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Assistantship and Fellowships:

Adelphi University: I (Matthias Foellmer) welcome applications from US or international students for an MSc position in my lab in the Biology Department. Areas for investigation can be discussed but should be within my major fields of interest (e.g. the evolutionary significance of extreme sexual dimorphism in orb-web spiders). If accepted, you’d be supported through a TA position in the department which covers tuition and a (small) stipend. International students would be required to demonstrate the availability of additional funds (~$8000) to be eligible for a student visa. Please email an application letter with unofficial transcripts and brief CV to Foellmer@adelphi.edu. Applications will be reviewed immediately. Posted: 2/3/09.

Alabama A&M University: Two Avian Graduate Research Assistantships (MS or Ph.D.): one for studying the relationships between forest management practices and avian responses, and the other for studying the stopover ecology of fall migratory songbirds. The study sites are located in the southern Cumberland of northern Alabama. The projects are the collaboration of Alabama A&M, USDA Forest Service Southern Research Station, and Alabama Department of Conservation of Natural Resource, and funded partially by NSF. Qualified candidates should have strong field experience of the eastern US birds and organizational and communication skills along with ability to work with private landowners, state and federal agencies, and non-profit organizations. A B.S. degree in biology, wildlife, ecology, or related fields is required. Minorities are strongly encouraged to apply. The assistantship comes with a stipend $15.6-18k depending on the qualifications and degree level. The candidates may start to work immediately and then enroll into the degree program when the application for the graduate school is completed. Interested persons should send a cover letter, curriculum vitae, transcripts (not official is ok), and a list of three (3) references through email to yong.wangaamu.edu. For questions, please contact Yong Wang, Center for Forestry, Ecology, and Wildlife, Alabama A&M University, P. O. Box 1927, Normal, AL 35762, Phone: 256-372-4229. Posted: 11/19/08.

Alabama A&M University: M.S. Research Assistantship in the Forest, Ecology, and Wildlife Program of the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences. Location: Mid Cumberland Plateau of Southern Tennessee and Northeastern Alabama. The graduate research assistant will be a team member of a comprehensive research project examining the effect of oak regeneration treatments (prescribed fire and canopy tree removal) on wildlife in the southern Cumberland Plateau. Specifically, the student will help implement a herpetofaunal and small mammal study and conduct surveys. Qualifications: Experience with herpetofauna and herpetofaunal surveys is critical. Direct experience with Alabama and Tennessee herpetofauna is not necessary. Some training will be provided. Minorities and women are strongly encouraged to apply. Salary: $17k/ year. The position will be open until it is filled. The assistant will be hired immediately as a research technician and enrolled into the graduate school in the spring semester of 2008. Contact: Send a cover letter, resume, and contact information of three references to Yong Wang at yong.wangaamu.edu (preferred) or P.O. Box 1927, Alabama A&M University, Normal, AL 35762 (Phone: 256-372-4229). Posted: 7/9/08.

Arizona State University: IGERT in Urban Ecology. We will be accepting applications for both Fellowships and Associateships to begin in fall 2009. Note that Fellowship applications are for 2 years and one summer of support for approved summer activities (Fall 2009/ Spring 2010, Summer 2010, and Fall 2010/ Spring 2011). Applicants may apply for one additional summer (2009) of support before they being their first academic year as an Urban IGERT fellow. To be considered for this support, include on the Fellow application form a brief plan including who the supervisor will be. Recipients must be at ASU during the summer 2009 or working closely with an Urban IGERT faculty person. We will begin the application review process on February 1, 2009. Residual questions regarding ASU's IGERT program should be directed to Gail Ryser at IGERT.ecologyasu.edu. Posted: 11/13/08.

Auburn University: M.S. Research Assistantship – Urban land use and functional impacts to coastal Alabama wetlands, starting Fall 2009, School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences. Research will examine urban land use and its influence on wetland functions in the Wolf Bay drainage basin in south Alabama. Research will focus on headwater slope wetlands and their capacity for water storage and carbon cycling. Results from this project will support an interdisciplinary model being developed to forecast future water and environmental conditions in the Wolf Bay basin. Prospective students should be highly motivated, demonstrate good communication skills (written and oral), and be willing to conduct extensive field and laboratory work. A B.S. in environmental science, ecology, aquatic science, or natural resources is desirable. Research assistantships include tuition waiver and stipend ($15,540). Further details regarding graduate education, application, and admission to Auburn: http://www.grad.auburn.edu/. If interested, please forward a letter of interest, transcripts (unofficial copy), and GRE scores to Chris Anderson at andercj@auburn.edu (preferably) or mail to 3301 Forestry and Wildlife Building, Auburn, AL 36849. Posted: 3/3/09.

Auburn University: M.S. Research Assistantship – Urban land use and phosphorus/sediment movement in streams, starting Summer or Fall 2009, School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences. Research will focus on the influence of urban land use on sediment and phosphorus movement in low-order streams in the Auburn-Opelika area of east Alabama. This research will support an interdisciplinary model being developed for watershed management in the Tallapoosa River basin. Prospective students should be highly motivated, demonstrate good communication skills (written and oral), and be willing to conduct extensive field and laboratory work. A B.S. in environmental science, ecology, aquatic science, or natural resources is desirable. Research assistantships include tuition waiver and stipend ($15,540). Further details regarding graduate education, application, and admission to Auburn: http://www.grad.auburn.edu/. If interested, please forward a letter of interest, transcripts (unofficial), and GRE scores to Chris Anderson at andercj@auburn.edu (preferably) or mail to 3301 Forestry and Wildlife Building, Auburn, AL 36849. Posted: 3/3/09.

Auburn University: An M.S. research assistantship is available in Alan Wilson’s lab to study basic and applied limnology/aquatic ecology. Current lab research projects revolve around understanding the ecological and genetic mechanisms mediating harmful cyanobacterial blooms and include an NSF-funded project focused on elucidating the ecosystem-level consequences of food-web evolution. Students in my lab are welcome to participate on existing projects but are strongly encouraged to develop their own thesis projects using a suite of approaches available at AU including field limnocorral and whole-pond experiments, large-scale lake surveys, and laboratory-based mechanistic studies. Travel opportunities to international scientific conferences, as well as field sites throughout the Southeast and Midwest are made available to all of my students. The ideal candidate will be hard-working, enjoy teamwork, have a solid foundation in aquatic ecology, molecular biology, microbiology, or related fields, and have good grades (GPA > 3.2) and competitive GRE scores (q and v above 50th percentile and writing of 4.0 or greater). Also, since outreach is an important component of my lab’s activities, prospective students motivated to educate others about the importance of protecting our natural resources are especially encouraged to apply. Moreover, the WilsonLab is committed to diversity in education and research and encourages the application of women and underrepresented minorities. Starting dates are flexible, but preference will be given to students available by August 2009. Annual stipends of $16,115/year are accompanied by full tuition waivers and health insurance. Interested students are encouraged to email (1) a letter of interest clearly describing how your scientific and professional interests mesh with ongoing lab projects, (2) contact information for three references (two professional and one personal), (3) unofficial copies of transcripts and GRE scores, and (4) a 2-page resume to Alan Wilson at wilson@auburn.edu by 1 June 2009 for full consideration. Questions? Email or phone Alan Wilson (334.844.9321). Posted: 1/8/09, revised: 4/27/09.

Auburn University: Four Postdoctoral Fellow/PhD Graduate Assistant positions are available in The Ecosystem Dynamics and Global Ecology (EDGE) Laboratory, School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences. We invite highly motivated applicants to join The EDGE Laboratory as a postdoctoral fellow or a PhD student for investigating the cutting-edge research issues in ecosystem and global ecology by using quantitative and integrated approach. Successful individuals will work on interdisciplinary research projects and be involved in national and international research programs such as NASA LCLUC, NACP and MAIRS. Three primary geographical locations we are currently working with include: Asia, North America and Tropics. Position 1: Land surface/regional climate modeler. The individual is expected to improve and couple a land surface model with terrestrial ecosystem/biogeochemical models and regional climate models for investigating ecosystem-climate interactions. Applicants should possess a degree in atmospheric science, meteorology or earth system science. Position 2: Terrestrial ecosystem/Biogeochemical modeler. The individual is expected to develop and improve an existing model - the Dynamic Land Ecosystem Model (DLEM). Applicants should possess a degree in biology, ecology, forestry, and agronomy or soil science. Position 3: Land Use Modeler. The individual is expected to develop numerical/computer models for simulating land use/land cover change at multiple scales from landscape to regional. Applicants should possess a degree in land science including geography, GIS/Remote sensing, forestry and agriculture. Position 4: Computation of Ecosystem and Earth Systems. The individual is expected to work on computational methods for improving the computational efficiency of simulation models of ecosystem, land surface, land use and climate. Applicants should posessess a degree in computer science, applied mathematics or statistics. The applicants have to meet the admission requirements in the Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering. All applicants should have some experience in computer programming (prefer C, C++ or Fortran), good written and oral communication skills and a demonstrated ability to function well within interdisciplinary teams. Interested applicants should send a cover letter outlining their qualifications, resume, copies of transcripts, TOFEL, GRE scores, and contact information for three references to Dr. Hanqin Tian, School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, Auburn University, 602 Duncan Drive, Auburn, AL 36849. Phone (334) 844-1059: E-mail tianhan@auburn.edu. Posted: 1/7/09.

Auburn University: Graduate Assistantship - Plant Community Ecology-Climate Change. The School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences currently has a graduate assistantship (M.S. $15,540) available in Plant Community Ecology/Climate Change research. Assistantships include tuition and fee waivers as well as shared funding of health insurance. The starting date for this position is negotiable, but January 5, 2009 desired. As part of a larger research project the student will examine the structure and functioning of a Southern Piedmont grassland community under future climate scenarios of elevated tropospheric ozone and altered rainfall amounts. Minimum qualifications include a B.S. degree, and an interest in plant ecology and or climate change. Plant ecology, plant physiology and taxonomic skills are highly desirable (but not required). Additional information is available by contacting Dr. Arthur H. Chappelka in the School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, Auburn University (chappahauburn.edu, 334-844-1047). Interested students should send a letter of interest, resume, transcripts (photocopy is acceptable), and GRE scores if available (photocopy is acceptable) to Dr. Art H. Chappelka, School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, 602 Duncan Drive, Auburn, AL 36849-5418. PH # 334-844-1047, FAX # 334-844-1084, chappahauburn.edu. Posted: 9/26/08.

Auburn University: Graduate Assistantship (MS, $15,540), Urban Forest Ecology, School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences. Assistantships include tuition and fee waivers as well as shared funding of health insurance. Starting date is January 5, 2009. As part of a larger research project the student will examine the structure and functioning of urban forests, particularly with regard to ecosystem services. Minimum qualifications include a B.S. degree, and an interest in urban forest ecology and or ecosystem services. Tree identification, silvics and GIS/remote sensing skills are highly desirable (but not required). Additional information is available by contacting Dr. Arthur H. Chappelka (chappahauburn.edu, 334-844-1047). Interested students should send a letter of interest, resume, transcripts (photocopy is acceptable), and GRE scores if available (photocopy is acceptable) to Dr. A.H. Chappelka, School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, 602 Duncan Drive, Auburn, AL 36849-5418. Posted: 8/7/08.

Ball State University: The lab of Dr. Randy Bernot has openings for motivated and creative students to pursue Masters of Science degrees. Potential research projects include inquiry into the role of parasites and pathogens in freshwater communities and the potential risk of nanomaterials to aquatic ecosystems. Members of the Bernot lab tend to have a particular fondness for snails, but students wishing to use any group of aquatic organisms to ask interesting ecological questions are encouraged to join the lab. Procedures for applying for graduate study in the Department of Biology, including online Teaching Assistantship applications can be found here. Interested students are encouraged to email Dr. Bernot at rjbernot@bsu.edu with a letter of interest and contact information of two references. Posted: 12/23/08.

Baylor University: The Aquatic Ecology Lab is seeking applicants for up to two PhD graduate assistantships starting Fall 2009. Applicants may apply to PhD programs in Biology or Ecological, Earth and Environmental Sciences (EEES). Students desiring an interdisciplinary PhD degree spanning geology, biology, environmental science, and chemistry departments are encouraged to apply to EEES. We are particularly interested in applicants who will structure their PhD research within one or more of the following ongoing research areas in the lab: 1) Watershed physiography, upland vegetation, and riparian wetlands: How do these factors interact to influence nutrient availability and recycling in headwater stream foodwebs in south-central Alaska? What are the implications for juvenile salmon production? 2) How does nutrient enrichment influence biogeochemical processes in stream bacterial-algal (periphyton) communities? How do consumers (macroinvertebrates and fish) interact with nutrient enrichment to influence stream biogeochemical processes? 3) What are the physical, chemical, and/or biological mechanisms responsible for threshold declines in stream biodiversity in urbanizing watersheds, and do these mechanisms differ regionally? 4) How has reduced hydrological connectivity influenced historical fish species distributions in reservoir-dominated stream networks in Texas? The Aquatic Ecology Lab is housed in the new Baylor Sciences Building and is in the process of moving into brand-new expansion space in spring 2009 to accommodate growth of the lab. Student offices are adjacent to the lab and other aquatic teaching and research labs, most notably the Center for Reservoir and Aquatic Systems Research, a state-of-the-art analytical laboratory supporting a suite of water, soil, and tissue chemical analyses. A stable-isotope mass spectrometer lab available on-site for student research also is opening in spring 2009. Off campus, the 180-acre Lake Waco Wetlands supports our new Baylor Experimental Aquatic Research (BEAR) outdoor stream facility, one of the largest and most realistic experimental stream facilities in North America. Baylor offers excellent financial support for highly qualified applicants. Annual stipends range from $19-25k, with the higher stipends awarded to top applicants. Admission to either Biology or EEES PhD programs guarantees full tuition remission (up to a $20k value per year as of 2009), health insurance benefits, and additional funding opportunities to cover fees, books, etc. Biology assistantships will initially require teaching in fall and spring semesters with possibility of moving over to a research assistantship, depending upon availability of funding. EEES assistantships require only 1 semester of teaching assistant service per academic year. To apply to either Biology or EEES, please review university admission guidelines. In addition to these application materials, applicants should possess an M.S. degree or substantial undergraduate research experience, a GRE verbal + quantitative score of 1200 or higher, and a GPA of 3.25 or higher. Applicants also much possess a U.S. driver’s license. If you meet these criteria and are interested in applying, please contact Dr. Ryan S. King (Ryan_S_King@baylor.edu) for more information. Applications must be received by FEBRUARY 15, 2009. Posted: 1/7/09.

Bethune-Cookman University: Up to two research assistantships in integrated assessment will be available beginning Spring, Summer, or Fall of 2009, subject to funding. The successful applicant(s) will perform their thesis research under the supervision of Dr. Michael A. Reiter on an aspect of the assessment of coastal watersheds for resource management in an integrated modeling project funded by NOAA (the specific topic will be related to ongoing or new research in integrated assessment: contact Dr. Reiter at reitermcookman.edu for details). The assistantships carry a stipend of $16k plus tuition per year for up to three years (assuming satisfactory progress toward the degree and maintenance of a 3.0 gpa), based upon grant funding. More details here, or contact Dr. Reiter. Screening will begin March 1st. Posted: 11/13/08, revised: 1/13/09.

Boston University: Ph.D. Opportunity in Biogeochemistry at Understanding the effects of N limitation on inter-annual and long-term uptake of atmospheric CO2 in temperate forests. This project seeks to understand the capacity of temperate forests to store atmospheric CO2. Building on long-term measurements (>16 years) of forest-atmosphere exchanges of CO2 at the Harvard Forest EMS tower, we are specifically interested in understanding how N cycling affects inter-annual variation in forest-C uptake as well as the >2-fold increase C uptake observed at the tower over the last decade and a half. The position will include field and laboratory work as well as collaboration with modelers. The Ph.D. position is open to post-bachelors and post-masters candidates with a background in ecology, biology, soil science, chemistry, or related field. Interested applicants should contact Adrien Finzi (afinzi bu.edu or 617.353.2453) to discuss their interests and to learn more about the project. Application information and materials can be found at www.bu.edu/grs. The deadline for receipt of applications to the Graduate School is January 15, 2009. Posted: 10/21/08.

Bowling Green State University: Two PhD-student research assistantships available. 1) Research assistantship available immediately to participate in a NOAA Sea Grant project using otolith chemistry to quantify mixed stock distribution, philopatry, and fisheries exploitation of steelhead trout in Lake Erie. This project involves joint collaboration between Jeff Miner (Aquatic Ecology & Fisheries Laboratory) and John Farver (Geology) in close association with state and federal fisheries biologists and hatchery managers. Two years of research assistantship support are available to a top PhD student. 2) The primary purpose of this project is to identify characteristics necessary to classify reservoirs in terms of natural reproduction for yellow perch and reservoirs that can be stocked successfully with yellow perch fingerlings from hatcheries (up to three years of support). This project starts this summer and involves multivariate assessment of abiotic and biotic characteristics in Ohio reservoirs, including considerable field work and quantitative analyses. Experimental spin-off research is expected by graduate students in both projects. We seek highly motivated and collaborative individuals who desire to combine fieldwork with lab research involving typical aquatic biology and ecology approaches as well as more specialized analytical chemistry. Desired qualifications include a BS/MS in one of several relevant fields of study (e.g. biology, ecology, fisheries) with coursework in chemistry and statistics, field experience in aquatic or fish ecology, ability to work independently and collaboratively, and comfort applying interdisciplinary approaches to questions in aquatic ecology and fisheries biology. Competitive stipends (including health insurance) with tuition waivers are available. Applications will be accepted on a continuing basis until qualified individuals are identified, but materials are strongly encouraged by April 1, 2009. Applicants should send a letter that summarizes their background, educational goals, and statement of research interests, along with your transcripts and curriculum vitae (with contact information for three references) to: Dr. Jeffrey Miner (jminer@bgsu.edu) or mail to Jeffrey Miner, Department of Biological Sciences, Aquatic Ecology & Fisheries Laboratory, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH 43403. Further information about graduate studies in Ecology, Evolution and Conservation Biology. Posted: 2/17/09.

Bowling Green State University: The Graduate Program in Ecology & Conservation Biology invites applications for admission to our MS and PhD programs for Fall 2009. A core group of 15 active and collaborative faculty within the Department of Biological Sciences has research strengths in: * Conservation Biology (invasion biology, habitat assessment and modeling, landscape ecology and restoration, molecular ecology and conservation genetics) * Aquatic Ecology (behavior, evolution, microbial ecology, limnology, and fisheries) * Population and Community Ecology (plant-animal interactions, predator-prey dynamics, evolutionary ecology, Population Viability Analysis). The Departmental Graduate Program comprises approximately 100 students supported by research and teaching assistantships that typically include summer support (contingent on progress toward degree). The Department has a diverse array of facilities for conducting ecological research from the molecular through the landscape scale. BGSU is at the western end of Lake Erie (Great Lakes research), and in close proximity to remnant oak-savanna, prairies and fragmented forest-agroecosytem complexes. Interested students should identify and communicate with one or more potential faculty advisors. Additional information and application materials can be obtained from Lorraine DeVenney (ldevenn@bgsu.edu) or Biology Graduate Programs. Posted: 12/9/08.

Bradley University: We invite students to apply for a graduate assitantship for a MS candidate in the Biology Department. The long-term goal of the research project the student will work on will be to evaluate the impacts of garlic mustard, a recent aggressive invader, on forest soils across a broad range of forest soils. The goal will also be to improve our understanding of the mechanisms by which garlic mustard invades and subsequently acts as an ecological change agent in these forests. The student will receive a stipend for the academic year and summer and tuition. The successful applicant must meet the requirements for unconditional admission to the Graduate School and Biology Department at BU. Visit the Graduate School webpage and see the graduate school catalog for details. Please also see the requirements for the MS in biology (pdf). Qualified applicants should contact Sherri Morris sjmorris@bradley.edu for more details. Posted: 4/2/09, revised: 6/3/09.

Brown University: Ph.D. in Terrestrial Biogeochemistry and M.S. in Environmental Science. I am currently seeking 1-2 Ph.D. students and 1 M.S. student to explore questions related to tropical biogeochemistry. My lab works broadly at the intersection between biology and geology to explore spatial patterns in tropical ecosystems, and the consequences of those patterns for the impacts of land use change on tropical ecosystems. A few of the current projects in the lab include investigations of: nutrient availability and landscape formation in the Talamanca Range of Costa Rica, the interaction between selective logging and nutrient dynamics in the lowland forests of Imataca, Venezuela, the effects of climate and soil age on plant/nutrient interactions in the Hawaiian Islands, and the impacts of industrialized soy production in Brazil. A few other projects are described on the Porder lab website. Applicants should have a strong academic record, experience in either ecological or geological field work, chemical and isotopic analyses, or, ideally, some combination thereof. For more information on program details, potential Ph.D. students can visit the Dept. or Ecology and Evolutionary Biology website, and potential M.S. students can visit the Center for Environmental Studies website. Interested applicants should email CV, transcript, test scores, and a letter describing personal and research interests to stephen_porderbrown.edu. Posted: 9/17/08.

California State University, Bakersfield: We are looking for Master's student to work on a research assistantship on an NSF funded project examining xylem tradeoffs of evergreen and deciduous chaparral species. Students with interests in plant water relations, ecophysiology, physiology, or functional anatomy are encouraged to apply. Salary is $18,500/ year plus tuition and the assistantship is for two years. Inquiries and applications should be sent to Brandon Pratt (rpratt@csub.edu; 661-654-2033 ; www.autecology.com), Department of Biology. Applicants should email 1) a current curriculum vita, 2) a statement of research interests; and 3) the names, phone numbers and email addresses of three references. The position is available to start fall 2009. Posted: 6/12/09.

Center for Tropical Marine Ecology (ZMT), Bremen: PhD-Position for Ecological Modelling. ZMT has been recently elected member of the prestigious Leibniz Association, which is supported by the German Federal and State Governments. Through its research, ZMT contributes to developing science-based strategies for sustainable use of tropical coastal systems. To strengthen its research on the analysis of coastal tropical environments the ZMT is seeking a PhD-Student in ecological modelling. Focus will be on the spatial representation of different aspects of coastal ecological systems under various environmental constraints. This may include topics related to mangrove systems, coral-algae interaction, life history analysis of key species and functional relationships, however is not limited to this issues. Start date is negotiable in March or April 2009 for a 3 year period. Salary will be according to the German TV-L for a half-time position. Requirements: Applicants should have a Master's or Diploma degree in Ecology or related fields and experience in ecological modelling. We take for granted that the successful candidate has a strong interest in spatial explicit modelling methods such as cellular automata and individual/agent-based modelling. Knowledge of an object oriented programming language, preferable Java, is an asset. Good skills in English are essential. The successful candidate should have the ability to work in a team and have the willingness to work in an interdisciplinary research environment. Application: To apply, please send a cover letter including a short outline of your research interests, a complete CV and names with email addresses and phone numbers of two referees by email in a single pdf-file to PD Dr. Hauke Reuter (hauke.reuter@zmt.uni-bremen.de). Review will start on 5th February 2009 and will continue until the position is filled. Place of work is Bremen, however, travelling abroad will be part of the position. More information. Posted: 1/8/09.

City University of New York: The Ecology, Evolutionary Biology and Behavior subprogram at the Graduate Center of CUNY invites applicants for matriculation to doctoral study. Every student admitted for doctoral study in the EEB subprogram will have financial support for five full years of study, as long as they remain in good academic standing and progress on schedule in their doctoral research. Benefits include a 24k/yr stipend, a full tuition waiver and health insurance. First-year graduate students do not teach undergraduate sections, but there is a small service component related to lab rotations and professional development. Graduate students will teach at one of the senior CUNY colleges at least some of the time in years two through five of their scholarship. First-year students will be based at the Graduate Center in Manhattan for their first year, and will thereafter have the opportunity to associate with mentors of the EEB faculty from Brooklyn College, City College, College of Staten Island, Hunter College, Lehman College, and Queens College, the American Museum of Natural History, Brooklyn Botanic Garden, and The New York Botanical Garden. More information, including faculty research interests, can be found at the EEB subprogram website. Deadline for submitting application and supporting materials is January 1st, 2009. See admissions for details. Posted: 9/11/08.

Clemson University: Ecophysiology of resource foraging in invasive plant species. Two graduate research assistantships (PhD/MS) are available (Fall 2009/Spring 2010) to conduct research on physiological ecology of invasive species. The work is primarily focused on understanding the mechanisms of resource foraging in plant species invading resource-limited habitats. Along with the macroscopic observations (litter decomposition and nutrient cycling), the project focuses on specific mechanisms that drive these processes, including the influence of litter chemistry and the associated microbial compositional shifts. The highlight of the project is to understand the physiology of root exudation and the role of exudates in facilitating nutrient acquisition in resource-limited environments. Students will have ample opportunity to creatively pursue their own hypothesis-driven research projects within these broader themes. Interdisciplinary and collaborative approaches are strongly encouraged. The candidates seeking the position should have a good plant-biology/-ecology background. Details about the salary and facilities are available at http://people.clemson.edu/~ntharay/. To further inquire about the position and for project details e-mail Dr. Nishanth Tharayil (ntharay@clemson.edu). Posted: 1/7/09.

Clemson University: One MS graduate student is sought to conduct research in fire ecology within a funded research project entitled “Fuel Dynamics in South Pine Beetle Killed Stands and its Implication to Fire Behavior”. The objective of this project is to study fuel dynamics and its implication to fire behavior in forest stands killed by southern pine beetle (SPB). Specifically, we will measure fuels in healthy stands and stands killed by SPB outbreak at different years so that fuel dynamics (i.e., change with time since SPB kill) can be modeled and compared with healthy stands. Based on measured fuel data, we will model fire behavior and fire effects to understand the consequences of fuel changes. We are seeking an outstanding candidate with a degree in Forestry, Biology, Ecology, and Environmental Sciences. The student will be offered a full graduate research assistantship ($15k/year) plus a tuition waiver. The assistantship is for 2 years, which is renewable annually based on satisfactory performance. Competitive university and/or college scholarships are also available for outstanding candidates, and students working in our lab have had a great track record to obtain these scholarships. The assistantship will start in August 2009 or as soon as possible. If you are interested, contact: Dr. Geoff Wang, Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, 261 Lehotsky Hall, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634-0317 (Phone: 864-656-4864; Email: gwang@clemson.edu). In your initial contact, please send the following information: resume, statement of your research interest, GPAs, GRE score, and TOFEL scores (for foreign students). Posted: 7/1/09.

Clemson University: One MS graduate student is sought to conduct silvicultural research to evaluate dormant season herbicide treatment methods for Chinese privet at Congaree National Park. The objectives of this project are 1) installation of multiple large-scale demonstration plots within bottomland hardwood forest tracts on the Congaree National Park, 2) measurement of the control level received from various low-volume foliar dormant season treatments, 3) measurement of the plant diversity impacts of various treatments to determine if this application method can provide landscape level control within the park, while minimizing impacts to non-target species. This is a cooperative project initiated by Congaree National Park, and the student is expected to work closely with the park staff. We are seeking an outstanding candidate with a degree in Forestry, Biology, Ecology, and Environmental Sciences. Strong interests in botany, especially skills in plant taxonomy, are desirable. The student will be offered a full graduate research assistantship ($15k/year) plus a tuition waiver. The assistantship is for 2 years, which is renewable annually based on satisfactory performance. Competitive university and/or college scholarships are also available for outstanding candidates, and students working in our lab have had a great track record to obtain these scholarships. The assistantship will start in May or August 2010. If you are interested, contact: Dr. Geoff Wang, Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, 261 Lehotsky Hall, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634-0317 (Phone: 864-656-4864; Email: gwang@clemson.edu). In your initial contact, please send the following information: resume, statement of your research interest, GPAs, GRE score, and TOFEL score (for foreign students). Posted: 7/1/09.

Clemson University: One Ph.D. graduate student is sought to conduct research in forest ecology within a newly funded research project entitled “Temporal and Spatial Patterns of Pine Mortality in the Southeastern United States”. The project will address two questions: (1) is there a decline in southern pine forests that are different from historical (healthy) patterns of growth and mortality? (2) what are the patterns of decline in time and space? These questions will be addressed at stand, landscape, and regional scales using data obtained from remote sensing, forest inventory, and field sampling. The graduate student is expected to incorporate many research techniques from the discipline of tree ring research (dendrochronology) to study pine decline, including investigating possible role of global/climatic change on pine decline. We are seeking an outstanding candidate with BS and/or MS in Forestry, Biology, Ecology, and Environmental Sciences. A past record of scientific publication and experience in conducting tree ring analyses is desirable. The student will be offered a full graduate research assistantship ($19k/year) plus a tuition waiver. The assistantship is for 3.5 years, which is renewable annually based on satisfactory performance. Competitive university and/or college scholarships are available for outstanding candidates, and students working in our lab have had a great track record to obtain these scholarships. Supplementary teaching assistantship may also be available. The assistantship will start in August 2009 or as soon as possible. If you are interested, contact: Dr. Geoff Wang, Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, 261 Lehotsky Hall, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634-0317 (Phone: 864-656-4864; Email: gwang@clemson.edu). In your initial contact, please send the following information: statement of your research interest, degrees earned. GPAs, GRE score, and TOFEL scores (for foreign students). Posted: 7/1/09.

Clemson University: One MS graduate student is sought to conduct research in fire ecology within a funded research project entitled “Managing declining pine stands for the restoration of red-cockaded woodpecker habitat”. The overall goal of the project is to develop protocols for restoring longleaf pine ecosystem to stands currently occupied by declining loblolly pine. We conduct two large-scale field experiments (Fort Benning, GA and Camp Lejune, NC) to develop an optimal silvicultural system that allows best longleaf pine restoration while, at the same time, retaining mature trees and enhancing the herbaceous ground layer. The student is expected to study how various silvicultural treatments affect fuel, fire behavior, and fire effects. We are seeking an outstanding candidate with a degree in Forestry, Biology, Ecology, and Environmental Sciences. The students will be offered a full graduate research assistantship ($15k/year) plus a tuition waiver. The assistantship is for 2 years, which is renewable annually based on satisfactory performance. Competitive university and/or college scholarships are also available for outstanding candidates. The assistantship is starting January or May 2009. If you are interested, contact: Dr. Geoff Wang, Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, 261 Lehotsky Hall, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634-0317 (Phone: 864-656-4864; Email: gwangclemson.edu). In your initial contact, please send the following information: statement of your research interest, degrees earned. GPAs, GRE score, and TOFEL scores (for foreign students). Posted: 10/22/08.

Clemson University: One Ph.D. graduate student is sought to conduct research in forest ecology within a newly funded research project entitled “Temporal and Spatial Patterns of Pine Mortality in the Southeastern United States”. The project will address two questions: (1) Is there a decline in southern pine forests that is different from historical (healthy) patterns of growth and mortality? (2) What are the patterns of decline in time and space? These questions will be addressed at stand, landscape, and regional scales using data obtained from remote sensing, forest inventory, and field sampling. The graduate student is expected to incorporate many methodological techniques from the discipline of tree ring research (dendrochronology) to study pine decline, including possible role of global/climatic change on pine decline. We are seeking an outstanding candidate with BS and/or MS in Forestry, Biology, Ecology, and Environmental Sciences. A past record of scientific publication and experience in conducting tree ring analyses is desirable. The student will be offered a full graduate research assistantship ($19k/year) plus a tuition waiver. The assistantship is for 3.5 years, which is renewable annually based on satisfactory performance. Competitive university and/or college scholarships are also available for outstanding candidates. The assistantship is starting January or May 2009. If you are interested, contact: Dr. Geoff Wang, Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, 261 Lehotsky Hall, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634-0317 (Phone: 864-656-4864; Email: gwangclemson.edu). In your initial contact, please send the following information: statement of your research interest, degrees earned. GPAs, GRE score, and TOFEL scores (for foreign students). Posted: 10/22/08.

[position filled] Clemson University: PhD Graduate Research Assistantship to study bird conservation and function in diversified agricultural-forest ecosystems; research will link to another effort to develop a healthy farm index, including landscape scale modeling of ecosystem services and bird population/land use relationships. This Clemson University research may be collaborative with similar research initiated at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (http://organic.unl.edu/) in fall 2006. Available immediately or January 2009. Qualifications: MS in wildlife ecology or related field. Applicants must have a solid background in wildlife ecology and be skilled in bird identification and observation, be able to communicate and work with a wide variety of people, and be willing to work under extreme weather and field conditions. Experience with GIS, landscape analysis, data management and analysis, agricultural-forest systems, and bird and habitat sampling protocols preferred. Assistantship provides $18,500 per year plus reduced tuition and subsidized health insurance. Interested individuals should contact Dr. Ron J. Johnson. Wildlife biology program. Applications include a statement of purpose (interest and goals), CV, transcripts & GRE scores, and names and contact information for three references. Position open until September 15, 2008 or when filled. Posted: 8/12/08.

Coastal Carolina University: (15 miles from Myrtle Beach) offers a graduate degree (M.S.) in Coastal Marine and Wetland Studies. The program consists of 24 hrs of coursework and 6 hrs of thesis research. Courses are taught primarily by faculty members from two academic departments: biology and marine science. The coursework involves three core classes stressing coastal physical processes, ecology, and environmental policy. Various electives provide students with skills in conservation biology, geographic information systems, statistics, wetland delineation, geophysical surveying as well as theoretical background in specific areas of organism biology and ecology. Located near coastal marshes, swamps, a large unregulated river, barrier islands, and the ocean, the program offers exceptional opportunities for basic and applied research. Students pursue projects that contribute to the characterization and preservation of the coastal ecosystem and the organisms that thrive in this ecosystem. Research conducted by graduate students and their faculty mentors is typically presented to the public via seminars, conferences or publications. Research support is provided by the National Science Foundation, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, The Nature Conservancy, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, South Carolina Sea Grant and other entities. Teaching assistantships and fellowships are also available. Contact: Dr. Jim Luken, CMWS Program Coordinator (joluken@coastal.edu). Posted: 11/26/08.

College of William and Mary: The Biology department is looking to recruit new Masters students in behavioral ecology and evolution, to start in Fall 2009. We offer a two-year research-intensive Masters program where students are supported by teaching assistantships and full tuition waivers. For many students, getting a Masters in two years and having some publications and grants under their belt before applying to a top-flight Ph.D. program is a very viable option. We have a great track record of our recent MS students going on to excellent PhD programs or professional research positions. With a low student to faculty ratio (approximately 8-10 new students each year with 23 full-time faculty), we can offer an intimate and highly personalized research and education experience. Our graduate students often work closely with and mentor undergraduates, offering numerous informal teaching and personal development opportunities. Importantly, we have a real strength in behavioral ecology and evolutionary biology. We are one of the few smaller universities that have two behavioral ecologists on their faculty (John Swaddle and Dan Cristol). Posted: 10/27/08.

Colorado State University: A Graduate Research Assistantship will be available at the Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory. Funding is available for an MS/PhD research assistantship (beginning summer or fall 2009) to study soil carbon dynamics and ecosystem ecology. The project investigates soil carbon stabilization mechanisms impact the sensitivity of soil carbon turnover to temperature. The student will participate in collection and analysis of soil samples from several grassland and cultivated sites throughout North America, isolating and quantifying various pools of soil carbon, investigating biological control and response, and data interpretation, modeling, and reporting. In addition to a solid background in biology, chemistry, ecology, math, and soil science, experience with laboratory soil analyses, in particular soil fractionation procedures and isotopic analysis, is desirable. More information (pdf). Please Contact: Dr. Richard Conant (conant@nrel.colostate.edu; ph. 970-491-1919) or Dr. Eldor A. Paul (eldor@nrel.colostate.edu; ph. 970-491-1987) at the Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1499, U.S.A. Posted: 1/20/09.

Colorado State University: Graduate Research Assistantship. We seek a highly motivated student with excellent academic credentials and previous research experience to lead a cross-site nutrient and herbivore manipulation study in northern Colorado and southern Wyoming. These sites are two of over 50 sites that comprise the Nutrient Network, a global study of the controls on productivity and diversity in grasslands. The study can be expanded to include interactions between nutrients, herbivores and other factors, such as global changes. The successful candidate will play an important role in determining the nature of the full study. The successful candidate will enroll in the Graduate Degree Program in Ecology at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado. We prefer a student who has a masters degree and wishes to pursue a doctorate. However, qualified candidates without masters degrees will be considered. The project advisers are Julia Klein, Cynthia Brown and Dana Blumenthal. For more information and to apply, contact Julia Klein (Julia.Klein@ColoState.edu). Review of applications will begin immediately. Posted: 12/30/08.

Colorado State University: The USDA has awarded the Natural Resource Ecology Lab (NREL) a grant to support three PhD students in an innovative graduate program focusing on ecosystem science and environmental sustainability. Students enrolled in this program will integrate the latest science into real-world decision-making and public policy, with the ultimate goal of managing our planet's natural resources- air, water, land, and biological diversity upon which all life depends-sustainably into the future. Students will be based in the NREL, but may earn their degree through the Graduate Degree Program in Ecology or through other departments with related programs. Rich Conant, John Moore, Heidi Steltzer, Matt Wallenstein, or other NREL faculty will serve as primary advisers to the fellows, and other professors and natural resource agency professionals will serve as mentors. We especially encourage applications from groups that have been historically underrepresented in natural resource disciplines: African American, American Indian, Alaskan Native, Hispanic, Native Pacific Islander, and individuals who are disabled. STUDENTS Eligible for a ESES Fellowship * Are US citizens or Permanent Residents; * Plan to pursue their doctorates and seek careers in ecosystem sustainability, especially agroecosystems; * Have been admitted to the CSU Graduate School and a graduate program. Students will need to identify potential faculty advisor(s) from the graduate program. * Should apply to ESES program no later than March 15th. REQUIREMENTS For Fellowship: * Maintain status as a full-time student and a 3.00 GPA; * Participate in all program activities. Benefits to Fellows: * >$24,500 annual base stipend & additional summer assistantship for three years; * Guaranteed assistantships for remainder of successful tenure at CSU; * Fellows pay in-state tuition first year; can establish in-state residency following years. * Research opportunities in the US & abroad supervised by world-renowned scientists; * Service learning & internship opportunities; * Critical thinking skills developed through coursework and nurtured through active mentoring; * Opportunities for leadership roles in agroecosystem ecology research. For more information including contact information, please see NREL scholarships or contact Matt Wallenstein. Posted: 12/17/08, revised: 1/15/09.

Colorado State University: A Ph.D. assistantship is available to study the wetland to upland forest ecosystem gradient in Southeast Alaska. We will study hydrologic processes that create and characterize this gradient, how plant species and vegetation are distributed along the gradients, and are particularly interested in how conifer tree species are able to live in both wetlands and uplands. Quantification of hydrologic patterns and soil geochemical processes, species reproduction and plant physiology, and field and lab experiments will be key components of this work. We are interested in identifying genetic differences among tree populations and mycorrhizae relationships developed by trees along this gradient. This is a collaborative project between Colorado State University, the US Department of Defense’s Cold Regions Research and Experimental Laboratory, the University of Alaska, and the US Forest Service’s Forestry Sciences Laboratory. Field work will be based near Juneau, AK, but could range throughout southeast Alaska. Preference will be given to an applicant who has completed a successful, field-oriented Masters project resulting in peer reviewed publication(s), and a student with extensive outdoor experience. The ability to work successfully in a team and to interact effectively with collaborators and land managers is essential. The successful candidate will begin field work in the spring (April or May) of 2009. Interested applicants should send an email with letter of interest, and curriculum vitae with references to Dr. David J. Cooper (davidc@warnercnr.colostate.edu). Posted: 12/2/08.

Colorado State University: A PhD position in Behavioral Ecology is available in the lab of Lisa Angeloni. Motivated students interested in evolutionary ecology, sexual selection, and animal mating behavior are encouraged to apply. We are investigating the mating strategies of Trinidadian guppy populations that experience different levels of predation pressure in their natural habitats. Predation can affect guppy life history strategies, male color patterns, male mating behavior and female preferences for male traits. This project focuses on the interaction between reproductive behavior and predation pressure, but there are many possible questions to ask with this system, and a new graduate student will have the opportunity to help shape the scope of the project. Applications can be submitted through the Graduate Degree Program in Ecology or the Department of Biology. Prior to applying, please send a preliminary statement of interest (along with a CV or resume) describing previous research experience, research interests, GPA, and GRE scores by January 5 to Lisa Angeloni (angelonilamar.colostate.edu). Applications will be reviewed as they come in, and may also be reviewed after the target date if the position has not been filled. Posted: 11/13/08.

Colorado State University: This MS project will investigate the effects of urbanization on disease dynamics in felids via a NSF-funded research project (Dr. Kevin Crooks and Dr. Sue Vandewoude, Colorado State University). Focus will be on the ecology of domestic/feral cats in association with ongoing research on bobcats and mountain lions in Colorado. Specific tasks will likely include telemetry surveys of cats and human dimension surveys of cat owners. Qualifications: BS related to wildlife biology, ecology, or related fields. GPA > 3.5, Combined Quantitative and Verbal GRE scores > 1200 (or average percentile score> 75%). Applicants should be highly motivated with a strong work ethic, well-developed oral and written communication skills, and an excellent academic background. Field experience with carnivore surveys and telemetry preferred. Skills with GIS software and analyses preferred. Salary: Starting at $18k/year plus tuition for up to 3 years. Start date: Summer/fall 2009. Last date to apply: January 9 2009. To apply: Please send an email with a brief statement of interest and CV/resumé to: Jesse Lewis, Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1474. Phone: 970-491-3311, FAX: 970-491-5091, E-mail: jesse.lewiscolostate.edu. Posted: 11/13/08.

Colorado State University: The Department of Bioagricultural Sciences and Pest Management has several graduate student research and teaching assistantships available in fields ranging from ecology to genomics. Projects focus on insects, plants or plant pathogens and the focus ranges from the molecular to the ecosystem level. Faculty seeking students and the general research areas are listed below. Lou Bjostad (louis.bjostadcolostate.edu): Natural products chemistry in agriculture. Cini Brown (cynthia.s.browncolostate.edu): Invasive plants range limits and expansion, the role of plant community and ecosystem restoration in invasive plant control. Stephen Chisholm (chisholmcolostate.edu): Molecular host-microbe interactions. Boris Kondratieff (boris.kondratieffcolostate.edu): Insect biodiversity. Andrew Norton (apnortonlamar.colostate.edu): Plant-insect interactions and biological control of weeds. John McKay (j.mckaycolostate.edu): Evolution of plant genomes; physiology and genomics of drought adaptation; drought adaptation of emerging biofuels crops. Paul Ode (paul.odecolostate.edu): Parasitoid behavioral ecology; ecology of multitrophic interactions. Paul Opler (paul.oplercolostate.edu): Lepidoptera systematics, taxonomy and ecology. Frank Peairs (frank.peairscolostate.edu): Insect pest management. Students can enter through BSPM or through the Graduate Degree Programs in Ecology or Molecular Plant Biology. See also: Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory For more information and application instructions, please email our graduate secretary Janet Dill (dilljlamar.colostate.edu) and the individual faculty listed above. Posted: 11/3/08.

Concordia University: I am currently looking for an MSc student to work with me starting in summer or fall 2009. Topic: "Influence of different barrier types on the use of landscape by forest-dwelling caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou)" Forest-dwelling caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) is an endangered ecotype which is listed as a Canadian threatened species and as a vulnerable species under the Quebec Act Respecting Threatened or Vulnerable Species. This project will study the question of how the various patterns of fragmentation (e.g., by forest roads) affect home range sizes and movement parameters of forest-dwelling caribou, and which fragmentation elements are most influential. To analyze the relative importance of different elements fragmenting the landscape in the view of this species, the project will investigate the correlations between parameters characterizing the species' movement behavior and a variety of fragmentation geometries. This project will be co-supervised by Prof. Dr. Martin-Hugues St-Laurent, Univ. de Québec à Rimouski. The project is fully funded over 2 years. A more detailed description of the project is available on Jochen Jaeger's website (under "Research opportunities for students"). How to Apply: Please include (as a PDF file) a statement of your research interests and your CV that includes a description of your skills. Please send your application by mail or email to: Dr. Jochen Jaeger, Assistant Professor, Concordia University, Department of Geography, Planning and Environment, 1455 de Maisonneuve Blvd. W., Suite H1255, Montréal, Québec, Canada H3G 1M8. jjaegeralcor.concordia.ca. Posted: 10/13/08, revised: 3/23/09.

Cornell University: We are seeking a graduate student to study early life ecology of fish in rivers and estuaries. The research will be highly quantitative, field oriented, and relevant to a prominent conservation challenge. Support will include funding for a full year assistantship, technicians, equipment, travel, tuition, fees, and insurance. We seek student applications with a experiences and interests in aquatic ecology, fish, plankton, habitat, and quantitative skills (statistics, modeling, large data sets). Competitive applicants will have an excellent academic record, research experiences, top GRE scores, and a background in environmental biology. Applicants that have an MS degree are preferred, but highly competitive new BS graduates will be considered. Evaluation of candidates is underway but will extend through early 2009. Email (no phone calls) a brief description of your career aims with a resume, course and grade history (unofficial fine), and GRE scores to Mark Bain (Mark.Bain@Cornell.edu). This material will be reviewed and only a small group of competitive applicants will be asked to submit a formal application. More specific information will be sent to leading applicants, and general information can be found at these web sites: Department of Natural Resources | Mark Bain. Posted: 12/18/08.

Dartmouth College: I (Matt Ayres) expect to have a graduate fellowship available beginning in summer or fall of 2009 in the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Program of the Department of Biological Sciences. The successful candidate will (1) participate in funded studies that are broadly organized around the theme of things that eat trees and (2) develop their own Ph.D. research program. Fellowships are also available to work in other laboratories within the EEB program. For more information see my website, linked above, or contact: Matt Ayres (603 646-2788, Matt.Ayres-at-Dartmouth.edu). Posted: 12/2/08.

Dartmouth College: We seek applicants for our new NSF Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship (IGERT) program in Polar Environmental Change. Polar systems are at the forefront of global change science research. This program supports the development of an interdisciplinary graduate program in polar sciences and engineering by merging expertise and facilities from science and engineering departments at Dartmouth College with the U.S. Army Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (CRREL), creating one of the premier centers of scientific expertise in polar research. The investment of Dartmouth's Dickey Center for International Understanding and its Institute of Arctic Studies in forming relationships with Greenlandic institutions and Inuit leaders provides the opportunity for intensive field training in Greenland where science, policy and indigenous issues of the north can be explored. Collectively these experiences provide rigorous training in polar and related sciences and will produce young scientists with an advanced knowledge of the role of science in policy and of the ethics of conducting research with indigenous people. Our research training will be coupled to a coordinated core curriculum that will focus on three components of Arctic or Antarctic systems responding to rapid change in climate: 1) the cryosphere - glacial ice, snow, sea ice systems; 2) terrestrial ecosystems and biogeochemical linkages between the soil, plant, and animal system; and, 3) human systems - the process of policy making in political and social systems where western science and traditional knowledge provide information. Applicants should visit the Dartmouth IGERT website for information on participating departments, requirements, and application procedures. For further information, contact Lee McDavid, IGERT Administrator, at Lee.Mcdaviddartmouth.edu or Prof. Ross Virginia, IGERT Principal Investigator at Ross.Virginiadartmouth.edu. Posted: 11/13/08.

Dartmouth College: The Graduate Program in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology invites applications from prospective Ph.D. students. We offer a wide range of opportunities for studying a diversity of biological systems from ecological and evolutionary perspectives, and our core group of enthusiastic faculty, graduate students and post-docs provide an exciting environment in which to pursue a Ph.D (Department of Biological Sciences). Generous financial support is provided in the form of Dartmouth Fellowships, health care, and a substantial yearly discretionary fund for research and travel that are guaranteed for 5 years. Students interested in alpine or polar ecosystems may also apply to the NSF IGERT training grant program on polar environmental change and its human dimensions. Applications will be considered beginning December 15th. Promising applicants will be invited and hosted for interviews February 6-8. Posted: 10/15/08.

Dauphin Island Sea Lab: A Ph.D. assistantship is available at the DISL/University of South Alabama to carry out work on Ecosystem Integrity and Restoration. The student will participate in a multidisciplinary, multiyear project looking at how marsh, seagrass and oyster reef restoration improves the services and benefits provided by coastal ecosystems. The student is expected to complement that project with other case studies and well-targeted field and lab experiments that will help improve our understanding of the functioning and integrity of restored coastal habitats. To apply for the position, please send a resume, a letter stating why you are interested in the position and what you intend to achieve with your work at the DISL, and the names and contact information of three references to Dr. Just Cebrian (jcebriandisl.org). The assistantship is available immediately. Posted: 8/8/08.

Duke University: Duke's Program in Ecology has PhD assistanthships available in the coming year, enrollment in fall of 2009, including James B. Duke Fellowships and Plant-Ecology Billings Fellowships. The Duke program has a breadth, depth, and history that makes it a very special place to earn a PhD. For more information, see www.ecology.duke.edu. Further questions can be directed to Meg Stephens at meg.stephensduke.edu and applications are due 15 December. On-line applications are available at: http://www.gradschool.duke.edu/admissions/. Posted: 11/19/08.

Duke University: Professor Daniel deB. Richter's Soil Biogeochemistry Laboratory is recruiting a biogeochemist PhD student to enroll in the fall of 2009. The lab has research sites that are >50-year-old, a hydraulic Geoprobe that can sample to >20-m, analytical instrumentation, and a history of providing excellent mentoring for linking soils with ecosystem science. Although we focus on the belowground components of ecosystems, we are interested in all geographic scales of ecosystem ecology. On-going projects involve the changing model of soil, anthro-pedology, long-term soil-ecosystem experiments, and global soil change (http://calhoun.env.duke.edu; http://ltse.env.duke.edu). Questions can be directed to Dan Richter at drichterduke.edu and applications are due 15 December. On-line applications are available at: http://www.gradschool.duke.edu/admissions/. Posted: 11/19/08.

Duke University: The Center for Marine Conservation and the Division of Marine Science and Conservation of the Nicholas School of the Environment seeks up to three Ph.D. students interested in interdisciplinary approaches to marine conservation. Qualified students will possess an undergraduate or masters degree in an appropriate field of natural or social science. We are particularly interested in students with strong quantitative skills who will work on issues in marine conservation that integrate natural and social sciences. We are also interested in students who will work with more than one faculty mentor, preferably one from natural sciences and one from social sciences. Prospective students should contact faculty members prior to submitting an application. For more information please contact Duke Center for Marine Conservation at marineconservationduke.edu or Larry Crowder (lcrowderduke.edu). Posted: 11/19/08.

Durham University: The Ecosystem Science group are advertising a range of competitively-funded PhD projects in ecology. Projects include: # Climate change and the management of alpine ungulates # The ontogeny of personality in grey seals (Halichoerus grypus) # Developing spatially realistic cost functions for species dispersal routes under changing environmental conditions # The population dynamics of an invasive species: the fallow deer (Dama dama) # Behavioural and evolutionary ecology of lampreys - jawless archetypes in a 21st century landscape (fully funded) # Managing landscapes to enhance habitat connectivity and landscape permeability. To take advantage of all funding opportunities, candidates should apply by the 15th of February. Further details are available on our studentship opportunities page. Posted: 1/27/09.

East Carolina University: The Department of Biology invites inquiries and applications from prospective graduate students for Fall 2009. We have an active and well-supported group of faculty in Ecology and Evolution and will guarantee accepted PhD students (to the Interdisciplinary Doctoral Program in Biological Sciences) at least two years of support with no teaching obligations and at least five years of support total, at a very competitive level. We also offer two MS programs (with TA-ships readily available) and participate in ECU's PhD program in Coastal Resources Management. Situated in the attractive and affordable community of Greenville, we are in easy reach of North Carolina's Research Triangle as well as the diverse natural communities of the Coastal Plain and the Outer Banks. Thus excellent opportunities exist for collaboration and to work in terrestrial, aquatic, wetland and marine systems. A readily available 454 sequencer at ECU's Brody School of Medicine facilitates genomic research. Travel is convenient through Raleigh-Durham International Airport and our faculty are engaged in research on every continent but Antarctica. Please visit http://www.ecu.edu/biology/ to find out more about our department, faculty and graduate programs. Review of graduate applications generally begins in March (though the formal deadline is later). Please contact prospective mentors directly for more information, or graduate studies director Terry West: westtecu.edu. Posted: 11/11/08.

East Carolina University: An NSF supported research assistantship is available for a PhD student (or potentially a master's student) to participate in a 5 year project that examines the consequences of biodiversity loss in temporary ponds located in the coastal plain of North Carolina. The position is based out of Dr. David Chalcraft's lab in the Department of Biology. The PI will primarily be focusing on the biodiversity of aquatic insects and larval frogs. The PI will certainly consider students who desire to work primarily with insects and amphibians but he is particularly interested in recruiting students that have prior experience working with algae and/or invertebrates other than insects. Research in the Chalcraft lab focuses on determinants of the intensity of species interactions, causes and consequences of spatial and temporal variation in species composition, and the stability of populations and communities. The successful candidate will be expected to develop a research project that focuses on some component of the ecology of temporary ponds and would be joining an active and fun group of graduate and undergraduate students already in the lab. ECU is the third largest member (27k students) within the UNC system and is located in Greenville, NC. The Department of Biology has 44 faculty and over 90 graduate students that are enrolled in the Department's master's program, the Interdisciplinary Doctoral Program in Biological Sciences, and the Doctoral Program in Coastal Resource Management. Candidates can apply through either of the two doctoral programs. The primary field site is the Croatan National Forest (near Morehead City, NC) and the PI has an array of artificial ponds located at ECU's West Research Campus, a 600 acre tract of land that is located 10-15 minutes away from the main campus. Applicants should send a brief cover letter, CV/resume, statement of relevant research experience and interests (1-2 pages), and list of references to Dr. David Chalcraft (chalcraftdecu.edu). It is possible that the successful candidate could be hired as a technician in the lab (beginning in April 2009) prior to enrolling in the doctoral program so the candidate should also express whether they have an interest in this position. Phone: (252)328-2797. Posted: 9/9/08.

Eastern Kentucky University: An opportunity exists for a MS-Level student in a collaborative analysis of an outstanding example of old-growth mixed mesophytic forest in southeastern Kentucky. Research will be conducted at the Lilley Cornett Woods Appalachian Research Station. The student will be based at Eastern Kentucky University in the Cumberland Laboratory of Forest Science, but will be jointly advised by Dr. Neil Pederson (EKU) and Dr. Ryan McEwan from the University of Dayton. We are seeking a motivated student who is eager to work in steep, forested, terrain in all weather conditions. This student will conduct a highly rigorous ecological analysis of historic permanent plots established in 1971, and will be responsible for management of these and other related data sets. Field dendrology skills are required, and must be balanced by an eagerness to learn and implement complex statistical analyses using large data sets. Students with proven research expertise in these areas are encouraged to apply. The student will be supported by a teaching assistantship through the Department of Biology. We would prefer if the student could start in Summer '09. One paid Old-growth Forest Internship will be set aside for the successful applicant. Dr. Shannon Galbraith-Kent, assistant professor at Thomas More College and the last MS student to collect from the permanent plots, will also be involved in the project. Priority applications are due February 15th, 2009. Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact either Neil or Ryan prior to applying. Posted: 12/18/08.

Eastern Michigan University: M.S. position in Ecosystem Responses to Phragmites removal in Great Lakes coastal wetlands. A Graduate Research Assistantship is available in the Biology Department to participate in research on effects of invasion and removal of Phragmites australis on ecosystem function (anticipated start date Aug-Sept 2009). The work will be part of a larger study aimed at developing a coupled remote sensing and biological monitoring program to assess impacts of invasive species throughout the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge (DRIWR). We are seeking a masters student to assist with one component of the project in which sites will be monitored before and after Phragmites removal to assess impacts on a number of ecosystem services including on carbon and nutrient cycling, water quality, and plant biodiversity. Field work will be conducted throughout the year at sites within the DRIWR, and will involve collaborative work with GIS specialists and managers of the Refuge. The ideal applicant will have an undergraduate degree in biology, ecology, environmental science, or chemistry, and experience conducting field work. For additional information about this opportunity and the application process, contact Dr. Kristi Judd (kjudd2@emich.edu). Posted: 6/9/09.

Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne: In the framework of the European COST Action FP0603 (Forest Models for Research and Decision Support in Sustainable Forest Management) and of the Swiss research project MOUNTLAND on impact of land use and climate change on mountain ecosystems and landscape, we are looking for a Ph.D. student in ecological modelling who will undertake the specific task “Vegetation dynamics in pasture-woodland landscapes under climate change: towards a modeling tool for active adaptive management of silvopastoral systems”. Your tasks: You will achieve the development of a spatially explicit dynamic model of landscape dynamics (WoodPaM), based on several existing models (e.g., LandClim, TreeMig). For this, you will work in strong collaboration with modelers at ETHZ and WSL, as well as with plant and soil ecologists at EPFL, in the framework of the MOUNTLAND project. Your model will implement key ecological processes operating at three organization levels in a hierarchically structured silvopastoral system: interactions among tree species, plant functional types and cattle, influenced by topography, land use and climatic constraints. You will apply this model to the simulation and the prediction of future changes in landscape structure and ecosystem services in selected areas of the Jura Mountains, through various scenarios of climate change and management. Your model will be used to design novel strategies for the sustainable land use of mountain ecosystems and landscapes based on the concept of active adaptive management. You will be affiliated to the Doctoral Program Environment at the EPFL Doctoral School, hosted at ECOS in Lausanne and start your work in early 2009. Qualifications: M.Sc. degree in mathematical ecology or environmental engineering, preferably with a thesis topic in spatial ecological modeling. Good English communication and writing skills. Knowledge and practice in dynamic modeling of complex systems, including the use of visual modeling environments, such as Simile, and the experience of at least one programming language. Interest in community ecology or landscape ecology and you are familiar with GIS. You work cooperatively in an interdisciplinary team effort and wish to take initiatives and go at work with ambition. Interested? Please send your complete application, including a motivation letter and a CV with photo, brief description of M.Sc. thesis work as well as a list of publications, to Prof. François Gillet (invited professor at EPFL) at the following address: Prof. François Gillet, Université de Franche-Comté – CNRS, UMR Chrono-environnement 6249, 16 route de Gray, F-25030 Besançon cedex (France). For more information, please contact francois.gillet@epfl.ch. Posted: 12/22/08.

Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne: For the project MOUNTLAND and its module on impact of land use and climate change on pasture-woodland ecosystems, we are looking for a Ph.D. student in plant and soil ecology who will undertake the specific task “Fine-scale monitoring and manipulative field experiments”. The work place will be at our Laboratory ECOS in Lausanne. You will set up two manipulative field experiments, one with soil transplantation down an altitudinal gradient and another with active soil warming at high elevation in the Jura Mountains. You will carry out precise vegetation relevés, measure primary production and soil functioning (respiration, litter decomposition), and do laboratory analyses (soil nutrients, dissolved and inorganic C and N, microbial C and N, plant N and P). Microbial diversity will also be investigated. You will be affiliated to the Doctoral Program Environment at the EPFL Doctoral School and start your work in early 2009. Your qualifications: M.Sc. degree in biology or environmental engineering, preferably with a thesis topic in ecology of terrestrial ecosystems. Good English communication and writing skills are required. Practical experience in plant ecology, functional ecology, statistical analysis, vegetation and soil analysis will be of advantage. You work cooperatively in an interdisciplinary team effort and wish to take initiatives and go at work with ambition. Interested? Please send your complete application, including a motivation letter and a CV with photo, brief description of M.Sc. thesis work as well as a list of publications, to Prof. A. Buttler, EPFL, Ecological Systems Laboratory ECOS, Station 2, CH-1015 Lausanne (Switzerland). Contact can be made at alexandre.buttler@epfl.ch, with the mention PhD-Mountland. Posted: 12/19/08.

ETH Zurich: The Forest Ecology Group at ETH Zurich (Switzerland) offers a PhD position that will focus on estimating future forest structure and productivity in the light of global change with an emphasis on increasing drought risks. The project will build upon the widely used LPJ-GUESS model, and the student will test the model against long-term data from various sources (e.g. forest reserve data, tree ring data), focusing on the model's ability to represent stand structural attributes along strong climatic gradients in Switzerland. For model improvement, the focus will be on the growth-mortality relationship of trees. More information on this position. Screening starts on 16 February, but applications are accepted until the position is filled. Posted: 1/30/09.

Florida International University: The NASA funded WaterSCAPES University Research Center at Florida International University has 4 Ph.D. positions available in two departments: (1) Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (2 positions), and (2) the newly created Department of Earth and the Environment (2 positions). The focus of WaterSCAPES is to address the stocks and fluxes of water, energy, nutrients and vegetative biomass through a quantitative approach that combines remote sensing observations (radar and optical), mathematical modeling of ecohydrologic processes and field ecophysiological experiments. The proposed work will be performed on two wetland ecosystems: the Everglades of South Florida and the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve in the Yucatan peninsula of Mexico. Students with interest in hydrological modeling, remote sensing, and/or field based ecohydrological investigations are encouraged to apply. Full 12-month stipends and tuition are available with support up to 5 years. US Citizenship is required. Students interested in working on modeling energy and water fluxes in a coupled wetland-urban-agriculture interfaced ecosystems setting in South Florida can contact Assefa Melesse (melesse@fiu.edu). An online application and more information can be found at http://gradschool.fiu.edu/. Posted: 5/7/09.

Florida International University: Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden’s Center for Tropical Plant Conservation and FIU seek a graduate research assistant to study the invasive ecology of the exotic grass Melinis repens in pine rockland and scrub plant communities of Miami-Dade County. This 2-year position will require the development of Best Management Practices for the funding agency in addition to a peer-reviewed publication about the research. Skills needed: Coursework and interest in plant ecology, conservation biology, botany, agronomy, forestry, horticulture or plant sciences; ability to perform demanding outdoor physical labor in hot and humid conditions, lift and carry 30 lbs, and hike in uneven terrain for 2 miles; proficiency in MS Word, Excel and/or Access; willingness to learn new protocols and programs; excellent written and oral communication; ability to work cooperatively with FTBG and FIU colleagues and independently; and willingness to complete other duties as assigned. Application for this position must coincide with application to FIU. Send letter of interest, resume, and two letters of recommendation to: Hong Liu, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, Center for Tropical Plant Conservation, 11935 Old Cutler Rd., Miami, FL 33156-4242 or hliu@fiu.edu. Position provides half-time salary of $15k for 2 years and modest funding for travel and supplies. Closing date: September 1, 2009. Deadline to apply for FIU spring 2010 semester: October 1, 2009. Posted: 5/7/09.

Florida International University: A Ph.D. Graduate Assistantship is available in the Department of Biological Sciences at Florida International University to work in the Everglades beginning in Fall of 2009. The candidate’s research interests should include aquatic ecology, algal ecology, or paleoecology. The project will focus on understanding the distribution of benthic algal communities in the Everglades and determining drivers of long-term temporal and large-scale spatial trends. Work will involve both field studies in the Everglades and laboratory studies on campus. The student will be working closely with scientists from the Florida Coastal Everglades Long-Term Ecological Research (FCE LTER) program. Applicants should be highly motivated and hard-working, and familiarity with algae is a plus. To learn more: benthic algal research at FIU. The Department of Biological Sciences has strengths in Everglades, Caribbean, and Tropical Ecology. This is a fully-funded assistantship that includes stipend, tuition and research support. Interested students should email pdfs of 1) a current Curriculum Vita, 2) statement of research interest, 3) unofficial copy of transcripts, and names of three references to gaisere@fiu.edu. The deadline for applications is January 23, 2009. For more information contact Evelyn Gaiser. Posted: 10/10/08, revised: 1/7/08.

Florida International University: A Ph.D. assistantship is available at Florida International University in Miami beginning in Summer or Fall 2009 to study denitrification and other aspects of nitrogen cycling in spring-fed and blackwater rivers of North and Central Florida. This research provides an opportunity to integrate high-resolution in-situ sensor measurements of NO₃, estimation of denitrification via open channel N₂ flux methods, and isotopic approaches in order to evaluate N dynamics along gradients of ecosystem productivity and nutrient enrichment. The student will join a broader research team investigating interactions among karst aquifer hydrology, carbonate and nitrogen biogeochemistry, and river ecosystem metabolism. This research is supported by grants from the National Science Foundation and the St. Johns River Water Management District. Applicants should send a CV, statement of research interests and experience, a summary of relevant coursework (with GPA and GRE scores), and names of 3 references to Dr. Jim Heffernan (jheffer@fiu.edu; 305 348-3101). Review of applications will begin January 15th but may continue until the February 1st deadline for applications to the FIU Department of Biological Sciences. Posted: 12/11/08.

Florida International University: A M.S. or Ph.D. Graduate Assistantship is available in the Department of Biological Sciences to work on an interdisciplinary project on cold-season plant ecology based at Toolik Lake Arctic Research Station beginning in Spring or Summer of 2009. The candidate’s research interests should include plant ecophysiology, ecosystem physiology, or plant ecology. The project will focus on understanding of winter and transition-season physiological processes and survival of plants in two tundra ecosystems. Work will involve both field studies at Toolik Lake Field Station and controlled environment work at FIU. The student will be working closely with scientists from the University of Alabama and the Arctic LTER. Familiarity with plant water relation techniques and LI-COR gas exchange instrumentation is a plus. FIU is the public research university in Miami with a highly diverse, vibrant, and growing student body located near the edge of the Florida Everglades. The Department has strengths in Everglade, Arctic, and Tropical Ecology. This is a fully-funded assistantship that includes: stipend, travel and living accommodations during the research work at Toolik Lake. Interested students should email pdfs of 1) a current Curriculum Vita, 2) statement of research interest, 3) unofficial copy of transcripts, and names of three references. For more information contact Steve Oberbauer (oberbauefiu.edu). Posted: 8/19/08.

Florida State University: MS and PhD Assistantships: Marine Ecology and Fisheries. FSU Coastal and Marine Laboratory. Graduate student assistantships (MS or PhD) are available to participate in research projects investigating the ecological dynamics of fish and invertebrates in estuarine and nearshore continental shelf environments. Particular projects are addressing (1) the relationship between river flow, biophysical dynamics, and the functioning of estuarine nursery habitats for juvenile fishes and (2) the ecological and fishery effects of large-scale hypoxia on the northwestern Gulf of Mexico shelf. These projects involve an integration of field surveys, laboratory experiments, and retrospective analysis of historical datasets. Anticipated start date is summer or fall 2009. Interested students should have a background in ecology, fisheries, marine biology, or a related discipline. Field experience and an interest in developing quantitative skills are strongly desired. Students should apply through the Department of Biological Science. Further inquiries as well as a CV, cover letter describing your interests, and names and contact information for three references should be sent to Dr. Kevin Craig (kevin.craig@bio.fsu.edu, 850-697-8550). Posted: 12/2/08.

Florida State University: I am seeking a motivated student to fill a graduate research assistantship at the M.S. or Ph.D. level in the Department of Oceanography. The position is available beginning in Spring, 2009. The research project will focus on the growth of marine algae as a feedstock for biofuels production. The student in this position will be expected to work closely with other scientists in the newly established Institute for Energy Systems, Economics, and Sustainability at FSU. Interested students should have a background in marine biology, cell biology and/or microbiology, and should have strong quantitative skills. Mechanical skills and/or experience in aquaculture would be viewed positively. The assistantship will have an excellent stipend relative to the cost-of-living, and will also include a full tuition remission along with research expenses. FSU is located in the city of Tallahassee, where cost-of-living is inexpensive and ample opportunities exist for cultural/artistic and outdoor activities. The University has a distinguished and rapidly expanding marine laboratory located about 45 minutes to the south of Tallahassee, and the Apalachicola Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve is located about 1 hour west. For more information, or to be considered for the position, please email Dr. Mike Wetz at wetz@email.unc.edu. Letters of interest will be accepted until December 31st, though particularly strong candidates may be encouraged to apply in full to FSU earlier. Posted: 12/2/08.

Florida State University: I am seeking a motivated student to fill a M.S. Graduate Assistantship in the Department of Oceanography. The position will be available beginning in either Summer or Fall, 2009. A research project will be developed in the framework of one of the following research themes; 1) storm impacts on estuarine/coastal phytoplankton dynamics and food web interactions, 2) the ecological and biogeochemical role of transparent exopolymer particles in estuaries, or 3) the impact of climate and/or anthropogenic change on estuarine phytoplankton and food web structure. Interested students should have a background in marine science and/or ecology, and strong quantitative skills. The assistantship will have an excellent stipend relative to the cost-of-living, and will also have full tuition remission. Funds are in place to cover research expenses. FSU is located in the city of Tallahassee, where cost-of-living is inexpensive and ample opportunities exist for cultural/artistic and outdoor activities. The University has a distinguished and rapidly expanding marine laboratory located about 45 minutes to the south of Tallahassee, and the Apalachicola Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve is located about 1 hour west. For more information, or to be considered for the position, please email Dr. Mike Wetz at wetzemail.unc.edu by October 21st. Posted: 10/3/08.

Fordham University: The Graduate Ecology program has new research opportunities and both teaching and research fellowships available for well-qualified students interested in pursuing a M.S. or Ph.D. in Fall 2009. We have research opportunities through our expanded graduate program, which links scientists at our main campus, the Louis Calder Center Biological Station, the New York Botanical Garden, and the Wildlife Conservation Society. Accepted MS and PhD candidates could receive stipends in the range of $26-27k per year, plus full tuition remission. Students may work in many areas of ecology, evolution, and systematics, as well as applied areas such as conservation of endangered species, urbanization effects on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, and responses of plants and animals to climate change. Specific research areas of our faculty include: - Anthropogenic and disturbance-related effects on nutrient dynamics - Biodiversity, biogeography, and ecology of freshwater algae - Ectomychorrhizal fungal communities and nutrient availability - Effects of climate change on hibernation and survival of mammals - Experimental evolution of bacterial symbionts - Ecology and epidemiology of vector-borne diseases - Evolution of animal social behavior - Evolution of herbivory defense in invasive plants - Freshwater food webs in streams and rivers - Fungal community structure and ecosystem processes - Landscape ecology and spatial distribution of disease vectors - Nutritional and biochemical adaptations to seasonally cold environments - Using molecular tools to measure disease transmission in wild populations Interested students should contact relevant faculty members or research scientists to discuss mutual research interests via the following websites. Graduate Ecology program | New York Botanical Garden | Wildlife Conservation Society | Louis Calder Biological Field Station. The deadline for applications is January 5, 2009, and application fees will be waived if application is completed between Oct. 1 and Nov. 15. Online applications are available from: http://www.fordham.edu/gsas For any questions, feel free to contact Amy R. Tuininga (Tuiningafordham.edu). Posted: 10/3/08.

Fort Hays State University: We have a position available for a MS student to study plant physiological ecology of drought stress. The project will include studies of the responses of natural prairie ecosystems to variation in precipitation using the ecologically dominant prairie grass big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) as a model. The work will be part of a project funded by the USDA Plant Biology Abiotic Stress program. The project will include common garden reciprocal transplant experiments and phenotypic characterization to test for the adaptive differentiation of natural populations of big bluestem across the precipitation gradient from southern Illinois to Colby, Kansas. Relevant measurements will include tiller density and height, flowering time/success, leaf mass area, gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence, and plant and soil water potential. There is also opportunity for the student to develop other measurements and hypotheses within the field treatments. This student will also interface with others in the collaborative project that are investigating the functional genetic variation and expression in big bluestem ecotypes and identifying genes that are responsive to drought. There will also be opportunities to interact with other researchers in the context of the Kansas State University Ecological Genomics Institute. The student will be co-advised by Brian Maricle (brmaricle@fhsu.edu) in the Department of Biology and Keith Harmoney at the KSU Agricultural Research Center, Hays, KS (kharmone@ksu.edu) and will work as part of a larger collaborative team with Loretta Johnson (KSU), Ted Morgan (KSU), Sara Baer (Southern Illinois University), Karen Garrett and Eduard Ahkunov (KSU). Applicants should have a demonstrated interest in plant physiological ecology and/or ecological genomics. Preference will be given to students who have experience or demonstrated potential in these areas. Review of applicants will begin in December 2008, and continue until the successful applicant is identified. Applications should include a cover letter with a statement of research interests and timing of availability, a CV, and names and contact information for three professional references. Please send your application through e-mail to brmaricle@fhsu.edu. To ensure that your application is received, please include the following in the subject of your e-mail: ‘Application for Ecotype Assistantship’. The starting date is flexible. Applicants who can begin on the project by June 2009 will be given preference. Posted: 12/16/08.

Freie Universitaet Berlin: Ph.D. student (36 months) to work on a DFG-funded project that aims to examine the role of bacteria in association with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in soil aggregation. Deadline for application is 4th of May 2009. See lab webpages (mycorrhizas.googlepages.com) for info on the lab and to read the German job description. We are looking for someone with good soil microbial ecology experience (MSc degree or equivalent is required), especially with soil bacteria. Knowledge of molecular methods is a plus, as well as statistics skills and familiarity with planning of greenhouse experiments. Send applications by mail to Prof. Dr. Matthias C. Rillig, Freie Universität Berlin, Plant Ecology, Altensteinstr. 6, D- 14195 BERLIN, Germany or email as a pdf (matthias dot rillig at fu-berlin.de). Inquiries are also welcome. Posted: 4/27/09.

Georgia Southern University: Funding is available starting fall 2009 to support a Master's student to participate in a study of phytoplankton community response to nutrient changes in the Altamaha River. The Altamaha is the largest river system east of the Mississippi, with a ~37,000 km2 watershed draining nearly one quarter of the area of Georgia. This watershed is home to more than 50 threatened and endangered species and was designated a Bioreserve in 1991 by the Nature Conservancy. The successful applicant will be expected to assist in both field and laboratory studies investigating phytoplankton community dynamics using both traditional and DNA barcoding techniques. The successful applicant will be expected to enter the M.S. program in Biology at GSU in fall 2009. Support in the form of a teaching assistantship is available during the fall and spring semesters. Support in the form of a research assistantship is available for two summer terms. Tuition and basic major medical insurance will also be provided. Interested students should submit a resume, undergraduate transcripts, GRE scores, a statement of interest and career goals, and two letters of reference to Dr. Risa Cohen or Dr. Scott Harrison, Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, P.O. Box 8042, Statesboro, GA 30460-8042. Information on applying to graduate school can be found at http://cogs.georgiasouthern.edu. Posted: 11/19/08.

Hofstra University: M.S. student wanted to model the effects of climate change and urbanization on the major ecosystems of Long Island, NY starting in Fall 2009 or spring 2010. The objective of this project is to model the predicted changes in the distributions of the major plant species that structure the most important ecosystems of Long Island at chosen future time slices. The models will include consideration of sea level rise and increasing urbanization. The student will use existing data sets and GIS data and work with The Nature Conservancy, Natural Area Inventory, and Dr. Luca Luiselli, an ecological modeler (F.I.Z.V. (Ecology) and Centre of Environmental Studies, Rome). The position comes with full tuition remission, but does not include salary or housing. There may be opportunities for teaching positions and other employment. The project may involve field work but will mostly require a detailed evaluation of previously collected data. The candidate will be part of a research group composed of professors and students in the Hofstra University Center for Climate Study (HUCCS), spearheaded by Dr. E. Christa Farmer (Geology). One branch of the research, headed by Dr. David Weissman (Physics), will study the effect of rain on the CO2 absorption in the ocean using space-based microwave radar. The research project advertised here is headed by Dr. Russell Burke (Biology). The third branch of HUCCS research will investigate paleotempestology, or the study of prehistoric hurricanes from the geologic record, and will be spearheaded by Dr. Farmer. The results from these studies will be disseminated to the scientific community through publications and presentations at scientific meetings, and to the public through a museum exhibit. Qualifications: A bachelor’s degree in biological sciences, with experience in both plant ecology and GIS. A strong interest in conservation, quantitative ecology, and statistics. The successful applicant must be accepted as a graduate student in the Department of Biology, a small but intensive graduate program with new undergraduate and graduate degree programs in Urban Ecology. To apply: Send a short letter of introduction, a CV, unofficial copies of academic transcripts, and the name and e-mail address of 3 references to Dr. Russell Burke at biorlb@hofstra.edu. Posted: 6/17/09.

Humboldt State University: HSU is a comprehensive public university with world-class graduate programs in natural resource management, located on the North Coast of California, in a beautiful, remote setting. The Mathematical Modeling option of the Environmental Systems Graduate Program at HSU has an active research program in various applications of mathematics and statistics to environmental problems. Thematic research areas include the quantitative study of (1) biodiversity and conservation through population ecology, fisheries biology and forest fire modeling; (2) interactions between the environment and individuals or populations; and (3) physical and biological understanding of climate change and its consequences. The program is distinguished by its low student-to-faculty ratio, high level of faculty mentoring and interdisciplinary curriculum. We are looking for qualified applicants who are interested in broadening their mathematical skills and applying them to problems in the environmental and natural resources sciences. Our graduate students typically hold a bachelors degree in pure or applied mathematics, but other applicants with a strong quantitative background will also be considered. Applications are due March 15, 2009. For more information regarding applications please contact Dr. Bori Mazzag (borim@humboldt.edu). Posted: 2/16/09.

Indiana University of Pennsylvania: I invite applicants for graduate assistantships in my lab at in the Biology Department at IUP, the largest university in the PA State System of Higher Education. A description of possible projects can be found on my website. I am especially seeking applicants for the following projects: 1. Restoration and reforestation of reclaimed surface mines. 2. Impacts of forest change on birds. Interested individuals should send a CV and unofficial transcripts to Tim Nuttle (nuttle@iup.edu). Successful applicants will receive a tuition waiver and stipend (about $12k per year). Posted: 2/4/09.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis: The Department of Earth Sciences invites applications for three MS Graduate Research Assistantship (GRA) positions starting in June 2009. We are seeking highly motivated students interested in pursuing an MS degree in Earth Sciences. Applicants should have background in soil biogeochemistry, hydrology, agronomy, ecology or related sciences, and be willing to work both in the field and in the laboratory. These positions are funded through recent grants from the USDA-NRI program. Applicants should indicate their interest in one of the following projects: 1. Dynamics of Greenhouse Gases in Riparian Zones, 2. Riparian Zone Hydrology and Nutrient Transport, 3. Methane Oxidization in No-Till Agro-ecosystems. Each GRA provides a competitive stipend, tuition and medical insurance. For more information, contact Dr. Pierre-André Jacinthe (pjacinth@iupui.edu; 317-274-7969) or Dr. Philippe Vidon (pvidon@iupui.edu; 317-688-0722; project #2). Posted: 1/26/09.

Instituto de Recursos Naturales y Agrobiología: The Forest Dynamics Group at the Institute of Natural Resources and Agrobiology of Sevilla (Spain) offers the possibility of conducting a PhD (4 years, 1200 Euros per month) associated to the project funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science "Ecological interactions and global change in Mediterranean forests (INTERBOS)". The general objective of the project is to study ecological interactions in the Mediterranean forest, their consequences and how they are affected by global change, following a multidisciplinar approach. The deadline for the application is January 26th. For more infomation please contact Dr. Lorena Gómez Aparicio (lorenag@irnase.csic.es). Posted: 1/13/09.

Iowa State University: I have one 2-year MS assistantship available for a student interested in the social and economic aspects of natural resource management and alternative energy systems. Location: Department of Natural Resource Ecology & Management. You would become one of the founding members of the NREM Socio-Economic Research Lab. Ideal students will have an interest in sociology, economics, and ecology. The research involved is in the realm of sustainable biomass systems for biofuel/bioproduct production. Key research questions involve: What biomass fuel sources most effectively supply jointly produced economic, social, and environmental benefits (while minimizing potential negative impacts) in the US Cornbelt? What new crops, cropping systems, forest management practices, machinery and techniques for harvesting, storing, and transporting biomass are required for its sustainable development? What ecosystem goods and services can be qualified and then quantified within a partially perennialized agricultural landscape as compared to traditional row-crop systems. Research flexibility is always provided for the development of student-interest research questions. Research will involve systems modeling, stakeholder based assessments and interdisciplinary perspectives. Quantitative aptitude and reasonably developed verbal and written skills are a distinct plus. The student will be expected to present results of his/her research at regional and national meetings and to prepare manuscripts of these findings for publication in the peer-reviewed literature. Stipend: $18k per year plus health benefits and subsidized tuition (at least 50%). Start date: ISU Spring semester 2009. Prior to formal application to Iowa State University, interested applicants are strongly encouraged to contact Dr. John Tyndall (jtyndalliastate.edu; 515.294.4912) with a letter of interest, including cumulative GPA, GRE scores if available, description of any previous research experience, and contact information for three references. Please feel free to contact John with any informal inquiries. If you wish to send hard copies, these may be submitted to John Tyndall, Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management, 339 Science II, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50014. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until a suitable applicant is found. Posted: 8/29/08.

Kansas State University: We have a position available for a PhD student to study the ecological genomics of drought stress. The project will include studies of the responses of native prairie grasses to variation in precipitation using the ecologically dominant prairie grass big bluestem as a model. The work is part of a project funded by the USDA Plant Biology Abiotic Stress program. The project will include common garden transplant experiments and genomic approaches to test for the signature of adaptive genetic differentiation among natural populations of big bluestem across the precipitation gradient of the Great Plains. This collaborative research group assembles investigators with complementary expertise in Plant Ecological Genomics (Johnson, Garrett), Genomics (Ahkunov), Evolutionary Genetics (Morgan) and Restoration Ecology (Baer) to elucidate the response and adaptation of prairie grasses to abiotic stresses. This work will take place in the laboratories of Drs. Johnson, Akhunov, and Garrett, with close collaboration with Drs. Morgan and Baer. There will also be opportunities to interact with other researchers in the context of the Ecological Genomics Institute. Applicants should have a demonstrated interest in ecological or evolutionary genomics. Preference will be given to individuals with experience in modern molecular approaches and genomics tools. Review of applicants will begin June 1, and continue until the successful applicant is identified. The starting date is flexible. The position offers competitive salary of $25k and benefits. Applications should include a cover letter with a statement of research interests and explanation of your motivation and suitability for the project, a CV, and names and contact information for three professional references who can document the applicant is self-motivated and can work independently. Please send your application through e-mail to Loretta Johnson (Johnson@ksu.edu). Please include the following in the subject of your e-mail: "Application for Ecological Genomics Assistantship". Posted: 5/18/09.

Kansas State University: Department of Plant Pathology and Division of Biology. We have a position available for a PhD student to study the ecological genomics of drought stress. The project will include studies of the responses of natural prairie ecosystems to variation in precipitation using the ecologically dominant prairie grass big bluestem as a model. The work will be part of a project funded by the USDA Plant Biology Abiotic Stress program. The project will include transplant experiments and genomic approaches to test for the adaptive differentiation of natural populations of big bluestem across the precipitation gradient. The functional genetic variation and expression in big bluestem ecotypes will be studied to identify genes that are responsive to drought. New investigations might also make use of the nearby Konza Prairie NSF LTER site, several long-term agricultural experiments associated with KSU, or other field sites or greenhouse settings. There will also be opportunities to interact with other researchers in the context of the KSU Ecological Genomics Institute. The student will be co-advised by Eduard Akhunov (eakhunovksu.edu) and Karen Garrett and work as part of a larger collaborative team with Loretta Johnson, Ted Morgan, and Sara Baer. Applicants should have a demonstrated interest in ecological or evolutionary genomics. Preference will be given to students who have experience in molecular and evolutionary biology and/or genetics or demonstrated potential in these areas. Review of applicants will begin November 3, 2008, and continue until the successful applicant is identified. Applications should include a cover letter with a statement of research interests and timing of availability, a CV, and names and contact information for three professional references. Please send your application through e-mail to both eakhunovksu.edu and kgarrettksu.edu. To ensure that your application is received, please include the following in the subject of your e-mail: ‘Application for Ecological Genomics Assistantship’. The starting date is flexible. The position offers competitive salary and benefits. Posted: 9/26/08.

Kent State University: Funding is available for one graduate student position (preferably a PhD student) at Kent State University, Ohio. The project involves testing ecological theory in fungal communities in northwestern lower Michigan forests. Studies will be based on molecular community analysis of fungal decomposers in field surveys and experiments. The individual will be expected to travel to field sites several times per year, and work successfully with undergraduates. Experience with PCR, microbiological methods, or multivariate or spatial statistics would be beneficial. Applications can be made to begin in Fall (8/2009) or Winter/Spring (1/2010) semester. Stipends include 12-mo salary, tuition, and benefits. To make a preliminary application, please send statement of interest, list of references, and a CV, including GPA and GRE scores, to Chris Blackwood (cblackwo@kent.edu). General information is also available at: Department of Biological Sciences. Posted: 6/26/09.

Kent State University/University of Guelph: Funding is available for two graduate students to work with Andrea Case (Kent State University, Ohio, USA) and Christina Caruso (University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada) on an NSF-funded research project. We are investigating the causes of population sex ratio variation in a gynodioecious plant (Lobelia siphilitica) across eastern North America. This project combines field experiments, controlled crosses in the greenhouse, and genotyping using microsatellite markers to determine how different mechanisms of evolution, as well as any differences in population history, contribute to variation in population sex ratio across L. siphilitica’s range. There is ample opportunity for students to develop independent research associated with the project. One Ph.D position is available in the Department of Biological Sciences at Kent State. The student would participate in lab work as well as fieldwork in Ohio and Indiana. Familiarity with basic molecular techniques (DNA extraction, PCR, sequencing) and using genetic markers will be helpful. Stipends cover 12-mo salary, tuition, and benefits; cost of living is very reasonable. Students have the option, but are not required, to TA. Details of how to apply to the program. Prior to submitting a formal application for the Kent State position, candidates should send a brief statement of interest and CV to acase@kent.edu. One Ph.D or M.Sc. position is available in the Department of Integrative Biology at the University of Guelph. The student will be responsible for overseeing controlled crosses in the greenhouse and conducting fieldwork in Ontario and Iowa. Applicants should have academic background and research experience in ecology and/or evolutionary biology. Experience working with plants in the greenhouse and field would be helpful. Information on the graduate program in Integrative Biology. Prior to submitting a formal application for the Guelph position, interested candidates should send an unofficial transcript, CV (including references), and a brief statement of interest to carusoc@uoguelph.ca. Posted: 3/25/09.

Lancaster University: up to 10 PhD Studentships are open to students from any country. Lancaster University Research Studentships are for a duration of up to four years. They exempt the recipient from paying tuition fees and include an annual living stipend at UK Research Council rates (£13,290 in 2009/10). Each year, recipients will also benefit from a personal research support account of £1500, to use for training and skills enhancement. The closing date for consideration under this studentship scheme is Friday, 17 April 2009. If you have any highly motivated students who might be interested in applying for a studentship to work on a topic of their choosing, but in the general area of the regulation of root development or nutrient signalling, they should contact Brian Forde (b.g.forde@lancaster.ac.uk) as soon as possible. Posted: 2/25/09.

Lehigh University: Peatland ecology/paleoecology. The Earth & Environmental Science Department has an opening for a graduate student (MS or PhD) as part of a newly NSF-funded project aimed at better understanding processes of peatland initiation and expansion in south-central Alaska. The project will characterize modern and historical rates and processes associated with peatland lateral expansion, placing recent changes in the context of regional hydrology and long-term developmental history. Full funding (tuition and stipend) is available through a research assistantship. Specific dissertation/thesis topic is flexible as long it fits within the context of the overall project. Preference will be given to candidates who can begin in Fall 2009 or Spring 2010. For more information, please contact Bob Booth (rkb205@lehigh.edu) and Zicheng Yu (ziy2@lehigh.edu). Posted: 6/9/09.

Lehigh University: Graduate Research Assistantship: Biogeochemical and Hydrological Cycling in Terrestrial Ecosystems. We seek applications for an MS or PhD student in climate change and terrestrial ecosystem dynamics starting in Spring 2008 or Fall 2009. Student should be interested in studying how changes in climate, atmospheric chemistry, and land use affect terrestrial ecosystems. We will explore the effect of both historical changes and future scenarios of climate, CO2 fertilization and plant physiology, ozone pollution, and land use and management on ecosystem productivity and the hydrological response. There is also the possibility to explore paleoclimatic issues of interest. The approach will involve computer modeling with climate and biogeochemical models. Candidate should have background in geologic or atmospheric sciences and skills in quantitative modeling and computer programming. Student will take a wide-range of courses in the Earth and Environmental Sciences Department to provide the integrated knowledge necessary to understand the Earth as a system. Support includes tuition and an annual stipend. For more information, please contact Dr. Benjamin Felzer, bsf208lehigh.edu, 610 758-3536. Posted: 10/8/08.

Lincoln University: We have exciting opportunities for four PhD students to work in the area of plant invasions. The positions are based in the Weed Invasions research group in the Bioprotection Research Centre, Lincoln University, New Zealand. The successful candidates will join an active and dynamic group of invasion ecologists and are part of a three-year funded project headed by Profs Phil Hulme and Richard Duncan. The four PhD fellowships aim to address key questions in invasion ecology using a variety of approaches (including field data collection, field and glasshouse experiments, and modelling). Each fellowship is fully funded covering fees, a three year student stipend (NZ$26k per annum) and operating expenses associated with each project. The project titles are: • How do propagule pressure, climate and land-use interact to determine weed abundance and distribution? • Predicting weed distributions under climate change: beyond the envelope • Quantifying invasion risk: commercial trees as a model system • Do mutualists matter? The significance of pollinators, seed dispersers and rhizobia on the differential success of Acacia species in NZ. For more details on these projects see: http://bioprotection.org.nz/vacancies or contact: Prof Phil Hulme (Philip.Hulmelincoln.ac.nz) or Prof Richard Duncan (Richard.Duncanlincoln.ac.nz). Applications for the PhD fellowships should include a CV, cover letter describing why the project interests you, and the names and e-mail addresses of three referees. If you would like to be considered for more than one of the projects please make this explicit in your application, identifying your preferences and provide reasoning as to these preferences. Applications close 14 November 2008 and should be e-mailed to: Philip.Hulmelincoln.ac.nz. Posted: 10/17/08.

Louisiana State University: MS/Ph.D. Graduate Research Assistantship in Stream Ecology. We are seeking a highly motivated graduate student at MS or PhD level to join in a project on the effectiveness of forestry best management practices on hydrology, water quality and stream ecology at the watershed scale. The successful candidate will work closely with a team of graduate students in the School of Renewable Natural Resources, Louisiana State University, to develop biological indices for stream water quality. Field research will be in a forest-dominated watershed located in Central Louisiana. This project demands a significant level of field and lab work and the candidate should be in excellent physical condition, be able to work outdoors in inclement weather, and withstand annoying insects. Applicants should have a BS or MS degree in natural resources, ecology, biology, or a related field. Applicants must have experience in sampling and identification of benthic macroinvertebrates, possess a valid US driver's license and be able to work independently and collaboratively with others. Experience in stream measurements and water quality monitoring are desirable. Review of applicants will begin immediately, and continue until the position is filled. Starting stipend is $16k/year for MS and $18k/year for Ph.D. student with tuition waiver and health insurance coverage. If interested, send a cover letter stating your research interests, your curriculum vitae, university transcripts, GRE scores, and the names and contact information of three referees by email to Jun Xu: yjxu@lsu.edu. Posted: 4/27/09.

Louisiana State University: The Coastal Plants Breeding Program is accepting applications for one Ph.D. graduate research assistantship. The Coastal Plants Breeding Program is the only breeding program in the nation testing and improving native plants for coastal restoration projects using traditional and molecular plant breeding methods. This assistantship will compensate a Ph.D. student for investigating various aspects of sea oats (Uniola paniculata L.) seed production and performance of sea oats plants produced from seeds. Sea oats is a native plant species that is extremely valuable for reducing erosion throughout the Gulf and Atlantic Coasts. This assistantship is available in August 2009 and includes a generous 12-month stipend, tuition waiver, and low-cost health insurance. Interested individuals who have a M.S. in ecology, biology, plant science or a related field should send applications to Carrie Knott (cknott@agcenter.lsu.edu) by March 15, 2009. Applicants with a B.S. and a demonstrated record of exceptional academic and research experience will also be considered. The successful applicant must maintain a MINIMUM 3.5 GPA to retain the assistantship. Applications should include copies of transcripts, GRE scores, TOEFL scores (if applicable), and a C.V. For more detailed information please contact: Carrie Knott, Assistant Professor, Louisiana State University, School of Plant, Environmental, and Soil Sciences, 104 M.B. Sturgis Hall, Baton Rouge, LA 70803. cknott@agcenter.lsu.edu. Posted: 2/17/09.

Louisiana State University: Graduate Fellowship in Watershed Hydrology. We are seeking a highly motivated graduate students at M.S. or PhD level to join in a project on the effectiveness of forestry best management practices on stream hydrology at the watershed scale. The successful candidate will work with a team of graduate students and researchers in the School of Renewable Natural Resources. Field research will be in a forest-dominated watershed located in Central Louisiana. This project demands a significant level of field and lab work and the candidate should be in good physical condition, be able to work outdoors in inclement weather and withstand annoying insects. Applicants should have a MS degree in hydrology, soil science, environmental sciences, natural resources, or a related field and keenly interested in water resources and water quality. Applicants must possess a valid US driver's license and be able to work independently and collaboratively with others. Experience in stream measurements, hydrologic modeling, spatial analyses with GIS & RS techniques, and water quality monitoring are desirable. The Fellowship position will be funded through our Gilbert Foundation and are available immediately. Annual stipends can range up to $25k or $30k depending on degree and other factors. The Fellowship also includes a full tuition waiver. To be competitive master's degree applicants must have an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 overall and 3.25 for last two years. Ph.D. applicants must meet the following criteria: a 3.6 cumulative graduate GPA; a GRE score of 1,200 (V/Q each above 500); or a 3.75 graduate GPA if the undergraduate GPA is below 3.0 and/or 3.25 for the last two years. The School has a teaching, research, and extension faculty of 30, which includes adjunct professors of the US Geological Survey's Louisiana Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit. The faculty in the School is committed to innovative teaching, state-of-the-art research, and quality extension programs designed to train well-rounded natural resource professionals. See also: Graduate School web page. If interested, send a cover letter stating your research interests, your curriculum vitae, university transcripts, GRE scores, and the names and contact information of three referees by email to: Dr. Jun Xu (yjxu@lsu.edu), School of Renewable Natural Resources, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803. Posted: 1/20/09.

Louisiana State University: I am currently recruiting PhD students for my lab in the Department of Biological Sciences starting Fall 2009. My research focuses on examining how disease outbreaks, community structure, and stochasticity influence population dynamics by combining experimental and theoretical modeling. I'm interested in: 1) virus transmission and insect outbreaks; 2) plant population demography; and, 3) population viability and rare species management. In particular, I take a quantitative approach to ecological questions and would require that my students have a strong interest or training in quantitative ecology. While students may work on projects closely affiliated with my research, I also encourage them to seek out their own research identity. Students may be eligible for either a teaching or research fellowship which includes a stipend and a tuition waiver. For more information on the graduate program, the department, other faculty members, and Baton Rouge, LA, please see the department website. If your interested in applying, please email me a copy of your CV and a letter of interest in a single PDF. Dr. Bret Elderd (elderd@lsu.edu). Posted: 12/2/08.

Loughborough University: I am looking for well qualified students who are interested in perusing a PhD in plant ecology. PhD studentships are available within the Geography Department to start 1st October 2009. These awards cover home tuition fees and a stipend for living expenses (approximately equivalent to UK Research Council stipends - currently c. £13k per annum). I am particularly interested in hearing from students who are interested in pursuing projects in the ecology of carnivorous plants or nutrient dynamics in forests. I would strongly encourage potential applicants to contact me (Jon Millett) (preferably by email) before applying, including a brief outline of your background and potential research project. Details of how to apply. Posted: 1/20/09.

McGill University: Ph.D. Research Assistantship in land use and global environmental change. I (Navin Ramankutty) have 3 years of funding for a Ph.D. student in the Department of Geography in Montreal, Canada, starting in Sep 2009. The general area of research will be in understanding the environmental consequences of global land use and land cover change. Land use changes have now attained global significance in terms of extent, intensity, and environmental consequences. Understanding the relationship between human activities, land use/cover changes, and the structure and functioning of the Earth system is therefore of vital importance. What is the current extent of anthropogenic modification of our planet? How do land use/cover changes alter water resources, biogeochemical cycles, and climate? What are the feedbacks in the human-environment relationships, and where are the thresholds and surprises? Are humans altering the Earth system in a way that will jeopardize our ability to continue deriving resources in the future? These are the types of question that are of my interest to my research program. My research has involved understanding the patterns of global agricultural land use/cover change over the last century and their environmental consequences using data analysis and synthesis, and Earth system models. Specific projects that the PhD student could work on include: a) Continued development of global ecosystem models to evaluate the tradeoffs between food production and environmental degradation; b) Understanding the role of fires, insects, and land use on Canadian carbon balance, and predicting the future of Canadian carbon sinks; c) Estimating carbon emissions from tropical deforestation, and implications for climate mitigation policies such as REDD; d) Food vs. fuels: The interlinkages between food production and climate mitigation through production of agro-fuels. Candidates across the broad spectrum of global environmental research disciplines may apply, but those with degrees in Environmental Studies, Geography, Ecology, or Atmospheric Sciences with an interest in global environmental change are ideally suited. The ideal candidate will have excellent quantitative and analytical skills, and prior experience working with global environmental data and Earth system models. Programming skills in Fortran would be highly desirable. Candidates should have strong communication (spoken & written) and interpersonal skills. Funding is guaranteed for 3 years. Minimum stipend will amount to $19k per year. If interested, please submit the following by email to navin.ramankutty@mcgill.ca: 1. Brief email message outlining research interests; 2. Curriculum vitae; 3. Copies of latest transcripts (unofficial copies is sufficient for now); 4. Names and contact address of 3 references; 5. Reprints of publications, if available. Please use the following subject line in your email: PhD APPLICATION. The deadline for Sept 2009 admissions is Feb 1, 2009. Posted: 1/13/09.

McGill University: The Department of Geography is pleased to announce graduate recruitment for entry in September 2009. Student assistantships are available for positions advertised on the department website, and funding beyond these are available from numerous sources including federal and provincial fellowships, teaching, and research assistantships. Applicants are asked to contact an appropriate faculty member to determine if she or he may be willing to serve as a supervisor. Please see the graduate recruitment web site. McGill is one of the top ranked universities in the world, and the department is an active research community with particular strengths in Earth System Science; Development; Environmental Management; GIS/Remote Sensing; Land Surface Process Studies; and Political, Urban, Economic, and Health Geography. International PhD students pay the same low fees as Quebec residents. Posted: 10/31/08.

Michigan State University: Graduate assistantship is available to a highly motivated student to work on a NSF or USDA funded project. Projects focus on method development for spatiotemporal analysis of large ecological inventory databases. Candidates must have a desire to pursue an emphasis in environmental data modeling, statistical computing, and demonstrate competency in computer programming (e.g., R, C/C++, or Fortran). Compensation package includes: -RA funding available for 2 years, starting Fall 2009 semester -Enrollment through the Department of Forestry or Geography -Possible specialization in Statistics and Probability. If you are interested please provide: -Statement of interest and career goals -GRE scores -Undergraduate and graduate transcripts -Curriculum vita. Andrew Finley, Natural Resources Building, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824-1222. Email: finleya@msu.edu, Phone: 517-432-7219. Posted: 6/3/09.

Michigan State University: I am inviting applications for a Masters level student in the Department of Forestry. The successful candidate will have two years of graduate research assistantship support to work on a project funded by multiple partners (TNC, MDNR, USFS, and Forests for the Future). Using a long-term, multi-stand, manipulative harvest experiment in managed northern hardwood forests, the project goals are to identify the factors contributing to declining tree regeneration species diversity and to find practical measures that could be used to reverse this trend. The student will spend considerable time at field experiment sites in the northern Lower Peninsula and eastern Upper Peninsula of Michigan, where housing will be provided, and will have the opportunity to interact with project partners. The successful candidate can start May (preferred) or September 2009. For more information contact: Mike Walters(517-355-1762, mwalters@msu.edu). Posted: 3/30/09.

Michigan State University: Opportunities are available for graduate studies in the Microbial Ecology Laboratory at MSU’s Kellogg Biological Station. Our lab addresses ecological and evolutionary questions using laboratory cultures, field experimentation, simulation modeling, molecular microbiology, and environmental sensor technology. For example, current funding from NSF and USDA supports the following research topics: resource subsidies and aquatic ecosystem stability, microbial traits and trade-offs along environmental gradients, and co-adaptation of soil microbes and plants to environmental stress. See our lab website, linked above, for a research overview and list of publications. Students may apply for admission through the Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics (MMG) or Plant Biology. Typically, students are in residence on the main campus in East Lansing during their first year or two. During the summers and subsequent academic years, students are in residence at KBS. KBS has an exciting and supportive academic environment, hosts an LTER site, and is equipped with state-of-the-art resources for conducting ecological, microbiological, and molecular research. In addition to affiliations with KBS and MMG, students will have the opportunity to be a part of the interdisciplinary graduate program in Ecology, Evolutionary Biology, & Behavior. Students will be financially supported through a combination of teaching assistantships, research assistantships, and university fellowships. In addition, there are potential funding opportunities associated with an NSF-funded GK-12 program at KBS and DOE supported research on the sustainability of bioenergy production systems (see www.greatlakesbioenergy.org). Interested students should send a CV/resume, a brief description of past research experience and future research interests, and GRE scores (if available) to Jay Lennon (lennonja@msu.edu). Posted: 12/2/08.

Michigan State University: Research Assistantship (Ph.D.): Landscape Limnology. Quantifying human disturbance for aquatic ecosystem management within a landscape framework: Lakes as model systems. Department of Fisheries and Wildlife. We are seeking a highly motivated doctoral student to join the landscape limnology research group. The student will develop a dissertation project that quantifies: (1) the relationships among fish assemblages, water clarity and chemistry, and natural hydrogeomorphic landscape-scale factors, (2) regional differences in the response of lakes to human disturbance, and (3) lake distance from reference condition. The student will examine these questions using a lake and landscape database that encompasses a 6-state region (MI, WI OH, IA, ME, NH). Preferable start date is August 2009. Applicants must be self-motivated and hard-working with good written and verbal communication skills. A background in ecology, landscape ecology, geography or limnology is desired. Past experience with geographic information systems, statistics (especially spatial), database management, and working in multidisciplinary collaborative research settings is desirable. Applicants interested in this position should be prepared to submit an application for a university fellowship by early December 2008. Closing Date: November 1, 2008. Please submit the following information to Dr. Pat Soranno (sorannomsu.edu), Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, 13 Natural Resources Building, East Lansing, MI, 48824: 1. Cover letter describing background, relevant research interests and skills, and career objectives 2. Curriculum vitae 3. Unofficial transcripts 4. GRE scores (including percentiles) 5. Names, phone numbers, and emails of three references. For more information, please contact any member of MSU's Landscape Limnology Research Group: Dr. Mary Bremigan (bremiganmsu.edu), Dr. Kendra Cheruvelil (kscmsu.edu), Dr. Pat Soranno (sorannomsu.edu), Dr. Katherine Webster (webster152msu.edu). Posted: 10/6/08.

Michigan State University: A graduate research assistantship position at either the MS or Ph.D. level is available starting Fall 2009 (September 2009) in the Department of Forestry. The position includes a tuition waiver and health benefits, and a competitive stipend for 2 years at the MS level (~$19k/year) or 3 years at the PhD level (~$21k/year). MSU is a land grant institution and there are many opportunities to conduct research at the network of MSU experiment stations throughout Michigan. Either of the following two major lines of research could be explored: 1) Impact of climatic change on the sustainable development of woody biomass through tree-ring analyses of hybrid poplars. 2) Restoration of oak savannah and regeneration of oak. For full description of projects and more information, contact: Dr. Sophan Chhin, Assistant Professor, Silviculture and Forest Ecosystem Productivity, Department of Forestry, Michigan State University, 126 Natural Resources Building, East Lansing, MI 48824-1222. Tel: (517) 353-7251, Fax: (517) 432-1143, E-mail: chhin@msu.edu. In your initial inquiry, please submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, unofficial transcripts and GRE scores, and contact information of three references. Applications will be considered immediately and continue until the position is filled. To ensure full consideration please submit material by June 12, 2009. Posted: 5/18/09.

Michigan State University: A graduate research assistant position at either the MS or Ph.D. level is available starting May 2009 with Dr. Sophan Chhin in the Department of Forestry. Research will involve examining the effect of silvicultural management practices (e.g., thinning) on interannual variation in physical (e.g., ring width, density) and chemical (e.g., cellulose and lignin content) wood properties. The project will incorporate many methodological techniques from the discipline of tree ring research (dendrochronology). The successful applicant is also expected to explore possible relationships between wood properties and past climate which may serve as the basis for future projections of wood parameters under different climate change scenarios. This research will have implications for optimizing silvicultural practices for improved wood quality, and contribute to the sustainable production of bioenergy and biofuels in the context of climate change. MSU is a land grant institution and there are many opportunities to conduct research at the network of MSU experiment stations throughout Michigan. Applicants interested in a MS level position should preferably have a BS in forestry, biology, ecology, environmental sciences, or a similarly related natural resource field. Applicants interested in a Ph.D. level position should preferably have a MS as well as some publishing experience. Experience conducting tree ring analyses is desirable. The position includes a tuition waiver and health benefits, and a competitive stipend (MS: ~$19k/year; Ph.D.: ~$21k/year) for 3 years that is renewable annually based on satisfactory performance. Please submit application package that includes a cover letter, curriculum vitae, transcripts, GRE scores, and contact information of three references to (electronic applications are preferred): Dr. Sophan Chhin, Assistant Professor, Silviculture and Forest Ecosystem Productivity, Department of Forestry, Michigan State University, 126 Natural Resources Building, East Lansing, MI 48824-1222. Tel: (517) 353-7251, Fax: (517) 432-1143, E-mail: chhin@msu.edu. Applications will be considered immediately and continue until the position is filled. To ensure full consideration please submit material by February 20, 2009. Posted: 9/15/08, revised: 1/8/09.

Michigan State University: I (Scott Peacor) am seeking PhD and MS students to join a research effort to examine non-consumptive predator effects of the invasive spiny water flea (Bythotrephes) on the zooplankton community, and food web in general, in Lake Michigan. This research has broad applications, both to community ecology, invasion biology, and lake and ocean (marine) ecology. My students and I have found that predator induced changes in zooplankton vertical migration contributes strongly to the net effect of the predator on specific prey. We are now (with NSF funding) extending this work looking at community and ecosystem level effects. Stipends are competitive based on qualifications, and health and tuition waiver benefits are included. Interested individuals are encouraged to 1) email inquires (please include a CV, put “assistantship” in the subject line) to peacormsu.edu. Or: 2) Apply to the position by providing the following materials as soon as possible: (1) cover letter describing general and specific research interests/experiences, and potential start dates. (2) brief statement of professional goals (e.g., plans after finishing the graduate training), (3) resume, (4) transcripts, (5) list of three references (names, email addresses, phone numbers, and postal addresses), and (6) GRE and TOEFL scores. (TOEFL scores are required for applicants whose native language is not English. Photocopies of transcripts and GRE/TOEFL scores are okay initially.) Please email (with “assistantship” in subject line) application materials to peacormsu.edu. Posted: 9/5/08.

Michigan Technological University: An M.Sc. position is available for a study of quantitative silviculture of northern hardwood forests in relation to sustainability and rate of production in support of emerging forest industries. The project is funded under Michigan’s first Center of Energy Excellence in a partnership with Frontier Renewable Resources LLC. Frontier is building the first commercial-scale lignocellulosic bioethanol facility in the United States at Kinross, in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. A background in forestry, ecosystem science, or natural resources in forested ecosystems is required, as well as interest in application of quantitative methods in scientific investigations. Proficiency in spoken and written English is an absolute necessity. The assistantship comes with a competitive stipend and covers the cost of tuition and fees. Michigan Tech is one of the Nation’s premier Forestry and Environmental Science Universities. The School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science has been ranked fourth in the nation for scholarly productivity among forestry schools. The university is located in the Houghton, Michigan near the shores of Lake Superior, and offers superb outdoor recreation opportunities in a modern, safe small city community. The start date is fall semester 2009. Interested persons should send a short cover letter, GRE scores, one-page statement of professional interests, curriculum vitae including names and contact information for two references, and any other relevant materials to Dr. Froese by email at froese@mtu.edu. Review of applications will begin on July 31, 2009. Posted: 6/30/09.

Michigan Technological University: A Ph.D. assistantship is available to study core questions necessary for ecological and environmental sustainability of biomass for biofuels and bioenergy in northern mixed forest/agriculture landscapes. The student may be involved in ongoing research efforts including biomass inventory and availability, GIS and Remote Sensing models of biomass, energy crop cultivation, ecosystem carbon/nutrient cycles and inventory in native and cultivated forests and production systems using switchgrass. A background in forestry, ecosystem science, soils or agrology is required, as well as interest in application of statistical or quantitative methods. Experience with GIS and remote-sensing techniques is ideal but strong interest will suffice. Proficiency in spoken and written English is an absolute necessity. The assistantship comes with a competitive stipend and covers the cost of tuition and fees. Supplementary support including discretionary travel funds is anticipated for very strong candidates. MTU is one of the Nation's premier Universities and the School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science has been ranked fourth in the nation for productivity among forestry schools, and first in North America based on citations. MTU is located in Houghton, Michigan on Lake Superior, and offers superb outdoor recreation opportunities in a modern, safe small city community. Start date is fall semester 2009. Send a short cover letter, GRE scores, one-page statement of professional interests, curriculum vitae including names and contact information for two references, and any other relevant materials to Dr. Robert Froese by email at froese@mtu.edu. Review of applications will begin July 31, 2009. Posted: 6/4/09.

Michigan Technological University: graduate research assistantship at the PhD. level is available in the Invasive Plant Ecology Laboratory of Dr. Catherine Tarasoff at the School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science. The successful applicant will lead an integrated pest management project to reduce pesticide use, exposure and drift; while improving control of Canada thistle and common reed. As the project is experiment-based, extensive field work will be required. However, it is expected that the student will develop complementary greenhouse experiments. A background in forestry, botany, weed science, plant physiology or agronomy is desirable; as well as, the application of statistical methods. Proficiency in spoken and written English is a necessity. Consideration of applications begins immediately and will continue until the position is filled. The ideal start date is September 1, 2009 but other dates will be considered. Interested applicants are encouraged to send a letter stating your interest in the program, a CV, GRE Scores and transcripts to Dr. Tarasoff via email (ctarasof@mtu.edu). Posted: 3/3/09.

Michigan Technological University: graduate research assistantship at the M.S./PhD. level is available in the Invasive Plant Ecology Laboratory of Dr. Catherine Tarasoff at the School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science. The successful applicant will lead a project studying the movement of invasive species along Great Lake shorelines. As the project is experiment-based, extensive field work will be required. However, it is expected that the student will develop complimentary greenhouse experiments. A background in forestry, botany, community ecology, ecosystem modeling, aquatic ecology, weed science, or agronomy is desirable; as well as, an interest in the application of statistical methods, spatial modeling and applied ecology. Proficiency in spoken and written English is a necessity. Consideration of applications begins immediately and will continue until the position is filled. The ideal start date is September 1, 2009 but other dates will be considered. Interested applicants are encouraged to send a letter stating your interest in the program and a resume to Dr. Tarasoff by email (ctarasof@mtu.edu). Posted: 1/28/09.

Michigan Technological University: A graduate research assistantship at the M.Sc. level is available in the Invasive Plant Ecology Laboratory of Dr. Catherine Tarasoff at the School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science. The successful applicant will lead a project studying the legacy effect of invasive plant competition on biomass production and subsequent economic returns of the biofuel crop switchgrass. Field work will be conducted locally and at a partner research facility approximately 3 hrs drive. As the project is experiment-based, extensive field work is expected. However, it is also expected that the student will research and develop complimentary greenhouse experiments. A background in forestry, botany, community ecology, weed science, or agronomy is desirable; as well as, an interest in the application of statistical methods and applied ecology. Proficiency in spoken and written English is a necessity. Consideration of applications begins immediately and will continue until the position is filled. The ideal start date is July 1, 2009 but other dates will be considered. Interested persons should send a cover letter, GRE scores, one-page statement of professional interests, curriculum vitae including names and contact information for three references, and any other relevant materials to Dr. Tarasoff by email at ctarasof@mtu.edu. Complete posting Posted: 1/8/09, revised: 1/15/09.

Michigan Technological University: M.S. and Ph.D. student positions will be available in my new group at Michigan Tech starting in fall 2009: M.S. Teaching Assistantship in Environmental Policy: Assessment of sustainability indices. This project will review the plethora of sustainability indices in use at several scales, investigate their strengths and weaknesses, and identify sets of indices which can be used most effectively by governments and organizations to reach sustainability targets. Students interested in this project should be comfortable with statistics and large datasets; those with previous statistical and database management experience will have an advantage. Ph.D. Research Assistantship in Forest Science: Ecological effectiveness of economic incentive policies for sustainable management of privately owned forests. This project will examine the social, economic, and ecological dimensions of private forests which determine how existing incentive policies could be used to maximize biodiversity conservation, biofuel and timber production, and recreation opportunities, at the local to regional scale. Students interested in this project do not need experience in all three dimensions, however they should have a strong background and interest in at least two of them. Previous experience with field work in forests, survey work of landowners, and GIS software is desirable. Both positions start in late August 2009. The application deadline for the Environmental Policy program is 1 March 2009, and 1 May 2009 for the Forest Ecology/Science program. More information is available at the relevant websites: Environmental Policy program; Forest Ecology/Science programs. Applicants must love snow! Please note that application materials must be sent directly to the relevant department. However, I strongly encourage interested applicants to contact me for more information: Audrey Mayer (audrey.mayerhelsinki.fi). Posted: 10/3/08.

Michigan Technological University: Doctoral position: Mycorrhizal responses to climate change. We are announcing an opportunity for a PhD student to join an exciting collaboration between Michigan Tech and the U.S. Forest Service, Northern Research Station. The student will study responses of roots and mycorrhizas to soil warming. Multiple new and ongoing field experiments ranging from 0 to 17 years of warming, located in a variety of regions and ecosystem types will be utilized in the study. PhD research will focus on the effect of soil warming and water availability on composition, structure and function of mycorrhizal fungal communities. Potential research topics include the response of arbuscular and ectomycorrhizal fungal biomass and community composition to warmer and/or warmer and drier conditions, and the impacts these changes have on ecosystem functions such as soil respiration, C allocation, aboveground NPP, and soil C storage.The student will have considerable flexibility in designing a research program that investigates areas of personal interest within the overall framework of the long-term project. A background in ecology, soil science, mycology or a related field is required, as is an interest in the linkages between community-, physiological- and ecosystem ecology. Experience with any of the following will be an asset, but is not required: root or mycorrhizal research; DNA-based identification methods; statistical analysis of community structure; physiological ecology of plants and fungi; measurements of ecosystem nutrient and carbon pools and fluxes. Proficiency in spoken and written English is a necessity. Selection will be based on academic achievements, reference letters and previous research experience. An on-campus personal interview may be required. Tuition and fees and a standard stipend package commensurate with your experience will be offered. Interested candidates should send a resume highlighting their experience and interests, GRE scores (TOEFL required for international students), and names and email addresses of three references to Dr. Erik Lilleskov (elilleskovfs.fed.us). The School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science has state-of-the-art research facilities, including stable isotope and molecular genetics laboratories and instrumentation. There is a large group of faculty interested in ecosystem science at Michigan Tech and a well-established partnership with the adjacent USDA Northern Research Station’s Forest Sciences Laboratory. Michigan Tech is located in Houghton, Michigan, on the scenic Keweenaw Peninsula. Posted: 9/16/08.

