Utah State University: Fully funded PhD Assistantship – Animal space-use behavior and demography (joint supervision by Dr. Dan MacNulty and Dr.
Tal Avgar). The successful applicant will advance understanding about the demographic consequences of space-use behavior in free-living large vertebrates. Research will focus on the northern Yellowstone elk population, which migrates annually to summer ranges throughout Yellowstone National Park. The successful applicant will examine how elk movement and resource-selection varies with elk density, resource availability, and predation risk (from wolves, grizzly bears, and cougars), and how these individual space-use behaviors affect survival and reproduction. Research will be conducted in collaboration with agency scientists and will involve cutting-edge analyses of several long-term datasets as well as field work in Yellowstone. Desired start
date: January 7, 2019. A later start date is possible. The assistantship includes tuition and fees, health insurance, travel stipend, and a yearly stipend of $20k for up to four years. The candidate will be expected to apply for additional funding such as the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship and S. J. and Jesse E. Quinney Doctoral Research Fellowship. Minimum qualifications: MSc in ecology, wildlife biology, conservation biology, or related field; GRE scores (for both verbal and
quantitative) ≥70th percentile and cumulative GPA ≥3.50. Competitive applicants will have experience collecting, analyzing, presenting, and publishing field data, working collaboratively with agency and academic scientists, and strong interests in developing and applying quantitative models of animal space-use behavior, predator-prey interactions, and demography. Applicants should email the following materials as a single pdf file with the subject line “PhD Assistantship” to dan.macnulty@usu.edu AND tal.avgar@usu.edu: (a) one page cover letter describing relevant experience, interests, and professional goals, (b) CV, (c) GRE scores, (d) transcripts (unofficial) from undergraduate and graduate education, (f) scientific writing sample (an academic paper or report written primarily by the applicant), and (e) contact information for three professional references. Consideration of interested applicants begins immediately and continues until the position is filled. Application deadline: November 1, 2018.
Utah State University (https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.usu.edu&data=02%7C01%7Cmiranda.l.davis%40uconn.edu%7C31dadb43072e4663bfbd08d6075591b6%7C17f1a87e2a254eaab9df9d439034b080%7C0%7C0%7C636704461439616586&sdata=e4P0L4H6klJghlmNECs81TXC2Z3ZdZ8MasvwDMSZ9pk%3D&reserved=0) is a Research I (Extensive
Doctoral) land-grant institution with a student body of over 24,000, 42 departments, 8 academic colleges, a school of Graduate Studies, and diverse research programs. The main campus is located in Logan, a community of 100,000 people. Logan is 85 miles north of Salt Lake City in scenic Cache Valley, a semi-rural mountain basin with nearby ski resorts, lakes, rivers, and mountains providing many recreational opportunities. The area has a low cost of living and provides a high quality of life.  For more information on Logan see https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tourcachevalley.com&data=02%7C01%7Cmiranda.l.davis%40uconn.edu%7C31dadb43072e4663bfbd08d6075591b6%7C17f1a87e2a254eaab9df9d439034b080%7C0%7C0%7C636704461439616586&sdata=2vGyhE2b81AlaFIU4%2FbiONS2%2B9me8ejnwAvVPaBJqV0%3D&reserved=0.

PhD positions in Plant Evolutionary Ecophysiology, Genomics, and
Biochemistry

—

The Mason and Goolsby labs in the Department of Biology at the
University of Central Florida are currently recruiting motivated,
curious, and enthusiastic PhD students to start in Fall 2019. Our labs
work closely together and research a wide variety of topics in plant
physiology, ecology, evolution, genetics, and biochemistry.

The Goolsby Lab is a plant evolutionary genomics and biochemistry lab.
We are interested in exploring the evolution of complex traits using a
combination of empirical and theoretical systems. I am interested in
recruiting graduate students for Fall 2019 who are interested in any
of the following areas:

(1) the evolution of heavy metal hyperaccumulation in plants,
especially wild sunflowers (Helianthus), which naturally accumulate
extremely high levels of normally toxic metals (nickel, cadmium, zinc,
etc). Metal accumulation and tolerance are both complex traits that
can be represented by dose-response curves known as function-valued
traits. I am particularly interested in the evolutionary history and
genomics of metal hyperaccumulation and tolerance as independent
function-valued traits.

