I am seeking a highly qualified M.S. student to conduct a funded research

project on spotted skunk habitat use. The research project will involve

intensive capture and tracking efforts of eastern spotted skunks in

Alabama=E2=80=99s Conecuh National Forest and Blue Spring WMA. The graduate=

student

will need to spend long periods of time in the field. While conducting

research, the student will be housed at the Solon Dixon Forestry Education

Center and given access to a 4WD truck. A $12,000 stipend and tuition

wavier will be provided the first year. The second year of funding will be

contingent on grant renewal or by applying for a graduate teaching

assistantship. The selected individual will enroll in the graduate program

of the Biology Department at the University of West Georgia beginning

January 2018.

Please email a PDF application containing a letter of interest, CV,

unofficial transcripts, GRE scores, and contact information for three

professional references to Dr. Andrew Edelman, aedelman@westga.edu.  Please

include =E2=80=9CSkunk GRA=E2=80=9D as the subject line of the email. Revie=

w of

applications will begin immediately.

*Minimum Qualifications*

B.S. in biology, wildlife ecology, or related field with at least a 3.0 GPA

on a 4.0 scale

Minimum GRE scores: Verbal 150, Math 150, Writing 3.0

Strong experience in ecological/wildlife research at the undergraduate or

post-baccalaureate level

Excellent quantitative, writing, and oral communication skills

Willingness to spend extensive periods at a semi-remote location

Ability to hike across rough terrain under a variety of weather conditions

while hauling heavy equipment

Orienteering skills

Ability to drive 4WD vehicle

*Preferred Qualifications*

Proficient in radio-telemetry techniques

Experience in animal handling and camera trap methods

Current rabies vaccination

Basic training in GIS and statistics

The Marine Global Change Ecology Lab at the University of Massachusetts Amherst is recruiting two graduate students (M.S. or Ph.D.) to begin spring or fall 2018. We use field observations, lab experimentation, and quantitative synthesis to address ecological problems in coastal marine systems. Our research is focused on the following areas of study:

1. Interactions between global environmental change and species interactions

2. Biophysical coupling =96 the interaction between organismal function and physical drivers 3. Causes and consequences of biological invasion

We encourage interested candidates to visit the lab website to learn more about our research and our lab philosophy. https://bscheng.com/opportunities/

Application deadlines for graduate programs are Dec 1/Dec 15 (varies by program)

DOCTORAL (and/or MS) GRADUATE STUDENT position open in Mark Hester=92s Coastal Plant Ecology Lab in the Department of Biology at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. This program is seeking a graduate student to conduct research on the effects of climate warming on salt marsh belowground and community dynamics in areas where mangroves are currently expanding.  The research is a combination of large-scale controlled mesocosm experiments coupled with field experiments along the Florida Atlantic Coast from St. Augustine to the Keys.  Although a doctoral student is preferred, exceptional, well-qualified students interested in pursuing a Masters degree in Biology are also encouraged to apply.  The successful applicant must be enthusiastic and self-

motivated, have a strong interest in climate change and plant ecology, be a team player able to work well both independently and interdependently, display strong oral and written communication skills, and possess both the physical and mental attributes required to work under strenuous and often adverse conditions in the field.  Additional desirable skills include boat operation and a background in environmental effects on plant population and community dynamics, plant/soil sciences, plant physiological ecology and statistical ecology.  Competitive graduate research assistantship funding and tuition waivers are available.  Truly exceptional doctoral student applicants may also be considered for a University Doctoral Fellowship in Environmental and Evolutionary Biology.  For further information, please email Dr. Mark W. Hester, Department of Biology, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, LA  70504 mhester@louisiana.edu. Type Grad Research Assistant Applicant in the Subject line and attach resume/CV, as well as GPA and GRE percentile score information with all inquiries, preferably by November 1, 2017 to receive full consideration for spring 2018 admission.

The University of British Columbia Faculty of Forestry=E2=80=99s Future For=

ests

Fellowship (http://future.forestry.ubc.ca) aims to attract and retain

world-class doctoral students by supporting students who demonstrate both

leadership skills and a high standard of scholarly achievement in graduate

studies.

Value: $70,000 CAD annually for up to four years. The fellowship is

intended to cover all expenses incurred in the preparation and conduct of

research.

Applicants must intend to undertake doctoral research in one of the areas

of excellence for the Faculty of Forestry (which include Conservation; see

link for others). The research must be conducted, at least in part, in

British Columbia, and should result in an outcome which has practical

application in BC.

