Opportunities

Graduate position: NorthernArizonaU.TreePhylogeography

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PhD position available in Landscape Genomics, Phylogeography and Climate
adaptation of tree species @ NAU

The School of Forestry at Northern Arizona University (NAU) is seeking one
highly motivated PhD student to join Dr. De La Torreขs lab of Genomics
and Evolution of Forest Tree Species. The position includes a stipend,
tuition waiver, and full health benefits for 4 years. Outstanding
candidates may qualify for the NAU Presidential Fellowship Program
(http://nau.edu/GradCol/Financing/Presidential-Fellowship-Program/). The
student will use genomic tools to study phylogeography, migration rates,
and the potential to adaptation to climate change in southwestern conifer
species. The research will include molecular lab work, greenhouse work,
modelling and data analyses.

Qualifications:

–       Master degree in Genetics, Evolutionary Biology,
Bioinformatics, Forest Sciences, Biology, Plant Sciences, or
related fields of study.

–     Proficiency in R, Perl or Phyton (familiarity with Linux is a plus)

–       Willingness to work with big data sets in a computer cluster.

–       Strong statistical skills

–       Experience with GIS

–       Availability to start by July 1st, 2019 .

–       Molecular lab experience is desirable.

–       Skills in modeling with R are desirable.

How to apply:
Please send a 1-page statement of interest, CV, unofficial copy of
transcripts, GRE scores, and TOEFL scores (international students),
and the names and contact information of 3 references by December 15th,
2018. If found to be a good match for the position, you will be encouraged
to apply to the graduate program at NAU. Please note that NAU has the
following admission requirements: GPA higher than 3.0 and TOEFL = 213
(computer-based) or 80 (internet-based).

Contact Information:
Dr. De La Torre, Amanda.de-la-torre@nau.edu
https://nau.edu/CEFNS/Forestry/Faculty-and-Staff/Directory/De-La-Torre/

Northern Arizona University is a 29,000 student-institution with its main
campus in Flagstaff, a four-season community of about 70,000 at the base
of the majestic San Francisco Peaks. Flagstaff has all-year easy access
to the Arizona snowbowl ski resort and is located at 1-hour drive from
the Grand Canyon. School of Forestry- http://nau.edu/forestry

Amanda De La Torre <Amanda.de-la-Torre@nau.edu>

Ph.D. Opportunity in Human-Environment Systems

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Ph.D. Assistantship – Social-ecological dynamics of iconic systems in the American West

Human-Environment Systems, Boise State University, Idaho, USA

 

A position is available for a motivated Ph.D. student to join a transdisciplinary team as part of the Idaho-wide project “Genes to Environment: Modeling, Mechanisms, and Mapping” (GEM3).  Under the broad umbrella of the GEM3 project, the student will focus on the social-ecological dynamics of riverine (rainbow trout) and/or sagebrush ecosystems in southwestern Idaho and in and around the Bridger-Teton and Caribou-Targhee National Forests and Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming.  Additional information about GEM3 can be found at: https://www.idahogem3.org/

 

The student’s project will include a variety of innovative and integrative aspects, including: (1) working with diverse stakeholders and collaborators to identify and assess social and ecological drivers of change and their consequences; and (2) using participatory modeling and scenario development to assess stakeholder decision-making and improve policy recommendations.  Other angles may include a focus on local ecological knowledge of these systems, working with community-based observation networks, and working collaboratively to incorporate social science data into ecological modeling frameworks.  The student will develop their own research projects within these or related themes. 

 

The student will be advised by Dr. Kelly Hopping (website).  The student will also work closely with colleagues at Boise State University, Idaho State University, and the University of Idaho, in addition to collaborating with others in the Human-Environment Systems community (cid.boisestate.edu/hes) – a group of faculty and students committed to transdisciplinary, team-based, actionable research that addresses real-world environmental challenges.  The position will begin in Summer or Fall (August) 2019.

 

To Apply

Review of documents will begin December 7, 2018 and will continue until finalists are identified.

 

Additional details about the position and how to apply can be found here.

 

 

FY 2019 Undergraduate Population and Ecosystem Dynamics Workshop

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The Special Project Announcement for the FY 2019 Undergraduate Population and Ecosystem Dynamics Workshop Competition has been released. This competition is to host one or more workshops between October 1, 2019 and September 30, 2020.

