A MS student position is available for a recently funded Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission project and provisionally funded NC Sea Grant project within the Department of Biology at East Carolina University beginning fall 2018. The successful candidate will be involved in ongoing studies to quantify river herring spawning populations in North Carolina watersheds using environmental DNA techniques. This student will have the opportunity to conduct interdisciplinary research with Drs. Erin Field, Michael Brewer, and Roger Rulifson by integrating molecular quantitative PCR methodology, field sample collection, laboratory eDNA shedding experiments, and the coordination of a citizen science network with regional K-12 and community colleges. Previous research experience in any of these areas is preferable. Prospective students must have a B.S. in biology, fisheries biology, marine science, fisheries management, or related field. The qualified candidate should be proficient in communication skills including scientific writing, oral presentations, and the ability to work well in a collaborative environment. Additional information can be found athttp://www.ecu.edu/cs-cas/biology/.

East Carolina University is the third largest campus in the University of NC system and has an active and well-supported group of faculty working largely in the areas of ecology and evolution. Currently, there are >70 MS students and >20 doctoral students enrolled in the Department of Biology graduate programs. Additional information about the department and graduate programs can be found at http://www.ecu.edu/cs- cas/biology/.

Interested students should send a CV, short statement of research interests, and contact information for two references to Dr. Erin Field (fielde14@ecu.edu). Any questions can also be directed to this e-mail address. Review of applications will begin January 19, 2018.

Montana Conservation Corps is still accepting Conservation Intern applications for Summer 2018!

Are you passionate about the environment, have a strong service ethic, and are looking to gain professional development in a conservation- related field this summer? Check out this amazing opportunity!

APPLY HERE: https://careers-mtcorps.icims.com/jobs/1239/conservation-
intern/job?
mode=view&mobile=false&width=950&height=500&bga=true&needsRedirect=false
&jan1offset=-420&jun1offset=-360

MCC’s Conservation Intern program provides opportunities for college students and recent graduates to gain professional experience in a conservation-related field.  Conservation Interns serve at partnering federal, state, and nonprofit agencies across the state of Montana and neighboring states.

Location: Varies based on host site placement (MT & neighboring states) Position Dates:
Summer Term: 5/16/18 – 8/17/18
Extended Term:  5/16/18 – 10/5/18
Living Allowance: $504 bi-weekly
AmeriCorps Education Award upon completion of the program.

Each internship is focused to help develop the interns’ professional skill set while providing expertise and valuable contributions to the host site. Conservation Interns (CI) are placed individually with a partner organization and work under the direct supervision of the Host Site Supervisor while coordinating with the MCC Program Manager to ensure successful completion of the program objectives.  CIs serve on a variety of projects including GPS and GIS projects, river ranger patrols, wildlife inventory, data analysis, public outreach and education, trails projects, research, and invasive weeds management.
Current students or recent graduates in the fields of resource conservation, forestry, biology, or environmental studies are encouraged to apply.

MORE INFORMATION HERE: http://mtcorps.org/join/big-sky-watershed-corps-
conservation-internships/conservation-intern-program/

Questions? Contact Mandy Hedstrom at mandy@mtcorps.org or 406-587-4475.

Please help us spread the word to undergraduate researchers!

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette is currently taking applications for undergraduates to participate in a new National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates site located in Lafayette, LA.

We are seeking  highly motivated undergraduate students to participate in a life changing research experience. Students accepted to this competitive program will have the opportunity to spend 8 weeks (June 4- July 27, 2018) in the heart of Cajun Country in Lafayette, Louisiana, working with leading researchers in interdisciplinary fields related to coastal and watershed science. REU investigations will fundamentally expand our understanding of watershed and estuarine resources and processes in an urban- and agriculturally-influenced watershed. Southern Louisiana encompasses a rich network of watersheds connected to the Mississippi (the largest Delta in the US) and the Atchafalaya Basin (the largest swamp in the US). This region is one of rapid and ongoing change due to both climate and land use changes, and is the focal point for a multitude of efforts at local, state, regional, and federal levels directed towards ecosystem protection and restoration. Students involved in research in this REU program will experience a vibrant research community engaged in innovative, multidisciplinary research to address some of the most pressing watershed and coastal issues of present and future decades. Students will be paired with a faculty mentor and engage in hands-on research, field trips, and meet and greets with leading researchers in watershed science. Students will develop valuable skills conducting literature reviews, scientific integrity, scientific writing, innovation in research, data collection and analysis, and presentation of research findings to diverse audiences.  Students will gain the education, networking opportunities, and mentorship to prepare them for further academic pursuits in graduate school and future careers in science. For eight (8) amazing weeks during summer 2018, REU students will be housed on campus at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.
This campus is located in the heart of Cajun Culture, is a walkable distance from downtown shopping, nightlife, and some of the best restaurants in the country.

