M.S. Graduate Student Opportunity
Population Genomics of Streamside Salamander (Ambystoma barbouri)

An M.S. position supervised by Dr. Carla Hurt is available through the
Department of Biology (https://www.tntech.edu/cas/biology/) at Tennessee
Tech University in Cookeville, Tennessee; starting date is August 2017.

The successful applicant will use reduced representation genomic
techniques to investigate the evolutionary history and population genetic
structure of the Streamside Salamander (Ambystoma barbouri) throughout its
range.  Specifically, the student would utilize a Gentoyping-by-Sequencing
protocol to identify and genotype informative SNPs and utilize this data
to address questions related to the conservation of this species. Results
from this study will be directly applicable to improving management
protocols for the Streamside Salamander. GBS is proving to be a powerful
tool for evaluating the patterns of genetic variation within and between
populations.  The student will gain valuable expertise in genomic tools
and data analysis that are widely applicable to the field of conservation
genomics.

We are looking for highly motivated candidates with a B.S. in biology
or closely related field and a strong academic record.  A GPA of at
least 3.5 is required.  The successful candidate should demonstrate an
interest in wildlife conservation and molecular genetics.  The student
will need to possess an aptitude for data analysis and careful research
in a molecular genetics laboratory as well as an ability to conduct
field work.  Previous experience working in a molecular laboratory
is preferred but exceptional applicants without experience will
be considered.  Financial support (stipend and full tuition waiver)
will be provided through a Teaching Assistantship and will be renewable
annually contingent upon satisfactory performance.

Interested students are encouraged to e-mail me (churt@tntech.edu). Please
include a short description of your academic background, research
interests and your CV. Screening of applicants will begin immediately.
Please contact me by June 1st for full consideration.

POSITION INFORMATION:

2 Research Aid 1 Technicians (wildlife) with the University of Washington (fieldwork to be conducted  along the Columbia River, near the John Day dam, Oregon/Washington border)

Start and end dates:May 2017 to end of July 2017, with a possible extension to September 2017

Salary: $15/hour

Project description:Conduct a comprehensive inventory of wildlife species (mammals, reptiles, and amphibians) at two sites=96 one along the Columbia River near the John Day dam and one at the Willow Creek dam project area.  The mammal surveys will use a combination of motion-activated camera trapping and live trapping for  capture-mark-recapture (CMR) analysis to detect and enumerate both small and large species.  Accordingly, applicants must be familiar with small mammal trapping and identifying species, and  preference will be given to those who are familiar with taxa of the Pacific Northwest. To survey for  reptiles and amphibians, we will use a combination of techniques, including nocturnal call surveys  (recording sound at sample points and later identifying the species). Accordingly, preference will be  given to applicants who are familiar with using herpetofaunal calls to identify species. Technicians will  also use visual encounter surveys and roadkill/ basking surveys to identify species and estimate  abundance. This work supports a larger project for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Duties:Applicant should be responsible, organized and motivated. Field work will involve navigating and hiking  across rugged terrain to field sites while carrying heavy equipment (e.g., live traps and cameras).   During periods without field work, efforts will be focused on data entry and identifying wildlife species in  camera-trap photos.  Cameras will be deployed at the beginning of the field season and then checked  regularly. Small-mammal trapping will occur in the early morning (6:00 AM – 10:00 AM) and again in theearly evening (4:00 PM – 8:00 PM) to ensure small mammal safety.

Requirements:Applicants must have experience handling small-mammals, working with small-mammal live-traps and  Oregon/Washington small-mammal identification. Strong preference will also be given to applicants with  experience deploying camera traps and with handling and identifying reptiles and amphibians. Applicant  should be detail oriented with the ability to take careful notes in field and office settings (Microsoft  Excel experience); preference will also be given to those with GIS experience. Applicants should be in  good physical condition with the ability to hike in hot temperatures and in rugged terrain while carrying  equipment, and should be comfortable working outdoors and in challenging field conditions (e.g.hot/cold) including along roadsides, fast moving water, and railroad right of ways. Applicant should have  basic competency using GPS/maps to locate field sites and record waypoints. Availability to work full- time (40 hours/week) is essential. Applicants must have their own vehicle (mileage reimbursement at  $0.54/mile).

If you are interested in this opportunity, please send your resume, cover letter, and three references to  Michael Case (mcase@uw.edu).

