Opportunities

This page lists recent (since September 1, 2025) job opportunities in ecology and evolutionary biology. This site has listed more than 2700 job opportunities since it was initiated in 2017. Many thanks to Miranda Davis for providing this service!

M.S. and Ph.D. student positions in Marine Invertebrate Behavior, Ecophysiology, and Fisheries at The University of Southern Mississippi, Ocean Springs, MS

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M.S. and PH.D. STUDENT POSITIONS
Marine Invertebrate Behavior, Ecophysiology, and Fisheries
The University of Southern Mississippi
Ocean Springs, MS
 
We seek highly motivated students 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. 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 (http://gcrl.usm.edu). 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. 
 
 

Research assistant position in plant ecology at UC Davis

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Jennifer Gremer’s plant ecology lab at University of California, Davis, in the Department of Evolution and Ecology, seeks a research assistant (lab assistant III title) to assist with projects focused on plant life history evolution, population dynamics, and community ecology in response to climate change.  For more on research in the Gremer lab, see https://gremerlab.wordpress.com/

Responsibilities include overseeing laboratory supplies and equipment, assisting with field, lab, and greenhouse experiments, measuring plant traits and ecophysiology, as well as data management and basic statistical analyses (using R, ArcGIS, and other software).  The candidate will also assist with daily lab coordination and lab safety, including supervising and mentoring undergraduate assistants.  Research activities will occur in the field, greenhouse, growth chambers, and in the laboratory.  Applicants must be able to work both as a team member and independently.       

Requirements:  Bachelor’s degree in biology, plant biology, or related field is required.  Strong interest in plant ecology and evolution also required.  The applicant must possess excellent written and oral communication and strong organizational skills.  Previous research experience required; field experience is also required.  Knowledge of plant identification, particularly California native plants, is desired but not required. 
 
This is a full-time, 35-40 hour per week position.  Starting date can be immediately, but before mid-January, with a proposed duration of one year with possibility of extension. 

Application: Please go to the following link to access the UC Davis Human Resources application system and apply by December 8, 2017:   www.employment.ucdavis.edu/applicants/Central?quickFind=78328

Email Jenny Gremer (jrgremer@ucdavis.edu) for more information about the position.

Job opening: Research Technician, Gulf Coast Research Lab, The University of Southern Mississippi

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JOB OPENING
Research Technician
Gulf Coast Research Lab
The University of Southern Mississippi
Ocean Springs, MS
 
We seek a Research Technician to begin employment February 1, 2018 at The University of Southern Mississippi’s Gulf Coast Research Laboratory in Ocean Springs, MS. The selected applicant will be co-supervised by Dr. Kelly M. Darnell and Dr. Zachary Darnell.
 
The primary duties of the Research Technician will be associated with a recently funded project “Gulf- Wide Assessment of Habitat Use and Habitat-Specific Production Estimates of Nekton in Turtlegrass.” The overarching goal of this project is to conduct a management-driven, Gulf of Mexico-wide assessment of the use of turtlegrass as habitat by nekton and to evaluate the support provided to blue crabs, a commercially valuable species, using habitat-specific production estimates.
This is a collaborative project with researchers at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, the University of Florida, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The technician will work closely with personnel from these institutions.
 
Job duties include (but are not limited to): conducting epibenthic sled and trawl sampling of nekton in seagrass beds; preparation and setup of field experiments to assess blue crab growth and mortality; fish and macroinvertebrate identification; laboratory processing of vegetation, nekton, and benthic core samples; data entry and QA/QC; assisting with data analyses, assisting with manuscript preparation and outreach efforts; and operating small boats in support of field research efforts.
 
Required qualifications:
-B.S. or M.S. degree in marine biology, ecology, biology, or a related field -Previous research experience
-Valid driver’s license
 
Preferred qualifications:
-Experience working in seagrass beds
-Experience with juvenile and adult fish identification -Experience with GIS
-Ability to operate small, outboard-powered boats
 
This position includes a salary of $30,000 per year and full benefits. The term of the position is 28 months (February 1, 2018–May 31, 2020), with the possibility for extension beyond this term if additional funding is available.
 