(2) C4 and CAM are two photosynthetic pathways that confer elevated
resistance to heat and drought stress, respectively. Both pathways
have evolved from C3 ancestors independently several times in the
evolutionary history of plants. These pathways involve multiple
complex biochemical and anatomical adaptations that are generally
thought to be incompatible with one another. However, the Portulaca
lineage consists of plants which are capable of performing both C4 and
CAM photosynthesis within the same leaf. Our research in Portulaca is
concerned with mapping the evolutionary history of distinct anatomical
and biochemical changes associated with these two pathways within the
genus, as well as uncovering the genetic mechanisms responsible for
maintaining two functional co-occurring photosynthetic pathways.

(3) the development and improvement of phylogenetic comparative
methods and algorithms for studying these complex traits. In
particular, we are interested in developing methods for studying the
evolution of environmental and developmental plasticity,
high-dimensional complex traits, multivariate datasets with missing
data and multiple within-species observations, and comparative methods
for mixing continuous and discrete traits.

The Mason Lab is a plant evolutionary ecophysiology lab. We are
especially interested in the physiological and genetic mechanisms
underlying plant adaptation to diverse environmental pressures,
including abiotic factors like climate and soil fertility, and biotic
factors like herbivory and disease. All plants face physiological
trade-offs between growth, defense, and reproduction, and we seek to
understand the coordinated evolution of the traits that govern these
three core functions. Our research addresses a variety of questions
across multiple scales, from macroevolution to population
differentiation to within-individual plasticity, as well as in
multiple systems, from crops to wild herbs and woody plants. In
particular, for students interested in joining the lab for Fall 2019,
I am especially interested in recruiting students who are interested
in any of the following topics (listed in no particular order):

(1) core plant ecophysiology, especially the evolution of gas exchange
physiology and water/nutrient relations, especially in the context of
function-valued trait evolution and adaptation to diverse
environments. Wild sunflower (Helianthus) would be a highly suitable
system for this, but I am open to other systems as well.

(2) the evolution, ecology, genetic architecture, and applied utility
of mycorrhizal symbiosis, especially in crop and wild sunflowers
(Helianthus) given ongoing work in the lab, but open to expanding into
other systems as well.

(3) the physiological and metabolomic impacts of polyploidy in
sunflowers (Helianthus) and the broader Asteraceae using both
comparative and manipulative approaches.

(4) the genetic architecture of chemical defense inducibility under
attack from insects and fungal pathogens. This would be highly
suitable to wild and crop sunflower (Helianthus), but Iขm open to
expanding into other systems as well.

(5) the role of floral morphological and chemical variation in
determining pollinator visitation and/or pest and pathogen resistance,
in both crop and wild sunflowers (Helianthus).

(6) the evolution of leaf chemical defenses in relation to the leaf
economics spectrum in temperate woody trees and shrubs.

(7) plant phytochemistry, broadly defined. I find variation in plant
secondary metabolism fascinating and would be interested in questions
in a wide variety of systems and.

Interested students should contact either Chase Mason or Eric Goolsby
(or both) to discuss research interests before applying to the
Department of Biology graduate program
(https://biology.cos.ucf.edu/graduate-program/), which has a deadline
of January 15th. The Department of Biology provides teaching
assistantships, tuition waivers, and health insurance, and a variety
of competitive university fellowships are also available. The
University of Central Florida is the second largest university in the
United States, with an enrollment of 66,000 students. Over the past
two decades, UCF has undergone a dramatic expansion and development
into a modern R1 university. UCF is currently making major investments
in research, including hiring more than 200 new tenure-track faculty
and increasing graduate program enrollment by 25% over the next few
years. UCF is an equal opportunity, equal access, and affirmative
action employer.