UL Lafayette is seeking diverse students from Universities nation-wide.
Students from underrepresented groups, first generation students, and students without undergraduate research opportunities at their home universities or colleges are highly encouraged to apply.

Selected students will receive monetary compensation, food allowances, travel support, research support, and on-campus housing.
Applications are open now through Feb 15, 2018.

Go to: https://coastalresearch.louisiana.edu/node/46 for more information on the program and how to apply!

—
*This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No 1659853. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.*

Research Technician Position in the Department of Biology at East Carolina University

Position description and key responsibilities: The Asch Fisheries Oceanography Lab at East Carolina University (located in Greenville, NC; http://www.ecu.edu/cs-cas/biology/Rebecca_Asch.cfm) is seeking to hire a research technician for a full-time, temporary position.  Our lab is partnering with the Beaufort, North Carolina branch of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in order to expand the Beaufort Inlet Ichthyoplankton Sampling Program (BIISP).  BIISP has been collecting weekly ichthyoplankton samples at Beaufort Inlet during fall through spring months since the year 1987, making it the longest continuously operating ichthyoplankton time series on the east coast of the U.S.  The goal of this program is to measure estuarine ingress of larval fish species that spawn offshore but utilize estuarine habitats during the fish’s juvenile life history stage.  This time series has the potential to provide valuable information on how local fish communities are responding to climate variability and climate change.  The Asch Fisheries Oceanography lab is investigating this question by examining variations in the seasonal timing of larval fish ingress and changes in species composition as a function of a number of climatic and ecological variables.  We plan to expand upon the BIISP time series by lengthening the duration of the sampling season so that it is year round, collecting weekly mesozooplankton samples, and conducting YSI profiles of temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, pH, and fluorescence.

We seek a technician to assist our lab with this work.  The technician’s responsibilities will initially focus on analyzing the mesozooplankton samples using a ZooScan system (http://www.hydroptic.com/zooscan.html).  A ZooScan consists of a flatbed scanner that is used to electronically scan size-fractionated zooplankton samples.  ZooProcess software is then used to semi-automatically identify species in the sample using a machine learning algorithm adapted to local ecological conditions.  The technician will be in charge of scanning samples, working with ZooProcess to train the machine learning algorithm, and verifying classification accuracy once the algorithm has been trained.

Beginning during spring 2018 and together with other members of the Asch lab, the technician will also be responsible for traveling to Beaufort once a week, collecting the enhanced BIISP samples, and recording and transcribing YSI water quality measurements.  Since larval fish are capable of avoiding capture by plankton nets during the day, all sampling will be conducted at night and will be timed to coincide with tidal fluctuations.  The technician will also be in charge of sorting and identifying larval and juvenile fishes in 2-4 ichthyoplankton samples collected each week that represent additional sampling beyond the standard BIISP routine.

Lastly, it is expected that this technician will take on some duties associated with lab management including training undergraduate and graduate students in lab protocols, helping to order lab supplies, assuring compliance with lab safety regulations, and maintaining the lab in clean and functioning order.  The successful technician will potentially be encouraged to take on additional roles associated with statistical analysis of data, preparation of manuscripts for publication, and the presentation of results at scientific conferences.

This will initially be a one-year position, with the potential for renewal contingent upon satisfactory performance and available funding.  There will be a two-month probationary period associated with this hire.

