Opportunities

Two PhD Positions in Aquatic Ecology

Hood Lab, Aquatic Ecology Laboratory, Department of Evolution, Ecology, and

Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University

I am recruiting two Ph.D. students interested in developing dissertations

focused broadly on how global change drivers (e.g., land use, nutrient

loading, climate warming, etc.) influence organisms and the structure and

function of aquatic ecosystems. There is considerable flexibility in

developing dissertation topics; however, I am particularly interested in

recruiting students interested in several new research questions focused

on: (a) nutrient cycling and metabolism in rivers, (b) the influence of

nutrient loading and climate change on Lake Erie plankton communities, (c)

the interactive effects of temperature and nutrients on autotrophic

metabolism. Interested candidates should review our website (

www.hoodaquaticslab.wordpress.com) and contact Jim Hood for more

information.

The ideal candidates will be highly motivated and honest with a strong

background in ecology and freshwater science and an interest in ecosystem

ecology. I seek to maintain a productive, diverse, and team-orientated lab

group and especially encourage students from under-represented groups to

consider joining the lab. A Master=E2=80=99s degree is preferred, but not r=

equired.

Financial support is available through a combination of research

assistantships, competitive fellowships, and teaching assistantships.

If interested, please email Jim Hood (hood.211@osu.edu) a single PDF

containing (1) a statement of interest, (2) a CV, and (3) contact

information for your three references. On* 1 November 2017

<http://airmail.calendar/2017-11-01%2012:00:00%20EDT>*, I will begin

reviewing candidate applications and invite selected applicants to apply to

the department. The department’s application deadline is *1 December 2017

<http://airmail.calendar/2017-12-01%2012:00:00%20EST>*.

MS Assistantship – Long-term Study in Lake States Aspen Forests

*M.S. Assistantship in Applied Forest Ecology and Silviculture *The

Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management (NREM) at Iowa State

University is seeking a M.S.-level graduate student to join a research

project investigating the long-term impacts of harvest disturbance on

aspen-dominated forests across the Upper Lake States region. The student

will benefit from the opportunity to work on an established, experimental

study while also having the freedom to develop and pursue questions about

natural and anthropogenic disturbance, resilience, and competition tailored

to the student=E2=80=99s specific interests. Work will involve collaboratio=

n with a

team that includes scientists from Iowa State University and the U.S.

Forest Service Northern Research Station.

The position begins in summer 2018 and includes two guaranteed years of

funding (competitive stipend, tuition, and health insurance).  It is based

in Ames, Iowa at Iowa State University and will involve field work in

remote areas of northern Minnesota and Michigan, USA.

*Qualifications:* B.S. in ecology, forestry, silviculture, natural

resources, conservation biology, environmental science or a closely related

field. Previous field and/or extensive outdoor work experience is required.

Skills in plant identification are strongly preferred. Experience or

interest in dendrochronology is also preferred.  Submitted materials should

demonstrate effective communication through writing, an ability to work

both independently and collaboratively, a passion for natural resources,

and a strong work ethic.

*Application process:* Interested applicants should submit a CV, GRE

scores, contact information for three references, unofficial transcripts,

and a cover letter summarizing relevant experience, research interests, and

professional and academic goals to Dr. Miranda Curzon (mcurzon@iastate.edu)=

.

If nominated for the position, three letters of reference, official GRE

scores, and official transcripts will be required for application to ISU.

The process for admission to graduate studies in the Department of Natural

Resource Ecology and Management is described at

https://www.nrem.iastate.edu/admissions. The position is open until filled,

but applicants should submit materials prior to November 1, 2017 for full

consideration.

Please contact Miranda Curzon (mcurzon@iastate.edu) for further information=

PhD position in community ecology / evolutionary biology at Utah State University

I’m looking for a PhD student with experience in plant community ecology =

or evolutionary biology to start in my lab at Utah State University. The PhD=

will combine fieldwork and modelling, is fully-funded, and includes money to t=

ravel to conferences and working groups.

