Northeast Reptile and Amphibian Field Ecology 2017

The New Jersey School of Conservation is offering its 6th annual herpetology workshop.  Please distribute this information to undergraduates in need of research/elective credits or anyone wishing to gain herpetological field experience.

Dates: June 12-23, 2017 (weekend attendance is optional)

Location: New Jersey School of Conservation (NJSOC) in Stokes State Forest, Sussex County, New Jersey

Description: This workshop is an introduction to the reptiles and amphibians of the Northeast United States and the techniques that are used to conserve and study them in the field.  Through numerous field activities, participants will acquire vital research skills and hands-on experience with the salamanders, frogs, toads, turtles, lizards, and snakes that call the Northeast home.  A small number of classroom lectures and active learning discussions will also contribute to the learning experience.

The workshop includes:

  *   Discussions of reptile and amphibian natural history: their basic biology, life histories, and habitats

  *   Discussions on the conservation and management of reptiles and amphibians

  *   Discussions concerning research design

  *   Reptile and amphibian identification and taxonomy

  *   Identification of calling amphibians by ear

  *   Habitat, plant, and non-herp animal identification

  *   Reptile and amphibian sampling, trapping, and marking/tagging techniques

  *   Radiotelemetry

  *   Reptile and amphibian tissue sampling for DNA analysis

  *   Collection of occupancy, relative abundance, mark-recapture, physical, environmental, and geographic data

  *   Field note recordation and organization

  *   A primer in nature photography

  *   Day and night surveys for reptiles and amphibians

  *   Hikes through several diverse northeastern habitats

  *   Off-site field trips to the New Jersey Pine Barrens and urban habitats

  *   Participation in ongoing herpetological studies at the NJSOC and elsewhere

Qualifications: No experience is necessary but participants should be capable of college-level work and have strong interests in field biology, ecology, natural history, etc.  Participants should also be in relatively good health and capable of hiking several miles in a range of conditions over moderate-difficult terrain.

Cost: The workshop will be divided into two one-week sessions, with each week-long session involving different schedules, activities, and learning experiences.  Participants will have the option of taking the workshop for either one week (5 days) or two weeks (10 days).  Cost is $750.00 per person for one week and $1000.00 per person for two weeks (discounts available for early registrants; see registration below).  These fees include instruction, meals, and lodging at the NJSOC.

Credit: One to three (1-3) transferable, undergraduate credits are obtainable through Montclair State University for an additional fee.  Non-credit options and course completion certificates are also available upon request.

Registration: Class space is limited and participants will be admitted on a first come, first served basis.  To reserve a seat, each participant must pay a non-refundable $250 deposit by May 1st 2017.  Participants who pay in full by May 1st will receive a 10% discount on their registration.  Late registrations will be welcome after May 1st if space is still available (please inquire).  Full registration must be paid by June 1st 2017.  Refunds will not be issued after June 1st.

Contact: Thomas.J.Duchak@hofstra.edu

More Information: http://www.montclair.edu/csam/school-of-conservation/summer-workshops/herpetology/

Research Technician Position

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) and stationed with Philip Fay=E2=80=99s group at the

USDA Grassland, Soil, and Water Lab in Temple, TX (

https://www.ars.usda.gov/plains-area/temple-tx/grassland-soil-and-water-research-laboratory/people/philip-fay/).

Visit https://utdirect.utexas.edu/apps/hr/jobs/nlogon/170109014222  for

more information and to apply. Please direct any questions about the

position to Robert Heckman (robert.heckman@utexas.edu).

Seeking motivated graduate students – Dept. of Life Sciences, Texas A&M U – Corpus Christi

The Dept. of Life Sciences at Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi is recruiting motivated and talented students for its graduate programs. For application details and more information about the programs visit:  sci.tamucc.edu/lsci/    and   facebook/lsci.tamucc/

The “Island University” is located on the shore of Corpus Christi Bay, and is very near the unique, hypersaline Laguna Madre estuary. A list of degree programs and some example topics that faculty and students here are working on are below.

