Opportunities

2nd announcement: Research assistantships at LSU in the School of Renewable Natural Resources for Fall 2019

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The School of Renewable Natural Resources at LSU is accepting applications for graduate study leading to either a Master’s or Ph.D. until February 14, 2019. The assistantship(s) are competitive bases on GRE scores, GPA, and a statement of research objectives. The award provides for a generous assistantship,  waivers for fees and tuition, research support, and travel to one or more scientific meetings depending on degree program.

 

Gilbert Foundation Research Assistantships

School of Renewable Natural Resources

Louisiana State University

 

The School of Renewable Natural Resources is seeking M.S. and Ph.D. applicants for Gilbert Foundation Graduate Research Assistantships. These assistantships are available to students concentrating in the study of forestry and closely related areas.  Research areas could include forest management and economics, wood science and technology, forest biometrics, silviculture, forest hydrology, wetland forests, hardwood regeneration, ecophysiology, forest genetics, and forestry-related wildlife and fisheries management and conservation.

 

Annual stipends are generous and include a full tuition waiver and student fees. Master’s degree applicants must have an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 overall and 3.25 for last two years. Ph.D. applicants must a have a cumulative graduate GPA of 3.6. Verbal and quantitative scores of the GRE should be at least 310 with at least 153 and 144 on the verbal and quantitative sections, respectively. The writing score must be at least a 4.0. Performance on the GRE will be evaluated in combination with GPA, letters of reference, and other evidence of the applicant’s potential success in pursuing a graduate degree and representation of the Gilbert Foundation ideals.

 

Louisiana State University is a comprehensive Research I institution enrolling more than 28,000 students. The campus is located in south Louisiana, 60 minutes from New Orleans, close to Louisiana’s Cajun country, and in the heart of the state’s abundant forestry, wildlife, and fisheries resources.

 

The School of Renewable Natural Resources has a teaching, research, and extension faculty of 30, which includes adjunct professors of the US Geological Survey’s Louisiana Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit. The faculty in the School is committed to innovative teaching, state-of-the-art research, and quality extension programs designed to train well-rounded natural resource professionals.  Graduates of the School are employed in private industry, and state and federal natural resource agencies, but many choose to continue their graduate education.

 

For more information about graduate studies in the School of Renewable Natural Resources you are encouraged to visit the School’s web page (http://www.rnr.lsu.edu)

and the Graduate School web page (http://gradlsu.gs.lsu.edu/). Interested applicants should send a letter of interest summarizing your credential that includes a statement of possible research interest commensurate with level of graduate study. Also include names and email address for at least two references and copies of academic transcripts. The committee will meet February 15, 2019 to evaluate applicants. Awardees will then apply for admission for the Fall 2019 semester with a separate application to the Graduate School.

 

Send application materials via email or United States Postal Service to

 

Dr. Thomas Dean

Professor and Gilbert Committee Chair

227 Renewable Natural Resources Building

Louisiana State University

Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70803

fwdean@lsu.edu

(225) 578-4216

Professional Science Master’s Graduate Assistantship in Sustainable Agriculture

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The University of the District of Columbia (UDC) is the land-grant university of the Nation’s Capital. The College of Agriculture, Urban Sustainability and Environmental Sciences (CAUSES) embodies the land-

grant tradition of UDC and offers academic programs in urban agriculture, urban sustainability, water resources management, nutrition and dietetics, urban architecture and community planning.

 

Position Description

CAUSES seeks a Graduate Assistant to join its Professional Science Master’s Program in Urban Agriculture to start in spring 2019 (preferably). The Graduate Assistant will evaluate cultural practices and growing methods for two new ethnic crops. Of particular interest is how the two hardy and highly nutritious crops may benefit urban agriculture and sustainability, with a goal of improving food security, mitigating climate change, increasing green-economy jobs and small businesses, and bringing locally-grown and nutritious food to residents. Research will be conducted at UDC’s main campus and the agricultural experiment station. The Graduate Assistant will also contribute to community outreach. He/she will be expected to conduct research 20 hours per week during spring and fall semesters and 30-40 hours per week during summer, which carries a stipend of approximately $20,000 for 12-months and a reduction or complete payment of tuition.

