5e1Z7CA8nPY5kfn5UnEuKmM5-nzNYzV3SHH4f_0FcA/http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mossmatters.com

*Requirements*: (1) Bachelor’s degree in biological or computer sciences
or related field; (2) interest in integrating wet lab, field work,
and computational skills; (3) ability to work both independently and
collaboratively; and (4) effective communication skills, necessary for
both teaching and for sharing results through papers and presentations
at scientific meetings. For Ph.D. applicants, prior research experience
is preferred but not required.

The lab has financial support for multiple students through a
combination of research and teaching assistantships, including summer
support. Interested students should first contact Matt Johnson at
matt[DOT]johnson[AT]ttu[DOT]edu .

*Deadline for applications* The Texas Tech Biological Sciences Department
has rolling admissions, but students who wish to be considered for
scholarships or fellowships must apply by January 15, 2018 for enrollment
in Fall 2018.

Texas Tech University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and I welcome
applications from qualified persons regardless of nationality, race, sex,
disability, religion, sexual orientation, or age. Texas Tech recently
received designation as a Hispanic Serving Institution, and we are
excited to support Hispanic scholars.

More information about applying for graduate school at Texas Tech can be
found here: http://www.depts.ttu.edu/biology/graduate/graduatestudies.php

Matthew G. Johnson, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Biological Sciences
Director, E.L. Reed Herbarium
Texas Tech University
E-mail: matt[DOT]johnson[AT]ttu[DOT]edu
http://secure-web.cisco.com/1hWOdWaPGUYnIhy6zF5vQwoAqXdccIY0DeDV9BKm-VIG6vwc9aOel7GLjP-ira4xJfvCeloHKsenrLp__iX6WhkJAnlv6_xKAWNTWjFB4zmev6PGAp7mrwAb5ZbT4FALIYbv-a6KL2cmngYQlEeWLtc5Y1eZsloOo83hwnpvcWlw1P8kBVGuVyajSB0tl7dlkPfa1ETMhFhhqquTFGrL59chdFaIVu1n5NoKs5HyoKDylVqbjN4L8ltDXxG0Bp2-G8v48QY4tSyvsLXGiqTPPQiEeY8u582rUG2kQizrtd0fhZ1Zc5V-O-9TKBwKtOTREP_LiKoYT8H4hOyq0wo7irbbteDAg3goA4F6XNF0t2Q70QS-iqmMIiwiQ4cWmNdMpXy4apJMSdzK1BVyvwRD9HliwTA5aoqK53aIOYGVB9jCk5e1Z7CA8nPY5kfn5UnEuKmM5-nzNYzV3SHH4f_0FcA/http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mossmatters.com

matt.johnson@ttu.edu

The Knutie lab in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Connecticut is recruiting highly motivated applicants interested in pursuing a PhD in disease ecology and evolution. The lab uses a combination of fieldwork, molecular techniques, and bioinformatics to explore questions related to the evolutionary ecology of host defenses against parasites, particularly in response to environmental change.  The PhD student will be expected to develop a novel research project in animal disease ecology and/or evolution using one of the PI=E2=80=99s host systems=  (birds or frogs) in the Galapagos Islands, Connecticut, Florida, or Minnesota. For more information about current research in the lab, please see:
http://www.knutielab.com

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply but preference will be given to applicants with a Master=E2=80=99s degree in Ecology and Evolution=  or a related field, at least one first-authored publication, and/or extensive experience with lab and field-based research. Although academic scores are important for admission to the program, motivation and a passion for science and nature are highly valued. Applicants from a minority background (e.g. ethnic, racial, gender, LGBTQ+, first generation college student) are encouraged to apply.

The application process requires submission of the formal graduate school application pages, transcripts, GRE scores, three letters of reference, a personal essay, and, for non-native speakers of English, TOEFL or IELTS scores. If admitted to the program, full financial support (TA and/or RA) is generally provided for five years. More information for prospective EEB Graduate students: http://eeb.uconn.edu/information-for-prospective-e
eb-graduate-students/

For full consideration, applications must be submitted by December 15, 2017. However, applicants are strongly encouraged to contact Dr. Sarah Knutie (sarah.knutie@uconn.edu) before applying to the program to discuss research interests and your application.

Publications related to current projects:

Knutie, S.A., J.P. Owen, S.M. McNew, A.W. Bartlow, E. Arriero, J.M. Herman, E. DiBlasi, M. Thompson, J.A.H. Koop, D.H. Clayton. 2016. Galapagos mockingbirds are tolerant hosts of introduced parasites that affect Darwin=E2=80=99s finches. Ecology 97:940-50. doi: 10.1890/15-0119.1

Knutie, S.A., S.M. McNew, A.W. Bartlow, D.A. Vargas, D.H. Clayton. 2014.
Darwin=E2=80=99s finches combat introduced nest parasites with fumigated co= tton.
Current Biology 24: R355-6. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2014.03.058

Knutie, S.A., J.M. Herman, J.P. Owen, D.H. Clayton. 2017. Tri-trophic ecology of native parasitic nest flies of birds in Tobago. Ecosphere. doi:
10.1002/ecs2.1670

Knutie, S.A., C.L. Wilkinson, K.D. Kohl, J.R. Rohr. 2017. Early-life disruption in amphibian microbiota affects later-life resistance to parasites. Nature Communications. doi: 10.1038/s41467-017-00119-0

Knutie, S.A., C.L. Wilkinson, Q.C. Wu, N. Ortega, J.R. Rohr. 2017. Host tolerance and resistance of parasitic gut worms depend on resource availability. Oecologia 183:1031-40. doi: 10.1007/s00442-017-3822-7

Knutie, S.A., C. Gabor, K.D. Kohl, J.R. Rohr. In press. Do host-associated microbiota mediate the effect of an herbicide on disease risk in frogs?
Journal of Animal Ecology. doi: 10.1111/1365-2656.12769