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titles marked (MS) are for students seeking a master's degree, (PhD) are for students seeking a doctoral degree, | Please consider a voluntary contribution if you would like to post a job ad |
Assistantships and Fellowships | Fellowship Program Links | Short Courses | Summer Jobs
Featured Positions
| Location | Title | Closes | Posted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Washington University | Ecohydrology of Invasive Reed Canary Grass (MS) | 5/23/11 | 5/9/11 |
All Positions
| Location | Title | Closes | Posted |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Carolina State University | FL Keys Predator Study (PhD) | 11/15/11 | 6/30/11 |
| University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee | Freshwater phytoplankton ecophysiology (2 PhD positions) | 10/31/11 | 6/29/11 |
| Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences | Aboveground-Belowground Linkages in Boreal & Subarctic Ecosystems | 8/10/11 | 6/21/11 |
| Purdue University | Woody Biomass Modeling | 8/1/11 | 5/20/11 |
| University of Georgia | Stream ecosystem response to watershed disturbance | 7/15/11 | 6/20/11 |
| >University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff | Stream Ecosystem Health (MS) | 6/30/11 | |
| Auburn University | Black Bears in Alabama | 6/30/11 | 6/24/11 |
| Université Laval (Canada) | Natural Disturbances and Forestry (PhD) | 6/29/11 | |
| Virginia Tech | Salamander conservation biology | 6/27/11 | 6/15/11 |
| University of Florida | Tropical Forest Ecology | 6/24/11 | |
| University of Connecticut | Forest Ecology (PhD) | 6/23/11 | |
| Louisiana State University | Applied forest ecology and forestry | 6/23/11 | |
| University of Idaho | Soil productivity and ecohydrology of woody energy crops (PhD) | 6/20/11 | |
| University of California, Santa Cruz | Disease Ecology - White Nose Syndrome | 6/20/11 | |
| Oklahoma State University | Effect of arthropod availability on bobwhite quail | 6/17/11 | |
| Montana State University | Population Dynamics of Reptiles and Amphibians (PhD) | 6/15/11 | 5/31/11 |
| Montana State University | Dynamics between small mammal communities and invasive plants (MS) | 6/15/11 | 5/31/11 |
| University of Saskatchewan (Canada) | Wildlife Disease Ecology and Management (2 MS) | 6/15/11 | 4/7/11 |
| Université du Québec à Montréal (Canada) | Soil Microarthopods, Agroforestry, and Climate Change | 6/14/11 | |
| Utah State University | Ecological assessment of wetlands | 6/14/11 | |
| Wright State University | Chemical Ecology (PhD) | 6/13/11 | |
| University of California Los Angeles | Tropical Biogeochemistry (PhD) | 6/13/11 | |
| Pennsylvania State University | Entomology/Agroecology (PhD) | 6/13/11 | |
| University of Wyoming | Sage Grouse Connectivity and Energy Development (PhD) | 6/10/11 | 5/26/11 |
| Jagiellonian University (Poland) | Ecology (PhD) | 6/10/11 | 3/17/11 |
| Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi | Climate change & estuarine ecology (PhD) | 5/28/11 | 5/6/11 |
| Eastern Washington University | Ecohydrology of Invasive Reed Canary Grass (MS) | 5/23/11 | 5/9/11 |
| University of Hull (UK) | Predicting biological invasions: a phylogenetic approach (PhD) | 5/19/11 | |
| Michigan State University | Spatiotemporal analysis of ecological inventory databases (MS) | 5/18/11 | |
| Texas State University | Stream Ecology (MS) | 5/18/11 | |
| Université Laval (Canada) | Dynamic mapping of boreal forest carbon (PhD) | 5/18/11 | |
| Colorado State University | Natural Resource Policy (PhD) | 5/17/11 | |
| University of Alabama | Biogeochemistry, coastal waters (MS) | 5/16/11 | |
| University of North Dakota | Grassland/restoration ecology (MS) | 5/15/11 | 4/21/11 |
| University of Arkansas at Monticello | C and N Dynamics in Agroforest Bioenergy Plantations (MS) | 5/15/11 | 2/1/11 |
| Colorado State University | Natural Resource Ecology | 5/13/11 | |
| Florida Atlantic University | Ecosystem Ecology, Michigan | 5/12/11 | |
| Louisiana Tech University | Tree energy crop gas exchange and C use efficiency (MS) | 5/5/11 | |
| Iowa State University | Lead levels in Bald Eagles (MS) | 5/4/11 | |
| Rice University | Population and community ecology (PhD) | 5/6/11 | 3/24/11 |
| University of Montana | Whitebark Pine Ecology and Restoration (PhD) | 5/4/11 | |
| Virginia Tech | Rhizosphere Microbial Ecology (PhD) | 5/4/11 | |
| University of Oregon | Oyster biology (MS) | 5/4/11 | |
| Bethune-Cookman University | Integrated Environmental Science (MS) | 5/4/11 | |
| Auburn University | Limnology/Aquatic Ecology | 5/4/11 | |
| Virginia Tech | Executive Masters of Natural Resources program | 5/3/11 | |
| Carleton University | Fish Ecology and Conservation Physiology | 5/2/11 | |
| University of Bonn (Germany) | Hydrological dimension of dryland afforestation in Central Asia (PhD) | 5/1/11 | 3/24/11 |
| Montana State University | Pollination Ecology (MS) | 4/30/11 | 4/8/11 |
| Minnesota State University, Mankato | River Fisheries Ecology (MS) | 4/29/11 | 4/14/11 |
| Forschungsanstalt Agroscope Reckenholz-Tänikon (Switzerland) | Effects of nanoparticles on beneficial soil microbes and crops (PhD) | 4/28/11 | 4/19/11 |
| Pennsylvania State University | Forest ecology and carbon cycling | 4/25/11 | 4/21/11 |
| Queen’s University (Canada) | Terrestrial Ecosystem Ecology | 4/21/11 | 4/4/11 |
| University of New Hampshire | Soil Microbial Ecology (PhD) | 4/20/11 | |
| Colorado State University | Vertebrate population ecology (PhD) | 4/18/11 | |
| University of Wisconsin-Madison | Bioenergy Plantation Impacts on Ecosystems (PhD) | 4/18/11 | |
| University of Vermont | Plant Biology (PhD) | 4/18/11 | |
| Nordic Centre of Excellence Tundra (Finland, Norway, or Sweden) | Tundra in a warming climate (3-5 PhD positions) | 4/15/11 | 3/29/11 |
| University of Saskatchewan (Canada) | Ecology and evolution of the feral horses, Nova Scotia (PhD) | 4/15/11 | 3/29/11 |
| Netherlands Centre for Biodiversity Naturalis | Evolution and biogeography of tropical understorey plants (PhD) | 4/15/11 | 3/24/11 |
| Loyola University Chicago | Ecosystem restoration and biogeochemistry (MS) | 4/14/11 | |
| University of New Hampshire | Sustainability of Aquatic Ecosystems | 4/11/11 | |
| SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry | Nutrient limitation in forests (PhD) | 4/11/11 | |
| Eawag/EPFL (Switzerland) | Aquatic ecology/ecohydrology (PhD) | 4/10/11 | 3/17/11 |
| Auburn University | Ecohydrology, Wetland Biogeochemistry, Agricultural Ecosystems (3 PhD positions) | 4/8/11 | |
| University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science | Impacts of wind-turbines on bat (MS) | 4/7/11 | |
| Oregon State University | Forest Ecology and Biogeochemistry (MS) | 4/6/11 | |
| University of Massachusetts Amherst | Urban Green Infrastructure and Ecosystem Services (PhD) | 4/5/11 | |
| Utah State University | Microbial communities, N cycling in agricultural systems | 4/5/11 | |
| University of Georgia-Griffin | N cycling/microorganisms, agricultural systems (PhD) | 4/5/11 | |
| Washington State University Puyallup | Urban Stormwater Runoff/Soil Science/Microbiology (PhD) | 4/5/11 | |
| Freie Universität Berlin (Germany) | Mycorrhizal ecology (PhD) | 4/4/11 | 3/16/11 |
| University of Alberta (Canada) | Forest ecology (2 MS, 1 PhD position) | 4/1/11 | 3/18/11 |
| California State University Fresno | Parasitology/systematics (MS) | 4/1/11 | 1/27/11 |
| University of Lethbridge (Canada) | Plant Ecophysiology (2MS/PhD) | 3/31/11 | |
| University of Auckland | Vertebrate pest management (PhD) | 3/31/11 | 3/17/11 |