Minimum qualifications:
-B.S. degree in marine science, biology, ecology, oceanography, natural resource management, or similar fields.  Must have taken at least introductory coursework in marine ecology.
-Some experience working in an ecology lab and using a dissecting microscope.
-Ability to drive state owned vehicles, conduct ecological fieldwork in wet and occasionally uncomfortable conditions at night-time, and carry field equipment weighing up to ~30 lbs.
-Independent self-starter who is exciting to learn new skills and has the ability to problem shoot technical challenges.
-Occasionally travel overnight to receive technical training or attend scientific conferences.

Preferred qualifications:
-Masters of science degree in marine science, biology, ecology, oceanography, natural resource management, or similar fields.
-1-2 years of experience at the post-baccalaureate level working in a lab focused on conducting marine ecological research.
-Previous experience operating a ZooScan and collecting and processing ichthyoplankton and zooplankton samples in marine and estuarine environments.  Experience with identification of ichthyoplankton and zooplankton species, especially those found in the Southeast U.S.
-Experience analyzing data and writing computer programs with MATLAB or R.  Experience with multivariate ecological statistics.
-Written and published scientific manuscripts and presented scientific results at conferences.

Application instructions: Applications for this position are to be completed online, with full instructions available at the following URL: https://ecu.peopleadmin.com/postings/11157.  Please contact Rebecca Asch (aschr16@ecu.edu) regarding any questions that you may have about this posting.  The deadline for applications is on January 4, 2018.

The Castorani Lab at the University of Virginia is recruiting 1-2 PhD students to study the population and community ecology of coastal marine ecosystems. Students will be advised by Max Castorani (https://castorani.evsc.virginia.edu/) and join UVA’s highly interdisciplinary Department of Environmental Sciences (http://www.evsc.virginia.edu/).
Potential systems for field studies include coastal lagoons, salt marshes, oyster reefs, and seagrass meadows in Virginia, kelp forests in southern California, and estuaries in northern California. Students will have the opportunity to contribute to highly collaborative long-term ecological research in the Virginia Coast Reserve LTER
(https://www.vcrlter.virginia.edu/) and Santa Barbara Coastal LTER (http://sbc.lternet.edu/).

Applicants should have strong interests in population dynamics, spatial ecology (e.g., dispersal, landscape ecology, metapopulations), or community ecology (e.g., biodiversity, species interactions, foundation species, invasive species), especially in the context of ecological disturbances. Ideal applicants will also have some or all of the following qualifications (or a strong desire to learn these skills): (1) Experience in experimental field ecology, ideally in coastal ecosystems; (2) Experience with data management or analysis, ideally in the R programming language; (3) Interest in the ecology of marine plants, algae, invertebrates, or fishes; (4) Experience with the collection or analysis of remotely-sensed imagery using unmanned aerial vehicles
(drones) or satellites. Although research in the Castorani Lab is primarily motivated by fundamental ecological questions, there are opportunities for applied research related to coastal habitat restoration (seagrass) and aquaculture (oysters and clams).

Field resources include access to boating, laboratory, and mesocosm facilities at the Anheuser-Busch Coastal Research Center (https://www.abcrc.virginia.edu/) located at the Virginia Coast Reserve, a highly dynamic coastal barrier landscape comprising tidal marshes, coastal bays, and barrier islands. There are also opportunities for scuba- based research in kelp forests located near Santa Barbara, California, as well as field work at Point Reyes National Seashore near San Francisco, California.

UVA has a highly interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Environmental Sciences (http://www.evsc.virginia.edu/academics/graduate/), offering training and conducting research in ecology, geosciences, hydrology, and atmospheric sciences. Graduate students accepted into the program are typically supported through a mixture of teaching assistantships and research assistantships that support full stipend, tuition, and health insurance.

Those interested should send (1) a CV with academic and professional experience (including GPA); (2) a brief description of their background, career goals, motivations for pursuing a graduate degree, research ideas, and why they are specifically interested in joining the Castorani Lab; and (3) contact information for 2-3 references to Max Castorani (castorani@virginia.edu).

The application deadline is January 15, 2018 for enrollment in Fall 2018, however applicants should send an email expressing their interest as soon as possible.