The Special Project Announcement is posted at: https://seagrant.noaa.gov/insideseagrant/Funding-Opportunities.  Applications are due January 23, 2019.

The purpose of the proposed undergraduate workshop program is to introduce and recruit students into the field of Population and Ecosystem Dynamics.

Please distribute this announcement widely.

NOAA’s goal is to rotate the workshop cooperative agreement regionally, based on the states and territories covered by the NMFS’ Science Centers. The annual rotation of host programs ensures geographic balance and diversity of expertise for this as a workforce development training program. In FY 2018, Oregon Sea Grant, located in the region of the NMFS Northwest Fisheries Science Center (Northwest FSC), was awarded the FY 2019 Undergraduate PED Workshop. This FY 2019 Special Projects Announcement, to host the FY 2020 Undergraduate PED Workshop(s), is eligible for applicants from all regions, with the exception of Oregon and Washington Sea Grant, the region of the Northwest FSC.

For additional information, beyond what is posted on the Inside Sea Grant website, please contact oar.hq.sg.competitions@noaa.gov.  Please put “attention: PED workshop” in the email subject line.

Sustainable RIVER REU – now accepting applications

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Subject: Sustainable RIVER REU – now accepting applications

The Sustainability Program at the University of South Dakota is offering a NSF REU program this summer titled “Sustainable RIVER (Remediating InVasives to Encourage Resilience).” Sustainable RIVER is a full-time, paid, undergraduate research opportunity. In the Sustainable RIVER project, the students will investigate different invasive elements and cultural and natural stressors affecting the Missouri River. The students will conduct an independent research project (see below), participate in field trips on and along the Missouri River, and produce a team project.

Research projects for the summer of 2019 are:

  • Effects of invasive trees on native floodplain forest vegetation and breeding birds
  • Effects of modified sediment loads on Missouri River and tributary hydrology
  • Effects of invasive fish on Missouri River food webs
  • Geological heritage sites along the Missouri River corridor
  • Examining the effects of pesticides on amphibian disease
  • A changed river’s effects of pesticides on amphibian disease
  • Ethnohistorical relationships among American Indian tribes and the Missouri River
  • Importance of aquatic insect-derived fatty acids to riparian birds along the Missouri River
  • Perceptions of multifunctional landscapes along the Missouri National Recreational River

The Sustainable RIVER project will run from 28 May to 2 August 2019. Students participating in the project will receive a $5,500 stipend plus additional funding for food, housing, and travel. This project is open to any undergraduate student, but students from community and tribal colleges and students studying sustainability are especially encouraged to apply. Applications for the project can be submitted now through 15 February 2019.

Please forward this e-mail onto students who may be interested in this opportunity.

If you would like more information about the Sustainable RIVER project, please visit www.SustainableRIVER.org.

Cheers,

Meghann

PhD Student Wanted – Temperate old-growth forest dynamics

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The LaManna lab in the Department of Biological Sciences at Marquette University is currently seeking a PhD student to address questions related to the maintenance of plant species diversity along a 1,300 m elevational gradient in the Western Cascade Mountains of Oregon. The Department of Biological Sciences at Marquette University is expanding its strength in the areas of Ecology and Environmental Science. Current faculty research in Ecology is centered on investigating the processes that generate and maintain species diversity. Marquette faculty are currently studying plant, animal, and microbial diversity in tropical and temperate ecosystems, and we are currently hiring additional ecology faculty. We are seeking graduate students who are interested in pursuing large-scale conceptual questions in ecology. Marquette University offers competitive graduate stipends and benefits. Marquette is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values excellence in scholarship and teaching, as well as a diverse academic community. We encourage underrepresented groups to apply. Check us out at: https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.marquette.edu%2Fbiology%2Ffaculty.shtml&amp;data=02%7C01%7Cmiranda.l.davis%40uconn.edu%7C11a3c5094fba408cdccd08d64eda45ad%7C17f1a87e2a254eaab9df9d439034b080%7C0%7C0%7C636783096716983200&amp;sdata=IV3VZAF6dLnf82KKhpjwhtq0%2F2YF36B4tIb7LeWr%2FdE%3D&amp;reserved=0. To apply, please send a CV and letter of interest to joseph.lamanna@marquette.edu before November 30, 2018.