To apply, please send a cover letter, CV, and list of three references to kelly.darnell@usm.edu. Review of applications will begin on December 1, 2017 and continue until the position is filled.
 
 

Graduate Position: BallStateU.BehavioralEvolution

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Graduate Student Positions in Behavioral Evolution

The Ward Lab at Ball State University is seeking bright and talented MSc
students for Fall 2018. Research in our lab seeks to understand the
proximate and ultimate factors that control variation in behavior. We work
primarily with stream fishes, but projects involving other organisms are
possible. Current projects in the lab focus on two non-mutually exclusive
lines of inquiry:

1. Communication systems, sensory perception, and information processing

How do organisms perceive and respond to one another and the environment?
This line of research focuses on understanding the mechanisms, function and
evolution of sensory and communication systems. Questions asked relate to
how animals have evolved to perceive, process, and respond to stimuli in
the contexts of mate choice, aggression, and predator-prey dynamics, as
well as how behavior develops in response to abiotic environmental cues.

2. Ecological and evolutionary consequences of human-driven behavioral
change on animals

What drives the behavioral responses of organisms to a changing world?
Another focus of our research is to clarify how different forms of human
activity (endocrine disrupting chemicals, land-use changes, invasive
introductions) modify the behavior of organisms, and the associated
ecological and evolutionary implications of these changes.

Interested prospective students should contact Dr. Jessica Ward at
jlward4@bsu.edu. Please include (i) a letter of motivation including a
maximum 1-page statement of your research interests and relevant technical
skills and experience, (ii) a CV, (iii) your GRE scores (if you have them),
and (iv) contact information for 3 references.

Funding is available to students through a variety of sources, including
teaching assistantships. However, the departmental deadline for
applications for assistantships is February 1 2018. Therefore, interested
students should contact Dr. Jessica Ward ASAP.

The Department of Biology at Ball State is a collaborative and
dynamic research environment with more than 30 faculty members and
~50 MSc and PhD graduate students. Ball State University is located
in Muncie, Indiana, on an attractive campus 45 miles northeast of
Indianapolis. To learn more about admissions requirements and processes,
applicants should visit the university graduate admissions webpage
(http://cms.bsu.edu/academ…/collegesanddepartments/gradschool
or the Biology Department webpage
(http://cms.bsu.edu/academics/collegesanddepartments/biology).

Ball State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer
that is strongly and actively committed to diversity within its community.
Women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and protected veterans
are strongly encouraged to apply. All qualified applicants will receive
equal consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national
origin, age, disability, protected veteran status or any other legally
protected status.

For more information, please contact
Dr. Jessica Ward
Assistant Professor
Department of Biology
Ball State University
jlward4@bsu.edu.

Jessica Ward <jlward4@bsu.edu>

 

Biological Science Aide, Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center

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Job title: Biological Science Aide
Series/Grade: GS-0404-03/04
Start Date: February 2018
Position Length: 9 months
Location: Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center Number of Positions: One

Duties:
Aide will work with Ecologists and Range Technicians. Fieldwork is based in ecological studies with emphasis on revegetation of sagebrush steppe plant communities. Topics of study include: determining attributes of high quality seed, identifying safe sites for seedling establishment and reducing early herbivory of seedlings. Responsibilities are to assist in the collection of field and laboratory data. Field work takes up about 50% of the position responsibilities. Laboratory work consists of biomass separation and weighing, insect identification, seed quality assessment, data entry and photographic analysis.

Requirements:
Undergraduate studies in range, soils, wildlife, or other natural resource fields preferred; those with related experience or education will be considered. Must be able to lift objects that weigh up to 50 pounds and kneel/squat for extended periods of time for sample collection. Must have a valid state motor vehicle operator’s license and be able to operate motor vehicles. Must be able to work in adverse weather conditions (both heat and cold). Must be able to hike over rugged and steep terrain. Must to be at least 16 years of age. Must be a citizen of the United States of America.

