Opportunities

summer job: Biological Science Technician, Forest Ecology

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Summer Employment Opportunity!
Come work among the Giant Sequoias and High Sierras!
Sequoia-Kings Canyon Field Station (USGS) is currently searching for people interested in summer 2018 Biological Science Technician positions in Forest Ecology.
 Pay: GG-5 (approx. $16.00/hour)
Location: Three Rivers, California
             Crew 1: Measure forest demographics, including measuring trees and seedlings and determining cause of death.  Gain knowledge and experience in ecological research, identifying Sierran trees, and forest pathology. Up to 6 positions will be filled.  Positions are full-time, start in approximately mid-May, and will last about 5 months.
            Crew 2: Participate in research project on whitebark pine persistence across its range in the Sierras. Backpack in a variety of conditions across many regions of the Sierras, including Sequoia-Kings Canyon and Yosemite National Parks. Sample forestry plots in remote areas from 7,000-11,000 feet. Gain knowledge and experience in ecological research, collecting tree cores and other samples, and tree measurements. Up to 2 positions will be filled. Positions are full-time, start approximately late May/early June, and will last up to 4 months.  Ideal candidates will have backpacking experience and feel comfortable spending up to 10 days in the backcountry.
 Must be a US Citizen in order to qualify.  Also need bachelor’s degree or equivalent education and experience. Some field work experience required. Want people with some biological coursework and experience, an interest in forest or field ecology who want to work outdoors, and who like to work in small teams and have strong interpersonal skills.  Housing available for rent.
 
If interested: e:mail a cover letter, resume, list of references, and unofficial transcripts to:   Anne Pfaff atahpfaff@usgs.gov
 
To be considered, please send information by February 5, 2018.
 
For more information, call Anne at (559) 565-3172 or e:mail at ahpfaff@usgs.gov.  
 
—
Anne Pfaff
Ecologist
USGS Sequoia-Kings Canyon Field Station
47050 Generals Highway #4
Three Rivers, California 93271
(559) 565-3172
(559) 565-3177 (fax)

Master’s Graduate Assistantship in Forest Restoration & Modelling

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A Master’s position is available in the Quantitative Forest Management lab of Dr. Steve Chhin in the Division of Forestry and Natural Resources at West Virginia University (WVU).

The graduate student will primarily conduct field and laboratory work
for a project funded by the USDA Forest Service.    The general
objective of the project is to develop new site index curves for Central Appalachian red spruce by correcting for historical growth suppression.
Models will also be developed which relate red spruce site index to the site index of commonly associated species such as American beech, black cherry, red maple, and yellow birch.  This will aid in restoration and resiliency efforts for red spruce by providing site quality information in areas where red spruce is absent or where new red spruce habitat is expected due to climate change.  Dendroclimatic models will be developed to examine sensitivity of red spruce to past and future climate change.

Qualifications:

A completed Bachelor’s degree in forestry, biology, ecology, environmental sciences, or a similarly related natural resource field is acceptable.  Preference will be given to applicants that are highly self-motivated, possess a strong work ethic, and have strong oral and written communication skills.  Experience with statistical software packages (e.g., R) and proficiency with GIS would be assets.  A background or strong interest in conducting field based research and working in a laboratory environment is desirable.  Applicants must enjoy working (e.g., rigorous field work) and living outdoors (e.g., camping) and possess a valid driver’s license.  A cumulative GPA greater than
3.25 in undergraduate coursework is preferred.  The start date for this position is May 2018.  This position includes a tuition waiver and health benefits, and a competitive stipend.

Application materials:

Please submit: 1) cover letter, 2) curriculum vitae, 3) unofficial transcripts, 4) GRE scores, 5) contact information of two references, and 6) TOEFL scores (for international applicants).  Please describe your career goals in the cover letter.  Applications will be considered immediately and continue until the position is filled.  To ensure full consideration, please e-mail your application material to Dr. Steve Chhin (sc0061@mix.wvu.edu) by February 9, 2018.

Summer 2018 Student Contract Positions – BBS Biolo gical Technicians

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The USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center in Laurel, Maryland is seeking two full-time temporary student contractors to assist with duties related to the North American Breeding Bird Survey program (www.pwrc.usgs.gov/BBS).  The BBS is a long-term, continental avian monitoring program that relies on citizen scientists to provide the quantitative population data needed to assess and manage hundreds of migratory bird species found across the U.S. and Canada.  Tasks will include working with wildlife survey data, performance of quality assurance and quality control procedures on biological data, data entry, assisting with database management, photocopying and filing, preparation of maps and assisting in preparation of administrative correspondence.
 