PhD Position Available on the Impacts of Climate Change on Winter Biodiversity

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PhD Position Available on the Impacts of Climate Change on Winter Biodiversity (UW-Madison)

We are seeking an outstanding student to advance the use of citizen science and remote sensing technologies to study the impacts of climate change on winter vertebrate diversity. The student’s dissertation will involve integrating state and national databases of bird and mammal observations, satellite-based observations of snow cover, and thermal data to develop species distribution models. These models will serve as the basis for evaluating the effectiveness of current conservation areas in protecting regions of high winter biodiversity. This is a NASA-funded collaboration among three labs in the department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology at UW-Madison (Zuckerberg, Pauli, and Radeloff), the National Climate Adaptation Science Center (Carter), and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology (Fink). The 4-year PhD assistantship will begin in the fall of 2019 (or possibly earlier). The student will be co-advised by Drs. Benjamin Zuckerberg (https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Flabs.russell.wisc.edu%2Fzuckerberg%2F&amp;data=02%7C01%7Cmiranda.l.davis%40uconn.edu%7C8dfb4643f3a34fed20a008d64eda337d%7C17f1a87e2a254eaab9df9d439034b080%7C0%7C0%7C636783096429053128&amp;sdata=krxF1Btr7RfC7Fcfxkx1%2BG%2FLy6W3ZkiTkFDgh3wb4RQ%3D&amp;reserved=0) and Jonathan Pauli (https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Flabs.russell.wisc.edu%2Fpauli%2F&amp;data=02%7C01%7Cmiranda.l.davis%40uconn.edu%7C8dfb4643f3a34fed20a008d64eda337d%7C17f1a87e2a254eaab9df9d439034b080%7C0%7C0%7C636783096429053128&amp;sdata=3bgz2PgL9pTU2QJdUfx%2Fll50VNXax54JoewqfJ6xdso%3D&amp;reserved=0).

Applicants must have a MS degree in ecology, forestry, geography, or other related discipline. We will only consider applicants with a BS degree if they have proven relevant experience. A solid working knowledge of population modeling, GIS or remote sensing, and statistics are required.  Although not a requirement, the preferred candidate will have strong experience in hierarchical modeling, species distribution modeling, and previous experience analyzing and curating large databases. Excellent English writing and verbal communication skills are essential.

Review of applicants will begin immediately, but the position will remain open until a suitable candidate is found. Applications received by December 23, 2018 are guaranteed full consideration. The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.  We promote excellence through diversity and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.  The position is open to both US citizen and international candidates. The project includes an annual stipend, plus tuition remission and health care benefits.  We envision a start date of September 2019, but an earlier start date may be possible.

UW-Madison has a long history of excellence in ecology, conservation biology, remote sensing and geography.  The university ranks consistently among the top research universities in the United States.  Total student enrollment is 43,000 of which approximately 12,000 are graduate and professional students, and there are over 2,000 faculty.  UW-Madison is an exciting place to learn and conduct research! The city of Madison ranks as one of the most attractive places in the U.S. to live and work.  For information about campus and city, please seehttps://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wisc.edu%2Fabout%2F&amp;data=02%7C01%7Cmiranda.l.davis%40uconn.edu%7C8dfb4643f3a34fed20a008d64eda337d%7C17f1a87e2a254eaab9df9d439034b080%7C0%7C0%7C636783096429053128&amp;sdata=Sucb9zV6D%2BM%2F%2FLQcq8ia7Lmo4793Idcy3yQzxJQEZu8%3D&amp;reserved=0

To apply, please submit your application here:
https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fuwmadison.co1.qualtrics.com%2Fjfe%2Fform%2FSV_1yHBwC9Z9ZzcQZL&amp;data=02%7C01%7Cmiranda.l.davis%40uconn.edu%7C8dfb4643f3a34fed20a008d64eda337d%7C17f1a87e2a254eaab9df9d439034b080%7C0%7C0%7C636783096429063140&amp;sdata=iCYcazSNwI3PWMcXmYWhJTFR%2F8XE%2Fo0D%2FuZ%2BF6PHx20%3D&amp;reserved=0

Please note that submitting an application includes filling out a small survey (< 15 minutes), uploading a cover letter summarizing research interests and experiences, curriculum vitae, and unofficial transcripts or summary of relevant coursework (both undergraduate and graduate).

After reviewing all applicants, we will ask for reference letters from top candidates.