Postdoc Position: Ecophysiology of plant invasions. The lab of Jason Fridley at Syracuse University (https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fplantecology.syr.edu%2Ffridley&data=02%7C01%7Cmiranda.l.davis%40uconn.edu%7C46bfff9c8cde466096bb08d6050b89a5%7C17f1a87e2a254eaab9df9d439034b080%7C0%7C0%7C636701944447645443&sdata=o9b%2FUDZprZpTmum01DlUpwXcGVHL7tA2q%2F6SG71GobA%3D&reserved=0) is recruiting a postdoctoral associate for an NSF-supported project comparing leaf function in native and invasive plant populations in the Eastern U.S., France, and Japan. Specific research objectives of the postdoc involve field gas exchange measurements and lab chemical analysis for populations in northern Japan, including two field seasons of residency in Sendai (2019, 2020). Off-season lab assays will be conducted in Syracuse, NY. The project includes mentoring and collaborative opportunities with students and faculty in Amiens, France, in addition to those at Syracuse and Sendai. The position is available as early as April 2019, and includes two years of salary support (annual minimum $47,476), including full benefits. A PhD in ecology, plant biology, or related discipline is required. Preferred qualifications include: 1) evidence of strong quantitative and writing skills; 2) experience with leaf gas exchange measurements and chemical analyses; 3) relevant field experience and taxonomic skills. Applicants should send a letter of interest, curriculum vitae and the names and full contact information (email and phone numbers) of three potential references to Jason Fridley (fridley@syr.edu; 315-443-
3098) no later than January 31, 2019.

PhD Position: Ecophysiology of plant invasions. The lab of Jason Fridley at Syracuse University (https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fplantecology.syr.edu%2Ffridley&data=02%7C01%7Cmiranda.l.davis%40uconn.edu%7C46bfff9c8cde466096bb08d6050b89a5%7C17f1a87e2a254eaab9df9d439034b080%7C0%7C0%7C636701944447645443&sdata=o9b%2FUDZprZpTmum01DlUpwXcGVHL7tA2q%2F6SG71GobA%3D&reserved=0) is recruiting a PhD student for an NSF-supported project comparing leaf function in native and invasive plant populations in the Eastern U.S., France, and Japan. The graduate-level component involves field gas exchange measurements of plant populations around the Eastern U.S. and associated chemical analyses of leaf nutrient economy, plus related research depending on student interest. The position could begin as early as May 2019, including a full-time paid summer research assistantship. The student will join a large plant ecology and evolution group at Syracuse University and the larger ecological community that includes SUNY-College of Environmental Science and Forestry. The position includes two years of research assistantships, commonly used in the first and third years of graduate study; support through teaching assistantships is guaranteed in other semesters pending satisfactory progress toward the degree. Current graduate student stipends are $26,750 per year, with full benefits and tuition remission. Full applications to the SU Biology PhD program are due by December 31, 2018; applicants are strongly encouraged to submit a statement of interest, curriculum vitae, and GRE scores before applying to Jason Fridley (fridley@syr.edu; 315-443-3098). General information about the Biology graduate program at Syracuse is available athttps://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fbiology.syr.edu%2Fgraduate%2Fapply.html&data=02%7C01%7Cmiranda.l.davis%40uconn.edu%7C46bfff9c8cde466096bb08d6050b89a5%7C17f1a87e2a254eaab9df9d439034b080%7C0%7C0%7C636701944447645443&sdata=tvBtOMTEk06DWHdXLKaqZ3y%2BBv1A38PmSZ29WKRuybw%3D&reserved=0.

