The Graduate Program in Ecology & Conservation Biology at Bowling Green State University (BGSU) invites applications for admission to our PhD and MS programs for Fall 2018. A core group of collaborative faculty within the departments of Biological Sciences and Environmental Science has research strengths in:

*  Population and Community Ecology (climate change, plant-animal interactions, food web dynamics, evolutionary ecology)

*  Conservation Biology (invasion biology, habitat assessment and modeling, landscape ecology and restoration, molecular ecology and conservation genetics)

*  Aquatic Ecology (behavior, ecotoxicology, evolution, microbial ecology, limnology, and fisheries, wetland research)

*  Geospatial Analyses (remote sensing, GIS, in experimental contexts for landscape, community and population studies)

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The Departmental Graduate Program comprises approximately 100 students supported by research and teaching assistantships. BGSU (18,000 students) is at the western end of Lake Erie, and in close proximity to remnant oak-

savanna, prairies and fragmented forest-agroecosytem complexes.  Bowling Green also features a low cost of living and is within easy driving distance of Columbus, Ann Arbor, Chicago, and Cleveland.

Interested students should identify and communicate with potential faculty research advisors from the list below.  Application deadline for Fall 2018 is Feb 1. Also see http://www.bgsu.edu/arts-and-sciences/biological-

sciences/graduate-programs/prospective-students.html. Core Faculty in Ecology & Conservation Biology

*Gabriela Bidart-Bouzat (gbidart@bgsu.edu): Evolutionary ecology, plant-

insect interactions

*Juan L. Bouzat (jbouzat@bgsu.edu): Molecular ecology and evolution, conservation genetics

*Tim Davis (timdavi@bgsu.edu ): Ecology of harmful algal blooms (HABs)

*Kevin McCluney (kevin.e.mccluney@gmail.com): Water, food webs, landscape ecology, freshwater sustainability

*Michael McKay (rmmckay@bgsu.edu): Aquatic microbial ecology, phytoplankton-trace metal interactions

*Helen Michaels (hmichae@bgsu.edu): Plant population ecology, restoration, molecular ecology, conservation genetics

*Jeffrey Miner (jminer@bgsu.edu): Aquatic community ecology, fishery biology

*Paul Moore (pmoore@bgsu.edu): Sensory ecology, chemoreceptor behavior

*Shannon Pelini (spelini@bgsu.edu): Invertebrate ecology, climate change ecology, community ecology, decomposition

*Karen Root (kvroot@bgsu.edu): Conservation biology, population viability analysis, reserve design

*Daniel Wiegmann (ddwiegm@bgsu.edu): Behavioral ecology, reproductive biology of fishes

Affiliated Faculty in the School of Earth, Environment, and Society

*Andy Gregory (agregor@bgsu.edu): Landscape ecology

*Anita Simic (asimic@bgsu.edu): Remote sensing and GIS applications, vegetation and soil science, hydrology and water resources, bioenergy sustainability, environmental resources mapping and modeling

The Department of Biology at the University of Texas at Arlington (http://www.uta.edu/biology/) invites applications for our PhD program beginning in Fall 2018.  Ph.D. students are awarded competitive stipends, tuition remission, and health benefits.  Research in the department includes a wide range of topics in ecology, evolution, genomics, microbiology, immunology, and cell and developmental biology.

For general inquiries about the program, please contact our graduate advisors: Shawn Christensen (shawnc@uta.edu) or Woo-Suk Chang (wschang@uta.edu).  For more specific questions about research directions, please contact potential advisers directly using the contact information on their webpages (https://www.uta.edu/biology/faculty.php).=20

We will start reviewing applications on December 15th 2017. The on-line application process requires submission of the formal graduate school application, transcripts, GRE scores (general test required), three letters of reference, and, for non-native speakers of English, TOEFL or IELTS scores. Applications can be submitted via the following link:=20 http://www.uta.edu/admissions/graduate/apply/how-to-apply.php.

The Department and University have numerous resources including state-

of-the-art labs, an Animal Care Facility, a Genomics Core Facility, a Center for Human Genomics, and the newly established Shimadzu Institute for Research Technologies =96 a major partnership between UT Arlington and Shimadzu Scientific Instruments that offers extensive resources for imaging, proteomics and analytical chemistry. The Department also benefits from access to core UT-system genomics and computational resources at UT Southwestern Medical Center and the Texas Advanced Computing Center (TACC) =96 one of the leading advanced computing centers in the U.S.

Arlington is a city of approximately 365,000 and is conveniently located in the center of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. Within a 25-mile radius of the center of Arlington is a workforce of over two million people. The city has 82 public parks, including River Legacy Parks, a 1,300-acre oasis on the Trinity River in the heart of north Arlington. Arlington is the home of the Dallas Cowboys Stadium, the Texas Rangers Ballpark, and Six Flags Over Texas. Cost of living is relatively low for a major metropolitan area. The Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport is the fourth largest airport in the U.S. More information on the city of Arlington can be found at www.experiencearlington.org.