| Florida International University | Agroecology (6 MS positions) | 3/31/11 | 2/18/11 |
| Southern Illinois University | Agroecosystem Sustainability (PhD) | 3/30/11 | |
| Montana State University | Soil Modification as a Restoration Tool to Reduce Old World Bluestems (MS) | 3/28/11 | 3/24/11 |
| North Carolina State University | Quantitative Forest Genetics (2 PhD positions) | 3/24/11 | |
| University of Guelph (Canada) | Metacommunity Dynamics and Community Assembly (PhD) | 3/24/11 | |
| University of Maine | Forest Soils | 3/21/11 | |
| Memorial University (Canada) | Climate change and boreal forest carbon (PhD) | 3/21/11 | |
| University of Georgia | Hydrology of isolated wetlands (PhD) | 3/21/11 | |
| University of Waterloo (Canada) | Plant-environment-insect interactions, mathematics (2 positions) | 3/18/11 | |
| University of Regina (Canada) | Stable Isotope Ecology | 3/18/11 | |
| University of Massachusetts | Fish migration (MS) | 3/18/11 | |
| Lund University (Sweden) | Pollination Ecology (PhD) | 3/17/11 | 3/1/11 |
| Leibniz Center for Tropical Marine Ecology (Germany) | Tropical Marine Ecology (8 PhD positions) | 3/15/11 | 2/22/11 |
| University of Wisconsin-Madison | Remote sensing, agricultural land use change in Eastern Europe (PhD) | 3/15/11 | 2/17/11 |
| Oakland University | Stream Ecology (MS) | 3/15/11 | 2/1/11 |
| Western Kentucky University | Wildlife ecology, South Africa (2 MS positions) | 3/7/11 | |
| University of Montana | Whitebark Pine Ecology and Restoration (PhD) | 3/7/11 | |
| University of New Hampshire | Agroecology (PhD) | 3/7/11 | |
| Michigan State University | Nonconsumptive Effects of Invasive Zooplankton | 3/7/11 | |
| University of Lisbon (Portugal) | Temporal dynamics of fragmentation impacts on Neotropical bats | 3/7/11 | 2/16/11 |
| University of Florida | Tropical Forest Ecology | 3/4/11 | |
| Southern Illinois University | Carbon and Nitrogen Cycling in Agricultural Systems | 3/1/11 | |
| University of Idaho | Biochar amendments and forest soil carbon cycling (PhD) | 3/1/11 | |
| Umeå University (Sweden) | Populus genetic variation and ecosystem functioning (PhD) | 3/1/11 | 2/18/11 |
| SUNY Plattsburgh | Fish Biology (MS) | 3/1/11 | 1/31/11 |
| Towson University | Successional Dynamics, Plant Ecology and G6-12 Education (2 MS positions) | 3/1/11 | 12/17/10 |
| Freie Universität Berlin (Germany) | Soil and community ecology (PhD) | 2/28/11 | 1/31/11 |
| University of Nevada, Reno | Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology (PhD) | 2/28/11 | 12/13/10 |
| Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis | Methane dynamics in agricultural soils | 2/25/11 | |
| University of Pretoria (South Africa) | Insect/Fungal Ecology and Forests | 2/24/11 | |
| Texas Tech University | Plant Ecophysiology/Restoration Ecology (PhD) | 2/22/11 | |
| Ball State University | Biogeochemistry of Devils Hole, NV | 2/21/11 | |
| Clemson University | Forest biodiversity, herps (MS) | 2/21/11 | |
| University of Nebraska | CRP and pollinators (PhD) | 2/18/11 | |
| University of Rhode Island | Invasive species ecology/evolution (PhD) | 2/18/11 | |
| University of North Carolina at Charlotte | Urban Stream Research | 2/18/11 | |
| Université du Québec à Montréal (Canada) | Growth, physiology and carbon dynamics of bioenergy willow (2 MS, 1 PhD position) | 2/18/11 | |
| Université du Québec à Rimouski (Canada) | Trophic interactions and functioning of forest ecosystems (PhD) | 2/18/11 | |
| University of Arizona | Natural Resources Ecology | 2/18/11 | |
| University of New Hampshire | Plant water relations (PhD) | 2/17/11 | |
| Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ | Analysis of ecosystem service valuations (PhD) | 2/17/11 | |
| University of South Dakota | Amphibian Disease Ecology/Ecotoxicology | 2/15/11 | 2/3/11 |
| Murray State University | Watershed Science (MS) | 2/15/11 | 1/24/11 |
| Umeå University (Sweden) | Biotic resistence in fish communities (PhD) | 2/15/11 | 1/18/11 |
| Central Michigan University | Freshwater Mussels (MS) | 2/15/11 | 1/7/11 |
| Plymouth State University | Hydrology, forest ecology, environmental social sciences (MS) | 2/15/11 | 12/7/10 |
| North Carolina State University | Soil Science/Plant Pathology (PhD) | 2/15/11 | 12/1/10 |
| Northern Arizona University | Climate Science and Solutions (MS) | 2/14/11 | 1/7/11 |
| University of Florida | Nutrient dynamics, management and policy in watersheds (6 PhD positions) | 2/11/11 | 1/4/11 |
| Michigan Technological University | Effect of emerald ash borer on black ash wetlands | 2/4/11 | |
| Université Laval (Canada) | Ecosystem-based forest management (Phd) | 2/4/11 | 1/7/11 |
| University of Maine | Microbial response to altered watershed biogeochemistry | 2/3/11 | |
| University of Potsdam (Germany) | Pelagic food webs (PhD) | 2/3/11 | |
| Utah State University | Forest Ecosystems and Management (2 PhD positions) | 2/1/11 | |
| Southeastern Louisiana University | Shallow water benthic macroinvertebrate communities (MS) | 2/1/11 | 1/24/11 |
| University of Maryland | Stream community ecology and watershed processes in urban landscapes (PhD) | 2/1/11 | 1/18/11 |
| Western Washington University | Landscape genetics of cougars (MS) | 2/1/11 | 1/7/11 |
| Michigan Technological University | Remote sensing and resources inventory | 2/1/11 | 1/7/11 |
| University of Maryland | Urban Hydrology & Biogeochemistry (2 PhD positions) | 2/1/11 | 1/5/11 |
| Western Washington University | Belowground Ecology | 2/1/11 | 12/20/10 |
| Texas Tech University | Odonate Ecology | 2/1/11 | 12/7/10 |
| University at Buffalo | Ecosystem Restoration (PhD) | 2/1/11 | 11/19/10 |
| Kent State and Miami University of Ohio | Environmental Aquatic Resource Sensing | 2/1/11 | 11/18/10 |
| Ball State University | Aquatic biogeochemistry | 2/1/11 | 11/15/10 |
| Utah State University | Plant species interactions and climate change (PhD) | 1/31/11 | |
| Pennsylvania State University | Soil Ecology and Applied Plant Ecology (2 PhD positions) | 1/31/11 | |
| Erasmus Mundus et al. (various countries) | River Science (11 PhD positions) | 1/31/11 | 1/5/11 |
| University of Zurich (Switzerland) | Community Ecology (PhD) | 1/31/11 | 12/20/10 |
| Colorado State University and University of Nebraska | Stream biodiversity (3 PhD positions) | 1/31/11 | 12/7/10 |
| Sonoma State University | Leaf stomata and respiration (MS) | 1/31/11 | 11/30/10 |
| Alabama A&M University | Minority asstship in forest ecology and ecological services (MS) | 1/28/11 | |
| University of Arkansas-Monticello | Forest Science (MS) | 1/28/11 | |
| University of Alabama | Plant Ecophysiology and Climate Change (PhD) | 1/27/11 | |
| University of Wyoming | Restoration ecology and genetics of native plants (PhD) | 1/27/11 | |
| Michigan State University | Hydrologic modeling, watershed biogeochemistry, and climate change | 1/27/11 | 1/21/11 |
| University of Wyoming | Species Distribution and Functional Connectivity | 1/25/11 | 1/7/11 |
| University of Wisconsin-Madison | Ecological change in Pine Barrens (MS) | 1/20/11 | |
| Texas Tech University | Community, behavioral, and evolutionary ecology (PhD) | 1/20/11 | |
| University of Idaho | Lidar/Remote Sensing of Plant Structure, Physiology, Biogeochemistry | 1/20/11 | |
| University of Georgia | Forest Production Ecology (PhD) | 1/19/11 | |
| University of Florida | Land Biogeochemistry Modeling (PhD) | 1/18/11 | |
| SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry | Global Change and Forest Ecology (PhD) | 1/18/11 | |
| University of South Florida | Ecology of marine fishes | 1/15/11 | 12/22/10 |