In order to be considered for the Fellowship, a complete PhD program

application (September 2018 intake) must also be submitted. Closing

Deadline: The FFF and PhD applications, plus all required supporting

documentation, must be submitted by 4pm PST, Friday, November 24, 2017. The

award recipient announcement will be made in January 2018.

Further details at http://future.forestry.ubc.ca

The Johnson Lab at Texas Tech University is looking for Ph.D. or Masters
students interested in plant phylogenomics and/or bioinformatics
to start Fall 2018. Our lab is motivated by a central question in
evolutionary biology: what influences the origin and maintenance of plant
biodiversity? Research in the lab integrates field work (collection
and field experiments), wet lab (tissue culture, high-throughput
DNA/RNA sequencing), and computational analysis to test hypotheses
about genome evolution in non-model organisms at both deep and narrow
timescales. Topics currently being studied in the lab include:

– Phylogenetic systematics using hundreds of nuclear genes via targeted
sequence capture (HybSeq).
– Identifying genomic events (gene/genome duplication, changes in
molecular evolution) associated with key innovations in plant
evolution.
– Optimization of HybSeq using herbarium specimens.
– Identifying the hybrid origin of polyploid species through targeted
sequencing.
– Development of novel bioinformatics tools for sequence analysis and
visualization.

We are especially interested in students who would like to employ
herbarium specimens in their research. The E.L. Reed Herbarium in the
Biological Sciences building contains 20,000 plant specimens including
an important collection of the vascular plants of West Texas. Students
interested in bioinformatics, genomics, and data visualization are also
encouraged to apply. More information about the Johnson lab can be found
at: http://secure-web.cisco.com/1hWOdWaPGUYnIhy6zF5vQwoAqXdccIY0DeDV9BKm-VIG6vwc9aOel7GLjP-ira4xJfvCeloHKsenrLp__iX6WhkJAnlv6_xKAWNTWjFB4zmev6PGAp7mrwAb5ZbT4FALIYbv-a6KL2cmngYQlEeWLtc5Y1eZsloOo83hwnpvcWlw1P8kBVGuVyajSB0tl7dlkPfa1ETMhFhhqquTFGrL59chdFaIVu1n5NoKs5HyoKDylVqbjN4L8ltDXxG0Bp2-G8v48QY4tSyvsLXGiqTPPQiEeY8u582rUG2kQizrtd0fhZ1Zc5V-O-9TKBwKtOTREP_LiKoYT8H4hOyq0wo7irbbteDAg3goA4F6XNF0t2Q70QS-iqmMIiwiQ4cWmNdMpXy4apJMSdzK1BVyvwRD9HliwTA5aoqK53aIOYGVB9jCk5e1Z7CA8nPY5kfn5UnEuKmM5-nzNYzV3SHH4f_0FcA/http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mossmatters.com

*Requirements*: (1) Bachelor’s degree in biological or computer sciences
or related field; (2) interest in integrating wet lab, field work,
and computational skills; (3) ability to work both independently and
collaboratively; and (4) effective communication skills, necessary for
both teaching and for sharing results through papers and presentations
at scientific meetings. For Ph.D. applicants, prior research experience
is preferred but not required.

The lab has financial support for multiple students through a
combination of research and teaching assistantships, including summer
support. Interested students should first contact Matt Johnson at
matt[DOT]johnson[AT]ttu[DOT]edu .

*Deadline for applications* The Texas Tech Biological Sciences Department
has rolling admissions, but students who wish to be considered for
scholarships or fellowships must apply by January 15, 2018 for enrollment
in Fall 2018.

Texas Tech University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and I welcome
applications from qualified persons regardless of nationality, race, sex,
disability, religion, sexual orientation, or age. Texas Tech recently
received designation as a Hispanic Serving Institution, and we are
excited to support Hispanic scholars.

More information about applying for graduate school at Texas Tech can be
found here: http://www.depts.ttu.edu/biology/graduate/graduatestudies.php

Matthew G. Johnson, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Biological Sciences
Director, E.L. Reed Herbarium
Texas Tech University
E-mail: matt[DOT]johnson[AT]ttu[DOT]edu
http://secure-web.cisco.com/1hWOdWaPGUYnIhy6zF5vQwoAqXdccIY0DeDV9BKm-VIG6vwc9aOel7GLjP-ira4xJfvCeloHKsenrLp__iX6WhkJAnlv6_xKAWNTWjFB4zmev6PGAp7mrwAb5ZbT4FALIYbv-a6KL2cmngYQlEeWLtc5Y1eZsloOo83hwnpvcWlw1P8kBVGuVyajSB0tl7dlkPfa1ETMhFhhqquTFGrL59chdFaIVu1n5NoKs5HyoKDylVqbjN4L8ltDXxG0Bp2-G8v48QY4tSyvsLXGiqTPPQiEeY8u582rUG2kQizrtd0fhZ1Zc5V-O-9TKBwKtOTREP_LiKoYT8H4hOyq0wo7irbbteDAg3goA4F6XNF0t2Q70QS-iqmMIiwiQ4cWmNdMpXy4apJMSdzK1BVyvwRD9HliwTA5aoqK53aIOYGVB9jCk5e1Z7CA8nPY5kfn5UnEuKmM5-nzNYzV3SHH4f_0FcA/http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mossmatters.com

