We seek a graduate student for a newly NSF-funded project examining the life history decisions made by male smallmouth bass. The student will begin in Spring 2019 (ideally), will be based at Bowling Green State University (working with Daniel Wiegmann), and will collaborate with faculty at Rice University (Scott Egan and Kelly
Weinersmith) and Colorado State (Lisa Angeloni). We offer full funding for a Master’s student, or partial funding for a PhD student (whose funding would subsequently be covered by teaching assistantships).

This project would be a good fit for a student interested in a career in natural resource management, evolutionary biology, and/or advanced quantitative methods.

Please send an email containing your CV to Drs. Daniel Wiegmann at ddwiegm@bgsu.edu and Kelly Weinersmith at Weinersmith@Rice.edu if you’re interested. Thanks!

Here is an abstract for the project:

The realization that many, perhaps most, alternative reproductive tactics, or ARTs, depend on individual condition sparked a general interest in the proximate control of tactic expression and the ultimate control of tactic frequencies within populations.
How ARTs coexist within a population is an evolutionary puzzle that is only partially resolved.  ARTs are evolutionary solutions to reproductive competition, products of an investment strategy that accounts for individual condition and fit into a broader category of investment strategies, which includes life history decisions.  ARTs reflect allocation responses to conditions under which individuals have developed.  Project researchers will detail ARTs in a population of smallmouth bass (Micropterous
dolomieu) from data collected in a ten-year, multigenerational study that includes detailed information on individual reproductive behavior.  The system has special intrigue because a non-genetic parental effect is hypothesized to cause tactic alternation within lineages, across generations, which may facilitate or impede adaptive evolutionary processes.  To test the genetic basis of this tactic polymorphism, RADSeq from preserved tissue samples will be used to generate thousands of SNPs across the genome and paternity analysis will be applied to trace tactic choices by males in 240-381 lineages, across 1-5 generations to detail parent and offspring tactic choices.  Developmental conditions and growth histories will be determined from field data and scale samples to identify factors that control the expression of tactics.  Undergraduates from underrepresented groups in STEM and graduate students will be trained in genetics, genomics, bio-informatics and fisheries techniques.  Results will be disseminated through press releases, podcasts, blog posts and an animated video made publicly available and distributed to resource managers and others to display where fishing licenses are sold.

Description: Two full-time Graduate Research Assistantships (Ph.D.) are
available beginning Summer/Fall 2019 in the laboratory of Dr. Brock Harpur (
beemolevo.com) in the Department of Entomology at Purdue University.

North American honeybee populations are non-native. They originate from
European settlers who brought colonies from at least two highly-diverged
source populations. How does admixture of highly diverged populations
influence gene expression, gene regulation, phenotypic expression, and
ultimately the evolution of traits? The Harpur lab is seeking two Ph.D.
students to combine genomics, transcriptomics, computational biology, and
biochemistry to tackle this question focusing on industry-relevant traits.
Application of molecular techniques and outreach to beekeepers and the
community will be an integral part of the students’ training.

Contact: Interested candidates should contact Dr. Harpur (b.harpur@gmail.com)
by November 17th, 2018. Please contact him with any questions. To be
considered for this position send a C.V., contact information for 3
references and a 1-page cover letter describing research interests and
background (use email subject line: “Grad Fellowship: Harpur Lab”). You can
also meet Dr. Harpur in person at the 2018 ESA, ESC, and ESBC Joint Annual
Meeting (Entomology 2018) in Vancouver.

About Purdue University: The Department of Entomology at Purdue is an
integral part of the College of Agriculture, one of the world’s leading
colleges of agricultural, food, life, and natural resource sciences, ranked
eighth globally in the 2016 QS World University Rankings. The College is
deeply committed to the three land-grant missions (teaching, research, and
extension), to international activities and perspectives that span all
missions. The College has 11 academic departments and includes 325 faculty,
2782 undergraduate students, and 690 graduate students. The College’s
strategic plan can be accessed at
https://ag.purdue.edu/plan/Pages/default.aspx