MS or PhD Position: Vegetation-microclimate relationships in the southern Appalachians. The lab of Jason Fridley at Syracuse University
(https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fplantecology.syr.edu%2Ffridley&data=02%7C01%7Cmiranda.l.davis%40uconn.edu%7C46bfff9c8cde466096bb08d6050b89a5%7C17f1a87e2a254eaab9df9d439034b080%7C0%7C0%7C636701944447645443&sdata=o9b%2FUDZprZpTmum01DlUpwXcGVHL7tA2q%2F6SG71GobA%3D&reserved=0) is recruiting a graduate student starting Fall 2019 for an NPS-supported project on climate change and vegetation dynamics in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The project is collaborative with Duke University, and involves both fieldwork (construction and deployment of environmental sensors) and statistical modeling. Students with strong quantitative interests and experience (e.g.
R programming) are preferred. The student will join a large plant ecology and evolution group at Syracuse University and the larger ecological community that includes SUNY-College of Environmental Science and Forestry. The position includes one year of research assistantship support, ideally used in the second year of study; support through teaching assistantships is guaranteed in other semesters pending satisfactory progress toward the degree. Current graduate student stipends are $26,750 per year, with full benefits and tuition remission. Full applications to the SU Biology graduate program are due by December 31, 2018; applicants are strongly encouraged to submit a statement of interest, curriculum vitae, and GRE scores before applying to Jason Fridley (fridley@syr.edu; 315-443-3098). General information about the Biology graduate program at Syracuse is available athttps://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fbiology.syr.edu%2Fgraduate%2Fapply.html&data=02%7C01%7Cmiranda.l.davis%40uconn.edu%7C46bfff9c8cde466096bb08d6050b89a5%7C17f1a87e2a254eaab9df9d439034b080%7C0%7C0%7C636701944447645443&sdata=tvBtOMTEk06DWHdXLKaqZ3y%2BBv1A38PmSZ29WKRuybw%3D&reserved=0.

The Maritime Aquarium – Fall Internship 2018

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis for our fall internship beginning September 10^th and running through December 7^th. Individuals are required to complete a minimum of 22 hours per week for a minimum of 12 weeks, and the completion of an original project. These are not paid positions.

The Maritime Aquarium houses many species of fishes, invertebrates, frogs, and reptiles, from the Long Island Sound and beyond. Our aquarists work daily to provide the best husbandry for the animals in their care. From routine exhibit cleaning and feeding, to water quality testing and health examinations, our staff completes a wide variety of tasks as a part of their jobs every day.

An aquarist internship at the Maritime Aquarium is designed to be a learning experience for any college student, or recent graduate who is interested in exploring a career in aquatic animal husbandry. During the internship, individuals will learn how to maintain aquarium exhibits, prepare diets, complete water quality tests, and keep records, as well as be introduced to aquatic animal health assessments, quarantine procedures, and aquarium system design. Those who have completed an internship with the Maritime Aquarium have gone on to careers here as well as other AZA-affiliated zoos and aquariums.

If you have a love for animals, an enthusiastic attitude, and a willingness to learn, please consider applying for an internship in one of our galleries! We are offering internships specializing in Jellies, Tropical Fish and Invertebrates, Cold Water Fish and Invertebrates, Frogs and Reptiles, and Hospital and Quarantine, for a total of 5 positions.

Qualifications of the Ideal Candidate:

• Some background knowledge in aquarium keeping preferred, although not required.
• Ability to lift and carry 65 pounds.
• Ability to negotiate stairs and maneuver on wet and uneven terrain.
• Demonstrates strong written and oral communication skills, and the ability to effectively communicate with both staff and guests.
• Desire to learn and demonstrate our mission: To inspire people of all ages to appreciate and protect the Long Island Sound ecosystem and the global environment.
• Demonstrate high level of enthusiasm and willingness to learn.

Requirements:

• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Minimum time requirement of at least 22 hours a week over a 12 week period or more.
• Upon hire, purchase at least one aquarium uniform shirt, starting at $31.
• Must be currently enrolled in, or recently graduated from, a 2 or 4 year program studying biology, zoology, aquarium science, or a related field.
• Be dependable and punctual at all times.
• Attend educational sessions designed to increase interpretation of every day husbandry tasks.
• Complete an original project over the course of the internship.