More details and application instructions are available online

(http://pearselab.com/join-the-lab/). I will review applications as they =

come in on a first-come-first-served basis. I’m happy to answer any questions =

over email (will.pearse@usu.edu).

Thanks,

Will Pearse

M.S. or Ph.D. opportunity in amphibian disease ecology and animal physiology

The Warne Lab at Southern Illinois University is seeking a highly motivated

graduate student (M.S. or PhD) to work on a funded study exploring the

ecology of ranaviruses among amphibian communities. Research in the lab

focuses on animal physiological ecology with specific projects testing how

environmental conditions shape resource allocation, disease processes, and

ecological community interactions.

The start date for the position is January 1, 2018. Apply by October 16th

for full consideration. For inquiries or to apply, please send a cover

letter and CV to Dr. Robin Warne (rwarne@siu.edu).

More information can be found at http://warnelab.weebly.com/.

NSF funded PhD opportunity in animal physiology and community ecology

The Warne Lab at Southern Illinois University is seeking a highly motivated

PhD student to work on a collaborative NSF funded study testing how changes

in animal physiology and foraging behavior feedback to affect plant

community ecology. The research will focus on kangaroo rats and their

grassland communities in New Mexico, and will include the experimental

manipulation of endocrine physiology along with use of digital telemetry,

and stable isotopes. The student will work with both Dr. Robin Warne and Dr.

Justin Boyles in the Zoology Department at Southern Illinois University.

The start date for the position is January 1, 2018. Apply by October 16th

for full consideration.

For inquiries or to apply, please send a cover letter and CV to Dr. Robin

Warne (rwarne@siu.edu).

Our labs are highly research active, and we collectively maintain a strong

and diverse cohort of undergraduate and graduate researchers. More

information can be found at http://warnelab.weebly.com/ and

http://www.boyleslab.com/.

PhD graduate student position in marine microbiology @ NC State

A PhD track graduate student position is available (starting Spring 2018 or Fall 2018) in the Paerl Lab (https://paerllab.wordpress.com/), within the Marine, Earth, and Atmospheric Science (MEAS) Department (https://meas.sciences.ncsu.edu/).=20

The area of focus for the position is microbial (bacterial and microalgal) vitamin physiology and cycling (production, consumption, exchange), with multiple research directions being open for pursuit.  Both traditional (e.g. culturing, cell isolations, microscopy) and modern (e.g. flow cytometry, nucleic acid sequencing/amplification/quantification, isotopic tracing) techniques will be integral to the project, and prior experience with either is plus.  Field-based and laboratory-based experimentation is involved in the project.=20

A master=92s degree is prerequisite for the PhD track position.  In addition, publication (or submission) of work from the master=92s thesis is preferred.

Interested applicants please contact Ryan Paerl (rpaerl[at]ncsu.edu) to learn more details about potential research directions and to discuss the position.  Please include your CV in your initial contact email.=20

An application to the MEAS graduate program is necessary to ultimately obtain the position and information regarding the application process (including GRE requirements and deadlines) can be found here: https://meas.sciences.ncsu.edu/graduate/apply-to-

meas/.

Ph.D. Position in Aquatic Community and Ecosystem Ecology

The Howeth Lab of Ecology and Conservation (http://howethlab.ua.edu/) in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Alabama invites applications for a Ph.D. student in aquatic community and ecosystem ecology beginning Spring, Summer, or Fall 2018.

Research will address the role of succession in metacommunity and food web structure using replicate successional mosaics of beaver-formed ponds. Projects will focus on fish and/or invertebrate (e.g., odonates, zooplankton) community composition and ecosystem properties among ponds in different stages of succession and located in multiple watersheds. This work will utilize field-based approaches in the streams and beaver ponds of the Talladega National Forest in Alabama, including the NSF NEON Domain 8 core site. The project can additionally involve dendrochronology, GIS/remote sensing, hydrologic modeling, stable isotope analyses, DNA barcoding, and experiments at the UA Tanglewood Biological Station.

