LSU Department of Entomology

For agroecosystems to be sustainable, they must be both productive and protective.  Agroecosystems must provide sufficient natural enemy diversity to help regulate pest populations.  However, though insecticides are often a necessary tactic used to control insect pest populations, they disrupt the integrity of agroecosystems.  We seek a highly motivated M.S. student to evaluate the effects of current insecticides meant to control stink bugs on soybean looper and natural enemies.  The student will test whether insecticides cause pest resurgence and secondary pests by reducing natural enemies.  Over the course of the project, the student will create and validate best management practices that integrate insecticides to control pests while preserving natural enemies and ecological partnerships.

The successful student will have the opportunity to work in diverse agricultural production systems throughout Louisiana and will be expected to publish both peer-reviewed journal articles and extension publications.  The student will gain valuable experience in southern field crop production, from planting to harvest, including pest scouting.  This is also an exciting opportunity to gain valuable experience in systems level ecological management.

A full stipend including tuition waiver for a full three years is available immediately.

Requirements:  A B.S. degree in Life Sciences and a valid driver=92s license.

Interested students should send a letter of interest including future research and professional goals and a CV including a list of references to Dr. Jeff Davis at jeffdavis@agcenter.lsu.edu.

Background Information:  The Department of Entomology is an essential part of the Louisiana State University Agriculture Center located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.  The Department of Entomology was established in 1889 and includes 13 faculty involved in basic and applied research related to pollinators, urban pests, taxonomy, integrated pest management, toxicology, biological control, and insect physiology.

We are seeking two summer undergraduate researchers to participate in a project investigating how variation of streamflow affects energy transfer through stream food webs. The goal of the Food Chain Length (FCL) project is to link the mechanisms of temporal variation in streamflow and intensity of disturbance regimes to FCL in aridland streams. Ongoing research conducted in streams across Arizona includes repeated measures of variation in food chain length, ecosystem metabolism, nitrate concentrations, and experimental nitrogen pulse manipulations. Additionally, we are investigating how flood pulses of water and nitrogen stimulate production in the riparian ecosystem by measuring changes in soil processes, primary producers, and consumers.

Students will contribute both to the field campaign and laboratory sample processing. Students will also collaborate closely with the principal investigator, graduate students, and technicians to develop an independent research project that will build on the ongoing research.

Fieldwork will consist of traveling to rivers across the state of Arizona for aquatic biological surveys, water quality measurements, sensor maintenance, and requires spending long days in the desert during the Arizona summer, often carrying heavy equipment. Lab work will consist of processing samples for stable isotope analysis, invertebrate sorting, and soil microbial activity and nutrient assays.

Applicant requirements: Students must have demonstrated interest in ecology. The position lasts 12 weeks, preferably starting in early May, though exact dates are flexible and is based at Arizona State University. Application is restricted to currently enrolled undergraduates that graduate no sooner than fall 2017. All applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

Desired qualifications: Previous experience with laboratory or field-

based research; coursework in biology, ecology, chemistry, and math/statistics; enthusiasm about conducting both field and lab work, with occasional long days in the field or multi-day field trips; valid U.S. driver=92s license. Women, underrepresented minorities, and persons with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply.

To apply: 1) letter summarizing research interests and experience, 2) list of relevant coursework, and 3) CV to Dr. Tamara Harms (tkharms@alaska.edu) by March 21, 2017

The Walters Lab in the Department of Forestry at Michigan State University

is looking to hire several field technicians for the coming summer season.

We are an applied forest ecology (silviculture) lab with a current focus on

exploring alternative management regimes in northern hardwood forests. The

upcoming field season will involve surveying pre-harvest vegetation

structure for forests to be harvested Winter 2017/18, marking forest stands

for harvest, and quantifying the impacts of beech bark disease on forest

stand structure in aftermath forests. There is a possibility for one

position to transition to a combined field/lab technician role in support

of a dendrochronology project. Field sites are throughout the Upper

Peninsula and northern Lower Peninsula in Michigan.

