Opportunities

Two graduate student positions in marine viral ecology

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The Labonté viral ecology lab at Texas A&M University at Galveston is looking for two motivated students to pursue graduate studies (one MSc and one PhD) in the department of Marine Biology through the Marine Biology Interdisciplinary Program (MARB-IDP). Students will work on research projects related to virus evolution, virus-host interactions, and characterization the role of viruses in marine (surface and subseafloor) environments using cultivation-independent techniques. Interests and experience in bioinformatics are desired.

Interested students should contact Dr. Jessica Labonté (labontej@tamug.edu) with their curriculum vitae and a cover letter presenting themselves and their interests in viral ecology research prior to submitting an application (before January 15). The deadline to apply for the MARB-IDP program is February 15, 2018. Applications from women, military veterans, individuals with disabilities, and members of other traditionally underrepresented groups are encouraged.

MS and PhD positions at VCU: Plant and Lepidoptera macroecology

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From: Catherine Hulshof [mailto:catherine.hulshof@GMAIL.COM]
Sent: Sunday, December 10, 2017 11:36 AM
Subject: MS and PhD positions at VCU: Plant and Lepidoptera macroecology

Ecology MS and PhD positions at VCU

The Hulshof Lab is recruiting Master’s and PhD students starting Fall 2018. We study the causes of biodiversity across space and time especially as it relates to island biogeography, community assembly and global change.

We are recruiting students interested in studying 1) plant and/or Lepidoptera diversity on serpentine outcrops throughout the northeastern United States; or 2) phenotypic variation of butterfly wing size and coloration across environmental gradients.

Part of our research group is based in Puerto Rico and collaboration between temperate and tropical regions will advance a macroecological understanding of biodiversity across spatio-temporal scales. Visit our webpage (www.catherinehulshof.wordpress.com) for information about our team, ongoing projects, and work philosophy. We are an international and diverse group and I strongly encourage women and other underrepresented groups to contact me to discuss potential ideas.

The Hulshof Lab is located in the Department of Biology at Virginia Commonwealth University, in Richmond, Virginia (https://biology.vcu.edu/).
VCU is located on the historic James River within easy reach of the Appalachian Mountains, the Virginia LTER and NEON sites, and other resources in the D.C. area like the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History and Conservation International.

Students interested in the Master’s program in Biology should apply by 15 January. (http://biology.vcu.edu/graduate-program/ms-program-in-biology/)

Students interested in the PhD program should apply to the Integrative Life Sciences Program by 10 January.
https://lifesciences.vcu.edu/academic-programs/phd-in-integrative-life-
sciences/

Those who are interested should contact Dr. Hulshof
(catherine.hulshof@gmail.com) with a CV and cover letter to discuss the position before applying.

2018 Field Ecology Summer Session at Flathead Lake Biological Station (Montana): open for enrollment!

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For immersive field ecology experiences in western Montana . . .
 
Get Out There! = = = > https://youtu.be/U1NK-9gauCo! (Ctrl click for video)
 
Summers at Flathead Lake Biological Station, Montana, USA–We have 12 great courses in both aquatic and terrestrial realms that will be of interest to students ranging from “sophomores-to-be” (Field Ecology) to upperclassmen to early grad students.
 
Courses begin June 25, 2018 and run through August 17, 2018. Students are already applying online athttps://flbs.umt.edu/apps/education/!
 
For Important Dates and Deadlines, Courses Offered, Scholarships and Logistics information, check the FLBS website at:https://flbs.umt.edu/apps/education/ or a pdf of the brochure at: https://goo.gl/AGM7ct.
 
Here are some relevant pieces of info:
–   small class sizes, great faculty, students from around the USA, non-USA students welcome
–   immersive learning, featuring field methods and interactions with natural resource professionals
–   new courses for 2018: “Environmental Sensors: Designing Building and Deploying in the Field” and “Field Methods in Ornithology”
–   earn 1 to 13 credits in 1 to 8 weeks in 300 and 400 level courses, graduate early
–   credits easily transferable to other colleges/universities
–   many scholarships available
–   apply by Jan. 12 for $100 discount, pay in fully by Apr. 30 for $100 discount!
–   easy online application process
 
University of Montana’s Flathead Lake Biological Station is the place to go for high quality and rewarding hands-on learning in all areas of field ecology, taught outside under the open sky. Coupled with contemporary and cutting-edge methods and technologies, the FLBS summer academic program offers rich and rigorous field ecology experiences taught by outstanding faculty from UM and beyond.
 
