Full-time (40 hours/week) paid research technician positions are available for Summer 2019 in entomology at Michigan State University. We are looking for enthusiastic individuals to participate in conducting ecological research in the field and the lab; setting up experiments, collecting insects and data. You will often travel in university vehicles (travel time is paid) to research sites across Michigan. Research will focus on insect ecology, biological control, pollination, organic farming, insect-plant disease vectors, and crop scouting. You will get to know researchers, learn how to conduct ecological experiments, identify some insects, process data, collaborate in a research team and work independently. For more information about the lab and current research topics, visit: http://vegetable.ent.msu.edu 
To apply, please email your updated resume and a short description of why you are interested in working with us to Zsofia Szendrei (szendrei@msu.edu  ) by 03/11/2019. Please put ‘Summer Research Technician’ in the subject line of the email. Please also provide contact information for two professional references and indicate in the email if and when you are planning on taking time off during the summer with specific dates.
Required qualifications: valid U.S. driver’s license, ability to drive for several hours at a time, ability to work outside for long periods, attention to detail, ability to work in teams and independently.
Desirable skills: Interest in insects, ecology and agriculture will be helpful. Candidates should be enthusiastic, willing to work flexible hours and enjoy working outside. Experience working with insects and Excel is a plus. 

Delaware Division of Fish & Wildlife is looking for two volunteer coordinators/research assistance for the Delaware Shorebird Project field season. 

 

Primary responsibilities will be to recruit and manage a large volunteer team for the Delaware Shorebird Project to monitor migratory shorebird populations in the Delaware Bay. The Biological Aide is expected to assist the state shorebird biologist with coordinating and leading a team of volunteer scientists in data collection during an intense migratory period in May. Responsibilities prior to the May field season include reviewing volunteer applications, communicating with potential volunteers to develop an informed and efficient team for the field season, and developing volunteer orientation and training materials.

During the field season the Biological Aide will be expected to spend workdays based at the field house to serve as the primary point of contact for volunteers. They will be responsible for coordinating the arrival and departure logistics, assisting volunteers with paperwork and navigating the communal living environment.  The Biological Aide will direct, coordinate, train and organize volunteers to perform field activities, data management, and project logistics. Additionally, the Biological Aide will also participate in fieldwork including, shorebird capture using cannon nets, weighing, measuring and marking shorebirds, and resighting marked individuals using spotting scopes. During the field season, most of the day will be spent in the field where weather conditions may be variable.

Work entails operating and trailering small boats, and walking for up to 5 miles in sand or mud carrying heavy and awkward equipment while counting and reading shorebird leg flags. The Biological Aide, will carry and use a spotting scope to distinguish colored leg bands and flags on shorebirds at a distance. The Biological Aide will work independently and must be able to work in an efficient manner with good time management. This field work requires long hours under strenuous or uncomfortable field conditions (e.g. heat and humidity, biting insects), on a flexible schedule (some extended days and weekend hours). After the field work is completed, the Biological Aide will assist with data entry, data management, and QA/QC, and prepare outreach materials for volunteers such as a field season report and social media posts.

Must be available to start this job by the beginning of April, but an earlier start date is preferred. Please note there will be no housing provided outside of the field season. Applications will be reviewed as they are received so we encourage early application.

Job Duties:

·     Walk for up to 5 miles in sand or mud carrying heavy and awkward equipment.

·     Use a spotting scope to distinguish colored leg bands and flags on shorebirds at a distance.

·     Direct, communicate with, and organize volunteers.

·     Use programs for data entry and management (i.e., GIS, Excel and Access).

·     Work under instruction or independently in an efficient manner with good time management.

·     Work long hours under strenuous or uncomfortable field conditions (e.g. heat and humidity, biting insects), on a flexible schedule (some extended days and weekend hours).

·     Trailer and operate small boats.

·     Other duties are required.

37.5 hour Schedule:  Varies-— Evenings/Weekends/Holidays required

Preferred Qualifications:

·     Work towards Bachelor’s degree in wildlife biology/management or closely related field.  Completed degree is preferred.

·     Prior field work experience, especially capturing, handling, and banding wild birds.

·     Experience using a spotting scope to resight color bands and/or alphanumeric coded bands/flags

·     Experience using spreadsheet and spatial applications (e.g. Excel/Access, ArcGIS/Google Earth).

