From: Johansen, Rebecca E [mailto:johansenr@APSU.EDU]
Sent: Monday, December 18, 2017 2:32 PM
Subject: Graduate (M.S.) Positions in Biology at Austin Peay State University

The Department of Biology at Austin Peay State University (APSU) invites applications for admission to our M.S. program for Fall 2018. We offer both thesis-track and non-thesis track degrees. The program comprises approximately 30 graduate students supported by research and teaching assistantships. APSU (11,000 students) is located in Clarksville, TN, 45 minutes northwest of Nashville and is in close proximity to remnant prairies, numerous parks and public lands, and diverse aquatic ecosystems. For more information about the Biology Department and resources for research, please visit www.apsu.edu/biology.

The application deadline for Fall 2018 admission is March 1. For more information on application and admission requirements, see http://www.apsu.edu/grad-studies/graduateprograms/biology.php.
Successful applicants will receive support from teaching or research assistantships and receive a full tuition waiver.

Because support of a faculty advisor is necessary for admission to the M.S. thesis-track plan of study, interested students should communicate with potential faculty research mentors as part of the application process. The following faculty are recruiting students for the upcoming Fall 2018-19 academic year. Support of a faculty research mentor is not required for admission of those students interested in pursuing a non-thesis degree.

Carol Baskauf (baskaufc@apsu.edu)
Population genetics and ecophysiology of plants, focusing on rare species of conservation concern; comparisons of genetically or ecologically relevant attributes of rare and widespread congeners.

Mollie F. Cashner (cashnerm@apsu.edu)
Evolution of reproductive behavior in fishes using both experimental and molecular approaches.

C.M. Gienger (giengerc@apsu.edu)
Ecology of amphibians and reptiles.

Rebecca Blanton Johansen (johansenr@apsu.edu) Evolution, phylogeography, and conservation of freshwater fishes and crayfishes.

Jason Malaney (malaneyj@apsu.edu)
Species-environment relationship with research focused at the interface of ecology and evolution; focused questions target a better understanding of the factors responsible for generating and maintaining diversity of wild mammals using specimen-based research.

Sergei Markov (markovs@apsu.edu)
Research interests include: a) molecular hydrogen production by microorganisms; b) microalgae for biofuels and chemicals; c) bioreactors/photobioreactors and bioprocess engineering, and d) wastewater clean-up by microorganisms.

Daniel Frederick (frederickd@apsu.edu)
Dr. Frederick in the Department of Geosciences is recruiting a student to examine Foraminifera as a measure of environmental conditions of Puget Sound in Washington. The successful applicant will collaborate with Dr. Frederick, APSU Biology faculty, and faculty at the University of Washington to sample tidal flats of Puget Sound to identify foraminiferan diversity and to use data to develop a numerical index of environment quality that can be applied throughout the region.

Gilbert Pitts (pittsg@apsu.edu)
Reproductive neuroendocrinology.  Particularly, control of gonadotropin-releasing hormone.

Stefan Woltmann (woltmanns@apsu.edu)
Behavioral and breeding ecology of birds associated with forested streams; ecology of imperiled grassland/prairie birds in the region.

Amy Thompson (thompsona@apsu.edu)
Study of cellular damage caused by brown recluse spider venom and identification of drugs that might reverse this damage; characterization of brown recluse spider sodium channels to aid in pesticide additive development that could be used to control spider populations; identification of limitations of currently used assays for determining gluten content in foods.

Austin Peay State University embraces diversity as a core value and as essential for our effective participation in the global community. Therefore, Austin Peay State University (APSU) does not discriminate against students, employees, or applicants for admission or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, age, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or any other legally protected class with respect to all employment, programs and activities sponsored by APSU.

From: Dr. Sara Galbraith [mailto:sara.galbraith@OREGONSTATE.EDU]
Sent: Sunday, December 17, 2017 6:05 PM
Subject: CREW LEADER (1) AND RESEARCH ASSISTANTS (5) NEEDED FOR FOREST POLLINATOR STUDY IN OREGON COAST RANGE

CREW LEADER (1) AND RESEARCH ASSISTANTS (5) NEEDED FOR FOREST POLLINATOR STUDY with a large-scale study led by Dr. Jim Rivers
(http://people.forestry.oregonstate.edu/jim-rivers/) and Dr. Sara Galbraith in the College of Forestry at Oregon State University. The objective of this research is to assess how native pollinator communities within managed forests are influenced by stand age and management intensity. Field work will take place in the rugged and scenic Coast Range of western Oregon and will involve physically demanding work in challenging conditions (heat, cold, rain, sun, steep slopes, loose rock, logging slash, hazardous plants), working long days, including some weekends, and navigating alone through difficult forest terrain. Primary duties of crew members will consist of collecting insects through a variety of techniques (netting, traps) in managed forest stands, conducting pollination experiments, quantifying floral resources and nesting habitat, and curating insect specimens in the lab.
Crew members are likely to assist with related research project conducted in crop fields as time allows.