Michigan Technological University: Two PhD positions are available for qualified individuals to study peatland ecology. One position will work on a DOE-NICCR climate change project. The student will work closely with both PI’s (Rod Chimner at Michigan Tech and Merritt Turetsky at U. of Guelph) to study fundamental questions regarding the interactive effects of warming and long-term water manipulations on peatland carbon cycling and how they are modified by peat chemistry and vegetation changes. The study is experiment based with extensive field work expected. The sites are located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The other position is open to any peatland related topic that fits into the overall research program. Research topics can include, but are not limited to: carbon cycling, restoration, ecohydrology of Great Lake coastal peatlands, tropical peatlands, mountain peatlands or any applied peatland topic. Michigan Tech is located in the snowbelt (>200” annual snowfall) of Michigan's Keweenaw Peninsula on the South Shore of Lake Superior. The region is dominated by vast areas of lakes, forests and wetlands. Michigan Tech is in the small town of Houghton and boasts excellent skiing, hiking, kayaking and mtn. biking. Michigan Tech's School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science doctoral program has been recently ranked fourth in the nation for scholarly productivity at forestry schools. Consideration of applications begins immediately and will continue until the positions are filled. Start date is flexible. Please send a cover letter that states your research interests, your curriculum vitae, and any other relevant materials, and provide the names and contact information for three references, by email to Rod Chimner (rchimnermtu.edu). Posted: 9/16/08.

Minnesota State University, Mankato: The Water Resources Center, in conjunction with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, is seeking a Graduate Research Assistant (M.S.) to start during the Fall 2008 semester. Recent funding has become available to provide a full tuition waiver and a $16k/year stipend for 5 semesters and two summers of research assistantship and one semester of teaching assistantship (usually general biology labs). The anticipated start date is August 18, 2008 and the expected end date of this project is May 2011. The Water Resources Center can facilitate M.S. degree programs in Environmental Science or Biology, but can tailor a program to include interests in chemistry, GIS, geology, and urban planning. The position will include active research and assistance in all facets of the development of total maximum daily load plans for 7 basins in southern Minnesota. Activities will include training on water quality equipment installation, water quality data collection and evaluation, completion of aquatic vegetation surveys, watershed delineations and land use assessments, utility of nutrient models, and participation in the TMDL plan development process. Thesis research will be supported by these activities and will focus on the nutrient cycles of wetlands adjacent to the impaired lakes. Our research objective is to determine the nutrient contributions and external processing behaviors of wetlands associated with impaired water basins. Research sites will be two wetlands of interest that have long since been accused of being nutrient sources, rather than nutrient sinks. The GRA will study these wetlands and utilize a range of water quality assessments and monitoring to determine how these two wetlands cycle, how they interact with the impaired lakes, and how the wetland characteristics impact TMDL development. The GRA will develop management recommendations and should plan to present her/his findings at various conferences. To apply, please send a Letter of Interest, Resume, Unofficial Transcripts (including GPA), and a list of three references that I can call and email to Shannon J. Fisher, Director, Water Resources Center, 184 Trafton Science Center South, Mankato, MN 56001. You may also email your application and direct any questions to shannon.fishermnsu.edu. I will be away from the office much of July, but will be responding to emails. Posted: 7/7/08.

Mississippi State University: We are looking for highly motivated students seeking an MS or PhD to begin in either the Fall of 2009 or the Spring of 2010. This student will work on the ecology of the invasive South American cactus moth (Cactoblastis cactorum). This species is well-known as one of the most successful biocontrol agents as a result of its introduction into Australia in the 1920’s. It has since invaded the United States and threatens to spread into northern Mexico where hosts of the moth are cultivated. The student will explore the role of host quality in determining the rates and routes of invasion in North America. The position will be co-advised by Dr. Christopher Brooks and Dr. Gary Ervin in the Department of Biological Sciences. Interested students should send a letter of interest to cpbrooks@biology.msstate.edu and gervin@biology.msstate.edu. Preference will be given to students who have demonstrated experience in plant, parasite or insect ecology, analysis of ecological data, and/or spatial data analysis. Completion of a M.S. degree is not a requisite for this position, but it is expected that the successful applicant will have demonstrated at least a basic level of field research experience. Include in the e-mail a short description of your interests along with a CV. Posted: 6/26/09.

Mississippi State University: The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries seeks highly qualified students for a masters graduate research assistantship in aquatic systems management. Potential research project topics could include aquatic biogeochemistry of primary aquatic systems, best management practices and nutrient flux of nutrients, management of nonpoint source contaminants in impaired aquatic systems, and the use of GIS to understand water quality issues. The qualified candidate will also be encouraged to pursue their own research interests in aquatic systems management in concordance with ongoing research if so desired. Qualified candidates would work in close collaboration with other aquatic faculty members, be introduced to important researchers in federal and state agencies and be willing to be involved in a young, exciting, cutting-edge aquatic research program. Qualifications: B.S. in Biology, Environmental Science, Environmental Management, Soil Science or related discipline. Demonstrated excellence in coursework, good written and oral communication and importantly have the ability to work as a team member is required. An enthusiastic and vibrant individual will have high standing in qualification criteria. Applying candidate’s pre-requisites include a cumulative GPA greater than 3.0 in undergraduate coursework, and that the general GRE has been taken. Annual stipend $15k, plus full tuition and health insurance for 2 years. In addition there will support for travel to regional, national and potentially international scientific meetings and other professional development activities. Start Date: June 1st, 2009 or sooner. Location: Starkville, in rural northeastern Mississippi. Please send all inquires or queries to Dr. Robert Kröger: rkroger@cfr.msstate.edu (662)325-4731 Please apply online on the Mississippi State Graduate School website. Posted: 2/3/09.

Mississippi State University: I am looking to recruit two graduate students into my lab (Dr. Christopher P. Brooks). The first would work on an ongoing project to understand the ecology and genetics of leprosy in the nine-banded armadillo. The second position involves the use of network-based models to evaluate population genetic structure. I would especially encourage students with some background in probability theory who are interested in integrating theory and data to apply. Interested students should send an e-mail with a short description of their interests and a vitae to cpbrooksbiology.msstate.edu. Preference will be given to students who are interested in pursuing a Ph.D., but Masters students will also be considered. Posted: 10/30/08.

Mississippi State University: Project Title: Introduction of Wild Turkey into Reforestation Areas in the Mississippi Delta Region. One M.S. Research Assistantship is available within the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. The graduate research assistant will develop and conduct a research project that examines survival and dispersal of wild turkeys introduced across a range of habitat conditions within the Mississippi Delta region. The student will work closely with the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks to capture, attach backpack transmitters, and obtain health information from turkeys before release. The student will also relocate birds weekly to estimate survival, movements, and habitat use. Qualifications: B.S. degree in biological sciences with an emphasis on wildlife ecology, wildlife management, or related field and basic knowledge of. Desirable qualifications include excellent written and oral communication skills, good organization and collaborative skills, a strong work ethic, and a positive attitude. A minimum 3.0 GPA and GRE score of 1000 is desired. Coursework in population and spatial ecology would be beneficial. Location: Starkville, MS. Starting Date: On or about January 1, 2009. Stipend: $14k per year plus tuition and health benefits. Closing Date: 30 November 2008 or until position is filled. Apply via electronic application within the Office of Graduate Studies, Mississippi State University. Also submit the following: 1) cover letter describing credentials and professional goals; 2) a resume; 3) three references; and 4) a copy of university transcripts and GRE/TOEFL scores. Inquiries: Dr. Guiming Wang; email: gwangcfr.msstate.edu ; Phone: 662-325-0414. Posted: 10/7/08.

Mississippi State University: Ph.D. Graduate Assistantship in Soil Microbial Ecology. A NSF-funded PhD project is available to an ambitious student interested in studying the succession of microbial communities during the process of soil and ecosystem development. The student will study within the frame work of a collaboration between the University of Georgia and Mississippi State University and have the opportunity to learn state of the art molecular techniques (e.g. cloning, pyrosequencing). Travel to study sites in Michigan and Georgia will be required. Salaries and research support are competitive. The 12-month stipend is 18k/year, and student tuition will be remunerated by grant dollars. The ideal candidate should have a degree in ecology, microbiology, agronomy, soil science or related field. Previous experience in molecular techniques is preferred. Apply via the MSU Graduate School application page. All materials should be provided to the MSU Graduate School at the address shown on the application form. The application process can be accelerated if electronic copies of these same materials are sent to Dr. Mark Williams in the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences (mwilliamspss.msstate.edu). I welcome student enquiries about the position via email. Posted: 8/13/08.

Montana State University: Ph.D. Research Assistantship in the Department of Ecology. We are seeking a highly motivated graduate student at the PhD level to join a collaborative project investigating the role of biodiversity in infectious disease risk. We are using salmonid whirling disease (parasite: /Myxobolus cerebralis/, alternative host: /Tubifex tubifex/) of western streams as the model system. This interdisciplinary project involves collaboration with engineering and molecular population genetics faculty at the University of Vermont. The MSU student will be most directly involved in both field surveys and laboratory experiments relating the tubificid community to disease risk in salmonids. Applicants should have a BS or MS degree in ecology, zoology, biology or a related field. Strong quantitative and writing skills required. Prior experience with field methods used in stream ecology and benthic macroinvertebrate collection and identification and/or disease ecology preferred. Position available starting mid August 2009 with enrollment commencing Fall semester 2009 or Spring semester 2010. Submit cover letter, resume, copies of transcripts and GRE scores, and names and telephone numbers of 3 references to Dr. Billie L. Kerans (bkerans@montana.edu), Department of Ecology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717 by either email or regular mail. Salary: Stipend of $18k per year with substantial tuition waiver. Last date to apply: August 1, 2009. Phone: 406 994-3725. Posted: 6/4/09.

Montana State University: A graduate research assistantship is available for an NSF-funded project that examines microbial communities and dissolved organic matter in the Transantarctic Mountains and McMurdo Dry Valleys of Antarctica. The student will be based at MSU, but will collaborate with students and PI’s at the University of Colorado-Boulder (McKnight) and The Ohio State University (Chin). Field work will be conducted in Antarctica. Ph.D. students are preferred, but M.S. students may apply. The assistantship includes a stipend, tuition, health insurance and expenses for research. Interested applicants should contact Dr. Christine Foreman (cforeman@montana.edu) and send a letter of interest (prior accomplishments, research experience and interests, future career goals), a CV, transcripts, and GRE scores. Details about the graduate program can be found through the Department of Land Resources and Environmental Sciences, and the graduate school. Start date is summer/fall 2009. Posted: 3/25/09.

Montana State University: NSF-IGERT Ph.D. Traineeships in Geomicrobiology. We are excited to announce the availability of Ph.D. traineeships as part of a National Science Foundation Integrative Graduate Education and Research Training (IGERT) Program focused on the geomicrobiology of complex microbiological systems. This graduate program brings together expertise in hydrodynamics, geochemistry, microbial ecology, biochemistry and genomics. The primary goal of this research and education program is to train students to use consistent and coherent interdisciplinary approaches in the study of microbial communities that lead to a more comprehensive understanding of the important interface between the biosphere and geosphere. The novel training program encompasses research scientists focused on the microbiology of extreme thermal, psychrophilic, or industrial biofilm communities. For more information and application instructions, please consult the IGERT Program on-line at www.igertmsu.montana.edu. If you need additional information regarding program content or application procedures, please contact Drs. Bill Inskeep (binskeep@montana.edu) or Christine Foreman (cforeman@montana.edu). Posted: 12/5/08.

Montana State University: The Department of Land Resources and Environmental Sciences is seeking a highly energetic and capable graduate student (Ph.D. preferred) to conduct research in nutrient cycling in agricultural ecosystems with a focus on legumes. This USDA-NRI sponsored research will involve investigating the effects of various cropping systems and legume green manures on both nitrogen and energy budgets. Specifically, nitrogen fixation will be quantified through both mass balance and isotopic approaches. Background should be in soil fertility, cropping systems, chemistry, ecology, or a closely related field. The assistantship includes a monthly stipend, tuition waiver, and health insurance. To apply, send resume, cover letter, GRE scores (and TOEFL if relevant), transcripts, and contact information for three references as email attachments to clainjmontana.edu. Direct inquiries to Clain Jones at clainjmontana.edu or 406 994-6076. Posted: 10/2/08.

Montclair State University: The PhD program in Environmental Management has several 4-year Graduate Assistantships available, starting Fall 2009. The transdisciplinary PhD program, the only of its kind in New Jersey and one of the very few in the United States prepares students in both Environmental Science and Policy/Regulations. Research areas include (but not limited to): Environmental Quality and Remediation, Earth Systems Science, Ecology, Spatial Analysis/Remote Sensing, Sustainable Development and Environmental Assessment. Students with backgrounds in Natural and Physical Sciences, Environmental Engineering, Public /Business Administration/Policy, Political Science, etc. are encouraged to apply. Application deadline: March 15. Further information available at: http://csam.montclair.edu/environ or contact Ms. Patti Flatley (mcnicholasp@mail.montclair.edu). Posted: 2/16/09.

Murray State University: M.S. graduate assistantship is available for a biomonitoring project of streams and wetlands in the department of Biological Sciences. The research project will develop novel methods of biomonitoring using in-situ sounds and supercomputers. Research will be conducted primarily at the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area (LBL). In addition, the research involves a unique opportunity to work with the US Forest Service during the summer seasons and requires the successful applicant to be outgoing, enthusiastic about informal science education, and be motivated to work with the environmental education center at LBL. In addition to a summer stipend, free housing will be available at LBL in the summer and at Hancock Biological field station during the academic year. Qualifications: Applicants should be interested in freshwater ecology, conservation, biomonitoring, education and should be able to work independently in the lab and field. Experience with field sampling in remote locations, statistics and an undergraduate degree in ecology, zoology, or closely related field is a plus. Review of applications will begin immediately. The position will start in the fall of 2009 or spring of 2010 depending upon applicant preference. Please submit a letter stating your research interests and career goals, resume, transcripts (unofficial acceptable) and GRE scores (unofficial acceptable) and the names of three references. Contact: For more information or questions about the research contact Everett Weber (Everett.weber(at)murraystate.edu) (270-970-6054) or Michael Flinn (Michael.flinn(at)murraystate.edu) (270-970-6051). Applications should be sent to the address below or emailed. Mail to: Biomonitoring Project Search, Everett Weber, Department of Biology, Murray State University, Murray, KY 42071. Email applications to Everett.weber(at)murraystate.edu. Posted: 6/10/09.

Murray State University: Graduate Research Associates in Herpetofaunal and Fish Diversity, Watershed Studies Institute. Two full time positions to begin August 2009. Qualifications: B.S. in biology, ecology, or related discipline. Previous experience with capture and handling of amphibians, reptiles and/or fish highly desirable. Responsibilities: To conduct research on the effects of herbicide-induced Phragmites australis (common reed) management on herpetofaunal (position 1) or fish (position 2) diversity, while completing a M.S. degree in Water Science. Salary $12k per year plus tuition waiver (two years maximum). To Apply: Email a letter of interest, curriculum vitae and the names, addresses, and email addresses of at least three references to Dr. Howard Whiteman (howard.whiteman@murraystate.edu). Posted: 3/3/09.

New Jersey Institute of Technology: We seek one or two graduate students to join the Community Ecology and Global Change Lab to study plant community responses to global change. The successful candidate(s) will join an ongoing research effort to predict plant species and community responses to global environmental change through an interdisciplinary approach that combines long term ecological monitoring, detailed quantification of species traits, ecoinformatics, and ecological modeling. Students may work directly on ongoing projects or develop independent dissertation topics in the area of plant ecology and global change. We are seeking highly motivated individuals to join our team. Ph.D. candidates preferred but Masters students will be considered. Candidates should have strong interests in global change and plant ecology. Both field experience and strong quantitative skills, such as computer programming, mathematics, informatics, or GIS, are desirable, though not required. Stipends and benefits are competitive. NJIT and Rutgers-Newark share a Federated Department of Biological Sciences and a Graduate Program in Ecology and Evolution. In addition to our small but growing Ecology and Evolution group at Rutgers-Newark/NJIT, we are also affiliated with the Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Natural Resources at Rutgers-New Brunswick. Students can seamlessly cross register for courses at all three campuses. In addition, NJIT has outstanding faculty and resources in Mathematics and Computer Science, including the Center for Applied Mathematics and Statistics and a Ph.D. program in Applied Mathematics including Mathematical Biology. Interested individuals should provide the following materials as soon as possible: (1) cover letter indicating general and specific research interests/experiences, (2) statement of professional goals, (3) resume or CV, (4) transcripts, (5) contact information for three references (name, affiliation, email address, phone number, and postal address), (6) GRE scores, and (7) TOEFL scores (for international applicants whose native language is not English). Photocopies or scans of transcripts and GRE/TOEFL scores are okay initially. Reviews of applications will continue until positions are filled. Submission via email is encouraged. For additional information about the research project or the graduate program, please contact: Professor Daniel E. Bunker (dbunker@njit.edu, 973-642-7537). Posted: 12/16/08.

New Jersey Institute of Technology/Rutgers: The Ecology and Evolution Graduate Program at NJIT/Rutgers is currently recruiting graduate students for Fall 2009. Our graduate program is offered jointly by the Departments of Biological Sciences at the New Jersey Institute of Technology and Rutgers University-Newark. Adding to the strength of the Federated Department are its collaborative interactions with the other academic units at Rutgers-Newark and NJIT, including the Departments of Chemistry, Physics and Earth and Environmental Sciences and the Center for Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience at Rutgers, and the Departments of Mathematical Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, Chemistry and Environmental Sciences, and Computer Sciences at NJIT. We are also affiliated with the Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Natural Resources at Rutgers-New Brunswick. Students in our graduate program can cross register for courses at all three campuses. Faculty that are actively seeking students include: Dr. Daniel Bunker, Dr. Claus Holzapfel, Dr. Gareth Russell, and Dr. Karina Schäfer. Prospective students should contact directly the faculty members whose interests best match their own. Additional information Deadlines: February 15, 2009 (Ph.D.) and July 15, 2009 (M.S.). Posted: 2/4/09.

North Carolina State University: PhD Student Research Opportunity in Entomology. The Cardoza lab is looking for an outstanding, enthusiastic, self-motivated graduate student with interest in the behavior, biology or chemical ecology of soil arthropods. Research in our lab employs a multidisciplinary approach to elucidating the mechanisms driving insect pest interactions with their environment, particularly in agricultural systems. The selected student will explore the effects of interactions between plants and beneficial soil microbes and their consequences on preference and performance by root feeding arthropods. Requirements: MS degree in biology, entomology or a related discipline. Candidates are required to formally apply to, and must meet the requirements to be accepted by, the NCSU Graduate School before consideration. Academic requirements are determined by the Department of Entomology. For additional information regarding this opportunity contact: Dr. Yasmin Cardoza, Department of Entomology, North Carolina State University, Campus Box 7613, Raleigh, NC 27695 TEL: (919) 513-1285 FAX: (919) 515-7746, yasmin_cardoza@ncsu.edu. Yearly Salary: $19k plus tuition and health insurance. Position Available: August, 2009/Spring, 2010. Posted: 6/3/09.

North Carolina State University: A PhD assistantship ($22k/yr) is available immediately in the lab of Dr. John King in the Dept. of Forestry and Environmental Resources. Project: Developing short-rotation cropping systems for bioenergy plantations. Conduct research on the development of short-rotation cropping systems for bioenergy plantations. The work will be conducted at two field labs in the piedmont and lower coastal plain physiogeographic regions of North Carolina. The research will consist of testing a variety of early successional, rapidly growing tree species such as sweetgum, yellow poplar, cottonwood, red maple and others for potential as bioenergy crops and determining the best silvicultural systems for short-rotation cropping. Emphasis will be placed on quantifying aboveground and belowground productivity and the environmental consequences of intensive, short rotation cropping for soil nutrients, carbon, and water. The successful candidate will have a background in plant physiology, forestry, ecology, or related field, be willing to perform fieldwork and help maintain the experiment, and have a solid work ethic. Interested persons should contact Dr. John S. King (john_king@ncsu.edu) with technical questions and may learn about our graduate program and application procedure at the department website. Posted: 3/25/09.

North Carolina State University: A PhD assistantship ($19k/yr for 3 yrs) is available immediately in the lab of Dr. John King in the Dept. of Forestry and Environmental Resources. Project: Plant water relations of loblolly pine- switch grass bioenergy plantations. Conduct research on plant water relations of loblolly pine-switch grass bioenergy plantations. The work will be conducted in collaboration with scientists of Weyerhauser Corporation at a field site on their ownership in the lower coastal plain of North Carolina. The research will consist of measurements of physiology (photosynthesis, stomatal conductance), plant water potential and hydraulic conductivity, understory evapotranspiration, sap flow, and plant-soil water relations. The successful candidate will have a background in plant physiology, forestry, ecology, or related field, be willing to perform field work and help maintain the experiment, and have a solid work ethic. Interested persons should contact Dr. John S. King (john_king@ncsu.edu) with technical questions and may learn about our graduate program and application procedure at the department website. Posted: 3/25/09.

North Carolina State University: A M.S. assistantship ($20k/yr for 2 yrs) is available immediately in the lab of Dr. John King in the Dept. of Forestry and Environmental Resources. Project: Ecophysiology and productivity of short-rotation Populus for bioenergy plantations. Conduct research on the ecophysiology and productivity of bioenergy plantations using several species of Populus. The work will be conducted at three field sites across the state in the coastal plain, piedmont, and mountain physiogeographic regions of North Carolina. The research will consist of measurements of physiology (photosynthesis and respiration), biomass production, forest floor accumulation, plant water relations, and soil C dynamics of the aggrading forest stands. The successful candidate will have a background in plant physiology, forestry, ecology, or related fields; be willing to perform field work and help maintain the experiment; and have a solid work ethic. Interested persons should contact Dr. John S. King (john_king@ncsu.edu) with technical questions and may learn more about our graduate program and application procedure at the department website. Posted: 3/25/09.

North Carolina State University: Dr. Marc Johnson's lab of Evolutionary Ecology is accepting applications for graduate school in the Department of Plant Biology. NCSU offers broad training in ecology and evolution and is ideally suited for students interested in interdisciplinary research that incorporates both lab and field components. Students will have the opportunity to interact with colleagues across multiple departments including Biology, Entomology, Genetics, and Statistics. Research in the lab focuses on the molecular and phenotypic evolution of plant defenses, the ecological effects of genetic variation and evolution on communities, and the coevolution between plant hosts and their insect parasites. Students are free to work on any topic related to the lab's foci. There are presently two positions open in the lab that will be funded by a combination of research assistantship (50%) and teaching assistantship (50%) support. Students can expect to earn ca. 20K (USD) per year, and tuition and health insurance will be covered on top of this. Students entering the graduate program in plant biology are required to have a bachelor's degree in plant biology or a related undergraduate program that includes biological, physical and mathematical science training. Students will be considered regardless of race, gender, religion, nationality, or physical ability. Interested students are encouraged to send a covering letter and CV/resume to marc_johnson@ncsu.edu by January 25, 2009. The cover letter should outline the applicant's research interests as they relate to evolution or ecology, past research experience, and why the student would like to do graduate work at NCSU. Posted: 1/13/09.

Northern Arizona University: There is an opening for a two-year Graduate Research Assistant (M.S.) position at School of Forestry (Starting July 1, 2009) in the field of ecological economics. The selected candidate will have the opportunity to work closely with the Ecological Restoration Institute to estimate economic impacts of ecological restoration treatments and biomass utilization (job and income creations). With the worsening condition of the U.S. economy, there is a greater need for information on how to create more employment opportunities in economically depressed rural areas. We will estimate potential economic impacts (output, job, and income creations) of ecological restoration treatments and biomass utilizations, including biomass energy development. This project will generate time-sensitive information that communities and land managers can use to attract public funding for enhancing their social and economic environment while promoting ecosystem health. The successful applicants should work well with people and have good communication (written and oral) and organizational skills. Candidates should have background and interest in forestry, natural resource economics and policy, or other related disciplines. Application procedures Candidates should submit: - A one-page letter (email is satisfactory) describing qualifications and experience - An up-to-date curriculum vitae or resume - Copies of undergraduate college transcripts - Names, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses of three professional references. to: Dr. Yeon-Su Kim, School of Forestry, Box 15018, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ 86011. Phone: (928) 523-6643, e-mail: Yeon-Su.Kim@nau.edu. Graduate school admissions applications are completed separately through NAU and the School of Forestry. Posted: 1/26/09.

Northern Arizona University: Ph.D. Graduate Research Assistantship, School of Forestry. The research project is entitled “Long-term responses of northern Arizona grasses to climate and land-use change,” and the student will examine demographic and basal area changes of the major grass species over the past 90 years (early 1900s until present) on a set of historical permanent plots. The graduate research assistantship (GRA) is for four years (July 1, 2009 until June 30, 2013) and the GRA package includes a stipend, student insurance, and out-of-state tuition waiver. If you are interested, please contact Dr. Margaret M. Moore (Margaret.Moore@nau.edu; 928-523-7457). NAU’s application deadline for fall semester is March 15, 2009. Additional information: graduate applications and requirements. Posted: 12/22/08.

Northern Arizona University: IGERT Program in Integrative Bioscience: Genes to Environment. NAU invites applications for up to six PhD student traineeships for students admitted for the 2009/10 academic year. The purpose of this program is to provide students with instruction and research training focused on linkages between molecular genetics and ecosystem phenomena, with emphasis on multi-scale modeling approaches. Applicants will work with a mentor from the Biology or Forestry PhD programs at NAU. This IGERT program is funded by the National Science Foundation. Program graduates will have the skills to address fundamental and applied questions of genetic influences on ecosystem function and response to environmental change. Unique aspects of this program include: 1) multidisciplinary research with a special emphasis on working across scales, 2) inclusion of molecular methodology and applied statistics coursework in all programs of study, 3) seminar courses covering scientific ethics, statistics and modeling, and student research, featuring guest speakers from integrative disciplines, 4)unique internships with community colleges, federal agencies, and Native American high schools to broaden the graduate experience and enhance connections between the research and the broader community. The NAU Integrative Bioscience PhD program will prepare innovative and creative scientists to become leaders in research, science outreach and communication, and environmental problem solving. Traineeship packages will include $30k/year stipend support for two years, with continued support as teaching or research assistants at more traditional stipend levels. Applicants must concurrently apply to doctoral programs in the Department of Biological Sciences or the School of Forestry. Application deadlines for the 2009/10 academic year will be February 1, 2009. Applications will consist of 1) standard applications required for Biology or Forestry graduate programs (including three letters of reference) and 2) a 2 page essay on how this program would address your research, educational, and career goals. Please go to http://www.mpcer.nau.edu/igert/ or contact us by email or phone for more information: Dr. Catherine Gehring: Catherine.Gehring@nau.edu, (928)523-9158 or Dr. Amy Whipple: Amy.Whipple@nau.edu, (928)523-8727. Posted: 12/10/08.

Northwestern University/Chicago Botanic Garden: Addressing a growing need for expertise in plant science and conservation, Northwestern and the CBG continue to jointly offer a Master's program in Plant Biology and Conservation and now also offer a doctoral degree. The graduate program provides students advanced training in plant ecology, evolution, and biology and in applied plant conservation theory and methods. For more information, visit http://www.plantbiology.northwestern.edu or contact Nyree Zerega (n-zereganorthwestern.edu), Director of Graduate Program in Plant Biology and Conservation. Posted: 8/15/08.

Oakland University: Three funded graduate student positions (M.S.) will be available starting in the winter semester of 2009, and summer of 2009, for those with research interests in stream or riparian ecology. Students will have considerable control over the direction of their research, but applicants with interests in the following areas are particularly encouraged to apply: invasive species; restoration monitoring; urban-stream ecology; ecological effects of salmon on streams; and effects of exotic invasive earthworms. Research will be largely field-based with potential research sites located in Michigan and Alaska. With satisfactory progress the M.S. students will have the opportunity to pursue a Ph.D. Interested applicants should email a CV and cover letter (as PDFs) to Scott Tiegs (tiegsoakland.edu) before October 31st, or visit the website linked above to learn more. Posted: 9/11/08.

Ohio State University: A PhD assistantship is available for Fall 2009 in the Agricultural Landscape Ecology Laboratory, in the Department of Entomology. This assistantship will run through the completion of the degree program. Student research will focus on the influences of landscape structure on ecosystem services such as pollination, biological control, and decomposition in fruit and vegetable cropping systems. Possible projects include studying the influence of exotic lady beetles on rare native lady beetles in crop and semi-natural habitats, investigating the impacts of landscape change on native pollinator abundance and pollination services in diverse vegetable cropping systems, and measuring the value of biocontrol services across multiple habitats within agricultural landscapes. Students will also have the opportunity to develop and participate in outreach activities related to insect biodiversity and conservation, biological control, and pollination. Interested students should send a resume/CV and short statement describing their research interests to Dr. Mary Gardiner (gardiner.29@osu.edu). Posted: 3/3/09.

Ohio State University: PhD graduate research opportunity in coral bleaching biogeochemistry. Desired (but not required) qualifications: - MSc in Marine Science, Geology, Biology, or any physical science. Exceptional applicants without an MSc will also be considered. - Experience in isotope biogeochemistry, organic chemistry, or relevant coursework - Tropical fieldwork experience - Scuba certified - The successful candidate must be accepted into the graduate program in the School of Earth Sciences. The position starts in September 2009 and includes four years of support. Please submit applications electronically. Indicate that you would like to study with Dr. Grottoli in your application. In addition, send a complete copy of your application materials as a single .pdf file to Dr. Andrea G. Grottoli at grottoli.1osu.edu (Note: File should contain copy of your research statement, a cover letter, resume, GRE scores, the names and contact information of three references, and a list of relevant course with grades). Please indicate "Graduate student application" in the subject line. Application deadline is 12 January 2009. Posted: 10/13/08.

Ohio University: Graduate positions (MS or PhD) are available in Urban Forestry/Ecology in my lab, beginning in Summer 2009. Students will describe a variety of environmental effects of urban and residential vegetation, and participate in development of spatially explicit models integrating such effects for the benefit of planners, developers, and land owners. Applicants should have a solid background in environmental science with experience in plant ecology. Ohio University is a medium-sized school in the small town of Athens, set in the forested hills of SE Ohio. Feel free to contact me for further information. Glenn Matlack, Department of Environmental and Plant Biology, Porter Hall, Ohio University, Athens, Ohio 45701. voice 740 593 1131, fax 740 593 1130, email matlackohio.edu. Posted: 9/25/08.

Oklahoma State University: I am looking for Master's or Ph.D. students to join my lab in the Fall of 2009. Research in my lab currently focuses on the effects of the maternal and developmental environments on maternal and offspring development, behavior, and physiology, particularly immune responses. I would also be interested in working with students on other questions within the fields of ecological immunology, maternal effects, and behavioral ecology. Students in my lab work with birds as model organisms. Graduate student support is provided through teaching assistantships and research assistantships. For general information about the Zoology department and how to apply for admission please see: http://zoology.okstate.edu. The department has a rolling admissions deadline and applications are still being accepted for Fall 2009. Interested students should contact me directly, Dr. Jennifer Grindstaff (jen.grindstaffokstate.edu). Please send me a summary of your research interests and a copy of your CV with any publications, relevant qualifications, coursework, descriptions of lab and field experience, and the names and institutions of people you will ask for letters of reference. Jennifer Grindstaff, Department of Zoology, 430 Life Sciences West, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078. Posted: 4/1/09.

Oklahoma State University: The Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management is seeking qualified individuals to work on a research project in Forest Productivity and Biomass/Biofuels. The position will be filled at the Ph.D. or M.S. level. Trees have enormous potential to serve as a feedstock for biofuel production in the south-central United States and offer a much more energy efficient and carbon neutral source of biofuels than traditionally produced agricultural commodities. Understanding the potential productivity and mechanisms related to tree growth are essential to efficiently manage forests as a source of biofuel feedstock as well as traditional forest commodities. The successful candidate will conduct studies on genetically improved loblolly pine and cottonwood to determine the effects of stand density, interspecific competition, and fertility on stand-level growth and the biological mechanisms related to productivity. Study sites will be in southeastern Oklahoma. The potential exists for multi-state collaboration and use of additional study sites in Louisiana. Stipend: A graduate research assistantship is available of $17,500 for Ph.D. or $15,500 for M.S. annually for a half-time appointment. Benefits include tuition waiver and student health insurance. Tentative Starting Date: August 1, 2009. Desirable Qualifications: B.S. and/or M.S. in forestry, plant biology, or related degree. If applicable, a minimum grade point average of 2.70 (A = 4.00) and acceptable GRE scores are required. Interested individuals should contact one of the following: Dr. Rodney Will, 405-744-5444, rodney.will@okstate.edu; Dr. Tom Hennessey, 405-744-5443, tom.hennessey@okstate.edu; Dr. Charles Tauer, 405-744-5462, chuck.tauer@okstate.edu. Posted: 2/16/09.

Oklahoma State University: Two graduate student positions (M.S or Ph.D.) are available in the Department of Natural Resource Ecology & Management for individuals interested in studying positive vs. negative plant-soil feedbacks related to biogeochemistry, soil microbial ecology, plant establishment processes, or restoration of rangeland ecosystems. Research projects will focus on the predominant invasive species in the Southern and Central Great Plains (e.g. salt cedar, Old World Bluestems, sericea lespedeza, or tall fescue). Tentative starting date: June 1, 2009. In addition to stipend, benefits include tuition waiver (up to 6 hours per semester). Interested applicants are encouraged to send a letter stating your interest in the program and a resume to either: Dr. Gail Wilson (gail.wilson@okstate.edu, 405-744-5539) or Dr. Karen Hickman (karen.hickman@okstate.edu, 405-744-9579). To apply, see NREM graduate program. Posted: 1/28/09.

Oklahoma State University: Graduate Research Assistantship in Forest Ecology. A MS GRA position is available for a student to join a team studying the ecological role of fire in Cross Timbers forests, a vegetation type covering almost 5 million hectares from southeastern Kansas across Oklahoma to north-central Texas. Research is focused on relationships among fire frequency, vegetation composition and structure, community biodiversity, litter and coarse woody debris and wildlife values. This research position is supported by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. Dr. David M. Leslie, Jr., Leader of the Oklahoma Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit is co-director of the project. The Cross Timbers forests are highly threatened today by overgrazing, invasive species, exclusion of fire and clearing for agriculture and urbanization. Evidence suggests the quality of savannahs and forests for wildlife habitat is changing due to increasing density of woody vegetation. The student will enroll in a MS program at OSU starting Fall 2009. The stipend will be $15,500 per year and will be renewed after each year based on satisfactory progress. Benefits include tuition waiver and health insurance. Contact: Steve Hallgren, 022 Ag Hall, Natural Resource Ecology and Management, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, 405-744-6805, steve.hallgren@okstate.edu. Posted: 1/13/09.

Oklahoma State University: graduate assistantship in Ecohydrology / Ecosystem Sciences at the Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management. The position will be filled at the Ph.D. or M.S. level. Research will be directed toward improving our understanding of the coupling processes between vegetation systems and hydrological systems across precipitation gradients at various spatial and temporal scales. Specifically, how vegetation dynamics resulted from natural and anthropogenic disturbances (e.g. woody plant expansion, drought, fire, and changing climate) will affect soil and hydrological processes, and how altered processes in soil and hydrology will provide feedback on both vegetation systems and atmosphere through vapor, carbon and dust fluxes. A graduate assistantship is available of $17,500 for Ph.D. or $15,500 for M.S. annually for a one-half time appointment. Benefits include tuition waiver and health insurance (for student only; family coverage available for an additional fee). Tentative Starting Date: Summer or Fall, 2009. Applications should include: Cover letter stating interests and professional goals; C.V./ Resume; Transcripts; GRE (and TOEFL for applicants for whom English is not his/her native language); Three reference letters. Send applications and information requests to: Dr. Chris Zou at 008C Ag Hall, Stillwater, OK 74078 or email to chris.zou@okstate.edu. General information about university admission requirements. Posted: 12/4/08.

Oklahoma State University: A PhD Graduate Research Assistantship position in Forest Ecology is available for a student to join a team studying the ecological role of fire in Cross Timbers forests, a vegetation type covering almost 5 million hectares from southeastern Kansas across Oklahoma to north-central Texas. Research is focused on relationships among fire frequency, vegetation composition and structure, community biodiversity, litter and coarse woody debris and wildlife values. This research position is supported by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. Dr. David M. Leslie, Jr., Leader of the Oklahoma Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit is co-director of the project. The Cross Timbers forests are highly threatened today by overgrazing, invasive species, exclusion of fire and clearing for agriculture and urbanization. Evidence suggests the quality of savannahs and forests for wildlife habitat is changing due to increasing density of woody vegetation. The student will enroll in a PhD program at OSU starting Fall 2009. The stipend will be $17,500 per year and will be renewed after each year based on satisfactory progress. Benefits include tuition waiver and health insurance. Contact: Steve Hallgren, 022 Ag Hall, Natural Resource Ecology and Management, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, 405-744-6805, steve.hallgren@okstate.edu. Posted: 12/2/08.

Oklahoma State University: Ph.D. Assistantship Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management. Start date: January 2009. Requirements: > 1,000 GRE (verbal + quantitative), >3.5 GPA for Masters work. A successful candidate should have experience in technical writing and presentations, the ability to get along with people, and be ability to conduct diverse field work. This project is focused on analyzing invasive species (Smooth Brome; Bromus inermis) response to fire and grazing in mixed and tallgrass prairie. Additionally, there will be a focus on biodiversity with the details dependent on the student's interest. The overall objective of the project is to develop approaches to manage grassland ecosystems to maintain biodiversity and limit species invasions. Specifically, the focus will be on restoring the fire-grazing interaction to create heterogeneity across landscapes that is critical for biodiversity and has limited the invasion of other species by altering grazing selectivity. Further information: Sam Fuhlendorf (sam.fuhlendorfokstate.edu), Sarkeys Distinguished Professor, Rangeland Ecology and Management, Oklahoma State University, Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management, Stillwater OK 74075. Posted: 11/14/08.

Oklahoma State University: I am seeking a graduate student interested in medical entomology, specifically the ecology of mosquitoes. In my lab we examine the transmission of disease by mosquitoes in an ecological context. Current projects include the landscape ecology of disease vectors, ovipositon (egg laying) behavior of container-dwelling mosquitoes, and larval biology of disease vectors. I have broad interests in applying ecological methods to the study of mosquito-borne disease, and will encourage independent scientific inquiry within a guided framework. Opportunities for collaboration with researchers at the Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory exist. Research assistantships are available starting in Fall 2009. Interested? Please contact me: Dr. Michael H Reiskind, Assistant Professor of Entomology, Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, 127 Noble Research Center, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74074. michael.h.reiskindokstate.edu. Posted: 11/13/08.

Oklahoma State University: I am looking for Master's or PhD students to join my lab in the Fall of 2009. In my work I focus on questions of how the behaviors of individuals are shaped by information and how those resulting behaviors affect ecological dynamics. My current research is primarily on how aquatic predators and prey respond to each other and how their responses affect trophic dynamics. I would be happy to have students working on any projects focused on how individuals respond behaviorally or physiologically to varying environments. Graduate students in my lab are funded with a combination of research assistantships, teaching assistantships, and graduate fellowships. Oklahoma State has over 50 faculty members working in various fields of ecology and the Department of Zoology has been expanding with nine new faculty added in the past two years. For information about the department and how to apply for admission please see http://zoology.okstate.edu. Interested students should contact me, Dr. Barney Luttbeg (luttbegokstate.edu, 405-744-1717) and include a CV and a brief statement that talks about their research interests and experience. Posted: 11/11/08.

Oklahoma State University: The Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management is seeking qualified individuals to work on a research project in Silviculture or Applied Forest Ecology. The position will be filled at the Ph.D. or M.S. level. Research Area: Understanding the mechanisms related to the growth and productivity of forest stands is important to efficiently manage forests for traditional commodities, i.e., wood and fiber, but also for nontraditional commodities and ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration, water quality and yield, biofuel feedstocks, wildlife habitat, and aesthetic quality. The successful candidate will undertake studies at the tree or stand level. Flexibility exists in developing specific projects, but potential research directions may entail the effects of silvicultural treatments on stand biology, canopy architecture, effects of fire on natural regeneration, establishment and physiology of plants species important for wildlife habitat, and invasive species. Given the rainfall gradient in Oklahoma, from >50” in the southeastern corner to <20” in the panhandle, Oklahoma comprises a wide range of forest and plant communities that include commercial loblolly pine forests, shortleaf pine savannas, oak-hickory forests, cross-timbers (post oak-blackjack oak dominated forests), and prairie-shrub communities. The student will do coursework at OSU, Stillwater, OK. A graduate research assistantship is available of $17,500 for Ph.D. or $15,500 for M.S. annually for a half-time appointment. Benefits include tuition waiver and student health insurance (for student only, family coverage available for an additional fee). Tentative Starting Date: July 1, 2009. Desirable Qualifications: B.S. and/or M.S. in forestry, plant biology, or related degree. If applicable, a minimum grade point average of 2.70 (A = 4.00) and acceptable GRE scores are required. Application Procedure: Interested individuals should contact: Dr. Rodney Will, 008C Agriculture Hall, Stillwater, OK 74078. 405-744-5444, rodney.willokstate.edu. Posted: 10/31/08.

Oklahoma University: Fluvial Geomorphology/Water Resources/Stream Ecology. The Geography Department has an opening for one graduate student (Master’s or PhD) to work on a project at the interface of fluvial geomorphology, ecology, and public policy. We would like to admit a student who is interested in studying landscape effects on any of the following river resources: water availability, sediment transport, primary productivity, temperature, and water quality. Full funding is available through a teaching assistantship and potentially a research assistantship after the second year. Supplementary fellowships are also available to exceptional candidates. The University is located in Norman, OK, which sits at the boundary between the Central Great Plains and the Cross Timbers physiographic regions in central Oklahoma. Oklahoma is made up of 12 different ecoregions, providing for a diversity of research opportunities, as well as leisure activities. Norman is a traditional college town, just 15 miles south of Oklahoma City. Please send a CV, statement of research interests, contact information for three references, and unofficial transcripts to Jason P. Julian (jjulian@ou.edu) by Feb 5. Posted: 1/26/09.

Old Dominion University: A summer graduate research assistantship (potentially coupled with a teaching assistantship) is available for the next 3 years starting summer 2009 and a full assistantship is anticipated pending proposal approval. The research is being conducted on the Virginia coastal barrier islands as part of the VCR-LTER program. The projects include (1) expansion of a long-term N-fertilization experiment examining the effects on plant community structure and function and (2) application of ground-penetrating radar on the barrier island dunes to quantify belowground parameters, including root biomass and architecture. Doctoral students are preferred but master’s candidates will be considered. Successful applicants would develop their master’s thesis or doctoral dissertation around the research. The total financial aid package would be $20k per year plus tuition waivers for doctoral students. If interested, submit a resume with cover letter (include GPA) to Dr. Frank P. Day, Professor and Eminent Scholar, Department of Biological Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23529 (fday@odu.edu). Posted: 1/15/09.

Pennsylvania State University: MS or PhD Graduate Assistantships available in Agronomy, Entomology, and Soil Science to study sustainable cropping systems based on ecological principles. Cropping-system practices are being designed to minimize pest populations, conserve nutrients, soil, energy, and off-farm inputs. A recently funded 3-year project with a team of Penn State and USDA-ARS scientists, is seeking graduate applicants for 2009/2010 (even though it is late in the application process) and for 2010/2011. For more information, contact: Dr. Heather Karsten or Dr. Douglas Beegle, Department of Crop and Soil Sciences (hdk3@psu.edu; 814-863-3179; dbb@psu.edu); or Dr. John Tooker, Department of Entomology (tooker@psu.edu; 814-865-7082). Posted: 4/8/09.

Penn State University: A Ph.D. Research Assistantship is available beginning in the fall of 2009 to study nitrogen retention in soils of the northeastern U.S. The goal of the research is to understand how soil nitrogen retention varies among diverse managed and unmanaged ecosystems in central PA. The student will be advised by Dr. Jason Kaye in conducting isotope tracer experiments and will collaborate with a postdoc and PI (Dr. Enid Martinez) using spectroscopy to identify soil organic N forms. Collaborations on education and outreach components of the project are also expected. Students with a MS degree in ecology, environmental science, or soil science are especially encouraged to apply, though applicants with Bachelor’s degrees and significant undergraduate research experience will also be considered. Interested applicants should call (841-863-1614) or email (jpk12 at psu.edu) Dr. Kaye and apply to the Graduate Program in Soil Science or the Inter-College Degree Program in Ecology. Either of these degrees can be combined with the new Biogeochemistry Dual Title Degree program. Posted: 12/8/08.

Penn State University: Announcing an opening for a Ph.D. student in the Department of Biology beginning Fall 2009 to study population and community dynamics of plants and vertebrate herbivores in relation to climate change. The student will have the opportunity to develop an independent research project building upon existing multi-annual data on ecological responses to observed climate change at multiple trophic levels from two arctic field sites in Greenland: a low-Arctic site at Kangerlussuaq, on the west coast; and a high-Arctic site on the east coast, Zackenberg. The student will have the opportunity to conduct fieldwork at either or both remote sites, as well as to interact with colleagues within the Department of Biology at Penn State and the Department of Arctic Environment at the University of Aarhus, Denmark. A major emphasis of this research is to understand how responses to climate change at one trophic level in simple arctic ecosystems influence responses to climate change at the adjacent trophic level, with focus on muskoxen and their forage plants. A Master's degree is desired, but not required. Please contact Dr. Eric Post (esp10psu.edu) to express interest or for additional information. Posted: 11/5/08.

Penn State University: Nitrogen cycle and land-use change. A Ph.D. Research Assistantship is available beginning in the fall of 2009 to study variation in nitrogen retention in soils among diverse managed and unmanaged ecosystems in central PA. Students with a MS degree in ecology, environmental science, or soil science are especially encouraged to apply, though applicants with Bachelor’s degrees and significant undergraduate research experience will also be considered. Interested applicants should call (841-863-1614) or email (jpk12 at psu.edu) Dr. Jason Kaye and apply to the Graduate Program in Soil Science or the Inter-College Degree Program in Ecology. Either of these degrees can be combined with the new Biogeochemistry Dual Title Degree program. Apply by: January 1, 2009. Posted: 10/10/08.

Purdue University: PhD student assistantship available to explore inter-population variation in early life stage recruitment dynamics and implications for intra-specific life history trait variation (e.g., maturation schedules, growth rates, and egg characteristics). Research will focus on fish populations in the Great Lakes and inland lakes in Indiana, and will involve an integration of field studies, laboratory analyses, controlled experiments and quantitative modeling analyses. Selected individuals will enroll in Purdue's Department of Forestry and Natural Resources. Minimum qualifications include a BS and MS in Biology, Ecology, Fisheries Science, or related field; GPA of 3.2 or greater; and above average GRE scores (at least 50th percentile for quantitative and verbal; at least 4.0 for analytical writing). Assistantships include 12-month stipend, full tuition coverage, and insurance. Exact start date is negotiable (as early as April 2009 and as late as January 2010). The position will remain open until filled. For full consideration, please submit cover letter, CV, GRE scores (unofficial is fine), transcript (unofficial is fine), and names and contact numbers of three references to Tomas Höök (thook@purdue.edu; 765-496-6799). Posted: 2/17/09.

Purdue University: PhD and MS Assistantships: Fish and Aquatic Ecology. Multiple graduate student (PhD and MS) assistantships available to participate in research projects exploring ecological dynamics of fish in Lake Michigan and inland lakes in Indiana. These projects involve an integration of field studies, laboratory analyses, controlled experiments and quantitative modeling analyses. Specific research topics include: 1) Recruitment and early life history dynamics: linking early life growth and survival of Lake Michigan fishes to physical processes; 2) Intra-specific life history trait variation: inter-population variation of maturation schedules, growth rates, and egg characteristics of inland lake fishes in Indiana; 3) Ecological effects of eutrophication: effects of nutrient loading and resulting hypoxia on fish behavior, growth, and survival in inland lakes in Indiana. Selected individuals will enroll in the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources. Minimum qualifications include a BS (for MS position) or MS (for PhD position) in Biology, Ecology, Fisheries Science, or related field; GPA of 3.2 or greater; and above average GRE scores (at least 50th percentile for quantitative and verbal; at least 4.0 for analytical writing). Assistantships include 12-month stipend, full tuition coverage, and insurance. Exact start date is negotiable (can start sometime from April-August 2009). The positions will remain open until filled. For full consideration, please respond by 19-December-2009 and submit cover letter, CV, GRE scores (unofficial is fine), transcript (unofficial is fine), and names and contact numbers of three references to Tomas Höök (thook@purdue.edu; 765-496-6799). For more details please contact Tomas Höök by email or phone 765-496-6799. Posted: 11/26/08.

Purdue University: A qualified graduate student in community ecology is sought for 2009 to work in Rob Swihart's research group in Forestry & Natural Resources. The successful candidate will join the Hardwood Ecosystem Experiment (HEE), a long-term assessment of ecosystem responses to experimental forest management being conducted as a cooperative venture involving scientists at four universities and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. A focus of HEE is to understand factors related to oak regeneration in a region where oak is a foundation species but is being replaced by sugar maple. The successful applicant will address how animals influence early life stages of oaks by a) quantifying effects of acorn weevils on mortality and germination success of acorns, b) determining how seed predation and seed dispersal by rodents influence potential regeneration in harvested stands and c) experimentally assessing the impact of herbivores (deer, small mammals) on seedling growth and survival. The work will complement and contribute to other studies for developing predictive models of advanced oak regeneration from attributes of woody plant communities and abiotic factors at multiple spatial scales. Strong quantitative skills are required; field research experience in forestry or wildlife is desirable. Candidates should have a GPA of at least 3.2 and a cumulative GRE score of at least 1200 (V+Q) and 4.5 for Analytical Writing. Please send a resume and a short (1-page) letter of interest including cumulative GPA, GRE scores, and contact telephone numbers and email addresses for three references to rswihartpurdue.edu. Graduate stipends currently are $17,260 (M.S.) and $19,810 (Ph.D.) per year and include tuition waivers. Posted: 11/3/08.

Radboud University Nijmegen: A position for a PhD student is available at the Department of Experimental Plant Ecology (Institute for Water and Wetland Research; Prof. dr. Hans de Kroon) on a project funded by the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (ALW-NWO) entitled “How roots interact: Unravelling the key response mechanisms of plants belowground and their effects on community productivity”. The project will be carried out in collaboration with the Multitrophic Interactions Department of the Netherlands Institute of Ecology at Heteren (Prof. dr. Wim van der Putten). The project will study root response mechanisms between species, as driven by nutrients, root exudates and soil biota using state-of-the-art chemical and molecular methodologies. These mechanisms are to explain the effects of species interactions on community productivity in mixed grassland communities. The project is well embedded in a number of other projects on plant root growth, and plant and soil community ecology, in particular with a NWO-VENI funded post-doc project on biodiversity and community effects of species-specific root interactions (Dr. ir. Liesje Mommer). We are seeking an ecologist with interest in plant ecology, soil ecology, phytochemistry and molecular ecology. The candidate should have thorough experience with manipulative experiments under controlled conditions, using advanced analytical chemical and/or molecular techniques. We expect the candidate to master current concepts in ecology, in relation to his/her own work. Excellent skills in writing, communication and presentation are essential. Requirements: an MSc or comparable degree in plant ecology, plant biology or molecular ecology. Good knowledge of experimental designs and statistics and demonstrated experience with molecular and/or chemical techniques. Excellent knowledge of English. The PhD student will be appointed and based at Radboud University, but part of the work will be carried out at the Netherlands Institute of Ecology at Heteren. The appointment will be for four years in case of a full-time appointment, following the general conditions for PhD students at Dutch Universities. The salary will be between EURO 2.042 and 2.612 gross per month on a full-time basis, depending on qualifications and experience. Applicants should apply by writing (by e-mail) to H.deKroon@science.ru.nl. Letters of application should be written in English, and include a statement of interest, CV, publication list (if applicable) and names and addresses of at least two references. The application can be sent to the following address, until 6 may 2009: Radboud University, Personnel Department, Vacancy number: 62.19.09 PO Box 9010, 6500 GL Nijmegen, the Netherlands. More information: For more information on the vacancy you can contact: Prof. dr. Hans de Kroon, H.deKroon@science.ru.nl, tel +31 24 3653380; Prof. dr. Wim van der Putten, W.vanderPutten@nioo.knaw.nl, tel +31 2647 91203; Dr. ir. Liesje Mommer, L.Mommer@science.ru.nl, tel . + 31 24 3652401. Posted: 4/2/09.

Rennes 1 University: PhD fellowship: Evolution and invasions on macroevolutionary islands: insects on phylogenetically isolated trees. Funding is by the French Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique CNRS (Institute National de l’écologie et de l’environnement). As always in these fellowships the funding is pending on final decision of the co-funding structure. The subject: Within a forest canopy a tree crown may be separated from its neighbors by more than 200 million years of evolutionary history (for instance an oak in a pine forest). For the phytophages such crowns hence represent “macroevolutionary islands” differing from their neighbors in many traits. Does such a macroevolutionary isolation affect niche assembly and microevolution of phytophage assemblages within such crowns, such as niche relaxation, ecological drift and reduced resistance against invasions of the crowns? What are the consequences for outbreaks of pest species and phytophagy of the trees? In order to protect trees from their pest species should the trees be planted close to or far away from closely related tree species? See a related recent publication. The host institution is the Research Unit “Ecosystems, Biodiversity, Evolution”. Salary: About 1700 Euros gross salary / month. Families of foreign scientists receive full family aids by the state (around 200 Euros per month). Moreover spouses of scientists receive a special visa and a work permit. The ideal candidate should be trained (and interested) in (i) concepts of community assembly, of plant/insect interactions and/or at the interface between evolution and ecology at interspecific level, (ii) advanced statistics, (ii) interest in insects and if possible have knowledge of certain tree-dwelling groups. (S)He should have a driving licence and no vertigo (need for tree climbing, after professional training). No restrictions on nationality. Master (or equivalent) must be no older than October 2007. A (basic) knowledge of French would be a big help. For instance, the introductory chapter of the thesis will have to be in French. Final applications must be on the official form (pdf) and submitted to Andreas Prinzing (andreas.prinzing@univ-rennes1.fr). As filling in this official form is some effort, in particular for non-French speaking candidates, I recommend to contact me in advance with your CV and a letter explaining your qualification and your motivation. Please also provide email addresses of 2 potential referees. Deadline is April 24. Posted: 4/7/09.

Rice University: Ph.D. Students Wanted! The Whitney lab is broadly interested in the ecology and evolution of plants and their communities, often focusing on plant-animal interactions such as herbivory, seed predation, and seed dispersal. Major questions include how genetic diversity is maintained in nature, how invasive plant species acquire their invasive traits, and how genome size might affect plant ecology and evolution. We use a combination of field, greenhouse, phylogenetic and molecular genetic approaches. Students are expected to develop their own independent projects but will also have opportunities to collaborate on an NSF-funded investigation of hybridization and adaptation to herbivory in wild sunflowers. Rice’s Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EEB) program boasts an exceptionally active faculty and a dynamic group of graduate students. We also have great facilities, including new molecular labs and a new 3600 sq. ft. greenhouse. Areas of emphasis include interspecific interactions, mutualism, cooperation, herbivory, and invasion biology. Outstanding fellowship-based financial support is available for Ph.D. students. For more info please contact: Ken Whitney (kwhitneyrice.edu). Please also check out the research pages for other Rice EEB faculty, many of whom are also accepting students. Posted: 11/11/08.

Rice University: PhD fellowship in terrestrial ecology or conservation ecology: I am looking to accept a bright and motivated PhD student into my laboratory in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology starting Fall 2009. I am looking for prospective students with interests related to one or more of the following 3 areas: 1) Effects of altered functional diversity (invasion/extinction) and habitat structure on multi-trophic species-interactions and ecosystem processes, 2)Impacts of climate change on species interactions and wildlife demography, and 3) Behavioral ecology of mammals and birds. Preference will go to applicants with strong academic records and quantitative skills and previous research experience. Please see our http://eeb.rice.edu/ for more information on the graduate program, the department and my own and the other faculty's research interests. The department has strengths in a variety of research areas ranging from the ecology and evolution of interspecific interactions, conservation ecology, invasive species, and forest community dynamics to genomics, speciation, and the evolution of intra-specific cooperation and sociality. Formal application materials for graduate school can be submitted using the above website. Interested students should email me a letter of interest and attach a copy of their CV. Dr. Amy Dunham, PhD (aed4(at)rice.edu). Posted: 10/27/08.

Rice University: I (Volker Rudolf) am looking for highly motivated PhD students in community/population ecology starting September 2009. I will consider applicants who wish to pursue fundamental research on any aspect of population/community/evolutionary ecology. My research examines the ecological factors that generate and determine the structure, dynamics and functioning of natural communities. Current projects focus on the effect of parasites on the dynamics of populations & communities, the effects of cannibalism and size structure on the dynamics and functioning of natural communities, the consequences of infectious diseases for community dynamics and biodiversity, the evolutionary dynamics resulting from the interaction of cannibalism and diseases/ parasitoids. While most of my work has been carried out in aquatic (freshwater) systems using organisms that range from stream salamanders to dragonfly larvae to zooplankton I am amenable to students developing projects in other study systems. Please see the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology website for our research and graduate programs, and the recent addition of several outstanding new faculty complementing our strengths in a variety of research areas ranging from the ecology and evolution of interspecific interactions, tropical & conservation biology, invasive species, and forest community dynamics to genomics, speciation, and the evolution of sociality. Formal application materials for graduate school can be submitted using the above website. Interested students should send me an email and attach a copy of their CV. Volker Rudolf, Assistant Professor, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Rice University, Houston, TX, 77005. Email: volker.rudolfrice.edu. Posted: 10/23/08.

Rutgers University: Graduate Research Assistantship available to study the effects of urban wetlands on mosquito communities and their relation to the epidemiology of West Nile Virus infection in humans. The project studies mosquito communities in urban backyards as a function of distance from urban wetlands. General knowledge of biology and ecology is expected, but a key requirement is field reliability, that is, the ability to collect samples accurately and on schedule regardless of the weather. Applicants must be able to start on August 1, 2009. Applicants should have an excellent academic record in any field of biology or ecology. Support package consist of salary and tuition waiver for two years. To apply, please send (1) a letter of interest, including career goals and relevant past experiences; (2) a resume or CV; (3) cumulative GPA and GRE scores; and (4) contact telephone numbers and email addresses for three references to: Prof. Michael Sukhdeo (sukhdeo@aesop.rutgers.edu), Department of Ecology, Evolution and Natural Resources, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08901. Posted: 2/17/09.