| North Carolina State University | Ecology of Longleaf Pine Ecosystems (PhD) | 1/15/11 | 12/15/10 |
| University of Arkansas | Stream Ecology and Ecological Stoichiometry (PhD) | 1/15/11 | 12/14/10 |
| Florida International University | Ecophysiology and Global Change (PhD) | 1/15/11 | 12/14/10 |
| Wake Forest University | Behavioral ecology of moths and bats (PhD) | 1/15/11 | 12/8/10 |
| Michigan Technological University | Stream ecosystem ecology (PhD) | 1/15/11 | 12/7/10 |
| Texas State University | Plant Physiological Ecology, Mojave Desert (PhD) | 1/15/11 | 12/3/10 |
| Murray State University | Watershed Science (MS) | 1/15/11 | 11/23/10 |
| Ohio University | Forest Soil Biogeochemistry | 1/15/11 | 11/19/10 |
| Portland State University | Ecosystems Services for Urbanizing Regions (PhD) | 1/15/11 | 11/17/10 |
| Boise State University | Ecosystem responses to climate change (MS) | 1/15/11 | 11/15/10 |
| International Max Planck Research School (Germany) | Organismal Biology (PhD) | 1/15/11 | 11/15/10 |
| Ohio University | Forest Ecology | 1/15/11 | 11/15/10 |
| Stony Brook University | Ecology and Evolution (PhD) | 1/15/11 | 11/15/10 |
| Southern Illinois University | Watershed Science and Policy (PhD) | 1/15/11 | 11/12/10 |
| Washington State University | N cycling research and policy (5 PhD positions) | 1/15/11 | 11/2/10 |
| Ohio University | Water transport in trees and young seedling survival (2 MS/PhD) | 1/15/11 | 11/1/10 |
| University of Idaho | Forest Landscape Ecology/Climate Change (2 PhD positions) | 1/15/11 | 11/11/10 |
| Goethe Universitat Frankfurt am Main | Leaf phenology of an African savanna ecosystem (PhD) | 1/13/11 | |
| University of Nevada, Reno | Experimental Tree-Ring Science | 1/12/11 | |
| Colorado State University | Stream hydrology and eddy covariance (PhD) | 1/10/11 | |
| Washington State University Vancouver | Butterfly Ecology (PhD) | 1/10/11 | 11/12/10 |
| Wayne State University | Aquatic ecology | 1/7/11 | |
| Ryerson University | Plant Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Biology | 1/7/11 | |
| Vrije Universiteit Brussel (Belgium) | Marine Biology (PhD) | 1/7/11 | 12/20/10 |
| University of Utah | Forest Carbon Cycling in Response to Pine Beetle Infection (PhD) | 1/7/11 | 11/16/10 |
| Ball State University | Aquatic Disease Ecology | 1/5/11 | |
| North Dakota State University | Weed biology and ecology (MS) | 1/5/11 | |
| University of North Dakota | Plant-insect interactions | 1/5/11 | |
| Mississippi State University | Ecosystem Services of Native Grasses | 1/5/11 | |
| Université Laval (Canada) | Regional conservation planning/climate change (PhD) | 1/5/11 | |
| Université Laval (Canada) | Wildlife and conservation network design (PhD) | 1/5/11 | |
| University of Notre Dame | Microbial Ecology/Genomics (PhD) | 1/5/11 | 12/2/10 |
| Indiana University | Terrestrial Ecosystem Ecology (PhD) | 1/5/11 | 11/22/10 |
| Fordham University | Ecology | 1/5/11 | 11/15/10 |
| University of Michigan | Freshwater Biodiversity (PhD) | 1/5/11 | 11/12/10 |
| University of Notre Dame | Aquatic community and ecosystem ecology | 1/5/11 | 11/11/10 |
| University of Georgia | Soil Carbon Cycle Geochemistry (PhD) | 12/23/10 | |
| University of Nevada, Reno | Conservation biogeography and Paleoecology (2 PhD positions) | 1/1/11 | 11/24/10 |
| University of South Florida | Organismal Biology, Ecology and Evolution | 1/1/11 | 11/22/10 |
| Colorado State University | Climate Change and Forest Dynamics (PhD) | 1/1/11 | 11/16/10 |
| Auburn University | Aquatic ecology | 1/1/11 | 11/15/10 |
| University of California Los Angeles | Ecology and Evolutionary Biology | 12/31/10 | 11/22/10 |
| University of Illinois | Wetland plant ecology and restoration (MS) | 12/23/10 | |
| University of Illinois | Effects of climate change on snake-bird interactions (PhD) | 12/22/10 | |
| University of South Dakota | Aquatic Insect Conservation | 12/21/10 | 12/13/10 |
| University of Wisconsin-Madison | Social-ecological systems and adaptive governance (PhD) | 12/20/10 | 12/13/10 |
| Virginia Tech | Darter Ecology and Conservation (PhD) | 12/17/10 | |
| Virginia Tech | Mapping Ecosystem Services (PhD) | 12/17/10 | |
| University of Waterloo (Canada) | Extinction, invasion, ecosystem engineering (2 positions) | 12/17/10 | |
| Virginia Tech | Forest Soil Carbon Dynamics and Gas Fluxes | 12/17/10 | |
| Purdue University | Dynamics of fish in the Great Lakes | 12/17/10 | 11/15/10 |
| Yale University | Phylogeny-Geography (PhD) | 12/15/10 | 11/29/10 |
| University of Georgia | Plant and Soil Microbe Ecology (PhD) | 12/15/10 | 11/24/10 |
| University of California, Santa Barbara | Urban Climate and Vegetation (2 PhD positions) | 12/15/10 | 11/23/10 |
| University of Kansas | Soil biogeochemistry, microbial ecology, and ecosystem science (PhD) | 12/15/10 | 11/22/10 |
| Tulane University | Marine Ecology (PhD) | 12/15/10 | 11/17/10 |
| New Mexico State University | Golden Eagles and Wind Energy Developments (PhD) | 12/15/10 | 11/16/10 |
| University of Oregon | Ecology, Evolution, Development, and Genomics (PhD) | 12/15/10 | 11/16/10 |
| University of New Hampshire | Human-Environment Interactions | 12/15/10 | 11/15/10 |
| University of Illinois | Invasive Species and Ecosystem Processes (PhD) | 12/15/10 | 11/12/10 |
| University of Florida | Ecosystem Ecology | 12/15/10 | 11/4/10 |
| Clemson University | Immunocontraceptives and gray squirrels (PhD) | 12/15/10 | 10/13/10 |
| University of Minnesota | Forest Ecology (MS) | 12/15/10 | 10/8/10 |
| University of Wyoming | Biogeochemical responses to climate change (PhD) | 12/15/10 | 10/8/10 |
| San Diego State University | Ecosystem-atmosphere water and carbon exchange (2 PhD postitions) | 12/15/10 | 9/28/10 |
| Simon Fraser University (Canada) | Quantitative fisheries science and management | 12/14/10 | |
| University of Wisconsin-Madison | Landscape ecology of natural enemy/pest/energy crop interactions | 12/14/10 | |
| East Carolina University | Ecology and evolution | 12/14/10 | |
| University of Illinois | Land-water interactions in Subarctic Alaska | 12/13/10 | |
| University of Louisiana | Infectious disease ecology and evolution (PhD) | 12/10/10 | |
| University of Houston | Evolutionary Biology and Ecology | 12/10/10 | |
| University of Utah | Ecology, Evolution and Organismal Biology | 12/9/10 | |
| Iowa State University | Wildlife genetics and disease (PhD) | 12/9/10 | |
| University of Alberta (Canada) | Silviculture / Fire Science | 12/8/10 | |
| University of Wisconsin-Madison | Tropical Land Use and Sustainable Bioenergy | 12/7/10 | |
| Purdue University | Spatial modeling of biocontrol insects (PhD) | 12/6/10 | |
| University of Nebraska | Prairie Ecology/Restoration | 12/3/10 | |
| West Virginia University | Forest Ecology | 12/3/10 | |
| University of New Brunswick (Canada) | Stream fish ecology and population dynamics (2 PhD positions) | 12/2/10 | |
| University of Notre Dame | Effects of climate change on an endangered butterfly (MS) | 12/2/10 | |
| Texas Tech University | Plant Ecology | 12/1/10 | |
| Florida Atlantic University | Marine Biology and Ecology | 12/1/10 | |
| Louisiana State University | Invasive species ecology/evolution (PhD) | 12/1/10 | |
| North Carolina State University | Soil Science (MS) | 12/1/10 | |
| Lincoln University (New Zealand) | Role natural enemies play in plant invasions (2 PhD positions) | 12/1/10 | 11/11/10 |
| University of Missouri-St. Louis | Effects of climate change on the spatial distribution of rare plants (MS) | 12/1/10 | 10/11/10 |