 

Primary qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in agriculture, horticulture, entomology, plant pathology, biological sciences, ecology, or closely related field. Or, demonstrated work experience in these fields

• Good organizational skills, attention to detail, and a self-driven curiosity

• Proven ability to conduct independent research and/or maintain agricultural systems

• Excellent communication skills and the ability to convene and organize research groups, work as part of a scientific team, and relay information to the general public

• Strong quantitative skills and a basic understanding of biostatistics are preferred

·   Knowledge and/or experience in field research and/or growing leafy vegetables is preferred

• Physical ability to work outdoors in a variety of conditions

• A valid driver’s license is required and personal transportation is essential

 

Application

Applicants apply for the Graduate Assistantship through the PI and then the selected student will apply for the PSM Program through UDC. Applicants should email the PI: 1) a letter of interest detailing their qualifications for the position (two-page maximum); 2) a curriculum vitae; 3) unofficial transcripts; and 4) three professional references with contact information (institution, email address, phone number).

 

Application deadline: Open until filled. Priority deadline is February 8th.

 

Start date: Spring (preferably) or Fall semester 2019.

 

Duration: One year, renewable for a second year if expectations are met

 

Contact: To apply for the Graduate Assistantship or for questions, please contact Dr. Mamatha Hanumappa: mamatha.hanumappa@udc.edu; Ph 202-274-5499.

 

Full time job announcement: Research Technician in Environmental Science

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University of Michigan
Research Technician in Environmental Science
We are seeking a laboratory and field technician to assist in research projects involving environmental and ecological science, including field collection of environmental samples, the chemical analysis of samples in the laboratory, the computer entry of data, and the statistical or graphical analysis of data. A suitable candidate should possess a Bachelor’s degree in a natural science discipline such as chemistry, biology, or environmental sciences, plus the ability to translate, adapt and apply this knowledge. Candidates should have lab experience in detailed, high-quality biogeochemical analyses of samples, and must show evidence of skill in computer data entry and analysis including graphics. In addition, desired qualifications include experience in field collection of environmental samples in remote areas under difficult conditions, and experience in operating and coordinating sample collection and analysis with minimum supervision. The position requires moderately strenuous field work in the Arctic during summer (hiking with full packs over tundra). Experience in photochemistry, aquatic ecology, microbiology, or with the following laboratory instruments is a plus: Dissolved Inorganic Carbon analyzer, Total Organic Carbon analyzer, nutrient autoanalyzer, Carbon-Hydrogen-Nitrogen (CHN) analyzer, spectrometer, fluorometer, gas and liquid chromatography.

Interested applicants can apply at the University of Michigan (http://www.umich.edu/~jobs/), job posting # 165700. You must include a resume and cover letter describing your qualifications and experience and including three names for letters of reference. The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity employer.

Disease Ecology Project Assistant Opportunities Available at the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies

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The Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies is accepting applications for the following positions (22):
1) Disease Ecology Project Assistants, “Mouse-mast Project” (up to 3)
Job Description: Research the dynamics of mammalian communities and the relationships between mammals, ticks, oak trees, and Lyme disease.  Location is the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies in New York’s Hudson River Valley.  Duties include live-trapping small mammals, taking blood, urine, and fecal samples, reliably recording trapping data, sampling abundance of ticks, collecting tree seeds, and conducting seedling surveys within eastern deciduous forest plots. Early morning and late afternoon hours, as well as occasional weekends, are required.
Qualifications: Prior experience handling small mammals is highly desirable.
Employment: Employment can begin as early as April 1 or as late as mid May, with an end date of approximately November 14, 2019.
To Apply: Please submit job application via http://www.caryinstitute.org/who-we-are/jobs and include a single PDF file consisting of a letter of application, a resume, and the names, phone numbers, and email addresses of three professional references. Be sure to cite Job Number 19001-I, “Mouse-mast Project”.
2) Disease Ecology Project Assistants, “Tick-Climate Project” (up to 6)
Job Description: Research the effects of weather and climate on the survival and behavior of blacklegged ticks and risk of tick-borne disease.  Location is the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies in New York’s Hudson River Valley, with biweekly travel to sites between northern New York and North Carolina.  Duties include maintaining lab colonies of mice and ticks, establishing and maintaining field plots with ticks, assessing and recording tick survival, and downloading data from dataloggers.
Qualifications: Meticulous attention to detail and experience in field ecology is mandatory. Prior experience handling small mammals is highly desirable.
Employment: Employment to begin between March 15 and May 1, with an end date of approximately November 30, 2019.
To Apply: Please submit job application via http://www.caryinstitute.org/who-we-are/jobs and include a single PDF file consisting of a letter of application, a resume, and the names, phone numbers, and email addresses of three professional references.  Be sure to cite Job Number 19002-I, “Tick-Climate Project”.
3) Disease Ecology Project Assistants, “The Tick Project” (up to 12)
Job Description: Research the effects of tick management interventions on the survival and behavior of blacklegged ticks and risk of tick-borne disease in people.  Location is the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies in New York’s Hudson River Valley, with travel to sites throughout Dutchess County, New York.  Duties include sampling, collecting, and identifying collected ticks from suburban/village neighborhoods, live-trapping small mammals, gathering and entering data on tick encounters with local residents and cases of tick-borne disease, deploying wildlife cameras, and identifying species captured in wildlife camera photos.
Qualifications: Meticulous attention to detail and experience in field ecology is mandatory. Prior experience handling small mammals is highly desirable.
Employment: Employment to begin between April 1 and May 15, with an end date of approximately October 4, 2019.
To Apply: Please submit job application via http://www.caryinstitute.org/who-we-are/jobs and include a single PDF file consisting of a letter of application, a resume, and the names, phone numbers, and email addresses of three professional references. Be sure to cite Job Number 19003-I, “The Tick Project”.
4) Disease Ecology Project Assistant, “Tick Control Liaison” (1 position)
Job Description: Research the effects of tick management interventions on the survival and behavior of blacklegged ticks and risk of tick-borne disease in people. Location is the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies in New York’s Hudson River Valley, with travel to sites throughout Dutchess County, New York. Duties include acting as liaison between research staff at the Cary Institute and the pest control personnel who deploy tick control interventions on our study sites. The project assistant will:
-Assure compliance with research protocols and methodologies
-Maintain quality control of the preparation, delivery, and application of tick control interventions
-Maintain the double-blind study design
-Oversee the application of tick control interventions in study neighborhoods
-Address questions and concerns of study participants and members of the public in study neighborhoods
-Collect and maintain meticulous records of tick control treatments and other relevant field data
The project assistant will also spend approximately 25% of their time over the summer assisting on other tick-related projects and will perform a combination of lab and field work related to sampling the abundance of ticks.
Qualifications: Prior experience with field ecology, regulatory compliance, and vector control is highly desirable.
Employment: Employment to begin between April 1 and April 15, with an end date of approximately September 30, 2019 with the possibility of extension.
To Apply: Please submit job application via http://www.caryinstitute.org/who-we-are/jobs and include a single PDF file consisting of a letter of application, a resume and the names, phone numbers, and email addresses of three professional references. Be sure to cite Job Number 19004-I, “Tick Control Liaison”.
All positions report to Dr. Richard S. Ostfeld and are full time, 35 hours/week. Wage is commensurate with education and experience. The final candidate will be required to complete a post-offer, pre-employment driving background check successfully. Candidates must be authorized to work in the U.S. On-site or nearby housing is available. Review of applications will begin on January 14, 2019.  Postings are open until February 15, 2019 or until filled.
The Cary Institute is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Affirmative Action (AA) employer. It is the policy of the Company to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, familial status, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.

PhD position in Forest Resources or Ecology and Penn State

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PhD position in forest ecology and management at Penn State University starting Fall 2019.
The student will work within a team to study forest resources from a Critical Zone perspective.  The Critical Zone spans from bedrock to the atmospheric boundary layer and this project integrates research on vegetation, bedrock, hydrology, soils, land use and ecosystem services to inform forest management.  The student will be part of a training program in Critical Zone Management and will work with a cohort of other graduate students, have access to the national Critical Zone Observatory network, and be trained in leadership and outreach.  The PhD can be through the Forest Resources or Ecology programs and will be housed in the Department of Ecosystem Science and Management (ESM), which is committed to advancing awareness and inclusion of diversity and creating a climate of mutual respect for all.  Please contact Margot Kaye (mwk12@psu.edu) to find out more about the position.

USDA-ARS Ag Sci Research Technician job announcement (closes Dec 28, 2018)

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Agricultural Science Research Technician

USDA Agricultural Research Service

 

Open: 12/12/2018

Closes:  12/28/2018

Salary GS 07/08/09  ($41,365 to $65,778 per year)

Appointment type: Permanent

Work schedule: Full-Time

 

Summary

This position is located within the USDA, ARS, Northern Plains Agricultural Research Lab, Agricultural Systems Research Unit, in Sidney, MT.