Rutgers University: A Ph.D or M.S. graduate student fellowship is available starting September 2009 with Dr. Rachael Winfree in the Department of Entomology. The research field is pollination ecology, broadly defined. See http://www.rci.rutgers.edu/~insects/winfree.htm for more information on research directions in my lab, and the Rutgers Entomology web site for program details. The fellowship includes tuition waiver and a living stipend as well as some research support. Applicants should be highly self-motivated and have a strong academic background in entomology, ecology & evolution, or a related field; field research experience; and a keen interest in entomology and pollination ecology. Experience in pollination research and data analysis/modeling skills would be welcomed but are not essential. Interested applicants should email CV, transcript, test scores, and a letter describing your research interests to: Dr Rachael Winfree, rwinfreerci.rutgers.edu. Posted: 10/6/08.

Saint Francis Xavier University: A new M.Sc. position will become available in my lab in September 2009. Research will be funded by Canada's Department of Fisheries and Oceans and will investigate regional differences in rocky intertidal community composition as related to environmental stress and nearshore productivity on the Gulf of St Lawrence coast (Nova Scotia, Canada). I'm seeking a student with clear interests in marine ecology. To apply, please email to me: (i) a copy of your CV (including academic transcripts) and (ii) the names and emails of 2 professors who can provide a reference on you. If you have any questions, please let me know. Thank you, Ricardo A. Scrosati (rscrosat@stfx.ca, 1-902-867-5289). Posted: 6/4/09.

Simon Fraser University: The Fisheries Science and Management Research Group in the Graduate School of Resource and Environmental Management (REM) has multiple Masters- and Ph.D-level assistantships available for highly motivated students interested in improving the understanding and management of aquatic systems through research on marine and freshwater systems, including fishes, marine mammals, invertebrates, and their habitats. Located just outside Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, our interdisciplinary program enables students to develop expertise in applied fisheries science and management along with related areas such as resource economics, simulation modeling and statistics, risk assessment and decision analysis, ecotoxicology, conflict resolution, environmental law, and policy analysis. Graduate research projects in fisheries science and management span a wide range of topics including population dynamics, environmental causes of variation in survival and growth rates, habitat and resource selection modeling, dynamic response of commercial fishing fleets and recreational anglers, direct and indirect ecosystem effects of fishing, development of new stock assessment and management simulation methods, evaluation and design of management and conservation strategies, and the development of innovative monitoring programs in the context of climate change. Research may involve field, laboratory, and/or computer simulation modeling. Along with state-of-the-art computing facilities, REM also has a new $1 million remote sensing laboratory, which includes fisheries wet/dry labs, a 9-metre dedicated research vessel, a submersible/ROV rated to 2000 ft (600 m), scientific-grade electronics, sonic fish tracking equipment, and survey fishing gear. Interested students should visit our web page (linked above), download our pamphlet or contact: Dr. Randall Peterman (peterman@sfu.ca), Dr. Andy Cooper (andrew_cooper@sfu.ca), Dr. Sean Cox (spcox@sfu.ca). Posted: 12/4/08.

Sonoma State University: Graduate Research Opportunity in Community Ecology. A graduate student at the M.S. level is sought to join Dr. Hall Cushman's lab in the Department of Biology. The successful applicant will participate in a long-term ecological study designed to evaluate the impacts of mammalian herbivores (black-tailed deer and jackrabbits) on the composition of plant communities in a coastal dune ecosystem. This study involves a factorial herbivore-exclosure experiment that was established in 1995 along a soil-texture gradient in a dune system adjacent to the Bodega Marine Laboratory and Reserve in Sonoma County. Although this experiment has been used to address a diversity of issues, a main objective currently is to evaluate the impacts of native herbivores on the relative dominance of native versus exotic plants in the community, and to understand if and how these effects vary along a soil-mediated stress gradient. The successful applicant will be expected to contribute to this effort as well as develop another project of their own choosing that uses the existing exclosure experiment. Papers from this project can be downloaded from the lab website. Applicants must have a strong background in ecology, field research and plant identification as well as meet the admission requirements for the Department of Biology's Graduate Program. Experience in statistical analysis and data management is also desirable. The application deadline is January 31 for the Fall semester and October 31 for the Spring semester. Graduate students are supported in a variety of ways, including teaching assistantships and in-state tuition waivers. Hall Cushman will work closely with the successful applicant to obtain additional grant funding to support this project. For more information, contact Hall Cushman (cushmansonoma.edu). Posted: 10/13/08.

Southeastern Louisiana University: The Wetlands Restoration Laboratory has received a 2-year $50k Coastal Science Assistantship Program fellowship from the Coastal Restoration Division of the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources (LDNR-CRD). The Master's Degree level fellowship includes a 240-hour internship at LDNR-CRD. The student chosen for the fellowship will determine how effectively secondary sewage effluent can stimulate growth and productivity in baldcypress (Taxodium distichum) seedlings planted in a highly degraded marsh (historically a swamp). S/he also will determine if growth is dependant on distance from outfall of effluent, and will test baldcypress seedlings grown under five different horticultural practices. Considerable freedom exists in design and implementation of other aspects of thesis research. To apply, attach a letter of intent and resume to: Dr. Gary P. Shaffer, email address: shafeselu.edu. Posted: 10/6/08.

Southern Illinois University: Ph.D. Research Assistantship in the Environmental Resources and Policy program. We are looking for a highly motivated graduate student at the PhD level to join a collaborative NSF project looking at the interface between renewable energy policy and economics, agroecosystems management, and ecosystem services, with a particular focus on water quality and carbon. The research will involve economic and systems modeling of agroecosystems, and the analysis of farmer’s decisions in the bioeconomy from a variety of perspectives (economic, geographic, environmental), and will be conducted by an interdisciplinary team. Quantitative aptitude, an interest in economics and policy, and well developed verbal and written skills are necessary. Experience with multivariate or spatial statistics preferred. The project includes a good amount of research flexibility, and candidates interested in the development of student-driven research questions are welcomed. The student will enroll in the ER&P Ph.D. program. The focus of the program is addressing sustainability issues - meeting the economic needs of the present while maintaining the natural capital required to meet the economic and environmental needs of the future. To this end, the ER&P Ph.D. provides advanced inter-disciplinary training and research on physical, biological, and social processes responsible for natural resource and environmental problems facing contemporary society. The students will be expected to present the results of their research at regional and national meetings and to prepare manuscripts of these findings for publication in the peer-reviewed literature. The assistantship comes with a competitive stipend and covers the cost of tuition and fees. Start date is the Fall semester 2009. Prior to formal application to SIU, interested applicants are strongly encouraged to contact Dr. Silvia Secchi (ssecchi@siu.edu) with a letter of interest, including cumulative GPA, GRE scores if available, description of any previous research experience, and contact information for three references. Please feel free to contact Silvia with any informal inquiries. Posted: 7/1/09.

Southern Illinois University: The SIU Center for Ecology is pleased to announce the availability of NSF-funded Graduate Fellowships for new, incoming MS and PhD students. Fellowships will fund students for two years of their program starting Summer 2009. Fellows will work with a Center for Ecology faculty advisor for their thesis/dissertation research and follow the graduate program of their home department. Fellowship responsibilities will include partnering with a local high school teacher in the Heartland Ecological/Environmental and Academic Research Training (HEART) program. The HEART GK12 program is a National Science Foundation funded fellowship program targeting primarily underrepresented minorities in science, but all qualified students are encouraged to apply. Full details about the competitive stipends and application procedures are available from Scott Schuette (siucgk12@siu.edu, 618-453-3234). Applications are due mid-January so please apply ASAP as competition for these fellowships is likely to be keen. Students interested in entering the graduate program in plant ecology should contact David Gibson (plant population and community ecology, restoration ecology) or Sedonia Sipes (evolutionary ecology, reproductive ecology, plant-insect interactions) in the first instance (dgibson@plant.siu.edu or ssipes@plant.siu.edu). (Co-PIs include: Karen Renzaglia [lead-PI], Harvey Henson, Frackson Mumba, Sedonia Sipes, David Gibson). Posted: 12/18/08.

Southern Illinois University Carbondale: Fisheries and Illinois Aquaculture Center, Department of Zoology, Center for Ecology. I am currently seeking a PhD or highly qualified masters student to conduct a research project that complements existing large river research in our fish ecology laboratory. Current research includes exploring seasonal movement of fishes in flowing versus impounded reaches of the Mississippi River, life history interactions of invasive Asian carps, and early life history/recruitment of river sturgeons. An interest in experimental ecology and/or modeling is highly desirable. Start date: Summer/Fall 2009. Please send a CV, statement of interest, copies of transcripts, and contact information for three references to Dr. Jim Garvey, Fisheries and Illinois Aquaculture Center, Mailcode 6511, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901. Phone: 618-536-7761; jgarveysiu.edu. Posted: 9/25/08.

Southern Illinois University Carbondale: A Ph.D. graduate student research assistantship in Coastal Wetland Ecology is available starting August 2009 in the Department of Plant Biology. The doctoral student will develop a research project as part of a DoD-funded project to evaluate the utility of assisted migration in coastal communities threatened by climate change. The assistantship includes a tuition waiver, a monthly stipend, and research support. Applicants should be highly motivated, hard-working, and have a background in wetland ecology or a closely related field. Familiarity with statistics and field experience in coastal ecosystems are desirable. Interested applicants should send the following materials to Dr. Loretta Battaglia, lbattagliaplant.siu.edu, Department of Plant Biology, 1125 Lincoln Dr., Life Sciences 2, Rm. 420, Carbondale, IL 62901: 1) cover letter describing research interests, 2) curriculum vitae, 3) unofficial transcripts, 4) GRE test scores (including percentiles). Closing Date: December 10, 2008. Posted: 10/6/08.

Southern Illinois University Carbondale: PhD Research Assistantship in Grassland Ecology. An NSF sponsored Research Assistantship is available starting Jan 2009 to pursue a PhD in Plant Biology with David Gibson & Sara Baer of SIUC's Center for Ecology. The RA will participate in our NSF Funded prairie restoration project that is testing the effects of seed source on community/ecosystem assembly and will be expected to develop their own related project for their dissertation. For further details and to apply contact: David Gibson (dgibsonplant.siu.edu) or Sara Baer (sgbaersiu.edu), Department of Plant Biology, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901-6509. (618) 453-3231, 435-3218. Gibson and Baer will both be attending the Ecological Society of America's Annual Meeting in Milwaukee Aug 3-8. Look for Gibson at the British Ecological Society stand in the Convention Hall and Baer at the mixers during at evening poster sessions. Email us ahead of time to arrange more specifically a meeting. Posted: 7/22/08.

SUNY College of Environmental Science & Forestry: MS Graduate Research Assistantship – Aquatic/Restoration Ecology. This research will examine the effects of stream restoration structures on the biotic (invertebrate) community of the hyporheic zone of several New York streams. Findings will have important implications for national stream recovery efforts and aquatic community ecology. Qualifications: Undergraduate degree in aquatic ecology, fisheries, biology, or closely-related field. Completion of invertebrate and aquatic ecology coursework desirable. Salary: Two-year RA funding available with 1-year tuition support. Starting date ASAP. Please email a short statement of interest, CV with two references, and copies of transcripts, GPA, and GRE scores to: Dr. Kathleen E. McGrath, kmcgrath@esf.edu, Department of Environmental & Forest Biology, SUNY-ESF, Syracuse, NY 13210, (315) 470-4814. Posted: 5/22/09.

SUNY College of Environmental Science & Forestry: An M.S. assistantship in forest entomology is available at the State University of New York, Environmental and Forest Science in Syracuse NY. The proposed research involves deploying and monitoring sentinel logs for evidence of parasitism by native parasitoids of Sirex noctilio larvae, the invasive European wood wasp, in stands with low vs high densities of S. noctilio as well as documenting stand variables associated with S. noctilio densities and parasitism rates. Information on our lab and research can be found at: http://www.esf.edu/EFB/faculty/fierke.htm Inquiries are welcome for more information on this specific project, other potential projects in our lab, and graduate school in the SUNY-ESF Environmental and Forest Biology department. Melissa K. Fierke, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Forest Entomology, Department of Environmental & Forest Biology, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, 146 Illick Hall, 1 Forestry Drive, Syracuse, NY 13210. Email: mkfierke@esf.edu. Posted: 5/18/09.

SUNY College of Environmental Science & Forestry: MS/PhD Research Assistant - Modeling Ingrowth and Mortality in Managed Northern Hardwood Stands to Evaluate Forest Sustainability. A MS/PhD research assistantship is available for Fall 2009 (possible summer 2009 start) in the Department of Forest and Natural Resources Management. Research will utilize long-term remeasurement data to investigate the role of past management activities on rates of mortality across dbh classes and ingrowth (regeneration) within managed northern hardwood stands. Prospective students should be highly motivated, demonstrate good communication skills (written and oral), strong quantitative skill and be willing to conduct field work. A BS in forestry, forest ecology, or natural resources is desirable. This is a fully funded assistantship that includes: tuition, stipend, and health insurance for the student. To inquire further, please email Dr. Eddie Bevilacqua (ebevilacqua@esf.edu) a CV, a description of your research interests and experience, and unofficial transcripts. The successful candidate may begin their program in May 2009. Posted: 3/5/09.

SUNY College of Environmental Science & Forestry: PhD Assistantship in Forest Ecology starting in Fall 2009. I am seeking a PhD student to join a multidisciplinary research team investigating the simultaneous impacts of climate and land use change on biodiversity in the northeastern United States. The position will focus on the development and validation of a forest successional model based on high-resolution remotely-sensed altimetry data (LIDAR) and field measurements, and will also involve analysis of spatially explicit climatic trends using interpolated weather records. The forest succession model will be coupled with downscaled climate and species distribution models to understand the drivers of observed and future shifts in breeding bird distributions across New York State. Basic qualifications include a Master's degree in forest ecology, quantitative ecology, ecological modelling or a similar area of study, the ability to work effectively without direct supervision, and experience with collection and analysis of vegetation data. Desired qualifications include experience with statistical software (SAS or R), GIS applications and/or programming, and the management of large datasets. The assistantship provides a stipend of $18-20K/yr (depending on qualifications), tuition, and health benefits, and will be renewable for up to two additional years. To apply, please send a CV, cover letter, contact information for three references, and abstracts of published research (including MS thesis) to Dr. Colin Beier at cbeier@esf.edu. Questions regarding the position are also welcome. Please be sure to include the text "NASA 09 PHD" in the subject line of the email message. Closing date for applications is April 1. Posted: 1/22/09.

SUNY College of Environmental Science & Forestry: Ruth Yanai is recruiting a graduate student, MS or PhD, to participate in a new multi-investigator project on nutrient limitation (N vs P) of young and old northern hardwood stands at Hubbard Brook, Jeffers Brook, and Bartlett Experimental Forest (sites with contrasting P availability) in New Hampshire, USA. Simulation modeling using Rastetter's Multi-Element Limitation model could contribute to this project, as could field studies, for example on foliar retranslocation of nutrients. For more information on my research projects, visit my web site. For access to the password-protected proposal documents, contact Heather Engelman at forestecologyesf.edu. Instructions for applying and application forms are at http://web.esf.edu/gweb/. The State University of New York is offering Doctoral Diversity Fellowships to students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Fellowships are also available to support participation in the National Science Foundation's Graduates in K-12 Education program, linked with the ESF in the High School program. Ruth D. Yanai, Professor, Forest and Natural Resources Management, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, NY 13210. phone: 315 470-6955 fax: 315 470-6954 e-mail: rdyanaisyr.edu. Posted: 11/21/08.

Stockholm University: PhD position in animal ecology (landscape ecology) in the Department of Zoology. This is a cross-disciplinary PhD project with the overall objective to investigate how historic changes in landscape composition and wildlife management has altered mammal community structures in Sweden over 200 years. Final date for applications: May 4, 2009. For more information, contact Sara Cousins (sara.cousins@natgeo.su.se). Posted: 4/2/09.

Stony Brook University: The Department of Ecology and Evolution is recruiting graduate students for Fall 2009. Our graduate program trains students in Ecology, Evolution and Biometry. The following faculty are seeking graduate students for their labs: H. Resit Akcakaya, Stephen B. Baines, Michael A. Bell, David O. Conover, Liliana M. Dávalos, Daneil Dykhuizen, Walter F. Eanes, John G. Fleagle, Lev Ginzburg, Jessica Gurevitch, Jeffrey Levinton, Steve Munch, Dianna K Padilla, Massimo Pigliucci, Joshua Rest, F. James Rohlf, John J. Wiens, Pat C. Wright. For more information: Graduate Program in Ecology and Evolution The deadline for receipt of all application materials is January 18. For additional assistance, e-mail our Graduate Program Coordinator, Iris Roth, irothnotes.cc.sunysb.edu. Posted: 11/19/08, revised: 1/15/09.

Swiss Federal Research Institute Agroscope Reckenholz-Tanikon: PhD position: underground symbionts and nutrient cycling in ecosystems. Project Description The availability of cheap fertilizers is rapidly decreasing and it has been predicted that we will face a phosphate crisis endangering agricultural productions. This is because available phosphorus deposits are expected to be depleted in about 50 years. Moreover, the production of nitrogen is energetically expensive (1 kg of N fertilizer requires 2.5 litres of petrol) and prices are expected to increase considerably in the coming decades. Hence, it is extremely important to understand which factors control nutrient cycling in ecosystems and reduce nutrient loss from soils. Such knowledge can be used to enhance the sustainability of ecosystems and is especially important for low-input agricultural systems. The factors that reduce nutrient loss from ecosystems are, in part, poorly un-derstood. In this project the impact of the soil microbes, “the unseen majority”, on nutrient losses will be investi-gated. Specific attention will be given to mycorrhizal fungi and denitrifying bacteria & fungi. The following hypothesis are addressed: 1. Mycorrhizal fungi reduce nutrient leaching after heavy rain due to their ability to acquire nutrients from the soil. 2. By reducing nutrient loss, mycorrhizal fungi maintain plant productivity and plant nutrient acquisition. 3. The significance of mycorrhizal fungi increases when ecosystems are exposed to climate change (e.g. in-creased rainfall intensities or elevated temperatures) because mycorrhizal fungi retain nutrients inside eco-systems. This project is funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation. Education / Conditions: We are looking for an enthusiastic person with an MSc in ecology, microbial ecology, nutrient cycling or agron-omy. Experience or interest in mycorrhizal fungi, denitrification measurements or isotope (N15) ecology is an advantage. Duration of appointment: 3 years This position is open until filled (entrance Summer/ Autumn 2009). If you are interested in this position, please send your complete application (CV and Certificates) to: Agroscope Reckenholz-Tänikon Research Station ART, Human Resources, Code “Microbial Control of Nutrient Cycling“, Reckenholzstrasse 191, CH-8046 Zürich. For further information & project description, please contact: Dr. Marcel van der Heijden, +41 44 377 72 78, marcel.vanderheijden@art.admin.ch. Posted: 5/8/09.

Swiss Federal Institute WSL: The goal of the interdisciplinary project SPatially Explicit Evolution of Diversity (SPEED) is to understand how evolutionary history and the potential for rapid evolution can influence the response to climate change by species, biotic communities, and regional patterns of biological diversity. There are 2 open PhD positions, each with funding for three years: (1) Ph.D. in evolutionary modeling and phylogenetics. This position will focus on niche evolution through the development of Bayesian models to estimate how niche parameters of species are evolving through time and lineages. The project will also generate molecular data to complement existing phylogenetic trees of the Restionaceae. This student’s primary location will be in the Salamin lab at the University of Lausanne. (2) Ph.D. in population genetics and ecological niche variability. This position will focus on the relationship between geographical range, niche variability and genetic variation. The position is to explore the patterns of inheritance of the niche and genetic attributes of selected species. This student’s primary location will be in the Linder lab at the University of Zurich. Applications MUST be received no later than Sunday, May 31, 2009. Interviews to be held fourth week in June. Start date in September, 2009. Please contact Peter B. Pearman or the relevant person linked to your interest. The SPEED project proposal is available to interested applicants upon request. To apply, send the following materials, as separate PDF files: 1. PDF of cover letter, addressed to The SPEED Search Committee, indicating --position applied for --your career goals --your research interests in context of the SPEED project --detail of how the experience and skills shown in your CV prepare you specifically for the position for which you are applying 2. PDF of CV, complete, showing contact information, title of thesis (and dissertation), date, universities, research experience, notable skills, advanced courses, publication list, posters and talks presented, awards, service, etc 3. PDF of the abstract of your Masters thesis or Ph.D. dissertation research 4. PDF of university report of coursework, showing grades and degrees earned (must be in English) 5+. PDF's of published papers and papers in-press. Send application as e-mail with attachments, with the following subject line: SPEED Project (and insert position applied for: evolutionary modeling, population genetics,or post-doc). Send a separate e-mail, cover letter (PDF), and other PDF documents for each position applied for (if more than one) to: sibylle.hauser@wsl.ch. Posted: 5/4/09.

Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL: In the group Ecological Process Modelling at WSL (close to Zurich) we offer a PhD position in modelling boreal biome shifts. The project includes upscaling a regional scale dynamic forest model to the continental scale and simulations of climate change impact on the boreal tree species compositions. Besides a university degree in ecological, environmental, physics, mathematics, computational sciences, or related sciences, the PhD student should have experience and knowledge • either in ecology (ecological modeling, forest, vegetation, community, or theoretical ecology), • or in scientific computing (programming, dynamic models, numerical mathematics), • and at least basic knowledge and interest in the other field. Interested? Please send your complete application, including photo and ideas how you could contribute to the project, using reference number 576 to Mrs. Monika Huber, Human Resources WSL, Zuercherstrasse 111, CH-8903. Further information about the project, the group and the institute: MUSCATELLA: Multiscale Spatiotemporal Forest Landscape Modeling, biome boundary shifts, ecological process modelling. Posted: 1/21/09.

Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL: The Institue, part of the ETH Domain, employs approximately 500 people working on the sustainable use and protection of the landscapes and habitats and a responsible approach to handling natural hazards. The Research Unit Community Ecology seeks to understand the patterns and processes that shape multi-species assemblages and their dynamics. In a new project funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation we will investigate the top-down effects of four herbivore groups on vegetation and soil properties in the Swiss National Park and are offering a PhD Position in Grazer-Grassland Ecology. You will collect field and laboratory data on how herbivores affect plant and soil properties through top-down processes; you will use uni- and multivariate statistics to analyze the results, publish your results in recognized scientific journals, and assist in the supervision of students. Qualifications: University degree (M.Sc.) in Biology/Environmental Science/Ecology, Evolution and/or Systematics, experienced in grazing, plant and soil ecology, independent, interdisciplinary and innovative work-style, able and willing to work for several months - sometimes under adverse conditions - in a remote high-elevation area, very good written and spoken English. Laboratory experience as well as knowledge of one Swiss National languages is an advantage. Valid driving license. Interested? Please send your complete, written application with photo and short summary of your M.Sc. thesis using reference number 572 to Mrs. Monika Huber, Human Resources WSL, Zuercherstrasse 111, CH-8903 Birmensdorf, Switzerland. Dr. Anita C. Risch, tel. +41 44 739 23 46, (anita.risch@wsl.ch) and Dr. Martin Schuetz, tel. +41 44 739 25 26 (martin.schuetz@wsl.ch), will be happy to answer any questions or offer further information. Please submit your application by January 31, 2009. Posted: 12/22/08, revised: 1/21/09.

Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich: The Forest Ecology Group is offering a PhD project position in the field of long-term forest dynamics under Global Change and adaptive management strategies. See the complete description of this three-year appointment with information on the requirements and the application procedure. Posted: 7/28/08.

Technischen Universität Berlin: PhD position in Tropical Community Ecology. Position available in the DFG (DFG ER 589/2-1) funded project “Biodiversity dynamics and ecological cascading in logged tropical forests of the Guiana Shield - Consequences and perspectives for amphibian communities in anthropogenically altered ecosystems” (ideally starting April-May 2009, for the period of three years). The project aims at resolving interactions between different levels of biodiversity and ecosystem functioning in complex tropical forest ecosystems under the influence of human induced disturbance (timber harvesting) using amphibian communities as organismic model system. It is closely linked to a controlled timber harvesting scheme implemented by one of the project partners Iwokrama International Centre for Rainforest Conservation and Development, Guyana, S.A. The project will involve field (amphibian field study in Guyana, S.A.) as well as laboratory (multivariate statistical analysis of data sets obtained from field study and laboratory, i.e. stable isotope analysis) research. Field work will be conducted in cooperation with Iwokrama International Centre, laboratory work on stable isotopes will be conducted in cooperation with the Natural History Museum Berlin and the University of Hamburg. The ultimate goal of the project will be the development of predictive models of ecosystem dynamics and potential decay following anthropogenic disturbances and the identification of predictors of species' extinction sensitivity to these disturbances. This interdisciplinary project would suit a highly motivated student with a strong background in community ecology and good experience in analysing complex and multivariate datasets. Field and working experience in tropical countries (particularly South America), basic knowledge of the taxonomic focus group (tropical amphibians) and the willingness to work under basic field conditions during field work would be advantageous. Excellent knowledge of spoken and written English is a prerequisite. The project will be based at the Department of Biodiversity Dynamics, TU Berlin, with regular field trips to the study sites in Guyana, S.A. (app. 3 mths/year). Funding will be provided for a minimum of 3 years and includes travel expenses and per diem during field time abroad. Deadline for application: April 05, 2009, or until position is filled. Interviews are scheduled for mid April, 2009. Applications should be sent via email (preferably single pdf) to the address below and should include a statement of interest, CV, publication list and names and addresses of at least two references. Contact: Dr. Raffael Ernst (raffael.ernst@tu-berlin.de). Posted: 3/5/09.

[position filled] Tennessee Technological University: A MS position is available for a highly motivated student beginning as early as January 15, 2009. This funded position will study the distribution and ecology of dusky salamanders (Desmognathus spp.). Field work will involve repeated daytime and nighttime surveys of low-order streams on the Cumberland Plateau. The MS candidate will supervise a small crew of technicians and will be responsible for all aspects of field research, such as safety and accomplishing research objectives. The ideal applicant will be independent and self-motivated, have demonstrated academic excellence, have an aptitude for quantitative methods (e.g., logistic regression), have research experience, and have experience with the target species. A start date as late as a May 2009 is possible for an exceptional applicant. This research is part of a wider project to develop two habitat conservation plans for rare and endangered species on the Cumberland Plateau in Tennessee (http://www.cumberlandhcp.org). The student will have opportunities to participate in this associated project and gain experience in applied conservation. The position will be co-advised by Dr. Sean Blomquist and Dr. Hayden Mattingly. To apply, please email a cover letter and CV to Dr. Sean Blomquist (sblomquisttntech.edu, 931-372-6242) by December 10, 2008. In your cover letter, please include your undergraduate GPA, GRE scores, and highlight relevant course work. See http://www.tntech.edu/gcat/asp/specific_arts_biology.asp for complete description of the departmental degree requirements. Posted: 10/27/08.

Texas A&M University: I am currently accepting a graduate student (M.S. or PhD) in quantitative population ecology to start in fall 2009 in the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences. A research topic is flexible within the area of quantitative population ecology (both applied and theoretical). Example of potential topics include modeling sublethal effects of infectious diseases on population processes, developing quantitative tools for assessing the status of exploited populations, and effects of harvesting on the life history strategy of organisms. You can find more about the department and application process at the link above. Interested students should contact Masami Fujiwara (fujiwara@alum.mit.edu) immediately. Applications from international students are no longer accepted for this fall but may be considered for spring 2010. Posted: 3/25/09.

Texas A&M University: A graduate research assistantship is available for a student pursuing a PhD focusing on shrub expansion in the Alaskan arctic. The funded project involves mapping and modeling patch-scale expansion of arctic shrubs. The approach taken in this study is to utilize historic and contemporary aerial photographs of sites in the National Petroleum Reserve to categorized rates and patterns of shrub expansion. Grid-based spatial modeling of shrub expansion will be used in this study. Candidates for this position should have some experience with the interpretation of aerial photographs, GIS and modeling. The ideal candidate will have some computer programming background. The intention is for this funded research to form the core of the student’s dissertation research and allow for some latitude in the development of questions and methods appropriate to the expansion of arctic shrubs. The Geography Department has a strong biogeography program that focuses on plant ecology and human/environment interactions. The Department also has strengths in Geographic Information Science and Remote Sensing. Opportunities exist to take classes in ecology, biogeography, GIS, and remote sensing, both in the Geography Department and around campus. Students seeking training in biogeography and plant ecology will find an extensive network of faculty on the A&M campus in a variety of supporting programs (e.g. Ecosystem Science and Management, Entomology, Wildlife & Fisheries Science). Texas A&M also has a large group of faculty interested in Arctic and Antarctic issues. Support includes tuition and an annual stipend, and will begin in Fall 2009. For more information, please contact: David Cairns (cairnstamu.edu, 979-845-2783). Posted: 11/11/08.

Texas A&M University: A new opportunity for graduate study is available in the laboratory of Dr. Jason West in the Department of Ecosystem Science & Management. The position is part of a NSF-funded collaboration with Purdue University to develop and deploy a web-based GIS portal (INPort - the Isotope Network Portal) that will provide a transparent interface between data consumers and data sources. This new cyberinfrastructure tool will allow integrated data querying, data acquisition, and geospatial modeling operations in the context of spatial mapping and analysis of stable isotope data. Research opportunities will be targeted generally at improving and developing mechanistic models of plant stable isotope ratios and the application of distributed observations and spatial modeling to address large-scale questions (see also the recent Isoscapes 2008 conference). There is significant opportunity in the project for development of new research avenues in the context of stable isotope ecology and spatial modeling in GIS and other frameworks. Interested parties should send a CV, contact information for three references and a cover letter describing past research experiences and future goals to Dr. West (jbwesttamu.edu). Posted: 8/22/08.

Texas A&M University - Kingsville: MS Assistantship - Effects of Tanglehead on Grassland Birds - Fall 2009. Tanglehead (Heteropogon contortus) is a warm-season, perennial bunchgrass with a worldwide distribution. There is evidence, however, that this species has recently increased in distribution and dominance in parts of south Texas, forming dense monocultures and reducing floristic diversity and structural heterogeneity relative to areas dominated by native plants. The successful candidate will develop a research project to increase the understanding of the effects of tanglehead invasion on breeding birds. Specific objectives involve quantifying changes in community composition, population sizes, and reproduction of grassland birds over a gradient of dominance by tanglehead. The student will pursue a M.S. degree in Wildlife Science at the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute, TAMU-Kingsville. Required: B.S. in wildlife science, ecology, zoology, or closely related field. A strong work ethic, good verbal and written communication skills, ability to work independently and as a productive member of a research team, ability to work under adverse field conditions (hot and humid South Texas environment) are essential. Students must able to identify breeding birds and have a minimum 3.0 GPA and competitive GRE scores. Preferred: Background or interest in population ecology, habitat management, restoration ecology, ornithology. Stipend/Salary: $1,200/month plus benefits (medical package has a 90 day waiting period), nonresident tuition waived (resident tuition fees apply) for 1 year; subsequent years of support are pending availability of funding. Start Date: 1 September 2009. Application Deadline: We will begin reviewing applications on 22 June 2009 and will continue until a suitable candidate is selected. To Apply: Send a cover letter stating research interests related to this topic, career goals, resume/cv, unofficial copies of transcripts, GRE scores, and 3 letters of reference (including contact information) to: Dr. Andrea Litt, Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute, Department of Animal and Wildlife Science, Texas A&M University - Kingsville, 700 University Blvd., MSC 218, Kingsville, TX 78363. Email: andrea.litt@tamuk.edu, Voice: 361-593-4000, Fax: 361-593-3924. Please reference the position title in your cover letter. Posted: 5/18/09.

Texas State University – San Marcos: Effects of urbanization on birds/amphibians. Ph.D. research and instructional assistant position is available in the Department of Biology. Research will be supervised by Dr. Joe Veech and should focus on using long-term waterbird and/or amphibian monitoring data (e.g., North American Breeding Bird Survey) to study the effects of urbanization and anthropogenic water body development on species diversity, distribution, and population trends. There is considerable scope for a graduate student to develop this project as he/she desires, the project has not yet been initiated or planned in any detail. Project could include modeling and field collection of data in addition to analyzing long-term data. Position is ideal for someone interested in multidisciplinary research and training given that the Ph.D. program is in Aquatic Resources and may combine ecology, hydrology, natural resources management, and sociology. Funding for the position is in the form of an Instructional Assistant position ($25k/9 months) and internal funds to support the student as a Research Assistant. Position can start either August 2009 or January 2010. For more information and instructions on applying, contact Joe Veech (joseph.veech@txstate.edu; 512-245-7909). Please inquire by May 31. Posted: 3/30/09.

Texas State University – San Marcos: The microbial ecology group (headed by Dr. Dittmar Hahn) at the Department of Biology is seeking Ph.D. students to study growth and nitrogen-fixation of the actinomycete Frankia in the rhizosphere of host and non-host plants and in bulk soil using different molecular tools (e.g., in situ hybridization, RT-qPCR). Ph.D. candidates must have a Masters degree, and preferably hands-on experience in microbiology, the use of molecular techniques and statistics. The ability to work independently but within a team environment is required. For more information and instructions on applying, please contact Dr. Hahn at dh49@txstate.edu or at (512) 245 3372. Posted: 3/30/09.

Texas State University: M.S. Position – Field ornithology/population ecology: Understanding sources of variation in detectability of golden-cheeked warblers. This position provides a student interested in behavior and population ecology the opportunity to gain expertise in both field and statistical components of population monitoring. The candidate will be part of a study team that addresses the efficiency, reliability, and assumptions of alternative population monitoring and population estimation techniques for the endemic and endangered golden-cheeked warbler in the Texas Hill Country. The candidate will be responsible for a project based in the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve near Austin, Texas, that seeks (a) to investigate how detection probability varies across the breeding season both within and among populations; and (b) to investigate the role of conspecific density in influencing variation in detectability. The position starts January 2009. Funding for this project is provided by a renewable 9-mo. teaching assistantship at $10k plus benefits augmented by 3-mo. summer salary at $1,300/month. The Department of Biology offers a strong environment in population ecology, population biology, wildlife, and conservation biology. Candidates are invited to apply to the MS program in Population and Conservation Biology or the MS program in Wildlife Biology. Requirements include an interest in population and field ecology and the physical stamina to traverse rugged forested terrain. Preference will be given to candidates with field ornithology experience. A B.S. degree in biology, wildlife, conservation science, or a closely related field is required. Use of own vehicle to travel to field sites is needed (mileage reimbursed). Interested persons should contact Jim Ott (512-245-2321) or Butch Weckerly (512-245-3353) by phone. To apply please send a statement of interest, CV, relevant coursework, GPA, and GRE to JimOtttxstate.edu . Reference letters for top candidates will be solicited at a later date. Deadline: Dec. 1. Applications will be reviewed as they come in. A fuller description of the research program and further information about our team’s research on GCW monitoring and population trend analysis are available by emailing JimOtttxstate.edu. Posted: 10/14/08.

Texas State University: Behavioral Ecology of Sailfin and Amazon Mollies -Teaching Assistantship for MS or PhD. Applications are being sought for a student interested in pursuing an academic career studying various aspects of the behavior of sailfin and Amazon mollies (or Salamanders). Amazon mollies, Poecilia formosa, are a clonal, all female species that are essentially sexual parasites as they require sperm from the closely related sailfin molly, P. latipinna and shortfin molly, P. mexicana, to start the development of their eggs but do not use it to fertilize their eggs. Conflict exists between male mollies that prefer to mate with conspecifics and the Amazon mollies that require matings with these males. We are looking for a student to work on some aspect of the system and can supply a renewable 9-mo Teaching Assistantship plus benefits and in state tuition. Preferably the position would start August 2009 with funding for this summer month ($1130). See Caitlin Gabor's website for details about our lab and our research interests. The Department of Biology offers a strong environment in evolutionary ecology as the basis for training in behavioral ecology. Students will benefit from interactions with other faculty interested in evolutionary questions such as: Jim Ott (Insect-plant interactions and ecological genetics), Noland Martin (Plant population genetics), and Chris Nice (Speciation in insects and phylogeography). We have both General Biology and Population and Conservation Biology MS programs and a Doctoral Program in Aquatic Biology. More information on admissions. Please also see the Department of Biology website. Currently there is a soft deadline for applications to the MS program. To apply for this job please send a statement of interest and a CV/resume, relevant coursework, GPA, GRE, and any other relevant experience to Caitlin Gabor by email (gabor at txstate.edu). Posted: 10/10/08, revised: 5/22/09.

Texas Tech University: I am recruiting graduate students into my lab to work on fire ecology and plant community ecology. There is great leeway for individual graduate projects, but the themes of my lab's research are described at www.schwilk.org. Possible areas of research include burning season effects on the physiology of resprouting plants, the role of hydraulic traits in post-fire communities, and community composition effects on flammability. Additionally, pending funding, we will be beginning research on trait evolution within California pines. Research and teaching assistantships are available to support students. For more information or to apply, please attach a letter of interest and resume (including contact information for 3 references) to Dr. Dylan Schwilk. Posted: 11/4/08.

Texas Tech University: MS assistantship to study restoration ecology/conservation ecology of native plant communities in arid and semi-arid regions. Students interested in invasive species, wildland seeding, species interactions, or conservation of rare species are encouraged to apply. Qualifications: undergraduate degree in botany, natural resources, ecology, etc., ability to communicate and work with a wide variety of people, and combined verbal and quantitative GRE score > 1,100. Assistantship provides $15k per year plus reduced tuition and health insurance. Please contact Dr. Cox for more information; interested students should send a statement of interest and goals, CV, transcripts & GRE scores, and names and contact information for three references. Review of applications will begin immediately, and position will remain open until filled. Salary: $15k per year plus tuition assistance and health insurance. Contact: Dr. Robert D. Cox, Department of Natural Resources Management, TTU, Box 42125, Lubbock, TX 79409-2125; office: 806-742-2841; email: robert.coxttu.edu. Posted: 11/3/08.

Texas Tech University: The Department of Environmental Toxicology and The Institute of Environmental and Human Health (TIEHH) has openings for PhD students who are interested in research that lies at the interface of environmental, ecological, and human health sciences. Up to 10 doctoral assistantships will be awarded on a competitive basis, with the specific area of research to be determined based on applicant and faculty interest. Application process. TIEHH pursues multidisciplinary research in the areas of environmental toxicology and human health. Emphasis is placed on developing innovative approaches to complex research questions that are of current importance, including the areas of biological and chemical threats. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to email Stephen Cox (myrddincox@gmail.com). Posted: 10/16/08, revised: 3/3/09.

Towson University: Funding is available for a graduate teaching assistantship in the Department of Biological Sciences. The successful candidate will assist in a research study regarding patterns of gene flow in Maryland populations of Harperella (Ptilimnium nodosum), a federally-endangered stream macrophyte. The study will focus on examining patterns and relationships between gene flow via seed and pollen using molecular markers. Understanding historical and contemporary patterns of gene flow and their effects on genetic diversity and genetic structure is necessary to manage and restore populations of Harperella. Identification of more genetically diverse plants may be key to restoring viable populations as these carry more adaptive genetic variance. Additionally, if we understand historical patterns of gene flow we can formulate more educated hypotheses about the manner of restoration efforts, in particular, we can identify the most genetically diverse subpopulations for protection and use in restoration activities. Students would be expected to use data generated from their studies for a Master's thesis. The stipend is currently $12k/year, plus a full tuition waiver and travel costs. The assistantship will begin in August 2009. Deadline for applications is 15 March 2009, but early applications are encouraged. The ideal student for this position is self-motivated, works well independently, and has a strong interest in conservation biology, plant molecular ecology and evolution. The position will require long hours in both the field and laboratory. Prior experience with field research and molecular ecology is preferred but not required. Towson University is located a mile north of Baltimore. TU’s Department of Biology offers outstanding opportunities for graduate students in several areas including ecology, conservation biology and molecular ecology. More information is available on our graduate program web site. For additional information, contact: Roland P. Roberts, Dept. of Biological Sciences, Towson University, Towson, MD 21252. 410-704-3034, rrobertstowson.edu. Posted: 10/13/08.

Trent University: We seek a highly motivated and productive graduate student to work on a research project on the population ecology and habitat requirements of the common reed, Phragmites australis. Invasive P. australis populations are presenting a tremendous challenge to the managers of parks and wetlands in Ontario, who would benefit from an ability to predict the most likely sites of future invasions. In collaboration with Parks Canada, we are embarking on a research project that will combine fieldwork with quantitative modelling to better understand habitat selection and the spread of P. australis in Point Pelee and other national parks. Field work will be done primarily at Point Pelee, with laboratory work and quantitative modelling conducted at Trent University, Ontario, Canada. Applicants should have research experience in fieldwork and data analysis, as well as a broad interest in ecological processes. Applicants should send a letter with a statement of research interests and relevant experience, curriculum vitae with a list of publications (if any), copies of academic qualifications, and the names and e-mail addresses of three referees as a singe pdf file to Joanna Freeland (joannafreeland@trentu.ca) or Marcel Dorken (marceldorken@trentu.ca) by March 15. Posted: 2/18/09.

Trent University: Two graduate positions in avian ecology as part of the Environmental and Life Sciences (ELS) Graduate Program: 1. Linking hydrological processes to biotic indicators in a large regional forest. We are seeking a Ph.D. student to work as part of a multidisciplinary team on an NSERC (Canada)-funded strategic research program in the area of Healthy Environments and Ecosystems. The successful applicant will be working with academics and government scientists interested in hydrology, soil science and avian ecology, as well as with land managers. The student will examine the linkages between forest types and soils, hydrological conditions and invertebrate and avian biodiversity in a large forested landscape in south-central Ontario, Canada. The goal of this project is to understand how forest soil chemistry, insect and avian biodiversity and tree growth respond to climate-change induced variation in soil moisture. Experience in forest ecology and/or ornithology is essential. Strong quantitative skills are required. Financial support will be provided through a combination of research and teaching assistantships. Interested candidates should have a M.Sc. or equivalent degrees in environmental science and/or biology and have demonstrated ability to develop and conduct independent scientific research. The student should hold a valid driver's license. For more information about the position contact Dr. Erica Nol (enol@trentu.ca) or Dr. Shaun Watmough (swatmough@trentu.ca). 2. Effects of group selection silviculture on forest-breeding birds, We are seeking a Ph.D. student to work as part of a larger team on an Ontario Centres of Excellence funded project in the forest sector. The successful applicant will be working with academics and government scientists interested in the impacts of forestry on biodiversity in Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario. The goal of this project is to assess the impacts of experimental group selection silviculture on forest birds. The student will be able to choose the target species and will incorporate impacts on the species food, habitat and reproductive success. Fieldwork will be based at the comfortable Wildlife Research Station in Algonquin Park where many other researchers in a variety of fields are also conducting both basic and applied research. Experience in ornithology and field ecology is essential. Strong quantitative skills are an asset. Financial support will be provided through a combination of research and teaching assistantships. Interested candidates should hold a M.Sc. or equivalent degrees in biology or environmental science and have demonstrated ability to develop and conduct independent scientific research. The student should hold a valid driver's license. For more information about the position contact Dr. Erica Nol (enol@trentu.ca) or Dr. Dawn Burke (dawn.burke@ontario.ca). Both above positions would ideally begin between January and September 2009. For consideration, please submit a letter of intent, a c.v., and the contact information for 3 references to: Dr. Erica Nol (enol@trentu.ca), Department of Biology and Conservation and Ecology Group, Environmental and Life Sciences Graduate Program, 1600 West Bank Drive, Trent University, Peterborough, ON K9J 7B8. Posted: 1/7/09.

Trent University: Assessing the biogeochemical sensitivity of aquatic ecosystems to patterns of urbanized land use. We are seeking 3 graduate students to work as part of a multidisciplinary team on an NSERC-funded strategic research program in the area of Aquatic Biogeochemistry and Ecology. The project is intended to determine the sensitivity of key biogeochemical processes of aquatic ecosystems to patterns of urbanization. The graduate positions would be based at Trent University as part of the Environmental and Life Sciences (ELS) Graduate Program. Financial support will be provided through a combination of research and teaching assistantships. Interested candidates should have a background in ecology, environmental science, physical geography, hydrology, biology and/or environmental chemistry and be able to develop and conduct independent scientific research. The positions would ideally begin between January and September 2009. The graduate positions are intended to be funded at the Ph.D. level but we will consider exceptional M.Sc. candidates. For consideration, please send to the appropriate contact below (e-mail is preferred): a letter of intent, a statement of interests, a c.v., and the contact information for 3 references. 1) Carbon and nutrient burial in urban aquatic ecosystems. This graduate project will study how the rates and efficiency of elemental (C, N, and P) retention in urban aquatic ecosystems relate to key ecosystem and watershed properties. The student will be primarily supervised by Dr. Paul Frost. 2) Water budgets and export of elements from urban catchments. This project investigates how the timing and quantity of hydrological flow affects the delivery of C, N and P to urban aquatic ecosystems. The student will be primarily supervised by Dr. James Buttle. 3) Greenhouse gases fluxes in urban aquatic ecosystems. This project will examine the magnitude of carbon and nitrogen greenhouse gas losses to the atmosphere from urban aquatic ecosystems and the biological and physico-chemical processes that control these fluxes. The student will be primarily supervised by Dr. Marguerite Xenopoulos. To apply or for more information please contact the potential supervisor associated with project of interest. Posted: 11/3/08.

Umeå University: A PhD position is available at the Department of Ecology and Environmental Science: Colonization ability of forest organisms. Deforestation and forestry threaten forest biodiversity worldwide. Forest habitats are removed, altered and fragmented resulting in considerable reductions in the populations of many species. Anthropogenic climate change puts further pressure on these organisms by changing temperature and humidity of those localities where they still occur. Colonization of new sites by dispersal and establishment may partially mitigate these negative trends. This PhD-project examines the colonization ability of forestry-intolerant species of fungi, insects, lichens, liverworts and mosses. Colonization ability will be assessed indirectly from species’ patterns of occurrence on young coastal islands in northernmost Sweden, taking advantage of the rapid land uplift that continuously provides new islands for primary colonization. Organism characters associated with low or high colonizing ability will also be studied. The project will be pursued in cooperation with the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences in Umeå and is part of Umeå University’s area of excellence Ecosystem Dynamics. The four-year PhD position includes, for example, fieldwork in the coastal archipelago, data analyses, writing of scientific manuscripts, participation in courses, and presentations at seminars and conferences. Usually, PhD-students are given opportunities for undergraduate teaching. The procedure for recruitment for the position is in accordance with the Swedish Higher Education Ordinance (Högskoleförordningen Chapters 5 and 7). Proficiency in English (both spoken and written) and a driving license are required. Experience and knowledge of ecological field studies, GIS, statistical analyses, and forestry-intolerant organisms are valuable merits. Your application should include a cover letter describing your interest in and suitability for the position, a CV including relevant academic degrees and former positions, and a list of university courses you have taken and the grades you were given, copies of degree certificates, your bachelor’s/master’s thesis and other publications (if any), and the names and contact details of two reference persons. Your complete application, marked with reference number 313-10-09, should be sent to the Registrar, Umeå University, SE-901 87 Umeå, Sweden or by e-mail to jobb@umu.se to arrive February 16, 2009 at the latest. For more information see: full position description and doctoral education. Posted: 1/22/09.

Université Laval/Canadian Forest Service : Modelling gene introgression in native Populus of western Canada. A PhD position in population genetics and ecological modelling is available with Université Laval and the Canadian Forest Service (Laurentian Research Center; CFS). Full funding is provided by the Canadian Regulatory System for Biotechnology in the context of wider projects on the genomics of Canadian forest tree species. The research problem is this: Over the last century, several exotic Populus hybrids were widely introduced over the prairie and parkland regions of western Canada. CFS researchers have developed diagnostic markers for the detection of exotic genes and documented their spread within native populations of P. balsamifera. The research opportunity is to develop spatial- temporal models to explain observed patterns of introgression and project them into the future while accounting for the ecological consequences of the introduction of novel traits. Most of the necessary data has been assembled, including extensive historical records of the time and location of specific introductions across the region. The successful applicant will develop advanced skills in spatial simulation, multi-level statistical modelling and management of large complex databases. Some experience with programming and with R will be significant advantage. A working knowledge of GIS would also be an asset, although technical support will be available. Otherwise, the main qualifications for this position are strong quantitative skills and an interest in molecular ecology, spatial simulation and ecological modelling, regardless of disciplinary background. The position is funded for 3yr at $21,500/yr. Holders of their own scholarships will be eligible for a top-up of $7,000/yr over the period of their grant. The position may commence in September 2009. The student will be part of an active and growing "meta-lab" on spatial simulation, statistical ecology and conservation biology, and will be a member of the Centre d'étude de la forêt. Note that although the language of instruction is French, one's thesis is expected to be written in English. Applicants should submit a one-page statement of interest, a current CV, and the names of three references to any of the undersigned, who may be contacted for further information. Steve Cumming (stevec@sbf.ulaval.ca), Eliot McIntire (eliot.mcintire@sbf.ulaval.ca), Nathalie Isabel ( Nathalie.Isabel@RNCan-NRCan.gc.ca). Posted: 5/29/09.

Université Laval: We are looking for a master’s student to participate in research on the interactions between caribou, moose, black bear, and wolves in the Charlevoix and Côte-Nord region of Québec. The research objective is to develop models predicting the spatial distribution of the four species in managed boreal forest landscapes. The master’s project will specifically aim to understand patterns of movement by woodland caribou as a function the behaviour of the other species. The project does not involve field work but will necessitate a detailed evaluation of previously collected data. The candidate will be part of a research group composed of professors and graduate students from Laval University, the University of Quebec at Rimouski (UQAR), and the Minister of Natural Resources and Wildlife. The student will be enrolled at Laval University. Qualifications: A bachelor’s degree in biological sciences. A strong interest in wildlife conservation, quantitative ecology, and statistics. Some familiarity with the French language would be an asset. Documents to provide, ideally by e-mail : If you are interested in the project, please send a short letter of motivation, a CV, unofficial copies of academic transcripts, and the name and e-mail address of 3 references. The evaluation of candidates will begin on June 12, 2009: Daniel Fortin, Département de biologie, Pavillon Alexandre-Vachon, 1045, av. de la Médecine, Université Laval, Québec (Qc) G1V 0A6, Canada. Tél. : 418-656-2131, poste 5971; Fax : 418-656-2043, Courriel : Daniel.Fortin@bio.ulaval.ca. Posted: 5/22/09.

Université Laval: Spatial simulation of carbon dynamics in Québec boreal forest under climate change. We are seeking a PhD student, interested in statistical ecology and spatial simulation, to help us to parameterise and implement predictive spatial models of the carbon budgets of boreal forests. The amount of carbon sequestered in these forests at any given time is a complex function of the dynamics of below ground carbon pools, inputs from trees and other plants and disturbances by wildfire; all these processes are sensitive to variation in climate. Thus, a suitable modelling framework must represent all these processes. The sort of approach we have in mind is presented here. We offer a 3yr PhD scholarship at $20k/yr, tenable at the Département des sciences du bois et de la forêt, Université Laval, Québec City, under the supervision of Steve Cumming and Sylvie Gauthier (Canadian Forest Service). The position will commence no later than September 2009. The successful applicant will work closely with an interdisplinary team of soil scientists, forest ecologists and modellers, and will be part of an active and growing "meta-lab" on spatial simulation, statistical ecology and boreal conservation biology. The main qualifications for this position are strong quantitative skills and an interest in applied ecology and simulation modelling, independent of disciplinary background. Some programming experience (e.g. in C or Visual Basic) would be a major asset, although some modelling courses are available in the lab. The language of instruction is French, but one's thesis may be written in English. This position will thus be of particular interest to students wanting to perfect their French language skills in a francophone cultural environment. Applicants should submit by email a short statement of interest, a current CV, and the names of three references. For further information, contact: Steve Cumming (stevec@sbf.ulaval.ca, 418-656-2131 poste 2593). Posted: 2/3/09.

Université Laval: Modelling waterfowl distribution and abundance in Canadian boreal forest. A PhD position in wildlife habitat modelling is available in the Département des sciences du bois et de la forêt, Université Laval, in collaboration with Ducks Unlimited Canada. The position will be funded via an NSERC/FQRNT IIS scholarship of $27k/yr for 3yr. The project concerns the analysis of an extensive suite of repeated-measures aerial waterfowl surveys. As part of a graduate thesis, the student will develop mixed-effects models to relate species abundances and distributions to a suite of biophysical covariates. The student will be associated with several research groups focussed on national-scale spatial simulation of ecological processes in the Canadian boreal: see Boreal Avian Modelling. Applications to spatial simulation for forest management and conservation planning may be developed in the course of the thesis, depending on the interests of the student. The sucessful candidate will combine strong quantitative skills with an interest boreal conservation, independent of disciplinary background. Good written English skills are necessary. Some knowledge of GIS and relational databases would also be an asset, although technical support will be available. The language of instruction at Université Laval is French, but one's thesis may be written in English; this post is an excellent opportunity for those interested in acquiring or improving French language skills. The position will commence September 2009. Applicants should submit by email a short statement of interest, a current CV, and the names of three references to: Steve Cumming, Chaire de Recherche du Canada, Modélisation des écosystèmes boréaux, Département des sciences du bois et de la forêt, Université Laval, 418.656.2131x2593, stevec@sbf.ulaval.ca AND Marcel Darveau, Ducks Unlimited Canada, 710, rue Bouvier, bur. 260, Québec (Québec). 418.623-1650x26, m_darveau@ducks.ca. Posted: 12/8/08.

Université Laval/University of Alberta: Three PhD projects in stand and soil carbon dynamics and soil chemistry in boreal forest under variable fire regime. (1) Wildfire is the main agent of natural disturbance in the boreal black spruce forest of eastern Canada. We are looking for a candidate for a PhD project that is part of a larger multi-university effort to evaluate carbon stocks in vegetation and soils under variable fire intensity. This specific project will examine the interaction between fire severity and carbon accumulation in developing vegetation as well as soils, including impacts of salvage logging, which is frequent after fire in this region. The candidate must be ready for difficult conditions in the field and also considerable lab work. The student will be a member of a dynamic research centre, Center for Forest Research, which involves 51 researchers and over 300 graduate students in 8 universities of Quebec. Although Quebec is a French-speaking university, PhD students have a minimum of course work, and this can be accommodated depending on the level of French of the candidate. This is a great opportunity to acquire a second or third language. Interested persons can send a CV (with coordinates of at least two references), and a copy of latest academic record to: Alison Munson (alison.munsonsbf.ulaval.ca) The post will remain open until a suitable candidate is found. (2) A second PhD project associated with this effort is under supervision of Sylvie Quideau and Rod Wasylishen, in the Departments of Renewable Resources and Chemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton. This specific project uses a variety of methods, including NMR and stable isotopes, to evaluate the quantity and fate of charcoal in the soil profile under different environmental conditions. Interested persons can send a CV (with coordinates of at least two references), and a copy of latest academic record to: sylvie.quideauales.ualberta.ca The post will remain open until a suitable candidate is found. (3) The third position is in landscape modelling, supervised by Steve Cumming and Sylvie Gauthier. The student will work on coupled dynamic models of forest landscapes, forest stands and subsurface carbon and nitrogen pools. The stand dynamics model will be size-class-structured demographic model of the tree population on the patch scale (e.g. 1ha), to be calibrated from forest mensuration data. Patches will interact on the landscape through spatial processes of fire, seed dispersal and, possibly, forest harvesting. The above-ground models will drive the subsurface models which will be specified and parameterised using the empirical findings of, and in collaboration with, other project members. A good grounding in quantitative ecology and statistics and some familiarity with computer programming would be a definite asset. The student will be part of an active and growing "meta-lab" on spatial simulation, statistical ecology and conservation biology of boreal forest. For more information, contact stevecsbf.ulaval.ca. Posted: 11/14/08.

Université Laval: Ph.D. position: Accounting for risk in sustainable forest management. What level of forest harvesting is sustainable without degrading the forest ecosystem upon which it depends? In Québec, allowable harvest levels are currently estimated from projections of management activities and forest growth over a 150yr time horizon. Such projections depend on many hypotheses and incorporate many sources of error and uncertainty. In other areas of renewable resource management, such as wildlife conservation, waterfowl hunting or fisheries, the need to account for risk in the decision-making process has always been clear, e.g. from unexpected and dramatic fluctuations in the managed population. Population viability analysis (PVA) is a methodology developed to quantify risks and to evaluate the expected results of alternative management strategies. The objective of our project is to adapt PVA for use as a risk analysis tool for forest planning. The project will focus on a pilot forest management area in Abitibi, Quebec. The successful applicant will join a multi-university research program that offers many opportunities for interaction with leading researchers and decision makers in industry and government. The project is financed by the FQRNT; the PhD position includes a full 4yr scholarship. A training session in PVA applications in forestry will be offered in the laboratory of Dr. Buongiorno (U. Wisconsin, Madison). Profile of potential candidates: - Education in forest sciences, biology, applied mathematics, statistics, operations research or other quantitative disciplines, - Preference will be given to candidates demonstrating a strong potential in the use and analysis of quantitative data. Study program : Doctorat en Sciences, Département des sciences du bois et de la forêt, Université Laval, Québec. Note that although the language of instruction is French, one's thesis may be written in English. Interested candidates can reach: Frédéric Raulier : frederic.rauliersbf.ulaval.ca, Steve Cumming : steve.cummingsbf.ulaval.ca, Alain Leduc: leduc.alainuqam.ca, Jean-Martin Lussier : jean-martin.lussiernrcan-rncan.gc.ca. Posted: 7/22/08.