| University of Kansas | Population, community, or ecosystem ecology | 11/30/10 | |
| Ohio State University | Aquatic Ecology | 11/30/10 | 11/16/10 |
| Kent State University | Marine microbial ecology (PhD) | 11/29/10 | |
| Boston University | Terrestrial Biogeosciences (PhD) | 11/23/10 | |
| University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff | Water Quaity/Aquatic Ecosystem Management (MS) | 11/22/10 | |
| Coastal Carolina University | Coastal Marine and Wetland Studies | 11/22/10 | |
| University of Wisconsin-Madison | Impact of the landscape on gene flow by insect pollinators | 11/22/10 | |
| University of Georgia | Terrestrial Ecosystem Biogeochemistry and Global Change | 11/22/10 | |
| Virginia Tech | Forestry - climate change or biomass/bioenergy (4 positions) | 11/22/10 | |
| Virginia Tech | Physiology of Eastern Hemlock and the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (2 PhD positions) | 11/22/10 | |
| Virginia Tech | Physiology and Drought Tolerance of Endophyte-Infected Switchgrass (PhD) | 11/22/10 | |
| Louisiana State University | Predator-Prey Population Dynamics (PhD) | 11/22/10 | |
| Michigan Technological University | Fish Ecology (2 PhD positions) | 11/22/10 | |
| MIT/WHOI | Population Connectivity/Ocean Modeling (PhD) | 11/17/10 | |
| College of William and Mary | Mercury and Songbirds (MS) | 11/17/10 | |
| Michigan State University | Carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas emissions in bioenergy plantations | 11/16/10 | |
| University of Cincinnati | Ecology and Evolutionary Biology | 11/16/10 | |
| Ohio University | Spatial ecology of forest herbs | 11/16/10 | |
| Wright State University | Environmental Sciences (PhD) | 11/16/10 | |
| University of British Columbia (Canada) | Biodiversity Research | 11/15/10 | |
| University of Missouri | Agroforestry (7 positions) | 11/15/10 | |
| Colorado State University | K-12 Climate Change Education using NASA data (PhD) | 11/15/10 | |
| South Dakota State University | African Vegetation Dynamics, Remote Sensing and Modeling (PhD) | 11/15/10 | |
| Wichita State University | Plant-insect interactions (MS) | 11/15/10 | |
| Georgetown University | Ecology, evolution and behavior (7 PhD positions) | 11/15/10 | |
| Northern Arizona University | Forest carbon dynamics (PhD) | 11/15/10 | |
| Boise State University | Sensory Ecology (MS) | 11/15/10 | 11/1/10 |
| Brown University/Columbia University | Human Well-being and the Environment in Africa (PhD) | 11/12/10 | |
| Trent University (Canada) | Lynx population/landscape ecology and genetics (PhD) | 11/12/10 | |
| Trent University (Canada) | Snowshoe hare predation risk assessment (PhD) | 11/12/10 | |
| SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry | Nutrient limitation of hardwood forests | 11/12/10 | |
| Miami University | Soil microbial ecology and biogeochemistry (PhD) | 11/12/10 | |
| Virginia Tech | Geospatial Analysis in Hydrology and Hydropedology (PhD) | 11/12/10 | |
| Baylor University | Environmental Science | 11/12/10 | |
| San Diego State University | Landscape ecology, land use and land cover change (PhD) | 11/12/10 | |
| University of Delaware | Corals/ocean acidification (PhD) | 11/11/10 | |
| University of Maine | Human Cooperation and Socio-Ecological Systems Dynamics (PhD) | 11/11/10 | |
| University of Maine | Marine Policy and Science (PhD) | 11/11/10 | |
| University of Regina (Canada) | Plant Ecology (PhD) | 11/11/10 | |
| Wayne State University | Biological Sciences | 11/11/10 | |
| Michigan State University | Restoration, landscape, or plant community ecology | 11/11/10 | |
| University of Wisconsin-Madison | Remote sensing, land use change, and biodiversity in Russia (PhD) | 11/11/10 | |
| Montana State University | Paleofire Ecology | 11/11/10 | |
| Dartmouth College | Polar Environmental Change (PhD) | 11/11/10 | |
| Université du Québec | Metacommunity Ecology (PhD) | 11/11/10 | |
| University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee | Landscape Genetics/Phylogeography (MS) | 11/11/10 | |
| Colorado State University | Ecology | 11/11/10 | |
| Villanova University | Interactions between fire, herbivory and climate change (MS) | 11/11/10 | |
| Texas Tech University | Behavioral Ecology and Avian Population Ecology | 11/10/10 | |
| Université du Québec à Rimouski (Canada) | Soil food webs (MS) | 11/10/10 | |
| University of Texas at Arlington | Arctic ecology/climate change (PhD) | 11/10/10 | |
| University of Missouri | Tree cover and diversity in African savannas (PhD) | 11/10/10 | |
| Rice University | Ecology and evolution of plants and plant-animal interactions (PhD) | 11/10/10 | |
| Oklahoma State University | Carbon dynamics in oak-pine savanna (MS) | 11/5/10 | |
| University of Wisconsin-Madison | Evolutionary Ecology of Plant-Herbivore Interactions | 11/4/10 | |
| University of Wisconsin-Madison | Ecohydrology/Biogeochemistry/Water and Land Use (6 PhD positions) | 11/2/10 | |
| ETH Zurich (Switzerland) | Isotope Biochemistry (PhD) | 11/1/10 | 9/29/10 |
| University of Idaho | Conservation of the Palouse Prairie ecosystem (5 PhD positions) | 11/1/10 | 8/18/10 |
| University of Idaho | Social and Ecological Resilience of the Southern Idaho Sagebrush Steppe (5 PhD positions) | 11/1/10 | 8/18/10 |
| University of Idaho | Socio-ecological Resilience in Costa Rica (5 PhD positions) | 11/1/10 | 7/8/10 |
| Michigan Technological University | Remote sensing and forest resources inventory | 10/30/10 | 9/13/10 |
| Southern Illinois University | Population and Community Ecology of Lagomorphs (PhD) | 10/22/10 | 9/24/10 |
| Southern Illinois University | White-tailed Deer spatial ecology and epidemiology (PhD) | 10/22/10 | 9/24/10 |
| Florida Atlantic University | Avian and aquatic ecology (PhD) | 10/18/10 | 9/2/10 |
| University of Arkansas | Hydrology-ecology | 10/15/10 | 9/23/10 |
| University of Tübingen (Germany) | Evolution and Ecology (5 PhD positions) | 10/15/10 | 8/23/10 |
| University of Southern Mississippi | Aquatic insect ecology | 10/15/10 | 7/8/10 |
| Florida International University | Effects of climate change on cloud forests in Peru (PhD) | 10/14/10 | |
| Mississippi State University | Managing Native Warm Season Grass Plantings | 10/14/10 | |
| Purdue University | Hardwood Tree Improvement and Regeneration | 10/13/10 | |
| Purdue University | American chestnut restoration and woodrat population dynamics (MS) | 10/13/10 | |
| University of Alberta (Canada) | Pine beetle and mycorrhizal ecology (3 MS positions) | 10/13/10 | |
| SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry | Emerald Ash Borer management strategies (PhD) | 10/12/10 | |
| University of Georgia | Pathogen ecology/evolution (2 PhD positions) | 10/12/10 | |
| University of Alabama | Arctic Plant Physiological Ecology (MS) | 10/11/10 | |
| Alabama A&M University | Forest Ecology (MS) | 10/11/10 | |
| University of Louisiana | Ecology-Evolutionary Biology (PhD) | 10/11/10 | |
| Miami University | Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Biology (PhD) | 10/11/10 | |
| University of Idaho | Paleoecology and Fire Ecology (PhD) | 10/11/10 | |
| University of Massachusetts Boston | Salt Marsh Nitrogen cycling | 10/11/10 | |
| University of Texas Arlington | Stream ecology/biogeochemistry (PhD) | 10/11/10 | |
| Auburn University | Wildlife sciences (PhD) | 10/11/10 | |
| Utah State University | Bee Biodiversity/Community Ecology (MS) | 10/11/10 | |
| Pennsylvania State University | Root Biology (PhD) | 10/11/10 | |
| Purdue University | Herbivore-induced plant volatiles and attraction of predaceous arthropods | 10/8/10 | |
