The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking four (4) volunteers to begin

in early May 2017 for up to 8 months to join the 14th Crazy Ant Strike Team

(CAST 14) Expedition to Johnston Atoll National Wildlife Refuge to continue

work towards eradicating an infestation of the Yellow Crazy Ant (YCA) and

to monitor seabirds and other wildlife. Johnston Atoll is located in the

central Pacific Ocean about 720 nautical miles west-southwest of Honolulu

and is uninhabited except for the four volunteers and one crew leader.

Applicants must be willing and able to work 48 hours per week. Must be

physically fit and able to walk 10 miles a day over variable terrain, lift

and carry 50 lbs, ride a bicycle, swim, be able to perform repetitive

stooping and bending motions and be able to perform all duties in various

weather conditions including high heat and humidity, strong winds, and

rain. Must have excellent interpersonal skills and be able to work well

independently as well as closely in a small group. All CAST members must

follow all pesticide and safety protocols. Qualified applicants MUST

possess a valid passport that will not expire before June 2018. Possession

of a valid U.S. driver=E2=80=99s license is preferred.

Applications will be reviewed as they are received and the positions will

remain open until filled. Interviews may begin as early as late January so

candidates are encouraged to apply early.

For the full position description and for instructions on how to apply,

please see the posting on Texas A&M:

http://wfscjobs.tamu.edu/jobs/crazy-ant-strike-team-volunteer-honolulu-hawaii-johnston-atoll-nwr/

Contact Katrina Scheiner with any questions at katrina_scheiner@fws.gov.

Highstead <http://highstead.net/>, a regional land conservation and

ecological research center is accepting applications for one field ecology

intern to participate in Highstead=E2=80=99s long-term research and monitoring

program in the summer of 2017.  Major projects include resampling the

herbaceous layers of (1) 8 deer exclosure and paired control plots in

disturbed (blowdown + salvage log) and undisturbed forest in southwestern

CT; (2) 8 deer exclosure and paired control plots at the Harvard Forest

Hemlock Removal Experiment in central Massachusetts.  Additional projects

will include (3) resampling wetland vegetation plots as part of a

*Phragmites* removal project at Highstead and, time permitting, (4) a pilot

study looking at the effects of beaver on riparian forest structure and

composition.  The intern will gain extensive experience with forest

vegetation sampling techniques and woody and herbaceous plant

identification.  Positions will be predominantly field-based but will also

include data entry, some herbarium work (mounting pressed specimens),

limited data analysis, and preparing a 15-20 minute final presentation for

Highstead staff.  The internship will be based in Redding, Connecticut, but

will include travel and overnight stays to conduct field work at the

Harvard Forest in central Massachusetts.

*Qualifications:*

Upper level undergraduate or recent graduate in botany, ecology, or related

field.  Applicants should have previous experience with field work.

Successful applicants must (1) have a keen interest in the study and

intensive identification of woody and herbaceous plants including grasses

and sedges (2) be enthusiastic about conducting intensive fieldwork in hot,

humid and sometimes rainy weather; in a landscape with deer ticks; and in

forest understories with downed trees and thick, often spiny shrub layers

(3) be very detail-oriented to collect careful and accurate data in

challenging field conditions, collect and press unknown plant specimens,

and enter data into a database; and (4) have the flexibility to adapt to

several different research projects including some travel; and (5) have a

positive can-do attitude.

*Position Dates*: Monday, May 29 – Friday, August 11, 2017

*Stipend:* $5,000.00 and free furnished housing.

*To apply*, please send a cover letter and resume (with relevant experience

and contact information for three references) to

jcologgi@highstead.net; *reference

Ecology Intern Application as the email subject*.  Accepting applications

immediately.  Review of applicants will begin in mid-February and continue

until position is filled in March.

The University of Michigan Biological Station (UMBS) is now accepting
applications
for its Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program, “Climate
Change in the Great Lakes Region.”

Our REU summer program runs for nine weeks (June 20 – August 19, 2017) at
the U-M Biological Station on Douglas Lake in beautiful northern Michigan.
Each REU participant will:

— Work closely with a research mentor on a project of mutual interest.
— Design, conduct, analyze, and report on their research project with
guidance from the mentor and the two program co-directors.
— Participate in workshops and group discussions designed to provide the
background knowledge and technical tools needed to carry out interdisciplinary
scientific research.
— Contribute to the body of knowledge that can help address many of Earth’s
most important environmental challenges.