·     Experience report writing

·     Experience coordinating and leading a teams of volunteers or similar groups.

·     Must have valid driving license.

·     Experience trailering and operating small boats.

To learn more about the Delaware Shorebird Project, visit: http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/fw/Shorebirds/Pages/default.aspx, or visit us on facebook and twitter @deshorebirds. 

Delaware Division of Fish & Wildlife is looking for a seasonal Biological Aide to monitor breeding shorebirds and terns.

 

Primary duties are to monitor and protect piping plovers, American oystercatchers, and gull and tern colonies on beaches and islands in Sussex County Delaware (primarily Cape Henlopen, Delaware Seashore, and Fenwick Islands State Parks, and Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge). Responsibilities include monitoring territorial shorebird pairs, active nests and broods, monitoring tern and gull colonies, and protecting nesting habitat and nests with fencing, signs, predator exclosures, and by interacting with the public. The Biological Aide will also coordinate, train, schedule, and communicate with volunteers assisting the project who help educate and inform the general public and beach nesting species. Daily work entails driving a 4WD vehicle in sand and walking for up to 5 miles in sand or mud carrying heavy and awkward equipment while searching for and monitoring nests and broods. The Biological Aide, will carry and use a spotting scope to distinguish colored leg bands and flags on shorebirds at a distance. The Biological Aide will work independently and must be able to work in an efficient manner with good time management. This field work may require long hours under strenuous or uncomfortable field conditions (e.g. heat and humidity, biting insects), on a flexible schedule (some extended days and weekend hours).

After the field season, the Biological Aide will assist with data entry, management, and QA/QC, and prepare reports using GIS, Excel, and Access. Additional opportunities may include assisting with migratory shorebird fieldwork with the Delaware Shorebird Project and raptor ID serving as an alternate Hawk Migration Counter at the Cape Henlopen State Park Hawk Migration Station (September and November). Duties for the Hawk Migration Counter entail identifying and recording migrating raptors and interpreting hawk migration patterns for the public.

Must be available to start this job by late April, but an earlier start date is preferred. Please note there will be no housing provided. Applications will be reviewed as they are received so we encourage early application.

Job Duties:

·     Walk for up to 5 miles in sand or mud carrying heavy and awkward equipment.

·     Distinguish colored leg bands and flags on shorebirds at a distance.

·     Direct, communicate with, and organize volunteers.

·     Use programs for data entry and management (i.e., GIS, Excel and Access).

·     Work under instruction or independently in an efficient manner with good time management.

·     Work long hours under strenuous or uncomfortable field conditions (e.g. heat and humidity, biting insects), on a flexible schedule (some extended days and weekend hours).

·     Operate a 4WD vehicle in sand.

·     37.5 or 29.5 hour Schedule:  Varies-— Evenings/Weekends/Holidays required

Preferred Qualifications:

·     Work towards Bachelor’s degree in wildlife biology/management or closely related field.  Completed degree is preferred.

·     Field work experience with beach nesting birds, especially nest searching and using/constructing predator exclosures at nests.

·     Experience using a spotting scope to resight color bands and/or alphanumeric coded bands/flags.

·     Experience using spreadsheet and spatial applications (e.g. Excel/Access, ArcGIS/Google Earth).

·     Must have a valid driving license.

·     Experience driving in sand.

Please visit https://www.jobapscloud.com/DE/sup/BulPreview.asp?R1=022219&R2=MGCC02&R3=400308 to learn more and apply. 

__________________

Audrey DeRose-Wilson

Program Manager for Avian Conservation and Biodiversity

Delaware Division of Fish & Wildlife

Cell: (631) 365-3856

Office: (302) 735-8667

Audrey.DeRose-Wilson@delaware.gov

I am looking for four field technicians with a strong work ethic to assist with the osprey hacking program in Illinois as part of the osprey recovery effort for this state-endangered species.

The positions, based at different sites, have the following responsibilities:

* Daily Observations – conduct daily behavioral observations of osprey chicks at the hacking site to ensure their well-being.  Make notes of presence of potential predators or competitors in the vicinity of the hacking site.

* Daily Tracking – conduct daily tracking of ospreys once they fledge and note their locations before migration.

* Food Preparation and Feeding – conduct daily preparation of fish and feeding to the hacked ospreys.