For more information on the Entomology Graduate Program, Purdue University
and West Lafayette, Indiana see:
http://www.entm.purdue.edu/prospective-grads/,  http://www.purdue.edu/ and
http://secure-web.cisco.com/17CMYjFDxbhvUGGGvfVhZ6DZj2HDPxF93lVxfJX4U4Evilaz3-6gfAaZjEp6sFe-ub_jKCkvxeYrh3EqKLRF13uEVgcgylvyQ41SwglBNRsNGdn0Z1nWHUAU7uRUk0urLjjr3a3Jtwg6Kx-76TjcUY9wK0fRvyTJ650I_BS0OzYwtxIxCy8zWMI9xyQHhwejIOzyHOj2eU7ZLLpga8ZHp54PxVfGFNIS9X0N2IInE-weR2HMfVAyNSpFG1Qmo9cyiaU4fJ1G8BoJbfj03ZRAw3nmebbgoOzWpiRQeOVyOVSaGIHlCOVyMQ5cv2P94tIzN1xpmtNsSoRSXrWTXhYr1fNMTCswjoltlABp0g_uPpor-4vWWYgILgSPF10PIMxRvHQbqrSA5edObn9-MpEVeOZXNN4ccOKPYivg6GAu1Gf5BaT8aqTMJI6iG855MlzD7_m5smxvLULl9iIJrwmoBuA/http%3A%2F%2Fwww.homeofpurdue.com%2F

The Department and College of Agriculture are committed to advancing
diversity in all areas of faculty effort, including scholarship,
instruction, and engagement. Purdue is an ADVANCE institution –
www.purdue.edu/advance-purdue .  Purdue University is an EOE/AA employer.
All individuals, including minorities, women, individuals with
disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply.

b.harpur@gmail.com

M.S. Position starting Spring 2019, Plant Evolution and Ecology

The Schenk lab at Georgia Southern University invites applicants for
a Masterขs Degree in plant evolution and ecology, starting Spring
semester, 2019.  Our lab group is interested in how botanical diversity
has been shaped by the interactions among morphological, ecological, and
species diversification.  We apply statistical phylogenetic approaches
that quantify and incorporate molecular, morphological, and ecological
variation to plant systems in order to understand the evolutionary
processes of how and why species diversify.

Tuition and stipend for competitive students that meet all requirements
will be supported by research and teaching assistantships.  For full
consideration, the application deadline is October 1st, 2018.

Interested students should contact Dr. John Schenk
(jschenk@georgiasouthern.edu) prior to submitting an application (the
earlier the better).  For more information, visit the Schenk lab website
(https://sites.google.com/a/georgiasouthern.edu/schenk) and the Department
of Biology’s website (http://cosm.georgiasouthern.edu/biology).
More information about the Biology graduate
program can be found at the departmental web page
(http://cosm.georgiasouthern.edu/biology/graduate-program-2/).

John J. Schenk, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Plant Biology
Georgia Southern University Herbarium (GAS), Curator
Department of Biology
4324 Old Register Road

Georgia Southern University

Statesboro, GA 30460-8042
Office:  2260 Biology Building
Office phone:  (912) 478-0848
Lab website: sites.google.com/a/georgiasouthern.edu/schenk
Herbarium website: sites.google.com/a/georgiasouthern.edu/gasherbarium

jschenk <jschenk@georgiasouthern.edu>

Graduate (PhD and MSc) Opportunities in Soil Biogeochemistry

Timeline for application: Until filled

Start date: For Canadian citizens: January 2019 (application deadline Oct 15th 2019) or for Fall Term (application deadline May 31st 2019). For non- Canadian citizens: Fall 2019 (application deadline March 15th 2019).

Opportunities: The Soil Ecology and Biogeochemistry Lab
(https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fkallenbachcm.wixsite.com%2Fsoils&amp;data=02%7C01%7Cmiranda.l.davis%40uconn.edu%7Cd22b686d8be54ac8810008d60ff82599%7C17f1a87e2a254eaab9df9d439034b080%7C0%7C0%7C636713955793143984&amp;sdata=NAaXGkLy534Snp%2FGMS7f%2FG4GtmzOI2B0%2FbvfWOy16Yg%3D&amp;reserved=0) at McGill University MacDonald campus is seeking highly motivated individuals for open MSc and PhD positions. The lab emphasizes research that couples soil ecology and biogeochemistry to understand soil organic matter turnover and accumulation and microbial-plant interactions affecting carbon and nutrient cycling in an agroecosystem specific context and in response to global change.
Students will be guided in developing research projects that will use an integrated approach, combining lab, greenhouse, and field-based studies with advanced chemical and biological molecular techniques.