*       Undergraduate degrees:  Biology (tracks: ecology, marine biology, cell/molecular, microbiology, organismal, integrative); Biomedical (options: Forensic sciences, Pre-clinical, pre-professional)

*       Graduate degrees: Marine Biology (MS and PhD); Fisheries and Mariculture (MS); Biology (MS)

*       Note 1: Marine Biology is an integrated program that includes students and faculty from Texas A&M College Station and Galveston

=FC  Blue Water fish and coral studies

=FC  Estuarine and coastal ecology and biology; and also watersheds and coastal dune systems

=FC  Population connectivity and genetics

=FC  Microbial ecology

=FC  Chemical ecology

=FC  Phytoplankton and algal mat studies

=FC  Biogeochemistry

=FC  Intersection of human health, social sciences, and marine ecology

=FC  Restoration ecology

=FC  Wetland ecology and plant-animal interactions

*       Note 2: Fisheries & Mariculture partners with the Peace Corps to offer Coverdell Fellowships to returning volunteers

=FC  Biofuels from algae

=FC  Oyster culture

=FC  Fish populations and genetics

=FC  Fisheries biology and economics

=FC  Partnerships & internships with Agri-Life and other agencies

*       Note 3: Biology

=FC  Nesting ecology of birds and diamondback terrapins

=FC  Water quality influences on estuarine plants and animals

Dr. C. Edward Proffitt

Professor & Chair

Department of Life Sciences

Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi

Eng. 319 E

6300 Ocean Drive, Unit 5800

Corpus Christi, Texas 78412

361 825 2358

edproffitt.wixsite.com/coastal-ecology

Dept. of Life Sciences web site:  http://sci.tamucc.edu/LSCI/

Like us on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LSCI.TAMUCC/

MS Graduate Research Assistantship in Forest N Cycling, WVU

M.S. Graduate Research Assistant: The role of understory nitrogen metabolism in watershed-level nitrogen retention in an Appalachian hardwood forest

The Division of Forestry and Natural Resources, in the Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design, invites applications for a graduate research assistant (GRA) to conduct research on the role of the herb layer in nitrogen cycling in an Appalachian hardwood forest. The study is situated in and takes advantage of the data-rich environment of the Fernow Experimental Forest operated by the U.S. Forest Service’s Northern Research Station. West Virginia University is the state=92s flagship research-one institution, and is among the top universities in the nation, with demonstrated excellence in teaching and research.

The successful applicant will conduct field work and sample collection, processing, and analyses to: 1) assess whether particular herbaceous species are disproportionally found under tree species associated with either high N or low N availability,  2) assess the relative importance of overstory and understory plants in watershed nitrogen retention, and 3) to assess how the composition of different soil nitrogen compounds is influenced by tree species associated with high vs low N availability. Other duties include (but are not limited to) various field and lab work, maintenance of field equipment, coursework and publication. The production of an exemplary thesis is expected.

Applicants must possess a bachelor=92s degree completed in natural resources, ecology, biology, environmental sciences, or a closely related field. Experience in forest plant identification, data processing, analysis, and GIS are a plus. Strong verbal, written, and computational skills are mandatory. Successful applicants will work collaboratively and independently, and conduct field work under variable weather conditions in steep, mountainous terrain. Applicants must possess a valid US driver’s license.

The preferred start date of the position is May or June of 2017. However, this position remains open until filled. If interested in applying, please forward by email the following documents (incomplete applications will not be reviewed): transcript, curriculum vitae, recent GRE scores, recent TOEFL/IELTS scores (international students), cover letter (including academic, research and professional goals and interests), and the names and contact information of three references to: Dr. Kirsten Stephan, Division of Forestry and Natural Resources, 337D Percival Hall, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA; Tel: (304) 293-0024; Email: Kirsten.Stephan@mail.wvu.edu.