* Planning and Coordination – conduct regular fish pick-ups from the project partners.  Coordinate with the field personnel at the other hacking site for project purposes when required.

* Daily Reports – contribute to daily reports regarding the behaviors, locations, and fish consumption by ospreys.  Record any other notable events related to the birds.

* Maintenance – assist with the maintenance and clean-up of the hacking box/tower after the season, as well as the maintenance and inventory of the field gear and equipment.

Qualifications for the positions:

Successful candidates must have a B.S. degree in environmental science, wildlife, biology, or related field.  Experiences working with birds of prey, as well as paddling skills, are highly preferred.  Proficiency with Microsoft Office, ArcGIS, and GPS is highly desirable.  Successful candidates must be a team-player, demonstrate strong communication skills, follow instructions well, and pay attention to detail.  Candidates must have a commitment to field personnel and equipment safety.  Individuals must have and maintain a valid driver’s license as well as be able to work outdoors in extreme weather conditions and for long hours.

Application: Review of applications will start immediately until the positions are filled.

Starting date: July 1, 2019.

Anticipated ending date: October 6, 2019.

Salary: $500-$560 per WEEK (depending on the skills and experiences).  Housing or camping gear (except sleeping gear) are provided.

To apply, please send the following (via email) to Dr. Tih-Fen Ting at tting1@uis.edu:

1)  Cover letter addressing background and extent of qualifications;

2)  Resume, including contact information for three references; and

3)  Transcripts (unofficial or scanned copy acceptable).

Tih-Fen Ting

Department of Environmental Studies

University of Illinois at Springfield

Springfield, IL 62703

(217) 206-7876

tting1@uis.edu

The Gratton Lab in the Entomology Department at the University of Wisconsin-Madison is now accepting applications for full-time seasonal field positions to begin around June 3, 2019 and continue for 12 to 16 weeks. Our lab studies the links between insects, landscapes, and their conservation in support of healthy ecosystems and human well being. Specific projects are listed below, though assistants may work across multiple projects.

Available positions:

Undergraduate summer assistants (multiple available)

Pay rate: $10/hour

Start date/duration: Full-time seasonal position for ~12 weeks between June and August

Field technician (multiple available, undergraduate degree required)

Pay rate: $14/hr

Start date/duration: Full-time seasonal position for ~12-16 weeks between May and September

Job responsibilities: Field technicians and summer assistants will work with graduate students and staff scientists to conduct field work, collect and process data, and maintain equipment. Some projects may require long hours or weekend work. All positions will be based out of Madison, WI, with frequent travel around southern Wisconsin.  

Requirements:

·      

·     Valid

·      US driver’s license and ability to obtain driver authorization from UW Risk Management. (http://www.bussvc.wisc.edu/risk_mgt/drivetable.html)

·      

·      

·     Attention

·      to detail and ability to stay focused on tedious or repetitive tasks

·      

·      

·     Coursework

·      or interest in ecology, biology, entomology, or related fields

·      

·      

·     Ability

·      to work independently and with others

·      

·      

·     Experience

·      with or willingness to learn insect handling and processing techniques

·      

·      

·     Enjoy

·      being outside, comfortable working in hot/humid conditions.

·      

Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.  Our lab aims to make science and ecology more inclusive of people of all identities, and we strongly encourage people of color, and people of all genders, sexual orientations, and cultural backgrounds to apply.  See our full equity and inclusion statement on our website:  http://gratton.entomology.wisc.edu/equity-inclusion-statement/

 

Reviews of applications will beginning on  March 11, 2019 on a rolling basis. To apply, please visit our website or this link: https://go.wisc.edu/318m8e.If you have any questions or have trouble submitting using the form, please contact Jeremy Hemberger (hemberger@wisc.edu).

Overview of projects: For more project information visit gratton.entomology.wisc.edu/summer-2019

·      

·     Monarch

·      landscape ecology – How do local and landscape-level characteristics

·      influence monarch use of a patch of milkweed? Daily surveys of 1-2 prairie/grassland sites per day for monarchs, milkweed, and blooming plants.

·      

·      

·      

·     Pollinator

·      conservation (NRCS) – Evaluating the effects of prairie restoration

·      variability

·     and their location in a landscape on bumble bee abundance and diversity.

