The newly established Blaimer lab in the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology at NC State University is seeking to fill a graduate student position (PhD or MSc, depending on prior experience) beginning in the Fall semester. Our research group focuses on applying cutting-edge molecular technologies to address relevant questions in insect evolutionary biology, systematics and community ecology, mainly by studying ants and other Hymenoptera. We value collection-based research and actively conduct field surveys for ants and other insects, with a particular focus on canopy diversity.

We are looking for a highly motivated individual with a keen interest in evolutionary biology and entomology, and broadly matching research interests to the above. Thesis projects will likely be tied into ongoing research in the lab, but specifics can be developed according to the student’s interests. Potential projects, for example, could be centered around the evolution of ant community structure, both locally in North Carolina or within ongoing research in Madagascar, or could investigate color pattern evolution in large carpenter bees in the context of mimicry. Systematic, taxonomic, or other collection-based project components are further encouraged. Preference will be given to students interested in working on Hymenoptera, and particularly on ants.

NC State University’s Entomology Department offers a highly-rated research environment and is situated in a vibrant and scientifically stimulating atmosphere in the Research Triangle, with both UNC and Duke University, as well as NESCENT and the North Carolina Museum of Sciences close by. Our NC State Insect Museum is a mid-size insect collection that provides state-of-the-art training opportunities in specimen-based research techniques and curation. Raleigh is a lively town with an inexpensive, yet high standard of living, and its surroundings offer numerous recreational activities.

Interested students should contact me directly at bonnie_blaimer@ncsu.edu with a brief description of research interests and experience and a CV, preferably by January 31. Note that the departmental website is currently being redeveloped and information found online about the NCSU Entomology graduate program may not be up-to-date.

Bonnie B Blaimer
Assistant Professor
Director, NCSU Insect Museum
Department of Entomology & Plant Pathology North Carolina State University Raleigh, NC 27695-7613 bonnie_blaimer@ncsu.edu

NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) in Plant Ecology and
Genomics

We anticipate having funding for one or two enthusiastic students
interested in enhancing their research skills and experience in plant
ecology, genomics, and bioinformatics in the Cruzan lab at Portland
State University in Portland, Oregon.

Successful applicants will become part of a research team working on
dispersal and gene flow in upland prairie plants in Oregon and
Washington under pressure from climate change. Dispersal is critical for
colonization, gene flow, and range expansion ¡V it is one of the most
important but least understood aspects of the ecology of plants. Our
research utilizes genomic techniques to detect the effects of dispersal
over different spatial scales. This is an integrative research program
that includes field work, wet lab preparation of genomic DNA for
next-generation sequencing, bioinformatics processing of sequence data,
and analysis of patterns of gene flow using GIS and landscape genetic
methods. Students will be exposed to a wide range of methods and are
expected to develop an independent research project within the scope of
the larger research program. More information on our research is posted
on our lab web site: https://cruzanlab.weebly.com/.

Students will be fully supported for 10 to 12 weeks during the summer of
2018. Funding is provided from an REU supplement to our National Science
Foundation Macrosystems Biology grant. Housing will be provided on
campus along with a daily allowance for food and a $500 weekly stipend.
The start of the REU is negotiable with optimal start dates between May
1 and June 17.

To apply please email us an updated copy of your CV (including GPA) and
a short (one page) statement of your research interests and experience,
as well as goals for your education and career. Applicants should
arrange to have one or two faculty members provide a letter of
recommendation (email is fine). Students with experience in computer
programming and/or bioinformatics are encouraged to apply. Application
deadline is 29 February 2016. Feel free to email us with questions.

Pam Thompson, Postdoctoral Research Associate: thompson@pdx.edu

Mitch Cruzan, Principle Investigator: cruzan@pdx.edu

REU Opportunity Summer 2018: “Research Experience for Undergraduates in
Mathematics and Biology”

The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG) Department of Biology
and Department of Mathematics and Statistics invite highly motivated
undergraduate students to apply to our NSF-sponsored Research Experience
for Undergraduates (REU) summer program.

Students will engage in one of multiple, co-mentored research projects at
the interface of mathematics and biology. While exposure to both
disciplines in desired, advanced expertise in both in not required because
you will work in interdisciplinary teams.

Topics range from the evolutionary ecology of disease, to social evolution
and the evolution of plant architecture. After a brief initial training
period starting May 14, the students work on the research until July 20,
2018 and receive a stipend of $5000. Travel support and shared university
housing will also be included.

For more information, visit https://www.uncg.edu/mat/bio-math/REU/ or
contact Dr. Jan Rychtar (rychtar@uncg.edu) or Dr. Olav Rueppell (
olav_rueppell@uncg.edu).