Desired skills: Experience or aptitude for plant identification, and GPS

navigation; interest in forest ecology/silviculture; experience and/or

desire to work outdoors in rugged conditions. Undergraduates and recent

graduates are encouraged to apply.

Time Frame: May =E2=80=93 August with the opportunity for one or two to sta=

rt in

early April for timber marking work and the opportunity for one position to

extend beyond the end of August.

Pay rate: $11/hr minimum, commensurate with experience. Typically 40

hours/week. We provide housing.

To apply: Submit a CV or resume, list of three references with contact

information (including email and phone number), and a brief cover letter

outlining your interest in the position and relevant experience, as well as

your dates of availability, to Evan Farinosi (farinosi@msu.edu) with

=E2=80=9CWalters Lab Summer Field Technician=E2=80=9D in the subject line.

The Belovsky Lab has paid positions available this summer to assist with

their long-term (30+ years) experimental project in Montana grasslands

(NSF: LTREB).  This study uses field experiments to understand how food and

predators influence grasshopper behavior and ecology in combination with

varying climate.  Field assistants/interns will help with the field portion

of this project on the National Bison Range, Moiese, MT.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES: The position is 90% + field work.  Assistants

will help set up (assemble, catch grasshoppers and stock experiments),

monitor, and take down experiments.  Daily work will include monitoring

grasshopper densities in the experiments, maintaining experimental cages,

and sampling vegetation and soils.  Assistants will gain experience with a

wide variety of ecological field techniques, including insect enclosures,

soil nutrient manipulation experiments, quantification of herbivore damage

and plant growth, and insect behavior.  Assistants also will learn relevant

principles of experimental and sampling design in field ecology, as well as

identification of key insects and plants in Palouse Prairie grasslands.

QUALIFICATIONS:

. Completion of or pursuing a degree in ecology, biology, entomology,

conservation biology or related field.

. Capacity to learn identification of grasshoppers and Palouse Prairie

flora, including grasses.  Previous field experience with plants and

insects is preferred, but not required.

. Hard-working, highly motivated, ability to accurately collect data, keep

meticulous records, and pay close attention to detail while performing

repetitive tasks; ability to work independently as wells as contribute to a

positive group dynamic.

. Must be willing to work outside for long periods in unpredictable weather

and conditions, some heavy lifting is required.  Also, the ability to deal

with a flexible work schedule (i.e., work around weather conditions and

phenology of grasshoppers).

APPLICATION DETAILS:

2 positions: One position starts May 15 and ends September 30, 2017.

Second position starts Aug 1 and ends Sept 30, 2017. Shared housing is

provided near the research site, as well as a stipend of approximately

$1200/mo.  Travel to/from Montana is not provided.

By March 20, please send letter of interest, resume and contact information

for 3 references (name, position, phone, e-mail) to Jennifer Belovsky by

e-mail belovsky.2@nd.edu.

Hiring is through the University of Notre Dame.  The University of Notre

Dame is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

For more information visit the Belovsky labpage – –

http://belovskylab.nd.edu

Nate Hardy is looking for two graduate students  (either PhD or MS) to jo=

in his research group at Auburn University and work on the evolutionary biodiversity of sap-sucking bugs. He needs help with two projects: 1) Estimating the aphid phylogeny and using it to figure out what drives speciation in plant-eating insects. 2) Conducting selection experiments a=

nd gene expression analyses to figure out how plant-eating insects evolve th=

eir diets. Please see the Hardy Lab website (http://hardylab.skullisland.info=

/) for a more detailed overview of the research program.

Students with an interest in any of the following subjects are encouraged=

to apply: speciation, species diversity, phylogenomics, comparative phylogenetics, evolutionary ecology, experimental evolution, and transcriptomics.

Four years of support are available for PhD students and two years for MS=

students, through graduate research fellowships that include a tuition waiver, health benefits and a competitive stipend. The start date for bot=

h positions is August 18, the beginning of the 2017 Fall Semester.