Since 1899, the Flathead Lake Biological Station of the University of Montana has been offering transformative field ecology courses in spectacular western Montana.  2018 is going to be the best summer yet.
 
Join us on the shores of Flathead Lake for Summer Session 2018!
 
Jim Elser, Bierman Professor and Director, Flathead Lake Biological Station of the University of Montana

Monarch and Pollinator Restoration Ecologist

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Monarch and Pollinator Restoration Ecologist
 
Location: Sacramento, CA
Application Deadline: Job open until filled; applications will be reviewed as they are received.
Start Date: January 2, 2018 – February 12, 2018
Join a growing team of ecologists, educators, advocates, and restoration practitioners working to conserve some of North America’s most important yet endangered pollinators.  Reporting to Xerces Society’s Director of Endangered Species and Aquatic Conservation, the Monarch Butterfly and Pollinator Restoration Ecologist will work with public land managers and private land owners to restore, enhance, and manage climate resilient habitat for monarch butterflies and other pollinators in California’s Central Valley.
Please review full job details and application instructions here:
 

PhD grad assistantship, Human Dimensions of Natural Resource Management

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GRADUATE ASSISTANTSHIP, HUMAN DIMENSIONS OF NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT – Ph.D. in Environmental Systems at University of California, Merced 
 
Seeking a PhD student who is eager to work in an interdisciplinary setting on research related to climate change planning and recreational visitor use management in parks and public lands of the Sierra Nevada. 
 
Keywords: Sierra Nevada, wildland urban-interface, parks and protected areas management, complex systems, political ecology, land use planning 
 
Possible research tasks that the graduate student may assist on include a combination of the following: 1] geovisualization of future climate change scenarios given trade-offs between different land use management practices (e.g. adaptation, restoration, passive) through image alteration, cartographic editing techniques, and other comparative methods (experience with Photoshop a plus); 2] carrying out surveys about the changing landscape of the wildland-urban interface, specifically related to the social and economic impact from climate induced disturbances like wildfire, tree mortality, and variable snow pack and hydrological conditions on tourism dependent communities that rely on climatic certainty; 3] assessing environmental education curriculum and developing natural resource communication materials for use in National Park youth outreach, including historically underrepresented populations; 4] conducting literature reviews on coupled socio-ecological systems, wildland-urban interface land use planning and policy at various scales, cognitive processes and biases associated with complex environmental change, and protected areas management; 5] analysis of archival material (e.g. photos, text, maps) from parks, forests, and other agencies to better understand changing environmental conditions, socioeconomic factors, and shifting management priorities; 6] collection and analysis of geographic information systems (GIS) data layers to model changes in infrastructure and development, along with provisioning of environmental services and benefits in the Sierra Nevada. 
 
The successful candidate will have a strong background in geography or a closely aligned field such as environmental studies or planning, proficiency with geographic information systems analysis and other interdisciplinary social science methods, and experience working with stakeholders from a diverse set of backgrounds and perspectives. A Master’s degree or professional equivalent is strongly preferred. Additionally, preference will be given to those who have experience with public lands and natural resource agencies, professionally, academically, recreationally, or otherwise. 
 
The doctoral training will be anchored in the Environmental Systems graduate program (http://es.ucmerced.edu) and cross over with opportunities and resources in the Management of Complex Systems department (http://mist.ucmerced.edu). The assistantship provides a 9-month stipend, in-state tuition waiver (residency must be acquired in 1-year), and health insurance through a combination of research assistantships and teaching assistantships. Normative time for a Ph.D. is approximately 5 years, and students must be willing to independently seek out and apply for fellowships to support individual research opportunities during the summer months and later years of the program. 
The Ph.D. student will work under the direct supervision of Dr. Jeffrey Jenkins as part of a research group. The application deadline for Fall 2018 is January 15th, 2018. Interested students are encouraged to get in contact at their earliest opportunity (jeff.jenkins@ucmerced.edu) with cover letter of interest highlighting relevant experience, C.V., GRE status/scores, and transcript information (if available) before applying. 
 