The mission of the ASRU is to develop diversified irrigated and dryland cropping systems that enhance soil and water quality, conserve natural resources, and reduce dependence on agrochemicals in the Upper Missouri River Basin and the nation.

 

Major Duties may include, but are not limited to:

 

Collecting and evaluating soil and plant samples.

Searching for literature for new procedures or techniques to use in the laboratory, field, or computing environment.

Keeping exact and detailed records of data obtained from experiments.

Tabulating and statistically analyzing data using personal computers.

Maintaining and modifying laboratory equipment and automated collection systems used for test and evaluation procedures.

Adapting and developing new techniques or procedures to satisfy the needs of an agronomic research project.

 

Must be a US Citizen or US National

 

For more details and to apply, click here USAJobs.gov

 

Announcement number: ARS-S18Y-0516

Control number: 519328100

 

PhD position in predator ecology

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The Wilder lab at Oklahoma State University is recruiting a Ph.D. student to study predator ecology and food web interactions starting August 2019. The specific focus of the project is flexible but should be related to the role of predators in mediating the flow of energy and nutrients through food webs and ecosystems. The project may involve travel to Israel for some fieldwork and collaboration. Funding is available for the duration of the Ph.D. and will be provided through a combination of research and teaching assistantships. Further information about the lab group is available at: http://wildershawn.wixsite.com/wilderlab

Summer undergraduate research position in plant disease ecology – University of Florida

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The Flory Lab (florylab.com) at the University of Florida (UF) in Gainesville, FL is seeking a highly motivated undergraduate for a Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) position for summer 2019. This position is part of a larger research project funded by the NSF/USDA/NIH Ecology and Evolution of Infectious Disease program aimed at understanding how plant pathogens might mediate the long-term outcome of interactions between an invasive grass (stiltgrass) and native plant species. Depending on the student’s interest, the project may include experiments in a greenhouse or growth chamber, field work experience, and programming in R. With the help of mentors, the REU student will develop an independent project, acquiring skills in question formulation, experimental design and execution, data analysis, and science communication. The REU student will work closely with Amy Kendig, a postdoc in the Flory lab, and Luke Flory, one of the project principal investigators, and will interact with other UF researchers involved in the project.

Applicants must be enrolled in a baccalaureate degree program with an anticipated graduation date after September 2019 and must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident (including possessions/territories). The ideal candidate will be interested in pursuing a graduate degree or career in ecology, evolution, environmental science, or biology following graduation.

The REU position is 10-12 weeks in duration during summer 2019 with a flexible start date and a stipend of $497/week.

To apply, send the following to Amy Kendig at amy.kendig@ufl.edu (if possible combined as a single Word or PDF file):
1. A brief cover letter outlining your relevant experience, interest in the position, and career goals (maximum one page, single spaced)
2. A resume or CV
3. Undergraduate transcript (official or unofficial)
4. Contact information for two references (research advisors are preferred if you have prior experience)

Applications are due February 15, 2019. Please email Amy with any questions.

Honey bee-microbiome-parasite interactions: Master’s Student Position at Eastern Washington University

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An NSF-funded Master’s student position is available in the lab of Dr. Jenifer Walke at Eastern Washington University.

 

The student will develop a thesis investigating interactions between honey bees, their gut microbiome andNosema parasites. Students with experience in microbiology and molecular biology are preferred.

 

This project is in collaboration with researchers at Virginia Tech, including Dr. Lisa Belden (Dept. of Biological Sciences), Dr. David Haak (School for Plant and Environmental Sciences), Dr. Rick Fell (Dept. of Entomology), and Dr. T.M. Murali (Dept. of Computer Science).

 

Interested candidates should submit a curriculum vitae and unofficial transcripts to Dr. Jeni Walke, atjwalke@ewu.edu by January 8th, 2019.