GS-3: 6 months of general experience, which demonstrates the ability to perform the work of the position; OR Successful completion of 1 year of post-high school study that included at least 6 semester hours in any combination of scientific or technical courses such as biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, or mathematics.

GS-4: 6 months of general AND 6 months of specialized experience; OR successful completion of 2 years of post-high school study that included at least 12 semester hours in any combination of courses such as biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture or mathematics of which 6 semester hours of courses relate directly to the duties of the position (plant biology, range/ecology, or natural resource management).

General experience: must have demonstrated the ability to perform the work of the position or provided a familiarity with the subject matter.
Specialized experience: must have been at least equivalent to the GS-03 grade level in the Federal Service.

Salary: $12.65 to $14.21 per hour depending on experience and/or education. Workweek is typically 40 hours but some longer weeks will be expected. There is potential for housing to be provided.

To Apply:
Send an email with “Biological Science Aide” in the title to elsie.denton@ars.usda.gov by Dec 10, 2017. Email should include: cover letter, one page resume, and college transcripts. List any pertinent classes in rangeland science, botany, soils, wildlife, natural resources, etc.

Website:
http://oregonstate.edu/dept/eoarc/

USDA-ARS is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.

Seasonal Botany Job – Crew Leader

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Title: Research Assistant – Botany Crew Leader (3 positions)
Salary: $11.25/hour
Location: free housing is provided in Ellington and Winona, Missouri
Employment Period: Temporary, full-time; April 30 through September 21, 2018
Hours: 40 hours/week, Monday-Thursday (4 ten-hour days)
Last date to apply: February 09, 2018
Applicant review and job offers will begin in December 2017.
 
Summary:
The Missouri Department of Conservation in collaboration with the University of Missouri is recruiting 3 botany crew leaders and 9 botany technicians to assist in collecting vegetation data in southeastern Missouri. Botany crews identify forest, woodland, and glade plant species, and record vegetation data for the Missouri Ozark Forest Ecosystem Project (MOFEP), a landscape-scale, long-term study of the effects of forest management on multiple aspects of the ecosystem. This position is a great opportunity to hone botany skills, learn about forest ecology and natural communities, and interact with other students and professionals in the natural resources field. If you love learning about plants and natural communities, this is your job!
MOFEP is located in the heart of the Ozark Highlands, an extensively forested and ecologically diverse region, providing ample opportunities for hiking, swimming, and canoeing in the stunningly beautiful Current and Jacks Fork Rivers. Free housing is provided and is located on land owned by the Missouri Department of Conservation.
 
Job Description:
Botany crews identify up to 500 species of forest, woodland, and glade plants, estimate plant coverage, count soft mast flowers and fruits, and measure canopy closure using spherical densiometers. Botanists record data using a tablet-sized rugged field computer. Botany crews drive 4-wheel drive trucks up to 50 miles a day on pavement, gravel roads, and trails through the woods; hike 1 to 4 miles a day across steep, rocky terrain in rain, heat, and high humidity; and navigate to permanent plots using Garmin GPS units, or map and compass. Botany crews are required to work long hours outdoors, often in adverse weather conditions. Work vehicles are provided for transportation to field sites.
 
Qualifications:
Crew Leaders must have a Bachelor’s degree in a biological field such as botany, ecology, natural resource management, environmental science/studies, or forestry; some previous field experience is required; a previous leadership role is preferred. Preference will be given to candidates who have completed a field botany or plant taxonomy class and/or exhibit strong botanical skills. Intensive botanical training will be provided, but a solid foundation in plant identification is a prerequisite for the training. Candidates must be able to cheerfully endure tough field conditions, including heat, humidity, ticks, chiggers, mosquitoes, gnats, spiders, snakes, briars, and steep terrain. Applicants must be detail-oriented, self-motivated, enthusiastic, and possess a strong work ethic, excellent organizational skills, and above all, a positive attitude. Applicants must possess exceptional inter-personal skills and be able to live and work with field crews in close quarters in remote locations. Must be able to work long hours, including early mornings and late afternoons, and conduct field work that is often strenuous. Must possess a valid driver’s license and a good driving record.
 