Applicants should include a cover letter stating research and career goals, current transcripts and resume, and contact information (addresses, email and phone numbers) of at least two references.
Please send application materials to Dr. Cynthia Kallenbach, Department of Natural Resource Sciences; Faculty of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences
E-mail: Cynthia.kallenbach@mcgill.ca.

Stipend: Annual stipend and tuition will be covered. Scholarship and teaching assistant opportunities to supplement stipend are also available.

Additional information: McGill University is Canada’s premiere university for research excellence and teaching and one of the top 50 universities worldwide. The Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Science is located at McGill’s Macdonald Campus, just 30 km from vibrant downtown Montreal, providing students with both urban culture and recreational opportunities.
Graduate students at Macdonald campus are a quarter of the student body and the campus houses 8 graduate programs and over 100 faculty members. McGill University is committed to diversity and equity and welcomes applications
from: women, Aboriginal persons, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, persons of minority sexual orientation or gender identity, visible minorities, and others who may contribute to diversification. For further information on the Natural Resource Sciences department and application process please visit:https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mcgill.ca%2Fnrs%2Fgraduate-&amp;data=02%7C01%7Cmiranda.l.davis%40uconn.edu%7Cd22b686d8be54ac8810008d60ff82599%7C17f1a87e2a254eaab9df9d439034b080%7C0%7C0%7C636713955793143984&amp;sdata=zEb1YXaXIgQCsPP2U7Bd3uoBtsHus9h4dQPwMbso8ZE%3D&amp;reserved=0
students/graduate

Applicants are invited from one student (Ph.D. or M.S.) (start date January
2019) to join the lab of Dr. Donald Yee. The position will focus on aspects of the ecology of insects in El Yunque National Forest (YNF) in Puerto Rico at the Luquillo Long Term Ecological Research site (LTER). The position will be supported during the summer months in the YNF by a NSF funded LTER project involving changes in leaf litter insect communities across different land use types.

For student research projects, multiple areas are welcome, although students interested in aquatic insect communities that occur in the flowers of Heliconia caribaea are STRONGLY encouraged to apply. These systems support a diverse assemblage of aquatic insects and since Hurricane Maria in September
2017 the number of plants has increased dramatically. Areas of research using these systems could include metacommunities, community assembly, effects on species diversity, and species interactions. More info on the LTER can be found here:  https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fluq.lter.network%2F&amp;data=02%7C01%7Cmiranda.l.davis%40uconn.edu%7C99773494a0204be44bf708d60ff8137e%7C17f1a87e2a254eaab9df9d439034b080%7C0%7C0%7C636713955504217401&amp;sdata=9y9JNh3I7aRN4Z81dYmyla0rXdzgxCfV88844TKN8ZI%3D&amp;reserved=0

Prior field experience and coursework in ecology, entomology, and statistics is preferred.

More information about the Yee lab can be found at:
https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Faquaticinsectecology.org%2F&amp;data=02%7C01%7Cmiranda.l.davis%40uconn.edu%7C99773494a0204be44bf708d60ff8137e%7C17f1a87e2a254eaab9df9d439034b080%7C0%7C0%7C636713955504217401&amp;sdata=rg1z82qGA4Ff7nVaNehZulrDhhnWOq%2Bez6WxznNuvf8%3D&amp;reserved=0

Full tuition scholarships for successful applicants are provided. Support is provided by teaching assistantships and research assistantships when available.

Although the School of Biological, Environmental, and Earth Sciences at USM does not have a minimum set of scores to be eligible for entrance into the graduate program, potential applicants should expect to have a minimum GPA of 3.00 and have taken the GRE before application. For more information on admission follow this link:
https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.usm.edu%2Fbiological-sciences%2Fgraduate-program&amp;data=02%7C01%7Cmiranda.l.davis%40uconn.edu%7C99773494a0204be44bf708d60ff8137e%7C17f1a87e2a254eaab9df9d439034b080%7C0%7C0%7C636713955504217401&amp;sdata=2CCl3EdB18qz3msJOqsYrQpCbr1QL%2BK1aPYDdoYUvKE%3D&amp;reserved=0

Deadline for Spring 2019 applications is 15 October 2018.