Quantitative research technician position, marine fisheries (Portland, ME)

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Subject: Quantitative research technician position, marine fisheries (Portland, ME)

The Gulf of Maine Research Institute in Portland, ME, is seeking
applicants for a full-time Research Technician to assist with
statistical analyses and modeling of fish population and marine
ecosystem data.  The work will span multiple research projects that
focus on understanding changes in the Gulf of Maine / North Atlantic
marine ecosystems and projecting future population and ecosystem
features based on scenarios of climate change, fishing, and other
drivers of interest.  Projects use a range of analytical approaches;
some focus on statistical analyses, while others will develop and test
population, ecosystem, and coupled social-ecological models.

Core Responsibilities/Tasks:
·         Manage large and diverse data sets
·         Conduct statistical analyses (including time series,
spatial, and multivariate statistics)
·         Develop and test population, ecosystem, or coupled
social-ecological models
·         Manage code for manipulating and processing data in
accessible and well documented manners
·         Perform literature reviews
·         Contribute to writing of project reports and manuscripts

Required Qualifications:
•       Master’s (preferred) or Bachelor’s degree in scientific field
that included quantitative coursework
•       Knowledge of oceanography, marine ecology, or fisheries science
•       Strong quantitative skills, including experience with
statistical analyses (e.g., regression, time series, spatial, and/or
multivariate statistics) and ecological modeling
•       Proficient programmer in R
•       Previous experience managing data sets
•       Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple
tasks and timelines
•       Strong verbal and written communication skills
•       Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team
•       Available to start in early 2019

Other Preferred Qualifications:
•        Experience fitting models to data for fisheries stock
assessment and/or experience in simulation modeling
•        Experience working with satellite data or climate model outputs
•        Familiarity with marine fisheries, protected resources, or
spatial planning in New England
•        Proficient user of Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Access, SQL or
other databases
•        Familiarity with additional programming languages, such as
MATLAB, Python

For full job posting and application information, please see
http://gmri.org/about-us/join-our-team/jobs/quantitative-research-technician-0.

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Closing date for applications is Dec. 14

PhD Positions in Disease Ecology and Evolution at UAlbany and UMaine

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Ph.D. Positions in Disease Ecology and Evolution

Two graduate student positions are available as part of an NSF-funded project on the evolution and transmission of Bacillus anthracis, the causative agent of anthrax, in two endemic systems in southern Africa. The project is a collaboration between Drs. Wendy Turner at the University at Albany (www.wendyturner.org), Pauline Kamath at the University of Maine (https://kamathlab.weebly.com/), and Henriette van Heerden at the University of Pretoria (www.up.ac.za/veterinary-tropical-diseases/article/1945572/h-van-heerden).

www.wendyturner.org
The research lab of Dr. Wendy C. Turner. Department of Biological Sciences, University at Albany. Our lab conducts research into the ecology and evolution of infectious diseases, focused on environmentally-transmitted and vector-borne parasites and pathogens.

Project Background: Anthrax is a globally distributed disease of wildlife, livestock, and humans that can vary in its ecology and epidemiology among geographic areas. These differences in how and when outbreaks occur has served as a stumbling block, limiting understanding of this disease and the ability to predict, and hence respond to, outbreaks in animals and humans. This project will compare two areas in southern Africa that have very different anthrax outbreak dynamics: Etosha National Park, Namibia, where smaller outbreaks occur annually in grazing herbivores in wet seasons, and Kruger National Park, South Africa, where larger outbreaks occur on roughly a decadal scale in browsing herbivores in dry seasons. This collaborative project will consider the roles of host, pathogen, and environment in contributing to the differences in the patterns of anthrax occurrence observed between the two study areas, which are representative of the differences seen among anthrax systems world-wide. The collaborative project team is studying pathogen landscape genomics over decades in each system, host immunogenetics and ecoimmunology, host movement and foraging ecology, population density, and environment, host and pathogen influences on outbreak dynamics.

1. Ph.D. position: Theoretical/Quantitative Disease Ecology
The Turner lab (www.wendyturner.org) at the University at Albany, SUNY seeks a highly motivated Ph.D. student in theoretical or quantitative disease ecology, to start Fall (or Spring) 2019. This Ph.D. project will study ecological and evolutionary interactions between Bacillus anthracis and its herbivorous hosts, contrasting two ecosystems varying in anthrax outbreak dynamics, Etosha National Park, Namibia and Kruger National Park, South Africa. Competitive applicants will have previous research experience, a strong quantitative background with the skills to confront models with data (programing, statistical modeling, and/or theoretical modeling), an interest in conducting fieldwork on charismatic megafauna in African savannas, and the ability to work independently and as part of a diverse team. Interested applicants should contact Dr. Wendy Turner (wcturner@albany.edu). Applications must be submitted through UAlbany’s Biology department (https://www.albany.edu/biology/graduate/phd-biology-eeb.shtml); the application deadline for fall admission is January 15th.