Application deadline:
Interested applicants should submit their resume and cover letter by February 12, 2018.
Statement of Work
1. Types of services required: During the summer field season, approximately 3100 BBS routes are sampled by participants skilled in avian identification. These data are then processed and analyzed by USGS to inform avian conservation efforts in the U.S. and Canada. Tasks will include processing incoming data and materials, performing data entry and quality control procedures using web-based technologies, tracking progress, assisting with database management, photocopying, scanning and filing materials, map preparation, and corresponding with participants.
2. Required expertise/skills:
a. Applicants are required to have completed two years of undergraduate course work (student must be at least a second semester sophomore).
b. Applicants must be majors in a biology, ecology, environmental science or related disciplines.
c. Applicants must be able to communicate effectively in English both verbally and in writing.
d. Applicants must have knowledge of computer software used to summarize and organize data (i.e. Excel and Access).
e. Knowledge of North American birds is not required.
3. Eligibility requirements: To be eligible for a student contract position, applicants must be either a currently enrolled student or a recent graduate. To qualify as a student, the applicant must be enrolled at least half-time in a degree-seeking program at an accredited college or university. Former students who graduated more than 10 months ago or who left school without graduating are not eligible to work under these contracts.  Applicants will be required to show proof of their student status (or recent graduation). USGS employees, their spouses, and children are not eligible to participate in this program. U.S. citizens are eligible. Non-U.S. citizens may be eligible to participate, depending on their immigration status and the applicable regulations of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (formerly Immigration and Naturalization Service). Foreign students in the U.S. under F-1 visas are usually not able to participate in this program, due to USCIS restrictions against off-campus work.
4. Description of working conditions: Work will be performed in an office environment located on the USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center campus in Laurel, Maryland. Extended periods of computer use will be required. This is not a field or laboratory position.
5. Compensation: The student contractor will be paid $17.09 per hour. Student contractors are paid only for hours worked (no holiday or leave benefits). Student is responsible for all costs of transportation to and from the principal duty station location. The Government does not provide housing, meals or other living expenses while working at the principal duty station. Official travel away from the duty station is not expected.
6. Principal Duty Station: USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, 12100 Beech Forest Road, Laurel, Maryland 20708-4038. Student contractors may enter the building only during business hours or when project manager is present.
7. Additional information: Estimated number of hours for the position is 544 (full-time for summer). There is a possibility of additional part-time hours continuing into the fall semester. The approximate start date is May 28, 2018. The approximate end date is August 24, 2018. There is flexibility in start and end dates to accommodate variations in academic calendars.
8. How to apply: Send resume and cover letter to Keith Pardieck via email (kpardieck@usgs.gov). Applications must be received on or before February 12, 2018. In your cover letter include an explanation of how you meet the eligibility requirements, your expected graduation date, and discuss your experience as related to sections 1 and 2 above.
 
 
————————————————————-
Keith L. Pardieck
National Coordinator
North American Breeding Bird Survey
USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center
12100 Beech Forest Road  
Laurel, MD 20708
301-497-5843 (Tel)

PhD position on effects of pharmaceuticals/contaminants on recreational fishes – Miami, FL

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Florida International University, Miami, Florida
The Rehage lab at Florida International University, in Miami, FL is seeking a Ph.D. student interested in examining the potential effects of contaminants on recreational fisheries for Fall 2018 (http://myweb.fiu.edu/rehagej/).
 
Dates: Desired start date is Fall 2018, application deadline is February 1, 2018 for Fall 2018 (but position will remain open until filled).
 
About this position: We seek a motivated student with a passion for fish, ecology/fisheries, ecotoxicology and scientific inquiry. The proposed PhD project will be related to (but not limited to) examining the role of contaminants, particularly pharmaceuticals on the decline of bonefish populations in South Florida relative to elsewhere the Caribbean basin.  The position is being offered through the NSF funded CREST program at FIU’s Center for Aquatic Chemistry and Environment (https://crestcache.fiu.edu/) and in collaboration with the Brodin Lab at Umea University, Sweden, http://www.emg.umu.se/english/about-the-department/staff/brodin-tomas/ and  Bonefish and Tarpon Trust,https://www.bonefishtarpontrust.org/. The ideal candidate will have a passion and experience in fish ecology/fisheries and/or ecotoxicology, excellent writing and quantitative skills, previous fish/fisheries field experience and an interest in interdisciplinary collaborations and local partnerships with recreational. Boating and angling experience are highly desired.  Competitive support will be a combination of research & teaching assistantships with health care benefits and a tuition waiver.    
 