Université Laval: PhD or MSc in spatial simulation of barren-ground caribou habitat supply under fire, human landuse and climate change. An NSERC funded graduate position in wildlife habitat modelling is available in the Département des sciences du bois et de la forêt, Université Laval, Québec, Canada. Working with a diverse team of field ecologists, modellers, government scientists and students, the applicant will "integrate field-based research on caribou ecology, fire dynamics, and human use patterns within a spatial dynamic (landscape) model designed to understand and forecast the long-term implications of climate change for the distribution of barren-ground caribou on the Bathurst herd's winter range." For an example of one modelling framework that could be adapted to this project, see Leroux et al. 2007. Accounting for system dynamics in reserve design. Ecological Applications 17(7):1954-1966. The project can  be adapted to a PhD student or to an exceptional MSc student.  The successful applicant should have an interest in spatial simulation modelling; some basic programming experience would therefore be an asset. Otherwise, the main qualifications for this position are strong quantitative skills and an interest in applied ecology or boreal conservation, independent of disciplinary background. A working knowldege of GIS would also be helpful, although technical support will be available. The applicant will have the opportunity to travel to Yellowknife and points north for meetings and site visits once or twice a year, although no significant field work is contemplated.  Holders of NSERC PGS or other scholarships are obviously encouraged to apply. Note that although the language of instruction at Université Laval is French, one's thesis may be written in English.  The position may commence in September 2008. Applicants should submit by email a short statement of interest, a current CV, and the names of three references.  For further information, contact the undersigned by email. Steve Cumming (stevecsbf.ulaval.ca), Chaire de Recherche du Canada, Modélisation des écosystèmes boréaux, Département des sciences du bois et de la forêt, Université Laval. Posted: 7/22/08.

University at Buffalo: PhD Traineeships: Interdisciplinary Doctoral Program in Ecosystem Restoration. We encourage recent graduates of undergraduate or masters programs to apply to its new doctoral degree concentration in Ecosystem Restoration through Interdisciplinary Exchange (ERIE). The ERIE program provides Ph.D. students with the technical, professional and personal skills needed to become leaders in the emerging field of ecosystem restoration through its focus on innovative and interdisciplinary research in environmental science, engineering, and policy. The research at the ERIE program is rooted in a number of nationally-recognized Great Lakes watershed and stream restoration efforts occurring in western New York State. Eligible ERIE students (US citizens or permanent residents) are funded through a NSF IGERT traineeship that provides tuition, a generous stipend, and academic and travel expenses for two years of graduate work towards a Ph.D., followed by additional support through departmental assistantships. ERIE students take several core courses in ecosystem restoration principles and practice, attend several external professional training short courses, and participate in Canadian academic exchange activities, while also completing requirements for a doctorate in any of the eight participating science, engineering, and policy programs. Students may also take classes and conduct research with ecologists from nearby Buffalo State College. Applications are due February 1. For program and application information, please visit http://www.erie.buffalo.edu/ or contact: David M. Blersch, Director, ERIE IGERT Program (716-645-2114 x 2352, igert-erie at buffalo dot edu). Posted: 11/11/08.

University College Dublin: Two PhD opportunities: 1. Development of Dynamic yield models in forestry for conifers, broadleaves and mixtures. The University College Dublin, the forest management research company Purser Tarleton Russell Ltd. and the semi state forestry company Coillte Ltd., have together, started a research project called: STANDMODEL – The Development of Dynamic yield models for conifers, broadleaves and mixtures. The project is funded by COFORD, the National Council for Forest Research and Development in Ireland. The STANDMODEL Project is seeking a PhD Student for 3 years. Closing date extended to 30 April 2009. 2. WESTFOREST – a GIS-based multi-objective decision support system for the optimal management of forests on sensitive sites. University College Dublin together with Coillte Teoranta, have initiated a COFORD (The National Council for Forest Research and Development) funded research project called WESTFOREST – A GIS-based multi-objective decision support system for the optimal management of forests on sensitive sites. The WESTFOREST Project runs from 1 January 2008 to 31st December 2011 and this PhD position will start not later than 1 July 2009. Closing date for applications: 8 May 2009. Full details of these posts are available on the SBES website. Posted: 4/27/09.

University College London: 1. NERC CEOI CASE PhD Studentship: LiDAR measurement of forest For more information about this studentship, and details of how to apply, please click here and download a Graduate Application Form. The deadline for submission is Friday 1st May 2009. 2. NERC PhD studentship: Fire monitoring and modelling using Earth Observation data For more information about this studentship, please click here and download a Graduate Application Form. The deadline for the department receiving applications is Monday 20th April 2009. Posted: 3/18/09.

University of Akron: PhD program in Integrated Bioscience. This program is aimed at training scientists to think in new and synthetic ways that cut across widely different disciplines, approaches, techniques, and taxa in the context of well-defined questions in fundamental and applied research. Ecologists are uniquely suited to explore and contribute to this 21st century science. Assistantships for Fall 2009 will provide a stipend of $19,500 per year with full tuition remission, and require teaching of lab classes in the Fall and Spring semesters. Assistantships are guaranteed for 5 years, assuming sufficient progress is being made toward the completion of your PhD. Students applying for a teaching assistantship should submit an application no later than Jan. 15 for an assistantship starting Fall semester of the same year. The Biology Department hosts this program and has research strengths that span molecular to ecosystem levels. The Department strives to foster integrative approaches to biological questions, and makes graduate education to this end a high priority. Faculty and students are strongly collaborative, both with each other and with those in other programs on campus (including Biomedical Engineering, Polymer Science, Geology, Chemistry, Geography and Planning, Anthropology, and Education). PhD students in Integrative Bioscience will draw on and expand these collaborations during their tenure in the IB program. For more information and to apply, please visit the program web site, linked above. Posted: 10/30/08.

University of Alabama: A Ph.D. Graduate Assistantship is available in the Department of Biological Sciences to work on a large interdisciplinary project at Jones Ecological Research Center. The student's research interests should focus on one of the following plant ecophysiology, ecosystem physiology, fire ecology, forest productivity, or plant ecology. The project will focus on developing a comprehensive understanding of fire's impact on ecosystem carbon dynamic along a natural moisture gradient of long leaf pine systems. The student will have the opportunity to interact with scientists from the University of Alabama, Jones Ecological Research Center, USFS, University of Edinburgh and University of New Hampshire. A general knowledge of photosynthetic equipment, eddy covariance techniques and data logger use is a plus. Rationale for this study: Fire regulates the dynamics of many forest ecosystems but in complex ways that remain poorly understood. Fires are a natural component of the ecology of forests in the southeastern United States. These forests are an important economic resource, and also govern critical ecosystem services such as carbon storage, sustaining biodiversity and watershed protection. The goal of this research studentship is to determine the interactions between fire behavior, forest dynamics, and energy balance and carbon sequestration. The student will also investigate the role of moisture gradients on fires and forest processes, to improve predictions of forest response to precipitation changes expected due to global change. This is a fully funded assistantship that includes: stipend, health insurance, living quarters at the Jones Center, and a small research budget for the student. Interested students should send a copy of their CV, statement of research interest, and unofficial copy of transcripts to Dr. Gregory Starr or contact Dr. Starr for more details (gstarr@ua.edu or 205-348-0556). The student selected for this assistantship will be co-advised by Dr. Gregory Starr (U of A) and Dr. Robert Mitchell (Jones Ecological Research Center). Posted: 7/31/08, revised: 12/3/08, 3/3/09, 6/22/09.

University of Alabama: Graduate Assistantship in Arctic Plant Physiological Ecology Using Stable Isotope Techniques. A M.S. or Ph.D. Graduate Assistantship is available in the Department of Biological Sciences to work on an interdisciplinary project at Toolik Lake Arctic Research Station beginning spring of 2009. The student's research interests should focus on plant ecophysiology, ecosystem physiology, or plant ecology. The project will focus on developing a comprehensive understanding of winter physiological processes for two tundra ecosystems. The student will have the opportunity to interact with scientists from the University of Alabama, Florida International University and the Arctic LTER. Familiarity with applications of stable isotopes and LI-COR photosynthetic and Campbell Scientific equipments is a plus. Rationale for this study: Northern latitudes are thought to be sequestering CO2 emitted from anthropogenic activities. However, the status of these ecosystems as a global sink of C in the future hinges upon the physiological responses of ecosystem components to changes in climate. There is overwhelming evidence for rapid climate change in the Arctic. Changes include the physical environment, changes in carbon balance, vegetation change. Furthermore, warming in the high latitudes is predicted to predominantly occur in the winter, and climate data support that prediction. However, the vast majority of research on tundra vegetation has focused on physiological processes during the short 2-3 month growing season, with only a handful of studies of physiological processes during the 9-10 month cold season. Although the rates of these processes are low, summed over the long cold season they are extremely important. A comprehensive understanding of cold-season physiological processes of tundra vegetation is critically needed given the large potential for further climate changes in the Arctic. This is a fully funded assistantship that includes: stipend, health insurance, travel and living accommodations during the research season at Toolik Lake. Interested students should email pdfs of 1) a current Curriculum Vita, 2) statement of research interest, 3) unofficial copy of transcripts to Dr. Behzad Mortazavi (bmortazaviua.edu). For more information contact Dr. Behzad Mortazavi at University of Alabama, Dauphin Island Sea Lab, 101 Bienville Blvd, Dauphin Island, Al 36528; 251-861-2189. Posted: 7/31/08.

University of Alabama: Graduate Assistantship in Arctic Plant Physiological Ecology. A M.S. or Ph.D. Graduate Assistantship is available in the Department of Biological Sciences to work on a large interdisciplinary project at Toolik Lake Arctic Research Station. The student's research interests should focus on plant ecophysiology, ecosystem physiology, or plant ecology. The project will focus on developing a comprehensive understanding of winter physiological processes for two tundra ecosystems. The student will have the opportunity to interact with scientists from the University of Alabama, Florida International University, and the Arctic LTER. A general knowledge of LI-COR photosynthetic equipment and Campbell Scientific equipment is a plus. Rationale for this study: Inverse modeling studies of atmospheric [CO2] and 13CO2 have identified northern latitudes as regions that are sequestering CO2 derived from anthropogenic activities. However, the status of these ecosystems as a global sink of C in the future hinges upon the physiological responses of ecosystem components to changes in climate. There is overwhelming evidence for rapid climate change in the Arctic. These changes include the physical environment, carbon balance, plant community structure. Furthermore, warming in the high latitudes is predicted to predominantly occur in the winter, and climate data support that prediction. However, the vast majority of research on tundra vegetation has focused on physiological processes during the short 2-3 month growing season, with only a handful of studies of physiological processes during the 9-10 month cold season. Although the rates of these processes are low, summed over the long cold season they are extremely important. A comprehensive understanding of cold-season physiological processes of tundra vegetation is critically needed given the large potential for further climate changes in the Arctic. This is a fully funded assistantship that includes: stipend, health insurance, travel and living accommodations at Toolik Lake. Interested students should send a copy of their CV, statement of research interest, and unofficial copy of transcripts to Dr. Gregory Starr or contact Dr. Starr for more details (gstarrua.edu or 352-846-0889). Posted: 7/31/08, revised: 6/22/09.

University of Alaska Fairbanks: seeking motivated PhD candidates for our Marine Ecosystem Sustainability in the Arctic and Subarctic (MESAS) program. This interdisciplinary NSF-funded IGERT program incorporates social and natural sciences to explore ecosystem approaches to managing and studying living marine resources. The program will train future leaders who will be creative agents for change to develop society's capacity to cope with, manage, and mitigate threats to our nation's oceans, including climate change, fishing pressure, habitat loss, and pollution. Graduates will be well-prepared to contribute to both the understanding and management of marine ecosystems to ensure ecosystem-based strategies for the sustainable use of living marine resources in the context of competing local, national, and international interests. MESAS provides interdisciplinary coursework that combines elements from anthropology, ecology, economics, fisheries science, management, marine policy, and oceanography. MESAS offers faculty mentorship, opportunities to mentor undergraduate students, interaction with the terrestrial sustainability IGERT at UAF, as well as a summer internship program in areas outside each student's major discipline. Research programs at the University of Alaska and in state and federal agencies offer interdisciplinary research opportunities. MESAS provides training to graduate students at the Masters and PhD levels at the University of Alaska, in Fairbanks and Juneau, Alaska. Students of the program can pursue graduate degrees in Anthropology, Fisheries, Marine Biology, Natural Resources Management, Oceanography, Resource Economics, or Interdisciplinary Studies. NSF-funded fellowships are available to PhD candidates entering the program who are US citizens or permanent residents. Additional funding may be available to both PhD and MS students through participating departments. Application Deadline: Feburary 15, 2009. For further information, see the link above or contact: mesas@uaf.edu, 907-796-5451. Posted: 1/23/09.

University of Alaska Fairbanks: Funding is available for a either a M.S. or Ph.D. student in the Department of Biology and Wildlife. The student will join a broader research project examining stream and watershed hydro-biogeochemistry in the boreal forest of Alaska. Discontinuous permafrost underlies much of the boreal forest of interior Alaska and has a major effect on watershed carbon and nutrient fluxes by controlling watershed hydrology and the storage of organic matter in soil. With climatic warming, permafrost is thawing, which will alter watershed hydrology and release soil carbon and nutrients to streams and the atmosphere. Our research examines the implications of climate change on watershed hydrology, nutrient fluxes and stream biogeochemistry. This work is funded through the Bonanza Creek Long Term Ecological Program and is focused in the Caribou-Poker Creeks Research Watersheds (CPCRW) located near Fairbanks. Review of applications by the Department of Biology and Wildlife begins January 15. For more information, please contact Dr. Jay Jones at ffjbjuaf.edu or 907-474-7972. Posted: 11/5/08.

University of Alaska Fairbanks: We are offering a two-year research assistant position in Natural Resources Planning. The successful applicant will earn a master’s degree as they work with a wide range of publics and University entities to develop a long-term invasive plant management plan for the University campus. Approximately forty invasive plant species now occur on campus lands at UAF. One of the incentives for the project is to prevent the spread of invasive plants from the UAF campus to the surrounding natural ecosystems of interior Alaska. The successful candidate must be energetic and outgoing, and work well with a wide variety of people and administrative groups. Strong academic training, excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and ability to work in team and individual settings are essential. Skills in GIS, collaborative processes, planning, meeting facilitation and knowledge of plant biology, invasive plants, or weed science are desirable. Stipend will be $23,900 for each of two years, in addition, tuition will be covered and health benefits offered. To learn more about the position or project, contact Susan Todd (susan.todduaf.edu) or Trish Wurtz (twurtzfs.fed.us). To begin the application process, submit (preferably by e-mail) a cover letter that includes a brief review of your research experience, interests and goals (2 page max), resume, transcripts, GRE scores, and three letters of reference to: Dr. Susan Todd, Box 757140, School of Natural Resources and Agricultural Sciences, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK 99775. susan.todduaf.edu. To learn more about graduate studies at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, visit www.uaf.edu/gradsch Applications will be evaluated in early February, 2009. Posted: 10/7/08.

University of Alberta: A MSc or PhD opportunity is available for research on the role of plant growth and biomass (root/shoot ratio) in tolerance and resistance of aspen against its primary pests, Forest Tent Caterpillar and the Aspen Leaf Miner, in western Canada. We are particularly interested in investigating the chemical (defensive compounds) and physiological mechanisms of tolerance and resistance, and how these mechanisms are influenced by plant growing conditions. This is a joint MSc or PhD program between Drs. Simon Landhausser, Industrial Chair and Professor of Silviculture and Forest Ecology, and Nadir Erbilgin, Canada Research Chair and Assistant Professor in Forest Entomology, at the Department of Renewable Resources. Depending on the interest and quality of the MSc or PhD applicants, the project offers considerable flexibility in designing a research program that investigates areas of personal interest, such as plant-insect interaction and chemical ecology, within the overall framework of the project. Background in ecology, entomology, chemical ecology, or a related field is essential, as is an interest in the linkages between trees and insects. Experience with any of the following will be an asset, but is not required: plant-insect interactions, chemical ecology, forest ecology, and silviculture. Proficiency in spoken and written English is a necessity. Selection of a student will be based on academic achievements, reference letters and previous research experience. Strong verbal, written, and computational skills are essential. Tuition and fees and a standard Graduate Assistantship can be offered. Students are also eligible for Tri-Council graduate scholarships (e.g. NSERC) in their first year. The laboratory and field works will start in May 2009. The candidate is expected to start in September 2009. The applicant must meet the entrance requirement. Interested candidates should e-mail their transcript, curriculum vitae, a letter describing their research experience and interests (2 page limit), recent TOEFL scores (if appropriate), and the names and contact information of three references to Dr. Nadir Erbilgin, Department of Renewable Resources, 230A Earth Science Building, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2E3, CANADA. Phone: (780)-492-8693; Fax: (780)-492-1767. Email: erbilgin@ualberta.ca. Posted: 4/27/09.

University of Alberta: A Ph.D. opportunity is available for research on the population biology and conservation of the threatened Mormon metalmark (Apodemia mormo) butterfly population in and around Grasslands National Park, Saskatchewan, Canada. This is a joint PhD program between Drs. John Spence and Nadir Erbilgin in the Department of Renewable Resources. Fieldwork would take place in southern Saskatchewan from May to August, and greenhouse and laboratory work would take place in Edmonton. Working conditions are challenging (but interesting) and as field sites are hot, dry, and remote "badlands". The student will have considerable flexibility in designing a research program that investigates areas of personal interest, such as plant-insect co-evolution and chemical ecology, within the overall framework of the long-term project. Background in ecology, entomology, conservation biology, or a related field is essential, as is an interest in the linkages between community and grassland ecology. Experience with any of the following will be an asset, but is not required: plant-insect interactions, chemical ecology, community ecology. Proficiency in spoken and written English is a necessity. Selection of a student will be based on academic achievements, reference letters and previous research experience. Strong verbal, written, and computational skills are essential. Tuition and fees and a standard Graduate Assistantship can be offered. Students are also eligible for Tri-Council graduate scholarships (e.g. NSERC) in their first year. A significant portion of this research is funded by Parks Canada. The successful candidate will start fieldwork in May 2009. The applicant must meet the entrance requirement for the Department. Interested candidates should e-mail their transcript, curriculum vitae, a letter describing their research experience and interests (2 page limit), recent TOEFL scores (if appropriate), and the names and contact information of three references to Dr. Nadir Erbilgin, Department of Renewable Resources, 230A Earth Science Building, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2E3, CANADA. Phone: (780)-492-8693; Fax: (780)-492-1767. Email: erbilgin@ualberta.ca. Posted: 1/15/09.

University of Arizona: M.S. Research Assistantship in Wildlife Ecology, School of Natural Resources. A research assistantship is available to investigate effects of buffelgrass (Pennisetum ciliare) invasion on Sonoran Desert tortoises (Gopherus agassizii) in and near Saguaro National Park in southern Arizona. Start Date: mid-August 2009. Required: B.S. in wildlife science, ecology, zoology, or closely related field. Strong work ethic, good verbal and written communication skills, ability to work independently and as a member of a team under challenging field conditions. Strong interest in applied population ecology, minimum GPA of 3.2, and competitive GRE scores. Preferred Experiences: Surveying and handling wildlife, orienteering in backcountry settings. Support includes a stipend of approximately $15k per year for two years (and possibly longer), including a waiver of out-of-state tuition (but not fees). To Apply: Submit (either by mail or email) a letter of interest, resume, copies of transcripts (unofficial is fine), GRE scores, and names and contact information for three references to: Dr. Bob Steidl, 325 Biological Sciences East, School of Natural Resources, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721. Questions? email: steidl@ag.arizona.edu phone: 520-626-3164. Deadline: 21 July 2009. Posted: 6/23/09.

University of Arizona: We invite applications for a graduate research assistantship (GRA) from students interested in decomposition processes in desert ecosystems. The GRA will be based at the University of Arizona with Steve Archer and Dave Breshears. The student will participate in an interdisciplinary investigation seeking new insights into processes affecting desert soil fertility and carbon storage by combining the disciplines of plant community ecology, ecosystem science and earth science in a novel framework. The student’s project will be field-oriented and will quantify spatial patterns of litter input and its translocation by wind and water and litter mass loss in contrasting plant community configurations. The GRA will work closely with collaborators at New Mexico State University (Heather Throop; litter chemistry), the University of Kentucky (Rebecca McCulley; microbial communities) and Loyola University (Paul Barnes, photobiology). Additional details on the project. Starting date negotiable, but Summer 2009 is preferred. The assistantship includes an annual salary of $14,677 (MS) or $15,990 (PhD); waiver of out-of-state tuition; full remission of in-state tuition; and health insurance. To Apply: Email the following as one document to Steve Archer (sarcher@ag.arizona.edu): 1) a statement of interests and goals, 2) a CV with copies of transcripts and GRE scores, and 3) names and contact information for 3-5 references. Applications accepted until 31 May 2009 or until suitable candidate is found. For more information: See http://ag.arizona.edu/research/archer/. Posted: 3/30/09.

University of Arizona: M.S. Position - Small Mammal Response to Fire & Nonnative Grass. The overall objective of this project is to determine the effects of large-scale wildfire on small mammal populations and communities. Additional objectives include understanding the interactive effects of fire and nonnative grass and recovery of small mammal populations against a gradient of fire intensity. The successful candidate will work at the Chaparral Wildlife Management Area and will cooperate with Texas Parks and Wildlife personnel and another graduate student studying birds. Qualifications Required: B.S. in wildlife science, ecology, zoology, or closely related field. A strong work ethic, good verbal and written communication skills, ability to work independently and as a productive member of a research team, ability to work under adverse field conditions (hot and humid South Texas environment) are essential. Students must have a minimum 3.0 GPA and a competitive GRE scores. Preferred: Background or interest in population ecology, habitat management, fire ecology, restoration ecology, small mammals. Stipend/Salary: $1,200/month plus benefits (medical package has a 90 day waiting period). Nonresident tuition waived (resident tuition fees apply). Start Date: January 2009. We will begin reviewing applications 1 November 2008 and will continue until a suitable candidate is selected. To Apply: Send a cover letter stating research interests related to this topic, career goals, resume/cv, copies of transcripts, GRE scores, and 3 letters of reference to: Dr. Andrea Litt, Current address: School of Natural Resources, University of Arizona, 325 Biological Sciences East, Tucson, AZ 85721, Phone: 520-623-7110, Fax: 520-621-8801, Email: arlittag.arizona.edu. Posted: 9/29/08.

University of Arizona: M.S. Position - Effects of Nonnative Plants on Wildlife Populations. The successful candidate will develop a research project to increase the understanding of the effects of nonnative plant species on wildlife populations. Specific research questions and study organisms are flexible to accommodate the interests of the student and will be determined jointly by the advisor and selected candidate. Buffelgrass, guineagrass, and King Ranch bluestem are potential nonnative plants of interest. Qualifications Required: B.S. in wildlife science, ecology, zoology, or closely related field. A strong work ethic, good verbal and written communication skills, ability to work independently and as a productive member of a research team, ability to work under adverse field conditions (hot and humid South Texas environment) are essential. Students must have a minimum 3.0 GPA and a competitive GRE scores. Preferred: Background or interest in population ecology, habitat management, restoration ecology Stipend/Salary: $1,200/month plus benefits (medical package has a 90 day waiting period). Nonresident tuition waived (resident tuition fees apply). Start Date: January 2009. We will begin reviewing applications 1 November 2008 and will continue until a suitable candidate is selected. To Apply: Send a cover letter stating research interests related to this topic, career goals, resume/cv, copies of transcripts, GRE scores, and 3 letters of reference to: Dr. Andrea Litt, Current address: School of Natural Resources, University of Arizona, 325 Biological Sciences East, Tucson, AZ 85721, Phone: 520-623-7110, Fax: 520-621-8801, Email: arlittag.arizona.edu. Posted: 9/29/08.

[position filled] University of Arizona: Graduate Research Assistantship in Restoration Ecology. We invite applications for a graduate research assistantship (GRA; Ph. D. level preferred) from students interested in arid lands restoration and specifically grass-shrub interactions at the critical seedling establishment phase of the shrub life cycle. Desired starting date is January 2008. The student will be based in the School of Natural Resources, University of Arizona, Tucson, but will actively collaborate with USDA/ARS CO-PIs in Las Cruces, NM on a 4- year project aimed at improving our understanding of patterns of woody plant encroachment into ecosystems in the Southwestern USA. Field sites include the Sevilletta and Jornada LTER sites in New Mexico and the Santa Rita Experimental Range in southeastern Arizona. The overall goal of the project is to provide analytical and conceptual tools to guide the management aimed at shrub proliferation and grassland restoration. The graduate research assistant will focus on shrub dispersal and shrub seedling establishment questions within a broader framework that seeks to use geospatial mapping of soils, land-use history, climate, and shrub invasion patterns to distinguish four basic classes of land on a regional basis: 1) shrub dominated areas that are poor candidates for grassland restoration, 2) shrub-dominated areas where restoration to savanna is feasible, 3) grasslands that are at risk of invasion but are not yet invaded, and 4) grasslands/savannas that are at low risk of shrub domination. The assistantship includes an annual salary of $14,502 (MS) or $15,815 (PhD) (with 3% annual increases); waiver of out-of-state tuition; 90% remission of in-state tuition; and health insurance. Applications will be accepted until until suitable candidate is found, and should include 1) a statement of interests and goals, 2) a CV with copies of transcripts and GRE scores, and 3) names and contact information for 3-5 references. General admission requirements. Applications and information requests should be directed (preferably via email) to Steve Archer (sarcherag.arizona.edu), 325 Bio Sciences East, School of Natural Resources, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721-0043; 520 626-8791). Posted: 6/26/08, revised: 7/31/08.

University of Arizona/Harvard University: NSF fellowships for research on vegetation-climate interactions in the Amazon National Science Foundation (NSF) graduate fellowships ($30k per year, for up to two years) are available starting in the 2009-2010 academic year for Amazon-PIRE (Partnership for International Research and Education) for ecology and earth-system science students to study vegetation-climate interactions in the Amazon basin (Brazil). Amazon-PIRE fellows must be admitted to a participating Ph.D. program at the University of Arizona or Harvard University. Fellowships support United States citizens or permanent residents, and include an annual stipend, tuition, health insurance, and travel to Brazilian field sites and collaborating institutions. Amazon-PIRE is a U.S.-Brazilian partnership addressing the question, “What is the future of Amazon forests under climate change?" and promoting international education, collaboration, and exchange. Research focii include long term observations (via eddy flux measurements, forest plot surveys, physiological measurements, remote sensing, and aircraft sampling), experimental manipulations (in the Tropical Forest Biome of Biosphere 2), and modeling. Amazon-PIRE is committed to diversity in education, and encourages the application of women and underrepresented minorities. Application deadline for funding of graduate fellowships - February 2, 2009. See the program website (amazonpire.org) for deadlines and details, or email amazonpirearizona.edu. Posted: 11/4/08, revised: 12/19/08.

University of Arkansas: The Department of Biological Sciences is actively recruiting Distinguished Doctoral Fellows (DDF) and Doctoral Academy Fellows (DAF) to begin graduate work in August 2009. The Distinguished Fellowships have a range of $30-35k for a 12-month stipend, and the DAFs have a range of $20-25k for a 12-month stipend. Both are available for up to 4 years of support based on satisfactory progress. Fellowships will require research and/or teaching depending upon the major professor chosen. In addition, fellowships include a full waiver of tuition and most fees. Outstanding students from all biological disciplines are encouraged to apply. Selection will be based on undergraduate GPA, GRE scores, letters of recommendation, and undergraduate (B.S.) research experience or graduate (M.S.) research experience. Applicants should contact faculty members in the Department of Biological Sciences whose research they may be interested in directly. More information on departmental requirements and general requirements. DAF applications can be made at any time and will be reviewed as received. Review of DDF applications will begin on 16 January 2009 with decisions made by the end of February. Those qualified applicants not chosen for a DDF will be offered a DAF. Contact Dr. Dan Magoulick (danmaguark.edu, 479-575-3251), Chair, Graduate Studies Committee, Department of Biological Sciences, for any further information or questions. Posted: 11/20/08.

University of Arkansas, Monticello: A MS graduate research assistantship in Riparian Management and GIS/Remote Sensing is available starting August 2009 with Dr. Hal O. Liechty and Dr. Robert Weih Jr. at the School of Forest Resources. The assistantship will work on a project implementing and evaluating models to prioritize buffer riparian placement in a northwestern Arkansas watershed (Illinois River). Different spatial data sets will be used to assess resolution and scales required to meet accuracy and precision suitable for planning onsite establishment of buffers. In addition a P transport model will be used to evaluate sensitive areas for management activities. The intent of this project is to develop needed tools to better manage this and other watersheds in the region. Agriculture dominates the Illinois but it is one of the most rapidly urbanizing areas in the region. Funding for this project is through the US Department of Agriculture and the Arkansas Water Resource Center. The assistantship is half time and carries a stipend of $15,000 per year plus tuition. A 2.7 overall undergraduate GPA or 3.0 GPA in the last 60 semester hours of undergraduate courses and satisfactory GRE scores (v+q ~1000) are required. A B.S. degree in hydrology, environmental science, biology, soils, agriculture, forestry or a related field is also required. Some background in GIS would be helpful. Application will be accepted until June 1 but to be fully considered, apply by April 15, 2009. Contact Hal Liechty (870-460-1452) or liechty@uamont.edu. Posted: 2/16/09.

University of Arkansas, Monticello: M.S. Assistantship Carbon and Nitrogen Dynamics in Developing Bioenergy Agroforest Plantations. The School of Forest Resources has a M.S. Assistantship available beginning in the summer or fall of 2009. The assistantship is half time and carries a stipend of $15k per year plus tuition. The assistantship will work on a project developing cottonwood/switchgrass agroforest systems for supplying cellulosic bioenergy feedstocks in the Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley (LMAV). The intent of this project is to develop a range of agroforest systems that can produce cellulosic feedstocks on marginal land as well as ecosystems services such as wildlife habitat, carbon sequestration, nutrient retention, and soil sustainability. Funding for this project is through the Department of Energy and US Department of Agriculture and is a coordinated effort between scientists in Arkansas and Louisiana. The MS assistantship will focus on carbon and nitrogen dynamics in these developing agroforests compared to that in traditional agriculture ecosystems that commonly occur on marginal soils in the LMAV. More details on the project. Contact Dr. Hal Liechty, SFR-UAM, PO Box 3468, Monticello, AR 71656; (870-460-1452); Liechty@uamont.edu. More information on requirements and application. Posted: 1/22/09.

University of Bern: We are seeking a highly motivated postdoc to work in a project on determinants of invasiveness and rarity of plants. The work will involve meta-analysis of existing studies, and field and garden experiments on a large number of confamilial groups, each including an invasive alien species, a non-invasive alien species, a common native species, a species that has been rare for a long time and a species that has become rare recently. The position will be with Prof. Dr Markus Fischer and Dr Mark van Kleunen in the Plant Ecology group at the Institute of Plant Sciences. We offer a stimulating research environment in a beautiful city close to the Alps. In addition to projects on invasive and rare plants, our group is involved in projects on evolutionary and molecular plant ecology, plant population biology and community ecology. The position is funded by the NCCR Plant Survival, and will be for a period of 2.5 years, starting 1 April 2009. Requirements for the position include a PhD in biology, a proven record of research, experience with large experiments, a driver’s license and strong statistical skills. For more information on this position and research in our lab contact Mark van Kleunen at vkleunen@ips.unibe.ch or Markus Fischer at markus.fischer@ips.unibe.ch. Applicants should e-mail a short statement of research interests, curriculum vitae, and contact details of three references to both Mark van Kleunen at vkleunen@ips.unibe.ch and Markus Fischer at markus.fischer@ips.unibe.ch. In addition, they should also apply through the NCCR homepage. The application deadline is 22 February 2009. Posted: 2/4/09.

University of Bern: We are seeking a PhD student highly motivated to work on determinants of the invasiveness of clonal plants. The work will be part of a Sino-Swiss collaborative research project, which will involve field work in Europe and China, and experimentation on multiple clonal plant species in greenhouse and garden. Ideally, the candidate for this position should have a background in experimental ecology and basic knowledge of statistical methods (including generalized linear models). The positions will be with Dr Mark van Kleunen and Prof. Dr Markus Fischer in the Plant Ecology group at the Institute of Plant Sciences of the University of Bern, Switzerland. Our collaborators in China are Dr Fei-Hai Yu, Prof. Dr. Ming Dong and a Chinese PhD student (position not filled yet) in the State Key Lab of Vegetation and Environmental Change, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing. We offer a stimulating research environment in a beautiful city close to the Alps. In addition to projects on invasive plants, our group is involved in projects on evolutionary and molecular plant ecology, plant population biology and community ecology. The position is funded by the Swiss Science Foundation for a period of three years starting on February 1, 2009. Salaries (before taxes) rise from CHF 37 200 in the first year to CHF 43 200 in the third year. Requirements for the positions include a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in biology, a driver’s license, fluency in German and English and good collaboration skills. Applicants should e-mail a letter of application, a curriculum vitae and contact details of two references to Mark van Kleunen at vkleunen@ips.unibe.ch. In the letter of application, the applicant should motivate why she or he wants to do a PhD and why she or he wants to work on plant invasions. The applicant should also present details on her or his experimental and statistical skills. The application deadline is January 15, 2009. For more information on this position, the project and research in our lab contact Mark van Kleunen at vkleunen@ips.unibe.ch. Posted: 12/18/08.

University of Bern: We are offering a position for a PhD student to work on the ecology & evolution of invasive knotweeds (Fallopia ssp.). In an SNF-funded collaborative project between the Plant Ecology group at the University of Bern and the CABI Europe-Switzerland Centre in Delémont, he/she will conduct a series of experiments to investigate interactions between knotweeds and native plants, and the roles that allelopathy, soil biota and knotweed hybridisation play in these. In addition, there is room for the student to develop own ideas and experiments. We are looking for an ambitious and creative student with a keen interest in ecology and evolution. You must have a university degree (MSc or similar) in biology or a related discipline, and a good command of English. Previous experience with plant or soil ecology, experimental design or statistics is a plus but not a requirement. The student will be jointly supervised by Oliver Bossdorf (Bern) and Urs Schaffner (CABI). The place of work will be Bern. The position is for 3 years. Preferred starting date is January 1, 2009 (negotiable). Salary and social security will be according to SNF guidelines, approx. 40k CHF/year, with a slight annual rise. Please send your application (preferably one PDF by email) as soon as possible to Oliver Bossdorf, Institute of Plant Sciences, Altenbergrain 21, CH-3013 Bern, Switzerland, bossdorfips.unibe.ch. Include a CV, names and addresses of at least 2 references, and a short description of your research interests. Posted: 10/15/08.

University of British Columbia: PhD assistantship in community ecology and conservation of ungulates. I seek a highly-motivated and creative graduate student to study ongoing declines in populations of wild ungulates in the Laikipia District of central Kenya. The successful applicant will meld some combination of field experiments, long-term observations, and statistical modeling to investigate 1) how predation may interact with other processes (e.g., landscape change, disease) to drive population declines; and 2) how controlled livestock grazing in Laikipia might be employed proactively as a management tool to potentially ameliorate population declines. Ideally, the successful applicant will have experience with some combination of abundance estimation, camera trapping, occupancy modeling, and/or GIS/remote sensing methodologies. In addition, the successful applicant should have a competitive academic record (GPA > 3.5/4.0), good communication skills, and previous field experience working in remote locales. Funding is guaranteed for four years. To inquire, please email a cover letter, CV, copies of transcripts and GRE scores, and names of three references to Dr. Jacob R. Goheen (goheenzoology.ubc.ca), Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia. Review of applications will begin December 10. Posted: 10/17/08.

University of British Columbia/University of Saskatchewan: A Ph.D. position is available to study the effects of nitrogen and phosphorus on the terrestrial ecosystems of Canada's Arctic and Eastern Antarctica. The successful candidate would be expected to combine in-depth ecological analysis of plant and soil communities with flux estimates of carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and water vapour from a 15 year fertilization/passive warming experiment at Alexandra Fiord, in Canada's High Arctic. In subsequent years, candidates would be expected to do a similar analysis of the soil community ecology near the Casey Research Station in Eastern Antarctica. Candidates should expect to spend substantial parts of each year in the field working at either the Alexandra Fiord or the Casey research station. This position is a joint position between Greg Henry at the University of British Columbia, Geography Department, and Steven Siciliano at the University of Saskatchewan, Soil Science Department with substantial input from Ian Snape of the Australian Antarctic division. The ideal candidate will have a background (B.Sc. or M.Sc.) in plant or soil science with a strong interest in ecological level of analysis of community responses. Because the research will be conducted in extreme polar environments, the candidate needs to be an independent, self-motivated, resourceful and candidate should have some form of ‘polar fever’. If you are interested, please contact Greg Henry (ghenrygeog.ubc.ca) or Steven Siciliano (steven.sicilianousask.ca) for more details. Outstanding candidates with only a B.Sc. will be considered but should have some field experience. Candidates would be expected to begin this position sometime before May 2009. Posted: 9/26/08.

University of Calgary: I (Jeremy Fox) am currently seeking 2 PhD students to start in January or Sept. 2009. I will also consider strong MSc candidates. I welcome students who want to pursue fundamental work in any area of population, community, or evolutionary ecology. My own work combines mathematical modeling and microcosm experiments to examine spatial population dynamics, community assembly, food web structure, ecosystem function, and feedbacks between ecology and evolution. However, I encourage and expect PhD students to develop their own projects, with my guidance. For instance, a current student in my lab is pursuing field work on the ecological and evolutionary determinants of range limits in alpine plants. Guaranteed funding of over $20k/year is available through a combination of TAships, RAships, and fellowships. The Dept. of Biological Sciences is home to a strong and growing group of ecologists and evolutionary biologists. For further information or to apply, please send me an email (jefoxucalgary.ca) including cv, transcripts (unofficial is fine), and contact details for three referees. Posted: 8/19/08.

University of California: Graduate student positions to study high-elevation species responses to climate change. Department of Energy funded graduate student researcher (GSR) positions are available starting in the 2009-2010 academic year for ecology and environmental science students to study effects of climate warming on subalpine and alpine species in the Rocky Mountains. Students must be admitted to a participating graduate program (listed below) at the University of California, Merced or University of California, Berkeley. These GSR positions include an annual salary, tuition (for out-of-state students) and fees, health insurance, and travel to Colorado field sites and collaborating institutions. The research program of the collaborating groups addresses the question, “How will alpine and subalpine species’ ranges shift with climate change?" Research opportunities include, but are not limited to, physiological responses of tree seedlings and alpine plants to climate manipulations, plant population differences in climate sensitivity, biogeochemical changes, landscape scale observations and modeling. The application deadline for the UC Merced Environmental Systems graduate program is Jan 15, 2009; for the UC Berkeley Energy and Resources Group is Dec 5, 2008; and for the UC Berkeley Environmental Science, Policy and Management program is Dec 1, 2008. For more information on the project see Lara M. Kueppers's website or email lkueppersucmerced.edu, mstornlbl.gov, or jharteberkeley.edu. Posted: 11/11/08.

University of California Los Angeles: The Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology welcomes applications for graduate study. Our PhD support packages provide guaranteed support packages of $26k per year along with research seed money. Visit our website http://www.eeb.ucla.edu and learn about our department's interdisciplinary strengths animal behavior, conservation biology, ecology, evolutionary biology, marine biology, paleobiology, plant biology, physiological ecology, theoretical biology and tropical biology. The hiring of John Novembre, Jamie Lloyd-Smith, and Steve Hubbell strengthens UCLA's theoretical biology group, the arrival of Patty Gowaty strengthens our interdisciplinary animal behavior group, and the addition of Novembre, Michael Alfaro, and Paul Barber to existing faculty make UCLA one of the best places to study phylogeography and quantitative evolution. Prospective students are encouraged to contact potential faculty advisors prior to applying. Our application deadline is 1 December; applications can be submitted on-line. Posted: 11/5/08.

University of California - Merced: Ph.D. Research Assistantships in ecosystem ecology/soil ecology are available in the Hart Laboratory of Ecology in the School of Natural Sciences. Summer/Fall 2009. These new positions are not tied to any specific research area or question, but current opportunities include collaborating in the National Science Foundation-supported Critical Zone Observatory in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California. UC Merced is ideally located for research in the environmental sciences, with close proximity to a diversity of natural and managed environments from the Sierra Nevada to the Pacific Ocean. Graduate students will have the opportunity to participate in the Sierra Nevada Research Institute, a research unit at UC Merced focusing on interdisciplinary environmental studies, and in partnerships with Yosemite and Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Parks. UC Merced offers access to the UC Natural Reserve System and opportunities for collaboration with other UC campuses and UC-affiliated national laboratories. Contact Dr. Stephen C. Hart for more information and application information (shart4ucmerced.edu; 209-228-4656). Posted: 10/14/08.

University of Canterbury: Two fully funded PhD studentships are available within the Freshwater Ecology Research Group, School of Biological Sciences for freshwater ecology research. This is a chance for high calibre students to join a successful research team investigating a wide variety of issues in freshwater ecosystems. We are looking for students who can undertake innovative research that will both improve understanding of fundamental issues and enhance current management. There is an opportunity for students to develop their own research ideas as long as they fit within the overall focus of the research group. However, we would especially like to hear from students who wish to work on either (a) the effects of flow variation on the ecology of threatened galaxiid fishes or (b) the influence of urbanisation on stream invertebrate populations. Applicants need to have the potential to carry out innovative and insightful research, as well as the initiative and personality to communicate the results to a wide variety of groups. They must be able to work within a team and can expect high quality mentoring and support from the group. Successful applicants will have a strong academic record, appropriate practical and technical experience, and will have demonstrated a high level of ability in written and oral communication. The scholarships are for study in association with Associate Professor Angus McIntosh and Dr Jon Harding, and are available now for start by October 2009. The scholarships consist of a NZ $22k p.a. student stipend and funding to cover course fees and research expenses for three years. Applications should be sent via e-mail to Katie McHugh (Katie.mchugh@canterbury.ac.nz), administrative assistant, by 19 June 2009, and should include: (i) a full curriculum vitae (including phone contact details), (ii) a copy of your academic record, (iii) a one page statement of your research interests and aspirations, (iv) the names and contact details of three referees who are willing to provide confidential comments on your capacity to undertake a PhD, and (v) an indication of your desired start date. Successful applicants may be required to submit copies of official documents before being admitted to the PhD program at the University of Canterbury. Questions of an academic nature can be addressed to either: Associate Professor Angus McIntosh (angus.mcintosh@canterbury.ac.nz) or Dr Jon Harding (jon.harding@canterbury.ac.nz). Information on PhD study, including entry requirements. Posted: 5/14/09.

University of Canterbury: 5 fully-funded phd positions in ecology focusing on the effects of interactive global change drivers on food webs and ecosystem processes. We are seeking five exceptional and motivated doctoral candidates with sound analytical skills to work within three collaborative, interrelated projects. The candidates would be principally based at the University of Canterbury, New Zealand, with field work throughout NZ in a range of extraordinary natural environments. The positions are fully funded for three years, including research costs and a living stipend of $25k NZ tax free + study fees. The broad topics are listed below, but there would be considerable scope in all the projects for the candidates to develop their own ideas. Project one: Land use change and spatial resource subsidies Project leader: Raphael K. Didham, University of Canterbury (in collaboration with Jason M. Tylianakis, Canterbury; Louis A. Schipper, University of Waikato; Gary M. Barker, Landcare Research). PhD position 1. Effects of land use intensification on ecosystem functioning in adjacent natural forests. The ideal candidate would have knowledge of soil nutrient biogeochemistry and stable isotope analysis, with either a plant or microbial research interest. PhD position 2. Effects of spatial resource subsidies on multitrophic interactions. This will focus on plant – insect herbivore – natural enemy interactions, so some experience working with insects would be preferred. Some knowledge of GIS would be beneficial. Project two: Ecosystem carbon cycling and climate change Project leaders: David Whitehead, Landcare Research and Jason M. Tylianakis, University of Canterbury. PhD position 3. A unique opportunity to investigate the effects of increasing temperature on carbon cycling in a semi-natural grassland using a field soil warming experiment. Experience in plant and soil biology will be beneficial. Project three: Human impacts on food web structure Project leader: Jason M. Tylianakis, University of Canterbury (in collaboration with Raphael K. Didham, University of Canterbury; Tatyana A. Rand, USDA Agricultural Research Service). PhD position 4. Effects of quantitative food web structure on functional resilience in natural and production forests. Experience working with insects would be preferred, as food webs will involve parasitoid-host interactions. Some knowledge of GIS would be beneficial. PhD position 5. Indirect food web interactions/apparent competition across ecosystems. Experience working with insects would be preferred, as food webs will involve parasitoid-host interactions. Some knowledge of GIS would be beneficial. For further information on a particular project, please contact the respective project leader. Applications should specify the particular position requested, contain a CV with publication list (where applicable), a statement (up to 500 words) of research interests and career goals, and the names and email addresses of two potential academic referees. Applications should be sent to Raphael.Didham@canterbury.ac.nz or Jason.Tylianakis@canterbury.ac.nz by Friday 28th March 2009, with project start dates in New Zealand between April and June 2009. Posted: 2/16/09.

University of Central Arkansas: M.S. Graduate Research Assistantship-Changes in ecosystem processes following large-scale wood additions. Application deadline: November 15, 2008. Starting Date: January 2009. The addition of large wood to streams is a management priority in the Ozark National Forest. The US Forest Service (USFS) will be adding whole trees in two streams along a 1.6 kilometer distance in the Sylamore watershed. The management objective is to increase channel complexity, increase organic matter retention, and stimulate higher trophic-level diversity and production. The student will be expected to develop a thesis project within the context of this study that focuses on changes in invertebrate diversity and production. The student will work in collaboration with another student examining changes in the fish community, along with USFS personnel. Qualifications: B.S. in Biology, Environmental Science, or related fields. Minimum GPA of 3.0 and a combined quantitative/verbal GRE score of 1100. The applicant must have the ability to work independently, enjoy long hours in the field, and work well in a team. Stipend: $12k/year plus tuition waiver. To apply, please send resume, statement of interest, transcripts, GRE scores, and three letters of recommendation to Sally Entrekin (sentrekinuca.edu). Posted: 10/13/08.

University of Central Florida: The Department of Biology offers one competitive two-year assistantship in mathematical ecology to a full time graduate student to help defray the cost of tuition and provide a summer stipend. The successful applicant will also be considered separately for a teaching assistantship from the Department for the fall and spring semesters. Successful candidates should (1) be accepted into the UCF Masters degree program in Biology for fall semester 2009, (2) be interested in conducting spatial population modeling of Florida scrub plants and related field work; and (3) have a strong background in mathematics and computer simulation. Applicants must apply to the Department of Biology graduate program and complete a separate application for this Assistantship by January 15 2009. Contact information: Dr. Pedro F. Quintana-Ascencio, Department of Biology, University of Central Florida. 4000 Central Florida Blvd. Orlando, FL 32816-2368. U.S.A. pquintanmail.ucf.edu. Tel: 407-823-1662. Posted: 11/19/08.

University of Colorado: Graduate assistantships in extinction and forest fragmentation. We (Kendi Davies and Brett Melbourne)are seeking two graduate students to study extinction in beetle communities in an NSF funded, large-scale forest fragmentation experiment in south eastern Australia. We seek creative, motivated students with research experience in ecology. We are particularly interested in students with 1) taxonomic skills, or 2) quantitative skills (data analysis, modeling, large data set skills), or a strong desire to develop these skills. Students will develop an independent research program in collaboration with Dr Kendi Davies and Dr Brett Melbourne, and will contribute to running the experiment and handling specimens. Students will be supported through research assistantships. Please provide a brief description of your research interests, your CV, GRE scores and your GPA to Dr Kendi Davies (kendi.davies@colorado.edu) by December 31. Prospective students must ALSO apply to the graduate program of the department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology by DEC 31. Posted: 12/17/08.

University of Connecticut: A National Science Foundation supported MS or Ph.D. assistantship is available. The student will participate in a multi-institution group in an emerging interdisciplinary area researching forest structure and ecological stability. Through field experiment and modelling this project seeks to understand the aerodynamic interactions between swaying tree crowns and wind gusts. The UConn student will focus on the forest response to the wind and investigate the physical resistance of whole forest canopies to wind disturbance including self organization evidenced by emergent patterns of sway. Students interested in Complex systems biology, Bioinformatics and Computational biomodeling/biocomputing should inquire. The student will also aid in the outreach educational program "Weather, Climate and Ecosystems". Field skills are a must as the student will work at heights to install and maintain the experiment in central Maine. Students experienced with environmental sensors, dataloggers and data management are preferred. Field housing and travel stipends are provided. Student stipend package includes tuition waiver and health benefits. To apply, please send a CV, letter of research interests, contact information for three references, GRE test scores and unofficial transcripts to Dr. Mark Rudnicki (mark.rudnicki@uconn.edu), University of Connecticut, Department of Natural Resources and the Environment, Tel: (860) 486-4169. Deadline is 6/15/2009. Posted: 4/17/09.

University of Connecticut: One NSF supported Ph.D. assistantship is available for Fall 2009 (preliminary field work could start this summer). The student would participate with a multi-institution group in an emerging interdisciplinary area researching biometeorology and forest ecosystem stability. Through field experiment and numerical modelling this project seeks to understand the aerodynamic interactions between swaying tree crowns and roughness sublayer turbulence. The field campaign will measure the sway motions and aerodynamic properties of a large array of trees and turbulence wind fields simultaneously. These measurements will be used to quantify the temporal and spatial characteristics of tree-sway motions and their aerodynamic interactions with coherent gusts to be incorporated into a coupled Large Eddy Simulation (LES)-tree sway model. The UConn student will focus on the forest response to the wind and investigate the physical resistance of whole forest canopies to wind disturbance including self organization evidenced by emergent patterns of sway. The student will also aid in the outreach educational program “Weather Climate and Ecosystems”. Field skills are a must as the student will work at heights to install and maintain the experiment in central Maine. Students experienced with environmental sensors, dataloggers and data management are preferred. Field housing and travel stipends are provided. Student stipend package includes tuition waiver and health benefits. To apply, please send a CV, letter of research interests, contact information for three references, GRE test scores and unofficial transcripts to Dr. Mark Rudnicki (mark.rudnicki@uconn.edu), Department of Natural Resources and the Environment. Tel: (860) 486-4169. Close Date 4/15/09. Posted: 1/23/09.

University of Delaware: We seek two highly motivated candidates with M.S. or equivalent research experience to join our USDA National Research Initiative funded project entitled "Acceleration of inorganic nutrient release and mineral-organic matter association by biophysical soil mixing along an earthworm invasion chronosequence." This project aims at quantitatively coupling the ecology of earthworm invasion with two major terrestrial biogeochemical processes: mineral chemical weathering and carbon cycling, in which soil bioturbation is considered as a bridging mechanism. The project has intensive field, laboratory, and modeling components. The field site is located in the Chippewa National Forest in Minnesota. Accepted students will be mentored by an interdisciplinary team of scientists – Kyungsoo Yoo at University of Delaware (soil geochemistry and geomorphology), Anthony Aufdenkampe at UD and Stroud Water Research Center (organic and isotope geochemistry), and Cindy Hale at the University of Minnesota, Duluth (ecosystem ecology). Stipend and tuition waiver are available as early as February 2009. Degrees will be granted by the University of Delaware's Dept. of Plant and Soil Sciences. Reflecting the mission of UD's new Center for Critical Zone Research, coursework toward degrees will be completely customized to meet the needs of individual students in this multidisciplinary project and will draw from the extensive offerings within UD's College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (), UD's College of Marine and Earth Studies (), and UD's College of Arts and Sciences. State-of-art laboratory facilities are available for this study at the UD () and the Stroud Water Research Center. Applicants should have a academic background in a field of earth, environmental, or ecological science and preferably some coursework in biogeochemistry or soil science. Applicants should also have experience in more than one of the followings: fieldwork, geochemical laboratory analyses, computer modeling, scientific presentations and writing. We seek students who could start fieldwork in summer 2009 at the latest, with possibilities to start coursework as soon as February 2009. We encourage interested students to email as soon as possible Kyungsoo Yoo (kyooudel.edu) and Anthony Aufdenkampe (aufdenkampestroudcenter.org) for further details while preparing a CV, statement of academic interest, and contact information of two references. Official applications should be made to UD's Graduate Office by Dec. 1 2008 for Spring 2009 admission and April 1, 2009 for Summer 2009 admission. Posted: 10/2/08.

University of East Anglia: I am looking for a PhD student for the following project: Why are tropical forests so biodiverse? How can so many different tree species coexist by partitioning only soil, water, and sunlight? Which species will go extinct when forests are reduced and fragmented? Part of the explanation for why species can coexist in a seemingly uniform environment is that species can partition space itself. For example, localized dispersal results in offspring forming clumps, which causes a species to compete more with itself than with other species. This allows coexistence. In fact, there are multiple ways by which species can coexist by partitioning space, and thus, there are multiple ways by which habitat destruction leads to species loss. The problem has been getting the data to test those ideas. It has turned out to be remarkably difficult just to measure dispersal, never mind using those measures to test ideas about species coexistence. This project will bridge that gap in ecology by using population genetic structure to develop ecological models of coexistence, which to date have scarcely used the vast amount of data available from molecular markers. Instead of trees, we will use a community of ants living symbiotically with the ant-plant Cordia nodosa as our model system, because we can take advantage of previous work to check our results and thereby gain confidence in our conclusions. The Ph.D. project will train the student in (1) tropical fieldwork in Amazonian Peru, during which the student will lead an expeditionary team, (2) molecular ecology, as the student will generate spatial genetic datasets, and (3) model-building, during which the student will use the datasets to parameterise spatial models of species coexistence. The supervisor and collaborators will be involved in all aspects of this project, so there are multiple sources of intellectual and logistical support. Funds for field and lab work have been secured. The applicant will compete for a NERC studentship, which covers tuition, fees, and a living stipend for UK citizens, or tuition and fees only for EU citizens. Applications are dealt with on a rolling basis until the studentship has been taken up. Please direct enquiries to Dr. Douglas W. Yu (dougwyu@gmail.com). Posted: 2/3/09.

University of Exeter: Novel technologies for quantifying ecosystem function and biodiversity. Three-year PhD studentship: tuition fees (UK/EU rate) and annual stipend at current research council rate. Primary supervisor: Dr Stuart Bearhop. Secondary supervisors: Dr Frank Van Veen, Dr Andrew Jackson (University College Dublin). The Food and Environment Research Agency supervisor: Dr Robbie McDonald. Deadline for applications: 23rd May 2009 (we plan to interview in Cornwall during early June). Project summary: It is widely acknowledged that environmental change is the major threat to global biodiversity. Environmental perturbations (invasive species, pollution, eutrophication etc) may impact ecosystems in many ways and while effects such as species loss are often detectable, other deleterious processes such alterations in the relationships among species (changing food web structure) are much less obvious. Many of these measures of food web structure (e.g. foodweb complexity, food chain length, total niche area, etc.) have been advocated as indicators of ecosystem function and thus understanding such changes may be crucial to the preservation of biodiversity. Moreover being able to measure changes in ecosystem function in a rapid fashion would have the potential to radically improve the evaluation of human impacts on ecosystems. Until recently, proxies for ecosystem function have been largely unexplored perhaps because of the difficulty in generating measures of ecosystem function using conventional approaches (such as building foodwebs with stomach analyses). However recent developments in the field of stable isotopes have the potential to enable ecosystem function metrics to be generated rapidly and could revolutionise the way in which we monitor the environment and enhance our understanding of the key processes involved in structuring communities. The aim of this PhD is to use a series of experiments and "real world" situations to evaluate the use of stable isotopes in generating measures of foodweb structure and in turn biodiversity AND ecosystem assessment. It will also investigate some of the more fundamental questions about the processes driving community structure. Building on the expanding collaborative research programme between the Food and Environment Research Agency and the University of Exeter, the PhD project will combine both field and lab approaches. The successful candidate will be based at the Centre for Ecology & Conservation (CEC) at the University of Exeter's new multi-million pound campus in Cornwall. S/he will also spend periods at Fera's laboratories in York and time in the field. This broad research prospectus will give opportunities for interacting with a range of researchers, field biologists and analysts. Open to students from the European Union (although your spoken and written English should be of a high standard), the successful candidate will have (or expect) a 1st class or high 2:1 class (or equivalent) in biology or related subject, and excellent academic references. Applications from numerate students are particularly welcome. For informal enquiries contact (Stuart Bearhop: s.bearhop@exeter.ac.uk). Apply by CV and covering letter, providing contact details for two academic referees, to Stuart Bearhop: s.bearhop@exeter.ac.uk. Posted: 5/13/09.

University of Exeter: Spatial Ecology of Serotine Bats. Three-year PhD studentship: tuition fees (UK/EU rate) and annual stipend at current research council rate. Primary supervisor: Dr David Hosken. Secondary supervisors: Dr Stuart Bearhop, Dr Fiona Mathews. The Food and Environment Research Agency supervisor: Dr James Aegerter. Deadline for applications: 23rd May 2009 (we plan to interview in Cornwall during early June). Project summary: The factors driving variation in the movement patterns of animals underpin a suite of demographic, behavioural and life history traits. Moreover such variation is likely to play a key role in the dynamics of many diseases. For example rabies virus has yet to be found in Serotine bats living in the UK, yet most cases of the disease among bats in mainland Europe have been found in this species. It seems likely that variability in spatial and social dynamics at several scales may explain this observation. This PhD will, for the first time, describe and elucidate movement patterns of Serotine bats over a variety of temporal and spatial scales. Although focussing largely on the ecology of Serotine bats, the project will contribute directly to a larger programme investigating rabies and the potential import of the virus into the UK. There is also the potential for investigations into the causes and consequences of variation in smaller-scale movements (e.g. for foraging) and dispersal/migration movements in this species. The PhD will combine both field and lab approaches using a variety of techniques to investigate the movement of bats (stable isotope analyses, genetic analyses, radio tracking and possibly radar). The studentship will build on the expanding collaborative research programme between The Food and Environment Research Agency (Fera) and the University of Exeter. Fera has a strong track record of work on wildlife disease ecology and has recently established a Wildlife and Emerging Diseases Programme, of which this project will form part. The successful candidate will be based at the Centre for Ecology & Conservation (CEC) at the University of Exeter's new multi-million pound campus in Cornwall. S/he will also spend periods at Fera's laboratories in York and a considerable amount of time in the field. This broad research prospectus will give opportunities for interacting with a range of researchers, field biologists and members of the public. Open to students from the European Union (although your spoken and written English should be of a high standard) the successful candidate will have (or expect) a 1st class or high 2:1 class (or equivalent) degree in biology or related subject, and excellent academic references. Applications from numerate students who have experience of carrying out fieldwork on birds/mammals, or molecular lab work are particularly welcome, as are students who have experience of dealing with members of the public on a regular basis. The work will involve handling live bats, requiring vaccinations against rabies. For informal enquiries contact (David Hosken: d.j.hosken@exeter.ac.uk, Stuart Bearhop: s.bearhop@exeter.ac.uk) Apply by CV and covering letter, providing contact details for two academic referees, to Dr David Hosken: d.j.hosken@exeter.ac.uk. Posted: 5/13/09.