matt.johnson@ttu.edu

The Knutie lab in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Connecticut is recruiting highly motivated applicants interested in pursuing a PhD in disease ecology and evolution. The lab uses a combination of fieldwork, molecular techniques, and bioinformatics to explore questions related to the evolutionary ecology of host defenses against parasites, particularly in response to environmental change.  The PhD student will be expected to develop a novel research project in animal disease ecology and/or evolution using one of the PI=E2=80=99s host systems=  (birds or frogs) in the Galapagos Islands, Connecticut, Florida, or Minnesota. For more information about current research in the lab, please see:
http://www.knutielab.com

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply but preference will be given to applicants with a Master=E2=80=99s degree in Ecology and Evolution=  or a related field, at least one first-authored publication, and/or extensive experience with lab and field-based research. Although academic scores are important for admission to the program, motivation and a passion for science and nature are highly valued. Applicants from a minority background (e.g. ethnic, racial, gender, LGBTQ+, first generation college student) are encouraged to apply.

The application process requires submission of the formal graduate school application pages, transcripts, GRE scores, three letters of reference, a personal essay, and, for non-native speakers of English, TOEFL or IELTS scores. If admitted to the program, full financial support (TA and/or RA) is generally provided for five years. More information for prospective EEB Graduate students: http://eeb.uconn.edu/information-for-prospective-e
eb-graduate-students/

For full consideration, applications must be submitted by December 15, 2017. However, applicants are strongly encouraged to contact Dr. Sarah Knutie (sarah.knutie@uconn.edu) before applying to the program to discuss research interests and your application.

Publications related to current projects:

Knutie, S.A., J.P. Owen, S.M. McNew, A.W. Bartlow, E. Arriero, J.M. Herman, E. DiBlasi, M. Thompson, J.A.H. Koop, D.H. Clayton. 2016. Galapagos mockingbirds are tolerant hosts of introduced parasites that affect Darwin=E2=80=99s finches. Ecology 97:940-50. doi: 10.1890/15-0119.1

Knutie, S.A., S.M. McNew, A.W. Bartlow, D.A. Vargas, D.H. Clayton. 2014.
Darwin=E2=80=99s finches combat introduced nest parasites with fumigated co= tton.
Current Biology 24: R355-6. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2014.03.058

Knutie, S.A., J.M. Herman, J.P. Owen, D.H. Clayton. 2017. Tri-trophic ecology of native parasitic nest flies of birds in Tobago. Ecosphere. doi:
10.1002/ecs2.1670

Knutie, S.A., C.L. Wilkinson, K.D. Kohl, J.R. Rohr. 2017. Early-life disruption in amphibian microbiota affects later-life resistance to parasites. Nature Communications. doi: 10.1038/s41467-017-00119-0

Knutie, S.A., C.L. Wilkinson, Q.C. Wu, N. Ortega, J.R. Rohr. 2017. Host tolerance and resistance of parasitic gut worms depend on resource availability. Oecologia 183:1031-40. doi: 10.1007/s00442-017-3822-7

Knutie, S.A., C. Gabor, K.D. Kohl, J.R. Rohr. In press. Do host-associated microbiota mediate the effect of an herbicide on disease risk in frogs?
Journal of Animal Ecology. doi: 10.1111/1365-2656.12769

I am hiring a ģLab Specialistē (I.e. Lab technican) in the Conservation
Genetics Lab at the Missouri Botanical Garden.

The Lab Technician will be working on a project investigating the
relationship between fecundity and genetic diversity in the federally
threatened Meadđs milkweed (Asclepias meadii)   The technician will
conduct both field work and lab work to help provide information that will
contribute to the management of plant species of conservation concern.
Field work will require travel to collect samples and monitor natural
populations of endangered plant species.  Lab work will consist mainly of
genetic analyses but will also include seed germination experiments.
Funding is available for 2.5 years.