About our lab: We are an energetic team of fish ecologists interested in understanding how fishes respond to human and natural disturbance, and how these effects permeate through multiple ecological scales (from individual behavior to population and community dynamics and to human dimensions, such as implications for recreational fisheries). We are part of a highly collaborative south Florida research community, composed of scientists, and federal, state and private partners, all with the shared goal of understanding and forecasting coastal ecosystem responses to the interaction of natural and anthropogenic drivers (see http://fcelter.fiu.edu/).
 
To apply:  please contact Dr. Jenn Rehage ASAP at rehagej@fiu.edu. In your email please tell us about yourself (research interests and experience, fit to the project) and attach a CV (including GPAs, GRE scores, academic record, research experience & references). Please title your email ‘PhD applicant Fall 2018 + your name.’ Our graduate program deadline is February 1, 2018 (please see 
http://earthenvironment.fiu.edu/programs/graduate/ for details on our PhD in Earth Systems Science).
 
About our university: FIU is a public research university in Miami with a highly diverse, vibrant, and growing student body that offers more than 180 study programs. Our multiple campuses serve over 56,000 students, placing FIU among the 5 largest universities in the nation. FIU holds a Carnegie Research 1 designation (highest research activity), and is the largest majority minority RI institution in the US.  CREST CAChE is a joint venture between FIU’s Institute for Water and environment (https://inwe.fiu.edu/) and the STEM Transformation Institute (https://stem.fiu.edu/. 
 
 

Summer Field Technician Jobs in Plant and Insect Ecology

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Summer Field Technician Jobs in Plant and Insect Ecology
 
Wichita State University seeks four highly motivated technicians to assist in data collection for a collaborative research project investigating the response of birds, plants, and insects to cattle grazing on Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) grasslands in Kansas.  Grazing disturbance on CRP lands is currently excluded or restricted, despite the historic role of bison grazing in prairie communities. Our study will test how high and low diversity seeding practices (CP25 and CP2, respectively) influence the restoration of 108 CRP sites across the longitudinal precipitation gradient in Kansas and the effects of periodic grazing on plants, insects, and birds.
 
Technicians will collect plant and insect data in three-person sampling crews, each led by a graduate researcher. Each crew will be responsible for sampling a subset of sites (36) in the western, central, or eastern region of Kansas. Duties include, but are not limited to: collecting vegetative visual obstruction, abundance, and biomass data; preparing and collecting insect pitfall traps, sweep netting for aerial insects, and associated abiotic data collection (wind, temperature, etc.); data entry and quality control; and equipment preparation. Candidates must be able to work effectively in a team and hike through tall grass with equipment. Working hours will be spent almost exclusively in the field and involve early mornings, long hours when necessary, and in variable weather conditions. Weekend work may be required (dependent on weather delays). Technicians must be able to transport themselves to field housing and be ready to begin data collection May 21, 2018 for a 10-week field season (ending July 28, 2018). Shared housing will be provided for technicians at field stations or rental houses near field sites in rural Kansas. Field vehicles will be provided. Technicians will be compensated $4,400 for the season.
 
Qualifications:
  1. Academic training in or enthusiasm for biology and/or ecology,
  2. Previous experience with plant identification in the Midwestern United States and insect sampling preferred, but not required,
  3. Fit to perform field work while maintaining excellent work ethic in a variety of conditions, including heat, humidity, rain, and biting arthropods,  
  4. Excellent interpersonal skills and willingness to work and live with other technicians and interact positively with CRP landowners,
  5. Able to use a compass and GPS for field navigation,
  6. Possess a valid driver’s license and willing to drive rental field vehicles on gravel and muddy roads,
  7. Must be available from May 21 to July 28, 2018.
To apply, email cover letter, CV, and the names and contact information of three references to Molly Reichenborn atmolly.reichenborn@wichita.edu. Application review will begin January 29, 2018. Positions will remain open until filled.
 