University of Florida: The Quantitative Spatial Ecology, Evolution, and Environment (QSE3) IGERT is an NSF-funded program that started in Fall 2008. QSE3 involves students and faculty from 10 programs and departments at UF and outside clients from state, federal and international agencies. The program focuses on the *critically important and conceptually unifying theme of spatial dynamics, covering topics such as evolution and spread of emerging pathogens; the causes and consequences of shifting species distributions; and conservation of species in patchy habitats*. To tackle these critical issues, graduate students must acquire an arsenal of tools from the disparate fields of biology, geography, mathematics, and statistics. We seek to train scientists who embrace a new philosophy about quantitative tools, who can speak to colleagues from different disciplines, and who can function as part of intellectually diverse teams by bringing different tools to bear on shared problems. Through the use of innovative curricula and internships, and by focusing on problem-centered training, our program provides graduates the edge needed to become leaders in their chosen fields. We aim to recruit 5 PhD students from relevant disciplines (mathematics, statistics, geography, computer sciences, and biological fields), intending to enter a UF PhD program in August 2009; recruits will join 10 existing students in the program. We seek broadly integrative, highly motivated students with an interest in quantitative approaches to spatial ecology and evolution. Ecologists/biologists/geographers with interests in using quantitative tools (math, stats, computer science) and statisticians/mathematicians with interests in biological (ecological, epidemiological, evolutionary, environmental) and spatial applications are invited to apply. While prior evidence of cross-disciplinary interests will be advantageous, previous cross-disciplinary training is not required. The fellowship provides a $30k/year stipend plus tuition and fees, during Years 2 and 3 of IGERT participation. Although only US citizens and permanent residents are eligible for NSF funding, we welcome participation as IGERT affiliates by non-US students (or those who have other sources of support) in IGERT courses and activities. Review of QSE3 applications will begin January 15, 2009; applicants also must apply to home departments (which have different deadlines). For more information, go to http://qse3.centers.ufl.edu. Posted: 11/21/08.

University of Florida: MS Research Assistantship in ecophysiology of non-woody biofuel crops in the Agronomy Department. I am currently (spring semester 2009 preferred) looking for a motivated and enthusiastic graduate student to study physiological and ecological aspects of biofuel crop production in Florida. The project will look at production potential of various annual (sweet sorghum) and perennial (elephantgrass, energycane, sugarcane, miscanthus, arundo, and possibly others) grasses across a climatic gradient from North to South Florida. Within the context of this study, additional research projects could include nutrient use and cycling, water use, and/or carbon cycling. Interested individuals must be willing to work both in the field and laboratory and be interested in basic fundamental research as well as applied research. Assistantship includes a competitive stipend and tuition waver. Background in agronomy, botany, ecology, horticulture, or related subjects preferred. Interested applicants should contact Dr. John Erickson (jericksonufl.edu) for further information before applying. Application materials including the UF application, the statement of purpose/intent, GRE (and TOEFL if international) scores, transcripts, and letters of reference will be required before admission. Posted: 10/22/08.

University of Florida: We have an opening for a Graduate Research Assistantship for a Ph.D. student interested in ecological landscape modeling. Depending on student interest, potential topics range broadly, from research into various modes of physical-biological-chemical interactions (e.g., the complex system feedbacks that maintain and develop the ridge and slough patterns in the Everglades peatlands), to novel code development (e.g., a multi-grid model, with 1-km resolution hydrology interacting with 1-ha resolution vegetation/soils), to research into application methods (e.g., simple desktop applications; uncertainty in complex-system models). Prospective Ph.D. students may consider degree tracks in Environmental Science, Hydrologic Science, or Soil Science through the Soil and Water Science Department (SWSD). Alternatively, students can seek a degree track in the Interdisciplinary Ecology Program through the School of Natural Resources and Environment (SNRE). Our primary research site is in south Florida at the Ft. Lauderdale Research and Education Center, which is a unit of the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS). IFAS includes 20 academic units, 5 interdisciplinary centers, and 14 research and educational centers throughout the state. Contact Dr. H. Carl Fitz (cfitzufl.edu) for further information on potential graduate research topics. Interested individuals should submit an application for acceptance to the Graduate School at the University, following guidelines provided by the SWSD or SNRE web sites above. To be considered for an assistantship in ecological landscape modeling, ensure that copies of pertinent application materials are sent to Dr. Fitz, including your curriculum vitae and a letter of introduction describing the nature of your anticipated contribution to the Ecological Landscape Modeling efforts. Posted: 7/2/08.

University of Georgia: Several M.S. and Ph.D. assistantships in forest entomology and ecology are available at the Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources. Some (but not all) of the current projects in the Forest Entomology laboratory are as follows: 1) assessing interactions between prescribed fire, insects, and fungi in pine stands; 2) development of host risk maps for European woodwasp in southern pines; 3) survey and delineation of exotic bark and woodboring beetles; and 4) landscape-level distribution patterns and effects of land-area treatments on litter-dwelling arthropods. The Forest Entomology laboratory works on a broad range of forest health issues, insect species, and ecosystem-types. We are inviting applications from highly self-motivated students who are genuinely interested in working at the forefront of forest health issues. Training in forest entomology will be provided. Prior experience in forestry, entomology, and ecology will be an asset. Interested students should contact Dr. Kamal JK Gandhi either at kgandhi@warnell.uga.edu or 706-542-4614. Posted: 4/27/09.

University of Georgia: PhD Graduate Student Fellowships are available starting in Fall 2008 to study the ecological genetics of invasive species, including plant pathogens. Fellowships offer a highly competitive stipend as well as funds for research and travel. The University of Georgia has received a Partnerships for International Research and Education (PIRE) grant from the National Science Foundation to support research on the genetics and ecology of invasive plant and pathogen species exchanged between the southeastern US and China, Taiwan and Hong Kong. Successful applicants will develop research projects that will study the population genetics, ecology and/or demography of invasive species that are native to the southeastern US and to China. A significant proportion of each student's research project must be conducted in China in collaboration with Chinese research scientists. Students will receive training in Chinese language and culture as well as appropriate biology courses. Students can work with any senior personnel on the UGA-PIRE program. Students should contact a prospective major adviser directly and apply through that department. For additional information concerning the application process, interested students should refer to our website (http://www.genetics.uga.edu/pire/). Questions? Contact Dr. Rodney Mauricio, UGA-PIRE Program Director, via email (mauriciouga.edu). Posted: 11/5/08.

University of Georgia: The Shefferson lab in the Odum School of Ecology is currently recruiting two PhD students for the Fall semester of 2009. Our lab has a broad theme in evolutionary ecology, with particular interests in life history evolution, symbioses, and conservation, especially as they pertain to plants and fungi. We are a multi-disciplinary lab, and use phylogenetic, quantitative genetic, molecular, and demographic approaches in theoretical and empirical experiments to answer questions. We hope to attract students broadly interested in any of these themes. The Odum School of Ecology consists of a large and vibrant group of top-notch faculty, students, and researchers. We interact with biologists in the Dept. of Plant Biology, Dept. of Genetics, Dept. of Environmental Health Sciences, Warnell School of Forestry, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, and others, as well as the nearby US Forest Service Research Stations and Agricultural Extension. The University of Georgia also includes a diverse array of field stations both within state and abroad, particularly in the tropics. Students joining the lab may enter either through the Odum School, or through the umbrella program in Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology currently being developed. Interested students should contact Dr. Richard Shefferson directly via e-mail (dormancyuga.edu) to inquire about the position. Informal inquiries are welcome, and those with more motivated interest should send a CV and a letter explaining your interest in the lab. All applicants will need to submit a formal graduate student application with the University of Georgia (see the Odum School of Ecology website for further details). Stipend support may be offered on a competitive basis, contingent on the strength of the application. Posted: 9/8/08.

University of Georgia: We are seeking highly qualified applicants to pursue graduate degrees in ecology, starting in the Summer or Fall of 2009 in the lab of John Drake at the Odum School of Ecology. Research in this lab focuses on population dynamics in experimental systems, infectious disease ecology, and ecology of invasive species. We have strengths in modeling, computation, and stochastic population theory. Recent projects include invasive aquatic species in the Great Lakes of North America, extinction in experimental zooplankton populations, and modeling disease outbreaks. Students interested in either modeling/computation/theory or empirical research are encouraged to apply. Potential students are strongly encouraged to email (jdrakeuga.edu) a letter of introduction and expression of interest well in advance of the application deadline (approx. November 1, 2008). 1. Modeling Invasive Species: A research assistantship is available for a Master's or PhD student to join a new project on the ecology of invasive plants. The main goal of the project is to develop bioeconomic decision support tools for invasive species risk assessment. The project will build on ongoing collaborations with natural resource economists and computer scientists to develop computational models that probabilistically assess risk, weighted by the expected damages of making erroneous judgments. While no background in computer science or machine learning is required, the project will involve considerable computation and the successful applicant should be committed to developing expertise in computational ecology. Prior training (e.g. bachelor's degree) may be in either ecology/biology or a quantitative field such as statistics, computer science, or applied mathematics. 2. Population Dynamics And Control Of West Nile Virus In Urban Environments: A research assistantship is available for a PhD student to join a joint project between the University of Georgia and the New York Department of Health and Mental Hygiene on the population dynamics of West Nile Virus in New York City. Goals of this project are to understand the environmental drivers of transmission in heterogeneous environments, to develop early warning systems for outbreaks, and to identify strategies for containment and control. The successful applicant should be committed to a research program in theoretical or computational ecology and should have a background in quantitative methods. Prior training may be in ecology, biology, physics, chemistry, or other quantitative field. Ecology of infectious disease is a growing area at the University of Georgia which also boasts excellent programs in veterinary medicine and public health and hosts the Southeast Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, a national center for the study of wildlife diseases. 3. Population Ecology Of Branchiopoda In Temporary Ponds: Drs. John Drake (University of Georgia) and Stephen Golladay (Joseph W. Jones Ecological Research Center) are seeking a graduate student at either the MS or PhD level to study the population ecology of rare branchiopod crustaceans in temporary ponds of the Ichauway conservation site in southwest Georgia. Results of this work will be used in the conservation and restoration of coastal plain isolated wetlands. The successful applicant will complete coursework at the Odum School of Ecology (University of Georgia) and will be subsequently stationed at the Jones Center for research. More information about joint program between the Odum School of Ecology and the Jones Center. 4. Experimental Extinction In Zooplankton Communities: A research assistantship is available for a PhD student to develop a new experimental project on the community ecology of extinction in experimental zooplankton systems. The project will build on several recent experiments looking at extinction in fluctuating environments, metapopulations, and source-sink environments. New directions are intended to expand the scope of this work to encompass interspecific interactions and a joint field project in temporary ponds on the Savannah River Site. To learn more about the experimental system, please send an email request for reprints/preprints of previous work. While no background in either aquatic ecology or theoretical ecology is required, the successful applicant should be committed to a research program involving both. Prior training (e.g. bachelor's degree) may be in ecology, biology, physics, chemistry, or other quantitative field. All positions: For more information about the Graduate Program in Ecology and instructions for applying, please see http://www.ecology.uga.edu/programs.htm. Funding is immediately available for the this position. Outstanding applicants with other interests are encouraged inquire for information about fellowships and other sources of funding. Posted: 7/31/08, revised: 8/4/08.

University of Guelph: We are seeking a PhD student to work on optimal conservation decision making for migratory animal populations. Migratory animals are influenced by multiple events across the annual cycle that are often separated by thousands of kilometres and span international borders. To date, conservation strategies for these species have failed to take into account how migratory animals are spatially connected between different periods of the year bringing into question the utility and efficiency of current conservation efforts. The student will use state-of-the-art modelling approaches to determine optimal conservation management decisions for a range of migratory species, including mammals, birds, and insects. The student is expected to begin between May and September 2009, will receive a full 4-year fellowship, and will be expected to spend approximately 75-80% of their time at the University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada and 20-25% of their time at CSIRO in Brisbane, Australia. Travel costs between locations will be covered. Candidates should have a strong background in quantitative ecology, population modelling, and conservation biology. The degree granting University will be the University of Guelph. Closing date for applications is January 31, 2009. Interested applicants should send a cover letter, CV (including references), and transcript via email to both Dr. Ryan Norris (rnorrisuoguelph.ca) and Dr. Tara Martin (Tara.Martincsiro.au). Posted: 11/14/08.

University of Guelph: Spatial Processes in Deciduous Forest Understories: Understory plant communities of the eastern deciduous forest of North America are extensively studied but remain poorly understood due to the complexity of limiting processes that affect their member species. Emerging evidence points to the importance of spatial distance and environmental heterogeneity, but how these factors vary by spatial scale, site history, phylogenetic relatedness, latitude, and isolation distance is unclear. We seek a highly motivated PhD student to examine these issues using trait-based, statistical, and experimental approaches in deciduous forest understories of southern Ontario, Canada. These understories are diversity hotspots in Canada, containing large numbers of rare and endangered plants. Their declines are well-described but the causal mechanisms are elusive, giving this study theoretical and applied significance. Interested applicants should ideally have an MSc in ecology, biogeography, or statistical biology, with field experience including experimental approaches and plant identification. The successful student will be remunerated with a combination of fellowships, research or teaching assistantships, with funding guaranteed for three years. Application deadline: January 2009; start date September 2009. Please send CV, PDFs of prior publications, and names of two potential referees to Dr. Karl Cottenie (cottenieuoguelph.ca) or Dr. Andrew MacDougall (amacdo02uoguelph.ca) Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada. Posted: 7/7/08.

University of Hawai’i at Manoa: PhD Position in Human Dimensions of Natural Resources/Wildlife Management. I am seeking an outstanding student to pursue a doctoral degree on wildlife stakeholder acceptance capacity of introduced animals in Hawai’i starting in January 2009. As one of the remotest locations on Earth, the only terrestrial vertebrates (i.e. wildlife) found in Hawai’i prior to the arrival of humans were birds and one bat species. As people settled the islands, they brought with them numerous animals from other parts of the world, either intentionally or unintentionally. Such species included livestock, pets, predators for biocontrol, game animals for hunting, and nuisance/pest species. As a result, there currently exist numerous views about how to manage the introduced animals in Hawai’i. The goal of the research is to understand stakeholders’ acceptance capacity and management preferences towards introduced animals in Hawai’i in order to facilitate management decisions and policy. To achieve this goal, the research will use an interdisciplinary approach mixing sociology, landscape ecology, wildlife management, and conservation planning. Support is in place for three years as a Research Assistant in the laboratory of Dr. Christopher Lepczyk. The selected individual will also work closely with Dr. Rebecca Christoffel. Applicants should possess: a background in the natural and/or social sciences, with a working knowledge of terrestrial vertebrate ecology, conservation biology, and human dimensions of natural resources; strong quantitative skills, including statistics; strong communication skills (i.e. experience giving presentations and ability to publish in peer-reviewed journals); and ability to interact and work with a diverse group of stakeholders. Applicants must possess an MS degree by time of appointment, as per departmental requirements. The selected student is expected to start in January 2009 for spring semester. Interested students are encouraged to review the requirements for a PhD in the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management (NREM). To apply to the position please send a cover letter outlining your interests and research background, a curriculum vitae, and contact information of three professional references (name, email, phone, address) as either a PDF or Word file to lepczykhawaii.edu with ‘Wildlife Stakeholder PhD Application’ in the subject line. Applications will be accepted until September 30, 2008 or until a suitable candidate is found. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Dr. Lepczyk via email. Posted: 8/29/08.

University of Helsinki: PhD student position in Parastoid Metacommunity Ecology. The student will research patterns of metacommunity structure and the mechanisms behind them using the community surrounding the Glanville fritillary butterfly (Melitaea cinxia) in the Åland islands, Finland. Example topics are (1) exploration of the prediction that food-chain length decreases with habitat fragmentation, (2) the landscape level effects of indirect interactions between butterflies and between parasitoids, and (3) the role of space in multitrophic level interactions. The work will have a field component and can have lab and/or mathematical components. The applicant must have a strong interest in population and community ecology and a Masters Degree or equivalent. The successful applicant will be a PhD student in the Metacommunity Ecology Group, a subgroup of the Metapopulation Research Group. We are a Centre of Excellence supported by the Academy of Finland. We have an international research environment with opportunities for mixing among ecologists, molecular biologists and mathematicians. The position is for completion of a PhD within four years, and includes a salary of about 2,300 €/month plus social benefits. Please send your application or any enquiries to Saskya van Nouhuys (saskya.vannouhuys@helsinki.fi). Your application should include a short CV, a one page explanation of your motivation and suitability for the project and the e-mail addresses of three researchers who can document that you are self-motivated and can do productive independent work. Consideration of applications will begin July 2009 and continue until the position is filled. Posted: 5/14/09.

University of Helsinki: Open position for one ecology PhD student in one of two possible projects (apply for one or the other): A) Parastoid Metacommunity Ecology- This is work based on the metacommunity of insects associated with the Glanville fritillary butterfly (Melitaea cinxia) in the Åland islands, Finland. Your research will address patterns of metacommunity structure and mechanisms behind them, such as (1) the prediction that food-chain length decreases with habitat fragmentation because the adverse effects of habitat fragmentation increase with trophic level, and (2) the landscape level effects of indirect interactions between butterflies mediate by parasitoids. The applicant must have a strong interest in community ecology and a Masters Degree or equivalent. Information about the research system. B) Parasitoid Behavioral Ecology- There is a history of conceptually linking behaviour of parasitoids with resulting predator-prey population dynamics. So far biologists know about what parasitoids do over short time-scales foraging in small areas, but this is only part of the picture. The student would work on an ongoing project using the parasitoids of the Glanville fritillary (Melitaea cinxia) in Åland, Finland to understand ecologically relevant parasitoid foraging behaviour. This includes study of spatial learning, competition among adult female parasitoids, and measures of foraging success in a natural landscape. The applicant must have a strong interest in and experience with behavioural ecology, and a Masters Degree or equivalent. Information about the research system. The successful applicant will be a PhD student in the metacommunity ecology group, a subgroup of the Metapopulation Research Group. We are a Centre of Excellence supported by the Academy of Finland. We have an international research environment with opportunities for mixing among ecologists, molecular biologists and mathematicians. The position is for completion of a PhD within four years, and includes a salary of about 2,300 €/month plus social benefits. Please send your application and any enquiries to Saskya van Nouhuys (saskyacornell.edu). Include a short CV, a one page explanation of your motivation and suitability for the project (be clear about which project), and the e-mail addresses of three researchers who can document that you are self-motivated and can do productive independent work. Consideration of applications will begin mid November 2008 and continue until the position is filled. The position could start as soon as January 2009. Posted: 11/11/08.

University of Idaho: We seek a highly motivated graduate student to participate in a project examining the effects of the post-fire restoration methods in sagebrush ecosystems. Public lands are often re-seeded using seed drills, particularly on Bureau of Land Management lands. Although agencies often monitor vegetation recovery, little is known about soil recovery and the impacts these drills have on soil properties. Thus, we seek a student to partake in a project looking at the effects of two seed drills and fire on soils (and related flora and fauna) in the sagebrush steppe. This experiment compares the effects of the well-known rangeland drill and a newer drill, the minimum-till drill. The student must be interested in taking basic soil physical and chemical measurements and is encouraged to develop further study, which may focus on questions related to plant, soil, microbial or animal responses to restoration techniques. Stipend for the research assistantship is $21,600 per year for two years, which includes a tuition waiver. Fees are not included, but the potential exists to compete for further funding, scholarships, and teaching assistantships. Additional years of funding are also possible through these avenues; thus, students potentially interested in a PhD are encouraged to apply as funding may become available. Qualifications: •BS degree in biology, ecology, geology, or related field ; •Familiarity with plant, soil and fire ecology; •Interest in community and ecosystem ecology in arid and semi-arid regions; •Desire to interact with land managers and have an interest in helping improve land management decisions; •Previous research experience and good experimental and field skills are desired; •Strong verbal and written communication skills; •Evidence of statistical knowledge, laboratory analytic skills, and ability to publish research results in refereed journals is highly desired. The candidate should be self-motivated, focused, and able to work independently and as part of a team. You should be capable of driving to remote sites on 4WD roads, hiking several kilometers, withstanding harsh field conditions, and willing to camp in primitive areas. To Apply: Email the following to Beth Newingham at beth@uidaho.edu: (1) your resume or CV (including GRE scores and percentiles); (2) a letter of interest, including research interests, professional goals and prior experience, and (3) contact information for three references. For questions, contact Dr. Newingham (208-332-4402, beth@uidaho.edu). See also the College of Natural Resources website. Applications will be considered starting January 26, 2009 and will continue until the position is filled. The preferred start date is Summer 2009 but Fall 2009 is negotiable. Posted: 12/9/08.

University of Idaho: An M.S. graduate research assistantship is available to study global environmental change impacts on species distributions. The project will utilize state, regional, and/or national USGS Gap Analysis Program products to quantify geographic patterns related to global environmental change and identify species and areas of concern. The candidate will help define the research topic; potential areas include climate change, land-use/land-cover change, changes in disturbance regimes, or other human influences on vertebrate species distributions in the United States. The ideal candidate will have a strong quantitative background in geography, ecology, biology, or a related field, with experience in GIS and computer analysis. The Department of Geography has strengths in GIS, remote sensing, and climate change and impacts. Local collaboration opportunities exist both within UI (such as with the College of Natural Resources) and outside UI (with the USGS National Gap Analysis Program and The Nature Conservancy). Funding begins Spring 2009. Interested persons should apply to the UI Department of Geography; applications are currently being accepted. Informal inquires are encouraged; contact Dr. Jeffrey Hicke (jhickeuidaho.edu; 208-885-6240) for more information. Posted: 11/13/08.

University of Idaho: Graduate Student Research Assistantships (Ph.D. or strong M.S. candidates) are available (spring, summer, fall 2009) to work on a number of research projects that collectively address the consequences of hydrologic alteration on salmon energetics and life history variation in our Laboratory for Integrative Fish Ecology and Ecosystem Studies. We explore a number of bioenergetic, isotopic, and physical modeling approaches to explore trophic, energetic and dispersal relationships in rivers. We are currently working on the impacts of climatic and anthropogenic changes in water distribution to salmon life history and populations dynamics. Field sites include a gradient of river sites throughout the Northwest from remote interior Idaho and the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness to the Columbia River. We seek highly motivated and collaborative individuals that desire to combine fieldwork in remote locations with lab work involving typical aquatic biology and ecology approaches as well as more specialized analytical chemistry. Desired qualifications include a BS/MS in one of several relevant fields of study (e.g. biology, ecology & evolution) with coursework in chemistry and statistics, field experience in aquatic or fish ecology, ability to work independently at remote sites and comfort applying interdisciplinary approaches to questions in aquatic ecology. Competitive stipends with full tuition waivers are available. Applications will be accepted on a continuing basis until qualified individuals are identified, but materials are strongly encouraged before Jan 1, 2009. Applicants should send a letter that summarizes your background, educational goals, and statement of research interests, along with your transcripts and curriculum vitae (with contact information for three references) to: Dr. Brian Kennedy (kennedyuidaho.edu) or mail to Brian Kennedy, Dept. of Fish and Wildlife Resources, College of Natural Resources – Room 105, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83844-1136. Graduate students would be welcome to matriculate through the Dept. of Fish and Wildlife Resources, Environmental Sciences or through a new integrative and interdisciplinary graduate program in Water Resources. Requests for more information on project specifics are welcome by email or by phone (208.885.5171). Posted: 10/30/08.

University of Idaho: Forest response to bioenergy harvest and bio-char additions. We are seeking a PhD student to evaluate the impacts of hazard fuel removal and bio-char amendment on forest and soil mineral nutrition. The Research Assistantship is supported by USDA Forest Service funds to work on Umpqua National Forest hazard-fuel reduction operations. The influence of bio-char on forest soil properties will be considered in laboratory, greenhouse and field. Questions may include, but need not be limited to nutrient mineralization, ion retention and biomass decomposition. Forest growth impacts will be assessed by establishing plots with char additions. The PhD student should be familiar with assessing forest productivity, sampling and analyzing forest soil nutrient availability, and knowledgeable of above and belowground processes controlling variation in productivity and soils throughout the Inland Northwest. For inquiries contact Mark Coleman (mcolemanuidaho.edu, 208-885-7604). See the full announcement for more details. Posted: 10/15/08.

University of Idaho: Graduate student opportunity to advance wildlife ecology and conservation using remote sensing technologies. We seek a new Ph.D. student to study how ecological interactions between cavity-excavating and other cavity-using animals create "nest webs" that can in turn be used to improve wildlife conservation modeling efforts. The project will also involve the use of lidar remote sensing to quantify aspects of forest ecosystem structure that are important for nest web development. We seek candidates interested in ecology and conservation who possess strong quantitative and communication skills to thrive in a dynamic, interdisciplinary research group setting. The position provides salary support of ~$23k annually, which includes a stipend of ~$18k plus health insurance, tuition, and fees. Interested applicants should send a CV, GPA, GRE scores, and a cover letter that describes the candidate's interest in the position and relevant education and experience to Drs. Kerri and Lee Vierling (kerrivuidaho.edu; leevuidaho.edu). Inquiries via email or phone (208-885-5378 or 208-885-5743) are welcome. Posted: 10/7/08.

University of Idaho: Funding is available for an M.S. or Ph.D. student in the area of forest ecosystems and insect outbreaks. Possible research topics include using lidar remote sensing to quantify beetle disturbance impacts to forest carbon stocks and determining the effects of climate change on recent bark beetle outbreaks. The student will participate in a statewide interdisciplinary research project addressing climate change in Idaho. Candidates will have a background in geography, ecology, entomology, biogeosciences, or a related field. Desired qualifications include a quantitative background and an interest in fieldwork in mountainous regions of Idaho. Students have the opportunity to receive a degree in either Geography or the Environmental Science Program. The position provides salary support of $22-25k annually for two years plus health insurance, tuition, and fees. Interested applicants should send a cover letter, CV, GPA, GRE scores, and a personal statement that describes the candidate’s interest in the position and relevant education and experience to Dr. Jeffrey Hicke (jhickeuidaho.edu). Inquiries via email or phone (208-885-6240) are welcome. Posted: 9/17/08.

University of Illinois: One Graduate Research Assistantship is available to study avian response to a fire-grazing interaction in the Grand River Grasslands of southern Iowa and northern Missouri. This project is part of an ongoing multi-disciplinary effort involving scientists at the University of Illinois, Iowa State, and Oklahoma State. The successful candidate will work as part of a team including other faculty, research associates, graduate students, resource managers, technicians, and undergraduates. This is an excellent opportunity for integrative research at the PhD level, but I will consider a highly qualified MS student. The ideal candidate will have a degree in ecology, conservation biology, wildlife ecology, natural resource management, zoology, or a related discipline. Previous experience in avian field studies, a strong quantitative background, and excellent writing skills are essential. Prairie plant identification skills and experience with GIS are preferred. The preferred start date is summer 2009. Potential applicants should send a cover letter outlining their research interests, a CV detailing their academic and professional backgrounds, GRE scores (need not be an official copy at this point), and the names and contact information (including email) for three references to: Dr. James Miller, University of Illinois, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, N407 Turner Hall, 1102 S. Goodwin Ave., Urbana, IL 61801 (jrmillr@illinois.edu). Once a suitable candidate is identified, they will formally apply for admission to either the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences or the Program in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology. Posted: 1/13/09.

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign: Graduate Research Assistantship, Ecology of Bioenergy Crops. We are seeking students interested in working towards a MS or PhD to pursue research into the ecology of a potential bioenergy crop, Miscanthus, in its native range in Japan. Possible areas of research include invasive ecology, flowering phenology, stress tolerance, carbon sequestration, freeze tolerance, etc. Much of the field work, which will be in collaboration with Hokkaido University, will be based in Japan. Preferred qualifications include quantitative skills; self-motivation; solid understanding of plant ecology; ability to work in field and laboratory settings; and good writing skills (in English). Individuals with superior academic credentials and strong communication skills are encouraged to apply. It is particularly important that the person be interested in working abroad in the field for extended periods of time. Familiarity with East Asian culture and knowledge of Japanese or willingness to learn Japanese are highly valued. Support includes a research assistantship, tuition waiver, and excellent health benefits. Please send cover letter stating research interests, experience, and CV with three names of potential referees to: Dr. Ryan Stewart (rstewartillinois.edu), Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois. Application review will begin 1 January 2009. Position available beginning in summer or fall of 2009. Posted: 11/10/08.

University of Illinois: Two graduate research assistantships (M.S.) will be available in the 2009-2010 academic year in the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences or the Program in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology. Enrollment in Spring 2009 is also possible. Both projects are partially funded by the NSF through the Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) program and will focus on the consequences of hemlock decline and replacement for biogeochemical cycling. Fieldwork will be conducted at the Coweeta LTER site near Franklin, North Carolina in cooperation with researchers at the Coweeta Hydrologic Laboratory, which is part of the Forest Watershed Science Research Work Unit of the US Forest Service. To find out more information, please contact Dr. Jennifer Fraterrigo (jmfillinois.edu), Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61801. Posted: 11/3/08.

University of Illinois: I expect to have two graduate research opportunities in my lab beginning in the 2009-2010 academic year (or earlier). One project is part of a NSF-NIH grant and will focus the role of birds in the eco-epidemiology of West Nile Virus. Fieldwork for this project will be based on Chicago, Illinois. The other project is on the physiological ecology of tropical birds with emphasis on habitat selection and environmental change. This project will be based on Panama and will be carried out in collaboration with the Max Planck Institute for Ornithology. See the more complete description or contact Jeff Brawn at: jbrawnillinois.edu. Posted: 10/10/08.

University of Kaiserslautern: PhD position in the group of Plant Ecology and Systematics at the Department of Biology. We invite applications for a 3-year PhD position (E13, 50%) in a research project about the diversity, ecology, and role of pro- and eukaryotic algae in terrestrial ecosystems of Antarctic and Arctic regions. The successful applicant will hold an MSc-degree or equivalent in Biology and have an interest and, preferably, experience in phycology, plant ecophysiology, and ecology. Further requirements include an analytical and critical mindset, the ability to work independently in primitive polar field conditions, good English writing skills and a willingness to learn German. The research will include ecological methods to determine the contribution of photoautotrophic micro-ecosystems to the carbon and nitrogen balance of larger ecosystems, but also the methodology to identify biodiversity with classical and molecular methods. We expect fundamental knowledge on: - pro- and eukaryotic algae - determination of photosynthetic carbon-dioxide fixation - determination of vegetation patterns and biomass as well as the - preparedness to take part in Antarctic and Arctic field expeditions - a by far above-average enthusiasm for the research field and the demand to contribute novel aspects on the role of mirco-organismic-associations to ecosystem context. Closing date: April 17, 2009, or when the position is filled. Starting date: May 15, 2009, or July 15, 2009. Prof. Dr. Burkhard Büdel (buedel@rhrk.uni-kl.de), Plant Ecology and Systematics, Department of Biology, TU Kaiserlautern, Erwin-Schrödinger-Strasse Bau 13, D-67663 Kaiserslautern, Germany. Posted: 3/25/09.

University of Kansas: Graduate Assistantships (Masters or PhD level) are available in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. We are seeking highly motivated students interested in experimental community ecology, grassland biodiversity and prairie/savanna restoration. Research opportunities exist within the context of an NSF-funded study testing alternative models of plant community assembly and using grasslands as a model study system. Students will be encouraged to develop research projects related to one or more of the following themes: community assembly, plant succession, species coexistence and biodiversity, disturbance ecology, biological invasions, ecosystem restoration, effects of climate change. Successful applicants are guaranteed financial support (2 years for Masters, 5 years for PhD). The department also provides support for travel to attend and present results at national and international meetings. Additional funds to support graduate student research are available through the departmental endowment. Positions are available for either August 2009 or January 2010 start dates. For more information please contact: Bryan Foster (785-864-4361, bfoster@ku.edu). Posted: 3/25/09.

University of Kansas: Graduate assistantships, at the master's or doctoral level, are available in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology in the field of theoretical ecosystem ecology. The Ballantyne lab is seeking students interested in modeling ecosystem stoichiometry, community dynamics, or population processes. Two or five years of support are available, for a master's or a PhD respectively. Additional funds are available to support research and travel costs. Opportunities also exist for complementary microcosm and/or field-based experiments, either in the lab or at the University of Kansas field station 20 minutes from campus. Start date will either be fall 2009 or spring 2010. For more information, please contact Ford Ballantyne (785-864-1868, fb4@ku.edu). Posted: 12/4/08, revised: 3/31/09.

University of Kansas: Ph.D. Opportunities in Plant Community Ecology, Grassland / Savanna Restoration. Graduate Research Assistantships in Plant Ecology (Ph.D. level) are available in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. We are seeking highly motivated students interested in plant community ecology, grassland/savanna biodiversity, experimental ecology and restoration. Research opportunities exist within the context of NSF- and Forest Service-funded projects evaluating alternative models of community assembly and restoration in Tall-grass Prairie and Pine-savanna Ecosystems. Successful applicants to our doctoral program are guaranteed five years of financial support for the academic year. The department provides support for travel to attend and present results at national and international professional meetings. Funds to support graduate student research is also available through departmental endowment funds. If interested please contact: Bryan Foster (785-864-4361, bfosterku.edu). More information about the graduate program in EEB. Posted: 11/11/08.

University of Kansas: The Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology seeks applications from highly qualified and motivated graduate students. KU-EEB includes 43 faculty members and about 70 graduate students whose research focuses on three broad topical domains: Biodiversity and Macroevolution, Ecology and Global Change Biology, and Evolutionary Mechanisms. Applications from all qualified students will be given serious consideration; however, we specifically seek students whose interests match the following descriptions. Students who wish to pursue research in these areas are encouraged to review the research profiles of the faculty members listed below. Ecology and Global Change Biology (recruiting up to 8 students): Dr. Ford Ballantyne: Developing models, grounded in empirical knowledge in an attempt to understand why populations fluctuate, how resources are apportioned among species, how trophic interactions structure communities and what drives element cycling from the level of individual organisms to entire ecosystems. Dr. Sharon Billings: We explore how global change perturbations such as rising atmospheric CO2, land use change, rising temperatures, and changing water availability influence forest and grassland processes such as carbon biomass accrual and soil carbon and nitrogen pools and fluxes. There is a particular emphasis on stable isotope ecology as a tool for soil and tree ecophysiological studies, as well as microbial ecology. Dr. Bryan Foster: Experimental ecology, grassland dynamics, tests of community assembly theory, mechanisms of plant species coexistence and biodiversity, ecosystem consequences of biodiversity. Dr. James Thorp: Freshwater ecology, specifically studies of the factors controlling the complexity of food webs in rivers and the relationships between riverine landscape heterogeneity and ecosystem function. Dr. Joy Ward: Understanding how global change factors influence the physiology, population structure, and evolution of plant species. More specifically, we seek to understand the effects of global change drivers that alter plant resource availability, such as changing atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations, changing precipitation regimes, and rising temperatures. Evolutionary Mechanisms: Dr. Justin Blumenstiel: Evolution of genetic systems, particularly understanding the role that genetic conflict has had in shaping the evolution of meiosis and germline development. Dr. Jennifer Gleason: Evolutionary genetics of sexual isolation between species through analyses of the genes underlying courtship behavior in Drosophila. Dr. Lena Hileman: Integrating phylogenetic, molecular evolutionary, and molecular developmental approaches to investigate how flowers have evolved such a diversity of form. Biodiversity and Macroevolution: Dr. Rafe Brown: Herpetological systematics and biodiversity, phylogenetic systematics, character evolution, phylogeography, population and conservation genetics, biogeography, and the evolution of animal behavior. Dr. Paulyn Cartwright: Investigating patterns and processes in medusozoan evolution. In particular I am seeking a PhD student to participate in the NSF-funded Cnidarian Tree of Life project to investigate higher-level hydrozoan phylogenetics. Dr. Kirsten Jensen: Parasitology, with particular emphasis on the systematics, morphology, biodiversity, and life-cycles of tapeworms. Ph.D. student sought to participate in an NSF-funded Planetary Biodiversity Inventories project to document the diversity of elasmobranch (ray and shark) tapeworms from around the world. Facilities to support graduate education and research include world-class collections in our museums, equipment and expertise in molecular biology, including DNA sequencing, growth chambers and greenhouses, and an extensive field station for establishing controlled experimental plots. Successful applicants to our doctoral program are guaranteed five years of financial support for the academic year. The department provides support for travel to attend and present results at national and international professional meetings. Funds to support graduate student research is also available through departmental endowment funds. Please contact Jaime Keeler (EEBgradstudyku.edu) if you are interested in any of these projects or if you require additional information on our program. Posted: 11/3/08.

University of Kansas: We have a new NSF IGERT program for PhD students in natural & social sciences and engineering: C-CHANGE (Climate Change, Humans, and Nature in the Global Environment). IGERT courses are taught by interdisciplinary faculty teams, and Trainees will have many unique opportunities including international field research in Mexico and Greenland and climate policy internships. Geoscience, bioscience, social science, engineering; Human dimensions of global climate change; Fieldwork in Great Plains, Mexico, Greenland; Climate change in Indigenous communities; Graduate certificate in climate change studies; Climate policy internship; Interdisciplinary advisory committee; 40+ Faculty members across disciplines; $30k for 2 years + 3 years additional funding; Application deadline: December 15, 2008; email: igertku.edu or visit: www.igert.ku.edu. Posted: 10/30/08.

University of Kentucky: A graduate research assistantship (MS or PhD level) is available in the Department of Plant & Soil Sciences. This position is affiliated with the grassland ecosystem ecology lab of Dr. Rebecca McCulley and is being supported by an NSF funded project entitled, ‘collaborative Research: Decomposition in drylands: Soil erosion and UV interactions.’ As suggested by the title, the project is collaborative in nature (with Drs. Steve Archer, Dave Breshears, Heather Throop, and Paul Barnes), and the field sites for this work are in the desert grasslands of New Mexico and Arizona (see http://www.snr.arizona.edu/project/decomposition for more information). The assistantship in Kentucky will support the microbial-side of the project; therefore, applicants for this position should have demonstrated skills with traditional and/or modern microbial techniques. Candidates with an MS degree in soil science, ecology, microbiology, or related fields and proven interest, experience, and/or knowledge of dryland ecosystems are encouraged to apply. The successful candidate will receive a graduate student stipend, health insurance, and tuition remission for at least 3 years. For more information, please contact: Dr. Rebecca McCulley, N-222D Ag Sci North, Dept. of Plant & Soil Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546-0091. Phone: (859) 257-6388, Fax: (859) 323-1952, Email: rebecca.mcculley@uky.edu. Posted: 1/29/09.

University of Kentucky: Tentative start date – June 2009. An MS or PhD level graduate research assistantship is available in the grassland ecosystem ecology lab of Dr. Rebecca McCulley to explore the effects of plant community composition and fungal endophyte symbiosis on nitrogen cycling, retention, and loss in cattle grazed, transition zone, managed grasslands. Familiarity with the techniques used to measure trace gas fluxes and nitrogen isotopes is preferred (though not required). Interested applicants are encouraged to send a CV and cover letter to: Dr. Rebecca McCulley, N-222D Ag Sci North, Dept. of Plant & Soil Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546-0091. Phone: (859) 257-6388, Fax: (859) 323-1952, Email: rebecca.mcculley@uky.edu. The successful candidate will receive a graduate student stipend, health insurance, and tuition remission for at least 2 years. Start Date: June 1, 2009. Posted: 1/29/09. Posted: 11/26/08, revised: 1/29/09.

University of Lausanne: Ph.D. Position: Evolutionary Niche dyNamics of Invasive Species (ENNIS). The ENNIS project seeks to understand the relationship between the evolutionary history of a clade, the niche variation and accompanying variation in the distribution of species, and the tendency for plant species to become invasive and/or naturalized. The project will focus on clades that have naturalized and invasive species in Switzerland and central Europe. We will use an interdisciplinary approach that includes activities in niche modeling, sequencing DNA regions, phylogenetic reconstruction and modeling trait evolution. The research includes characterization of the environmental niches and distribution of clade members using multivariate statistics and niche-based species distribution modeling; bioinformatics approaches to the use of sequence and phylogenetic databases, and use of other databases on the distribution of invasive species. A substantial portion of the research will involve production of DNA sequence data to complete phylogenetic trees of species in clades that contain invasive and naturalized species in central Europe. Collection of material for sequencing, and additional data on species global distributions, will involve visiting national herbaria, botanical gardens, individual researchers, and doing fieldwork throughout the sum distribution of the species in the focal clades. Phylogenetic reconstruction of evolutionary relationships will be undertaken using likelihood and Bayesian methods. Modeling of evolutionary processes of ecological diversification will be approached through the use of experimental software and the development of original algorithms. The Ph.D. Student position includes funding for three years, during which you should be able to complete the degree. You will be matriculated in the Ecology and Evolution doctoral program of the University of Lausanne (UNIL), Switzerland, and will be a member of both the Department of Ecology and Evolution (DEE) at that institution and at the Federal Research Institute WSL, located in Birmensdorf near Zürich. You will spend substantial periods in residence at both institutions during the three-year period under the supervision of Drs. Peter B. Pearman (WSL) and Nicolas Salamin (UNIL). Application closing date: 15 February 2009. Starting date: You would hopefully be ready to begin by June 1st, 2009. To Apply: See websites: Computational Phylogenetics group and Peter Pearman. After reviewing the information available at the web sites, please direct your questions to: Peter B. Pearman Pearmanwsl.ch Or Nicolas Salamin Nicolas.Salaminunil.ch. Posted: 10/10/08.

University of Louisiana, Lafayette: University Doctoral Fellowships are available for entering Ph.D. students in Environmental and Evolutionary Biology. University of Louisiana Fellowships are funded for 3-4 years at $15,750 per 9 months (with tuition waiver), and have limited teaching responsibilities. Eligibility requirements include US citizenship (or permanent residency) or degree from a US institution. Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to directly contact prospective advisors. Their contact information and research interests can be found at the Biology Department web site. More information is also available at our graduate program web site. The department of Biology has approximately 25 faculty members and 70 graduate students. Areas of strength include ecology, conservation biology, evolution, and marine/coastal biology. Posted: 5/18/09.

University of Louisiana, Lafayette: Doctoral (or MS) graduate students needed to conduct dissertation research on the restoration ecology of barrier island plant communities in Louisiana. Although doctoral students are preferred, exceptional, well-qualified students interested in pursuing a Masters degree in Biology are also encouraged to apply. The successful applicant must be enthusiastic and self-motivated, have a strong interest in plant restoration ecology (including stress reduction, nutrient dynamics, and succession), be able to work well both independently and interdependently, possess strong oral and written communication skills, and be willing to work under strenuous and often adverse conditions in the field. Additional desirable skills include boat operation and background in plant/soil sciences, plant ecology and statistical ecology. Competitive graduate research assistantship funding and tuition waivers are available. Truly exceptional doctoral student applicants will also be considered for a Board of Regents Doctoral Fellowship in Environmental and Evolutionary Biology. For further information, please contact Dr. Mark W. Hester, Coastal Plant Ecology Laboratory, Department of Biology, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, LA 70504 mhester@louisiana.edu. Please attach resume, as well as GPA and GRE score information with all inquiries. All application materials need to arrive no later than February 1, 2009, to receive full consideration for Fall 2009 funding (more details). Posted: 1/15/09.

University of Louisiana, Lafayette: Graduate Position (MS or Ph.D) in Conservation Genetics in the lab of Paul Leberg, Department of Biology. I am seeking a student for a lab and field-based project that will use DNA markers to determine the genetic structure and dispersal dynamics of a cave cricket inhabiting a series of caves of special conservation concern The research assistantship includes an annual stipend (dependent on student experience), full tuition waiver, and limited health insurance. The student could start as early as Jan 2009 or as late as Aug 2009. Candidates should have prior experience with DNA-based genetic analysis. Because of restrictions associated with some sample sites, only applicants that are US citizens will be considered. Via email, please send a letter of interest, a CV or resume (including GPA and GRE scores) and contact information for 3 references to Paul Leberg (LebergLouisiana.edu). Review of applicants will continue until a suitable candidate is identified. Information on our graduate program. Posted: 11/3/08.

University of Louisiana, Lafayette: Doctoral Fellowships available for entering Ph.D. students in Environmental and Evolutionary Biology. We will be awarding six fellowships: four University of Louisiana Fellowships and two Board of Regents Fellowships) to Ph.D. students entering Fall 2009. UL Fellows are funded for 3-4 years at $15,750 per 9 months (with tuition waiver), and have limited teaching responsibilities. BoR Fellows are funded for 4 years at $25k per year (with tuition waiver) and have no formal teaching duties. Eligibility requirements include US citizenship (or permanent residency) or degree from a US institution. Rather than replying to this message, potential applicants are strongly encouraged to directly contact prospective advisors. Their contact information and research interests can be found at the Department of Biology web site. More information is also available at our graduate program web site. The department of Biology has approximately 25 faculty members and 70 graduate students. Areas of strength include ecology, conservation biology, evolution, and marine/coastal biology. Posted: 11/3/08.

University of Louisiana, Lafayette: Very recently, the Department of Biology received the opportunity to award several additional doctoral assistantships for the semester starting in January. These teaching assistantships are for students that can join the department's doctoral program in Environmental and Evolutionary Biology in the spring semester of 2009. These assistantships carry a stipend of $14,200 for the 9 month academic year and a waiver of all tuition and most fees. Doctoral students joining use in the spring semester are also given full consideration for departmental and university fellowships that are usually awarded for students starting in the fall. Because of the short time before the start of the semester, interested applicants are asked to contact the graduate program coordinator (LebergLouisiana.edu) immediately for additional information. More information on the program and faculty research. Posted: 11/3/08.

University of Louisiana, Lafayette: I am currently looking to accept a bright and motivated graduate student into my laboratory. My primary research interests are linked by a common question: Why do populations fluctuate in time and space? Understanding spatiotemporal population dynamics of organisms is critical to conservation efforts and other applied goals (pest management), and represents an exciting broadening field of study. My lab uses a combination of empirical data analysis and quantitative approaches, working at the interface of theory and application, to address questions that would be impossible to answer via only one of these approaches alone. A PhD fellowship is available starting in the spring in the Department of Biology. This is a 3-4 year fellowship. The University of Louisiana has built a strong graduate program in Ecology with a diverse group of faculty and graduate students. Please contact Dr. Derek Johnson (derekjohnsonlouisiana.edu) for inquiries. Posted: 8/29/08, revised: 11/13/08.

University of Louisiana, Monroe: Graduate (MS) Assistantships in Mollusk Ecology. I am looking for one, possibly two, MS students interested in invertebrate ecology, diversity, and distribution beginning August 2009. Projects include correlating land use practices with freshwater mussel diversity in Bayou Bartholomew (AR & LA), land snail surveys at a local wildlife refuge, and freshwater snail surveys in Arkansas. Students should have a B.S. in Biology or related field by the start date, and must be willing to dedicate two to three years on the project. Students with previous GIS experience are highly encouraged to apply for the mussel project; students with experience in community ecology analysis and field work are encouraged to apply for the others. Stipends include full tuition waiver along with a $8,000 annual teaching assistantship. Stipends may be augmented by grants currently under review. All positions are subject to budgetary funding and the availability of competitive assistantships. Salary: $8-10k annual plus tuition waiver Qualifications: Admission requirements include a minimum 2.5 undergraduate GPA and a minimum 900 (V+Q) GRE score. Students must apply to both the graduate school and the department separately. Start Date: August 1, 2009. Apply ASAP. For more information contact: Dr. Russ Minton (318-342-1795, minton@ulm.edu) Department of Biology. Posted: 3/12/09.

University of Louisiana, Monroe: I seek a M.S. student interested in contributing to a study of the ecological correlates and neuroendocrine mechanisms of social behavior in the Taiwan field vole. The prospective student must be able to join my laboratory at the University of Louisiana at Monroe as early as May 2009. Field work starting as early as mid-May 2009 will take place at the Endemic Species Research Institute Alpine Research Station (2000-3000 m altitude) in central Taiwan. There, the prospective student will collaborate with members of Dr. Kirk Lin's laboratory (National Taiwan University). Field work will involve daily live trapping, night telemetry, and ecological sampling. The student may also have the opportunity to conduct laboratory work on neuroendocrine mechanisms at Emory University. The prospective student will enroll in the M.S. program in Biology. The student will be supported by a TAship ($4000/sem.) with tuition waivers during the academic year (for up to 6 semesters). I have funding for travel and living costs for the first trip to Taiwan (summer 2009). Thereafter, the prospective student will be asked to write small grants (e.g. NSF EAPSI) to support future travel. My colleagues and I are actively planning additional grant proposals. I seek a student with the following characteristics: (1) GPA = 3.0+ (2) GRE = 1000+ (3) Research experience, preferably involving field work (4) Strong writing skills and desire to write grant proposals (5) Ability to collaborate with others (6) Ability to work long hours (10+) in the field, including under uncomfortable conditions (7) Genuine interest in and understanding of ecology, behavior and/or neurobiology (8) Interest in publishing and presenting data at meetings (9) Strong academic background, including courses in ecology (10) Interest in animal sociality and mating systems Please visit the Hayes lab to learn about my advising philosophy and research projects. Individuals (US citizens or residents, only) with a serious interest in research and a passion for science are encouraged to contact me as soon as possible. Contact: Loren Hayes, Dept. of Biology, University of Louisiana at Monroe, Monroe, LA 71209; email: lhayes@ulm.edu; Phone: 318 342 1798. Posted: 1/28/09.

University of Louisiana, Monroe: I am looking for one, possibly two, graduate students interested in invertebrate ecology, diversity, and distribution beginning January 2009. Potential projects include correlating land use practices with freshwater mussel diversity in Bayou Bartholomew (AR & LA) and studying parasite loads in local freshwater snails. Students should have a B.S. in Biology or related field by the start date, and must be willing to dedicate two to three years on the project. Students with previous GIS experience are highly encouraged to apply for the mussel project. Stipends include full tuition waiver along with a $8k annual teaching assistantship. Stipends may be augmented by grants currently under review. Interested students should contact Dr. Russ Minton, Assistant Professor of Biology by email (mintonulm.edu) for more information, and visit http://www.ulm.edu/biology. Posted: 9/29/08.

University of Louisville: I (Sarah Emery) am looking for 1-2 highly motivated PhD graduate students interested in restoration ecology, invasive species, plant-fungus-insect interactions, or other aspects of plant ecology to start August 2009 in the Biology Department. My current work focuses on plant-fungus interactions and the restoration of Great Lakes sand dunes. Other related interests include the role of dominant species in plant communities and the management and population dynamics of exotic invasive species. I am working on several projects which students could collaborate on, though I encourage students to develop their own research. Departmental Applications may be submitted at any time but preferably before January 31, 2009 to ensure consideration for financial support. A number of graduate fellowships and teaching assistantships are available for competitive students. TA Stipends are currently $22k/yr. Interested applicants should send an email with a letter of interest and attached CV to me at Sarah.Emerylouisville.edu. Posted: 10/22/08.

University of Maryland: The interdisciplinary graduate program in Behavior, Ecology, Evolution and Systematics (BEES) is looking for exceptional students to enter the Ph.D. program for the academic year 2009-2010. The BEES program consists of over 50 faculty members. At University of Maryland the participating departments include: Animal and Avian Sciences, Anthropology, Biology, Environmental Science and Technology, Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, Computer Sciences, Entomology, Geology, and Plant Science and Landscape Architecture. We also have adjunct faculty from a number of affiliated institutions from the surrounding DC metropolitan area including the Smithsonian Institute, National Cancer Institute, UM Center for Advanced Research in Biotechnology (UMBI), and USDA. We offer Darwin Fellowships to outstanding candidates and also have a jointly funded graduate fellowship program with the Smithsonian Institution for students planning on being co-advised by a SI adjunct faculty member along with a BEES UM faculty member. Research Areas of Smithsonian adjunct faculty members interested in co-advising students include Paleobiology, Genetics, and Molecular Systematics. As a long-term member of the Organization for Tropical Studies (OTS) we encourage and fund participation by our BEES graduate students in these field courses. Faculty accepting graduate students for the 2009-2010 academic year are listed here. Please feel free to contact us is you have any questions at: beesofficeumd.edu. Posted: 10/6/08.

University of Maryland, Baltimore County: we seek applicants for our NSF Integrative Graduate Education and Research Training (IGERT) program, "Water in the Urban Environment." Solutions to complex problems associated with the effect of urbanization on the water cycle require integrated ecological, economic and engineering approaches, as well as innovations in policy-making. This program is training a generation of graduate students to understand these linkages and to be prepared to work in multidisciplinary teams to improve understanding and management of urban environmental systems. The program is centered on three interwoven themes: (1) urban hydrology and contaminant transport; (2) urban biogeochemical cycles, aquatic ecosystems, and human health; and (3) urban water policy, management, and institutions. The program takes advantage of the presence at UMBC of the field headquarters of the Baltimore Ecosystem Study (http://beslter.org), one of two urban sites in the NSF Long-Term Ecological Research network; partnerships with public agencies, nonprofits, and private consultants; and proximity to the Chesapeake Bay, a coastal ecosystem severely affected by urban land use change. Applicants for IGERT Traineeships must be US citizens or permanent residents. Awardees accepted to one of the nine participating PhD programs will receive a stipend of $30k per year plus $10,500 cost-of-education allowance. Applications for Fall 2009 are due February 1, 2009. For further information see the link above or contact Dr. Bernadette Hanlon, IGERT Coordinator at bhanlon1umbc.edu, or Prof. Claire Welty, IGERT Program Director at weltycumbc.edu. Posted: 9/25/08.

University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science: Stream Ecosystem Management/GIS/Remote Sensing. The Appalachian Lab has an opening for one graduate student (MSc or PhD in exceptional cases) to work on a project at the interface of geomorphology, ecology, and public policy. We would like to admit a student who is interested in studying the landscape effects of urbanization on stream ecosystems, including effective protection and management strategies. Student support has been secured through a fellowship from Maryland Sea Grant. In the State of Maryland, stream restoration and protection is gaining considerable attention as practices for reducing nutrient and sediment discharge into the Chesapeake Bay. In recent work, researchers at UMCES have developed remote sensing and GIS tools for measuring the impact of urbanization on stream burial extent. However, tools are needed to aid management of remaining stream resources and to help in determining the most effective policies regulating future urbanization. For this task, AL-UMCES has partnered with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. To apply to join this effort, please submit a resume and research statement to Dr. Andrew Elmore (aelmore@al.umces.edu). The student would be enrolled through the Marine Estuarine and Environmental Science (MEES) graduate program at the University of Maryland. Applications are due immediately and will be filled when an acceptable candidate has been identified to start either summer or fall semester 2009. This ad is also posted at http://www.al.umces.edu/about/employment.htm. Posted: 1/8/09.

University of Maryland College Park: Graduate research assistantships starting in the Fall 2009 are available under the supervision of Paul Leisnham in The Department of Environmental Science and Technology (ENST). Research will focus on the effects of anthropogenic environmental changes, such as climate change, land use change, and species invasions, on the ecology of disease-vector mosquitoes in water-filled containers, wetlands, and stormwater systems. This is a chance for high-caliber students to work closely with their supervisor in a topical and important research area. Successful students will undertake innovative research that will both enhance current management of vector mosquitoes and improve our understanding of fundamental ecological issues, including life-history trade-offs, phenotypic plasticity, and community interactions. Opportunities exist for students to develop their own research ideas in consultation with Dr. Leisnham. Successful applicants will have a strong academic record and prior experience in ecology or entomology. Assistantships are fully-funded and include an excellent living stipend, tuition remission, health benefits, and funding to cover research expenses, including travel. ENST administers a cutting-edge multi-disciplinary graduate program that addresses issues at the interface of ecosystem and human health. ENST has world-class field and lab facilities. The close proximity of ENST to federal institutions and facilities, including NIH, NSF, USDA Beltsville, and the Walter Reed Army Institute, presents excellent opportunities for students to collaborate and connect with future employers. Interested students should email Dr. Paul Leisnham (pleisnhilstu.edu) to discuss research goals and project ideas well before the application deadline (i.e., August 2008 onwards. The application deadline is 1 February 2009). Posted: 8/25/08.

University of Michigan: The School of Natural Resources and Environment is seeking applications from qualified, motivated, prospective PhD students to work on dissertation research related to the SLUCE II project (Spatial Land Use Change and Ecological effects). This is a collaborative, interdisciplinary research project involving six faculty members in the area of coupled human-natural systems. The project links agent-based modeling of human behaviors driving land use / land cover change (LULCC), preferences for vegetation cover and vegetation management, land market modeling, field work, remote sensing, and ecosystem modeling of landscape carbon balance in low-density human-dominated landscapes (suburban and exurban residential landscapes). The project uses 13 townships in southeastern Michigan as a model system and seeks to explore thresholds in land use / land cover change and landscape carbon balance that could potentially be altered with policy levers. Two new PhD student positions are available, one working with Prof. Dan Brown and the other with Assoc. Prof. Bill Currie. Both students will work in the broad areas of geographic information science, land use / land cover change, coupled human-natural systems, modeling, and landscape carbon balance. The student working closely with Dr. Brown will focus more directly on understanding and modeling patterns and drivers of LULCC, especially with agent-based modeling, while the student working closely with Dr. Currie will focus more directly on measuring and modeling vegetation management and landscape carbon balance. If you are interested, contact Dr. Brown or Dr. Currie via email with a letter of interest, describing your research interests and how they fit with our overall scholarly themes. SNRE has both a regular PhD program and a fully funded PhD program. All PhD applicants are automatically reviewed for all funding options. Strong candidates will be invited to visit the campus, after which time offers of admission or financial support will be made, generally comprising a mixture of support through research assistantships, fellowships, and teaching assistantships. The fully funded PhD program is highly competitive, accepting only 6 to 8 new PhD students per year across the entire School. Normally, students do not enter this program without having first completed a Masters degree, although there are exceptions. Students should apply by January 5 to receive best consideration for admission and support in fall 2009, although later applications will also be reviewed; more information and how to apply. Posted: 12/12/08.