 

More information on the Walke lab: www.walkelab.com

More information on EWU Biology: www.ewu.edu/cstem/departments/biology

More information on EWU: www.ewu.edu

More information on the Spokane, WA region: www.visitspokane.com

 

New Battelle – NEON Project – Job Openings- Temporary Field Technicians – nationwide

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Battelle manages and operates the National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) project, which is solely funded by the National Science Foundation. A 30+ year project dedicated to understanding how changes in climate, land use and invasive species impact ecology, the observatory’s scientists and engineers are collecting a comprehensive range of ecological data on a continental scale across 20 eco-climatic domains representing US ecosystems.  Our teams use cutting-edge technology, including an airborne observation platform that captures images of regional landscapes and vegetation; mobile, relocatable, and fixed data collection sites with automated ground sensors to monitor soil and atmosphere; and trained field crews who observe and sample populations of diverse organisms and collect soil and water data.  Once structures are completed, a leading edge cyberinfrastructure will calibrate, store and publish this information.  The Observatory includes more than 500+ personnel and is the first of its kind designed to detect and enable forecasting of ecological change at continental scales. For more information about the NEON project, visit https://www.neonscience.org/ .

LOCATION/TERM DATES – Nationwide. Visit our website for specific locations and term dates.

JOB SUMMARY
Temporary Field Technicians perform seasonal and periodic sampling of physical, chemical and biological data at one (1)-five (5) field sites, while exercising good judgement and decision-making abilities to interpret protocol requirements. Temporary Field Technicians are assigned an area of primary responsibility within the scope of data collection: botany, entomology, mammalogy (except Puerto Rico and Hawaii), or limnology (except Hawaii).

Field observations and collection are conducted using approximately 30 different protocols and multiple Standard Operating Procedures with varying schedule requirements based on local ecosystem and current field conditions.

Daily and weekly work schedules will fluctuate.  Workdays can be up to twelve hours long and may be split with both morning and evening work, with work, at times, beginning at dawn and going through to dusk.  Workweeks can include weekends and occasionally may be up to 12 consecutive days.

Individuals are responsible for their own housing and transportation to primary work location.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
•       Performs field assignments in a variety of conditions (e.g., weather, terrain, diverse assigned biomes, etc.).
•       Follows established, standardized field procedures for sample collection; records data from sample collection; and processes samples.
•       Records activities and completed work according to Field Operations protocol.
•       Follows safety and Field Operations policy and procedures.
•       Reports issues with implementation of procedures and coordinates resolution with manager and technicians.
•       Assists with routine administrative duties, special projects and other duties as assigned.
•       Carries, moves and lifts field supplies (pack weighing up to 40 lbs.) to assigned field site (which involves diverse and uneven terrain).

REQUIRED: EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
•       High School Diploma.  Some post high school, specialized training or technical certificate may be required.
•       Knowledge of best practices for accurate and repeatable field and laboratory measurements across multiple scientific disciplines. Complex and variable systems require judgment and independent decision-making abilities
•       Technical skills using best practices in field and ability to identify aquatic or terrestrial flora and fauna to genus and species.
•       Due to the limited number of positions in each domain, technicians must be willing and able to learn and perform procedures and methods outside of the primary responsibility.
•       Willingness to perform maintenance and field sampling outdoors in sparsely populated, remote locations, with distances ranging from 1/2 hour to 6 hours from the domain office. Overnight travel, hiking off trail, and wading in water are typical in most locations.
•       Ability and willingness to work varied field operations schedules (up to 12+ hours per day), including split-shift, part-time, pre-dawn early mornings, evenings and weekends.
•       Ability to hike off trail, long distances, on uneven terrain, at remote locations, in all types of weather, carrying packs weighing up to 40lbs.
•       Ability to work on instrument towers ranging in height from 26 feet to 240 feet and at altitudes of up to 11,000 feet (depending on assigned Domain), involving the ability to ascend and descend multiple flights of stairs.
•       Ability to withstand exposure to fumes, dust, and noise. Field work may require frequent exposure to toxicodendrons (e.g. poison ivy and poison oak), ticks, biting insects and other natural hazards.
•       Proficiency with MS Office Suite (e.g., Excel, Word).
•       Ability to follow written and verbal instructions.
•       High level of attention to detail and accuracy.
•       Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
•       Strong work ethic and enthusiasm.

Previous NEON Project field experience will be highly considered
US Citizen or permanent resident only

To apply, and view all locations, visit https://jobs.battelle.org/ListJobs/ByKeyword/NEON/.

Battelle provides employment and opportunities for advancement, compensation, training, and growth according to individual merit, without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, age, genetic information, disability, veteran-status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable Federal, state, or local law. Our goal is for each staff member to have the opportunity to grow to the limits of their abilities and to achieve personal and organizational objectives. We will support positive programs for equal treatment of all staff and full utilization of all qualified employees at all levels within Battelle.