Seasonal position announcements for the Institute for Applied Ecology

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The Institute for Applied Ecology (http://appliedeco.org/) is now accepting applications for a variety of temporary/seasonal positions for the 2018 field season! All positions are posted on the “Jobs” page of the IAE website with detailed position descriptions and specific application instructions.
 
OPEN POSITIONS:
Conservation Research Internships
 
Conservation Research and Botany Field Crew Leader
 
Seasonal Field Botany Technician (Rare Plant Monitoring; Lakeview, OR)
 
Golden Paintbrush Recovery Internships
 
Golden Paintbrush Field Crew Leader
 
Botany Field Internships (Rare Plant Monitoring)
 
Botany Field Crew Leader (Rare Plant Monitoring)
 
Streaked Horned Lark Technician
 
 
All positions are based in Corvallis, OR (housing not provided) with the exception of the “Seasonal Field Botany Technician (Rare Plant Monitoring; Lakeview, OR)” positions, which are based in Lakeview, OR. For these positions only, housing in federal bunkhouses in Lakeview, OR is provided.
 
To Apply:  Applications should be compiled into a single PDF document and emailed to jobs@appliedeco.org[deadlines differ for each position]. In the subject line, please write the position title for which you are applying.
 
Include a letter of interest stating when you will be available to start work (this is a MUST), resume, transcripts(unofficial is fine), and the names and contact information for three references.  AT LEAST ONE reference must be from a supervisor from a work experience.
 
If you are applying to more than one position at IAE, you will need to submit applications to specific postings in separate e-mails.
 
INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. Non-U.S. residents must also include a copy of their work visa.  Applications will be considered upon receipt.  Please direct all inquiries to jobs@appliedeco.org.
 

PhD Research Assistantship – Evolutionary Ecology

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The School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences at Auburn University is seeking candidates for a graduate assistantship (Ph.D.) in Wildlife Ecology and Management to take the lead on a comprehensive research project examining evolutionary ecology of a large mammal.  The research will be conducted at the Auburn University deer research facility and will examine the evolutionary aspects of reproduction using white-tailed deer as a model.  Working as part of a research team, the selected student will develop a research focus using data (physical characteristics, genetics, blood profiles, parasite loads, hormone levels, etc.) collected over the past 10 years from over 500 individual animals.  During this time period, we have determined parentage assignments for over 400 of these individuals.  These data, as well as an additional 3 years of data collected by the research team while the student is at Auburn, will be available to the student.  The Auburn deer research facility (wp.auburn.edu/deerlab), which is a 430-acre laboratory setting that simulates a free-ranging population of white- tailed deer, has approximately 100 individual adult deer that inhabit the facility at any given time.  The selected candidate will be able to develop a research focus in areas including, but not limited to, relationships among breeding patterns, fitness, the MHC, physical characteristics, parasite loads, and hormone levels.  Responsibilities of the selected candidate will be to spearhead continued data collection in the field (e.g., capture of deer and collection of samples), and to enhance the database that has already been developed for the population.

The position will be available beginning May 2018.  The candidate selected for this position will also serve as the writing TA for the School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences.  As the writing TA, the candidate will assist undergraduate and graduate students with development of their writing skills.  This responsibility is not to be confused with proofreading writing and telling them what needs to be corrected.  Rather, Auburn University has implemented a complex writing assistance center on campus, and this position serves as the liaison for students in the School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences.  The selected candidate will be trained by the AU Writing Center, and will normally work with students 8-13 hours/week by appointment.  To satisfy the assistantship during the summer semester, the candidate will work with Forestry and Wildlife undergraduate students on their writing for approximately 4 weeks during May-June each summer at our remote campus (The Solon Dixon Forestry Education Center).  The assistantship includes a $19,180 salary, a full tuition waiver, and comes with its own office.
Additionally, highly quality candidates may be considered for an AU Presidential Graduate Research Fellowship, which lasts for 3 years and comes with an annual stipend of $30,000.  If the student is awarded this fellowship, they will still be expected to meet their writing TA responsibilities.