University of Minnesota: The Risk Analysis for Introduced Species and Genotypes IGERT seeks applicants to enter the program in Fall 2009. This Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship (IGERT) Program is supported by the National Science Foundation and focuses on policy-relevant research. Questions should be directed to the project director, Prof. Ray Newman (ISGIGERTumn.edu). The program educates Ph.D. students to conduct research to improve Ecological Risk Analysis and contribute workable solutions to policy questions and problems affecting management of introduced species and genotypes. Trainees will complete a graduate minor in Risk Analysis for Introduced Species and Genotypes and typically receive two years of NSF funding which includes a stipend of $30k and an annual allowance of $10,500 to cover tuition and health insurance. Areas of research interest include: Invasive plant evolution, Ecology of GMOs and other novel genotypes, Prevention of invasion, Confined ecological risk assessment, Restoration ecology, Science and technology policy, Biological control of invasives. For a complete list of faculty, their interests and more information about the program see: http://isg-igert.umn.edu. Applications are due 15 December 2008. Apply online. Posted: 11/11/08.

University of Minnesota: Graduate Research Assistantship in Silviculture and Applied Forest Ecology. The Department of Forest Resources is seeking a master’s-level graduate student to participate in a research project assessing the impacts of increased woody biomass removal on forest productivity and carbon storage in aspen-dominated ecosystems of northern Minnesota. This position is part of a project establishing several large-scale, silvicultural manipulations to assess the ecological impacts of different levels of woody biomass removal, as well as the importance of site-level legacies (leave trees and harvest residues) in maintaining the resiliency and sustainability of aspen ecosystems. Research will involve extensive field work and data analysis, including the collection and analysis of forest soils, vegetation, and fine and coarse woody debris data. In addition, work will also include the development of preliminary models to evaluate the long-term impacts of these treatments on carbon and nutrient cycles. This position will work closely with scientists at the University of Minnesota and the USDA Forest Service Northern Research Station. The position is available for Summer/Fall 2009. The ideal candidate will have a B.S. in forest ecology, forestry, silviculture, forest soils or a closely related field, as well as a strong work ethic, demonstrated quantitative capabilities, a record of leadership, and a proven ability to work independently. Interested candidates should contact: Dr. Anthony D’Amato, Department of Forest Resources, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108. Phone: 612-625-3733, damatoumn.edu. Posted: 10/15/08.

University of Missouri: Three Available Positions in Watershed Hydrology and Nutrient Cycling: A) Technician (20 – 40 hrs/week), B) Lab Manager (Full Time), C) Graduate Research Assistant (Ph.D.). Project: Hinkson Creek Watershed: Understanding Hydrologic Processes, Nutrient Cycling and Diffuse Pollutants in a Multi-Land-Use Urban Watershed. The successful applicant will investigate the flux of water and nutrients in a large intensively instrumented Central Missouri (USA) forested, agricultural and urban watershed. The project is a focused effort to establish, assess and quantify hydroclimatic and biogeochemical connectivity and transport in a multi-use urban watershed. Successful applicants will be required to work collaboratively, conduct field work and aid in installation and maintenance of instruments and monitoring sites. Other duties may include data collection, processing and analysis of data and manuscript preparation. Tentative start date is summer 2009. Applicants must have completed at least one degree in natural resources, environmental sciences, hydrology, water quality, or a related field. Applicants must possess a valid US driver's license. Experience in stream measurements, hydroclimatic data processing, hydrologic analysis and modeling, water quality monitoring, soil physics, GIS, and computer programming are a plus but not required. Strong verbal, written, and computational skills are essential. Applicants must be able to lift and carry equipment and tools. A competitive compensation package is offered including benefits (lab manager/GRA). If interested, please forward by email the following documents (as appropriate), transcript, curriculum vitae, recent GRE scores, recent TOEFL scores (if appropriate), cover letter, and the names and contact information of three references to: Dr. Jason A. Hubbart, Department of Forestry, University of Missouri, 203-Q ABNR Bldg, Columbia, MO 65211, USA; Tel No. (573) 884-7732; Fax: (573) 882-1979; Email: HubbartJ@Missouri.edu. Posted: 5/7/09, revised: 6/30/09.

University of Missouri: M.S. or Ph.D. Level Graduate Research Assistantship Investigating Hydrologic Processes and Nutrient Cycling. The University has a world class hydrologic science and water quality program located in the School of Natural Resources focused on innovative and interdisciplinary approaches to contemporary watershed management/land-use issues. The School of Natural Resources is pleased to offer the following Graduate Research Assistantship (GRA). The successful applicant will investigate microclimate and the flux of water and nutrients between streams and adjacent riparian wetlands in a Central Missouri (USA) forested ecosystem. The study is a focused effort to establish, assess and quantify hydroclimatic and biogeochemical connectivity and transport between forested streams and riparian wetlands. The GRA will be required to conduct field work including installation and maintenance of two intensively instrumented second to third order stream systems. Other duties will include data collection, processing and analysis, and producing a high-quality thesis or dissertation resulting in peer reviewed publication(s). Tentative start date is spring or summer 2009. Qualifications: Applicants must have completed at lease one degree in natural resources, environmental sciences, hydrology, watershed hydrology, water quality, or a related field. Applicants must possess a valid US driver's license and are expected to work both independently and collaboratively. Experience in stream measurements, hydroclimatic data processing, hydrologic analysis and modeling, water quality monitoring, soil physics, and GIS and computer programming are a plus. Strong verbal, written, and computational skills are essential. Applicants must be able to lift and carry heavy equipment, pipes, tools, and dig soil pits. Application: A highly competitive stipend is offered plus tuition and health insurance. If interested, please forward by email your transcript, curriculum vitae, recent GRE scores, recent TOEFL scores (if appropriate), cover letter, a letter describing your research interests (2 page limit), a letter describing your career goals (2 page limit), and the names and contact information of three references to: Dr. Jason A. Hubbart, Department of Forestry, University of Missouri, 203-Q ABNR Bldg, Columbia, MO 65211, USA; Tel No. (573) 884-7732; Fax: (573) 882-1979; Email: HubbartJ@Missouri.edu. Posted: 1/13/09.

University of Missouri: M.S. or Ph.D. Level Graduate Research Assistantship Investigating Hydrologic Processes and Suspended Sediment. The University has a world class hydrologic science and water quality program located in the School of Natural Resources focused on innovative and interdisciplinary approaches to contemporary watershed management/land-use issues. The School of Natural Resources is pleased to offer the following Graduate Research Assistantship (GRA). The successful applicant will investigate microclimate, water flow regime and suspended sediment concentrations in a large intensively instrumented urban/sub-urban watershed located in Central Missouri USA. The GRA will be required to conduct field work, and perform data collection, processing and analysis, and producing a high-quality thesis or dissertation resulting in peer reviewed publication(s). Tentative start date is spring or summer 2009. Qualifications: Applicants must have completed at lease one degree in natural resources, environmental sciences, hydrology, watershed hydrology, water quality, or a related field. Applicants must possess a valid US driver's license and are expected to work both independently and collaboratively. Experience in stream measurements, hydroclimatic data processing, hydrologic analysis and modeling, water quality monitoring, soil physics, and GIS and computer programming are a plus. Strong verbal, written, and computational skills are essential. Applicants must be able to lift and carry heavy equipment, pipes, tools, and dig soil pits. Application: A highly competitive stipend is offered plus tuition and health insurance. If interested, please forward by email your transcript, curriculum vitae, recent GRE scores, recent TOEFL scores (if appropriate), cover letter, a letter describing your research interests (2 page limit), a letter describing your career goals (2 page limit), and the names and contact information of three references to: Dr. Jason A. Hubbart, Department of Forestry, University of Missouri, 203-Q ABNR Bldg, Columbia, MO 65211, USA; Tel No. (573) 884-7732; Fax: (573) 882-1979; Email: HubbartJ@Missouri.edu. Posted: 1/13/09.

University of Montana: MS/PhD Opportunity in Restoration Ecology. Graduate Research Assistantship available to study the adaptive potential of native plant materials for restoration projects. Students will be expected to contribute to ongoing investigations of the benefits and tradeoffs of using local seed ecotypes versus cultivars for revegetation projects, as well as develop independent, complementary research questions for thesis or dissertation. Applicants should have an excellent academic record; prior garden, greenhouse, or field experience; and strong interest in plant ecology and restoration. Support package consists of salary and tuition waiver. Start date: Summer or Fall, 2009. To apply, please send (1) a letter of interest, including career goals and relevant past experiences; (2) a resume or CV; (3) cumulative GPA and GRE scores; and (4) contact telephone numbers and email addresses for three references to: Cara Nelson, College of Forestry and Conservation, University of Montana, 32 campus Drive, Missoula, MT 59812 (cara.nelson@cfc.umt.edu). Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Posted: 2/4/09.

University of Montana: Up to two graduate assistantships are available to prospective students interested in investigating terrestrial ecosystem ecology and/or soil biogeochemical cycling. Students will be encouraged to contribute to ongoing research in tropical rain forest ecosystems, or to develop original projects in local and/or regional ecosystems. Aspiring Ph.D. students interested in pursuing research in the following areas are especially encouraged to apply: i) the effects of global environmental change on soil carbon cycling, nutrient cycling and ecosystem processes; ii) links between microbial community structure and soil biogeochemical processes; or iii) the relationships between aboveground and belowground diversity and ecosystem processes. Motivated students with prior experience using molecular microbiological techniques will be given especially strong consideration. Applicants should have a strong record of academic excellence, prior field and/or laboratory experience, and a demonstrated interest in soils, ecosystems or microbiological research. Student support will include a combination of teaching/research assistantships, a stipend (~$16k/year for MS students and $19k/year for PhD students) and a tuition waiver. Positions will begin in the fall of 2009. To apply: Please email the following application materials (as one document) to Cory Cleveland at cory.clevelandumontana.edu: 1) a current resume or CV, including GPA and test scores (if available); 2) a letter of interest, including research interests, professional goals and prior experience; 3) contact information, including Email addresses, of three potential references. For more information, see the websites of the Soil Biogeochemistry Lab, the Department of Ecosystem and Conservation Sciences, and the College of Forestry & Conservation. Posted: 9/11/08.

University of Montana: PhD Opportunity in landscape ecology/forest ecology, Department of Forest Management, College of Forestry and Conservation. Graduate student assistantship: A graduate student assistantship is available for a NSF funded 3 year project which examines uncertainties in species distribution modeling approaches to climate change impact analysis. The student will be encouraged to contribute to research examining the historic and contemporary distributions of vascular plant species of the mountain ranges of California. The project will entail the use of historic and modern datasets, the development of climate and biophysical surfaces, and the application of mechanistic and statistical models to spatial data. Students will have the opportunity to pursue their own questions within these general themes. Candidates with prior experience in GIS and raster analysis, experience with ENVI/IDL, and R, are especially encouraged to apply. Applicants should have a strong academic record, prior field and programming experience, and a demonstrated interest in related research. Student support will include a research assistantship, teaching assistantships, medical benefits, and tuition waivers. Positions will begin in either the Fall of 2008 or the Spring 2009. Missoula valley is surrounded by National Forests and wilderness areas and hosts the Blackfoot, Bitterroot, and Clark Fork rivers. Students will have access to the College's research forests and experimental stations. To apply: Please email the following application materials (as one document) to Dr. Solomon Dobrowski at solomon.dobrowskicfc.umt.edu: 1) a current resume or CV, including GPA and test scores (if available); 2) a letter of interest, including research interests, professional goals and prior experience; 3) personal contact information; and 4) contact info for three professional references. Posted: 7/8/08.

University of Munich: Since 2007 the University of Munich (LMU) offers a 2-year, international Master program in Evolution, Ecology and Systematics (EES). The EES Master program contains many innovative elements such as a mentoring program, integrated skills courses and individual research training. We also apply a feedback and revision system instead of simple grading. All courses are offered in English. Classes are small and students have a lot of contact to the teachers. Thanks to funding by the Volkswagen Foundation, students can apply for their own research and travel money and for money to invite international speakers. Applications to start in October 2009 are now welcome from highly motivated students who have a Bachelor's degree or equivalent in biology or a related subject. Application deadlines: 30th of April (for non-EU students) and 30th of June (for EU-students and others who don't need a visa to study in Germany). For more information, please have a look at http://www.eeslmu.de or e-mail Elisabeth Brunner, Program Coordinator (brunner@bio.lmu.de). Posted: 2/18/09.

University of Nevada Reno: PhD position in invasive species ecology. Cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum), an exotic annual grass in the Great Basin of the western United States, has invaded tens of thousands of hectares and is resulting in a grass-fire cycle causing widespread deterioration of mid-to-low elevation sagebrush ecosystems. A PhD position is available in the Ecology, Evolution and Conservation Biology Program at UNR for an individual interested in studying positive vs. negative feedbacks related to soil nutrient dynamics and plant establishment processes in cheatgrass dominated ecosystems. The graduate stipend is $21k per year plus fringe, and the tentative start date is June 2009. Interested applicants are encouraged to send a CV and cover letter to Dr. Dale Johnson (dwj@cabnr.unr.edu; 775-784-4511) or Dr. Jeanne Chambers (jchambers@fs.fed.us; 775-784-5329). Posted: 1/9/09.

University of Nevada Reno: Wanted: graduate student interested in butterfly ecology and conservation to conduct research on two butterfly species (Mitoura thornei and Lycaena hermes) in the San Diego area, including remote locations on the California/Mexico border. Work will include monitoring populations, mapping habitats, ecological experiments in lab and field, as well as population genetics. Student will be part of the Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology graduate program at the University of Nevada, Reno, and will work in collaboration with the Carlsbad office of the Fish and Wildlife Service in California. Three years of funding may be available, starting in summer of 2009, though resources have not yet been finalized. This research could comprise a Master's project, or a significant portion of a Ph.D. dissertation. Applicants should have field experience, particularly under challenging conditions, as well as a general interest in work with invertebrates. Please submit by email to Matthew L Forister (mforisterunr.edu) a cover letter, CV, and the names and email addresses of three references by Sep 1, 2008. Posted: 8/4/08.

University of Nevada Reno: Two graduate research assistant positions are available beginning September 2008 to work with Dr. Ashley Sparrow in the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Science: 1. Historical pinyon-juniper woodland distribution in Central Nevada (PhD or MS). 2. Resprouting by Great Basin Native and Exotic Plants (MS). Summaries of the project proposals are available at: http://www.ag.unr.edu/sparrow/. Applicants for an MS position should have a BS in biology, ecology, or another relevant disciple. Applicants for a PhD position should have an MS in ecology *or* an excellent track record during their BS degree. The successful candidates will have strong academic track records, have some field or lab experience in ecology, be committed to graduate school, and be interested in basic research that underpins topical environmental management. Applicants must be able to work creatively with minimal supervision and be comfortable undertaking field work. Starting salaries are $17-21K (plus benefits and tuition) depending on experience and qualifications. To apply for either position, send your resume/curriculum vitae, academic transcript and a cover letter summarizing the nature of your interest to: Ashley Sparrow, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Science, University of Nevada Reno, 1000 Valley Road, Reno NV 89509, USA. Email: asparrowcabnr.unr.edu. Phone: +1-775-784-1107. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the positions are filled. Posted: 7/22/08.

University of New Brunswick: PhD student position: Plant traits and insect host-race formation. A fully funded position is available for a PhD student in the laboratory of Dr. Steve Heard, starting in fall 2009 or winter 2010. The research project involves the study of variation in plant traits, within species and between closely related species, and how they interact with insect preferences to shape the evolution of diet in insect herbivores. We will be particularly interested in trait distributions and preferences that favour the evolution of diet generalism (one insect feeds on several host plants) vs. divergence with the evolution of diet specialization (leading to evolution of a host-race complex with each race feeding on a single host plant). Our model system is the diverse community of insects feeding on the common goldenrods Solidago altissima and Solidago gigantea. The project will involve both field and laboratory work. To apply, please send (snail mail or e-mail) a letter expressing your interest and summarizing your qualifications, a current CV, undergraduate grades (an informal copy is fine; no need for an official transcript), and names and contact information for at least two references. Please address your materials to: Steve Heard, Professor and Chair, Dept. of Biology, University of New Brunswick, PO Box 4400, Fredericton, NB, E3B 5A3. sheard@unb.ca. Posted: 6/3/09.

University of New Mexico: PhD student positions are available for Fall 2009 in the Biology Department. One graduate student RA is available to work on a DOE-funded project to conduct a large-scale manipulation to quantify the ecosystem consequences of large-scale piñon mortality in piñon-juniper (PJ) woodlands. A second graduate student RA is available to work on an NSF-funded project to quantify the change in energy balance associated with woody encroachment in desert grasslands. Students in the general area of micrometeorology, ecosystem ecology or physiological ecology are encouraged to apply. Application deadline is January 15, 2009 for admission in the fall of 2009. For more information or to apply please send a CV and names of 3 references to Marcy Litvak (mlitvakunm.edu). Posted: 10/21/08.

University of New Orleans: The Department of Biological Sciences announces two Doctoral Fellowships in Conservation Biology available for Fall 2009. The fellowships provide support for four years with an annual stipend of $25-26k and a full tuition waiver. The Department of Biological Sciences offers exciting opportunities for graduate student research in ecology, evolution, systematics, genetics, physiology, molecular biology, and biochemistry. For more information on the Department, faculty research interests, and other resources, please see the website linked above. Applicants should indicate the semester they wish to enter the program and that they wish to be considered for a Fellowship on the standard application form for the Graduate Programs in Biological Sciences. Applicants must also file a graduate application with UNO admissions. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. The deadline for review of applications has been extended to March 16, 2009. Posted: 11/13/08, revised: 2/4/09.

University of North Dakota: MS or PhD Assistantships, Department of Earth System Science and Policy. Applications are encouraged from students with a background and interests in geography, agronomy, remote sensing, and ecology. An interest in learning, or existing skill with, quantitative analysis and crop modeling knowledge would be an advantage. 1. Identifying and Mapping Potential Land for Switchgrass Production in North Dakota. Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) is a potential renewable bioenergy crop for the Northern Great Plains regions. The adoption of switchgrass into the traditional cropping system depends on its productivity and economic returns for producers. Economic benefits depend, in part, on the sustained break-even yield of switchgrass, i.e., sustained yield threshold below which switchgrass is not economically competitive with other crop species in much of the Northern Great Plains. This yield threshold is site specific and depends on agrometeorological parameters, such as maximum or minimum temperature, precipitation, and growing degree days, soil types and characteristics, as well as crop management practices, and other economic and societal factors. This research seek to assess the suitability for switchgrass in North Dakota taking into account the potential productivity, tradeoff with crops and environmental limitations. It involves the use of GIS processing, decision tree classification, and transformation of regional economic and social scenarios into decision tree methods. Some knowledge of crop/grass physiology will be an advantage. 2. Spectral Characterization of Switchgrass for biomass energy and biofuel quality. Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) has been identified as one of the herbaceous crop that could be grown specifically for bioenergy supply. When grown for energy purposes switchgrass management practices must take into account both, biomass production and biofuel quality. Monitoring switchgrass and acquiring information about its growth throughout the growing season is important to optimize crop management or get information on biofuel quality. Crop growth models such as ALMANAC are good tools to diagnose switchgrass growing conditions, support management decisions, or predict yield over large areas. However, there is a need to develop rapid and non destructive methods, with no or few spatial and temporal limitations, that will provide real-time information on switchgrass biomass and biofuel quality throughout the cultural cycle over large areas. This project seek to investigate remote sensing of switchgrass physiology and biochemistry for assessment of plant development and biofuel value to be used as potential crop growth model input - i./e. hyperspectral remote sensing to assess levels of cellulose/lignin/fibre etc with a view to assessing optimum harvest time and fuel value. The student will be undertaking substantial field measurements, image processing, and use of crop growth model such as ALMANAC. Knowledge of crop/grass physiology will be an advantage. Information on the Earth System Science and Policy Program. Applications will be considered until June 1, 2009. Students must meet the requirements for GRE, GPA, TOEFL standards (appropriate to MS or PhD) and meet all the requirements of the Graduate School. A 12 - month GRA and full tuition waiver are available for each of these positions. Long term availability is subject to funding. PhD students are expected to write a grant to support their work as part of the process of proposing their dissertation topic. Interested students should contact Dr. Soizik Laguette (701-777-2532, laguette@aero.und.edu) to discuss the projects. Applications must be made directly to the UND Graduate School. Posted: 3/25/09.

University of North Dakota: MS and/or PhD Assistantships - Global Change and Earth Observation projects in the Earth System Science and Policy Graduate Program. Applications are encouraged from students with a background and interests in geography, ecology and remote sensing. An interest in learning, or existing skill with, quantitative analysis and programming with IDL or other languages would be an advantage. Project 1) Assessment of grassland fragmentation and naturalness in North Dakota. There is very little of the original tallgrass prairie left in eastern North Dakota. Most areas of grassland have been disturbed by tillage at some time, and many are composed of exotic cool season pasture grasses. Even the established reserves and remnant areas have reduced biophysical naturalness because the required grazing and burning regimes are costly and intensive to implement. The grassland mosaic is important for wildlife conservation and ecosystem function. This project seeks to use time series of Landsat imagery, ground-collected spectral libraries and periodic collection of Hyperion hyperspectral imagery to assess the fragmentation and biophysical naturalness of grasslands in eastern and central North Dakota. The student will be undertaking substantial amounts of image processing, field measurement and land cover change modeling. The work is complimented by parallel activities in the mixed prairie of Alberta and the post oak woodlands of Texas. Project 2) Development and assessment of global change impact scenarios for North Dakota. Convincing global change scenarios are largely lacking for the Northern Great Plains. However this region is one of the great "bread-baskets" of the world. North Dakota represents a microcosm of this dynamic with substantial and diverse agricultural production and large existing and future potential sources of energy, combined with a large proportion of the grassland reserves of the USA, a key breeding area for waterfowl, and complex hydrology associated with the Missouri River system and the Prairie Pothole Region. This project seeks to develop coherent global change scenarios for North Dakota that combine climate change predictions with global economic and scenarios that could substantially affect agriculture, energy production, and land cover and ecosystem function. It involves the use of a spatial multi-criteria analysis shell, substantial GIS processing, and transformation of global and regional climate change, economic, social and political scenarios into land use outcomes. Both projects can be tailored to MS or PhD program requirements. Applications will be considered until June 1, 2009. Students must meet the requirements for GRE, GPA, TOEFL standards (appropriate to MS or PhD) and meet all the requirements of the Graduate School. A 12 - month GRA and full tuition waiver are available for each of these positions. Long term availability is subject to funding. PhD students are expected to write a grant to support their work as part of the process of proposing their dissertation topic. Interested students should contact Dr. Hill directly at the address given below to discuss the projects. Applications must be made directly to the UND Graduate School. Michael J. Hill, Professor, Department of Earth System Science and Policy, Clifford Hall Room 314, 4149 University Avenue, Stop 9011, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND 58202-9007. Tel: 701.777.6071 Fax: 701.777.2940, E-mail. hillmj@aero.und.edu. Posted: 3/20/09.

University of Notre Dame: seeking outstanding PhD candidates in the biological and social sciences to join our team of faculty and scholars in the Global Linkages of Biology, the Environment, and Society (GLOBES) program. Launched by funding from an IGERT (Integrated Graduate Education, Research and Traineeship) grant from NSF, GLOBES augments a traditional PhD degree with an interdisciplinary training component composed of coursework, intensive study modules and a real world practicum focused on issues in environmental and human health. The goals of the GLOBES program are two-fold. First, GLOBES brings together the University’s biologists, social scientists, and legal scholars in a team-based effort to solve pressing problems in environmental degradation, infectious disease, and the spread of invasive species. Secondly, GLOBES is dedicated to preparing the next generation of graduate students with the knowledge, technical tools, and real-world experience needed to combat global challenges in socially responsible and ethically sound ways. PhD candidates who have a strong desire to pursue team-based, interdisciplinary studies and environmental research are encouraged to apply through a home department of study. Fellowships, available to US residents and permanent citizens, feature a five-year, generous support package that includes 2.5 years of IGERT stipends in the amount of $30k annually, a full waiver of graduate tuition, and supplemental research and travel funds. Off-years of IGERT support are funded by home department teaching and research assistantships. Applicants must prepare a statement of interest that indicates their desire to be considered for a GLOBES fellowship and explains how their background and research interests align with the central themes of the GLOBES program. Application deadlines for Fall 2009 admission vary depending on the home department of study (Jan. 5 is the deadline for Biological Sciences). Posted: 10/24/08.

University of Oldenburg: Ecophysiology of tropical bryophytes (PhD). Review or close date: 17/04/2009. We invite applications for a 3-year PhD position (E13, 50%) in a DFG-funded project addressing global warming effects on tropical bryophytes (mosses and liverworts). This project was inspired by the suggestion that bryophytes in the warm tropics may already exist at the edge of their physiological abilities because they lose much of their daily carbon gain to nightly respiration. The goal of the project is to develop a model of bryophyte carbon relations, parameterized and validated with field data, including diel CO2 exchange and growth rates of mosses growing at different altitudes. The acclimatization potential of CO2-exchange rates will be studied in transplantation experiments and in bryophytes cultivated under controlled conditions. The position is based in Oldenburg, northern Germany, and involves extensive fieldwork in Panama. The successful applicant will hold an MSc-degree or equivalent in Biology or a related discipline and have an interest and, preferably, experience in bryology, plant ecophysiology, ecology, tropical biology and mathematical modelling. Further requirements include an analytical and critical mindset, the ability to work independently in primitive tropical field conditions, good English writing skills and a willingness to learn German and Spanish. For further information: maaike.bader[at]uni-oldenburg.de or gerhard.zotz[at]uni-oldenburg.de. Please send your application, including CV and the contact details of three references, to the first email address above or to: Dr. Maaike Bader, Functional Ecology of Plants, Department of Biology and Environmental Sciences, University of Oldenburg, P.O. Box 2503, D-26111 Oldenburg, Germany. Posted: 2/27/09.

University of Oregon: We seek highly motivated graduate students to join an integrated group of biologists in the Center for Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (CEEB). Our members have a broad range of interests such as host-pathogen interactions, the evolution of molecular systems, global climate change, microbial ecology, biogeochemistry, the evolution of phenotypes in the wild, theoretical ecology and many others. CEEB is an integrated component of a highly interactive group of scientists in the Department of Biology, and our research Centers and Institutes also facilitate robust interactions among members of the Anthropology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Geology, Geography and Psychology Departments (see http://biology.uoregon.edu/lifesci/). Many of our faculty share funded research programs across disciplines, and perform work all over the world. Our integrative approach to graduate education is supported by numerous NIH and NSF training grants, as is exemplified by our very successful NSF IGERT training grant in Evolution, Development and Genomics. Apply online. Deadline: 12/1/08. For more information on CEEB contact Brendan Bohannan (bohannanuoregon.edu) or Bill Cresko (wcreskouoregon.edu), or individual faculty members in whose research you are interested. Specific inquiries about the graduate application process can be directed to the Biology Department Graduate Recruiting Coordinator, Lynne Romans (lromansuoregon.edu). Posted: 11/20/08.

University of Oregon: I (Jessica Green) am recruiting graduate students into my lab in the Center for Ecology and Evolutionary Biology to work in the areas of community genomics, microbial ecology, and theoretical ecology. There is great leeway for individual graduate projects. The Green lab is comprised of scientists with both empirical and theoretical interests. Applicants with backgrounds in ecology, molecular biology, physics, math, and computer science are welcome. A central research theme in our group is understanding the cause and consequence of biodiversity and biogeography across life's domains. The Center for Ecology and Evolutionary Biology is one of the top research centers in the country, with outstanding laboratory facilities on campus, and easy access to numerous field sites from Pacific Ocean to the Cascade Mountains and high desert of Eastern Oregon. For more information about the Green lab please attach a letter of interest and resume (including contact information for 3 references) to Dr. Jessica Green (jlgreenuoregon.edu). Applications to the Department of Biology can be submitted online. Posted: 11/11/08.

University of Oulu: We invite applications for a PhD student position in freshwater community ecology at Oulanka Research Station, starting in 2009. The project duration is three years (conditional, based on yearly progress evaluation) and it is funded by Maj and Tor Nessling Foundation. The project focuses on quantifying the potential effects of logging residue and tree stump removal on boreal headwater streams and their drainages. Another goal of the project is to establish a long-term monitoring program at a subset of study sites. The PhD student will concentrate on studying the effects on benthic invertebrate community composition and diversity and effects on stream water chemistry. The effects on diatom and bryophyte communities and on drainage area soil communities will be investigated in separate subprojects employing MSc students as other funding permits. We are looking for an outstanding PhD student with excellent skills in statistics and a willingness to do field work. Benthic freshwater invertebrates will be the focal organism group so relevant identification skills will benefit the applicant. Applications from foreign students are also welcome but excellent skills in English are expected. Ideally, non-native speakers should provide TOEFL test scores or similar proof of language skills. A MSc degree or equivalent from a relevant field (e.g. ecology, hydrobiology, environmentalbiology) is required but students very close to completing their MSc thesis and degree may also be considered. The following documents should be attached to the application: curriculum vitae, copies of relevant degree diplomas, record of studies (courses listed, including credits and a short description), copies of thesis evaluations/grades and reference letters or contact information of two references. Most promising candidates will be interviewed either at Oulanka or by telephone. Deadline for applications is 12.12 2008. The personal grant is tax free and is 1320 euros per month (i.e. 15848 per year). There is also a small allowance for conducting field work. Accommodation with three meals a day is available at the research station at a very reasonable price. Contact for more information: Senior researcher Riku Paavola, Oulanka Research Station, Liikasenvaarantie 134, 93999 Kuusamo, Finland. email: riku.paavolaoulu.fi. phone: +35888515213. Posted: 11/11/08.

University of Pennsylvania: The Ecology and Evolution graduate group in the Department of Biology invites applications from students interested in pursuing a Ph.D. in association with a 5-year grant on global climate change from the NSF Program in International Research and Education (PIRE). This project, now in its second year, addresses the combined ecological consequences of climate change and grazing pressures by nomadic pastoralism in northern Mongolia, a region of the world expected to experience some of the largest temperature increases in the coming years. The project is a collaboration among researchers at Penn, the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, the National University of Mongolia and the Mongolian Academy of Sciences. Graduate students associated with the project will receive support through a combination of PIRE fellowship and teaching assistantship funds, and will conduct field-based Ph.D. research in Mongolia with Penn faculty and members of the collaborating institutions. For further information on the project, please visit PIRE Mongolia project or contact Peter Petraitis ppetraitsas.upenn.edu or Brenda Casper bcaspersas.upenn.edu. For information on how to apply to the Biology Graduate Program, please see here or contact the Biology Graduate Coordinator, Colleen Gasiorowski gasiorowsas.upenn.edu. Posted: 10/7/08.

University of Puerto Rico - Río Piedras: Graduate Research Assistantship: Role of soil organisms on ecosystem processes along an elevational /climatic gradient in Puerto Rico. USDA Forest Service International Institute of Tropical Forestry (IITF) and the UPR-RP Department of Biology. We seek highly motivated candidates for a MS or PhD graduate student assistantship. The successful applicant will have strong interests in the fields of tropical ecology, soil biology, experimental ecology and ecosystem process studies. This research is part of an integrated research program of the Luquillo Long Term Ecological Research Program (LUQ LTER) that seeks to understand how changes in temperature, rainfall, light and wind (climate) along the Luquillo elevation gradient explain variation in biogeochemical processes and biotic structure (more info). There are distinct trends in several ecosystem attributes along the elevation gradient in the Luquillo Mountains. The student will develop a study that seeks to understand the role of soil organisms on wood and litter decay processes along an elevational / climatic gradient (encompassing different forest types) in Puerto Rico. The goal of the study is to determine how changes in rates of litter and wood decay can be explained by mean annual temperature, rainfall, and / or the presence/absence of particular functional groups of soil organisms. The student will work under Dr. Grizelle González (USDA Forest Service) and in cooperation with several collaborators in the NSF -funded project. The student will join the IITF Soil Biology Laboratory in Río Piedras, Puerto Rico. Degrees will be granted by the UPR-RP Dept. of Biology (graduate program). Applicants should have: - An academic background in a field of earth, environmental, or ecological science; - Experience in more than one of the followings: fieldwork, geochemical laboratory analyses, decomposition experiments, identification of soil /litter microarthropods, earthworm research, scientific presentations and writing; - Motivation to work independently. Stipend and tuition waiver are available as early as January 2009. We seek a student who could start fieldwork in summer 2009, with possibilities to start coursework by August 2009. We encourage interested students to email as soon as possible to Dr. Grizelle González (ggonzalezfs.fed.us) for further details, submitting: - Cover letter summarizing research interests and academic and professional background - Resume/ CV - Copies of transcripts (unofficial transcripts acceptable at this point) - GRE scores, if available - Names and contact information for three references (no letters needed at this time). Official applications should be made to the Office of the Dean of Graduate Studies and Research. US-citizens and residents should complete their application no later than January 18, 2009. International students should complete their application no later than December 3, 2008. Posted: 11/14/08.

University of Rhode Island: The Department of Natural Resources Science, University of Rhode Island, is recruiting a Ph.D. student who will conduct research in habitat suitability assessment and predictive modeling using remote sensing data and GIS analysis. This research project will focus on the relationship between ecological conditions of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail (A.T.) and the impacting factors such as land-use and land-cover change and climate change. The graduate student should have a strong background in remote sensing and GIS and a strong interest in biodiversity, wildlife habitats and management. The assistantship is provided by a NASA-funded project that will develop a decision support system for monitoring, reporting and forecasting the ecological conditions of the A.T. MEGA-transect. This decision support system will integrate multi-platform remote sensing data, Terrestrial Observation and Prediction System (TOPS) models, and in situ measurements for understanding the ecological conditions of the A.T. land and for conservation of biodiversity. Expected starting date: Fall 2009 semester or Spring 2010 semester. The graduate student will work under the supervision of Dr. Y.Q. Wang. Please submit a letter of interest, CV, transcripts and GRE scores and the names of 3 references to Professor Y.Q. Wang (yqwang@uri.edu). Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until filled. Posted: 6/11/09.

University of Rhode Island: Effects of forest management on woodcock and associated avian wildlife in southern New England forests. A research assistantship is available at the M.Sc. or Ph.D. level to study the distribution and abundance of wild birds associated with early successional forests in southern New England and to develop a forest management plan for enhancing such wildlife. Selected species of songbird and gamebird that prefer early successional habitats will be censused to determine how forest management type and history influences their occurrence. An ongoing radiotelemetry study will be used to estimate home range and daily activity patterns of woodcock, an important gamebird associated with these forests. Significant habitat assessment and mapping will also be involved. Most field work will be conducted in Rhode Island on public and private forested land. Qualifications: Only hard-working, motivated, intelligent, good-natured persons interested in birds need apply. Applicants must have completed an undergraduate degree in animal/wildlife biology or ecology, earned at least a 3.2 GPA, must have taken the GRE, and must have excellent oral and written communication skills. Field experience with bird capture and handling, techniques for censusing songbirds, radiotelemetry and woodcock, and GIS is highly desirable. Experience with quantitative analysis skills and field research is required. Ability to work collaboratively and to supervise research assistants and undergraduates working in the field is also required. Stipends are approx. $20k/yr and tuition is paid. Starting date is September 2009 or January 2010. To apply submit the following: a letter stating your qualifications and research interests, a resume or CV, college transcripts, GRE scores, and 3 letters of reference by no later than 1 June 2009 (early application is encouraged) to: Dr. Scott R. McWilliams, Dept. Natural Resources Science, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881. 401-874-7531; srmcwilliams@uri.edu. Selected candidates will be asked to apply to the Graduate School of URI. Posted: 5/4/09.

University of Saskatchewan: Ph.D. or M.Sc. to Ph.D. (transfer) in resource selection strategies of feral horses. We are currently developing a long-term, individual-based program of research into the ecology and evolution of the feral horses living on Sable Island, Nova Scotia, Canada. As part of this initiative, we are recruiting a student to ask questions of resource selection strategies (including optimal foraging) using the horse population as a model. This research will complement a team of at least two other students working on questions of horse life history and plant community ecology on Sable Island. The student is expected to begin between May and September 2009, and will be guaranteed a full 3-year fellowship. Additional funding opportunities are available; we especially encourage students with funding in hand or who will be competitive for scholarships to apply. The student will be co-supervised by Dr. Philip McLoughlin at the University of Saskatchewan (home department for the student) and Dr. Daniel Fortin at Université Laval (the student will be expected to make several visits to the lab of Dr. Fortin). Field work will occur during summers. Candidates should have a strong background in quantitative ecology, behavioural ecology, and population ecology. Deadline: Review of applications will commence in March, 2009. Interested applicants should send a cover letter, CV (including 3 references), and transcript via email to both Dr. Philip McLoughlin (philip.mcloughlin@usask.ca) and Dr. Daniel Fortin (daniel.fortin@bio.ulaval.ca). Additional information on Sable Island (the site of field work) can be found at: http://www.greenhorsesociety.com/. Posted: 1/6/09.

University of Sheffield: PhD Studentship. Project: "Understanding the indirect effects of vaccination programmes: a community ecology approach". Supervisors: Owen Petchey, Amy Pedersen & Andy Fenton. We invite highly motivated students to apply for a PhD studentship (NERC directly funded, UK citizens only) to develop theoretical models of host-parasite community ecology. The studentship will be part of a larger NERC funded project studying co-infection dynamics in a wild mouse population in the UK. A background in mathematical biology and/or quantitative ecology is recommended, but not essential. Research outline: In natural systems, individual host organisms are often co-infected by a number of different parasite species. These parasites exploit a range of host tissues and resources, making resource competition between parasites likely. The host’s immune system attacks parasites, which can cause indirect interactions, such as apparent competition, between parasites. Viewing the parasites, resources, and immune system as a community of interacting players is an emerging area in the field of parasitology. However, many uncertainties exist about within-host parasite communities. How much resource competition occurs between parasite species? What is the functional form of the response of the immune system to parasite intensity? How strong are tradeoffs between different components of the immune system? What are the strengths of direct and indirect interactions between parasites? The aims of this research will be to develop within-host parasite models based on a community ecology approach to address these questions. In addition, an applied consequence of the interactions between parasites, resources, and immune responses is their effects on treatment and vaccination strategies. Since successful vaccination can be viewed as the extinction of a species from a community, a significant aim of the project is to use methods from community ecology to explore the potential indirect consequences of vaccination programmes. Applications will be accepted until March 27th. The position will start in September 2009 and be based in the Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield. Under special circumstances the studentship could be taken up in the Institute of Evolutionary Biology at the University of Edinburgh. More information. Applications procedures. Posted: 3/13/09.

University of South Carolina: I (Dr. Jeff Dudycha) am recruiting graduate students to join my lab who are interested in how evolutionary processes operate in natural environments. Ideal candidates will have research goals that include some mixture of ecology, evolution and genetics. Students working with me are expected to develop their own research projects that integrate with the overall themes of the lab. Currently, these themes include adaptive divergence, ecological speciation, consumer-resource interactions, population connectedness, life history evolution (particularly aging), and the molecular/regulatory basis of adaptation. Our lab uses Daphnia as a model system, and employs fieldwork, laboratory experiments, quantitative genetics and emerging tools in ecological genomics. Year-round support (including health benefits & tuition) is provided through a mixture of teaching and research assistantships. Interested individuals should contact me via email (dudycha [at] biol.sc.edu) to discuss their background and research interests. Dr. Jeff Dudycha, Asst. Prof. of Biological Sciences & The School of the Environment, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208. Posted: 11/24/08.

University of South Carolina: I (Blaine D. Griffen) am seeking graduate students to join my lab. Successful candidates will pursue research that reflects their own interests, but that compliments the broader goals of the lab. These broader goals include the study of how individual behavior influences population and community dynamics, the role of individual variation in population persistence, and effects of invasive species on invaded communities. Visit the Griffen lab website for a brief description of ongoing research in my lab and www.sc.edu for a complete description of facilities and resources available at the University of South Carolina. Full support, including health benefits and tuition, will be provided through teaching assistantships during the academic year and a research stipend during summer months. Applicants may apply either through the Department of Biological Sciences or through the Marine Science Program. Interested individuals are strongly encouraged to contact me by email (bgriffenbiol.sc.edu) to discuss their experience and future research interests. Posted: 10/2/08.

University of South Dakota: I am seeking a doctoral student interested in the sylvatic plague/black-tailed prairie dog system. I recently received funding from the National Park Service for a three year study investigating the genetic concordance of black-tailed prairie dog (plague host) and flea (plague vector) populations in five western in National Park units. We will use microsatellite and VNTR markers to investigate how plague is spread among black-tailed prairie dog colonies on the prairie landscape. The project will also involve plague detection using PCR in previously plagued and apparently naive colonies of prairie dogs. The results of this study may have important implications for the management of the black-footed ferret and black-tailed prairie dog in the study areas. A teaching assistantship is available to qualified applicants. Minimum Qualifications: 1) MS in Biology or closely related field, 2) Desire and ability to carry out field work in remote areas with little supervision, 3) Experience with PCR and other molecular genetics lab techniques. Preferred Start Date: August 15, 2009. Please contact: Hugh Britten, Ph.D., at hbritten@usd.edu for further details and visit Department of Biology for information about our graduate programs. Posted: 4/27/09.

University of South Dakota: The Department of Biology is accepting applications from potential M.S. or Ph.D. students for Fall 2009. Several faculty members conduct research in areas of ecology and conservation biology, with a particular emphasis on aquatic and riparian systems and their biota: Dr. Daniel Soluk (Daniel.Soluk@usd.edu). Dr. Soluk's research involves population, community, and behavioral ecology of aquatic organisms. He is currently conducting research on the conservation of endangered aquatic organisms (dragonflies) and ecosystems (Large Floodplain Rivers). Dr. Jacob Kerby (Jacob.Kerby@usd.edu). Dr. Kerby's research focuses on the ecological impacts of both contaminants and disease on amphibians. Recently, he received funding to determine the prevalence of a chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatitis) in amphibians found throughout the Midwest. In addition, he is interested in how pesticides impact amphibians and in particular might alter their susceptibility to disease. Dr. Mark Dixon (Mark.Dixon@usd.edu). Dr. Dixon is a landscape ecologist who studies the drivers of vegetation and land cover change in riparian landscapes, with a particular focus on floodplain forests and their biota. Current interests/projects include: § Effects of flow regulation on landscape dynamics, vegetation, and forest songbirds along the Missouri River § Mapping and classification of riparian plant communities along the Big Sioux River § Ecosystem services and responses to climate change within riparian areas in the desert Southwest. Dr. David Swanson (David.Swanson@usd.edu). Dr. Swanson's research interests are broadly based in the areas of ecological physiology, the evolution of physiological adaptation in animals (particularly vertebrates), and ornithology. With specific research foci including adaptation to cold in birds, freezing tolerance and overwintering strategies in amphibians, and woodland and wetland habitat use by migrating and breeding birds in the northern prairie region. Research includes ecological (field oriented), organismal, biochemical and molecular approaches. All of these faculty members are accepting students for Fall 2009. Please contact them individually if interested. More information: graduate program. The deadline for applying for fall admission is March 1, 2009. Posted: 1/15/09.

University of South Dakota: I have openings for two students (Ph.D. and/or M.S.) interested in conducting research on the conservation and ecology of the Hine's emerald dragonfly (Somatochlora hineana), a federally-listed endangered species that occurs in the Midwestern United States and Canada. The species has a number of unique ecological and behavioral attributes, and its survival is closely linked to groundwater dynamics. You can contribute to ongoing research efforts including habitat conservation, restoration and creation. Research is conducted primarily in the Chicago area and in Door County, Wisconsin. Opportunities exist for research on the behavior and ecology of either the adult or larval stages. Students with interests in wetland hydrology or crayfish ecology will also be considered. I seek self-motivated students interested in working on studies that integrate basic and applied ecology. Stipends range from $19-21k/ year, depending upon experience. If you are interested in conducting research that plays a vital role in saving this rare and unusual dragonfly, contact Daniel A. Soluk, Dept. of Biology, The Univ. of South Dakota, dsoluk@usd.edu. Consideration of applicants will begin Jan. 20, 2009. Posted: 12/16/08.

University of Southern Mississippi: Deadline for applications is 15 September 2009. Applicants are invited for one highly motivated Ph.D. student (start date Jan. 2010) in the lab of Donald Yee. This position will specifically focus on the ecology of mosquitoes and will contribute to on-going projects in the lab. Past research topics have emphasized larval competition, invasion ecology, species diversity, and life-history trade-offs. We use a combination of field sampling and field and laboratory experiments to understand what regulates populations and communities of mosquitoes in nature. We also use mosquitoes to answer basic ecological questions. Other research topics may be considered, although mosquitoes communities or populations should be a focus. General requirements: Masters degree or equivalent experience. Prior field experience and coursework in ecology, entomology, and statistics is preferred. Preference will be given to applicants who have had experience with mosquitoes. Funding: will be available through a combination of teaching and research assistantships. I also expect students to pursue other funding sources (NSF DDIG, EPA STAR, Sigma Xi, etc.). Full tuition grants are provided. Basic and major medical health coverage is provided to fulltime graduate students in good standing academically. Support for students will be provided to participate in scientific meetings. Entrance requirements: Although the Department of Biological Sciences does not have a minimum set of scores to be eligible for entrance into the graduate program, potential applicants should expect to have a minimum GPA of 3.00 and have taken the GRE before application (v+q scores should exceed 1000). More information on admission. To inquire, submit (via e-mail) - cover letter with a brief (~ one page) review of your research experience - interests and goals - CV - contact for three academic references. Send to: Donald A. Yee (donald.yee@usm.edu). Posted: 6/22/09.

University of Southern Mississippi: PhD Assistantship in Seagrass Landscapes, Coastal Systems Ecology. PhD position is available beginning summer/fall 2009 for a highly motivated and qualified individual to study coastal marine ecosystems with a focus on seagrass landscapes, water quality, and potential effects of climate change. Applicant will interact with members of the Coastal Ecosystems Group and take advantage of a long-term GIS dataset of seagrass and barrier island maps developed by the Gulf Coast Geospatial Center. Our research activities center around the monitoring of seagrasses and water quality in the northern Gulf of Mexico region. In addition, extensive wetlab space and a seagrass nursery are available for testing hypotheses related to mechanisms of seagrass decline. An interest and background in coastal ecosystems, marine science, or similar is required; and GIS, remote sensing, or spatial modeling is desired. Ability to undertake long field days working off small vessels is also desirable. Location: Gulf Coast Research Laboratory in Ocean Springs, MS on the Gulf of Mexico. Qualifications: Successful applicants will possess a Master’s degree in environmental science, biology, or geography or a Bachelor’s degree with relevant work experience. Additional qualifications include a minimum GPA of 3.5, and high scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Applicants also should have solid analytical and writing skills. Desirable qualifications include experience with GIS, statistics, and field work in coastal habitats. A high degree of motivation, good people-skills with an ability to work as part of a research team, and an interest in interdisciplinary research. Salary and Benefits: $19,800/year plus full tuition waiver and health insurance. Funding for up to three years is available as a Research Assistant (20 hours/week) on grant-related projects. Interested students should send a cover letter stating your research interests, names and contact information for three references, and Curriculum Vitae to: Dr. Patrick Biber, Gulf Coast Research Laboratory, 703 East Beach Drive, Ocean Springs, MS 39564. tel: +1 (228) 872 4200, email: patrick.biber@usm.edu. Posted: 4/27/09.

University of Southern Mississippi: Applicants are invited for one highly motivated Ph.D. student (start date Fall 2009) in the lab of Donald Yee. This position will specifically focus on the ecology of mosquitoes and will contribute to on-going projects in the lab. Past research topics have emphasized larval competition, invasion ecology, predation, species diversity, and life-history trade-offs. We use a combination of field sampling and field and laboratory experiments to understand what regulates populations and communities of mosquitoes in nature. We also use mosquitoes to answer basic ecological questions. Other research topics may be considered, although mosquitoes communities or populations should be a focus. Current field sites are in and around the southeastern United States and include urban or natural environments. Requirements: Masters degree or equivalent experience. Prior field experience and coursework in ecology, entomology, and statistics is preferred. Preference will be given to applicants who have had experience with mosquitoes. Funding will be available through a combination of teaching and research assistantships. I also expect students to pursue other funding sources (NSF DDIG, EPA STAR, Sigma Xi, etc.). Full tuition grants are provided. Basic and major medical health coverage is provided to fulltime graduate students in good standing academically. Support for students will be provided to participate in national and international scientific meetings. Although the Department of Biological Sciences does not have a minimum set of scores to be eligible for entrance into the graduate program, potential applicants should expect to have a minimum GPA of 3.00 and have taken the GRE before application. More information on admission. To inquire, submit (via e-mail) a cover letter with a brief (~ one page) review of your research experience, interests and goals, CV, and contact for three academic references to Donald Yee (donald.yee@usm.edu). Deadline: February 15, 2009. Posted: 1/28/09.

University of Southern Mississippi: One MS or PhD study opportunity is available at the Systems Ecology program at the Department of Coastal Sciences located at the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory in Ocean Springs, MS, on the Gulf of Mexico coast. Our program centers on spatial modeling of hydrological cycles, primary productivity, and nitrogen dynamics of upland ecosystems and its links to the coastal water quality and salt marsh habitats under the scenarios of climate change and land cover / land use (LULC) change. The research project could include comparing the roles of upland / coastal LULC change and accelerating sea level rise on salt marsh migration at Mississippi Gulf Coast, or evaluating hurricanes? impacts on nitrogen dynamics of upland / coastal forests, which leads to the changes of nitrogen loading at the coastal waters. The research will involve applying intensive computer model simulations integrating with GIS and remotely sensed data (Landsat, MODIS, LiDAR etc) as well as field work. Successful applicants will be provided a full-time Research Assistantship with a tuition waiver and medical benefits. Candidates should possess a relevant BS degree with experience or MS when applying for the PhD program. The position is available in January 2009. Interested individuals should contact: Dr. Wei Wu, Assistant Professor, The University of Southern Mississippi, Gulf Coast Research Laboratory, 703 East Beach Drive, Ocean Springs, MS 39564. Tel: +1 (228) 818-8855, Email: wei.wuusm.edu. Posted: 8/29/08.

University of Southern Mississippi: The Department of Coastal Sciences is requesting applications from highly qualified students for its graduate program in coastal ecosystems with a focus in marine botany. The Department of Coastal Sciences is located at the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory in Ocean Springs, MS on the Gulf of Mexico. Our research activities center around the propagation and germination of a variety of seagrass and saltmarsh species in the Gulf of Mexico region. Research projects are open and could include aspects of plant reproduction and early life-history, photo-physiology using PAM fluorescence, and/or genetic analyses of population variability. Successful applicants will be provided a 12 month full-time Research Assistantship with a tuition waiver and comprehensive medical benefits. Candidates should possess a relevant BS degree with experience or MS when applying for the PhD program. The position is available immediately. Interested individuals should contact: Dr. Patrick Biber Assistant Professor, Marine Botany University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast Research Laboratory 703 East Beach Drive Ocean Springs, MS 39564 tel: +1 (228) 872 4200 email: patrick.biberusm.edu. Posted: 8/22/08.

University of Toledo: Graduate teaching and research fellowships in Biology-Ecology (MS and PhD) and Geology (MS) are available for Fall 2009 in the Department of Environmental Sciences. Typical annual (12 month) assistantship stipends are $15k (MS) and $20k (PhD) plus tuition waiver. The department maintains an NSF GK-12 program that provides a $30k annual stipend to several senior Ph.D. biology students and one M.S. geology student. Our interdisciplinary faculty specialize in ecosystems, earth surface processes and human impacts on the environment. Biology research interests include terrestrial/aquatic ecosystems and landscape ecology, ecosystem sustainability, wetlands, fish ecology, invasive species, bioremediation, global change, bioenergy and environmental microbiology. Geology research interests include quaternary and glacial geology, near surface geophysics, remote sensing/GIS, coastal systems, hydrogeology, environmental geochemistry, and soil sciences. For more information, contact: timothy.fisher@utoledo.edu. Posted: 2/19/09.

University of Toledo: M.S. or Ph.D. Assistantship: Ecological Networks in the Great Lakes region Department of Environmental Sciences A position is available at the Masters or Ph.D. level starting in Fall 2009 to conduct research on the application of social-ecological networks for assessing the sustainability of ecosystem services. One available project is to research the influence of land use/cover on water quantity and quality in the Maumee River watershed. Another related project is to research the land use policies that affect the stormwater management of local municipalities in the Maumee River watershed. These projects will help to assess the sustainability of water ecosystem services maintained through land-use planning at the local municipal level. Research will primarily focus on developing quantitative models using existing data sets. The position is supported through teaching assistantships, which require additional work of up to 20 hours a week. After the passing their qualifying exam in year 2, PhD students have the opportunity to compete for one of 4-6 NSF teaching fellowship positions available within the Department of Environmental Sciences. NSF Fellowships include a stipend of $30k and tuition waiver. Salary: up to $20k per year plus tuition waiver. Qualifications: Strong quantitative and computer skills, programming experience a plus. Master’s degree in Ecology, Environmental Science, Natural Resources, or related field is required for Ph.D. level. Minimum academic requirements for the Master’s program are an undergraduate GPA of 2.7 and a GRE score of 1050 and 4.0 (verbal + quantitative and analytical writing, respectively). Minimum academic requirements for the Ph.D. program are a Master’s GPA of 3.0 and a GRE score of 1100 and 4.5 (verbal + quantitative and analytical writing, respectively). International students are expected to have a minimum TOEFL score of 250 (computer based) or 600 (paper based). For application materials and instructions for the Ecology graduate program, please visit the this website If you are interested or have any questions, please contact Dr. Ann Krause (Email: ann.krauseutoledo.edu). Posted: 11/13/08.

University of Toronto: Two fully-funded Ph.D. research assistantships in forest ecology. Both Ph.D. candidates will examine how hardwood forests should be managed to supply biomass for the production of clean energy in Ontario. One of the candidates will focus on quantifying trade-offs between the supply of wood for energy and the supply of deadwood for wildlife habitat. In particular, the candidate will quantify the amount and value of wood products that can be recovered from whole-tree harvests (including all branches down to 4 cm diameter), and assess the impact of whole-tree harvesting on both coarse and fine woody debris. A second PhD student will focus on quantifying the impact of whole-tree harvesting for bioenergy production on soil nutrient cycling. In particular, the candidate will quantify changes in the availability of macro- and micronutrients, with the aim of assessing the long-term sustainability of whole-tree harvesting. Within this project, soil microbial communities responsible for nutrient supply through decomposition and subsequent transformations will be studied in part using new molecular ecology approaches. Qualifications: 1) sincere interest in both forest ecology and forestry, 2) ability to conduct field work in remote locations under challenging conditions, 3) strong quantitative skills, 4) strong laboratory skills (position #2), 4) valid drivers' licence (Canadian or US licence preferred), and 5) excellent oral and written communication skills in English. Strong applicants who wish to pursue a master's degree will also be considered. The research will be conducted in collaboration with John Caspersen (Faculty of Forestry), Nathan Basiliko (Department of Geography) and Trevor Jones (Ontario Forest Research Institute, OMNR). Applicants should send a letter of enquiry and curriculum vitae to John Caspersen (john.caspersen@utoronto.ca) or Nathan Basiliko (nathan.basiliko@utoronto.ca). Qualified applicants will be asked to apply to the Faculty of Forestry or the Department of Geography. Applications will be reviewed beginning January 15th, but the positions will remain open until suitable candidates are selected. Posted: 12/4/08.

University of Tübingen: The position of a PhD student in plant population ecology is available at the Department of Plant Ecology (with K. Tielbörger). The position is part of a multidisciplinary and international research project dealing with the impact of global change on water resources in the Jordan River Basin. The project involves scientists from many disciplines from Germany, Israel, Jordan and the Palestinian Autonomy. We are looking for a scientist with excellent skills in the design and analysis of population genetic experiments in the greenhouse and/or manipulative field experiments. Experience in collecting multi-species data in the field is welcome. The main task will be the analyses of the adaptive potential of plant populations to climate change by means of analyzing microevolutionary changes (trait shifts and associated genetic shifts) in natural plant populations in Israel that have been exposed to climatic manipulations for ten consecutive years. However, the candidate is also welcome to develop own ideas with respect to analysis of available demographic data and possibly new data collection. Requirements: Diploma or MSc in ecology or population genetics, good knowledge of experimental design and data analysis, knowledge of population genetics, experience in conducting field experience, capability of spending extended periods in the field, excellent knowledge of English. Working place will be Tübingen, Germany with occasional field stays in Israel and/or Jordan. Duration: Three years (starting April 15, 2009, or later if position is not filled). Salary is according to the tariffs in German public services (TVL 50%), plus travel expenses and per diem for the time of stay abroad. The University of Tübingen is an equal opportunity employer. Deadline: March 31, 2009, or until position is filled. Interviews are scheduled for early April, 2009 or until position is filled. Applications should be sent via email to coordination@glowa.uni-tuebingen.de. They should be written in English, and include a statement of interest, CV, publication list (if applicable) and names and addresses of at least two references. Posted: 3/19/09.

University of Utah: Clayton Lab, Dept. of Biology. I am seeking one or two highly motivated Ph.D. students interested in the evolutionary ecology of host-parasite systems. More specific topics of study in my lab include parasite specificity, speciation, co-speciation, competition, adaptive radiation, and ecological immunology. Study systems range from experimental work with captive pigeons and lice, to fieldwork on invasive parasitic flies of Darwin's Finches in the Galapagos. For additional information see: darwin.biology.utah.edu. Positions are available for Fall Semester, 2009. Students in my lab are supported by a combination of fellowships, research assistantships, and teaching assistantships. Support is guaranteed for five years, contingent upon performance. Please visit www.biology.utah.edu for departmental information, admission requirements, and application information. The application deadline is January 9th, 2009. Inquiries are welcome via email to Dr. Dale Clayton (claytonbiology.utah.edu). Posted: 11/5/08.