·      

·      

·      

·     Urban

·      bumble bees – We will capture and identify bumble bees across a

·      range of landscape types to understand how urbanization impacts their populations. Our team will survey prairies, suburban neighborhoods, and city blocks as well as discuss related scientific papers, prepare field equipment, and begin preliminary data analysis.

·      

·      

·      

·     Pollinator

·      habitat value (DATCP) – Investigating the value of pollinator habitat

·      to crop pollination and yield on small, mixed vegetable farms.  We will do pollinator observations and collect fruit for seed counts and yield measurements.

·      

·      

·     Effectiveness

·      of pollinator plantings – We will survey wild bees in cucumber

·      fields and field-edge flower plantings to understand how planting effectiveness varies in different landscapes. Duties will include: observational pollinator surveys, flower surveys, and pollen deposition experiments. Living in a rural cabin for several weeks

·      will be necessary.

·      

·      

·     Honey

·      bee landscape ecology – Studying how habitat in the surrounding

·      landscape influences the health and survival of commercial honey bee hives.  We will visit commercial bee yards across southwest Wisconsin to extract data from in-hive sensors and take measurements of hive health.  Beekeeping experience preferred but not required.

·      

·      

·     Lady

·      beetle (“ladybug”) landscape ecology – Researching

·      how resource continuity in the landscape affect lady beetle abundance, health, and biocontrol potential. We will conduct surveys on farms and in natural sites across southern Wisconsin.

·      

·      

·     Citizen

·      science specialist – Working with farmers of pollinator-dependent

·      crops to establish a citizen-science program using a Smartphone app to measure wild pollinator communities (bachelor’s degree required).

·      

 

Erin Lowe 

MSc Candidate, Agroecology and Entomology

Gratton Lab, University of Wisconsin-Madison

http://gratton.entomology.wisc.edu/

M.S. or Ph.D. Graduate Research Assistantship –

Wetland Water Quality and Macroinvertebrates, Division of Forestry and Natural Resources, Wildlife and Fisheries Resources Program, West Virginia University

STARTING DATE: May 2019

CLOSING DATE: Position is open until filled.

DESCRIPTION:  Student will be supported by an EPA-funded 12-month Research Assistantship. 

Student will work with an interdisciplinary team on a statewide wetland water quality and macroinvertebrate index of biotic integrity (IBI) study in West Virginia.  Student will be responsible for collecting and analyzing water quality samples, developing a macroinvertebrate IBI, and evaluating wetland condition.  Ample opportunities for developing independent research questions related to wetlands, water quality, and invertebrates and for presenting at conferences is available.

Specific objectives of the study are to: 1) characterize water quality conditions for a statewide wetland sample stratified by ecoregion and wetland type; 2) evaluate water quality conditions in relation to surrounding landuse, and biotic and abiotic parameters, 3) identify functional groups of wetlands with high (or low) water quality functions and those with high potential for restoring water quality; 4) develop a macroinvertebrate IBI; 5) investigate the role of hydrologic variation in temporal water quality variation, and 6) review national and state standards, and use existing and proposed WV data to recommend standards for state wetland water quality regulatory guidance specific to WV wetlands.

The student will be working toward a Ph.D. in Natural Resources Sciences or an M.S. in Wildlife and Fisheries at West Virginia University (http://bit.ly/WVUForestry).

QUALIFICATIONS: B.S. in Wetlands, Ecology, or closely related field and M.S. for PhD.  Minimum GPA of 3.5 and combined quantitative/verbal GRE scores of 310.  A strong interest and experience in wetlands, macroinvertebrates, and water quality is required.  Experience in GIS, statistics, modeling, and wetland vegetation identification is desired. 

STIPEND: $21,605/year (PhD.) or $18,000 (M.S.) plus health insurance and tuition waiver.

CONTACT:  Student will be advised by Dr. James T. Anderson.  Interested individuals should send a letter of interest, resume, a 500-word statement of purpose (why do you want to work on this project, your research interests, and long-term career goals), unofficial copy of transcripts and GRE scores, and contact information for 3 references tojim.anderson@mail.wvu.edu. 

James T. Anderson, Ph.D.

Davis-Michael Professor Forestry and Natural Resources

West Virginia University

(304) 293-3825 Office

http://wildlife.wvu.edu/

Dear undergraduates excited about biology,

 

Are you interested in evolutionary biology or want to see what happens at a scientific conference? The Society for the Study of Evolution (SSE) is sponsoring registration costs for ten local undergraduate students to attend one full day at the Evolution 2019 meeting in Providence, RI, on Saturday, June 22.