Applicants should possess an M.S. degree in Wildlife Ecology or related field, a strong work ethic, and field and/or lab experience.
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled, but the hope is to make a decision by early February.  Interested applicants should send a cover letter outlining their qualifications for the project, copies of transcripts and GRE scores, and contact information for at least 3 references to Dr. Steve Ditchkoff, School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, 3301 Forestry and Wildlife Building, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849. Phone – (334) 844-9240: E-mail – ditchss@auburn.edu.  Application materials can be sent by e-mail.

PhD in Restoration Ecology at University of Wyoming

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PhD position available to study sagebrush restoration at the University of
Wyoming.
 
The Laughlin Lab is recruiting a PhD student to start in Fall 2018 to study
drivers of successful sagebrush restoration across the state of Wyoming.
Specifically, we want to evaluate the effects of the soil and rhizosphere
microbiome on sagebrush seedling establishment after disturbances associated
with resource extraction. All interested students are encouraged to apply!
 
Please follow this link for details:
http://plant-traits.net/about/lab-openings/
 
 

Research Experience for Undergraduates at University of Georgia

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Applications are now being accepted for the summer of 2018 Research Experience for Undergraduates in Population Biology of Infectious Diseases, hosted by the University of Georgia. We are excited about the program, which strives to integrate experimental biological science with computational methods and techniques to investigate a variety of areas in infectious disease research. Our goal is to recruit both students with a background in biology, with the intent of introducing them to computational techniques, and also students with a background in mathematics and/or computer science, in order to give them experience in data collection in a laboratory setting.

2018 Program details
Location: University of Georgia, Athens, GA
Dates: May 21-July 20, 2017 (9 weeks)

Students will receive a $4950 stipend for the summer, free housing at the University of Georgia, and travel assistance to Athens, GA.

Who is eligible?
Applicants must be citizens or permanent residents of the U.S. or its territories and have not yet obtained an undergraduate degree.

To Apply:
– Complete the online application at http://reu.ecology.uga.edu/
– Send transcripts (unofficial is ok) to  infectious.disease.reu@gmail.com
– Arrange for two letters of recommendation to be sent to infectious.disease.reu@gmail.com

To be considered, all application materials should be received by February 19, 2018. Accepted students will be notified in early March.

For more information, please see our website at http://reu.ecology.uga.edu/
or contact Dr. John Drake, program director, at jdrake@uga.edu

MS Assistantship: The effect of urban sprawl on bird diversity

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One two-year MS assistantship is available starting in August 2018 under the supervision of Dr. Sara Gagné in the Department of Geography and Earth Sciences at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
 
A highly-motivated student is sought to pursue research that investigates the effect of urban sprawl on bird diversity. The student will make use of publicly-available datasets and published sprawl indices to investigate how avian community structure and composition respond to variation in urban form among landscapes at multiple spatial scales. The student’s research may also include the investigation of the effect of sprawl on the diversity of other taxa, depending on the availability and suitability of data.
 
Strong candidates will have a Bachelor’s degree with demonstrated research experience and coursework in ecology, environmental science, or biogeography. Candidates with demonstrated written and oral communication skills and strong academic credentials will be preferred. Successful candidates will also have GIS and remote sensing skills, a strong quantitative background, and a passion for biodiversity conservation in human-dominated landscapes.
 
The Department of Geography and Earth Sciences offers a Master in Earth Sciences program that includes courses in biogeography, spatial statistics and modeling, GIS and remote sensing, and urban planning. The successful candidate will be supported by a competitive teaching assistantship. Tuition remission is available for highly-qualified candidates. Charlotte is a diverse rapidly growing metropolitan area that boasts an extensive greenway system and lies within a half day’s drive of the spectacular Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountains and stunning North Carolina and South Carolina saltmarshes and beaches.
 
Interested candidates should send, via email to Dr. Sara Gagné, sgagne@uncc.edu: (1) a cover letter outlining prior experience and research interests, (2) a CV, (3) GRE scores and GPAs from current and previous programs, and (4) the names and contact information of three referees.
 
More information about Dr. Sara Gagné’s research, the MS Earth Sciences program, and the Department of Geography and Earth Sciences can be found at: http://geoearth.uncc.edu/
 
—————————————————————————
Sara A. Gagné, PhD 
Associate Professor of Landscape Ecology
Earth Sciences Graduate Coordinator
UNC Charlotte | Dept. of Geography and Earth Sciences 
9201 University City Blvd. | Charlotte, NC 28223
Phone: 704-687-5911 | Fax: 704-687-5966