Ecology Field Research Interns

B4WARMED (Boreal Forest Warming at an Ecotone in Danger) is a manipulative experiment that warms plants and soil in the field to examine tree seedling response to warming with respect to physiology, phenology, growth, and survival.  For more information: http://forestecology.cfans.umn.edu/Research/B4WARMED/.

Position overview:

We seek one independent and mature field assistant with a background in biology, ecology, environmental science, forestry, or a related field for a paid field research internship ($10/hr).  The positions start in late March and go until early November start dates are flexible. In general, an internship lasts about 4 months. Typical workdays are eight hours Monday through Friday, however tasks may require early morning, evening, or weekend work. A valid driver=92s license is required. The intern will work and travel mostly independently and occasionally in a pair or small group. Maturity to work autonomously and for long hours is required.=20

Responsibilities: =95=09Work independently to collect biotic and abiotic data in field and lab settings in accordance with established protocols =95=09Measure seedling growth, germination, physiology, and phenology

=95=09Measure soil characteristics and microbe activity

=95=09Routine maintenance of field sites and research equipment.

=95=09Data entry using Excel and Google Drive

=95=09Travel frequently between sites

=95=09Employ experimental drought treatment

=95=09Aiding principle investigators and graduate students as needed.

Desired qualifications: 1) Eagerness to work hard in an outdoor setting. 2) Capacity to collect data following established protocols. 3) Familiarity with plant and tree species of northern Minnesota. 4) Willingness to work well and live with alone and with others in a remote area. 5) Demonstrated ability to work under changing weather conditions and with large swarms of insects. 6) Ability to adapt to a frequently changing schedule with frequent travel.

Research sites: Field work will be split between research sites at the Cloquet Forestry Center in Cloquet, MN (http://cfc.cfans.umn.edu/) and the Hubachek Wilderness Research Center near Ely, MN.  Both research sites are in beautiful forested settings and provide access to the natural areas of northern Minnesota including the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. An individual=92s home base will be at either of these locations, though travel between sites will be required depending on project needs. University vehicles are used for such travel. On-site housing with furnishing and a kitchen will be available for $150/month.=20

Contact:

Please send cover letter (including available working dates), one-page resume, and contact information for two references electronically to:

Artur Stefanski

stefa066@umn.edu  =09=09=09 University of Minnesota

1530 Cleveland Ave N.

St Paul, MN 55108 USA

Highest priority will be given to applications arriving by April 1.

Research technician, Georgia Coastal Ecosystems LTER

The Georgia Coastal Ecosystems Long-Term Ecological Research program seeks a Research Technician II to support field and laboratory research on the GA coast. Tasks include measuring plant and invertebrate populations, measuring water quality, monitoring sediment dynamics, downloading and maintaining climate and hydrological instruments, and data entry. Applicants should have a BS in an environmental field, some field experience, and some boating skills. For more information about the GCE LTER program go to http://gce-lter.marsci.uga.edu/ . For more information about the job and to apply go to: https://www.ugajobsearch.com/applicants/jsp/shared/position/JobDetails_css.jsp?postingId=3D264608

REU Opportunity Summer 2017: “Research Experience for Undergraduates in Chihuahuan Desert Biodiversity”

Deadline March 6.

The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) Department of Biological Sciences invites applicants for the NSF sponsored Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) in Chihuahuan Desert Biodiversity.  This is a

10 week summer program.  The goal of this program is to provide undergraduate students with experience in hypothesis-driven collaborative research utilizing field based and/or laboratory methods and fully engage students in projects associated with the ecology and evolution influencing Chihuahuan Desert biodiversity.

