A PhD student position is available in the Gutenkunst group at the
University of Arizona. The group focuses on computational population
genomics, with an emphasis on methods development. Students may
join the Gutenkunst group through PhD programs including Ecology &
Evolutionary Biology, Genetics, and Statistics. For more information,
see https://nam01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fgutengroup.mcb.arizona.edu&data=02%7C01%7Cpamela.diggle%40uconn.edu%7Cffd1ce0b189745052e3108d73bf7031e%7C17f1a87e2a254eaab9df9d439034b080%7C0%7C1%7C637043804405961505&sdata=8PAEZVj8vixlnm30h5y8%2F0KpUtEJ%2Fu%2F%2FWBm2Ry9dZDE%3D&reserved=0 or contact Dr. Ryan Gutenkunst
at rgutenk@email.arizona.edu.

The student will contribute to an NIH-funded project to develop and apply
methods for inferring novel models of natural selection from population
genomic data. In particular, the student will apply methods for inferring
the joint distribution of fitness effects to multiple species and extend
those methods to ancient DNA. The student will also have the freedom to
contribute to other ongoing projects and to develop their own projects
that mesh with the group¢s interests.

Applicants should have a B.S. in molecular or evolutionary biology,
bioinformatics, or a related field. Prior computational experience
is highly desirable, and applicants should be motivated, creative, and
collegial. The University of Arizona has great strength in population and
evolutionary genetics, offering potential interactions with Drs. Joanna
Masel, David Enard, Joseph Watkins, Mike Barker, and others. Computational
resources are similarly excellent. The campus is highly interdisciplinary
and very collegial. The University of Arizona is an EEO/AA – M/W/D/V
Employer.

At 2,500 feet above sea level, culturally diverse Tucson, Arizona is
nestled among five mountain ranges in the beautiful Sonoran Desert
and is surrounded by Saguaro National Park. Housing is affordable,
quality of life is high, and outdoor recreation opportunities include
the southernmost ski area in the United States and over 100 miles of
bike trails. The area receives over 350 days of sunshine per year and
enjoys average high/low temperatures of 82/54 degrees F.

Interested students should contact Dr. Gutenkunst directly to discuss
which PhD program at the University of Arizona is most appropriate
for their interests. Financial support is available through research
assistantships, local fellowships, and teaching assistantships

rgutenk@email.arizona.edu

I am currently seeking two graduate students to start in the fall 2020
to study insect-microbial symbioses.

Research in my newly established lab focuses on the
evolution of insect-microbial symbioses.   Parasitic lice
(Phthiraptera) and their symbiotic microbes (Ca. Riesia species,
https://nam01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fgenome%2F53872&data=02%7C01%7Cpamela.diggle%40uconn.edu%7C23d676e51d2f48c44d3508d73b50bda6%7C17f1a87e2a254eaab9df9d439034b080%7C0%7C0%7C637043090284880921&sdata=S4JpImFiCT2Wdf1lBUXZki90ofONVgi%2BR6oiohuFGjI%3D&reserved=0) serve as the primary focus
of my research.  Currently I am investigating how microbial symbioses
facilitates the evolution of novel insect phenotypes, how symbioses
impacts genome evolution in bacteria, and the roles mobile genetic
elements play in insect-microbial symbioses.  Students working in the
lab will gain experience in bioinformatics and wet lab techniques.
An emphasis will be placed on bioinformatics and students will gain
experience with phylogenetic methods, genome/transcriptome assembly,
genome annotation and comparison, and metagenome analysis.   You can
learn more about my work by visiting rampages.us/bboydlab/

If you are interested in insect or bacterial evolution, phylogenetics,
and evolutionary biology, please contact me by email at boydbm@vcu.edu.
The email should include a 1) short description of your research interests
and experience, 2) your CV, and 3) whether you are seeking a Ph.D. or M.S.
Please send inquires before November 1, 2019.

The lab is centrally located in the bustling Monroe Park campus of
Virginia Commonwealth University.  Located along the James River
in Richmond, Virginia, the area is known for its numerous dining and
entertainment options.  The greater Richmond area is host to many craft
breweries and nature parks.

Bret Boyd

Bret Boyd <boydbm@vcu.edu>

We are hiring a research technician to work on a project focused on how species’ phenological differences, pollinators, soil communities, and/or climate variability mediate coexistence and invasion in plant communities. The position is based in the Diez Lab (https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fdiezecology.com&amp;data=02%7C01%7Cmadeline.hennessey%40uconn.edu%7C506964ec05d64494356508d73b4f8dbf%7C17f1a87e2a254eaab9df9d439034b080%7C0%7C0%7C637043085191437789&amp;sdata=oJBFa%2BiGsYk%2Fyvudo%2FB86rs%2FeK04uycdeZKJtUfYnAY%3D&amp;reserved=0) at the University of California, Riverside, and ideal for someone with a bachelor’s degree contemplating graduate school and looking for research experience. The work will involve a mixture of field work, computer work, and greenhouse experiments.