COMPENSATION: Participants receive: a stipend of $5,000; free room and
board at the Station; and a travel allowance.

DEADLINE: The deadline to apply is Wednesday, March 1, 2017.

Application and details at:
*http://lsa.umich.edu/content/michigan-lsa/umbs/en/students/research-opportunities/reu-program.html*
<http://lsa.umich.edu/content/michigan-lsa/umbs/en/students/research-opportunities/reu-program.html>
The University of Michigan Biological Station is located on Douglas
Lake near Pellston, Michigan at the tip of the lower peninsula. Surrounded
by more than 10,000 acres of undeveloped university-owned property, Students
have quick access to many unique habitats in the region including dune,
alvar, bog, and old-growth forest. UMBS also
has two atmospheric gas sensing towers for monitoring forest and atmospheric
gas. More information is available at http://www.lsa.umich.edu/umbs.

*Stephanie Fortino*
Recruitment and Outreach Coordinator, University of Michigan Biological
Station
(734) 763-8574 | safort@umich.edu | lsa.umich.edu/umbs

Subject: FW: Job: CHICAGO BOTANIC GARDEN, RESEARCH EXPERIENCE FOR UNDERGRADUATES (REU)

*Summer Research Experiences for Undergrads (REU)*

The Chicago Botanic Garden welcomes undergraduates* interested in plant
biology and conservation to apply to our REU program, funded by the
National Science Foundation. This 10 week internship program, offered from
June – August 2017, provides undergraduate participants an opportunity to
explore a diverse array of scientific fields related to plant biology and
conservation spanning genetic to ecosystem levels of inquiry. Interns work
with a mentor to conduct an independent research project, participate in
training and professional development programs, and present their results
to a broad audience. Travel, room and board, and research costs are covered
by the program. Participants also receive a $5,000 stipend. *Application
deadline is February 1, 2017.* For more information, please visit our
website at:http://www.cbgreu.org/<http://www.cbgreu.org/>.

**You must be a current undergraduate student (enrolled spring and fall
2017) and a citizen or permanent resident of the United States or its
territories to qualify for this internship.*

Subject: PhD Assistantship available: Arctic Ecology

The McLaren Lab at the University of Texas at El Paso is looking for

graduate students interested in working at the intersection of ecosystem and

community ecology. A PhD position is available on an NSF-funded project

examining the role of small mammals on carbon cycling in arctic tundra. This

project will use a combination of field experiments with manipulations of

mammal densities, measurements of plant and soil responses, and modeling and

is a collaboration with faculty at Columbia University, Towson University,

University of New Hampshire and the Marine Biological Laboratory. The

project will involve summer field work in Alaska at Toolik Field Station,

Barrow and Nome. The PhD student will assist with data collection for the

larger project while developing his/her own dissertation project in

conjunction with our research questions. The student will be support through

a combination of RAships and TAships.

Qualified candidates should have a B.S. or M.S. (preferred) in Ecology,

Biology, Environmental Science or related field, and show a strong interest

in plant ecology, ecosystem ecology or biogeochemistry. Ideal candidates

will have some previous research experience in field ecology, a strong work

ethic, be able to work independently and with a field crew, and availability

to begin in June 2017.

More information about my lab at UT El Paso is available at

www.jenniemclaren.com More information about the Department of Biological

Sciences and its graduate programs can be found at

http://science.utep.edu/biology/ and http://science.utep.edu/eeb/.

Applications for graduate school are due Feb 1 but students are encouraged

to contact me well in advance of that date.

Interested students should send a c.v. and short statement of research

interests to Jennie McLaren at jrmclaren@utep.edu prior to applying.

Subject: Marine science REU at Texas A&M University – Galveston campus

Texas A&M University Galveston invites talented undergraduate students from diverse backgrounds to participate in a 10-week immersive experience in Summer 2017 to conduct semi-independent research that will address the complexities and challenges related to our world’s oceans and coastal environments through OCEANUS (Ocean and Coastal Research Experiences for Undergraduates), an exciting interdisciplinary program funded by the National Science Foundation (Award Number: 1560242). Target majors include biology (evolution, ecology), physics, chemistry, environmental science, geosciences, maritime industry/commerce, computer science and engineering majors.