The program provides:

=95 High quality research experience in ecology and evolutionary biology in the field and/or lab =95 Research opportunities at the Indio Mountains Research Station (IMRS), a 40,000 acre facility controlled by UTEP =95 One-on-one and group mentoring from active research faculty in multidisciplinary fields =95 Training in bioethics and other relevant professional skills

The program includes:

=95 $5250 stipend for 10 weeks

=95 Housing in shared apartments and field station =95 Travel reimbursement of up to $600

For more information on the program, research projects or to apply please visit: http://science.utep.edu/cdb-reu/

Enquiries: CDB-REU@utep.edu

PhD position in Environmental Microbiology

Summary: The Freedman Lab of Environmental Microbiology at West Virginia University is now accepting applications for a PhD-level Graduate Assistant position. Our research generally focuses on how biological, chemical, and physical factors affect the composition of microbial communities and their ecosystem function. A wide range of research topics are possible, including but not limited to: Impacts of anthropogenic climate change on Appalachian forests and watersheds; effects of mining and mine reclamation on soil microbes; effects of herbivory on plant-microbe interactions; impacts of conventional and organic agriculture on soil health, among many other possible topics. Further information on the Freedman lab can be found at: http://freedman.davis.wvu.edu

Qualified applicants will be highly motivated, enthusiastic, and will have a strong background in ecology, microbiology, soil science, or a closely related field. Experience with high-throughput DNA sequencing, metagenomics, biogeochemical measurements (for example, CO2 and trace gas production, enzyme activities, soil characteristics) and programming in R is ideal.

Tuition Waiver and Stipend: The assistantship includes full tuition coverage, benefits, and a yearly stipend of $22,132. Opportunities for Teaching Assistantships will also be available. The expected start date is August 23, 2017.

To Apply: Prospective students should send the following information with the

subject line =93PhD Position=94 to zachary.freedman@mail.wvu.edu: 1) a one page cover letter describing your research experience, interests, and goals, 2) a current CV, 3) current GRE scores, 4) unofficial transcripts of all previous undergraduate and graduate education, and 5) contact information for three academic references. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled, applications received by February 28 will receive full consideration. The selected applicant will submit a formal application to the WVU Graduate School (https://graduateadmissions.wvu.edu) for admission to the Applied and Environmental Microbiology Graduate Program (http://microbiology.wvu.edu).

University and Community: WVU is located in Morgantown, WV (pop. 31,073), which is routinely recognized as one of the best small college towns in the country (www.wvu.edu). The Division=92s faculty and graduate student population conduct research in a wide range of natural resource disciplines, and have ready access to West Virginia=92s forests and working lands for natural laboratories and recreational activities. WVU is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and the recipient of an NSF ADVANCE award for gender equity. The University values diversity among its faculty, staff and students, and invites applications from all qualified individuals, including minorities, females, individuals with disabilities, and veterans.