Research internship in tropical ecology for March and April 2018 (Room and board included)

Project description:
PhD student in Biological Sciences at the University of Pittsburgh is currently taking applications for a field assistant in Santa Fé, Veraguas, Panama.  Epiphytes, or structurally dependent plants such as bromeliads and orchids, make up a third of tropical vascular plant diversity, but their community ecology is largely unknown.  In spring of 2017, we set up a large long-term experiment in epiphyte community development and will be resurveying the 30 permanent plots throughout March and April of 2018.  We also have set up a network of motion-sensor camera traps to monitor canopy animals.  All of the fieldwork will be done in the beautiful premontane tropical rainforest of the Santa Fé National Park, a high-biodiversity park in the Cordillera Central of north-central Panama (Veraguas Province).  The assistant will be a primary backup for the graduate student during tree-climbing to access the plants up in the canopy and also be involved with data collection and photo analysis. Every day we will hike out to the field site in remote mountainous terrain early in the morning and return before sunset. Assistant will be living with the graduate student and other field assistant(s) in the nearby town of Santa Fé. All transportation, room and board will be provided.

Skills gained/used in the internship:
Research assistant will gain a wide variety of valuable ecological field techniques as well as hands-on research experience:
-Single-rope climbing techniques used to access tropical tree canopies (up to 35m or 115′ high).
-Recognizing and identifying epiphytic plants (especially bromeliads, orchids, and ferns) -Measuring canopy openness with a spherical densiometer -Measuring heights in the canopy with a laser rangefinder -Approximating vegetation cover of nonvascular and vascular epiphytes -Taking high-quality photographs of plants -Using motion-sensor camera traps -Analyzing photos of rare tropical animals -Spanish language (if not previously fluent) -Collaborate on graduate-level ecology research partially funded by the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute

Compensation:
Upon arrival in Panama, all transportation, room and board will be paid for. Opportunities for small concurrent projects in which assistant would be a co-author on resulting publications are available if the assistant is interested in independent research. Glowing letters of recommendation for the future will be provided upon successful completion of the internship.

Duration and travel details:
Assistant is expected to arrive in Panama City, Panama by March 1st, 2018.  The graduate student will meet the assistant in the airport and from there they will travel together to the field site, about a 7 hour bus ride.  The team will live and do work in Santa Fe until April 27th (two months), at which point they will travel again to the city to fly back home. Depending on the research progress, a weekend or two may be used for a day trip to other areas of Panama.

Requirements:
-Prior experience doing tropical field research -Prior international travel experience or prior experience in Latin America -Seriously considering pursuing a career in ecology or conservation biology -Excellent academic performance -Must be able to stay for the entire 2-month duration -Must hold a driver’s license -Fluency in English OR Spanish -Physically able to carry 20-50lb of equipment along 2 miles of muddy, hilly, terrain every day -Enthusiasm for living in rugged conditions for two months -Must not be afraid of heights, getting dirty or wet, or insect bites

Strongly preferred traits:
-Prior rope-assisted climbing experience -Proficiency in Spanish and English -Extended time periods spent in rugged, rural tropical areas -Tropical botany experience -Familiarity with epiphytes -Problem solving and practical hands-on skills -Can drive manual transmission vehicles

How to apply:
If this position interest you, please send your CV, a short cover letter, and an unofficial transcript including your GPA to mes270@pitt.edu.  Applications are accepted from now until January 15th. Skype interviews (in English or Spanish) will be conducted in late January. Feel free to email me questions!
 

M.S. and Ph.D. Positions: Marine Invertebrate Behavior, Ecophysiology, and Fisheries Gulf Coast Research Lab The University of Southern Mississippi Ocean Springs, MS

We seek highly motivated applicants to fill two graduate student positions in the laboratory of Dr.
Zachary Darnell at The University of Southern Mississippi’s Gulf Coast Research Laboratory in Ocean Springs, MS. Both positions will begin in August 2018. Students selected for these positions will pursue graduate degrees in the Division of Coastal Sciences and will be supported on research assistantships (details below). Both the M.S. and Ph.D. assistantship will include substantial flexibility in research topic, within the general realms of marine invertebrate behavior, ecophysiology, and fisheries.