Qualifications: Experience and/or interest in the following are highly desirable:  field ecology, California flora (or ability to learn), and programming in R.  Required are: sharp critical thinking and organizational skills, attention to detail, ability to work well alone and in teams, a valid driver’s license, enthusiasm / ability to work long field days in desert-like conditions and willingness to spend some nights at research field stations.

Position: This is a full-time position (40 hours/week), paying approx. $3250 / month plus benefits through the University of California. The position start-date is January 2019, but can be flexible, and duration is a minimum of 6 months but renewable up to two years.

To apply: please email me (jeffreyd@ucr.edu) your CV, a brief description of your past research and coursework experience in ecology, your interest in the position, and contact information for 2 references.  Please apply by October 1 for full consideration.

Operation Wallacea Presentation by Dr. Tim Coles

Monday, September 30^th

5:00PM

PBB 203

Background

Operation Wallacea is a network of academics from European and North American universities, who design and implement biodiversity and conservation management research expeditions.  Research is supported by students who join the programme, to strengthen their CV or resume or collect data for a dissertation or thesis. Academics benefit from funding for high quality fieldwork enabling them to publish papers in peer reviewed journals. This model enables the collection of large temporal and spatial datasets used for assessing the effectiveness of conservation management interventions.  More information: https://www.opwall.com/

Past UConn students have used their time on an OpWall trip to collect data for use in their Honors thesis, or to gain independent study credit.

What is Operation Wallacea?

Operation Wallacea (Opwall) is a conservation research organisation that is funded by, and relies on, teams of student volunteers who join expeditions for the opportunity to work on real-world research programmes alongside academic researchers.

Most science programmes abroad that deliver research outcomes are funded on a short-term basis by grants with typically tightly restricted aims. Long-term projects covering large bio-geographical scales that can incorporate more than one ecosystem are rare. By adopting a volunteer funded model, Opwall does not suffer from those restrictions and can draw upon researchers from a wide range of different disciplines and academic institutions, and create long-term research projects.

Those researchers and academics also separate Opwall from other volunteer organisations, allowing a truly research orientated project. You can also find out more about peoples experiences and our projects at the Opwall Blog.

Features

• Over 460 Peer Reviewed Publications
• 12 vertebrate, 29 invertebrate and 4 plant species discovered
• Supported more than 80 biodiversity conservation research PhDs
• Involved in the establishment of multiple protected areas
• Supervised over 1000 undergraduate and masters dissertations
• Directs $millions every year to on-the-ground conservation and research
• Alumni includes more than 20,000 volunteers from over 100 countries

The Cease Lab at Arizona State University is hiring a lab manager to manage research logistics focused on insect nutritional physiology, plant-insect interactions, and ecology.

Click here for more details and to apply: Research Technician, Cease Lab, ASU

Please contact Rick Overson rick.overson@asu.edu with any additional questions.

If you are currently an ASU staff employee, please apply through the ‘ASU employees’ link on https://sjobs.brassring.com/TGnewUI/Search/home/HomeWithPreLoadPageType=JobDetails&jobid=3890682&partnerid=25620&siteid=5494&type=mail#jobDetails=3890682_5494 and search for the job posting through there using the internal search code: 55253BR.

Job Description

Performs a wide variety of standard laboratory procedures including assisting with running experiments, insect husbandry, chemical analyses, overseeing lab safety, and other clerical duties pertaining to laboratory operation. Position will be in the Cease Lab at ASU where research focuses on terrestrial ecology, plant-insect interactions, insect physiology, coupled natural-human systems, and sustainable agriculture. The research group collaborates extensively with interdisciplinary biologists, social scientists, and plant protection agencies both locally and internationally. This position requires resourcefulness and adaptability to the unique and changing needs of the research team.

Essential Duties

•    Oversee maintenance of the research lab, procuring supplies and equipment, lab safety, and other clerical duties.

•    Assist with running experiments involving nutrient content analyses of soil, plants, and insects, as well as insect behavior and nutritional ecology

•    Supervise undergraduate students running standard protocols in the lab, such as chemical assays

•    Assist with the recording, analysis, and management of data

•    Work with locusts. Locusts are known to be allergenic. While we have robust allergen-reducing controls in the laboratory, it is paramount that the candidate not have unmanageable pre-existing allergies to arthropods and be able to work in the locust facilities wearing appropriate PPE.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in a field appropriate to the area of assignment; OR, Four years research experience appropriate to the area of assignment; OR, Any equivalent combination of experience and/or education from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities have been achieved.