Please respond no later than April 30, 2017

Title: Research Technician (Game Birds): Hawaii

Agency: University of Wyoming

Type: Temporary/Seasonal Positions

Website: https://www.facebook.com/hawaii.vine.project/

Salary: $1000 per month plus housing and use of vehicle

Start date: flexible, but early July is preferred

End date: 6 month commitment is required with the potential to extend

Last date to apply: 5/10/2017

Technician needed (1 position) to study game bird ecology as part of a seeddispersal study on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. Forest ecosystems of the

Hawaiian Islands have increasingly faced threats of species extinction andbiological invasion, resulting in novel communities composed of native andnonnative species. Although many native Hawaiian plants rely on birds forseed dispersal, nearly all native frugivorous birds are extinct. In the

last century, the Kalij Pheasant (Lophura leucomelanos) and Erckel=92s

Francolin (Pternistis erckelii) were introduced to the Hawaiian Islands forrecreational hunting. We are investigating the ecological impacts of these2 species on seed dispersal networks.

Technician responsibilities will include line transect surveys, bird  capture and banding, GPS telemetry, behavioral observations, vegetation

surveys, fecal sample collection, seed identification with microscope, anddata entry. Fieldwork will involve long days of strenuous hiking and heavylifting in temperamental weather conditions.

The technician will mostly work independently but in close contact with theHawaii VINE Project, a collaborative research effort seeking to determinehow well different species of non-native vertebrates disperse native plantspecies. Technician will be working and living with a crew of 4-5 field

techs that is predominantly focused on study of seed dispersal by  songbirds. Technician will be solely responsible for game bird fieldwork

once the graduate student leaves, and will report to a graduate student

that will be off island for most of the field season.

Start date is flexible, but early July is preferred. The duration of thisposition is 6 months, with the potential to extend. Technician will be

provided with housing, a living stipend of $1,000 per month, and access tovehicles.

Qualifications: A bachelor=92s degree in wildlife biology, zoology, ecologyor a related field and at least two years of field experience pertaining towildlife biology or botany are required. Experience working with game birdspecies or demonstrated knowledge of Hawaiian forest ecosystems may  substitute some requirements. Applicant must be responsible, organized, andcomfortable working independently. An enthusiasm for research and fieldworkis essential, as well as patience and a strong work ethic.

Contact: Please email a cover letter, curriculum vitae, and contact  information for three references as a single PDF document to Sam Case(Sam.Case.Hawaii@gmail.com) by May 10th, 2017. A phone number and email

address must be included for each reference.

The Sala Lab at Arizona State University is looking for motivated

undergraduate students to participate in research activities in grassland

ecosystem ecology during the summer of 2017. The participant will work with

graduate students, technicians and postdocs to assist with ongoing rainfall

manipulation experiments, vegetation and soil sampling, and other field

surveys at several field sites across the US. Additionally, participants

have the opportunity to work with Sala Lab members and the PI to develop a

personalized project.

Activities will primarily be based at either the Jornada basin (Las Cruces,

NM) or Konza Prairie (Manhattan, KS) with possible field trips (1-2 weeks

in duration) between these sites and our third location, the Semi-arid

Grasslands Research Center (north of Fort Collins, CO). The successful

applicants are awarded a stipend, which includes cost of travel, lodging,

and food.

*About the Jornada*

The Jornada Basin Long Term Ecological

Research Program is focused on the ecology of drylands in the southwest

USA, including the causes and consequences of alternative ecosystem states

and the expansion of woody plants into grasslands resulting in more =E2=80=

=9Cdesert

like=E2=80=9D conditions. By conducting long-term precipitation manipulatio=

n

experiments, we are interested in how long-term changes to precipitation

amount and variability affect ecosystem functioning. More information on

the LTER is available at https://jornada.nmsu.edu/lter

*About Konza Prairie*

The Konza Prairie LTER is centered on one of the most productive grasslands

in North America =E2=80=93 the tallgrass prairie. The Konza LTER program ha=

s

focused on fire, grazing, and climatic variability as three critical and

interactive drivers that affect ecological patterns and processes in

grasslands worldwide. In the context of the Sala Lab, Konza Prairie is one

site across a precipitation gradient where we specifically address how

changes to precipitation affect above versus belowground primary

production. We also ask what mechanisms, such as plant allocation or

belowground herbivory, may be driving plant responses to precipitation

change. More information on the LTER is available at

http://www.konza.ksu.edu/knz/pages/home/home.aspx

*Eligibility*

Undergraduate student participants supported with NSF funds in either REU

Supplements or REU Sites must be U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, or

permanent residents of the United States. An undergraduate student is a

student who is enrolled in a degree program (part-time or full-time)

leading to a baccalaureate or associate degree.

*Prior Fieldwork Experience required.*

*How to apply*

Applications are evaluated upon submission, and positions will be filled as

long as funding is available. Please send application materials to the Sala

Lab postdoc Dr. Laureano Gherardi (e-mail: Lau@asu.edu) by *April 14, 2017*=

.