Our current research focuses on environmental constraints on behavior, performance, and fitness of marine and estuarine invertebrates, and the strategies used by organisms to overcome these constraints. More specifically, this encompasses (1) plastic and adaptive behavioral and physiological responses to environmental change and environmental stress, (2) environmental effects on life histories, distributions, and population dynamics, and (3) anthropogenic impacts on organism-environment interactions. This research also has a strong applied focus, using ecophysiological approaches to address fisheries management and conservation questions. For more information on current research areas, visit http://sites.usm.edu/zdarnell/.

Details on each assistantship are below:
-M.S. Assistantship: The M.S. assistantship includes a stipend of $22,800 per year, increasing to
$23,400 per year following comprehensive exams. A tuition waiver is also included. Required qualifications include a minimum GPA of 3.5 on all undergraduate coursework and GRE scores exceeding the 50th percentile. Prior research experience is preferred.
-Ph.D. Assistantship: The Ph.D. assistantship includes a stipend of $23,400 per year, increasing to
$24,000 per year following comprehensive exams. A tuition waiver is also included. Required qualifications include a minimum GPA of 3.5 on all undergraduate or graduate (if entering with a M.S.) coursework and GRE scores exceeding the 50th percentile. Prior research experience is preferred.
Priority will be given to applicants with an M.S. degree, but exceptional applicants at the B.S. level will also be considered.

The Division of Coastal Sciences is a research and graduate education unit within the School of Ocean Science and Technology, offering programs leading to the Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Science degrees. The Division is located at Gulf Coast Research Laboratory (Ocean Springs, MS), a marine laboratory featuring comprehensive basic and applied research programs in coastal and marine biological sciences. Research program support includes state-of-the-art laboratory facilities and instrumentation; a fleet of small and large research vessels, including the R/V Point Sur; the GCRL Museum collection; the Center for Fisheries Research and Development; NSF I/UCRC Science Center for Marine Fisheries, and aquaculture facilities including the Thad Cochran Marine Aquaculture Center.
Additional information on graduate programs in the Division of Coastal Sciences can be found here:
http://gcrl.usm.edu/coastal_sciences/index.php.

Interested students should contact Dr. Zachary Darnell (zachary.darnell@usm.edu). Please include a copy of your CV (including GRE scores), unofficial undergraduate and graduate transcripts, and contact information for three professional references. Review of applicants will begin immediately. For full consideration, submit all materials prior to January 2, 2018.

The Bernot lab at Ball State University (http://cms.bsu.edu/academics/collegesanddepartments/biology/facultyandstaff/biofaculty/bernotrandal
l) is recruiting motivated new graduate students to begin in the Fall of 2018. Work in the lab centers on the roles that parasites play in animal behavior and ecological community structure and function. We mix theory, field, and laboratory approaches to learn more about parasite diversity and how parasites shape host phenotype and species interactions. Recent work has used ecological stoichiometry as a framework better understand how parasites alter nutrient cycling and energy flow in aquatic ecosystems. New student projects will not be limited to only aquatic systems, but will address interesting questions that test or shape ecological theory. Graduate students will be supported through teaching assistantships (2 years MS and 4 years PhD). I am specifically recruiting students interested in working with parasites of crickets and grasshoppers or have an interest in mermithid nematodes or nematomorphs that infect any number of hosts. The preferred candidates will be individuals that enjoy reading, love field work, and play nicely with others. Students will be expected to develop their own projects within the scope of the lab, but topics are open. Please contact Dr. Randy Bernot (rjbernot@bsu.edu), for more information. Additional information about our graduate programs can be found here (http://cms.bsu.edu/Academics/CollegesandDepartments/Biology/Academics/ProgramsofStudy/Masters.
aspx) and here (http://cms.bsu.edu/academics/collegesanddepartments/environmentalscience)
Ball State University is located in Muncie, Indiana and is within a short driving distance of Indianapolis, IN, Fort Wayne, IN, and Dayton, OH.
Deadline for full teaching assistantship consideration is January 31, 2018.