To apply, submit the following to Elizabeth Olson (elizabeth.olson@mdc.mo.gov)
1. Cover letter describing your background, experience, and qualifications
2. Detailed resume or curriculum vitae
3. College transcripts (unofficial transcripts acceptable)
4. Contact information (phone and e-mail) for at least 2 educational or professional references
Please put “MOFEP Botany Crew Leader” in the subject line of your e-mail.
 
For more information, contact:
Elizabeth Olson
Plant Community Ecologist
Missouri Department of Conservation
Phone: 417-256-7161 ext.4763

Summer Research Fellowships (Undergrad, Grad, Postdoc) at UVA Field Station

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University of Virginia’s Blandy Experimental Farm has some wonderful fellowship opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students and postdocs during summer 2018.  The opportunities are open to applicants from any college or university.

Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU):

The program emphasizes experimental ecology and evolutionary biology including a wide variety of topics such as plant-animal interactions, pollinator behavior and ecology, insect population ecology, and ecosystem ecology. Successful applicants will receive a $5775 stipend, additional money for food, and free housing.  Each student picks a research mentor from our pool of faculty members and graduate students and then conducts an independent research project.  The students will gain experience in experimental design, data collection, analytical techniques, and written and oral presentation of findings.  REU students also benefit from several professional development workshops.

This is a wonderful opportunity for an undergraduate student contemplating a future in science.  The application deadline is March 1, 2018.

To apply: https://sites.google.com/site/blandyreu/

Graduate and Postdoc Research Fellowships:

Are you a graduate student or postdoc in need of a field station? Summer stipends ($6000 per summer), free on-site housing, and funds for research
($800 per summer) are available for individuals proposing original research that uses our resources and facilities and contributes to the ongoing science program at the station.

Interested students/postdocs should contact a Blandy faculty member to discuss conducting your research at Blandy.  You can direct your inquiries based on the faculty member (see below) with the closest match to your research interests; however, we are open to people working in all fields of environmental, ecological, and evolutionary research.

Keep in mind this is not a complete fellowship package, rather it provides summer financial support and access to our facilities to supplement existing support from your home institution.

Dr. Kyle Haynes (population and landscape ecology, forest insect dynamics) Dr. David Carr (plant reproductive ecology, inbreeding and genetic
variation)
Dr. T’ai Roulston (pollination, plant-animal interactions, bee biology)

For more information about the station:
http://blandy.virginia.edu/research.

Smithsonian CTFS-ForestGEO Forest Census Internship & Field Crew Lead Positions

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The Smithsonian Institution (CTFS-ForestGEO in partnership with Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, SCBI) seeks four interns-at least one of which will be international- and a field crew lead to participate in recensus of the SCBI forest dynamics plot in Front Royal, Virginia, USA. The 26-hectare study site is part of a global network of forest research sites led by the Smithsonian Institution’s ForestGEO Network (www.forestgeo.si.edu). The plot of mature deciduous trees is located on the SCBI’s main campus, where participants will be within a research community focused on conservation ecology and biology. In 2018, we will resurvey all marked stems and any recruitment during the years since last surveyed (2013). Participants will build experience in forest census, tree identification, and field research while learning about temperate deciduous forest diversity, dynamics, and drivers of change.

Successful applicants must have a recent university degree and some experience in forest Successful intern applicants must have a recent university degree (within 3 years) and some experience in forest field research. Ideally, the crew leader will have a master’s degree in forest ecology, botany, or a related discipline and/or direct experience leading a forest survey crew. A strong work ethic, attention to detail, enthusiasm to work outdoors under a range of weather conditions, and ability to work effectively with a team are essential for all applicants. Applicants should have knowledge of tree species identification and experience in forest ecology. The field crew lead should have mastery of eastern US tree species identification.

Internships will be March through September 2018 (6 months), and the field crew lead will work February through October 2018 (8 months). Interns will be compensated with a stipend sufficient to cover living expenses, and the field crew lead will be paid commensurate with experience. Housing on the SCBI campus will be available to all participants.