Crew leader position runs April 23-August 31, 2018; research assistant positions run May 7-August 31, 2018; there is the potential for flexibility on start and end dates. Pay rate is $2500-$2700/month for crew leader and $2200-$2400/month for research assistants, depending on previous research experience. Free housing will be provided as well as free project-related transportation.

Qualifications: Applicants should have a B.S. degree in entomology, animal ecology or a related field and with a minimum of 2 years of field experience for research assistants (2 season-long field positions = 2 years of field experience) and 3 years of field experience for crew leader. Preference will be given to candidates who are proficient with capture and identification of insects, have previous experience sampling wild pollinator communities in forest or agricultural settings, and who are familiar with Oregon flora. Successful applicants will be self- motivated, have a strong work ethic, be able to carry heavy gear (30+
lbs) on steep slopes, be able to work harmoniously in a group living situation, have a valid driver’s license and clean driving record, be able to maintain a positive disposition under challenging field conditions, and have a proven track record of working in a safe, efficient, and cooperative manner in a team setting. Crew leader applicants should have these qualities as well as strong and demonstrated leadership skills, and experience making decisions and communicating effectively in a field setting under challenging conditions.

To apply: Applicants should create a single PDF or MS-Word file that contains (1) a cover letter addressing the candidate’s qualifications as they relate to the specific duties described in the position description; (2) a full-length CV or resume; and (3) the names and contact information (email, telephone) of three referees who may be contacted; this document should be emailed to oregonbeecrew@gmail.com with “Bee Crew Position 2018” in the subject line. Positions will be filled as qualified applications are received.

A PhD position is available in lab of Mark Christie at Purdue University
for a highly-motivated candidate interested in local adaptation, larval
dispersal, conservation and population genetics in general. Similar to most
marine systems, many Great Lakes fishes have a miniscule, but highly
dispersive, pelagic larval stage that makes it challenging to directly
determine patterns of population connectivity. However, such knowledge is
critical for effective conservation and management efforts (e.g., MPA
design). One way to assess patterns of population connectivity is with
genetic methods.

For this position, the candidate should be interested working on a project
examining patterns of population connectivity and larval dispersal in Great
Lakes fishes. Previous research experience with molecular techniques,
computational work, statistics, bioinformatics, and assisting with the
design and implementation of experiments will be highly regarded. The
student will also be expected to interact regularly with Tomas Höök and
information about our labs and the graduate school can be found here:
https://ag.purdue.edu/fnr/Pages/default.aspx.

If you are interested in joining the lab, please contact Mark Christie
(christ99@purdue.edu) as soon as possible with a resume/CV and a brief
description of your research interests and experience. Formal applications
will be due to Purdue University by January 15th, 2018.

—

Mark Christie
Assistant Professor
Purdue University
https://www.bio.purdue.edu/lab/christie/

Mark Christie <christ99@purdue.edu>

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/cscas/
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. There is an initial January 4, 2018 deadline for applications, but we anticipate that this position will remain open until filled.

Subject: Summer Technician Positions: Deer-Elk Ecology Research Project/Wyoming Range Mule Deer Project

The Deer-Elk Ecology Research (DEER) Project and the Wyoming Range Mule Deer Project are collaborative projects between the Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit of the University of Wyoming and the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. The overarching goals of these projects are to evaluate how a variety of factors shape population dynamics of mule deer to provide a mechanistic approach to monitoring and management of mule deer.

The DEER Project is located in the high-desert ecosystem of southern Wyoming. The focus of the DEER Project is aimed at evaluating the role of competitive interactions between mule deer and elk and how potential competitive interactions structure populations. The DEER project will also address key questions that continue to be a concern for mule deer populations including effects of harvest, habitat condition, drought, fawn recruitment, buck dispersal, and predation.

The Wyoming Range Mule Deer Project is located in southern region of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem in western Wyoming. The Wyoming Range Mule Deer Project is aimed at addressing questions relating to how nutritional relationships among seasonal habitat conditions, behavior, human disturbance, climate, and disease shape population dynamics of mule deer.