For background about the University of California’s growing Merced campus please see the 2020 Plan (http://merced2020.ucmerced.edu), for further details about graduate study please see the Graduate Division website (http://graduatedivision.ucmerced.edu), and for information about ongoing faculty research throughout the region please see the Sierra Nevada Research Institute (http://snri.ucmerced.edu). 

Volunteer Positions in Cloud Forest Ecophysiology

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*Title:*  Volunteers needed for Ecophysiological Studies on Vascular
Epiphytes in Monteverde, Costa Rica

*Dates:*  3-5 months during the 2018 dry season, which extends January to
May

*Location:*  Monteverde, Costa Rica

*Description:*  Our overall objective is to understand how predicted and
observed changes in climatic patterns may influence the hyper-diverse
epiphyte communities in a tropical montane cloud forest region. We are
seeking volunteers to assist with plant ecophysiological measurements on
epiphytic vascular plants in Monteverde, Costa Rica. Volunteers will be
involved with field measurements of water potential and sap flow,
laboratory techniques to quantify turgor loss points of field-collected
material, and data management associated with these field and laboratory
tasks. Incumbents may also assist with greenhouse measurements to build
relationships between water content and other physiological variables.

*Qualifications:*  Applicants must have a strong background in botany from
a college or university, be comfortable with fieldwork in tropical
conditions, and be able to work independently as well as part of a small
research team. Ideal but not required experience includes measuring traits
associated with plant water balance, tree-climbing using rope-based
techniques, and fluency in Spanish.

Expenses on site (i.e. food and housing) will be covered but we are unable
to cover airfare.
If you are interested in this position, please contact Dr. Cameron Williams
(cwillia5@gmail.com) who is the post-doc on the project or the PI, Dr. Sybil
Gotsch (sgotsch@fandm.edu).

MS Assistantship – Small mammal seasonal dynamics in changing forests, UW-Madison

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MS Student
Small mammal seasonal dynamics in changing forests
Wildlife Ecology Program
Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, Wisconsin
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: We are seeking an outstanding student to pursue a MSc in small mammal ecology in the Wildlife Ecology program housed in the Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology (FWE) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The student’s thesis will involve studying the population ecology of small mammals in experimental forests of northern Wisconsin using a combination of field work and population analysis methods. The MSc student will also have the opportunity to include a cross-cultural component in their project. Additional research components could be added depending on shared interests and funding opportunities. The student will be advised by Jon Pauli (http://labs.russell.wisc.edu/pauli/) and partner closely with Jonathan Gilbert (jgilbert@glifwc.org), Director, Biological Services, Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission.
REQUIREMENTS: Applicants must possess bachelor’s degree in wildlife ecology or closely related field by the start date. Especially desirable are those applicants with a background in fieldwork, especially winter field experience, as well as experience with population modeling and working with Native American tribes. A command of English writing and verbal communication skills, as well as the ability to work in team, are essential.
SALARY AND CONDITIONS: The position will start Summer 2018. The position comes with two years of funding under the title of a Research Assistant, which provides an annual stipend of $22,000, tuition, and health insurance.
APPLICATION/CONTACT INFORMATION: Interested applicants should visit the online application form (https://uwmadison.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3LdmCMzwBi5homF) where you will provide background information (e.g., GRE scores, names and three references, etc.) as well as to upload PDFs of your cover letter, CV/resume, and transcripts (unofficial copies acceptable at this point). Please make sure to have all three PDFs ready to upload when you begin the online form.
Applications will be reviewed upon receipt and review will continue until candidates are chosen.  Applications received before February 1st 2018 will be considered.  The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. We promote excellence through diversity and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.  Questions regarding the application process should be directed to our Student Services Coordinator Sara Rodock (rodock@wisc.edu)
 

Disturbance Ecology in Appalachia

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Greetings,
 
I’m writing to announce the availability of research internships at Eastern Kentucky University over the next two summers. These internships are funded by a National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates award, Disturbance Ecology in Central Appalachia. We are recruiting undergraduate students from across the nation, and we’re particularly interested in applicants from groups underrepresented in the sciences. Our research mentors represent multiple scientific fields and approaches, so students will be able to choose from a diversity of projects. These are paid internships that include a stipend, housing, transportation, and funds for research supplies.
 