I am hoping to find someone with 1) a strong interest in plant ecology and
evolution, conservation biology and/or applied conservation genetics, 2)
at least a bachelor’s degree with coursework in genetics, evolution,
ecology, conservation biology, botany, or a related discipline, 3)
previous lab and field experience, and 4) the ability to travel to conduct
field work to monitor endangered plant populations.

A description of the lab and its members can be found here:

http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/plant-conservation/plant-conservatio
n/conservation-in-action/conservation-genetics.aspx

A detailed position description can be found here:

https://missouribotanicalgarden.applicantpro.com/jobs/538994.html

Applications are only accepted online at the link above

Please contact Christy Edwards: Christine.edwards@mobot.org for questions!

—
Christine E. Edwards, PhD
Stephen and Camilla Brauer Conservation Geneticist
Center for Conservation and Sustainable Development
Missouri Botanical Garden
Mailing address: PO Box 299 | St. Louis MO 63166
Shipping address: 4344 Shaw Blvd. | St. Louis MO 63110
Phone: 314-577-9457 | Fax: 314-577-0847

Christine.Edwards@mobot.org

PhD Fellowship in Macroevolution/Paleobiology/Fishes at the University
of Pennsylvania

A PhD fellowship in Paleobiology is available in the Department of
Earth and Environmental Science at the University of Pennsylvania,
starting in Fall 2018. Prof. Lauren Sallan seeks a graduate student to
address major questions about evolution using the fossil record. These
include: how global change has affected life over time, how life
evolves at high levels (macroevolution), how ecology shapes evolution
long-term, the relationships of living and dead animals (phylogeny),
and the origins of living biodiversity. While research in the lab has
focused on fishes, any suitable group of fossils may be used.
Potential thesis topics include, but are not limited to: the long-term
effects of mass extinctions (e.g. the end-Devonian and end-Ordovician),
the roles of predation and competition in marine ecosystem evolution,
ecological characteristics of evolutionary radiations past and present,
the effects of long-term climate and environmental changes (e.g. the
Late Paleozoic Ice Age) on biodiversity, and major transitions in early
vertebrate evolution (e.g. origin of jaws, invasion of land). The
student can also develop a novel project that addresses similar
questions using quantitative, phylogenetic and/or descriptive methods.

This is fully-funded fellowship with stipend and tuition support
guaranteed for the length of the PhD. Applicants are encouraged to
contact Prof. Sallan (lsallan@upenn.edu) for more details. Additional
information on the fellowship is available on the departmental
website: www.sas.upenn.edu/earth. Applications for entry in Fall 2018
are due January 15, 2018, with interviews in February. Applications to
graduate school at Penn must be submitted online
at https://www.applyweb.com/upenng/

Lauren Sallan
-Martin Meyerson Assistant Professor in Interdisciplinary Studies
Earth and Environmental Science
University of Pennsylvania
-2017 TED Fellow
Office: Hayden Hall 162
Phone: (215) 898-5650
Email: lsallan@upenn.edu
Website: http://secure-web.cisco.com/1mxMjhiVTYyJ_TC5NIAfizSBgt69ZqKrrqL7QBmS1HFwrdVif503DhI8piXCtZHh2q5ybhkY_ybCcvyVxgclo7M7DsyFLxRe0dMmODqo5VnPPUvyP7giKE0oNRmzja6U49Ph5F39MqjnVc9X5CPfHrFz-3WRGMXabnERPFNIiu52bAPi18WmSP1n82L2sLmaZLws1IEYtX9vKJcLPVBXdLd2Ke_DMSiWGMBpcMI6gtoC-EqIZeBMYXFURYSMmz_q7ReTEbK-wiNBxSMkvCLiSAqxNNsZRHclQhD30FrFsFkoRv2ATRCLOMa_ZrN7qC1CEvs-TSwnIpVVPUk19ASfd2UovfqOwSM32eNFKwxRXRW1mGRj4PuQfViVV9qkYaLxCdm_cONSVtsh6jHr2wnNtrQEWlNBsl3hBzdud52oSkGqEL3OX4IUrv5vD0pQhou3Ld12jUQnH8p7V0QwYHpfcZg/http%3A%2F%2Fwww.laurensallan.com

“Sallan, Lauren C” <lsallan@sas.upenn.edu>

I am recruiting graduate students to join me at the University of Oklahoma starting Fall 2018!  My lab focuses on understanding the impacts of temporal variability in stress on ectotherms, and integrates tools from gene expression through to species distribution modeling at multiple levels of biological organization.  In particular I am seeking a student who is fluent in either Python or R, with strong interests in ecological modelling and machine-learning methods for an NSF-funded Macrosystems project using machine learning to identify insects and understand predictors of species distribution, phenology, and biomass at the continental scale.  Students in my laboratory are also encouraged to pursue their own interests in these fields.