| Sonoma State University | Population & Community Ecology (2 MS positions) | 10/8/10 | |
| Georg-August-University Göttingen (Germany) | Plant macroecology and modelling spatial dynamics of epiphytes (2 PhD positions) | 10/7/10 | 9/20/10 |
| San Francisco State University | Geographic Information Science (MS) | 10/1/10 | |
| Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research | Earth-Systems Modelling (PhD) | 10/1/10 | 9/27/10 |
| Kansas State University | Terrestrial Paleoenvironment and Biogeochemistry | 10/1/10 | 9/2/10 |
| ETH Zurich (Switzerland) | Forest ecosystem responses to climatic drivers (PhD) | 10/1/10 | 8/27/10 |
| Montana State University | Scaling challenges in ecosystem and physiological ecology (PhD) | 9/30/10 | |
| Brown University/MBL | Reverse Ecology: Computational Integration of Genomes, Organisms and Environments (5 PhD positions) | 9/30/10 | |
| Iowa State University | Genetic structure and disease in white-tailed deer (PhD) | 9/30/10 | |
| University of Louisiana | Environmental and Evolutionary Biology | 9/30/10 | |
| University of Saskatchewan | Ecosystem ecology of boreal forests (PhD) | 9/30/10 | 9/9/10 |
| Antioch University New England | Environmental Studies | 9/29/10 | |
| University of Toledo | Biogeochemistry - Soil Microbial Ecology (PhD) | 9/28/10 | |
| SUNY-ESF | Body size of mammals on islands (PhD) | 9/27/10 | |
| Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (Belgium) | Priority effects in grassland restoration (PhD) | 9/27/10 | |
| University of Zurich (Switzerland) | Effects of disturbance and competition on plant communities (PhD) | 9/27/10 | |
| Oregon State University | Plant invasion and restoration ecology (2 positions) | 9/24/10 | |
| Mississippi State University | Population and Landscape Ecology of Forest Raptors in Puerto Rico (PhD) | 9/24/10 | |
| Case Western Reserve University | Plant Ecology | 9/24/10 | |
| University of North Carolina at Charlotte | Stormwater management & ecosystem function in urban watersheds | 9/24/10 | |
| SUNY-ESF, University of Montana, University of New Hampshire | Riparian ecology, fluvial geomorphology, and hydraulics (3 positions) | 9/24/10 | |
| University of Southern Mississippi | biogeochemical modeling at high elevation forests under climate change (2 positions) | 9/23/10 | |
| Louisiana State University | Disease/plant population ecology (PhD) | 9/23/10 | |
| Virginia Tech | Invasiveness of biofuel crops (PhD) | 9/23/10 | |
| Clark University | Earth System Science Applications (PhD) | 9/23/10 | |
| University of Calgary (Canada) | Population/community/evolutionary dynamics | 9/23/10 | |
| University of Toronto Mississauga (Canada) | Evolution and Ecology (2 PhD positions) | 9/23/10 | |
| University of Idaho | Landscape vegetation change (PhD) | 9/20/10 | |
| Louisiana State University | Evolution, biogeography and community ecology of bats (PhD) | 9/20/10 | |
| Mississippi State University | Forest Entomology (MS) | 9/20/10 | |
| University of Alaska Fairbanks | Climate change effects on freshwater food webs & fish (PhD) | 9/20/10 | |
| Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (Germany) | Movement/Pollination ecology (PhD) | 9/20/10 | |
| Oklahoma State University | Ecohydrology and ecosystem science (MS) | 9/17/10 | |
| Insect Population Dynamics | University of California Berkeley | 9/16/10 | |
| University of Cincinnati | Effects of rising treeline in the Canadian Rockies on alpine species | 9/14/10 | |
| University of New Hampshire | Ecosystem Ecology/Plant Ecophysiology/Ecohydrology (PhD) | 9/14/10 | |
| Trent University | Pollination ecology | 9/13/10 | |
| Oklahoma State University | Forest ecology | 9/13/10 | |
| University of Texas Arlington | Ecology and Evolution | 9/13/10 | |
| Oklahoma State University | Physiological and Behavioral Ecology | 9/10/10 | |
| Florida State University | Plant-herbivore interactions and quantitative/theoretical ecology | 9/9/10 | |
| University of Lethbridge (Canada) | Ecology and evolution of non-transitive competition and its effect on biodiversity | 9/2/10 | |
| University of Technology Sydney (Australia) | Climate Change (PhD) | 9/1/10 | 8/23/10 |
| WSL/University of Bern/University of Uppsala (Switzerland/Sweden) | Plant Ecology, Evolutionary Ecology and Ecological Genetics (3 PhD positions) | 9/1/10 | 4/23/10 |
| University of Nevada, Reno | Hydrologic Science | 9/1/10 | 4/23/10 |
| Algoma University/University of Guelph (Canada) | Plant-microbe interactions and plant invasion (PhD) | 8/31/10 | |
| University of Missouri | HydroEcology (MS) | 8/31/10 | |
| University of Missouri | Water quality in an urbanizing watershed (MS) | 8/31/10 | |
| University of Queensland (Australia) | Plant community ecology/restoration ecology (PhD) | 8/31/10 | 6/1/10 |
| University of Helsinki (Finland) | Parastoid Population Ecology (PhD) | 8/27/10 | |
| Mississippi State University | Pine-switchgrass biofuel production agroforestry system (PhD) | 8/25/10 | |
| University of New Brunswick/University of Ottawa/University of Toronto (Canada) | Stressors in small wetland ecosystems (5 PhD positions) | 8/23/10 | |
| University of Louisiana at Monroe | Rodent social systems (MS) | 8/23/10 | |
| Université Laval (Canada) | Caribou and wolf interactions in the boreal forest (PhD) | 8/23/10 | 8/6/10 |
| Université Laval (Canada) | Wildlife ecology/forest succession (PhD) | 8/23/10 | 8/6/10 |
| Université Laval (Canada) | Wildlife ecology/forest succession (MS) | 8/23/10 | 8/6/10 |
| University of Kentucky | Sustainable practices in ornamental crop production | 8/18/10 | |
| Michigan Technological University | Peatland ecosystem change (2 positions) | 8/16/10 | |
| Texas A&M University | Forest ecosystem ecology (PhD) | 8/15/10 | 7/20/10 |
| Purdue University | Forest Ecology (MS) | 8/13/10 | |
| Murray State University | Alligator Gar Telemetry and Ecology (MS) | 8/13/10 | |
| University of Göttingen (Germany) | Demographic modelling of vascular epiphytes (PhD) | 8/12/10 | |
| SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry | Dendroclimatology | 8/9/10 | |
| SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry | Biogeochemistry and Terrestrial Biodiversity (2 positions) | 8/9/10 | |
| University of Nevada Las Vegas | Invasive quagga mussels in the Lower Colorado River (MPH) | 8/7/10 | 7/6/10 |
| Michigan Technological University | Forest canopy structure and function (PhD) | 8/3/10 | |
| Mississippi State University | Population dynamics of beavers (MS) | 7/30/10 | 5/25/10 |
| University of South Florida | Ecology (PhD) | 7/29/10 | |
| Virginia Tech | Piping Plover ecology and habitat use (PhD) | 7/29/10 | |
| Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi | Marine Biology | 7/24/10 | 7/9/10 |
| University of Vermont | Developing methods for sampling stonecats (fish) | 7/20/10 | |
| University of Wisconsin-Madison | Influences of White-Tailed Deer on Wisconsin Forest Ecosystems (MS) | 7/16/10 | |
| Purdue University | Insect responses to enhanced plant diversity in organic agroecosystems | 7/13/10 | |
| University of Oldenburg (Germany) | Treeline seedling ecophysiology (PhD) | 7/9/10 | 5/28/10 |
| Virginia Tech | Hydrology and Hydropedology (2 PhD positions) | 7/8/10 |
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Top | Fellowship Program Links | Short Courses | Summer Jobs
Alabama A&M University: A MS research assistantship is available for a minority student (e.g. African American and Latino) to do research on forest ecology and ecological services (e.g., carbon and air quality). Contact xiongwen.chen@aamu.edu for details. Posted: 10/14/10, revised: 1/28/11.