Olav Rueppell <o_ruppel@uncg.edu>

Agency
Idaho Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Fish &amp; Wildlife Sciences, University of Idaho

Location
Adams County, Idaho

Job Category
Temporary/Seasonal Positions

Salary
$1600/month plus free field lodging

Start Date
4/16/2018

Last Date to Apply
1/21/2018

Description
The northern Idaho ground squirrel (Urocitellus brunneus) is federally threatened under the ESA. We are conducting a series of field experiments to test the effectiveness of forest restoration treatments (thinning and
burning) as a management action to increase populations of northern Idaho ground squirrels. This is the 5th year of a 10-year project. We will have 2 field crews and have 2 field technician openings for the 2018 field season.
We will trap and mark 3 ground squirrel species (northern Idaho ground squirrels, Columbian ground squirrels, and yellow-pine chipmunks) with ear tags and PIT tags from April through August to document ground squirrel demographic responses to forest treatments. We will fit a subset of squirrels with radio-collars and geolocators so that we can track the squirrels to their hibernacula via radio-telemetry and document their daily activity and energy budgets. We will also conduct vegetation surveys to document the effects of the restoration treatments on vegetation composition and structure.
Field work will include long, physically demanding days in a beautiful mountain setting and may take place during all weather conditions (rain and snow in Apr/May, and heat in July/Aug). Some of the field sites are remote and the terrain steep and rugged. Field work may involve odd hours and variable scheduling to ensure we complete all field work on time.
Field lodging will be provided during the field season. The field housing will be relatively remote and rustic: a camp trailer or cabin. The field crew will coexist in close quarters. Successful applicants should be prepared to live without daily access to phone service and internet (one crew will live in a small town and the other will live ~45 minute drive from the nearest small town).

Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:
*       Education: B.S. degree in Natural Resources, Ecology, Conservation
Biology, Environmental Science, or related field
*       At least 1 prior season conducting field work (wildlife or plants) in a
professional setting
*       Demonstrated ability to work independently and as a team member
*       Excellent time and data management/organization skills
*       Must be detail-oriented and self-motivated
*       Must be in excellent physical condition and be able to traverse steep,
rugged terrain throughout the day and carry heavy equipment for up to 10 consecutive days
*       Must have a valid US driver’s license
*       Must be a US citizen or possess a valid US green card
*       Must be available for employment from approximately 16 April 2018 through
10 August 2018

Desirable Qualifications:
*       Experience trapping and handling wildlife
*       Experience living/camping in remote locations for extended periods

Employment is contingent upon satisfactory completion of a criminal background check and DMV driving records check.

Apply by sending a cover letter, resume, contact information for ≥3 references, and a copy of college transcripts (unofficial are OK) in a single PDF document to Austin Allison (aallison@uidaho.edu) and Dr. Courtney Conway (cconway@uidaho.edu). Please write “NIDGS Technician” in the subject line of the email. We will review applications as they arrive. The job will remain open until 21 January 2018 or until the positions are filled.

Agency
Idaho Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Fish &amp; Wildlife Sciences, University of

Location
Adams County, Idaho

Salary
$45/day per diem plus free field lodging

Start Date
4/16/2018

Last Date to Apply
1/21/2018

Description
The northern Idaho ground squirrel (Urocitellus brunneus) is federally threatened under the ESA. We are conducting a series of field experiments to test the effectiveness of forest restoration treatments (thinning and
burning) as a management action to increase populations of northern Idaho ground squirrels. This is the 5th year of a 10-year project. We will have 2 field crews and have 2 field volunteer openings for the 2018 field season.

We will trap and mark 3 ground squirrel species (northern Idaho ground squirrels, Columbian ground squirrels, and yellow-pine chipmunks) with ear tags and PIT tags from April through August to document ground squirrel demographic responses to forest treatments. We will fit a subset of squirrels with radio-collars and geolocators so that we can track the squirrels to their hibernacula via radio-telemetry and document their daily activity and energy budgets. We will also conduct vegetation surveys to document the effects of the restoration treatments on vegetation composition and structure.

Field work will include long, physically demanding days in a beautiful mountain setting and may take place during all weather conditions (rain and snow in Apr/May, and heat in July/Aug). Some of the field sites are remote and the terrain steep and rugged. Field work may involve odd hours and variable scheduling to ensure we complete all field work on time.

Field lodging will be provided during the field season. The field housing will be relatively remote and rustic: a camp trailer or cabin. The field crew will coexist in close quarters. Successful applicants should be prepared to live without daily access to phone service and internet (one crew will live in a small town and the other will live ~45 minute drive from the nearest small town).

Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:
*       Demonstrated oral and written communication skills
*       Demonstrated ability to work independently and as a team member
*       Must be detail-oriented and self-motivated
*       Previous experience hiking/camping
*       Must be in excellent physical condition and be able to traverse steep,
rugged terrain throughout the day and carry heavy equipment for up to 10 consecutive days
*       Must have a valid US driver’s license
*       Must be a US citizen or possess a valid US green card
*       Must be available for employment from approximately 16 April 2018 through
10 August 2018

Desirable Qualifications:
*       Experience working in the field
*       Experience living/hiking/camping in remote locations for extended periods
*       Experience trapping and handling wildlife
*       Excellent time and data management/organization skills

Employment is contingent upon satisfactory completion of a criminal background check and DMV driving records check.