 

Evolution is an annual evolutionary biology conference that brings together over 2,000 scientists from around the world to discuss and present current research. The day at the conference will last from 8AM to ~7PM and will include hundreds of scientific talks, posters, and a networking event with other undergraduates attending the conference. This is a fantastic opportunity to learn about scientific careers, receive helpful advice about how to get the most out of the event, and build new professional connections.

Undergraduates selected for this opportunity will be paired with graduate student mentors from around the country to help them navigate through this large, international meeting and answer any questions they may have both before and during the event. Accepted students will receive free registration for the event, but participants will be responsible for their own transportation to the Rhode Island Convention Center and any food they purchase.

 

Important links:

Conference Website

Application

Society for the Study of Evolution

 

Applications are due by 5PM PST on March 29, 2019. Students will be notified of their acceptance by April 8 in order to officially register for the conference by April 15. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions, and we hope to see you in Providence!

 

Best,

Melissa Plakke

SSE Graduate Student Advisory Council

Mep115@pitt.edu

The Fleishman lab at University of California, Davis invites applications for up to three ornithological field assistants from mid May through mid July of 2019. Screening of applicants is ongoing and will continue as needed, but the initial application deadline is 7 March 2019.

This position will participate in interdisciplinary studies focusing on ornithology and vegetation ecology of the spectacular Great Basin (eastern California and western and central Nevada). General responsibilities include conducting point counts of breeding birds and measuring vegetation structure and phenology with multiple protocols. The position will maintain detailed data records and interact with local resource managers and the public. The activities expected of the position will lead to analyses and interpretations suitable for inclusion in manuscripts that will be submitted to peer-reviewed scientific journals. The position will interact with multidisciplinary teams of ecologists and geographers and engage in professional discussions relevant to the work. The ideal candidate will have strong interpersonal, communication, and decision-making skills, and the ability to work well independently and as part of a team.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

— BS in ecology, natural resources, or a related field with two or more years of experience in remote field settings.
— Experience and proficiency in identification of western birds by sound and sight. This existing skill is essential to the position.
— Experience performing point counts or similar surveys of breeding birds.
— Experience measuring vegetation structure and composition.
— Excellent organizational skills, including ability to collect and maintain accurate hard-copy data records.
— Good physical condition and the ability to work independently in remote field settings, including regular camping in the field.
— Valid driver’s license issued in the United States.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

— Experience driving four-wheel drive vehicles on county-maintained roads.
— Ability to operate manual-transmission vehicles.
— CPR and first aid certifications.

Salary commensurate with experience.

TO APPLY

Please go to https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.employment.ucdavis.edu%2Fapplicants%2Fjsp%2Fshared%2Fsearch%2FSearch_css.jsp&data=02%7C01%7Cmiranda.l.davis%40uconn.edu%7Cc66a478b188a440f345408d69c1789ae%7C17f1a87e2a254eaab9df9d439034b080%7C0%7C0%7C636868022241173836&sdata=dJjahYP6j%2B01M8y2B%2FksxjD4TwBhUVW2cIEwxejm9QA%3D&reserved=0, and then search for requisition number 03023343. Applicants must submit a cover letter describing their qualifications, including but not limited to their ability to identify western birds by sound and sight and their previous experience with ornithological survey methods, experience with identification and measurement of the Great Basin flora, and backcountry experience. Applicants also must submit a curriculum vitae or resume. Documents or materials must be submitted as PDFs. Additionally, applicants must provide contact information (including email and telephone number) for three professional references.

QUESTIONS? Please direct questions to Erica Fleishman, efleishman@ucdavis.edu.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status. The complete University of California nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy is available at https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fpolicy.ucop.edu%2Fdoc%2F4000376%2FNondiscrimAffirmAct&data=02%7C01%7Cmiranda.l.davis%40uconn.edu%7Cc66a478b188a440f345408d69c1789ae%7C17f1a87e2a254eaab9df9d439034b080%7C0%7C0%7C636868022241173836&sdata=pyGwRe1XyaS%2B8IxAPwwpCp%2BaTU4viTwmnYrpj%2F%2FMkY0%3D&reserved=0.