*Application materials must include:*

Cover Letter

Resume or CV

Unofficial undergraduate transcript

A field technician position is available with Lars Brudvig=92s research group at Michigan State University (http://brudviglab.plantbiology.msu.edu/) to assist with plant community and restoration ecology projects in Michigan.=20

Primary job duties will include plant community surveys and measurement of environmental (e.g., soil, light) parameters within prairies and oak savannas undergoing restoration, establishment and maintenance of experimental field plots, and lab/office work (e.g., sample processing, data entry and proofing).  The technician will work both independently and collaboratively with postdocs and graduate students in the lab.  The technician will also have the opportunity to spend (paid) time working with restoration practitioners on related projects.

Minimum requirements: A Bachelor’s degree in ecology, biology or a similar field of study, previous research experience, the ability to work full days under arduous (hot/humid) field conditions, and a valid driver=92s license.

Desired qualifications: Formal botanical training, knowledge of prairie and/or oak savanna flora, prior experience conducting vegetation surveys, and experience with restoration practice.

Positions will begin as early as May and no later than July 2017, and will last 6-9 months.  Applicants should indicate dates of availability in their application letter.

Pay rate will be $12.00/hour, for 40 hours/week.  The technician will spend time based out of Michigan State University’s main campus (East Lansing, MI) and Kellogg Biological Station (Hickory Corners, MI; http://www.kbs.msu.edu/), with daily and some overnight travel to field sites.  These travel expenses will be covered.

To apply: Email a CV and a letter describing your interest in this position, relevant past experience, start date availability, and contact information with email addresses for two references to Lars Brudvig (brudvig@msu.edu).  Review of application materials will begin on 14 April 2017; applications received after 21 April 2017 will not be considered.

Michigan State University is an Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to achieving excellence through cultural diversity. The university actively encourages applications and/or nominations of women, persons of color, veterans and persons with disabilities. Job applicants are considered for employment opportunities and employees are treated without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.

Graduate research positions (2 MSc and a PhD) are available on Atlantic

Salmon Ecology with the Canadian Rivers Institute at the University of New

Brunswick.

1)=09MSc Opportunity Beginning Summer 2017 (UNB Fredericton); Atlantic Salmon

Radiotelemetry

Collaboration for Atlantic Salmon Tomorrow (CAST) is a partnership of

scientists, environmental groups, governments, and industry who focus on

understanding recent declines in wild Atlantic salmon populations and

developing management tools to reverse and sustain populations for the long

term. We are seeking a highly motivated and independent M.Sc. student to

undertake a radiotelemetry project to understand movements and behaviour of

adult Atlantic salmon in the Miramichi River, New Brunswick. The Project

will focus on tracking fish stemming from a novel conservation

supplementation strategy and comparing their behaviour to the movements of

wild salmon. The selected candidate will preferably have experience working

in remote wilderness conditions, and have experience or understanding of

radiotelemetry tools; ArcGIS skills are also an asset. This is a fully

funded opportunity (stipend + tuition), which will begin in the summer of

2017.  The deadline is May 5, 2017, but the call will remain open until we

have found a suitable candidate. Please indicate =93CAST MSc APPLICATION=94 in

the subject line of your application email.

Please send a cover letter, CV, transcript from your current degree

(unofficial is acceptable) and names of three references to:

Tommi Linnansaari, CAST (tommi.linnansaari@unb.ca)

Canadian Rivers Institute

Biology, Forestry, and Environmental Management

University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, NB, E3B 5A3

2)=09PhD Opportunity Beginning Summer 2017 (UNB Fredericton); Assessment of

smolt-to-adult supplementation strategy for Atlantic Salmon=20

Collaboration for Atlantic Salmon Tomorrow (CAST) is a partnership of

scientists, environmental groups, governments, and industry who focus on

understanding recent declines in wild Atlantic salmon populations and

developing management tools to reverse and sustain populations for the long

term. We are seeking a mature and experienced Ph.D.  candidate to a project

evaluating the benefits and risks of smolt-to-adult supplementation strategy

in a controlled field environment (experimental stream). The experiments

will include radio and PIT telemetry, large-scale electrofishing surveys,

assessment of parentage using genetic (SNP) tools, assessment of fish

growth, survival and behaviour.  The selected candidate will have previous

experience running a field-work based program. Good analytical skills,

demonstrated ability to write scientific articles and experience with

telemetry or use of genetic tools are an asset. This is a fully funded

opportunity (stipend + tuition), which will begin in the summer of 2017. The deadline is May 22, 2017, but the call will remain open until we have

found a suitable candidate. Please indicate =93CAST PhD APPLICATION=94 in the

subject line of your application email.

Please send a cover letter, CV, transcript from your current degree

(unofficial is acceptable) and names of three references to:

Tommi Linnansaari, CAST (tommi.linnansaari@unb.ca)

Canadian Rivers Institute

Biology, Forestry, and Environmental Management

University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, NB, E3B 5A3

3)=09MSc Opportunity Beginning Summer 2017 (UNB Fredericton); Watershed

Connectivity: Managing Barriers for Fish

Barriers to connectivity are often associated with roads, culverts, and even

beaver dams.  An M.Sc. student with the CRI at UNB working in collaboration

with the Restigouche River Watershed Management Council will develop a

watershed-scale connectivity analysis using a GIS model to best inform the

management of connectivity to reproductive habitats for Atlantic salmon in

the Restigouche River watershed.  The project will evaluate the current and

potential available habitats for egg deposition, juveniles, and conservation

requirements needed for an adaptive and integrated management plan.  The

selected candidate will have a background and experience with ArcGIS and a

desire to participate in the field assessment programme.   This is fully

funded opportunity, which will begin in the summer of 2017.  The deadline is

May 5, 2017, but the call will remain open until we have found a suitable

candidate. Please indicate =93ASCF MSc APPLICATION=94 in the subject line of

your application email.

Please send a cover letter, CV, transcript from your current degree

(unofficial is acceptable) and names of three references to:

Allen Curry, MAES (racurry@unb.ca)

Canadian Rivers Institute

Biology, Forestry, and Environmental Management

University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, NB.  E3B 5A3

Tel: 506-452-6208

More information of the positions, projects and the host institution:

http://canadianriversinstitute.com/

http://www.unb.ca/

http://www.castforsalmon.com/

Job Description:  The USDA, Agriculture Research Service, Northern Plains

Agriculture Research Laboratory in Sidney, MT is seeking an enthusiastic and

hard-working individual to serve as a biological science aide.  Our research

focuses on grassland insect and rangeland ecology; specifically how

interactions between grasshoppers and Mormon crickets affect Mormon cricket

and grasshopper diets, insect immunity to pathogens, and grassland health.

Work may include sampling grasshoppers, Mormon crickets, and other rangeland

insects in large scale experiments, sampling rangeland plants, setting up

and conducting manipulative experiments in the field and lab.  Most field

work will be conducted in subalpine meadows at 9000 feet elevation in the

Bighorn Mountains in northern Wyoming. A willingness to drive on overnight

travel to sites in Wyoming will be required.

Salary: $11.48 =96 12.53 per hour (GS-2 =96 GS-3) dependent on experience and

education.  Dorm-style, shared housing is available on location for $145 per

month, including utilities, internet and basic cable TV.

Dates: Starting June 11 – June 25 and continuing through mid September to

the end of October, depending on a candidate=92s availability.

Qualifications: The candidate must be a US citizen.  Additionally, the

candidate should be physically fit, able to walk rapidly over rangeland, and

comfortable spending long hours outside at high elevation. The candidate

will need a driver=92s license.  Willingness to work long days, and some

weekends when necessary is also a must.  Undergraduate course work in

ecology, entomology, range or environmental sciences, and previous field

work experience is preferred, but not required.=20

Application process: Please send cover letter, resume, and names and contact

information of two references (electronically) to Robert Srygley

(robert.srygley@ars.usda.gov).  Be sure to include available start and end

dates. In your cover letter and please describe any experience or coursework

you have in relevant areas such as field ecology, entomology, or plant

identification In your cover letter or resume.

Evaluation of applications will begin immediately and continue until the

position is filled. For more information on the grasshopper research program

visit: www.ars.usda.gov/pa/nparl/rsrygley or contact us directly.

The Missouri Department of Conservation has an immediate opening for a full-time resource technician to work on a project focused on assessing the bat community in areas of potential wind energy development throughout northern Missouri. The project utilizes Wildlife Acoustics SM2Bat detectors to acoustically sample bats at over 100 sites. The sampling sites are visited multiple times during the sampling period running from mid-March through the mid-October. Technicians will primarily be responsible for deployment of detectors, vegetation sampling, and data entry. There is potential to conduct targeted mist-netting in areas where species of special interest have been detected acoustically.

General Responsibilities Include:

=B7         Locating sampling sites using GPS units and maps

=B7         Deployment and takedown of bat detectors

=B7         Vegetation sampling and tree identification

=B7         Operating ATVs

=B7         Driving trucks and towing ATV trailers

=B7         Carrying 50+ lbs. of equipment over rugged, uneven terrain (up to a =BC mile)

=B7         Working outdoors in extreme and undesirable conditions, i.e., hot and cold temperatures

=B7         Filling out data sheets

=B7         Data entry using Microsoft Access

=B7         Limited mist-netting

Basic Qualifications:

=B7         Bachelor’s degree in natural resources, wildlife biology, or related field

=B7         Previous field experience

=B7         Willingness and ability to travel throughout the study area (northern Missouri)

=B7         Accept all responsibilities of the job and assigned tasks

=B7         Demonstrate technical proficiency in areas of responsibility

=B7         Recognize a problem, analyze relevant information, develop solutions and solve problems

=B7         Maintain focus, remain optimistic and persistent even under adversity

=B7         Ability to communicate well with team members, supervisors, and the public

=B7         Ability to use Microsoft Access for data entry

Preferred Qualifications:

=B7         One or more years of field experience working on bat related projects

=B7         Experience with acoustic monitoring of bats and/or mist-netting

=B7         Experience using handheld GPS units and reading maps

=B7         Experience towing trailers

=B7         Pre-exposure rabies vaccinations

Special Notes:

The Department of Conservation will hire only United States citizens and aliens authorized to work in the United States. All new employees will be required to complete an “Employment Eligibility Verification” (Form I-9) and produce requested documentation after employment.

Candidates seeking initial employment must submit to a drug screen following offer of employment.

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

How to apply:

Send cover letter, resume, and contact information for 3 references via email as a single pdf attachment to jonathan.brooks@mdc.mo.gov

For more information about the position, contact Jonathan Brooks (jonathan.brooks@mdc.mo.gov<mailto:jonathan.brooks@mdc.mo.gov>) or Matt Combes (matt.combes@mdc.mo.gov<mailto:matt.combes@mdc.mo.gov>).

The University of Oregon’s Marine Lab, the Oregon Institute of Marine

Biology’s has classes year around but many students find the summer a

great time to spend a term on the Oregon coast.

Our courses for this summer are listed below.

For more information and the summer application please see our website:

Summer Term

Best wishes,

Maya Watts

We offer four 8-week courses (June 26-August 18, 2017):

Invertebrate Zoology

Marine Birds and Mammals

Biology of Fishes

Seaweed Ecology

Short courses:

Biological Illustrations (June 24-25, July 1-2)

Ocean Acidification (July 15-16, 22-23)

Introduction to Experimental Design and Statistics (Aug. 21-25, Aug.

28-Sept.1)

Two week course in September (Sept.2-16):

Tropical Marine Biology in Panama

For more information please see our website

Summer Term

REU Opportunity at UC Santa Barbara this summer. For full consideration please apply by April 15, 2017.

A full time, three month REU internship is available as soon as May 2017. Successful applicants will assist the Santa Barbara Coastal Long Term Ecological Research project (SBC LTER, based at UC Santa Barbara=92s Marine Science Institute) in its investigations of factors influencing the availability and utilization of various dissolved nitrogen species by macroalgae (and phytoplankton) in giant kelp forests off the coast of Santa Barbara, California. The project is an excellent opportunity to apply concepts of general chemistry and biology to answer fundamental questions about the functioning of important, sensitive coastal ecosystems.

Specific duties may include: (1) assisting with manipulative experiments (lab or field) focused on understanding the physiology of nitrogen use by giant kelp and phytoplankton; (2) determination of enzyme activities within macroalgal tissues; (3) laboratory processing of seawater samples obtained for analysis of chlorophyll, particulate organic matter, dissolved nutrients; (4) laboratory processing of kelp tissue samples in preparation for chemical and stable isotope analyses; (5) computer entry and quality assurance of project data; and (6) initial analysis and presentation of experimental/observational data.

REU Internship Requirements: (1) Enrollment in undergraduate coursework for Fall 2017; funding may not be awarded to students graduating this year; (2) Prior coursework in chemistry and biology (general is sufficient); (3) Strong interest in gaining experience in conducting scientific research; (4) Ability to adapt to a variable work schedule (long days, occasional weekends); (5) Comfortable spending long days working in the laboratory/field and with hazardous chemicals; (6) U.S. citizen; (7) GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Compensation: A $4500 stipend will be awarded to one full time program participant throughout the summer. Students will be responsible for paying federal taxes on this income.

To apply, please submit a CV detailing relevant classroom and work experience, a one page statement describing your research experience and interest in this position, an unofficial transcript, proof of Fall 2017 enrollment, and contact information for two professional references, who can speak your interests/experience, to Jason Smith (jmsmith@ucsb.ed).

The application deadline is April 15, 2017.