Apply by sending a cover letter, resume, contact information for ≥3 references, and a copy of college transcripts (unofficial are OK) in a single PDF document to Austin Allison (aallison@uidaho.edu) and Dr. Courtney Conway (cconway@uidaho.edu). Please write “NIDGS Volunteer” in the subject line of the email. We will review applications as they arrive. The job will remain open until 21 January 2018 or until the positions are filled.

We are offering an exciting summer program for undergraduate students to collaborate with scientists conducting ecological research.

Explore Harvard’s 3,700-acre outdoor laboratory & classroom in Petersham, Massachusetts.

A summer of mentored research in:

-Forest Ecosystems & Disturbances
-Wildlife Dynamics & Invasive Species
-Computer Science Solutions for Big Data -Agricultural Grazing and Plant Communities – Atmospheric Chemistry of Forest Canopies -Community Dynamics & Global Climate Change

11 weeks residential program

$5775 stipend and travel

Full room & board and meal plan

Program dates for 2018 are May 21 – August 3, 2018.

Applications are currently being accepted on-line and complete details are listed on our
website: http://harvardforest.fas.harvard.edu/other-tags/reu

The strict deadline for this program is Friday February 2nd, 2018 @ 9:00am.

Questions? Contact Manisha Patel, Summer Program Coordinator:
manishapatel@fas.harvard.edu, 978-756-6148

The Institute of Arctic Biology, University of Alaska Fairbanks has an opening for an M.S. graduate student to work with Roger Ruess and Syndonia Bret-Harte on an NSF-funded project on shrub feedbacks to C and N cycling along a boreal-arctic transect in northern Alaska.  A widespread shift from tundra to deciduous shrub-dominated vegetation appears to be underway in northern Alaska, which could have profound implications for C balance and biogeochemical cycling. Because much of the Earth’s soil C is stored in arctic and boreal regions, changes in the C budgets of these biomes may feedback strongly to global climate. Biogeochemical C and N cycles are linked tightly in boreal and arctic ecosystems, and plant production is strongly N-limited; therefore, N-fixing shrubs affect soil C through their effects on near-surface soil N, via both SOM turnover and N inputs. The graduate student will focus on the effects of the growth and ecophysiology of Siberian alder on biogeochemical cycling across topo-edaphic sequences along a latitudinal transect from the boreal forest (BNZ LTER) to arctic tundra (ARC LTER). The student will be expected to develop their own research questions within the overall framework of the project, and will have the opportunity to interact with PIs and other graduate students working on project.  Because research sites are distributed between Fairbanks and areas north of the Toolik Field Station (see http://toolik.alaska.edu/), the graduate student will be conducting research and camping in very rugged/remote terrain.  The student will be supported through a combination of research assistantships and teaching assistantships, and expected to begin fieldwork in the summer of 2018, and coursework in the fall of 2018.  For more information, please contact Roger Ruess (rwruess@alaska.edu) or Syndonia Bret-Harte (msbretharte@alaska.edu).
You must also apply for graduate study to the Department of Biology and Wildlife at University of Alaska Fairbanks (see https://www.bw.uaf.edu/graduates/index.php for application requirements); the deadline for applications is January 15, 2018.

PARASITE ECOLOGY INTERNSHIP

https://www.shoalsmarinelaboratory.org/parasite-ecology-internship

Project overview:
The Isles of Shoals represent an exceptional location for exploring parasite diversity in multi-host parasite systems (particularly trematode parasites) that include intertidal invertebrates and shorebirds. Previous work at Shoals Marine Laboratory has resulted in interesting patterns in parasite prevalence of intermediate hosts around the islands, as well as influences on host foraging behavior and physiology. The Parasite Ecology Intern will collect parasite diversity data in invertebrate hosts on Appledore Island, assist with experiments that induce infection in intermediate hosts, and explore host behavior in the lab and the field. Interns will learn how to identify trematode parasite species using a microscope, how to induce an infection gradient in host crabs, set-up and run behavior and predation experiments, and can use what they learn from this and past work to design a related project. The intern will be a part of the larger SML Research Internship cohort and will participate in weekly discussions and lectures.

Prerequisites:
Previous coursework in ecology and marine biology is recommended.
Previous experience at SML is preferred, but not required. Relevant SML courses include: Ecology & the Marine Environment, Evolution & Marine Diversity, Field Marine Invertebrate Biology, and the Shoals Research Apprenticeship.

Mentor: Dr. April Blakeslee (East Carolina University)

Dates: June 4 – August 13, 2018 (10 weeks)

SML Research Symposium: August 11, 2018

Stipend: $150/week
Includes room & board for 10 weeks, and roundtrip vessel transportation from Portsmouth, NH to Appledore Island. Interns are responsible for their own transportation to/from Portsmouth, NH at the beginning and end of the internship.

One intern will be selected.

Please go to the following website for information on how to apply:
https://www.shoalsmarinelaboratory.org/parasite-ecology-internship