Please encourage your students to apply, and consider posting our flier (download here) at your institutions.
 
Thanks,
 
Stephen
Associate Director, Division of Natural Areas
Professor of Biology
Eastern Kentucky University

PhD opportunities in entomology at Purdue University

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Graduate Assistantships and Fellowships Available
 Purdue University

The Department of Entomology at Purdue University is recruiting outstanding students for MS and Ph.D. programs. Prospective students are invited to apply, and to visit the department in West Lafayette, Indiana.

The Department will cover costs of travel, hotel and a meal allowance for top applicants to visit campus during March of 2018.

Our more than 20 faculty have interests that span basic and applied entomology, encompassing the following broad themes:
* Biological control
* Insect biochemistry and cell biology
* Insect-plant interactions
* Integrated pest and resistance management * Landscape ecology * Molecular, behavioral, and population genetics * Systematic entomology * Urban and industrial entomology * Vector biology * Invasive Species

Interested students should contact prospective faculty before applying:
https://ag.purdue.edu/entm/Pages/FacultyDirectory.aspx

For additional details about graduate study at Purdue, please visit:
http://www.entm.purdue.edu/prospective-grads/index.html
http://www.entm.purdue.edu/EGO/

Contact Ms. Amanda Wilson, Graduate Program Assistant, apendle@purdue.edu, for application materials and administrative information.


Students must apply by January 5, 2018 to be considered for both assistantships and travel awards.

PhD Opportunity: Biological Soil Crusts in Agroecosystems at the University of Florida

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A Ph.D. Research position is available in the Soil and Water Sciences Department for the exciting opportunity to characterize and examine the impact of biological soil crusts (BSCs) in agroecosystems. This is a joint project between the Soil Microbiology Lab at the Southwest Florida Research and Education Center (SWFREC) in Immokalee, FL, the Wetland Biogeochemistry Lab (Gainesville, FL), and the USDA-ARS Columbia Plateau Research Lab in Pendleton, OR.
Sustainable agricultural practices are increasingly important due to rising input costs and greater concern about environmental impacts. Biological soil crusts (BSCs), a naturally-occurring phototrophic consortium of microorganisms on the soil surface, were recently identified in local producer fields. BSCs are well-documented in arid ecosystems where they are a source of fixed nitrogen (N) and help improve soil moisture. This student will have the opportunity to participate in one of the first projects to characterize BSCs in agroecosystems, where they could benefit crop production by increasing soil N availability and enhancing water retention
Research will focus on characterizing the microbial community structure, metabolism, nitrogen cycling, and impact of BSCs on plants in agroecosystems in Florida and Oregon. Additional work will involve manipulation experiments to assess environmental factors driving BSC development and function, as well as 15N tracer techniques to determine the uptake and fate of BSC nitrogen.
The candidate is expected to work in the laboratory as well as in the greenhouse and field with periods of work under hot and humid conditions. A Master’s degree in soil science, microbiology, plant biology, or a related discipline from an accredited institution and experience in microbial ecology, next-generation sequencing, and/or bioinformatics is preferred.
Students will enroll in the Soil and Water Science Program, with tuition waver and assistantship. This project is based both on main campus (www.ufl.edu) in Gainesville, FL, and at the SWFREC located in the in the heart of citrus and vegetable production in Florida. Visit the Department (http://soils.ifas.ufl.edu) and SWFREC (swfrec.ifas.ufl.edu) webpages for additional information. Interested candidates should contact Dr. Sarah Strauss (strauss@ufl.edu) or Dr. Patrick Inglett (pinglett@ufl.edu).
Complete application packets are due Jan. 15, 2018.
Details regarding application can be found at http://soils.ifas.ufl.edu/academics/graduate-studies/.