University of Vermont: PhD position in population and evolutionary ecology with particular focus on the evolution of invasiveness is available in the Department of Plant Biology. We seek one highly motivated PhD student to work on the evolution of invasiveness in one of several model experimental systems being used in the lab. Students interested in projects that focus on how the genetic changes influence invasive success are encouraged to apply. The PhD student should have an excellent background in evolution. Students with master’s degrees are strongly preferred. Support in the form of a teaching or research fellowship will be guaranteed throughout the degree. Applications will be accepted until June 15th . Interested applications should send their CV, a summary of their transcript, their GRE scores, the names of 3 letters of recommendations and a brief statement of interest. Students who are being considered will need to fill out an official application to the Department of Plant Biology. Jane Molofsky, Professor, Department of Plant Biology, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405. Email: Jane.Molofsky@uvm.edu, Fax:802-656-0440. Posted: 5/22/09.

University of Vermont et al.: Climate Change Impacts on Arctic Land and Water Surface Processes. Several exciting and challenging opportunities are available for graduate and post-doctoral training in a new suite of collaborative projects funded by the NSF Arctic System Science program, on Spatial and Temporal Influences of Thermokarst Failures on Surface Processes in Arctic Landscapes. The various components of this collaborative effort focus on how a widespread and long-term increase in the incidence of thermokarst failures impacts the structure and function of arctic landscapes. Specific components focus on the composition of vegetation, the distribution and processing of soil nutrients, and exports of sediments and nutrients to stream and lake ecosystems. The projects are designed to address how changing land surface processes and formation of thermokarst failures feedback to the climate system through energy, albedo, water, and trace gas exchange. Additional information about this program of research can be found at http://thermokarst.psu.edu. We seek motivated graduate students and post-doctoral fellows who have excellent quantitative and communication skills. Successful candidates for these positions will be able to work well independently and as a part of a larger, diverse team of scientists and fellow students. The collaborative research projects entail field research at remote sites in the arctic – the western Brooks Range and the North Slope of Alaska – under conditions that can be physically challenging. Participants in this project will be integrally involved in incorporating their research into several education and outreach activities as part of this project. Professional mentoring opportunities exist within the group and through the Association of Polar Early Career Scientists (APECS). See the full description (pdf) for details on specific opportunities. Posted: 10/14/08.

University of Victoria: Two graduate student positions (MSc or PhD) in paleoecology are available to start in the summer or fall of 2009. The main approach of my lab is to examine ecological dynamics using the geological record and techniques such as pollen analysis that provide a long-term perspective on vegetation dynamics. Research focuses on the development and dynamics of vegetation communities since the last glaciation, the climatic and non-climatic factors that drive these vegetation dynamics, and the response of plant communities to past climatic change. The main geographical focus of the lab is the Pacific coast of Canada, a region characterized today by temperate rain forest. There are a number of specific research projects available but students are also encouraged to develop their own projects. Applicants should be highly-motivated, with a strong background in ecology, geology or physical geography and excellent academic standing. Guaranteed funding is available through a combination of fellowships, research assistantships and teaching assistantships. Interested students are encouraged to contact me as soon as possible via email (tlacoursuvic.ca) and to send a CV/resume, an unofficial copy of university transcripts, and a brief statement of scientific interests. Terri Lacourse, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Geography, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8W 3P5, CANADA. Posted: 9/30/08.

University of Waikato: A 3 year PhD fellowship is available within a programme funded to develop environmental indicators derived from isotope measurements to improve certainty in models used to manage nitrogen on farms and in river catchments. To reverse trends of decreasing water quality caused by high nitrogen loads from pastoral agriculture, New Zealand needs direct and simple environmental indicators to support nitrogen (N) management on farms and within catchments. The purpose of the PhD thesis will be to evaluate and develop the N isotope ratio (15N/14N) of soil as an indicator of the vulnerability of farm units to ongoing losses of N. The basis for this work is the concept that management-related N losses, such as nitrate leaching and denitrification, discriminate against the heavy isotope, 15N. The PhD project will be based at the University of Waikato, and collaborate with scientists from the National Isotope Center (GNS Science), Lincoln University, and Environment Canada. Applicants are expected to have a background in soil science/land management with an interest in farm production and/or environmental impacts. The position will involve considerable field and laboratory work. Annual stipend is $26K plus fees paid, tax free. For further information or to apply, please email or send letter of application, contact details for 2 referees, and CV to Dr Louis Schipper, Schipperwaikato.ac.nz, Earth and Ocean Science, Private Bag 3105, University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand. Screening of candidates starts Mid Oct 2008 until position filled. Posted: 9/5/08.

University of Washington: An opening exists in the School of Oceanography for a motivated student who is interested in pursing a Ph.D. in Marine Zooplankton Ecology. The position will be available beginning in either Summer or Fall, 2009. The student may pursue their own research interests within one of the following broad research themes: 1) the role of marine zooplankton in coastal dynamics and food web interactions, 2) physical/biological controls on zooplankton abundance and distribution, or 3) the impact of physical, interannual, or climate change on estuarine/coastal zooplankton community structure, life history strategies, abundance, and/or diversity. Interested students should have a background in marine science, oceanography, and/or ecology, strong quantitative skills, and excellent spoken and written English. The student will be supported by an assistantship which will have an excellent living stipend and cover the full cost of tuition. For more information, please email Dr. Julie Keister at jkeister@u.washington.edu. Application deadline is January 15, 2009. Posted: 12/19/08.

University of Washington: We invite applications for a graduate research assistantship (Ph.D. or M.S.) from students interested in microbial ecology, community ecology and biogeochemistry. We plan to accept two students to begin Fall 2009 as members of the Horner-Devine Lab. Possible areas of research include, but are not limited to, the following: 1) temporal and spatial patterns of microbial communities in a low oxygen system; 2) impact of invasive plants on microbial communities and the processes these microbes mediate; 3) impacts of urban development on lake microbial communities and processes; and 4) the role of microbial communities in disease of macroorganisms. Students should have some prior experience in population and community ecology. Experience in molecular techniques, statistics and biogeochemistry recommended. Students should be self- motivated, hard working and creative. Interested students should send a CV and letter of interest that includes the nature of your background and specific research interests to Dr. Claire Horner-Devine (mchdu.washington.edu). Students will apply to the School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences. Posted: 7/23/08.

University of Waterloo: MSc Studentship (2009-2011) Modelling Emerald Ash Borer survival. Come to Waterloo, Ontario to study the probability of overwintering by Emerald Ash Borer, an invasive beetle that is devastating ash trees in Southwestern Ontario. You will learn to create models that predict the probability of temperature extremes in the underbark microclimate using weather station data. You will interact closely with other members of the project, including physiological ecologists at the University of Western Ontario and foresters in London, Ontario, as they make an important contribution towards the management of this potentially devastating pest. The ideal candidate will have a B.Sc. (Hons.) or equivalent with a background in entomology, ecology, physiology, mathematics, or statistics. Required skills include: mathematical aptitude, a strong desire to learn how to create models, experience with programming, some research experience, and willingness to do some field work. Preferred personal attributes include: a friendly attitude, willingness to work a full work week, and a desire to interact with other members of the Biology department. Your supervisor will be Kim Cuddington, a theoretical ecologist who focuses on the effects of both physical environmental structure and temporal environmental variation on population dynamics. Related research projects in the lab include: developing models to predict the spread rate of invasive species, predicting the spatial-temporal pattern of insect outbreak dynamics, and determining the effect of small scale spatial structure on insect population dynamics. Informal communication with Dr. Cuddington is welcome. The successful candidate must meet the criteria for entry into the Biology graduate program at Waterloo. More information about graduate studies (pdf). To Apply: Please email Dr. Kim Cuddington (kcuddingATuwaterloo.ca) a CV, a description of your research interests and experience, unofficial transcripts, and the names and contact details of three referees. The successful candidate will begin their program in May 2009. Review of applications will continue until a suitable candidate is found. Please note that this position does not involve genetics or molecular biology, and I am therefore not looking for someone with extensive experience in these areas! Posted: 3/3/09, revised: 4/27/09.

University of Windsor: There are immediate opportunities for qualified graduate students (MSc & PhD) to work in Dan Heath’s Evolutionary & Conservation Genetics lab at the Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research (GLIER) at the University of Windsor (Ontario, Canada). Projects include investigating the role of gene transcription evolution in local adaptation in BC salmon, evolutionary ecology and conservation of the Eastern Sand Darter, a threatened species in Ontario, and a population and quantitative genetic analysis of migratory behaviour in salmon and trout. Students will have opportunities for field and lab work, and will be expected to attend and present at national and international conferences. Contact Dr. Heath at (519) 253-3000 (ext 3762) dheath@uwindsor.ca. Posted: 6/30/09.

University of Wisconsin-Madison: This is an announcement for an opening for a postdoc or PhD research assistant in the area of forest ecosystem modeling. Probably postdoc preferred, but it could be a grad RA for someone with good skills. The work would entail using a suite of different forest ecosystem process models to assess forest productivity and C and N dynamics in the northern Wisconsin. There may also be involvement on related modeling projects focused on climate change effects, bioenergy, and wildlife habitat. For the main work in this project, we will compare model output, given models that differ in dynamics and mechanisms simulated, to evaluate scenarios of intensive biomass harvesting, different soil types, natural disturbances, and pests. Models may include LANDIS-II, PnET, BGC, or others. Some, like LANDIS, have detailed spatial dynamics and individual species. Others are non-spatial, and have mechanistic detail in other dynamics. We are primarliy interested not in model comparisons per se, but comparing output using different modeling approaches, and identifying optimal application situations for these different modeling approaches. Cooperators are US Forest Service Northern Region, and Wisconsin DNR. Desired start is from July to Sept. Intended period is 3 years. To apply, please send via email a letter, complete cv, and list of three references. David Mladenoff (djmladen@wisc.edu), Dept. of Forest & Wildlife Ecology. Posted: 6/25/09.

University of Wisconsin, Madison: I am seeking an outstanding MSc student in the field of conservation genetics in the Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology. Current research in my lab focuses on characterizing demographic history and understanding the effects of habitat fragmentation on threatened species. In doing so, we typically integrate field, genetic, and population modeling approaches to identify factors limiting populations, understand/predict the genetic and demographic consequences of limiting factors, and provide managers and policy makers with the information needed to make informed management decisions. The student’s thesis will involve characterizing adaptive genetic variation in the Marbled Murrelet, specifically at the major histocompatibility complex (MHC). The Marbled Murrelet is a federally threatened seabird that nests primarily in coastal old-growth forests along the west coast of North America. Fragmentation of old-growth forests and increasing predator populations have resulted in a number of geographically isolated and declining populations. Previous work based on neutral (microsatellite) genetic markers has detected little genetic variation across the species range. Adaptive markers, such as MHC, that are under the influence of natural selection may yield finer-scale among-population differentiation and have implications for the current proposal to remove murrelets from the threatened species list. Samples have already been collected and this will be a lab based project. This work will be conducted in collaboration with Dr. Vicki Friesen at Queen’s University. Applicants should possess a B.Sc. in Conservation Biology or closely related field and have a strong background in molecular laboratory techniques, particularly bacterial cloning and DNA sequencing. Funding is in place for two years of graduate student support ($19k/year + tuition waiver) and laboratory expenses, with potential for additional funding through teaching assistantships. To be considered for this position, please send a cover letter outlining your interests and research background, a curriculum vitae (including GPA and GRE scores), and contact information for three professional references (name, email, phone, address) as either a PDF or MS Word file to mpeery@wisc.edu with ‘Marbled Murrelet MHC Application’ in the subject line. The selected student is expected to enroll in the Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology in August 2009 for the fall semester. Applicants must also apply to the MSc program in the Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology and the UW Graduate School. Apply by April 1, 2009. For more info, contact: Zach Peery (608-890-2766, mpeery@wisc.edu). Posted: 3/10/09.

University of Wisconsin, Madison: I am seeking an outstanding student to pursue a PhD in conservation genetics and in the Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology. Current research in my lab focuses on characterizing demographic history and understanding the effects of habitat fragmentation on threatened species. In doing so, we typically integrate field, genetic, and population modeling approaches to identify factors limiting populations, understand/predict the genetic and demographic consequences of environmental stressors on wildlife populations, and provide managers and policy makers with the information needed to make informed management decisions. The doctoral student’s dissertation thesis will involve studying the spatial population dynamics of Blanding’s Turtles in Wisconsin using genetic methods. The Blanding’s Turtle is a semi-aquatic species that is threatened by habitat fragmentation, collecting for the pet trade, and vehicle collisions. The objective of the project is to characterize the spatial distribution of genetic variation, identify population bottlenecks, determine the extent to which local population are connected by dispersal, and characterize the role of geographic isolation and landscape features (such as agricultural and urban development) on dispersal and genetic population structure. Funding is in place for two and a half years of graduate student support ($19k/year + tuition waiver), including a half-year of funding via teaching assistantships, and for sample collection and labwork. Additional field or lab-based research components can be added depending on shared interests and funding opportunities. Applicants should possess at minimum a B.Sc., and preferably a M.Sc., specializing in conservation genetics, molecular ecology, or closely related field. Applicants with a strong background in molecular laboratory methods (e.g., DNA extraction, PCR, fragment sizing, and DNA sequencing), genetic data analysis, population modeling, conservation biology, and demonstrated ability to publish in peer-reviewed journals will be given preference. To be considered for this position, please send a cover letter outlining your interests and research background, a curriculum vitae (including GPA and GRE scores), and contact information for three professional references (name, email, phone, address) as either a PDF or MS Word file to mpeery@wisc.edu with ‘Conservation Genetics PhD Application’ in the subject line. The selected student is expected to enroll in the Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology in the Fall 2009 semester and apply to the UW Graduate School. Apply by April 1, 2009. For more info, contact: Zach Peery (608-890-2766, mpeery@wisc.edu). Posted: 3/10/09.

University of Wisconsin, Madison: I am seeking an outstanding student to pursue a PhD in conservation genetics and small population biology in the Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology. Current research in my lab focuses on characterizing demographic history and understanding the effects of habitat fragmentation on threatened species. In doing so, we typically integrate field, genetic, and population modeling approaches to identify factors limiting populations, understand/predict the genetic and demographic consequences of environmental stressors on wildlife populations, and provide managers and policy makers with the information needed to make informed management decisions. The doctoral student’s dissertation will involve studying the spatial population dynamics of California Red-legged Frogs using genetic and population modeling approaches. California red-legged frogs are a federally threatened species breeding in small ponds and estuaries in central California. Dispersal occurs among ponds but the extent to which networks of ponds act as metapopulations and the spatial scale at which population dynamics are correlated is uncertain. This project will involve two components (1) developing a genetic kinship approach, based on the spatial distribution of close relatives among breeding ponds, to characterize dispersal rates among ponds; and (2) conducting a larger, landscape-scale genetic analysis to characterize the spatial distribution of genetic variation and identify barriers to dispersal. The first component will likely involve a significant amount of population modeling to develop expected distributions for the spatial arrangement of relatives across the landscape under competing population models. Additional research components can be added depending on funding opportunities and shared interests between the advisor and student. Note that an important responsibility of the successful applicant will be to act as a part-time manager of the molecular lab in the department - the primary responsibility being the purchasing and maintenance of lab supplies and equipment for a laboratory with 4-6 users. Funding is in place for three years of graduate student support ($19k/year + tuition waiver) and laboratory expenses. Applicants should possess at minimum a B.Sc., and preferably a M.Sc., specializing in conservation biology, conservation genetics, molecular ecology, or closely related field. Applicants with a strong background in molecular laboratory methods (e.g., DNA extraction, PCR, fragment sizing, and DNA sequencing), genetic data analysis, and population modeling and demonstrated ability to publish in peer-reviewed journals will be given preference. To be considered, please send a cover letter outlining your interests and research background, a curriculum vitae (including GPA and GRE scores), and contact information for three professional references (name, email, phone, address) as either a PDF or MS Word file to mpeery@wisc.edu with ‘Conservation Genetics PhD Application’ in the subject line. The selected student is expected to apply to the apply to the UW Graduate School and enroll in the Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology in the Fall 2009 semester. Apply by April 1, 2009. For more info, contact: Zach Peery (608-890-2766, mpeery@wisc.edu). Posted: 3/10/09.

University of Wisconsin-Madison: Ph.D. Assistantship; Wolf survival and landscape effects in Wisconsin, Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology, Available for Fall semester 2009. A half-time research assistantship is offered to study the linkages between habitat quality for wolves in Wisconsin and wolf survival during 30 years of wolf recolonization. This study will involve GIS-based spatial analysis, survival modeling in program MARK and construction of simulation models to evaluate the viability of Wisconsin' wolf population under proposed management scenarios following delisting of the wolf as an endangered species. The ideal candidate will have experience using GIS to address natural resource problems, experience using program MARK to analyze radio-telemetry data, strong academic qualifications including strong math and statistical skills, and an affinity for working with agency specialists on wolf conservation. This project will be advised by Drs. Timothy Van Deelen and David Mladenoff (Forest and Wildlife Ecology, UW-Madison) in collaboration with Adrian Wydeven (Endangered Resources, Wisconsin DNR). Funding is for 3 years contingent on funding. The Research Assistantship includes a monthly stipend, health benefits, and tuition remission. To apply, send cover letter, CV, transcripts (official or unofficial), and the names of 3 references to: Timothy R. Van Deelen, Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 120 Russell Labs, 1630 Linden Drive, Madison, WI 53706 USA. Email: trvandeelen@wismail.wisc.edu. Posted: 1/8/09.

University of Wisconsin-Madison: Graduate and Post-Doctoral research opportunities: Ecology, epidemiology, and evolution of infectious diseases. The Goldberg lab invites applications for collaboration on funded projects on the ecology, epidemiology, and evolution of infectious disease in wildlife and people. Prospective PhD students, MS students, and Post-docs will be considered. Projects include: 1) Eco-epidemiology of West Nile virus in urban areas. Studies of the ecology of West Nile virus transmission in suburban Chicago, with an emphasis on molecular epidemiology and viral evolution. Field work and lab work involved. 2) Ecology of zoonotic disease in Ugandan primates. Epidemiological and molecular studies of zoonotic disease transmission between people, primates, and livestock in rural western Uganda. Field work and lab work involved. For more information, see the Kibale EcoHealth Project website. Applicants should have strong quantitative skills and a demonstrated ability to work independently. Prospective students should send a resume, a list of coursework and grades, and a brief statement of interests. Appropriate departments/units for graduate enrollment will be discussed on an individual basis. Prospective post-docs should send a CV, a brief statement of research interests, and a list of three people (names, addresses, e-mails) who can serve as references. Materials and inquiries should be sent to tgoldbergvetmed.wisc.edu. Posted: 11/21/08.

University of Wisconsin-Madison: MS/PhD Graduate Student Opportunities in Biogeographic Aspects of Land-Use Change and Terrestrial Biogeochemistry. One to two graduate assistantships are available to prospective students interested in global change impacts on biogeochemical cycling and biodiversity in the Department of Geography at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, starting Fall 2009. Students with interests in the following are encouraged to apply: land-use/land-cover and climatic change effects on biogeochemical cycling, mechanisms of soil organic matter stabilization, restoration of ecosystem goods and services, legacies of human disturbance on tropical forest structure and species composition, and physical and human dimensions of land-use and land-cover change. Opportunities exist for fieldwork in tropical as well as local and regional ecosystems. For more information on the graduate programs, please visit: http://www.geography.wisc.edu/admissions/. Interested applicants should email the following to marinspiottageography.wisc.edu: 1) a current resume or CV, including GPA and test scores (if available); 2) a letter of interest, including research interests, professional goals and prior experience; and 3) contact information, including email addresses, of three potential references. Posted: 10/20/08.

University of Wisconsin-Madison: M.S. Research Assistantship in the Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology. A Research Assistant is needed for a 2-year project on the productivity of grassland birds in Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) fields in Wisconsin. Topics for this M.S.-level project include the effect of mid-contract management of CRP fields and the use of warm-season grass fields. Final project will be chosen in consultation with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Qualifications: Minimum requirements are a B.S. in wildlife ecology or related field.  Training in statistics and GIS a plus.  The successful applicant must meet the University of Wisconsin-Madison Graduate School requirements, including a minimum of a 3.0 GPA (in the last 60 semester hours of courses taken) and have taken 95% of required background courses (available on request). Salary: $19k/ year. The position will be open until it is filled. Anticipated start date is 12 January 2009 but is negotiable.  Contact: Send a cover letter, resume, unofficial transcripts, and contact information of three references via e-mail to Dr. Christine Ribic at caribicwisc.edu. Posted: 7/21/08.

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee: Graduate position (MS/PhD) in landscape genetics of badgers. I am seeking a highly motivated and enthusiastic graduate student interested in landscape genetics and its application to wildlife conservation and management. This project will employ molecular genetic tools to investigate the landscape genetic structure of American badger populations in Wisconsin. This project will include a combination of field, laboratory, and analytical work, and involves collaborations with multiple universities and state and federal agencies. The initial phase of the research is best suited to an MS student, though there is potential for expansion into a PhD-level project. Successful candidates should have some prior experience with DNA-based genetic analysis. Proficiency in ArcGIS and experience in mammal trapping is preferred. Funding in the form of assistantships, research support, and travel grants are available for qualified candidates. Anticipated start date is June or August 2009. More about graduate studies in the Department of Biological Sciences. For more information about the project, or to apply, email a CV (including GPA and GRE scores), letter of interest, and contact information for 3 references to Dr. Emily Latch (latch@uwm.edu). The review of applications will begin immediately and will remain open until the position is filled. Applicants must also apply to UWM Graduate School (deadline Jan 1, 2009) and meet requirements for admission. Posted: 12/2/08.

University of Wyoming: An MS assistantship is available to study interchange, brucellosis seroprevalance, and habitat selection of fed and non-fed elk in southwestern Wyoming. The student will work with a team of scientists from the University of Wyoming, the US Geological Survey, and the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. The objectives of this study are to: 1) evaluate the amount of interchange between fed and non-fed elk along the Wind River and Wyoming Range front via fine scale movement data from GPS collars, 2) determine if supplemental feeding causes predictable changes in the migration patterns and summer habitat selection of fed andnon-fed elk, and 3) evaluate landscape-level distribution of fed and non-fed elk during fall hunting by using stable isotope methods to identify feedground elk from hunter-kill samples. The study will use a combination of habitat and movement data from GPS collared elk, behavioral observations, and isotopic analyses. Preference will be given to applicants with (1) experience in field ecology, wildlife biology, conservation biology, or a related discipline, (2) previous field experience with ungulates, (3) strong quantitative skills, and 4) a desire to conduct research grounded in ecological theory with relevance to wildlife management in Wyoming. A competitive graduate assistantship will be provided, which will include an annual stipend, tuition, and benefits for the duration of the student’s research. The student will be co-advised by Dr. Matthew Kauffman (Wyoming Coop Unit) and Dr. Paul Cross (USGS – Bozeman). The position will be housed in the Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit within the Department of Zoology and Pysiology at the University of Wyoming. Position will start in fall 2009. To apply please send a cover letter outlining your interests and experience, a resume or CV, GRE scores, transcripts, and contact information for three references to Dr. Matthew Kauffman via email at mkauffm1@uwyo.edu. Hard copy applications will not be accepted. Review of applicants will begin immediately and continue until a suitable applicant is found. Posted: 4/1/09.

University of Wyoming: A graduate research assistantship is available for a new PhD student in Dr. Kiona Ogle’s lab through the Dept. of Botany and/or the Program in Ecology. The PhD student will be a part of project team that is developing and testing a scaling framework for understanding forest diversity and productivity. The project involves three main components organized around the following questions: How do plant traits related to tree form and function vary between species, and how do evolutionary versus environmental drivers affect trait variability? Is a species-specific representation of form and function necessary to describe community and ecosystem properties? How do we develop a general scaling framework for predicting large-scale forest dynamics that includes species-specific trait variability and key physiological mechanisms? Data-model integration methods will be applied to address these questions, including: dynamic process models that link tree form and function; Bayesian meta-analyses of literature data on species-specific traits that incorporate phylogenetic information; and Bayesian statistical and computational methods for informing the process model with large and disparate data sources. Qualifications: (1) a Bachelors or Masters degree in one or more of the following or related areas: biology, botany, ecology, statistics, mathematics, or bioinformatics; (2) strong academic record, (3) sufficient mathematical, statistical, and/or programming skills or ability and desire to develop proficiency in these areas; (4) background in forest or plant physiological ecology or ability and desire to develop proficiency in these areas; (5) good verbal and written communication skills; and (6) ability and desire to interact and collaborate with other scientists. Interested applicants should send the following information via email to Dr. Kiona Ogle (kogle@uwyo.edu): (1) brief statement of why this position and a PhD degree is of interest, (2) CV or resume, (3) transcripts (unofficial copies are fine), and (4) names and contact information of three references (at least one should be familiar with academic record and ability to pursue graduate degree and research). Interested applicants should contact Dr. Ogle as soon as possible because, pending final approval of funding, the expected start date is August 2009 (preferred) or January 2010. For more information, contact Dr. Ogle via email (kogle@uwyo.edu). Posted: 3/6/09.

University of Wyoming: Graduate Assistantship in Physiological and/or Ecosystem Ecology. We seek a motivated student to conduct graduate research starting in summer 2009 on impacts of a massive bark beetle infestation on carbon, water and nitrogen cycling in Wyoming forests. Our interdisciplinary project investigates the consequences of beetle-induced tree mortality on ecosystem structure and function, successional processes and carbon storage potential, N fluxes and water yield. Prospective students with a background in biology, ecology or soil science, preferably with a MS degree and strong quantitative and analytical skills, should apply by 30 January, 2009. UW is ideally situated in close proximity to varied ecosystems of the Rocky Mountains with easy access to outdoor recreation, and only 2 hours from Denver, CO. Students can apply to the PhD Program in Ecology or to the MS or PhD program in Botany through this website. Direct questions about the project to Brent Ewers (beewers@uwyo.edu) or Elise Pendall (pendall@uwyo.edu). Posted: 12/5/08.

University of Zurich: Institute of Environmental Sciences, University of Zurich: (1) Structure and Functioning of Forest Ecosystems (2 PhD Positions). We are looking for well-motivated candidates for PhD projects on the diversity, stability and functioning of forest ecosystems. The projects will extend work on the relationship between diversity and functioning of ecosystem in grasslands to forest ecosystems. One project will be associated with the Sabah Biodiversity Experiment in Malaysian Borneo (experience of tropical would be advantageous) and the other project will work with data from temperate forests. Applicants need to hold a relevant Honours or (preferably) Masters degree. You should have a good background in ecology and experience of the relevant forest ecosystems would be advantageous. The project will require knowledge of statistics and programming (particularly using R and C). The projects are collaborations between the groups of Andy Hector, Lindsay Turnbull at the University of Zurich (http://www.uzh.ch/uwinst/) and external groups, particularly Drew Purves at Microsoft Research, Cambridge, U.K. Start data: From April 2009. Working language: English Salary: 40-45k CHF. Please send a short relevant electronic CV and application letter to weilen@uwinst.uzh.ch entitled: YourNameCV.ext. (2) Data-Constrained Plant Growth Modelling PhD Position, Institute of Environmental Sciences. How do plants grow? How do they allocate photosynthate to different structures such as leaves, roots and flowers in different environments, and how do they make such decisions? This project seeks to understand plant growth with the simplest possible assumptions and will use extensive data sets and modelling to approach this problem from an entirely new angle. The project will involve extensive computer modelling including both simulations and fitting models directly to data. The project may also include new data collection depending on the interests and aptitudes of the successful candidate. We are looking for a well-motivated person to conduct this research, culminating in a PhD from the University of Zurich, Switzerland. Applicants need to hold a good, relevant first degree and have some experience with computer modelling. They must also be able to work in a team with other students and post-docs. A background in statistics and some knowledge of plant ecology is also desirable. The project is funded by Microsoft Research, UK and the successful candidate will receive extensive help and technical support from this source. The project will be based in Zurich, where the successful candidate will be expected to live. The project is co-supervised by Dr. Lindsay Turnbull (University of Zurich) and Dr. Drew Purves (Microsoft Research, UK) and requires an immediate start. Key reference: Turnbull, L. A., Paul-Victor, C., Schmid, B. & Purves, D. W. (2008) Ecology, 89, 1352. Working language: English. Salary: 40-45k CHF. Please send your CV and application to: lindsayt@uwinst.uzh.ch. Please label your attached CV file: "CV.applicant.name.doc". Posted: 3/25/09.

Utah State University: A Graduate Research Assistantship (MS or PhD) is available in the Department of Watershed Sciences to study the effects of climate change on stream biodiversity. Applicants should have an undergraduate degree in ecology, biology, environmental sciences, natural resources or similar field and a strong interest in understanding factors controlling the biodiversity of aquatic ecosystems. Applicants should have strong quantitative and verbal skills. The position starts August 2009 (or earlier) and includes an annual salary of $17-22k depending on experience, coverage of tuition and fees, and health insurance. Interested applicants should contact Dr. Chuck Hawkins (chuck.hawkins@usu.edu) immediately and then send a letter of interest (previous accomplishments, research experience and interests, future career goals), a resume, transcripts, previous GPA, GRE scores, and contact information for three references. Applicants are also expected to apply for fellowships through the USU College of Natural Resources (see prospective students). Fellowship applications are due 7 January 2009. Close date: 28 Feb 2009. Posted: 12/22/08.

Utah State University: I am seeking an M.S. or a Ph.D. Graduate Research Assistant to begin approximately May 1, 2009. The position is part of a collaborative project with the National Park Service and the US Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center. At the Golden Spike National Historic Site, northern Utah, we are conducting ecological investigations into methods for re-establishing native sagebrush communities in sites that have burned and been converted to stands of exotic weeds while minimizing surface disturbance. The overall project includes site manipulation treatments, seeding methods experiments, and more. For a Ph.D. student there is ample flexibility to expand the scope of a dissertation beyond that of this project, as long as the work is relevant for sagebrush ecological restoration. Both M.S. and Ph.D. applicants should also apply for a College of Natural Resources S. J. and Jesse E. Quinney Research Fellowship. Application instructions can be found on the CNR website. Note the deadline is 7 January, 2009. Please contact Gene Schupp (eugene.schuppusu.edu) for further information. Posted: 11/18/08.

Utah State University: A Graduate Assistantship is available in the Department of Watershed Sciences for a field study and ecological modeling of occurrence and spread of invasive plants in riparian wetlands. The goals of the project will be: (1) to evaluate factors that may explain the current distribution of invasives, and (2) to develop a framework for predicting future occurrence. The modeling will utilize a large data set of riparian vegetation from the Upper Columbia River Basin (WA, OR, ID, MT, NV) collected as part of the U.S. Forest Service’s Effectiveness Monitoring Program (PIBO EMP) for streams and riparian areas. Field studies will be used to verify model predictions or collect additional background data. Qualified applicants will have an undergraduate degree in biology, ecology, plant science, or similar field, and an interest in conducting riparian wetland field studies and developing statistical and ecological computer modeling skills. The Masters position is funded for 2.5 years starting January or August 2009 and includes an annual stipend of $16k, coverage of tuition and fees, and health insurance. Students will be strongly encouraged to spend their first summer as part of the vegetation sampling crew for the PIBO EMP project. This project is a collaborative effort with Dr. Karin Kettenring (wetland plant ecologist, Department of Watershed Sciences, Utah State University), Dr. Brett Roper (National Aquatic Monitoring Program Leader U.S. Forest Service), and Dr. Chuck Hawkins (Western Center for Monitoring and Assessment of Freshwater Ecosystems). Interested applicants should send a letter of interest (previous accomplishments, research experience and interests, and how this project fits into future career goals), a resume or C.V., transcripts, GRE scores, and contact information for three references to Karin Kettenring at karin.kettenringusu.edu. Posted: 11/13/08.

Utah State University: PhD and Masters Degree Fellowships in Natural Resources and Ecology. The College of Natural Resources is seeking qualified applicants for up to 5 Ph.D. fellowships and 5 Masters degree fellowships to be awarded to incoming students. PhD fellowship awards are $20k per year for a 4-year duration, contingent upon a review of annual progress toward completion of degree requirements. The PhD fellowships also include $8k for out-of-state tuition waivers. Masters degree fellowship awards are $15k per year for a 2-year duration, contingent upon acceptable annual progress. Faculty mentors provide the tuition match for the Masters degree fellowship. Fellows work with faculty supervisors on research designed to understand the science and management of natural resources, human environment interactions, and basic ecology. Qualified applicants will be chosen based on evidence of superior scholarly accomplishments, commitment to their profession, and potential for success in their program and overall career. Applicants must have a faculty sponsor before being accepted, and students interested in aquatic science should contact potential faculty sponsors in the Department of Watershed Sciences. Details regarding application procedures are available on the prospective students page. The application deadline is 7 January 2009, but students should contact a potential faculty sponsor and complete application materials well before that date. Students interested in wetland or riparian projects should contact Karin Kettenring (karin.kettenringusu.edu) or Chuck Hawkins (chuck.hawkinsusu.edu) for general information. Posted: 10/28/08.

Utah State University: The Ernest Lab has an opening in the general areas of Community Ecology or Macroecology. Active areas of research in the Ernest lab include desert ecology, long-term dynamics of community properties, and the role of body size in the ecology and life-history of mammals. While students interested in one of the general areas listed above are preferred, students are free to develop their own research projects depending upon their interests. Graduate students in the Ernest lab are funded through a combination of research assistantships, teaching assistantships, and fellowships. Utah State has an excellent graduate program in ecology with over 50 faculty and 80+ graduate students across campus affiliated with the USU Ecology Center. Interested students should contact Dr. Morgan Ernest (morganebiology.usu.edu), with their CV, GRE scores, and a brief statement of research interests. Posted: 10/22/08.

Victoria University of Wellington: PhD Scholarship in Plant/Insect Interactions. A three-year scholarship is available from February 2009 to study the possible roles of leaf colour in defence from insect herbivores. The successful candidate will test for foliar aposematism in Pseudowintera colorata, a New Zealand native shrub that is naturally highly variable in leaf colour. The working hypothesis is that the red anthocyanin pigments present an honest, visual signal to potential herbivores that the leaves are rich in polygodial, a potent defence chemical that can reduce herbivore fitness. The project will involve both field work and laboratory studies, and although based at Victoria University of Wellington, will require travel both within and outside New Zealand. The ideal candidate will possess experience in plant physiological ecology and/or plant-insect interactions, as well as some knowledge of modern chemical analytical methodology. Students will receive an annual stipend of NZ$30k plus fees via a Royal Society Marsden Scholarship. Interested applicants are encouraged to make informal enquiries to Associate Professor Kevin Gould in the first instance. To apply, please send your Curriculum Vitae, a copy of your academic transcript, and the names of three referees with a covering letter to: Assoc. Prof. Kevin Gould, School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington 6140, New Zealand. Email: kevin.gouldvuw.ac.nz. Posted: 11/4/08.

Virginia Commonwealth University: Graduate studies in ecology and evolution. The Department of Biology invites applications from prospective graduate students for Fall 2009. We have an active, well-supported, and diverse Ecology and Evolution faculty, that are engaged in research in Virginia and around the world. Graduate students may apply through our Biology Masters in Science or Integrative Life Sciences Ph.D. programs. Competitive funding and tuition waivers are available to qualified students in both programs, and may include fellowships, and research/teaching assistantships. On campus research facilities include the Trani Center greenhouse, aquatics facility, and IACUC approved animal facility. A satellite lab of the Nucleic Acids Core Facility provides a broad range of support for molecular approaches. The Environmental Analyses Laboratory provides state-of-the-art analytical services to support research in the environmental sciences. The Bioinformatics Computational Core Laboratory supports several supercomputing clusters and a research laboratory with access to state-of-the-art genomics and proteomics software and databases for research applications. In addition, VCU’s Rice Center for Environmental Life Sciences, located 30 minutes from campus, encompasses 342 acres of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems along the James River. It provides an outstanding resource for field-based research by both faculty and graduate students in the department. Competitive students have GPAs >3.0 and GRE scores >50th percentile. Experience, reference letters, and rationale for applying to the program are important elements of the application. Prospective students must apply through VCU's graduate school or through the Office of International Education. For full financial consideration, applications must be received by February 1. Applicants that have identified faculty sponsors are more likely to be accepted and to receive financial support. Interested students are encouraged to contact prospective mentors directly for more information, or graduate studies directors Dr. Jennifer K. Stewart (Biology MSc; jstewartvcu.edu) or Dr. Robert Tombes (Integrative LS PhD; rmtombesvcu.edu). Posted: 11/14/08.

Virginia Commonwealth University: The Vonesh lab invites applications from prospective graduate students for Fall 2009 to collaborate on our NSF-funded project "Fear, death, and life history switch points: cumulative effects of predation and phenotypic plasticity across three life stages." This project is a joint effort between the Vonesh and Karen Warkentin (Boston University) labs, and focuses on the effects of sequential stage-specific predators on the survival and life history of the Red-eyed treefrog. Students are expected to develop independent research projects that fit within the larger framework of the grant. The Vonesh and Warkentin lab team in Gamboa includes several graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and interns. In addition, the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama offers a diverse and intellectually rich international scientific community in a tropical rainforest environment. VCU is the largest public university in Virginia and has an active, well-supported, and diverse Ecology and Evolution faculty that are engaged in research around the world. Prospective students may apply through the Biology Masters in Science or Integrative Life Sciences Ph.D. programs. Competitive funding, tuition waivers, and support for field work are available. Desired qualifications include a BS/MS in ecology (or related field), strong quantitative skills, and an ability to work independently in the field. Some proficiency in Spanish is desirable. Interested persons should send a letter that summarizes their background, educational goals, and research interests, along with curriculum vitae (include GPA and GRE scores) with contact information for three references to Dr. James Vonesh (jrvoneshvcu.edu). Posted: 11/19/08.

Virginia Commonwealth University: Graduate position to study chameleon population ecology in Tanzania. The Vonesh lab in the Department of Biology seeks a highly motivated graduate student starting fall 2009 to participate on our project "Assessing the sustainability of harvesting endemic chameleons: Integrating land-use and harvesting patterns with specific specific-demography." This is a collaborative effort between American and Tanzanian scientists and wildlife trade experts and focuses on chameleons endemic to the East Usambara Mountains of Tanzania. The project seeks to improve understanding of 1) basic chameleon population biology, the 2) socio-economic drivers of harvesting and the 3) potential effects of harvesting on chameleon population dynamics. Desired qualifications include a BS/MS in ecology (or related field) and a demonstrated ability to work independently at remote tropical sites. Some proficiency in Kiswahili is desirable. Interested persons should send a letter that summarizes your background, educational goals, and statement of research interests, along with curriculum vitae (include GPA and GRE scores) with contact information for three references to Dr. James Vonesh (jrvoneshvcu.edu). Posted: 11/13/08.

Virginia Tech: Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences. This study will focus on the population dynamics and behavior of shorebirds nesting on Cape Lookout National Seashore, NC with special emphasis in understanding the effects, if any, of military flights over the study area. Target species include least tern, common tern, black skimmer, Wilson’s plover, and gull-billed tern. This advertisement is for two M.S. students for the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences at Virginia Tech, one whom will work with terns and skimmers with advisor Sarah Karpanty and the second whom will work on Wilson’s plovers with advisor Jim Fraser. A collaborative companion study of American oystercatchers will be conducted by a third graduate student from N.C. State University (advisor Ted Simons) and will be closely coordinated with this study. Data will be gathered on all 6 species, but 3 or 4 species will be selected for more in-depth study, probably least tern, black skimmer, Wilson’s plover and American Oystercatcher. Data collected will include shorebird behavior, nesting success, and survival, as well as frequency and characteristics (e.g. altitude, time, noise levels) of military flights, human presence etc. A research assistantship at a competitive level will be provided during the field work and thesis preparation. Expected duration of assistantship and project is about 2 years-9 months. Synopses of similar projects: Karpanty and Fraser. This program would be excellent preparation for students wishing to continue for a Ph.D., or those wishing to work for a resource management agency or conservation NGO. Duties: Complete study design in consultation with major professor (Sarah Karpanty, probable focus on black skimmers and least terns or Jim Fraser, probable focus on Wilson’s plovers); collect behavioral and ecological data to test hypotheses and fit models; supervise technicians; operate trucks, boats, and ATVs; coordinate with the National Park Service, the U.S. Marines, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission and other researchers; analyze data, write reports and publish research results in refereed journals with advisors. Fieldwork involves long hot days, early mornings and nights. Incumbent will live at a field site for a portion of each year and will live in remote National Park Service housing on the Outer Banks during that time. This will be an excellent project for someone wishing to make a research contribution to basic science and, simultaneously, to the design of avian conservation strategies. Position is subject to receipt of funding, expected in July 2009. Start date is August 10, 2009. Qualifications: B.S. in Wildlife Science, Ecology, Conservation Biology or closely allied field, with excellent grades, GRE scores and references. Ability to get along with cooperators including military personnel. Previous field experience required, preferably with birds. Experience with bird capture and handling preferred. Evidence of scientific writing skills (i.e. academic papers, publications, etc.) and a commitment to scientific publication. Coursework or experience with population and/or behavioral ecology desired. Willingness to work long hours in the hot sun in remote conditions. To apply: email C.V., 1 page letter of application, degree title and GPA for all degrees, GRE scores and names and contact information for 3 references including at least one field supervisor and two academic references. Finalists will be asked to participate in a phone interview, to send transcripts, and to apply to the Virginia Tech graduate school. Send information to Sarah Karpanty (karpanty@vt.edu) and Jim Fraser (fraser@vt.edu), simultaneously. Candidate selection will begin immediately and will continue until position is filled. Apply ASAP. Posted: 5/29/09.

Virginia Tech: Seeking a Ph.D. Level Graduate Research Student to Investigate Land Abandonment in Russia. Graduate Research Assistantship in the Geospatial and Environmental Applications Ph.D. Program in the College of Natural Resources. A competitive stipend is offered plus tuition and health insurance for at least three years. Qualifications: Minimum: M.Sc. in Geography, Natural Resources, Forestry, Agronomy, Ecology, Environmental Sciences, or related field. Experience or background in remote sensing analysis (ENVI/IDL preferred); Geographic Information Systems (ArcGIS 9.x), and/or Spatial Statistics. Willingness to travel to rural Russia for summer field work. Fluency in Russian is a plus. The selected student will participate in a NASA Land Cover Land Use Change project investigating land abandonment in European Russia. The student will participate in the modeling past and future land abandonment based on (1) past abandonment estimates retrieved from satellite imagery, (2) age-structured population models, and (3) spatially structured metapopulation models using socio-demographic data. To Apply: E-mail Dr. Kirsten de Beurs (kdebeurs@vt.edu) with a cover letter and curriculum vitae. In the cover letter, state why you are qualified and interested in the position, and highlight experience or course work related to the position responsibilities. Posted: 4/8/09.

Virginia Tech: The Virginia Water Resources Research Center and Department of Forestry at Virginia Tech are seeking applicants for a graduate research assistantship position at the M.S. level. An applicant is sought with research interests in hydrology and forest watershed management. Potential research projects include assessment of hydrologic controls on riparian buffer nutrient retention, land-use impacts on hydrology, effectiveness of best management practices, and basic hydrologic research in forested environments. Desired qualifications include: an undergraduate degree in water resources science or engineering, forestry or natural resources, environmental science, or a related field; good written and oral communication skills; quantitative data analysis capability. Research assistantships in the Department of Forestry include a full tuition waiver and a competitive annual stipend. The assistantship is expected to begin in the fall of 2009. For more information please contact Dr. Kevin J. McGuire (540-231-6017; kevin.mcguire@vt.edu). Posted: 2/18/09.

Virginia Tech: GRA in Forest Soils and Ecology. The Department of Forestry is seeking applicants for a graduate research assistantship position at the M.S. level. An applicant is sought for research assessing shifts in the bioavailability of soil organic C and N in response to postharvest forest management (e.g. organic matter retention, competing vegetation control) at affiliate sites of the U.S. Forest Service Long-term Soil Productivity (LTSP) program in the Pacific Northwest. Desired qualifications include: an undergraduate degree in soils, environmental science, natural resources, or a related field; good written and oral communication skills; demonstrated proficiency with analytical chemistry techniques. Research assistantships in the Department of Forestry include a full tuition waiver and a competitive annual stipend (including summer support). The assistantship is expected to begin in the fall of 2009. For more information please contact (preferably by email or phone): Dr. Brian D. Strahm (brian.strahm@vt.edu, 206-384-0329), Department of Forestry, College of Natural Resources, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061. Posted: 1/20/09.

Virginia Tech: PhD Assistantship in Mapping Ecosystem Services. This position is part of a multidisciplinary effort to examine where/when biological conservation enhances delivery of aquatic ecosystem services. Candidate will participate in conceptual-model development for and spatial analyses of relations among conservation practices, biodiversity, delivery of ecosystem services, and human well being in a US river basin. Candidate will be in charge of project data analysis and report writing, while completing PhD coursework. Qualifications: Master's degree in landscape ecology, geography, ecological economics, conservation biology, or related discipline; demonstrated scientific productivity, including peer-reviewed publications; strong statistical skills; experience with large geo-spatial datasets; excellent writing skills. Salary: $22-24k/yr plus tuition. Closing date: 31 July 2009. Send letter of interest, resume, GRE scores, names of three references to: Paul Angermeier, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061-0321; 540-231-4501; biota@vt.edu. Posted: 1/9/09.

Virginia Tech: Graduate Opportunities for River and Wetland Engineering Research. The departments of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Biological Systems Engineering have openings for several highly qualified and motivated graduate students interested in stream, wetland, and river science and engineering beginning August 2009. We study the interaction among stream, wetland, and river hydrology, geomorphology, biogeochemistry, and ecology and their application to aquatic ecosystem restoration and watershed planning. Depending on interests and qualifications, students would work with one or more of the following faculty: Panos Diplas, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Baker Environmental Hydraulics Laboratory, pdiplasvt.edu. Potential projects include: 1) Bridge foundation scour, 2) Incipient particle movement under turbulent flow conditions, 3) Impact of unsteady river flow on bank erosion, 4) Wetland hydrodynamics, 5) Hyporheic flows, 6) In-stream flow control structures. W. Cully Hession, Biological Systems Engineering, chessionvt.edu. Potential projects include: 1) understanding linkages between channel morphology and aquatic habitat/ecosystem health; 2) quantifying the influence of streamside vegetation on stream channel morphology; and 3) developing constructed wetlands for stormwater runoff control. Erich Hester, Civil and Environmental Engineering, ehestervt.edu. Potential projects include 1) evaluating how channel morphology, hydraulics, and vegetation patterns control inundation patterns, surface water-groundwater (hyporheic) exchange, light, and temperature in streams and rivers, 2) evaluating the impact of human-caused temperature change on river organisms, and 3) developing techniques to reduce human temperature impacts. Work will entail field work, numerical modeling, and possibly lab work. Durelle Scott, Biological Systems Engineering, dscottvt.edu. Examples of current opportunities: Coupled carbon and nitrogen cycling within forested watersheds, Impacts on riverine export in response to hydrologic variability (e.g. flood magnitude & frequency), Water and nutrient export across a gradient in watershed glacier coverage, Engineering enhancement of in-stream nutrient retention within stream networks. All projects involve a combination of fieldwork, laboratory experimentation, and numerical modeling. Tess Wynn, Biological Systems Engineering, tesswynnvt.edu. A current opportunity exists to develop a wetland water budget model for use in wetland creation/restoration design. This is a collaborative project with soil scientists and geologists; the student would be responsible for developing and testing the surface water component and assisting with field work in support of the modeling project. Other potential projects include investigating the role of roots in streambank erosion and exploring the interaction between hydrology, carbon sources, and microbial communities in stormwater bioretention cells (aka rain gardens). Students should have a B.S. in a relevant engineering or science field by the start date (M.S. preferred for Ph.D. program). Highly developed quantitative skills (numerical methods, modeling, fluid dynamics, computer programming) are preferred for modeling projects. Students capable of rigorous field work are necessary for the field studies, and field or laboratory experience is preferred. Interest, motivation, and writing skills are also important. Openings are available for both M.S. and Ph.D. students, depending on the skills, background, and interests of the student. Those without engineering backgrounds may need to take a number of undergraduate math or engineering courses either before enrolling or at Virginia Tech as part of the graduate program. Interested students should contact those faculty whose projects most closely match their interests and include a CV, statement of research interests, reasons for pursuing a graduate degree, and contact info for at least 2 references. Please include GPAs, summary of relevant courses, and GRE scores (including percentiles) on your CV, or include a pdf of your transcript(s). Posted: 10/30/08.

Washington State University Vancouver: Opportunities are available for graduate study in Dr. John Harrison’s Global Change and Watershed Biogeochemistry research group at Washington State University’s Vancouver Campus. We are seeking independent, motivated students with an interest in biogeochemistry and/or land-water interactions. Candidates seeking M.S. and Ph.D. degrees will both be considered. Prospective students should have a strong background in the physical sciences (including at least a year of undergraduate chemistry) and a dedication to research that improves understanding and management of aquatic and land-based resources. In addition to teaching assistantships and research assistantships, WSUV also offers NSF GK-12 Graduate Teaching Fellowships to graduate students enrolled in the Environmental Science graduate program. GK-12 Fellows serve as graduate teaching assistants in a middle-school science classroom for an entire academic year and stipends are very competitive ($30k/year). All teaching and research assistantships include tuition waivers as part of their stipends. Admission requirements and application materials for M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Environmental Science. M.S., and Ph.D. degrees in Geology are also an option, and more information on these is available at the homepage for WSU’s School of Earth and Environmental Sciences. Interested parties should either apply directly to WSU Vancouver or contact John Harrison (harrisoj@vancouver.wsu.edu) for additional information. Priority applications are due January 10, 2009. Posted: 12/9/08.

Washington State University Vancouver: Graduate student teaching and research assistantships are currently available for the MS and PhD Environmental Science degree programs at Washington State University Vancouver (WSUV). Graduate students enrolled in the Environmental Science graduate program may also apply for WSUV GK-12 Graduate Teaching Fellowships. GK-12 Fellows serve as graduate teaching assistants in a middle-school science classroom for an entire academic year and stipends are very competitive ($30k/year). All teaching/research assistantships include tuition waivers as part of their stipends. Faculty research focuses on conservation ecology and genetics, marine ecology, molecular biology, oceanography, environmental physics and geochemistry, animal behavior, and neuroscience. More information about our graduate programs. We do not accept students without a faculty advisor so please contact a faculty member in an area of research similar to your own about the potential for admission to graduate school. WSU Vancouver is located in Washington across the Columbia River from Portland, Oregon, and is close to the Cascades, Puget Sound, and the Pacific Ocean, and thus offers significant opportunities for research, a variety of neighboring institutions and agencies for collaboration, and an excellent quality of life. Degree programs are offered across all WSU campuses and students in Vancouver may participate in activities in Pullman. Priority applications are due January 10, 2009. Applications received after January 10 will be considered on a rolling basis. Please contact Brian Tissot for additional information (Tissot@vancouver.wsu.edu 360.546.9611; 360-546.9064 (fax)). Posted: 12/2/08.

Washington State University Vancouver: We seek a graduate student (MS or PhD) to assist with a study on the potential impact of herbicides on at-risk butterflies. Invasive species are one of the leading threats for several at-risk butterfly species in Pacific Northwest Prairies. Selective herbicides are increasingly a preferred management tool because of their ability to target problem species with minimal impact on many native plant species. However, the impact of these herbicides on at-risk butterflies is virtually unknown. Preliminary studies suggest impacts on butterfly survivorship, development and morphology. We are working with USFWS and other agencies working in these prairies to investigate herbicide impacts by using a mix of field, lab and quantitative techniques. Please see our website for overview of our research approach and list of publications. MS and PhD students are admitted through the Environmental Science Program. The Program provides students with an interdisciplinary, applications-oriented education in environmental science. Students will be financially supported through a combination of teaching and research assistantships. Interested students should send a CV/resume and a letter describing past research experience and future research interests to Cheryl Schultz, schultzcvancouver.wsu.edu or call 360-546-9525 for more information. Graduate applications are due January 10, 2009 for Fall 2009 admission. I encourage all interested students to get in touch to learn more about the program and research in our lab. Posted: 9/30/08, revised: 12/8/08.

West Virginia University: Graduate research assistant opportunity in remote sensing, forest ecosystem ecology, and GIScience. I am looking for a motivated, enthusiastic masters student to develop a thesis related to the broad goals of a NASA-funded research project entitled “Characterization of forest functional types and their role in mediating ecosystem response to environmental change”. Student should have: 1) an undergraduate degree in geography, ecology, biology or related field, 2) willingness to conduct rigorous field research in forests of the Adirondack and Central Appalachian mountains, and 3) demonstrated interest/experience in remote sensing (hyperspectral, multi-spectral, or hypertemporal), field-based ecosystem ecology, and/or raster-based GIS modeling. Compensation includes: complete tuition waivers ($16,270/yr), one academic year of graduate teaching assistantship ($13,350/9 mo.), one academic year of graduate research assistantship ($13,350/9 mo.), as well as a summer research stipend. The Department of Geology and Geography has newly-renovated, state-of the art facilities for research in remote sensing, GIScience, and forest ecology. Applicants should send a cover letter, resume, transcripts (unofficial OK), statement of interest, and the contact information of three references to: Dr. Brenden McNeil (Brenden.McNeil@mail.wvu.edu), Geology and Geography, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506. Deadline for applications: Jan. 1, 2009. Posted: 12/8/08.

West Virginia University: Graduate research assistant opportunity in cliff ecology. I have two years of funding, beginning fall 2009, for a masters student interested in the cliff ecology of the New River Gorge National River. Field-based research funded by the National Park Service will evaluate the impact of climbing on woody, herbaceous and non-flowering plants of cliff and cliff-side communities. Student should have: 1) a minimum of an undergraduate degree in geography, ecology, biology or related field, 2) demonstrated abilities in climbing, caving, or rappelling and 3) demonstrated interest in plant systematics, vegetation ecology, and/or tree ring research. Compensation includes: complete tuition waiver ($16,270/yr) and stipend (MA $13,350/9 mo., with possible TA support for two additional semesters). Applicants should send cover letter, resume, transcripts (unofficial OK), and the contact information of three references to: Dr. Amy Hessl (Amy.Hessl@mail.wvu.edu). ph. (304) 293-8210. Deadline for applications: Jan. 1, 2009. Posted: 12/4/08.

Wichita State University: A self-motivated candidate is sought for an M.S. research assistantship to study bioinformatics and entomology. The successful candidate will assist in a trans-disciplinary research that involves collaboration with biodiversity scientists (systematists), genomists, and computer scientists. The research aims to develop cyberinfrastructure tools that facilitate investigation of broad, over-arching questions in the biological sciences by uniting numerous, heterogeneous databases and creating bioinformatics tools that allow access to biodiversity and genomics data. Success of this research will have broad application to biological sciences, human health, and climate change. The student will focus on one component of the research: biodiversity science using entomological data. The student will address conservation, evolution, or invasive species using data and tools that are part of the broad research agenda. The ideal student for this position is self-motivated, works well independently, is skilled with computers, and has a strong interest in entomology, evolutionary biology, and bioinformatics. The successful applicant will have a strong commitment to entomology and desire to learn a range of tools/techniques/methods. A willingness to conduct field research in the Latin America is preferred. Proficiency in oral and written English required. The student will be expected to develop a research program that uses focal cyberinfrastructure tools and biodiversity databases. Applicants should have a B.S. in biology. The successful applicant will receive a stipend, full tuition remission, and partial health benefits. Deadline for applications is 15 June 2009, but early applications are encouraged. The assistantship will begin in summer or fall 2009. Interested applicants should email CV, transcript, test scores, and a letter describing your research interests to Dr. Mary Liz Jameson (maryliz.jameson@gmail.com). See also: graduate school at WSU. For additional information, contact: Mary Liz Jameson, Dept. of Biological Sciences, 316-440-7519,maryliz.jameson@gmail.com. Posted: 12/4/08.

Wright State University: We are seeking a Ph.D. student to join an NSF-funded project on the effects of grazing fish on attached algal productivity and littoral nutrient cycling. The research will be conducted in Lake Tanganyika (Tanzania) and at Wright State in Dayton, Ohio. The project is directed by Dr. Yvonne Vadeboncoeur (Wright State) and Dr. Pete McIntyre (University of Michigan). The student will be enrolled in the Environmental Sciences Ph.D. program at Wright State working in Dr. Vadeboncoeur’s lab. The successful applicant will be expected to excel in a rigorous, interdisciplinary (Ecology, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Physics) Ph.D. curriculum. In addition to contributing to the overall goals of the project, the student should develop an independent line of research on the theme of grazer-producer-nutrient interactions based on laboratory and/or field experimentation. The project focuses on the role diverse grazing fishes in sustaining (and potentially enhancing) benthic primary production. Focal mechanisms include invigorating biofilms through cropping, hastening nutrient recycling rates, enhancing nitrogen-fixation rates, and long-term retention of nutrients delivered by upwelling. We hypothesize that these diverse pathways contribute to making the littoral zone of Lake Tanganyika one of the world’s most productive freshwater environments. We will use a combination of field surveys, field experiments, and laboratory experiments to separate the roles of each mechanism to explore long-term dynamics and ecosystem sensitivity. The broader context for the research is the growing fishing pressure on littoral fishes and suppression of upwelling by global warming, which may act separately or synergistically to undercut primary and secondary productivity of this globally-important ecosystem. The successful applicant will be supported by a 3-year research assistantship, plus a teaching-assistantship (at least 1-year), pending acceptable progress. Additional support may be available through teaching assistantships. The student will live in Ohio for most of the year, but spend up to 12 weeks per year in the field in Tanzania. Costs of travel and subsistence in Tanzania will be covered by the grant. Application requirements include: Bachelors degree in Biology, Ecology, Environmental Sciences or related field. Strong swimming ability; SCUBA certification at the time the candidate joins the project or immediately thereafter; a valid passport; GRE scores within the last 5 y; minimum IBT TOEFL score of 100/120 and ability to pass a verbal English test (foreign students only). Preferred qualifications include: Masters degree or equivalent experience; a strong background in nutrient chemistry and stable isotope methods; experience in field and laboratory research; experience driving boats; speaking ability in Kiswahili (French also helpful). See Environmental Sciences Ph.D. program for program requirements, application procedures and stipends. Please contact Dr. Vadeboncoeur for more information before applying (Yvonne.vadeboncoeur@wright.edu). Posted: 1/22/09.

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