Alabama A&M University: A graduate research assistantship (MS) in forest ecology is available. Experience of using LI-COR 8100 system is plus. Please contact xiongwen.chen@aamu.edu for details. Posted: 10/11/10.
Algoma University: The Antunes lab at Algoma University, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, is looking for a motivated PhD student. Research will fall within the general theme of soil microbial and plant community ecology, linking plant-microbe interactions with plant invasion. Projects will be largely ecological, and include plant-fungal symbioses. The student should have a background in biology, microbiology and/or ecology. Expertise or a strong interest in evolutionary biology would be an asset. The Antunes lab is soon to move into a new state-of-the-art building, with access to plant growth rooms (thanks to a recent CFI-LOF grant). Exceptional greenhouse facilities and a long-term field research site are available through the Ontario Forestry Research Institute. In addition to plant growth facilities, the lab is well equipped for techniques in soil microbial ecology, including PCR-based techniques. Algoma University is Canada’s newest university and because it does not currently have a graduate program you will complete your course work and obtain your degree from the University of Guelph. The lab has active collaborations with researchers at the University of Guelph with whom you will be able to interact. Possibilities exist for conducting part of your research at Guelph. Sault Ste. Marie (pop. 75,000), is located by the magnificent St. Mary’s River that connects Lake Superior with Lake Huron. You will have opportunities to obtain competitive bursaries and Teaching Assistantships. Please email Dr. Pedro M. Antunes (pantunes@gmail.com) to initiate informal discussions. Posted: 8/31/10.
Antioch University New England: two new graduate study programs in Environmental Studies: A new MS in Sustainable Development and Climate Change in the Environmental Studies Department is now being offered. This 42 credit program concentration integrates courses in environmental science, social science, and organizational leadership. Graduates are prepared for a variety of environmental careers in the public and private sector including environmental regulation, environmental consulting, local and regional planning, and environmental non-profit leadership. Antioch also announces a new Resource Management & Conservation MS degree program offered in a weekend delivery model. This new MS program, which was started in the late 1970’s, was re-designed for the professional who seeks an effective leadership role in 21st century environmental management. RMC program’s unique design of relevant theory and real-world application enables graduate students to develop the skills they need to stay ahead of the curve in managing complex environmental projects and planning for climate change. The 30 credit MS degree can be completed in 16 months through Friday afternoon and weekend courses that meet about once a month, starting in fall 2010. Students in this program have the opportunity to interact with students and faculty of the Environmental Studies Department through a monthly Environmental Studies Colloquium, and have some courses with students in other Environmental Studies programs within the department. These two new programs complement the Environmental Studies Department, one of the oldest Environmental Studies Departments in the U.S. We offer concentrations at the Master’s level in Environmental Education, Conservation Biology, Advocacy for Social Justice and Sustainability, Science Teacher Certification, and a Self-designed plan of study. We also offer a low-residency PhD program in Environmental Studies which is an interdisciplinary course of study for students working full or part time, as well as for students newly graduated with their Master’s degree. This PhD is unique in its intentional focus on interdisciplinary studies – see our website for more details on what kinds of research our current students and faculty are doing and what our graduates are doing in the world. The Environmental Studies Department also supports students through the Center for Tropical Ecology & Conservation and the Monadnock Ecological Research and Education (MERE) Project as well as many other initiatives. Posted: 9/29/10.
Auburn University: I'm looking to take on a graduate student (master's or Ph.D.) starting fall 2011 (possibly spring 2012) in wildlife sciences to study black bears in Alabama. The graduate student will be supported via a research assistantship (M.S. - $15,540, Ph.D. $18,140) with full tuition waiver. The student will use a variety of non-invasive methods, including game cameras, hair snares, and scat-detection dogs, to sample for black bears in two areas of Alabama: southwest Alabama, where a resident population of the Florida subspecies of black bear is known to occur, and northeast Alabama, where a population of the eastern subspecies is thought to have recently become established. Collected samples will be used to estimate population size and habitat use, but opportunities exist for student to develop other research questions (expected for Ph.D. students). Applicants for M.S. should possess a B.S./B.A. in Ecology, Wildlife Sciences, or related fields. Applicants for Ph.D. must possess an M.S. A minimum GPA of 3.0 and GRE (verbal + quantitative) of 1000 is required. Preference will be given to applicants with field experience, GIS experience, experience with DNA extraction and PCR amplification, and strong quantitative skills. Applicants should be in good physical condition as field work will be physically demanding. Interested applicants should send a cover letter outlining their interests, career goals, and qualifications for the project, CV or resume, copies of transcripts and GRE scores (unofficial copies are OK for application review), and contact information for references to Dr. Todd Steury (steury@auburn.edu). Applicant review will begin June 30, 2011, but applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Posted: 6/24/11.
Auburn University: One graduate research assistantship (M.S or Ph.D) 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 freshwater algal blooms. 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 field sites throughout the Southeast and Midwest and to scientific conferences are made available to all of my students. The ideal candidate will be honest, hard-working, enjoy teamwork, have coursework in ecology, have good grades (GPA > 3.2) and competitive GRE scores (quantitative and verbal above 50th percentile and writing of 4.0 or greater), and be excited about studying freshwater phytoplankton dynamics in the lab and field. The start date is flexible and could be anytime during the 2011-2012 school year. A competitive stipend is accompanied by a full tuition waiver and health insurance. Interested students are encouraged to email (1) a brief letter of interest clearly describing how my lab is a good fit for you and your professional aspirations, (2) contact information for three references, (3) unofficial copies of transcripts, and (4) a brief resume including GRE scores to Alan Wilson at wilson@auburn.edu by 1 July 2011 for full consideration. The position will remain open until filled. Dr. Alan E. Wilson Assistant Professor, Fisheries and Allied Aquacultures Auburn University, 203 Swingle Hall, Auburn, Alabama 36849. wilson@auburn.edu, 334.246.1120. Posted: 5/4/11.
Auburn University: We are going to recruit three PhD students who will focus on the following research areas: 1) Large-scale Ecohydrology, 2) Wetland Biogeochemistry, 3) Agricultural Ecosystem. The candidates should have at least one degree in one of the following disciplines: hydrology, soil science, agronomy, forestry, meteorology/climate, ecology or biology. Background in computer programming, GIS and remote sensing are desirable (but not required). The positions will be available in Fall, 2011 or Sping 2012. Individuals who are interested in these PhD student positions, please contact Dr. Hanqin Tian (334-844-1059, tianhan@auburn.edu. Posted: 4/8/11.