To learn more about the program, please visit: http://tamug.edu/research/OCEANUS/

To apply, please visit: https://apply2.cse.tamu.edu/apps/OCEANUS

For additional inquiries contact:

Dr. Liz Borda, OCEANUS Program Coordinator

Email: OCEANUS@tamug.edu<mailto:OCEANUS@tamug.edu>

Phone: 409-740-4542

Subject: Job Posting: Summer forest ecology field positions with USDA Forest Service in Washington State, USA

The following positions are currently open on USAJOBS through Monday, January 9, 2017.

USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station, Wenatchee, WA

POSITIONS:  Biological Science Technicians (Plants), GS-0404-03/05/07

Forestry Technician (Research), GS-0462-05

SALARY:         $12.53 to $19.49 per hour

TYPE OF APPOINTMENT:  Temporary 180 day appointment

STARTING DATE(S):  May 1, May 15, or June 12, 2017, as negotiated

ENDING DATE: September 30, 2017 (or earlier, as negotiated)

NUMBER OF POSITIONS:  6-8

TOUR OF DUTY:  Full Time.

HOUSING: Not provided.

AREA OF CONSIDERATION: All U.S. citizens

LOCATION: PNW Research Station, U.S. Forest Service, Wenatchee, WA

DUTIES: Biological Science Technicians and Forestry Technicians collect field data for research projects related to forest ecology, fire ecology, and climate change in the interior Pacific Northwest. Research topics include the effects of forest restoration treatments on fuels, understory vegetation, and wildfire severity; the effectiveness and ecological impacts of post-fire forest management practices; and tree growth responses to past climatic variability and change. Field data collection duties include identifying plants to species, estimating plant cover, measuring tree diameters, measuring surface fuels and coarse woody debris, collecting and processing increment cores from trees, accurately recording data, driving on narrow and rough roads, and entering field data into a database or spreadsheet.

Field work will take place in north-central Washington State, near Wenatchee, Washington.  Technicians typically work in teams of 3-4 in the field.  Field work involves strenuous exercise, exposure to extreme temperature and weather conditions, and may require extended trips (up to 8 days) to collect data from remote locations. Some camping may be required. Candidates will be chosen based on their experience and education.  Preferred candidates for GS-7 positions will have demonstrated proficiency in field botany, GIS analysis, statistical analysis, or multivariate analysis of plant community data.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:  The work involves long hours spent standing, bending, and walking, often over rough terrain requiring physical exertion. Technicians may be required to lift containers weighing up to 35 pounds while performing the assignment. The typical field work schedule consists of four 10-hour days per week.

HOW TO APPLY: Applicants must apply through USAJOBS (www.usajobs.gov) under the following job announcement numbers.

17-TEMP-PNW-0404-3BAID-DT

17-TEMP-PNW-0404-5PLN-DT

17-TEMP-PNW-0462-5RES-DT

17-TEMP-PNW-0404-7PLNT-DT

QUESTIONS: Questions may be directed to Dave Peterson (davepeterson@fs.fed.us, 509-664-1727)

The deadline for receipt of complete applications is Monday, January 9, 2017.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program.  (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.)  Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).  To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).

Dave W Peterson, PhD

Research Forester

Forest Service

Pacific Northwest Research Station, TCM Program

davepeterson@fs.fed.us<mailto:davepeterson@fs.fed.us>

Interns needed for food web study

*Dates:*  Late March through early June

*Location:*  Carrizo Plain National Monument, California (60 miles east of

San Luis Obispo)

*Duties:*  2 interns are needed to conduct a variety of animal surveys as

part of a long-term food web study in the Carrizo Plain National Monument.

The Carrizo is the largest remnant of the San Joaquin grassland ecosystem

and contains many endangered plants and animals. Interns will work on a

team of 3-5 people and will conduct a variety of surveys, focusing

especially on mark-recapture of endangered kangaroo rats. Mark-recapture

surveys of threatened squirrels, visual line transects for reptiles,

pitfall trapping for invertebrates, and spotlight surveys for predators and

lagomorphs may also be conducted, and team members will help with

vegetation sampling. Interns will also take down precipitation plot

equipment and assist with other duties as needed.