USDA Forest Service Forestry Technicians

Forest Inventory and Analysis Program
Rocky Mountain Research Station
USDA Forest Service
Issue Date: February, 2017
INTEREST ANNOUNCEMENT
FORESTRY TECHNICIANS (GS-462-5, and GS-462-6)
The USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station’s Forest
Inventory and Analysis Program,
Ogden, UT, anticipates filling the following positions:
• Up to 12 forestry technicians in support of the field inventory. These
positions will be advertised in the
Forestry Technician (GS-462) series at the GS 5 and 6 levels. These are
temporary positions (not to
exceed 1039 hours) and the duration of the work is expected to be about
6 months. The anticipated
start date is April or May 2017.
All of the positions serve as members of the Interior West Forest
Inventory and Analysis Program,
headquartered in Ogden, Utah, which conducts forest resource inventories
and forest health monitoring
activities throughout the interior west states including Arizona,
Colorado, Idaho, New Mexico, Nevada,
Montana, Utah, and Wyoming. For more information about the Program,
please visit our internet site at
www.fs.fed.us/rm/ogden/.
Each position will serve as part of a two person forest resource
inventory crew. The forestry technician
crew members work under the direction of a local crew leader. The work
involves contacting land owners
for access; locating study plots using aerial photo baseline and GPS
techniques; conducting extensive
resource and health inventories including tree measurements and foliage
evaluations, understory vegetation
composition and structure estimates, site characteristics and soils
evaluations, etc; using various
measurement instruments and electronic data recorders.
Fieldwork regularly includes extensive hiking and backpacking in remote
and rugged areas, in all weather
conditions, and carrying heavy daypacks (~45 lb.) or backpacks (60+
lb.). Depending on location, a variety
of other methods are used to access plots including ATV’s, horses,
aircraft, and boats; please contact us for
specifics of each location.
The area sampled by the RMRS Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program
cover a diversity of ecological
communities. Terrain varies from dry ponderosa pine, oak woodland and
juniper forests at lower elevations
and the southern portion of the 8-state territory; to the high alpine
forests of Colorado, Wyoming, and the
Rocky Mountains; to the temperate rain forests of northern Idaho and
northwestern Montana – and
everything in between! Each crew covers a large area, and all staff will
experience a wide variety of
country.
The field season typically runs from April through November. In all
locations, overnight travel away from the
duty station is frequent, and may include periods of extended and
continuous travel. The ability to work
productively as part of a team, meet the physical demands of this
challenging outdoor work, and to quickly
learn a complex set of field protocols are all very important in this
position!
The positions are based at a number of different locations. Hiring needs
for the 2017 field season will depend, somewhat, on the staff returning
from prior field seasons, and other turnover. The locations, and
expectation of need to fill a position there, are indicated in the table
below
The purpose of this Outreach Notice is to determine the potential
applicant pool for these positions. The vacancy announcement for these
positions, when open, will be posted at the USA Jobs website, the U.S.
Government’s official site for jobs and employment information:
www.usajobs.gov
If you would enjoy working as part of the Forest Inventory and Analysis
Program, we encourage you to express your interest in the position(s) as
soon as possible. If you reply to this outreach notice, we will notify
you when the positions are announced (anticipated to be about the
beginning of March). For additional information, please contact any of
the supervisors listed above, or Bob Rhoads at (801) 625-5685 or
brhoads@fs.fed.us.
This outreach is for your information. If you are an education
institution please post the Outreach to your Jobs Board.
Thank you for your interest in these positions!
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service prohibits
discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race,
color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex,
marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual
orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or
because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public
assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs).
Persons with disabilities who require alternate means for communication
of program information (Braille, large print, audiotapes, etc) should
contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).
To file a complaint of discrimination write: USDA, Director, Office of
Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Ave, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or
call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202)720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal
opportunity provider and employer.
Duty StationLikelyPossibleSupervisorFS e-mailPhoneEurekaMTxBrian
Bryantbbryant@fs.fed.us406-270-2729KalispellMTxBrian
Bryantbbryant@fs.fed.us406-270-2729MissoulaMTxBrian
Bryantbbryant@fs.fed.us406-270-2729BozemanMTxMike
Bellmbell@fs.fed.us406-994-5033DillonMTxMike
Bellmbell@fs.fed.us406-994-5033Coeur d’AleneIDxJuliet
Wilhelmjwilhelm@fs.fed.us801-725-4116GrangevilleIDxJuliet
Wilhelmjwilhelm@fs.fed.us801-725-4116SandpointIDxJuliet
Wilhelmjwilhelm@fs.fed.us801-725-4116ChallisIDxRay
Safiranrsafiran@fs.fed.us208-354-6628DriggsIDxRay
Safiranrsafiran@fs.fed.us208-354-6628McCallIDxRay
Safiranrsafiran@fs.fed.us208-354-6628SalmonIDxRay
Safiranrsafiran@fs.fed.us208-354-6628GunnisonCOxDana
Lambertdlambert@fs.fed.us970-642-4449Carson CityNVxMaryfaith
Snydermsnyder@fs.fed.us801-625-5724ElyNVxMaryfaith
Snydermsnyder@fs.fed.us801-625-5724Cedar CityUTxMaryfaith
Snydermsnyder@fs.fed.us801-625-5724MoabUTxMaryfaith
Snydermsnyder@fs.fed.us801-625-5724OgdenUTxMaryfaith
Snydermsnyder@fs.fed.us801-625-5724RichfieldUTxMaryfaith
Snydermsnyder@fs.fed.us801-625-5724FlagstaffAZxJohn
Capuanojcapuano@fs.fed.us520-749-7702GallupNMxJohn
Capuanojcapuano@fs.fed.us520-749-7702Ogden (rover AZ/NM)UTxJohn
Capuanojcapuano@fs.fed.us520-749-7702Prescott (rover AZ/NM)AZxJim
Dexterjdexter@fs.fed.us928-848-8661Ogden (rover ID/MT/UT/NV)UTxDave
Herwigdherwig@fs.fed.us801-725-4096
OUTREACH NOTICE RESPONSE FORM
Rocky Mountain Research Station
Forest Inventory and Analysis Program
Please complete this form and return it as soon as possible (we
anticipate the vacancy announcement to be out in early March, and maybe
another one later in the summer) to any one of the supervisors listed
above, or to Bob Rhoads at the address below.
Bob Rhoads
Forest Inventory and Analysis Program
507 25th Street
Ogden, UT 84401
fax: 801-625-5723
email: brhoads@fs.fed.us
Summer-Seasonal (1039 hour) Duty Station(s):
☐ Eureka, MT ☐ Kalispell, MT ☐ Missoula, MT ☐ Bozeman, MT
☐ Dillon, MT ☐ Coeur d’Alene, ID ☐ Grangeville, ID ☐ Sandpoint, ID
☐ Challis, ID ☐ Driggs, ID ☐ McCall, ID ☐ Salmon, ID
☐ Gunnison, CO ☐ Carson City, NV ☐ Ely, NV ☐ Cedar City, UT
☐ Moab, UT ☐ Ogden, UT ☐ Richfield, UT ☐ Flagstaff, AZ
☐ Gallup, NM ☐ Prescott, AZ
Please indicate all duty stations for which you wish to be considered.
Not selecting any indicates no preference.
I’m interested in this position and will check www.usajobs.gov for the
announcement, or I will call or email the contact person.
PERSONAL INFORMATION:
Name: __________________________________________________ Date:
________________
Address: ________________________________________________ Phone:
_______________
________________________________________________ E-Mail: _______________
Are you currently a Federal employee: YES ____ NO ___
If yes,
Current title/series/grade/location:
_____________________________________________
Type of appointment you are currently under
_____________________________________
(e.g., Temporary, Career, Career-Conditional, Excepted-ANILCA, Excepted
VRA, etc)