Auburn University: A graduate research assistantship (MS or PhD) in aquatic ecology is available in Alan Wilson’s lab. Two current lab research projects include (1) an NSF-funded project where we are using limnocorral and whole pond experiments to understand the ecological mechanisms controlling or promoting harmful cyanobacterial blooms and (2) a CDC-funded project linking water quality to human health. Also, a new NSF-funded, undergraduate training grant will provide the new member of our lab unique opportunities for mentoring experience. Students in my lab are welcome to participate on existing projects but are strongly encouraged to develop their own research projects in addition to applying for external grants and fellowships. The ideal candidate will be hard-working, honest, and excited about studying freshwater plankton communities using lab and field-based approaches. Prior ecological course work and experiences are highly desirable. Preference will be given to a student available by August 2011. Also, given my joint appointment, students can matriculate into one of two AU departments – Fisheries and Allied Aquacultures or Biological Sciences – pending their interests and professional aspirations. Interested students are encouraged to email a letter describing why my lab is a good fit for you, contact information for three references (two professional and one personal), and a brief resume (including GRE scores and grades in relevant courses) to Alan Wilson at wilson@auburn.edu by 1 January 2011 for full consideration. Posted: 11/15/10.
Auburn University: The Alabama Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit is seeking two motivated and quantitatively inclined students interested in pursuing a PhD. in wildlife sciences at Auburn University. This research is part of the USGS Southeast Regional Assessment Project, a multidisciplinary, landscape scale initiative involving multiple universities and institutions. The selectees will conduct research to support the development of decision tools for evaluating conservation strategies under competing models of climate change and response by aquatic and terrestrial wildlife populations. The selected students will be expected to participate in stakeholder workshops based on the principles of structured decision making to formulate research problems that use state-of-the-art techniques in estimation and modeling to inform conservation decisions in an adaptive management framework. B.S. required (M.S. heavily preferred) in wildlife biology, conservation biology, ecology, biometrics, or a related field. Knowledge of statistics, optimization tools, population modeling, methods of measuring uncertainty and decision theory are desirable. Ability to program in R, MATLAB or an equivalent language is also desirable. We will consider applicants with a desire and an aptitude for developing these skills. The candidates must demonstrate commitment to publication of results in peer-reviewed outlets, and strong potential to work collaboratively with multiple researchers on a highly visible topic. Starts January 6, 2011. Stipend: $18,180 + tuition waiver. To apply: Email cover letter, resume, copies of transcripts and GRE scores, and contact information for 3 professional references to James B. Grand (grandjb@auburn.edu) or Max Post van der Burg (mzp0022@auburn.edu). Posted: 10/11/10.
Ball State University: Graduate Student Research Assistantships – Biogeochemistry of Devils Hole, NV. MS and PhD graduate student research assistantships are available beginning May or August 2011 in the Department of Biology at Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana. Students would join a collaborative research project aimed at understanding how nutrient cycling and microbial biofilms influence the Devils Hole ecosystem. Students will conduct research in the Death Valley National Park, a unique ecosystem in the Mojave Desert, and home to several species of algae and invertebrates as well as the endangered Devils Hole pupfish. Students will work in conjunction with ongoing research in the laboratory of Dr. Melody Bernot in collaboration with National Park Service scientists. Research assistantships for MS students are available for a 2 year period at an annual salary of $14k and include a tuition waiver. Research assistantships for PhD students are available for a 3 year period at an annual salary of $25k and include a tuition waiver. Interested students should contact Dr. Melody Bernot (mjbernot@bsu.edu) for additional details prior to application. Students should apply to the Graduate School. Posted: 2/21/11.
Ball State University: Graduate Research in Disease Ecology. Applications are invited for graduate student positions (MS or PhD) to study the dynamics of parasites in aquatic communities and ecosystems in the laboratory of Dr. Randy Bernot. Research topics will be driven by student interests but, potential projects include constructing dynamic energy budgets of freshwater gastropods that allow for the inclusion of trematodes and contaminant effects, determining the secondary production of helminthes, determining how nanomaterials influence immune responses of aquatic animals, and elucidating mechanistic relationships between trematode infection rates and ecosystem processes. Candidates may pursue either a Master of Science in Biology degree or enroll in the newly formed Ph.D. Program in Environmental Science. Qualifications: Successful candidates should have a strong interest in disease ecology, community ecology, and/or freshwater invertebrate interactions. Candidates should be creative thinkers, possess excellent written and verbal English skills, and be capable of working independently. Successful candidates will be invited to submit a formal application for admission to the graduate program at Ball State. How to apply: Please supply a cover letter stating your interests, a CV describing your education and skill, unofficial undergraduate transcripts, and contact information for three references to rjbernot@bsu.edu. Posted: 1/5/11.
Ball State University: MS and PhD positions are available in the Department of Biology for students interested in aquatic biogeochemistry. Students would join collaborative research projects studying either emerging contaminants or diurnal nitrogen and sulfur cycling in conjunction with research in the laboratory of Dr. Melody Bernot. Graduate research assistantships are available beginning May 2011. Interested students should contact Melody Bernot (mjbernot@bsu.edu) for additional details. Students should apply by February 1, 2011. Details on the application process. Posted: 11/15/10.
Baylor University: The Department of Environmental Science is accepting applications for interdisciplinary M.S. and Ph.D. graduate assistantships. Students mentored by faculty in the environmental sciences at Baylor often engage in interdisciplinary research projects involving multiple faculty members. Faculty expertise includes air and water quality, climate change, environmental toxicology and chemistry, health and ecological risk assessment, applied ecology, and ecosystem management. Student research projects often integrate across multiple disciplines, involve laboratory and field studies, and examine factors stressing ecological and human health. Job placement and publication records of environmental science students are excellent. State-of-the-science laboratories, core research facilities, and instrumentation are available in the Baylor Sciences Building. Successful candidates will receive competitive stipends, health insurance and other benefits, including a full tuition waiver. Prospective students are encouraged to contact faculty mentors prior to submitting an application. For more information, visit graduate programs and contact Dr. Bryan Brooks (Graduate Program Director) at Bryan_Brooks@Baylor.edu. Posted: 11/12/10.
Bethune-Cookman University: Due to recent expansion of its faculty and programs, the Department of Integrated Environmental Science and the School of Graduate and Professional Studies announce the availability of new openings for the MS in Integrated Environmental Science beginning with the Fall 2011 semester. The MSIES is a true interdisciplinary program within an interdisciplinary department, focusing on resource management, sustainability, and coastal ecology using methods that combine scientific and social information in order to make informed environmental decisions. There are potential sources of partial funding available for students seeking to enter the program, which are awarded based on merit, academic promise, and interest in the field. For further information, visit the link above or contact Dr. Michael A. Reiter, Director of the IES Graduate Program, at reiterm@cookman.edu. Applications will be accepted immediately and continue until the slots are filled. Posted: 5/4/11.
Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre: A PhD position in "Movement/Pollination ecology" is available at the Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (BiK-F), Lab K. Böhning-Gaese, in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. The successful applicant will investigate the determinants of bird pollination and plant reproduction in South African heathlands. He/she will examine how resource distributions shape bird movements and plant reproduction, combining observational and experimental approaches. The project is carried out in close collaboration with another PhD-student (supervised by Frank Schurr, University of Potsdam, Germany) and aims at a deeper understanding of spatial interactions between plants and animals. The applicant should hold a master/diploma in Biology or a related field, and needs to have expertise in conducting ecological field work and a strong interest in statistical modelling, preferably with R. He/she is expected to carry out several field work periods in South Africa and to analyze the data with advanced statistical methods. Experience in tropical/subtropical ecosystems, in experimental pollination studies and basic ornithological knowledge are an advantage. Good written and oral English language skills are required. Please send your application by e-mail attachment in a single pdf file, mentioning the reference of this position (#B40), and including a letter outlining your suitability and motivation, a detailed CV, contact details of 2 referees, a list of your most important publications and a summary of your thesis before September 30th to recruiting@senckenberg.de. For scientific enquiries please write to matthias.schleuning@senckenberg.de. More details about the announcement and application procedures. Posted: 9/20/10.