To apply, please submit a completed application, along with a cover letter, resume, and list of references to Rachel Stein at rstein@maritimeaquarium.org. Applications can be found at the following link: https://www.maritimeaquarium.org/assets/2531/college_application_18.docx. Qualified applicants will be contacted via email to coordinate a skype, or in-person interview. Applicants will be selected after the interview process based upon general knowledge, experience, attitude, punctuality, and by recommendation. Although not a guarantee, it is possible for college students to receive course credit or fulfill major requirements through their experience, provided they have completed the requirements for their college or program.

 

Marine Ecology and Ocean Acidification Research Technician opening

CSUN position – #7782
Apply at – https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fbit.ly%2F2P6qD55&data=02%7C01%7Cmiranda.l.davis%40uconn.edu%7C75be08bf3a8a4c51170108d602c43f60%7C17f1a87e2a254eaab9df9d439034b080%7C0%7C1%7C636699439233732239&sdata=FynsRjXTSRj3kaIPom1dUeJJpvQ4C1LC9a645zlmk4Y%3D&reserved=0
Start Date: October 1, 2018
Apply by: August 26, 2018
Salary: $3103- $3300/mo, dependent upon qualifications and experience.

Applications are invited for a full-time, 12-month, technician position based at California State University, Northridge (CSUN) to support research in coral reef and rocky intertidal ecology. The successful candidate will work under the supervision of Dr. Nyssa Silbiger
(nyssa.silbiger@csun.edu) and will support research conducted mostly in California, but also possibly in Hawaii, Bermuda, and/or Moorea, French Polynesia. The primary responsibilities will be supporting all aspects of the logistics required for maintaining ocean acidification mesocosm experiments and near-shore marine research in the field. A Bachelor’s degree in marine ecology, biology, oceanography, or a related-field is required. The ideal candidate will have a Master’s degree in a field- based marine biology topic, experience maintaining mesocosm facilities for ocean acidification research, a background in seawater chemistry, an understanding of the biology/ecology of marine organisms, and strong experience with fieldwork (e.g., SCUBA diving, operating small boats, AAUS training, etc.). Candidates will be expected to pay attention to detail, problem solve, work both independently and with a diverse team of students and faculty, and have a strong work ethic. Additional preferred, but not required, qualifications include experience coding in R and writing peer-reviewed publications.

The salary includes benefits. Applicants should submit a cover letter in which they describe their research training and interests, a C.V. , and list two references on the CSUN website (see, above).

Applicants underrepresented in the sciences are highly encouraged to apply.

See nyssasilbiger.com for more information about research the Silbiger Lab.

I am seeking two graduate students (PhD preferred, MS also considered) to participate in multiple funded projects (NSF, US Fish and Wildlife, and US Forest Service) on the evolutionary ecology, and conservation of freshwater fishes. Students will develop a thesis/dissertation that builds on existing  datasets and ongoing projects involving hybrid zone dynamics in the Fundulus notatus species complex, freshwater fish assemblages in MS, and the distribution and ecology of the Pearl and Bayou Darters. In addition to traditional lab facilities, students will have access to a large ichthyological collection (>55,000 lots), 3,000 sq ft wetlab facility, an array of experimental streams, and a new high performance computing cluster for genomics work. Depending on the student’s interests and background, additional related studies will be developed, taking full advantage of the numerous opportunities available. A start date of January 2019 is anticipated, but a summer
2019 start may also be acceptable.

Applicants must have a BS or MS in ecology/environmental biology, zoology, wildlife biology, or other relevant areas. GPA and GRE scores must be competitive for admission to the graduate program. Prior experience sampling and identifying freshwater fishes is required.
Willingness and ability to work independently under potentially challenging field conditions is a must.

Review of applications will begin immediately, and continue until the position is filled. For additional information about the position, contact Jake Schaefer (jake.schaefer@usm.edu).

Available at Portland State University, Portland, Oregon: We are
seeking a highly motivated and enthusiastic MS or PhD student to work
on a National Science Foundation-funded project that uses experimental
genomics in C. elegans nematodes to study mitonuclear evolution and the
impact of sexual system on mitonuclear adaptation.