Graduate position: TennesseeTechU.ShrimpSpeciation

Masters Student Opportunity
Speciation and genome structure in Alpheus snapping shrimp

An MS position is available through the Department of Biology at
Tennessee Tech University in Cookeville, Tennessee; starting date is
between August 2017 and January 2018. The applicant will work with
a collaborative team that includes Dr. Carla Hurt from Tennessee Tech
University, Dr. Kristin Hultgren from Seattle University, and Dr. Arthur
Anker from Universidade Federal do Ceara. The successful applicant will
investigate the evolution of genome size and chromosomal rearrangements
and the contribution of genome size evolution to species diversification
in the tropical snapping shrimp genus Alpheus.  The student would optimize
techniques for characterizing chromosomal structure and genome size data
and interpret this information in a phylogenetic context. This project
will be funded by the National Geographic Society.

We are looking for highly motivated candidates with a B.S. in Biology or
closely related field and a strong academic record.  A GPA of at least
3.5 in the highest degree earned is required.  The successful candidate
should demonstrate an interest in molecular genetics and systematics.
The student will need to possess an aptitude for research in a molecular
genetics laboratory as well as an ability to conduct field work; scuba
diving experience is preferred (but not required).  Previous experience
working in a molecular laboratory is preferred but exceptional applicants
without experience will be considered.  Financial support (stipend and
full tuition waiver) will be provided through a Teaching Assistantship
and will be renewable annually contingent upon satisfactory performance.

Interested students are encouraged to e-mail me (churt@tntech.edu). Please
include a short description of your academic background, research
interests and your CV, along with contact information for three
references. Screening of applicants will begin immediately.