If you are interested, please send a CV and a short statement of your research interests (less than 500 words) to Nate Hardy, n8@auburn.edu. Fe=

el free to contact him by email for further information. Please also apply t=

o the Auburn Graduate School (http://graduate.auburn.edu/prospective-

students/application-instructions/). Review of applicants will start on M=

arch 24. The positions will stay open until filled.

Dr Nate B Hardy

Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology

Auburn University

Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama 36849

n8@auburn.edu

Gary Belovsky in the Dept. of Biological Sciences at the University of

Notre Dame is seeking applicants for an NSF Research Experience for

Undergraduates (REU) position in summer 2017 to study insect ecology.

The REU student will be part of a research team examining grasshopper

ecology in western Montana, at the National Bison Range National Wildlife

Refuge in Moiese, Montana.  Potential projects for the REU include

examining grasshopper population dynamics or species interactions

(competition, predation, etc).

We are looking for an enthusiastic candidate with a solid academic record,

and a strong interest in field ecology.  The REU will be working as part of

a team, which can include working outside for long periods in unpredictable

weather and conditions, and which requires the ability to work

independently as well as contribute to a positive group dynamic.

The duration of the study is from June 1 to mid-August, although the dates

are somewhat flexible. The REU student will earn a stipend of $4500.

Research supplies, lodging, and travel to/from Montana will be provided.

Review of applications will begin after mid-March and continue until

filled. Eligible candidates must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents

and must be enrolled as an undergraduate for Fall 2017. Students from

underrepresented groups in STEM disciplines are particularly encouraged to

apply.

To apply, please e-mail the following application materials to Jennifer

Belovsky (belovsky.2@nd.edu) with the subject line =E2=80=9CREU=E2=80=9D no=

later

than March 17, 2017:

1.  Statement/cover letter explaining the following:

=E2=80=A2why you are interested in this position

=E2=80=A2what are your future plans

=E2=80=A2dates you are available to start and end this position

=E2=80=A2confirm eligibility for the REU program

=E2=80=A2your e-mail address and phone number

2.  Resume

3.  Names and contact information for two people who can serve as your

references

For more information, please contact Jennifer Belovsky (belovsky.2@nd.edu)

or visit the Belovsky labpage – – http://belovskylab.nd.edu

The HilleRisLambers community ecology lab at the University of Washington is seeking applicants for an NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) in the summer of 2017.  The REU student will work with Drs. Janneke HilleRisLambers and Amy Angert (at University of British Columbia) to develop and implement an independent project focusing on how plant communities vary across large-scale macroclimatic and fine-scale microclimatic gradients, relevant to understanding impacts of climate change. Field work will occur in Washington at Mt. Rainier National Park, North Cascades National Park, and nearby National Forests; with lab work occurring at University of Washington (in Seattle).

The REU will run 12 weeks from June 5th =96 August 25th, with some flexibility in start and end dates possible. A stipend of $600/week is provided for the 12-week period of the internship. Lodging, travel and food are provided while conducting field work.

To apply and get more information about the position, please visit https://catalyst.uw.edu/webq/survey/jhrl/325701. We will start reviewing applications on March 20th, and anticipate making hiring decisions by early to mid April. To be eligible, you must be a US Citizen or permanent resident currently working towards a Bachelor=92s degree in a related field, graduating no sooner than Fall of 2017.

For more information about Dr. HilleRisLambers and Dr. Angert research groups, visit http://faculty.washington.edu/jhrl/Index.html and http://angert.botany.ubc.ca/.