Planned start date: September 2019. Earlier, off-cycle admission will
be considered.

Project Description: Energy metabolism in nearly all eukaryotic life
forms relies on coordinated interactions among gene products encoded by
both mitochondrial and nuclear genomes, and thus depends upon
inter-genomic coevolution. Neither the processes maintaining this
coevolution nor its downstream evolutionary consequences are well
understood. These consequences were recently hypothesized to include
the evolution and maintenance of sexual reproduction. This project
leverages the expertise and resources of three research groups to
provide the direct, non-retrospective tests of major hypotheses to
explain mitonuclear genome coevolution. These hypotheses predict that
integration of the two genomes is achieved primarily by fixation of
nuclear mutations that compensate for the deleterious effects of
previously acquired mitochondrial mutations, and that this process will
favor sexual recombination among nuclear chromosomes. We will apply
experimental genomics with Caenorhabditis elegans nematodes to study
evolutionary process within the context of the mitochondrial electron
transport chain (ETC), the proper functioning of which relies on the
maintenance of favorable mitonuclear epistatic interactions. The
project will take full advantage of the powerful C. elegans system to:
1) Determine the impact of sexual system on the tempo and patterns of
mitonuclear adaptation. C. elegans strains containing deleterious
mitochondrial- and nuclear-encoded ETC mutations will undergo
laboratory adaptation in replicate populations experiencing obligate
selfing, facultative outcrossing, or obligate outcrossing. This design
also permits examination of how rates of sexual outcrossing evolve in
response to these conditions. 2) Determine the evolutionary dynamics,
functional characteristics and sex-specific effects of individual
mitonuclear mutations. Genomic, bioinformatic and phenotypic analyses
will determine the molecular bases and functional underpinnings of
mitochondrial and nuclear mutations available to mask the effects of
deleterious ETC mutations, and reveal the relationship between rates of
outcrossing and mitonuclear adaptation.

Location: This project will be conducted under the direct supervision
of Dr. Suzanne Estes with co-supervision from Drs. Vaishali Katju and
Ulfar Bergthorsson (Texas A&M University) and based at the Department
of Biology at Portland State University, located in the heart of
downtown Portland, Oregon. The PSU Biology Department, which houses the
Center for Life in Extreme Environments (CLEE), has 21 research faculty
and over 65 graduate students. Our faculty strive to take an
integrative approach to biology, encompassing all levels of biological
organization from molecules to ecosystems. We collaborate and share
facilities with other science departments and with research faculty at
Oregon Health & Science University, a medical school and teaching
hospital located adjacent to PSU. This close proximity helps to foster
interdisciplinary research and creates a vibrant research culture that
ensures support and training for the next generation of evolutionary
biologist.

Requirements: We are looking for a biology graduate who has a strong
interest in evolutionary and molecular biology. Some practical
experience in molecular, bioinformatic and/or C. elegans husbandry
techniques is highly desired, but additional training will be provided.
The successful candidate will be enthusiastic, highly motivated,
independent, and have a relevant bachelor’s degree. The applicant
must meet standard Portland State University graduate admissions and
language requirements, details of which can be found here:
https://www.pdx.edu/graduate-admissions/apply. Note: ONLY US citizen or
permanent resident applicants are eligible for this studentship.

Funding Notes: The successful candidate will receive a full studentship
including tuition, fees and an annual living stipend of $24,000 for up
to 4 years for PhD students. Funds will also be available for research
expenses and conference travel. Support beyond this time period may be
available through a PSU departmental Teaching Assistantship.

Deadlines and Contact: The deadline for application is *February 1,
2019*; however, earlier admission may be possible. Please contact Dr.
Suzanne Estes at estess@pdx.edu with informal enquiries.

Suzanne Estes, PhD
LSAMP Program Director
Associate Professor of Biology
Portland State University
Portland, OR 97201
LSAMP phone: 503.725.2422
Biology phone: 503.725.8782

Suzanne Estes <estess@pdx.edu>