The primary tasks for these positions include capturing, collaring and monitoring of neonate ungulates, assessing cause-specific mortality of neonates, collecting monthly fecal samples from adult ungulates throughout the study area, and recording vegetation survey data. These tasks will require candidates to use GPS units, radio telemetry, 4WD vehicles, and maintain accurate database information on a daily basis. Work schedules are irregular and include long days and weekend work, especially at the beginning of the field season. In addition, work days typically entail 5-15 miles of hiking per day – most of which is off-trail. During the neonate capturing period, work is characterized by long days/nights with little time off. Following the neonate capture period, a more normal work schedule will be established to allow technicians to enjoy summer in the Rocky Mountains. The study areas are mountainous and remote, so long days of hiking in difficult terrain will be frequent.  Accommodations while in the field will be provided in the form of wall tents and/or field houses. Weather conditions throughout the summer can be variable and adverse weather conditions are to be expected.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
B.S. or working towards finishing a degree in a wildlife-related field Must be able to maintain a positive attitude during long periods of work in the field Willingness to learn new skills and work cooperatively with fellow technicians and supervisors Strong organizational and detail-oriented attitude Must be willing to work 12-16 hour days for multiple days at a time Must be in good physical condition and willing to hike up to 15 miles per day Must be willing to work in desert conditions with ticks and other biting insects Must possess valid driver’s license Ability to work in all types of weather (rain, snow, wind, extremely hot or cold
temperatures)

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Experience using a handheld GPS
Experience with radio telemetry
Experience with capturing and handling live animals 4WD and ATV operating experience Previous experience with vegetation surveys Familiarity with western plant identification Wilderness first aid skills

We will be hiring 2 seasonal Wildlife Field Technicians and 1 Crew Lead for the DEER
project and 3-4 seasonal Wildlife Field Technicians for the Wyoming Range Mule Deer
Project.

POSITION DATES:
DEER Project:
Start: One technician to start ~10 May and two others to start mid/late May.
End: Late August with the potential for one technician to stay on through Oct 31.

Wyoming Range Project:
Start: One technician to start early May and two/three others to start mid/late May.
End: Late September with the potential for one technician to stay on through early/mid
November.

Agency: University of Wyoming; Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit
Location: Southwest Wyoming; Western Wyoming
Salary: $1,200 – $1,600 month (DOE)
Last Date to Apply: 01/07/2018

To apply, please email a cover letter with your interest in the position, resume with your
qualifications, and contact information (email addresses and phone numbers) for three
references in one file to the following contact: wyomingungulateprojects@gmail.com.
Please include “Wyoming Neonate Project Technician” in the subject line of the email.
Please indicate in the email if you have a preference for the DEER project or Wyoming
Range Mule Deer project position. Applications will be reviewed as they are received.

JOB DESCRIPTION The Botanical Research Assistants will work as a crew assisting the Lead Botanist in the collection of data on several botanical/ecological research projects throughout Missouri and possibly other Midwestern states. Work will include vegetation sampling and rare plant surveys in a variety of habitats including woodlands, glades, prairies and wetlands. Each Botanical Research Assistant will be responsible for supervised data collection of species level plant identification within research plots and associated data organization and equipment management. Each position requires travel, some camping, and long hours hiking in some of the most remote, rugged and beautiful terrain in Missouri. The Botanical Research Assistants may also assist the Lead Botanist in an outdoor classroom setting, during plant identification workshops provided to resource professionals. The positions will entail four, 10 hour days per week, with some overtime. These positions are a great opportunity to learn the flora, and associated ecological underpinnings, of Missouri and the greater Midwest/Mid-South! The Botanical Research Assistants will gain extensive knowledge of regional flora and ecological communities, as well as hands-on experience with several ecological sampling methodologies. The positions will begin with two weeks of required field botany training beginning May 14. Please call or email if you have any questions. DURATION: May 14 – end of the sampling season (at least early August, but possibly into early October) APPLICANT: – Must have a preexisting predilection for self-guided botanical study. – Must have relevant course work and an unstoppable passion for botany and/or ecology. – Must enjoy long hikes in rugged terrain in exceedingly hot weather with a myriad of biting insects. – Must have an exceedingly robust scientific work ethic. – Should have experience identifying plants to species on site and via dichotomous key. – Must have valid driver’s license. PAY: $12.50/hour ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Housing will be provided for the duration of employment (likely based out of Van Buren, MO). ABOUT US: The Institute of Botanical Training (IBT) is a small company based out of Springfield, Missouri. We form contractual partnerships with various NGOs and state and federal agencies focused on botanical/ecological research as it correspond to various natural community management objectives. We maintain and encourage the highest levels of scientific accuracy and integrity. Our employees gain tremendous access to cutting edge field knowledge as it pertains to applied taxonomy and ecology. Our mission is “to promote the stewardship of our natural environment through field-based botanical services”. APPLICATION DEADLINE: These positions will remain open until filled EMAIL RÉSUMÉ AND COVER LETTER (as PDFs) TO: Justin Thomas (jthomas@botanytraining.com) Questions? Call Justin Thomas at 573-453-0087 or email at jthomas@botanytraining.com The Institute of Botanical Training, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer