Seeking a PhD student to work on a new NSF-funded project with field work  on a Southern California river (Santa Clara) plus dendro-isotope lab analyses.  Three years of funding minimum available, with additional years possible.

*PROJECT TITLE*

Linking basin-scale, stand-level, and individual tree water stress indica tors for groundwater-dependent riparian forests in multiple-use river basins

*THE POSITION AND HOW TO APPLY*

The PhD position is supported at SUNY-ESF, the State University of New Yo rk College of Environmental Science and Forestry, working with Dr. John Stella and interdisciplinary collaborators at UC Santa Barbara and The Nature Conser vancy. The position will start in fall 2017. Research questions will focus on ripari an ecosystem response to drought, climate change and groundwater extraction. Methods w ill include field sampling to inventory riparian forest structure and health, collect ing and analyzing tree rings for growth trends and annual water use efficiency using carbon  isotopes, and assessing critical thresholds for riparian forest decline. Field studies  will occur in the Santa Clara River basin in Southern California with lab work at SUNY-ESF  and partner institutions. Ideal candidates will have an MS in ecology, environmental  science, or a related field; a strong quantitative and statistical background; the abil ity to work in remote field settings; and interest in riparian forest ecology and tree e cophysiology in dryland regions. The position is funded for a minimum of three years and  provides a competitive stipend, tuition and benefits. Interested candidates should s end a CV/resume (with GPA and GRE scores), a description of research interests and experience, and names and contact information for 3 references to stella@ esf.edu. For more information on how to apply, see http://www.esf.edu/fnrm/stella/opportunities.html

*FULL PROJECT ABSTRACT*

Linking basin-scale, stand-level, and individual tree water stress indica tors for groundwater-dependent riparian forests in multiple-use river basins John Stella, SUNY-ESF (PI); Michael Singer, UCSB (PI); Dar Roberts, UCSB (Co-PI)

This project will develop a suite of water stress indicators at several s cales to assess the health of riparian ecosystems in response to sustained groundwater decline. Riparian forests and woodlands are hotspots of biodiversity and support k ey functions and habitats within river corridors, but they are particularly sensitive  to large changes in water supply. The study will take place in the Santa Clara River (Califor nia, USA), where sustained groundwater pumping for irrigation during a severe drought has  had negative impacts and allows for study of riparian woodland response to short- and long-term climate change. The project team will assess the signals and thresholds o f water stress over the last decade using high-resolution aerial imagery and tree-rings  to develop predictors of long-term impairment and collapse. This work addresses a to pic of urgent scientific and societal importance, namely how to assess and prevent nega tive impacts of drought and human-induced water shortages on vulnerable, high-value riparian ecosystems. In collaboration with The Nature Conservancy, the project tea m will integrate results within statewide guidelines for protecting groundwater-dependent riparian ecosystems mandated under California=92s recent Groundwater Sustainability Management Act. The project will engage the public in several ways, including: 1) consulting with groundwater managers, farmers and other stakeholders through workshops to develop effective methods for communicating results widely; (2) mentoring early career scientists including women in STEM subjects; and 3) engaging with K-12 student programs in diverse local communities to increase environmental awareness in the Santa Clara basin.

As water management in multiple-use river basins around the world becomes increasingly intertwined with large-scale ecosystem restoration, the prop osed research sits at the forefront of broader human-climate-ecosystem challenges facin g societies, businesses, and governments. The project will capitalize on extensive gro undwater well records to link water table dynamics with changes in plant water status d etected at two different scales: (1) basin-wide, high-resolution aerial imagery taken se asonally during the drought; and (2) annual growth and carbon isotope data from tree ring s covering the same period. The study is novel, in that it integrates advanced metho ds in two rapidly-emerging fields, hyperspectral remote sensing and isotope dendroe cology, in developing a holistic understanding of water stress at multiple scales of  resolution. The research is also potentially transformative in that it compares water str ess indicators that vary in their timing, strength, and rates of change, and that it ena bles the assessment of warning signs and time lags between reduced growth and func tioning in individual trees, and synoptic forest decline evident throughout a river  corridor. These findings will have broad application beyond the study system, because the  ecology and functional roles of riparian trees are similar in many water-limited regi ons, with similar foundational importance in groundwater-dependent ecosystems globally.

——————————

Project description:

The invasive plant ecology lab at the University of Wyoming is seeking a PhD level student to head a plant community restoration project. Restoration of the native plant community in areas once under energy development and other major disturbances is a difficult task that is often unsuccessful.  Therefore, this project aims to use novel reclamation strategies to transition disturbed areas into a suitable environment for native plant establishment.

You will have the opportunity to:

-=09Design and develop research related to invasive plant establishment during restoration/reclamation -=09Work directly with county, state, and federal agencies involved in invasive plant management

-=09Present results from this work to stakeholders throughout the region and other professionals nationally -=09Publish peer-reviewed scientific literature

Start date is negotiable; however, work is anticipated to start summer 2017.

Qualifications sought:

=09I am seeking a driven and curious student whom has interest in working closely with state and county agencies to develop better reclamation practices.  This student should also have interest in general ecology, invasion ecology, reclamation and/or invasive plant management and have previous research experience.  Projects will be field-based; therefore, this student should have previous field experience and a desire to work in potentially remote areas.  Significant travel across the state will be required to complete this project so prospective students must be willing to travel (i.e., valid driver’s license).

Application instructions:

=09Please submit in PDF form to Dr. Daniel Tekiela (dtekiela@uwyo.edu) 1) a CV, 2) three professional references, 3) a two- page cover letter describing how your past experience relates to this project and how you would benefit this project, and 4) college transcripts and GRE scores.  Please contact me with any further questions.

Additional information:

The University of Wyoming is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law and University policy. To review the EEO is the Law Poster and its Supplement, please see The Diversity & Fairness page.

We conduct background investigations for all final candidates being considered for employment.  Offers of employment are contingent upon the completion of the background check.

Applicants with disabilities may request accommodation to complete the application and selection process. Please notify Human Resources at least three (3) working days prior to the date of need.

Laramie is a quaint college town with immense culture.  Laramie has multiple local historic sites, museums, social venues, and burgeoning downtown.  Most importantly, Laramie is also located within an hour of numerous outdoor activities including hiking, backpacking, biking, running, downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, fishing, hunting, climbing, etc…

The Morrissey lab at West Virginia University is seeking a motivated Ph.D . student interested in researching microbial ecology and soil carbon cycling. Stud ents with experience in molecular biology, stable isotope probing, bioinformatics, biogeochemistry, and/or soil ecology are particularly encouraged to apply. If you are inte rested in this opportunity please contact Dr. Ember Morrissey and provide a brief descri ption of your research interests and career goals as well as a resume/CV highlighting a ny relevant coursework and experience. Potential students will apply to one of the gr aduate programs within the Davis School of Agriculture at WVU (http://grad.davis.wvu.edu/davis- doctoral-

programs). Lab website: http://morrisseyem.wixsite.com/morrisseywvu

Smithsonian Bicoastal Science Communications Internship

Stipend: $500/week

Time: 18 weeks (April-August or May-September 2017)

Start Date: Flexible, between April 1 and May 15

Location: Edgewater, Md. and Tiburon, Calif.

Application Deadline: February 15, 2017, 11:59 p.m. PST

Description:

Gain hands-on experience with environmental communication on both sides of America! The Smithsonian Environmental Research Center is seeking an intern to work for 18 weeks, from April through August, covering the work of SERC researchers in Maryland and California. The intern will start at SERC’s Chesapeake Bay headquarters in the spring, getting training in SERC science communications. In the summer, the intern will travel to San Francisco Bay to cover the work of SERC marine biologists in California for the remaining 10 weeks. Travel funds from Maryland to California are included.

*         The intern will learn multiple facets of SERC communications, gaining experience in science writing, social media and Web design.

*         The intern will learn to interview scientists, shadowing them in the field and translating complex research into smart, exciting articles.

*         The intern will summarize her/his accomplishments in a public seminar at the end of the project period under the supervision of the communications coordinator.

*         The intern will gain professional development by attending monthly meetings on the National Mall with the other Smithsonian public information officers.

Spring (Part I): Chesapeake Bay

The intern will spend the first eight weeks at SERC’s headquarters in Edgewater, Md. There, the intern will interview SERC scientists in the field and the lab and write about their work. This first part of the internship will introduce the intern to the main features of SERC science communications: writing articles for the SERC Shorelines blog<http://sercblog.si.edu>, preparing posts for SERC’s social media and assisting in the production of SERC’s quarterly newsletter On The Edge, under the mentorship of SERC science writer Kristen Minogue.

Summer (Part II): San Francisco Bay

For the final 10 weeks, the intern will work in California, with the Tiburon section of SERC’s Marine Invasions Research Lab<https://serc.si.edu/labs/marine-invasions-research>. SERC’s Tiburon branch is hosted at the Romberg Tiburon Center<https://serc.si.edu/tiburon-research-branch>, a marine field station of San Francisco State University. SERC marine biologists in Tiburon work in San Francisco Bay and traverse the Pacific Coast studying invasive species, oyster restoration and other critical conservation issues. There, the intern will cover the work of SERC’s West Coast scientists while exploring and developing communication strategies within the Pacific market. During the California part of the internship, the intern will work under the onsite supervision of research ecologist Andrew Chang and correspond with Kristen Minogue via Skype.

Pre-Requisites:

Strong scientific background (natural sciences coursework; not required to be a science major) and skill writing about science for a nonscientific audience. Ability to use Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint) required; familiarity with photo editing software, WordPress and HTML a plus.

To apply:

Send a cover letter, resume with references (name, title and contact information) and unofficial transcript to ScienceWritingIntern@si.edu<mailto:ScienceWritingIntern@si.edu> by 11:59 PST February 15, 2017. One to three published or unpublished writing samples explaining science for general readers are also essential to include for the application to be considered. For more information visit http://serc.si.edu

The Eastern Nevada Landscape Coalition (ENLC) is currently seeking five (5) vegetation monitoring technicians for the upcoming 2017 summer field season to work in the Elko, NV District of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).

Located in Ely, Nevada, the ENLC is a non-profit conservation organization comprised of public, private, and non-profit partners dedicated to the restoration of Western ecosystems through collaborative teamwork.

Elko is located in the remote, northeastern corner of Nevada. The area has a unique blend of Northern Basin and Range and sage brush steppe attributes including beautiful expanses of sagebrush flats and many mountain ranges available for exploring and recreating. The rugged Ruby Mountains lie 20 miles to the southeast of Elko and offer unique hiking, backpacking, climbing, fishing and camping experiences. The city of Elko has a lively downtown area and hosts cultural events throughout the summer (including the International Basque festival, rodeos and the Ruby Mountain Relay).

VEGETATION MONITORING DUTIES: Field crews=92 primary responsibility will be to collect post-fire vegetative response data in burned areas on public lands managed by the BLM as part of the Emergency Stabilization and Rehabilitation (ES&R) program, primarily utilizing Assessment, Inventory and Monitoring (AIM) protocols. Data collected will be used to evaluate the effectiveness of post wildfire rehabilitation treatments. Technicians will be responsible for driving federal vehicles, hiking to sampling locations, following rigorous sampling protocols for vegetation data collection, data quality control and data entry.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE: Applicants should have graduated from a program in biological sciences, ecology, natural resources or other field or have prior working experience in natural resources. Experience in plant identification and a general knowledge of plant taxonomy is required. Applicants should be able to hike 2-10 miles a day while carrying a pack with field equipment, and be comfortable with truck camping in the backcountry for up to 8 days at a time in sometimes harsh weather conditions. Preferred applicants will be experienced with Microsoft Excel and Access, 4WD vehicles, GPS navigation, and have had a clean driving record for the past 3 years.

SALARY: $15-$16/hour, depending on experience (plus $34/day per diem when camping).

SCHEDULE:  Positions in the Elko District will begin in early May and continue through October (start and end dates may change based on weather conditions and work load). Work will occur on an 8-days-on/6-

days-off schedule (10-hour days).

Applicants should email a cover letter, resume, and the contact information for at least three references to Steph Frederick sfrederick@envlc.org. Materials must be emailed by Tuesday February 28, 2017. For more information, please visit our website (http://www.envlc.org) or email Steph. Please include =93Vegetation Monitoring Technician=94 in the email subject line.

The Eastern Nevada Landscape Coalition (ENLC) is currently seeking four(4) invasive plant technicians to work in the Elko, NV District of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).

Located in Ely, Nevada, ENLC is a non-profit conservation organization comprised of public, private, and non-profit partners dedicated to the restoration of the Western ecosystems through collaborative teamwork.

Elko is located in the remote, northeastern corner of Nevada. The area has a unique blend of Northern Basin and Range and sage brush steppe attributes including beautiful expanses of sagebrush flats and many mountain ranges available for exploring and recreating. The rugged Ruby Mountains lie 20 miles to the southeast of Elko and offer unique hiking, backpacking, climbing, fishing and camping experiences. The city of Elko has a lively downtown area and hosts cultural events throughout the summer (including the International Basque festival, rodeos and the Ruby Mountain Relay).

INVASIVE PLANT TECHNICIAN DUTIES: Field crews will work with an experienced crew lead while assisting in inventory and management of invasive plants on public lands. Inventory duties include correctly identifying invasive plant species and infestations, surveying, recording and managing data. Invasive plant control will predominantly consist of herbicide application and manual control (hand pulling/hand tools). All technicians will be responsible for driving  large, federal pick-ups (often towing trailers), operating ATVs and UTVs and hiking to treatment/inventory sites. Technicians are also required to wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Some PPE (neoprene gloves, etc) will be provided by the BLM, but closed-toed shoes and long pants must be provided by applicant. Technicians must be comfortable with truck camping in the backcountry for up to 4 days at a time and MUST be physically able to hike while wearing a 40 lb. backpack sprayer over rough and steep terrain.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE: Qualified applicants should have experience and/or education in invasive plant management, biological sciences, natural resources, plant identification or general plant taxonomy and the ability to follow directions and safety protocols. Applicants must be experienced with 4WD vehicles and should have a clean driving record for the past 3 years. Experience with utilizing GPS units and programs (Trimble units and ArcPad) and ATVs/UTVs is a plus.

SALARY: $14-16/hour, depending on experience (plus $34/day per diem when camping)

SCHEDULE: Positions run from early May through the end of September and follow a 10-hour day/four-day work week. Crews will generally return to Elko in the evenings, though camping near a project site for 4 days at a time will be required for up to two pay periods.=20

Applicants should email a cover letter, resume, and the contact information for at least three references to Steph Frederick sfrederick@envlc.org. Materials must be emailed by Tuesday February 28, 2017. For more information, please visit our website (http://www.envlc.org) or email Steph. Please include =93Invasive Plant Technician=94 in the email subject line.

The U.S. Geological Survey Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center is

seeking applicants for a total of five biological science technician

positions (emphasis on vegetation) in the northern Great Plains.  Three

positions will work on a rangeland assessment at Badlands National Park,

and two positions will participate in research on controlling invasive

annual brome grasses in two or more parks in South Dakota and Nebraska.

Only applicants who are 18 years or older and current students or recent

graduates (graduated within 12 months of the position=E2=80=99s end date,

Bachelor’s or Master’s level) are eligible for these positions.  Children

and spouses of current USGS employees are not eligible.

Pay ranges from $15.13-$20.96/hr, with duration of positions ranging from

~3 months (late May-mid August) to ~6 months (mid April – mid October),

depending on position.  All positions are full time (40 hr/week).

For details and information on how to apply, go to

http://wfscjobs.tamu.edu/jobs/biological-science-technician-plants-south-dakota-2/

and

http://wfscjobs.tamu.edu/jobs/biological-science-technician-plants-south-dakota/

We are hiring field technicians to work at the Teakettle Experimental Forest. Teakettle is a 1300 ha old-growth, mixed-conifer forest 80 km east of Fresno, CA at 2200 m elevation in the Sierra Nevada. Duties will include, but are not limited to mapping forest structure and shrub cover using a surveyor=92s total station, basic tree measurements, and assisting visiting scientists with their projects as needed. These projects may include: basic soils work (coring, soil moisture, etc.), small mammal trapping, seedling inventories, understory plant surveys, soil respiration measurement, microclimate data collection and tree coring. Desired skills include plant identification, use of a total station, basic knowledge of tree measurements, and previous experience working as a crewmember. The facilities at Teakettle are rustic due to the remote location of the station. The cabin has solar power, bathrooms, kitchen and common space; individuals will spend the summer sleeping in tents. The nearest town for supplies is Shaver Lake, CA, approximately a 1-hour drive from the field station.

The pay is $14/hr. The field season will begin in mid-June and run through late August 2017. Transportation to the field location is the responsibility of the technician.

To apply please visit https://unmjobs.unm.edu/

Title:  Field Research Assistant=20=20 Posting Number:  0837551=20

If you have any questions regarding the application process, please email Marissa Goodwin at mjgoodwin@unm.edu

Job Description

The University of Waterloo=92s Natural Gas Reclamation in the Sagebrush-

Steppe Project is seeking bird research technicians to assist with avian point counts, monitoring greater sage-grouse fitted with GPS backpack trackers, nest productivity monitoring (songbirds and sage-grouse), and vegetation sampling. The research will be conducted in large-scale natural gas reclamation areas in sagebrush habitat in the Powder River Basin, Wyoming. The objective of this component of the research is to better understand the response of sagebrush obligate birds to landscape scale habitat reclamation. Lodging will be provided in Buffalo or Sheridan, Wyoming. The work term will be from 01 May to approx. 31 August 2017 (exact end dates are somewhat flexible).

Primary Duties

=95=09Conducting avian point-count surveys

=95=09Songbird nest searching and nest productivity monitoring

=95=09Greater sage-grouse monitoring and tracking

=95=09Microhabitat vegetation sampling

=95=09Data entry and data proofing

=95=09Operating 4×4 vehicles

=95=09Operating ATV=92s

Work will require long hours in the field in adverse weather condition, working alone and hiking long distances. Technicians must be able to work well with others, live side-by-side with coworkers and have good communication skills.

Qualifications

=95Completion or enrollment in, a college/university program in wildlife ecology/management, biology, zoology, or other natural resource related fields

=95Have the ability to legibly record field data and enter data into a computer (Excel, Word, etc.)

=95Understand the use of GPS equipment and basic navigation with a compass

=95Have experience conducting field work

=95Be willing to work long days ( > 8 hours) in the field and often 6 day weeks

=95Valid full driver=92s license

=95First Aid and CPR training

=95Previous work with songbirds and/or sage-grouse is a plus

=95Knowledge of songbird bird identification is a plus

=95Training or previous work using telemetry or tracking animals is a plus

Compensation

Technicians will be paid $1850 USD per month and housing will be provided. Technicians will be responsible for their own living expenses (e.g., food).

How to apply

If you are interested in joining the project and spending the summer near the Bighorn Mountains in Wyoming, please email a cover letter, resume, and at least two professional references to ckirol@uwaterloo.ca. The study area is ~ 30 miles east of Buffalo, Wyoming. Applications will be taken until 10 March 2017, or until the positions are filled. You can find project details at http://fedylab.uwaterloo.ca/.

The University of North Carolina Wilmington is currently recruiting for the

fall 2017 cohort in the Masters of Science in Environmental Studies program.

The non-thesis program is an exciting, interdisciplinary curriculum focusing

on linking classroom experience with hands-on fieldwork, culminating in a

semester-long internship/practicum with an environmentally-related

organization. Our program is both challenging and rewarding, with a high

degree of collegiality among students and faculty.

MS concentrations are available in:

-Coastal Management

-Environmental Conservation and Management

-Marine and Coastal Education

-Environmental Education and Interpretation

An Individualized Concentration is also available for those who wish to

design their own curriculum in conjunction with faculty.

For more information, and a link to application materials: http://www.uncw.edu/evs/graduate_programs.html. Be sure to watch our short video about the program with student

testimonials:

http://catalogue.uncw.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=3D40&poid=3D6798&returnto=3D5215

For more information about UNCW, feel free to see our University=92s web site:

www.uncw.edu.

The deadline for fall 2017 priority application is March 15, and our regular

deadline is April 15, 2017.

For questions or additional information, please feel free to contact me.

Best wishes,

Dr. James A. Rotenberg

Graduate Program Coordinator

email: rotenbergj@uncw.edu