The University of Southern Mississippi, a Carnegie Research High Activity institution with 15,000 students, is located in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, near the Gulf Coast and has abundant opportunities for outdoor recreation.
Hattiesburg is the medical, commercial and cultural center of southern Mississippi and is ranked in the top five small metropolitan areas in the United States. The School of Biological, Environmental, and Earth Sciences is comprised of about thirty faculty and offers baccalaureate, Master of Science and Ph.D. degrees. Over 60 graduate students currently pursue master’s and doctoral degrees. Further information about the school may be found at: https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.usm.edu%2Fbiological-sciences&amp;data=02%7C01%7Cmiranda.l.davis%40uconn.edu%7C99773494a0204be44bf708d60ff8137e%7C17f1a87e2a254eaab9df9d439034b080%7C0%7C0%7C636713955504217401&amp;sdata=Zli5uniMTubPtw92%2BIs9MNUMM5g0kIztPqEqHZOT%2BBw%3D&amp;reserved=0

To inquire, submit (via e-mail) a cover letter with a brief (~ one page) review of your research experience + interests and goals and a CV to:

donald.yee@usm.edu

Donald A. Yee, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
School of Biological, Environmental, and Earth Sciences University of Southern Mississippi

The research technician position is a one year, full-time (with benefits and possible extension) position, beginning October 1, 2018. The technician will assist in field and greenhouse-based research in plant ecology based out of Bard College, Annandale, NY. The project is focused on plant-soil interactions, and work involves seed germination trials, fungal culturing, vegetation surveys, and greenhouse-based experiments. Opportunities for learning DNA sequencing will exist, but experience is not required. The technician will be responsible for coordinating daily operations, maintaining equipment, recording data, and managing undergraduate researcher teams.  Proficiency with data management in Excel is necessary, and experience conducting statistical analyses in R is desirable. This job also requires the ability to conduct physically rigorous work in a variety of weather conditions, and occasional out-of-state travel. The technician must have excellent organizational and communication skills. Master’s degree preferred. At minimum, technician must have a bachelor’s degree in biology or allied fields, a valid driver’s license, and experience conducting or managing research projects. Interested candidates should submit a letter of application, CV, and the names of three references to Dr. Cathy Collins through Interfolio.com (linked via the Bard College employment website).

The Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management, Oklahoma State University is seeking qualified individuals to work on a research project looking at the effects of fire return interval and timber harvesting on wildlife habitat and forest ecology. The position will be filled at the M.S.
level.

RESEARCH AREA: The forest-grassland ecotone in the southcentral US is the tension zone between the eastern deciduous forest and the southern Great Plains. Active management of these systems using prescribed fire and forest thinning can improve wildlife habitat for game and nongame species by altering vegetation structure and composition.  Research will take advantage of a long-term study site with different fire return intervals and forest thinning to determine the effects of management on deer habitat.  The study site is in the beautiful Ouachita Mountains of Oklahoma which is a mix of shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata) and post oak (Quercus stellata) dominated forest/savanna and tallgrass prairie.  This research is part of a larger USDA funded project to determine how management and climate variability alter productivity and value for different mixes of timber, wildlife, and cattle grazing.

STIPEND: A graduate research assistantship of $15,500 for M.S. annually for a half-time appointment. Benefits include resident and non-resident tuition waiver and student health insurance at $20 per month (for student only, family coverage available for an additional fee).

BACKGROUND CHECKS:  Oklahoma State University requires background checks for all newly hired graduate assistants/associates.  Background checks shall be required prior to employment (post-offer, pre-employment).

TENTATIVE STARTING DATE: January 2019

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS: B.S. in plant biology, wildlife biology, forestry, ecology, or related degree.  Plant identification skills or aptitude are necessary.  If applicable, a minimum grade point average of 2.80 (A = 4.00) and acceptable GRE scores are required.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE: Interested individuals should contact:

Dr. Rodney Will
008C Agricultural Hall
Stillwater, OK 74078
405-744-5444
rodney.will@okstate.edu

LOCATION AND FACILITIES:
The Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management is part of the Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources at Oklahoma State University. The University is a land grant institution with an enrollment of about 25,000 students located midway between Tulsa and Oklahoma City. The Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management conducts interdisciplinary research, instruction, and extension education to address the sustainable management and conservation of the fishery, forest, rangeland, and wildlife resources of Oklahoma and beyond. This department is a source of cutting-edge research, quality instruction, and effective outreach to students, landowners, managers, and public agencies.