2. Ph.D. Position: Wildlife Population Genomics
A Ph.D. position is available in the Kamath Lab (https://kamathlab.weebly.com/) at the University of Maine, Orono, starting in the Spring or Fall 2019.  The graduate research project will focus on host-pathogen evolutionary dynamics and the genetic basis for heterogeneity in susceptibility to B. anthracis in ungulate hosts of Etosha National Park, Namibia, and Kruger National Park, South Africa. Preferred qualifications include previous research experience in population genomic approaches, field skills, and a demonstrated ability to work both independently and in a team. Interested qualified applicants should send a cover letter, current CV, unofficial transcripts, a publication or writing sample, and the names and contact information for three references to Dr. Pauline Kamath at pauline.kamath@maine.edu.  The cover letter should describe interest in the project and in graduate study, relevant coursework, research experience, and other qualifications. All applications received before December 15th will receive full consideration, and applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Both the University at Albany and the University of Maine are EEO/AA employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Graduate position: AuburnU.EvolutionaryEcol

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PhD position in Evolutionary Ecology of Sex Differences

Beginning Fall 2019

Drs. Warner (http://www.auburn.edu/cosam/faculty/biology/warner/index.htm)
and Wolak (http://www.auburn.edu/cosam/faculty/biology/wolak/index.htm)
at Auburn University are looking for a PhD student to co-advise that
is motivated to develop projects addressing key outstanding questions
in evolutionary ecology. The student will develop and test theory for
the evolution of sex determination and physiological or phenotypic
differences between sexes using a combination of experimental and
observational studies of turtles and/or lizards.

We encourage all interested students to contact us, by sending a CV and
***brief*** description of research interests to ***both*** Dr. Warner
(daw0036 <at> auburn.edu) and Dr. Wolak (terps <at> auburn.edu). PhD
students are expected to develop their own research questions within
the broader context outlined above. Students will also be expected to
aggressively pursue fellowship and research funding opportunities and
publish their research in high quality journals.

**Deadline** for admission to the program with guaranteed
support (10 semesters of Graduate Teaching Assistantships,
GTAs) is **February 1st**. More information is available
on the webpages of the Dept. of Biological Sciences
(http://www.auburn.edu/cosam/departments/biology/index.htm)
and DBS Graduate Studies Program
(http://www.auburn.edu/cosam/departments/biology/grad/index.htm)

Auburn graduate students enjoy a thriving community, recognized as one
of the “best small towns in America,” with moderate climate and easy
access to major cities, major international airports, or to beach and
mountain recreational facilities. Situated along the rapidly developing
I-85 corridor between Atlanta, GA and Montgomery, AL, the combined
Auburn-Opelika-Columbus statistical area has a population of over 500,000.

A PhD POSITION IN GLOBAL CHANGE

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I invite applications for a PhD position in my lab at the University of Texas at Arlington (https://www.uta.edu/biology/passy/lab/home.html). The successful applicant is expected to have expertise in ecology, experience with statistical data analysis, and excellent communication skills. Using extensive national and international databases and statistical modeling, s/he will study the distributions and interspecific interactions of freshwater organisms (algae, macroinvertebrates, and fish) under different climate change scenarios. The project will be at the interface of global change, macroecology, and conservation. It will involve collaboration with a diverse group of students, postdocs, and scientists from my lab, France, and Finland. Additionally, the student will actively participate in the UT Arlington Stream Team, a group of students and members of the public, performing citizen science projects on water quality issues in Texas.
 
UT Arlington is the second largest institution in the University of Texas system and the seventh fastest growing university in the nation with over 42,000 students. Arlington is situated in the Dallas Fort Worth metroplex, which is the fourth largest metropolitan area in the US (www.experiencearlington.org).
 
To apply, please e-mail your CV, a statement of research interests, GRE scores, TOEFL scores for international students, and the names and contact information of three references to
Dr. Sophia Passy (sophia.passy@uta.edu). Review of applications will begin immediately.