The application package should consist of 1) a cover letter outlining past field or research experience, 2) a detailed resume or CV, and 3) contact information for 2-3 references.
US applicants should send materials to scbiecology@si.edu  by January 1, 2018. International Applicants should end materials to ForestGEO@si.edu by December 1, 2017, as described in this ad:
http://www.forestgeo.si.edu/article/255/.

The Smithsonian Institution values and seeks a diverse workforce; female and minority candidates are encouraged to apply.

MS Graduate Study in Biology: Multiple Positions

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Multiple opportunities for MS graduate study in biology (including evolutionary biology and ecology) are available for Fall 2018 in the Department of Biology at Virginia Commonwealth University (visit http://biology.vcu.edu for more information on specific research areas and faculty). Teaching assistantships (including stipend and tuition waiver) are available for study towards an MS in Biology. Interested applicants are encouraged to contact the relevant faculty member with a brief description of research interests, career goals, and a CV. 
 
VCU is located in Richmond, VA on the James River within easy reach of the Virginia coastal plain, Blue Ridge Mountains, and Chesapeake Bay. Applicants should apply to the VCU MS Program in Biology (http://biology.vcu.edu/graduate-program/ms-program-in-biology/). Applications are due January 15, 2018. Contact MS Biology Graduate Director, Dr. Turbeville (jmturbeville@vcu.edu), for more information. 
 

WSU – Graduate school research opportunities in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

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Graduate school research opportunities in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
 
The School of Biological Sciences at Washington State University invites motivated applicants for graduate training and research in ecology & evolutionary biology. 
 
Research opportunities in both plant and animal systems are diverse.   Research focus areas include disease and community ecology, ecosystem ecology, evolutionary genetics, ecological and evolutionary physiology, genomics, evolutionary theory, and phylogenetics and systematics.  The following is a brief sketch of our faculty active in these areas:
 
Jesse Brunner: Disease ecology
Jeremiah Busch:  Population genetics, plant evolution
Patrick Carter:  Quantitative genetics, animal physiology
Omar Cornejo:  Genomics, host-pathogen evolution
Erica Crespi:  Animal developmental physiology
Wes Dowd:  Animal evolutionary physiology
Mark Dybdahl:  Evolutionary ecology, adaptation, phenotypic plasticity
Dave Evans:  Ecosystem ecology and nutrient cycling
Richard Gomulkiewicz:  Evolutionary genetics and theory
Joanna Kelley:  Genomics, adaptation to extreme environments
Eric Roalson:  Plant phylogenetics and systematics
Elissa Schwartz:  Disease dynamics and virus-host interactions
Andrew Storfer:  Landscape genomics, disease evolution
Heather Watts:  Animal behavior and physiology
 
For more information on specific research areas in evolution and ecology, please visit their websites, available via sbs.wsu.edu
 
Our graduate training program offers many opportunities for excellence.  Every SBS student is fully funded with generous stipends through teaching or research assistantships, accompanying tuition waivers, and health benefits. Plus, SBS endowments provide over $100,000 per year in student awards to facilitate research, training, and professional travel. PhDs receive up to $10,000 in guaranteed support for research-related travel and MS students receive up to $5,000 in guaranteed support. The campus houses outstanding facilities, including plant and animal growth chambers, managed field sites, a modern genomics core, stable isotope facility, and a campus-wide computer cluster.
 
Washington State University is located in Pullman, WA, a friendly mid-sized town on the rolling hills of the unique Palouse region in eastern Washington.  The campus is only eight miles from the University of Idaho in Moscow, ID.   The two towns and campuses provide an academically and culturally rich community. The area offers great parks, bike paths, restaurants, farmer’s markets and unbeatable opportunities for recreation in the adjacent mountains and rivers.
 
 
For more information regarding the Graduate School applications at WSU, see: gradschool.wsu.edu
 
If you have any questions regarding the application process, please
contact:
 
 
The deadline for application of prospective students is January 10,
2018, but students are encouraged to apply anytime.