Desired Qualifications

•    1+ year(s) experience working in a research laboratory

•    Evidence of effective verbal and written communication skills

•    Demonstrated standard laboratory bench skills (i.e. pipetting, following protocols for methods such as chemical or molecular analyses)

•    Demonstrated capacity to work well with interdisciplinary teams or with diverse groups and sectors, including leading teams as relevant

•    Experience planning for and carrying out laboratory biology research

•    Experience working with live animal cultures particularly insects

Working Environment

•    Activities are performed either in an office or laboratory setting

•    Required to stand for varying lengths of time and walk moderate distances to perform work

•    Frequent bending, reaching, lifting, pushing and pulling up to 25 pounds

•    Clearly communicate to perform essential functions

•    Travel internationally

The Cease Lab at Arizona State University is hiring a lab manager to manage research logistics focused on insect nutritional physiology, plant-insect interactions, and ecology.

Click here for more details and to apply: Research Technician, Cease Lab, ASU

Please contact Rick Overson rick.overson@asu.edu with any additional questions.

If you are currently an ASU staff employee, please apply through the ‘ASU employees’ link on https://sjobs.brassring.com/TGnewUI/Search/home/HomeWithPreLoadPageType=JobDetails&jobid=3890682&partnerid=25620&siteid=5494&type=mail#jobDetails=3890682_5494 and search for the job posting through there using the internal search code: 55253BR.

Job Description

Performs a wide variety of standard laboratory procedures including assisting with running experiments, insect husbandry, chemical analyses, overseeing lab safety, and other clerical duties pertaining to laboratory operation. Position will be in the Cease Lab at ASU where research focuses on terrestrial ecology, plant-insect interactions, insect physiology, coupled natural-human systems, and sustainable agriculture. The research group collaborates extensively with interdisciplinary biologists, social scientists, and plant protection agencies both locally and internationally. This position requires resourcefulness and adaptability to the unique and changing needs of the research team.

Essential Duties

•    Oversee maintenance of the research lab, procuring supplies and equipment, lab safety, and other clerical duties.

•    Assist with running experiments involving nutrient content analyses of soil, plants, and insects, as well as insect behavior and nutritional ecology

•    Supervise undergraduate students running standard protocols in the lab, such as chemical assays

•    Assist with the recording, analysis, and management of data

•    Work with locusts. Locusts are known to be allergenic. While we have robust allergen-reducing controls in the laboratory, it is paramount that the candidate not have unmanageable pre-existing allergies to arthropods and be able to work in the locust facilities wearing appropriate PPE.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in a field appropriate to the area of assignment; OR, Four years research experience appropriate to the area of assignment; OR, Any equivalent combination of experience and/or education from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities have been achieved.

Desired Qualifications

•    1+ year(s) experience working in a research laboratory

•    Evidence of effective verbal and written communication skills

•    Demonstrated standard laboratory bench skills (i.e. pipetting, following protocols for methods such as chemical or molecular analyses)

•    Demonstrated capacity to work well with interdisciplinary teams or with diverse groups and sectors, including leading teams as relevant

•    Experience planning for and carrying out laboratory biology research

•    Experience working with live animal cultures particularly insects

Working Environment

•    Activities are performed either in an office or laboratory setting

•    Required to stand for varying lengths of time and walk moderate distances to perform work

•    Frequent bending, reaching, lifting, pushing and pulling up to 25 pounds

•    Clearly communicate to perform essential functions

•    Travel internationally

Subject: Graduate Position: UHouston.MolecularGenomeEvolution

Date: September 15, 2019 at 2:39:20 AM EDT

To: pamela.diggle@uconn.edu

Reply-To: brian@helix.biology.mcmaster.ca

Two PhD positions are available in Dan Graur¢s Lab at the University of
Houston.

The positions are available for candidates with computational skills
interested in researching topics in molecular and genome evolution by using
computational methods.

Potential projects include methodological topics related to the detection
of species introgression and positive selection.

Previous experience with computational work, statistics, and bioinformatics
will be highly regarded. Independent research is highly valued in Graur¢s
lab.

If you are interested in joining the lab, please contact me directly at
dgraur@uh.edu with a CV and a brief description of your research interests
and experience.

Dan Graur

Moores Professor of Biology and Biochemistry

University of Houston

Dan Graur <dgraur@gmail.com>