The Farrer lab at Tulane University is recruiting Ph.D. students to study plant-microbe interactions, invasive species, and global change. Specific research projects are flexible and dependent on the student=92s interest.

The Farrer lab examines the interactions that structure plant and microbial communities in space and time, and how global change alters these interactions with consequences for biodiversity and ecosystem function. Current work in the lab is focused on understanding how microbes are key intermediaries in how plants respond to climate change. Climate change alters microbial communities, shifting abundances of mutualistic and parasitic microbial taxa, which can influence plant composition and diversity. The lab is starting up work in coastal wetlands, investigating how saltwater intrusion and sea level rise will influence communities in the Gulf Coast. The lab also has ongoing research in the alpine tundra in Colorado and California grasslands. For more information, see the lab website: https://emilyfarrer.wordpress.com/

Support is available from a combination of Teaching Assistantships and Research Assistantships, and students are encouraged to apply for their own fellowships through NSF or other agencies.

The successful candidate will have a proven capacity for writing and communication, excellent interpersonal skills, and strong quantitative skills (e.g. statistics, bioinformatics). A BS or MS degree in ecology, microbiology, or a related field is also preferred.

Interested applicants should send a cover letter, CV, GPA and GRE scores, and the names and contact info for three references to Dr. Emily Farrer (efarrer@tulane.edu) as well as apply to the degree program  (http://tulane.edu/sse/eebio/academics/graduate/apply.cfm). **Applications are due January 15, 2018**

The time has come again! MCC is hiring Crew Leaders to lead our adult crews in 2018. Do you know someone who wants to experience Montana and give back to our public lands? Are you someone who is looking for skills that will give you a better shot at landing that Forest Service job you’ve been wanting? If any of these apply to you, click a link below for more information.

Crew Leader (http://mtcorps.org/join/field-crews/crew-leader)

Senior Crew Leader (http://mtcorps.org/join/field-crews/senior-crew-leader)

Wildland Restoration Team Leader (http://mtcorps.org/join/field-

crews/wildlands-restoration-team)

Veterans Green Corps Crew Leader (http://mtcorps.org/join/veterans-green-

corps)

Happy Trails, Nate Hess

Communications Coordinator

Montana Conservation Corps

The Graduate Program in Plant Biology and Conservation is a partnership between Northwestern University (NU) and the Chicago Botanic Garden (CBG). PhD, MS thesis-

based, and MS internship-based degrees are offered. All degree programs offer a unique opportunity to study ecology, evolution, and environmental issues at the interface of basic and applied plant science. Students apply to the program through Northwestern University and take their courses at both NU and CBG with faculty from both institutions. The Plant Conservation and Science Center at CBG is a valuable resource for students, and the Chicago region provides a vibrant community at the forefront of research in conservation and sustainability.

To learn more, contact program director, Nyree Zerega (nzerega@chicagobotanic.org) or visit our website: http://www.plantbiology.northwestern.edu/

Application deadlines:

PhD: December 1, 2017

MS (thesis-based): February 15, 2018

MS (internship-based): Applications will be reviewed beginning February 15 and review will continue through April 30, 2018. Admissions are on a rolling basis.

Two PhD positions are available in the Olson Lab at Texas Tech University starting in the summer or fall of 2018. Our lab works on ecological genomics of plants, with a focus on local adaptation, speciation, and the evolution of breeding systems. Students interested in any of these topics are welcome to apply. Our current funding supports research to study the ecological and genetic factors influencing sex chromosome evolution within the Salicaceae (poplars and willows). The overall project focuses on mapping sex determination regions from representatives throughout the family, understanding the genetic basis of gender dimorphism in defense and pollinator attraction chemistry, and the assessment of population genetic patterns across the sex determination and pseudo-autosomal regions of the sex chromosomes. The grant provides for a unique international multi-institutional training environment, with potential for funding to visit labs at the University of West Virginia, the University of Wisconsin, Cornell University, and Sichuan University and Nanjing Forestry University in China for cross-disciplinary training. Students will be funded through a combination of teaching assistantships, research assistant ships, and perhaps scholarships. Please contact Matt Olson directly at matt.olson@ttu.edu for more information regarding opportunities and application information.

The Perkins Lab at the University of Notre Dame is seeking exceptional
students interested in studying diverse topics related to the epidemiology,
ecology, and evolution of vector-borne pathogens. Research activities in
the lab involve the use of a wide range of mathematical, statistical, and
computational tools to address basic and applied research topics, including

(1) forecasting spatiotemporal variability in pathogen transmission and
disease incidence,
(2) leveraging pathogen genetic data to make inferences about pathogen
spread,
(3) coupling mathematical models with empirical studies of vaccines and
vector control, and
(4) blending modeling and experiments to understand and mitigate the
evolution of vector resistance.