*Requirements:  *All applicants must be pursuing or have a bachelor=E2=80=

=99s

degree in the natural sciences and have previous field experience.

Applicants must be able to start work by the last week of March and work

through early to mid-June. A strong interest in natural history,

conservation, and/or management and a high level of responsibility,

organization, and motivation are require.  It is helpful to have PIT

tagging experience, small mammal trapping experience, and familiarity with

the plants and animals of California.  Must be flexible and live and work

well with others in an isolated setting. Applicants must be able to

maintain work quality and a positive attitude during challenging field

conditions. Applicants must be in good physical condition and experienced

with or able to tolerate hot and cold field conditions. Must be able to

work long hours and be comfortable working at night. Prefer applicants with

experience and strong interest in grassland or desert species.

*Work schedule:  *Approx. 40 hrs per week, variable throughout season

*Compensation:*  $600-800/month. Housing is provided at an active research

facility on the Monument.

*To Apply:*  Please email a cover letter, resume, and contact information

for 2-3 references as a single Word or PDF attachment to Rachel Endicott at

rendicott@berkeley.edu<mailto:rendicott@berkeley.edu>.  Please apply by January 27, 2017.

Graduate position: UColoradoDenver.PhysiologicalGenomics

PhD positions in physiological genomics of seasonal adaptation at the
University of Colorado, Denver

The Ragland lab at the University of Colorado, Denver is seeking PhD
students for Fall, 2017. We are broadly interested in physiological
adaptations to variable climatic and biotic (e.g., resource)
conditions. Several NSF-funded projects in the lab apply integrative
approaches to understanding rapid life history diversification in
Rhagoletis flies, text-book examples of ecological speciation with gene
flow. In addition, a recently funded Dimensions of Biodiversity project
will explore parallel diversification of parasitic wasp lineages that
attack Rhagoletis flies, in collaboration with labs at the University
of Notre Dame, University of Florida, and SUNY Binghamton. From a
genetic perspective, we are interested in how genetic architecture
constrains or facilitates rapid evolution of complex traits. From a
physiological and developmental perspective, we are testing whether
regulatory pathways influencing multiple life history transitions during
development contribute to either constraint or modularity observed at the
genetic level. Additional projects in the lab investigate mechanisms of
developmental arrest during dormancy, the phylogeography and population
genomics of Bark Beetles (Mountain Pine Beetle and European Spruce
Bark Beetle) and developmental constraints on thermal physiology in
Drosophila melanogaster.

Ideally, PhD candidates will have interests in physiology, developmental
biology, evolutionary genomics, or evolutionary ecology, and enthusiasm
for learning command line environments and coding. Experience in basic
laboratory techniques relevant to any of those fields and basic parametric
statistics is desired. Competitive stipends and Research Assistantships
are available for qualified applicants.

The University of Colorado, Denver, hosts a vibrant community of life
science researchers on both the downtown Auraria campus and the Anschutz
medical campus. The Department of Integrative Biology spans cell,
molecular, ecological, and evolutionary research, with strengths in
ecological physiology and developmental biology. Denver is a fantastic
and progressive city with endless possibilities for outdoor activities,
well-developed public transportation and cycling infrastructure, and
excellent museums, theaters, restaurants, and breweries.

Please direct inquiries to Greg Ragland:
gregory.ragland(AT)ucdenver.edu<http://ucdenver.edu>. I will be at the January 2017 SICB
meeting in New Orleans and available to chat. Consider checking out the
symposium ‘Evolutionary Impacts of Seasonality’, which showcases some
excellent research which inspires many ongoing projects in my lab.

Websites:

https://clas.ucdenver.edu/directory/faculty-staff/greg-ragland

https://seasonaladaptation.org

“Ragland, Gregory” <GREGORY.RAGLAND@UCDENVER.EDU<mailto:GREGORY.RAGLAND@UCDENVER.EDU>>

Hello-
As a Board Member of the Menunkatuck Audubon Society, I would like to mention our new scholarship, which is available for environmentally-minded students hailing from the towns of West Haven, New Haven, East Haven, Branford, Guilford or Madison. Please refer to the link below for further information.

Best,
Lesley Orlowski

http://menunkatuck.org/education/scholarship/