Additional information is available from the following webpages:

Directly related research: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ecs2.1871/full=20

Department of Biological Sciences Graduate Program: https://bsc.ua.edu/degree-programs/graduate-program-overview/=20

University of Alabama: [http://www.ua.edu=20]www.ua.edu=20

Requirements: B.S. or M.S. in Biology and Ecology or related fields. Applicants must be highly motivated and have the ability to: 1) interact and collaborate with a research group that includes graduate and undergraduate researchers; 2) conduct research outdoors in variable climatic conditions and 3) drive University trucks (valid driver=92s license and background check required).

Students will be funded on a combination of teaching and research assistantships, which include a competitive 12 month stipend, health insurance, and a tuition waiver. Highly competitive applicants can be considered for university and departmental fellowships that offer Graduate Research Assistantships.

Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

Interested students should send an e-mail to Dr. Jennifer Howeth (jghoweth@ua.edu) with the following attached documents and “Graduate Assistantship” in the title:

(1) cover letter that includes a statement of research interests, research experience, and career goals

(2) CV (3) scientific writing sample (e.g., laboratory report, thesis, manuscript) (4) GRE scores, if available=20 (5) unofficial copies of academic transcripts (6) contact information for three references in biology/ecology

PhD in community ecology

PhD fellowship in Community/Population Ecology I am looking for highly motivated graduate students in community/population ecology starting September 2018 in the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Graduate Program at Rice University in Houston, Texas. I will consider applicants who wish to pursue fundamental research on any aspect of population/community. Our research examines the ecological factors that generate and determine the structure, dynamics and functioning of natural communities. Current projects focus on the consequences of climate change and phenological shifts on natural communities, ecology and evolution of multi-parasite communities, the role of intra-specific variation in natural ecosystems, temporal and spatial biodiversity patterns, and the ecology and evolution of cannibalism. While most of our work has been carried out in aquatic (freshwater) systems using organisms that range from stream salamanders to dragonfly larvae to zooplankton I am amenable to students developing projects in other study systems. For further information in my research visit http://volkerrudolf.weebly.com/=20

Please see our departmental website http://biosciences.rice.edu/EEB_GradAdmissions.aspx for more information about the Graduate Program of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at Rice University, our research and graduate programs, and the recent addition of several outstanding new faculty complementing our strengths in a variety of research areas ranging from the ecology and evolution of interspecific interactions, tropical & conservation biology, invasive species, and forest community dynamics to genomics, speciation, and the evolution of sociality. Formal application materials for graduate school can be submitted using the above website. Interested students should send me an email and attach a copy of their CV. Volker Rudolf Assistant Professor Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Rice University Houston, TX, 77005 Email:Volker.rudolf@rice.edu

Graduate Positions in Population Ecology

The Matter lab at the University of Cincinnati is recruiting highly qualified and motivated Ph.D. students beginning in summer or fall 2018. Major foci of the lab are on dispersal, spatial population dynamics, and the persistence of spatial population networks, although former students have conducted research on a range of Ecological topics. Students will develop independent research projects, but we are particularly interested in students whose research will contribute to and benefit from our long-term data on the Rocky Mountain Apollo butterfly and its host plant, Sedum lanceolatum.

Students interested in joining the lab should contact Steve Matter (mattersf@uc.edu<mailto:mattersf@uc.edu>) to discuss their interests. Please include a brief statement of your research interests, CV, transcripts, and GRE scores.

The Department of Biological Science’s Environmental Change & Biological Resilience research and graduate training group (http://www.artsci.uc.edu/departments/biology/research/ECBR.html) seeks to better understand and predict how organisms, populations, and ecosystems respond to environmental change. This group addresses basic and applied questions, transcending traditional levels of biological organization. The group is currently expanding with the addition of new faculty in conjunction with UC’s Water Cluster (https://www.uc.edu/provost/initiatives/cluster-hiring-initative.html) and offers opportunities to collaborate with aligned research programs in UC’s Environmental Studies program, in UC’s nationally-renowned College of Engineering, and at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Research and Development in Cincinnati. The Cincinnati Center for Field Studies, located 30 minutes west of campus, is a major regional center for environmental research and an additional resource for ECBR researchers (http://magazine.uc.edu/issues/1013/field_studies.html).