In addition to a collegial lab environment with members at a variety of
career stages and from diverse backgrounds, students will have
opportunities for mentorship from and collaboration with a number of
intramural and extramural colleagues. A passion for developing and applying
innovative quantitative approaches for extracting meaning from empirical
data and/or elucidating new biological understanding using theoretical
approaches is essential. Engaging in the collection of empirical data is
encouraged, but not required.

Interested applicants should email the PI, Alex Perkins, at taperkins@nd.edu
after seeking more information at http://perkinslab.weebly.com. Top
applicants will have prior experience in research and a demonstrated
commitment to learning new quantitative and computer programming skills.

Funding is guaranteed via a mixture of research and teaching assistantships
for 5 years. The University of Notre Dame offers excellent benefits, a full
tuition waiver, and a generous stipend (~$29K for 2017). A variety of
fellowship opportunities are open to top applicants. For more information
regarding the Biology Graduate Program, see http://biology.nd.edu and
http://graduateschool.nd.edu. The deadline for receipt of all application
materials for the PhD program is December 1, 2017.

Alex Perkins <taperkins@gmail.com>

UC Davis received a $3M award from the National Science Foundation in support of a new Research Traineeship (NRT) program =93Sustainable Oceans: From Policy to Science to Decisions=94. Our Sustainable Oceans NRT will train the next generation of PhD marine scientists under a new paradigm that puts the policy focus on the front-end of the research and training enterprise as a means of building more effective links between the science and decisions on sustainable use of living marine resources.  The basis of the new interdisciplinary paradigm is combining traditional graduate training in core disciplines and interdisciplinary courses on marine science and policy with immersion into the policy process and politics surrounding ecosystem-based fishery management.  The first cohort of trainees will start in the fall of 2018. Over 5 years, we anticipate training 60 PhD students, including 30 funded trainees, from the fields of ecology, conservation biology, economics, geology, physiology, biogeochemistry, and oceanography.

If you would like to learn more about this program, please visit sustainableoceans.ucdavis.edu

The Institute of Ecology and Evolution is seeking highly-motivated graduate
students to join our expanding research group. Our Institute brings
together scientists from the Departments of Biology, Anthropology,
Geography, and Math applying cutting-edge experimental, computational, and
theoretical approaches to diverse areas in ecology and evolutionary
biology. More details can be found at http://ie2.uoregon.edu/.

The University of Oregon possesses outstanding laboratory facilities and
proximity to field sites from the Pacific Ocean to the mountains and high
desert of Eastern Oregon. Our integrative approach to graduate education is
supported by research grants, training grants, and fellowships from federal
and privately-funded agencies.

Eugene is a lively college town with access to numerous outdoor activities
in the picturesque Willamette Valley. The Oregon coast, mountain ski
resorts, and downtown Portland are all accessible within a two hour drive.

Applications to the Department of Biology can be submitted at
http://biology.uoregon.edu/graduate-studies/apply/. The deadline for
applications is December 1, 2017. For more information on our
program, contact Matt Streisfeld (mstreis@uoregon.edu), Matt Barber
(mfbarber@uoregon.edu), or faculty members in whose research you are
interested. Direct specific inquiries about the graduate application
process to the Biology Graduate Program Manager, Jessica Wilson
(wilson21@uoregon.edu).

mfbarber@uoregon.edu

The Langwig lab at Virginia Tech is currently recruiting enthusiastic and motivated

graduate students beginning in fall 2018. Students are expected to develop independent

projects in disease ecology and evolution that complement work in the lab. Ongoing

projects include both theoretical and empirical work on both human and wildlife disease

systems. Potential projects include heterogeneity in host-pathogen interactions,

mechanisms of host-pathogen persistence, and wildlife disease ecology and

conservation.

The Langwig lab in the Department of Biological Sciences is part of an expanding group

of infectious disease faculty across several departments and colleges at Virginia Tech,

enabling an extremely supportive cross-cutting and interdisciplinary training

environment.

Interested applicants should have a strong interest in disease ecology and evolution, and

a passion to positively influence science, conservation, and global health. Students are

expected to obtain quantitative skills, and learn some programming. Students with

previous experience in math, statistics, engineering, and computer science are especially

encouraged to apply.

More details about work in the Langwig lab can be found here:

https://scholar.harvard.edu/klangwig. Prospective students should include a statement

of research interests in the email text, a CV, and list of references to Kate

Langwig=A0(klangwig@vt.edu) with the subject “Prospective Graduate Student”.