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment (iSEE)

Global Change Ecology and Stable Isotope Biogeochemistry Lab

Field and Laboratory Research Technician

The Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment at the

University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign seeks a full time research

technician in the Global Change Ecology and Stable Isotope Biogeochemistry

lab to work on a project funded by the USDA. This is a 12-month

non-tenure-track Academic Professional position.  The overall goal of the

project is to create the knowledge and institutional capacity to guide the

transition from corn-soy rotation to production agroforestry— which

involves growing multiple tree, shrub, and herbaceous species together to

produce staple food and fodder crops—on marginal lands in the Midwest,

U.S. Our interdisciplinary team, in collaboration with the Savanna

Institute, will assess the ecosystem services enhancement by production

agroforestry relative to corn-soy rotation on working farms in the

Midwest. Our objectives are to: (1) Build an integrated community of

Midwest production agroforestry farmers and researchers; (2) Quantify the

effect of fertilization on tradeoffs among yield, nutrient leaching, and

soil greenhouse gas emissions from production agroforestry versus corn-soy

rotation; and (3) Characterize the life cycle environmental implications

of a transition from corn-soy rotation to production agroforestry.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The successful candidate will participate in the establishment,

maintenance and sampling of replicated field experiments on working farms

throughout the Midwest, U.S. Extensive fieldwork will require the

technician to travel throughout the Midwest for 1-2 weeks per month during

the snow-free season. The balance of the technician’s time will be spent

in the laboratory for the following: analyzing soil, gas, and water

samples; preparing field supplies; maintaining laboratory instrumentation

related to this project (including a gas chromatograph and isotope ratio

mass spectrometer interfaced with a trace gas analyzer and elemental

analyzer); supervising undergraduate students assisting with this project;

and purchasing and receiving chemicals and scientific supplies related to

this project. Depending on experience, there is also opportunity to assist

with data compilation and analysis.

Required qualifications: A bachelor’s degree in biology, environmental

science, chemistry, or related field (alternate degree fields will be

considered/accepted depending upon depth and breadth of experience and

skills as related to this position).  Research experience in the

laboratory and/or field.  Basic computer skills (MS Word, Excel).

Preferred qualifications: Research experience in the laboratory and/or in

the field related to biogeochemistry (e.g., trace gas flux measurements,

soil sampling, wet chemistry, gas chromatography).  Experience working on

farms and with farmers, strongly preferred.

Salary: Commensurate with experience and qualifications

Start date:  as soon as possible

Applications must be received by March 20, 2017. To apply, all candidates

must submit an online profile through https://jobs.illinois.edu by the

close of the posting period. Qualified candidates must upload a letter of

which details qualifications noted above, resume and the names and contact

information of three professional references.  All requested information

must be submitted for your application to be considered. Incomplete

applications will not be reviewed.

For further information, please contact: Susan Key, Human Resources,

susankey@illinois.edu

Illinois is an Affirmative Action /Equal Opportunity Employer and welcomes

individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and ideas who embrace

and value diversity and inclusivity. (www.inclusiveillinois.illinois.edu)

The University of Illinois conducts criminal background checks on all job

candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer.

Illinois is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants

will receive consideration for employment without regard to race,

religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender

identity, age, status as a protected veteran,  status as a qualified

individual with a disability, or criminal conviction history. Illinois

welcomes individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and ideas who

embrace and value diversity and inclusivity.

(www.inclusiveillinois.illinois.edu).

Jill Anderson and Susana Wadgymar at the University of Georgia are searching

for an enthusiastic undergraduate with a strong interest in evolutionary

ecology for field research in an NSF REU position (National Science

Foundation, Research Experience for Undergraduates) from June-August 2017.

We study the ecological and evolutionary consequences of climate change for

natural plant populations. We focus on research on Drummond=92s rockcress

(Boechera stricta in the plant family Brassicaceae), a mustard plant native

to the Rocky Mountains. Our studies take place around the Rocky Mountain

Biological Lab (http://www.rmbl.org/), which is located in Gothic, Colorado

near the wildflower capital of Colorado (Crested Butte).  We quantify plant

fitness and traits to ask whether climate change could disrupt long-standing

patterns of local adaptation, and to test whether phenotypic plasticity will

enable populations to persist in the short-term. We perform large-scale

reciprocal transplant experiments to examine patterns of adaptive evolution

and natural selection in contemporary landscapes. Since fall 2013, we have

planted ~60,000 seeds and seedlings into five experimental gardens ranging

in elevation from 2500 m to 3340 m (8202 feet to 11000 feet). Our summer

research involves intensive monitoring of these experimental plants to

record data on germination success, survival, growth, reproductive success,

as well as life history and morphological traits. We conduct most of our

work in the field, with a small proportion of indoor lab work.