The department offers competitive support packages for qualified students. The University of Cincinnati, the Department of Biological Sciences, and the Matter lab have a strong commitment to diversity in science and graduate education. Students from underrepresented ethnic or racial minorities will be considered for the new Provost Graduate Fellowship, which provides a 3 year $25,000 stipend plus tuition remission, and the Yates Fellowship, which awards grants to underrepresented minority candidates.

The University of Cincinnati is a top-25 public ‘research-intensive’ institution and is ranked among the nation’s best institutions for undergraduate education. Founded in 1819, our campus boasts award winning, modern architecture and is located in close vicinity to collaborative resources including, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden.

Cincinnati is a vibrant city on the banks of the Ohio River. The region is home to year-round cultural and entertainment opportunities such as the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, as well as numerous annual music and cultural festivals. Cincinnati is also home to major professional sports teams including the Cincinnati Bengals, Cincinnati Reds, and FC Cincinnati – a new professional soccer team which draws over 20,000 fans per game. City and county park systems provide extensive green space for outdoor activities as well as research and outreach opportunities.

More information about the graduate program in the Department of Biological Sciences can be found here: http://www.artsci.uc.edu/departments/biology/graduate/future.html.

Graduate applications are due January 1. To apply: http://www.grad.uc.edu/ApplyOnline.aspx.

Sincerely,

Steve Matter

Ph.D. in Ecology and Science Communication

We are currently looking for a Ph.D. student for Spring 2018 to help with a

project that focuses on reducing informational feedback delays between

applied ecological research and adoption of management practices in the

Northern Great Plains (USA). The successful candidate will use existing

data from national research networks and research stations to engage local

stakeholders to design and test the usability of real-time data products.

The student will work collaboratively with ecologists, social scientists,

and local landowners to create products that influence management practices

and enhance ecosystem services on working lands.

*Qualifications*

-B.S. in one of the following areas: environmental science, biology,

agricultural ecosystems, natural resources management, or rangeland ecology

-Demonstrated ability to work with stakeholders

-Strong communication skills

-Strong quantitative skills

-Some programming experience and interest in using visualization techniques

preferred.

*Funding*

The student will enroll in the Ph.D. program in Virginia Tech=E2=80=99s Department

of Forest Resources & Environmental Conservation and will be affiliated

with the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies

<http://www.caryinstitute.org/science-program/our-scientists/dr-kathleen-c-weathers>

(http://www.caryinstitute.org/), one of the world=E2=80=99s leading independent,

environmental research organizations. Full graduate research assistantship

(with stipend) and tuition waiver will be provided for 3 years and

additional opportunities for funding are available. Students are strongly

encouraged to apply to be a fellow in Virginia Tech=E2=80=99s Interfaces of Global

Change <http://www.globalchange.vt.edu/igc/> graduate program (

http://www.globalchange.vt.edu/igc/), an interdisciplinary program designed

to address the multidimensional aspects of global change.

*Applying*

Interested students are encouraged to email the following as a single pdf

document: 1) a brief cover letter describing their professional background,

relevant research experience and interests, career goals, and reasons for

seeking a Ph.D., 2) a current curriculum vitae/resume, 3) names and contact

information for three references, and 4) an unofficial copy of transcripts

and GRE scores. Please send directly to me at msorice@vt.edu. Do not submit

materials to the Virginia Tech Graduate School at this time.

Applications will be reviewed as soon as they are received, but materials

must be received before 15 October 2017. The target start date is January

2018.

*Contact Information*

Michael Sorice (Primary contact for position)

Associate Professor, Department of Forest Resources & Environmental

Conservation

Virginia Tech

Phone: (540) 231-8303

Email: m-sorice@vt.edu