Geographical ecology is a significant core focus of the OU Department of Biology, where I am part of a Geographical ecology cluster hire, together with Dan Allen (stream and riparian ecology) and Katie Marske (comparative phylogeography).  Students will have the opportunity to interact with these and other talented faculty and students in the Geographical Ecology focus group and throughout the department:=20 http://www.ou.edu/content/cas/biology.html.  The University of Oklahoma is a Carnegie R1 institution of highest research activity, and provides a rich cultural and intellectual environment which has recently been ranked by the Princeton Review as in the top three universities in the USA for happiest students.

Lab resources include a wet lab for RNA sequencing preparation, physiological assays, and thermal performance measures, a separate microscope room, access to cloud computing resources, and an insectary for insect rearing.  Other Biology facilities on campus include a new Biology Core Genomics lab, the Oklahoma Biological Survey and the Sam Noble Museum of Natural History.  OU is also home to state-of-the-art climate and weather research, including the National Weather Center, the Oklahoma Mesonet, the Oklahoma Climatological Survey, and the South Central Climate Science Center.

Funding for graduate students is currently available in the form of 10-

month teaching assistantships with stipends, full tuition waivers and excellent health care coverage, numerous scholarships are available to support graduate student research during the summer, and the potential for NSF funding through the Macrosystems grant. Interested students should get in touch (kemarshall@ou.edu) with a brief summary of your research interests and relevant experiences and attach a resume/CV.  Candidates from groups underrepresented in STEM are particularly encouraged to apply.

Prospective students can read more about my work here: www.marshall-

lab.com.  OU Graduate studies:=20 http://www.ou.edu/content/cas/biology/graduate-studies.html

Dr. Elizabeth Crone=92s Lab in the Department of Biology at Tufts University is looking for a full-time post-baccalaureate research assistant. The research assistant will work on a Department of

Defense-funded Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program award investigating how phenological shifts affect butterfly population persistence

(https://www.serdp-estcp.org/Program-Areas/Resource-Conservation-and-Resiliency/Infrastructure-

Resiliency/Vulnerability-and-Impact-Assessment/RC-2700). The assistant may also have the opportunity work on other projects within the lab as needed.

During fall/winter, the research assistant will work primarily under the supervision of Dr. Leone Brown. Responsibilities will include (but are not limited to) helping to compile museum records and other

historical records for focal plant and butterfly species (possibly ants and parasitoids), literature searches, data compilation and management, and help with planning and organizing field research on

the Baltimore checkerspot butterfly in Maryland. The assistant will also aid the other main collaborators on the project as needed, including Dr. Cheryl Schultz at Washington State University, Dr. Sonia Altizer at the University of Georgia, Dr. Diane Debinski at Montana State University, and Dr. Norah Warchola at Tufts University. The assistant must be willing to travel to other universities and museums when necessary, and for the summer field season. Future work may include help with laboratory/field rearing and experimental manipulation of plants, butterflies, and parasitoids.

During spring/summer, the assistant will continue with the above projects where time permits, and will mainly coordinate with Dr. Elizabeth Crone to help lead the Baltimore checkerspot research portion of the project in Maryland. Fieldwork responsibilities will mainly include helping to coordinate with landowners and state biologists, regular surveys of butterflies (larval and adult stages), host plants, and nectar plants (~May-August), and data entry and management. Group housing will be provided in Maryland during the summer field season. A valid driver=92s license (and ideally personal

transport) will be necessary.

The desired candidate will have strong organizational skills, basic computing skills in Microsoft Word and Excel (at minimum), be a quick and willing learner, and be willing to work in hot, sunny, and muddy weather conditions with poison ivy, ticks, etc. Previous experience with data management and independent research are highly desirable. Salary will be ~$15-20/hour, commensurate with experience. We will consider a current senior in the Boston/Somerville/Cambridge area who is able and willing to work at least 10 hours per week until the field season begins, at which point full-time work will ensue.

The Crone Lab is a dynamic group of undergraduates, graduate students, postdocs and other professionals studying population ecology of butterflies, bees, masting trees, and orchids, to name a few (http://ase.tufts.edu/biology/labs/crone/). The Biology Department at Tufts University is largely housed in a newly renovated building with state-of-the-art facilities and allows for ample interaction among members of the department (http://ase.tufts.edu/biology/).

Please send inquiries and applications to Dr. Leone Brown at leone.brown at tufts.edu. Applications should include a letter of interest, curriculum vitae, and names and contact information for two

referees. Review of applications will begin on November 1st and will continue until the position is filled.