The successful candidate will assist with ongoing fieldwork. In addition,

there are many opportunities for students to develop independent projects

associated with our overall objectives, including studies on: 1) population

divergence in ecologically-relevant traits, especially drought, UV

tolerance, and herbivore resistance; 2) phenotypic plasticity at multiple

spatial scales; 3) population density and species composition of the

herbivore community that attacks Drummond=92s rockcress; 4) flower color

polymorphism; and 5) the importance of maternal effects in biological

responses to climate change.

We are offering a stipend of $500/week for a full time REU student (40

hours/week) for 10 weeks.  The exact start and end dates are flexible. We

will cover room and board at the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory and

reimburse travel expenses up to $500. Fieldwork will involve hiking to

experimental gardens through rough terrain (1-3 miles one-way daily).

The University of Georgia is committed to maintaining a fair and respectful

environment for living, work, and study.  To that end, all qualified

applicants from individuals with a strong interest in evolutionary biology

will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color,

religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity,

disability status, or age.  The application consists of a cover letter

listing your qualifications, a CV/ r=E9sum=E9, and contact information for two

references, all of which can be emailed to Dr. Jill Anderson at: jta24@uga.edu

Applications are due by March 24th, 2017.

Feel free to contact Jill or Susana (susanaw@uga.edu) if you have any

questions about the position.  Additional information about the our work can

be found at: http://andersonlab.genetics.uga.edu/Home.html

Jill Anderson=92s lab at the University of Georgia is searching for two field

research assistants from June-August 2017.

We study the ecological and evolutionary consequences of climate change for

natural plant populations. We focus on research on Drummond=92s rockcress

(Boechera stricta in the plant family Brassicaceae), a mustard plant native

to the Rocky Mountains. Our studies take place around the Rocky Mountain

Biological Lab (http://www.rmbl.org/), which is located in Gothic, Colorado

near the wildflower capital of Colorado (Crested Butte).  We quantify plant

fitness and traits to ask whether climate change could disrupt long-standing

patterns of local adaptation, and to test whether phenotypic plasticity will

enable populations to persist in the short-term. We perform large-scale

reciprocal transplant experiments to examine patterns of adaptive evolution

and natural selection in contemporary landscapes. Since fall 2013, we have

planted ~80,000 seeds and seedlings into five experimental gardens ranging

in elevation from 2500 m to 3340 m (8202 feet to 11000 feet). Our summer

research involves intensive monitoring of these experimental plants to

record data on germination success, survival, growth, reproductive success,

as well as life history and morphological traits. We conduct most of our

work in the field, with a small proportion of indoor lab work.

The successful candidate will assist with ongoing field and laboratory

studies for 8-10 weeks from June – August. The exact start and end dates are

negotiable. We are offering $10/hour for a full time field assistant (40

hours/week) from June through August. We will cover housing costs and

station fees at the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory and reimburse

travel expenses up to $400, but the field assistant would be responsible for

her/his food costs. Fieldwork will involve hiking to experimental gardens

through rough terrain (1-3 miles one-way daily).

The University of Georgia is committed to maintaining a fair and respectful

environment for living, work, and study.  To that end, all qualified

applicants from individuals with a strong interest in evolutionary biology

will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color,

religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity,

disability status, or age.  The application consists of a cover letter your

qualifications, a CV/ r=E9sum=E9 and contact information for two references,

which should be submitted via email to Jill at jta24@uga.edu. Please include

=93application for field tech position=94 in the subject of your email.

Applications are due by March 27th, 2017.

Feel free to contact Jill if you have any questions about the position.

Additional information about our work can be found at:

http://andersonlab.genetics.uga.edu/Home.html