Boise State University: Graduate assistantship in the Ecosystem Ecology-lab at the Department of Biological Sciences. We are seeking a M.S. student to begin work on a state-wide research program investigating how ecosystem processes are affected by global change. This project will assess how climate-induced shifts in plant-microbe interactions impact carbon and nitrogen cycling in semi-arid grasslands. The project is highly collaborative and will allow the student to collaborate with researchers at Idaho State University and at the Idaho National Laboratory. The position is funded by a teaching assistantship and includes a competitive stipend, benefits and a waiver of graduate tuition. Qualified candidates should have a B.S. in ecology, soil science, forestry, botany/plant ecology, biology, geography, or a related discipline, and a strong interest in ecosystem ecology, soil ecology and biogeochemistry. A basic familiarity with methods in soil biogeochemistry and some prior coursework in statistics are preferred. Interested candidates should submit (via e-mail) a brief letter of introduction, CV, and contact information for two references to Dr. Marie-Anne de Graaff (marie-annedegraaff@boisestate.edu). Applications for graduate school are due by January 15-th 2011. Do not apply directly to this program until we have corresponded. Review of candidates will begin November 15. Posted: 11/2/10, revised: 11/15/10.
Boise State University: M.S. Assistantship in Sensory Ecology. An M.S. level graduate student position is available in the lab of Jesse Barber in the Department of Biological Sciences. The position is funded by a teaching assistantship and includes a competitive stipend, benefits and a waiver of graduate tuition. We study the behavior, evolution and conservation of predator-prey systems. We employ bioacoustic and videographic techniques to quantify how animals process sensory input and act on the resulting information to capture prey or evade death. Understanding how anthropogenic noise alters the balance between predator and prey also drives our work. Motivated students who are interested in exploring bat-insect and owl-rodent interactions are encouraged to apply. The lab is equipped with high-speed and high-definition cameras, ultrasonic and sonic microphones and outstanding indoor and outdoor animal imaging facilities. Please contact me by email (jessebarber at boisestate.edu) and describe your background, interests and why you would be a good fit for our work. Attach a CV that includes GPA and GRE scores and an unofficial copy of your transcripts. Letters of reference will be solicited from top candidates at a later date. I advise students in both the Biology M.S. program and the Raptor Biology M.S. program. Do not apply directly to these programs until we have corresponded. Review of candidates will begin November 15. The deadline for formal application is January 15. Posted: 11/1/10.
Boston University: The Departments of Biology, Geography & Environment, and Earth Sciences at Boston University invite applications from interested students for the PhD program in Terrestrial Biogeosciences. This one-of-a-kind Ph.D. program is focused on students interested in interdisciplinary graduate training in one or more of the following areas: terrestrial biogeochemistry, ecohydrology and biophysical ecology, climate-ecosystem interactions, land surface hydrology and hydro-meteorology, coastal processes, remote sensing, and land use and land cover change. BU offers a rich set of coursework, research opportunities, and faculty working in these related areas. Each department provides state-of-the-art-facilities, and financial support is available to students through university fellowships, teaching fellowships, and research assistantships. Applications are invited from students with a broad range of backgrounds including physical, natural, or engineering sciences. For information on how to apply, please contact: Mr. Chris Devits: devits@bu.edu or Adrien Finzi: afinzi at bu dot edu Posted: 11/17/10, revised: 11/23/10.
Brown University/Columbia University: New Opportunity for Graduate Study Human Well-being and the Environment in Africa. The Environmental Change Initiative at Brown University, the Earth Institute at Columbia University, the Ecosystems Center of the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, Moi University in Kenya and Sokoine University in Tanzania offer graduate fellowships at Brown and Columbia in an exciting new cross-cutting natural and social science Partnership for International Research and Education (PIRE) project in Africa. The project will examine how agricultural interventions designed to increase crop yields in African Millennium Villages influence land-use patterns and the degradation or enhancement of soils, biodiversity and other ecosystem services and human wellbeing at both local and regional scales. We seek PhD students who will pursue research in Africa in the fields of remote sensing, ecology, sociology or economics and who desire training that cuts across traditional disciplinary boundaries and who want to apply their work to pressing problems of human welfare and the environment. Students will enroll in the Departments of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Geological Sciences, Sociology or Economics at Brown or the Departments of Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Biology, Earth and Environmental Sciences or the PhD program in Sustainable Development at Columbia. PIRE students will work with teams of mentors at Brown, Columbia and MBL and collaborate with faculty partners at Moi and Sokoine Universities. For details, see http://www.mbl.edu/brown/pire. Posted: 11/12/10.
Brown University/MBL: Our new IGERT program (Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship) was recently funded for five years to train students broadly in the realm of "Reverse Ecology: Computational Integration of Genomes, Organisms and Environments". We anticipate accepting at least 5 students into the program this fall 2011, and we are searching for PhD students interested in this interdisciplinary training experience. David Rand (Brown University) PI; coIs: Zoe Cardon (MBL), Sorin Istrail (Brown Univ.), Johanna Schmitt (Brown Univ.), Mitch Sogin (MBL). This IGERT award supports a novel graduate program in Reverse Ecology training PhDs at the interface of computational biology, genomics and environmental science. It leverages new education and research collaborations between Brown University and the Marine Biological Laboratory. Reverse Ecology is the application of genomic approaches to living systems to uncover the genetic bases of functional variation in nature. The revolution in high-throughput DNA sequencing and gene expression technologies redefines the notion of a ‘model’ organism. Interrogation of genomes from animals, plants and microbial communities can identify genetic markers of processes at multiple scales: ecological, physiological, developmental, transcriptional. The full interpretation of these powerful datasets demands intellectual dialogue between ecosystems ecologists, microbial geneticists, biogeochemists, and computational biologists. We will train a cohort of PhDs who can apply these technologies to convert genomic and computational power into novel insights of organismal function in nature. Program highlights include 1) a year long immersion course focused at Long Term Ecological Research sites where students design an experiment and use high-throughput genomic and computational strategies to test hypotheses for the preparation of multi-authored manuscripts; 2) jointly mentored research rotations where students and faculty cross disciplinary boundaries; and 3) career training integrating grant writing, public speaking, ethics, diversity and international perspectives on science. This graduate program’s research themes -- 1) microbial and comparative genomics; 2) genetic responses to environmental stressors; 3) assembling genomes from environmental samples -- also engage IBM and the J Craig Ventor Institute, creating the opportunity for training PhDs in university, institutional, and corporate environments to become leaders in the identification and integration of scientific questions across formerly distant disciplines. There are three core research areas: --Microbial and Comparative Genomics Initiative --Organismal Responses to Environmental Gradients Initiative --Community Genome Assembly Initiative. The IGERT-specific curriculum includes: (1) Full year "Immersion Course" (2) One additional course in each of 4 areas: Ecology & Evolution Molecular & Cell Biology Computer Science Applied Mathematics & Statistics (3) Research rotations (nearby in labs, or at far-flung long-term ecological research sites, or in industry w/ IBM TJ Watson Research Center or the J. Craig Venter Institute) (4) Course in scientific professionalism in a global context (CVs, interviewing, data sharing and collaboration, careers inside and outside academia). The full year "Immersion Course" features: Field Biology -- retreat & sampling at a focal, local long-term ecological research site (for 2011, Plum Island Estuary LTER); Project Development and Experimental Design; Wet Lab Methods -- hands-on learning beyond the kits; Computational and Statistical Analysis -- Perl, Python, R...what to do with the data; Data Presentation and Manuscript Preparation -- mini-symposium, project manuscripts. Student mentoring and support includes: --Each student is jointly mentored by one Brown faculty member in the student's home department and one Brown or MBL faculty member in a different department. Also, each student has an advisory committee upon admission to Brown, to help the student determine which classes best suit the student's interests. --Students admitted to many Brown departments are guaranteed 5 years of funding. For IGERT students, the first two years of work will be covered by IGERT funds. Other sources of funds support years 3, 4, and 5. --Each fellowship includes ~$30K stipend and a ~$10.5K institutional allowance, as well as funds supporting attendance at a national conference . --Research supply funds are also available for support of genomic analyses in the core "Immersion Course" and rotation projects. For more information: See the program link above or E-mail david_rand@brown.edu or zcardon@mbl.edu. To apply: Students are strongly encouraged to contact prospective advisors and mentors at both Brown University and MBL well in advance of the application due date. Applicants should prepare a regular application to the PhD program in any one of the Brown University host graduate programs, and the application should clearly state that the IGERT program is of interest. (Students can also indicate on the application form that the Brown-MBL graduate program is also of interest, if an MBL mentor is chosen.) The general application should be initiated through the Brown Graduate School (follow the “Apply” link) Applications can be targeted to any one of a number of Brown University departments depending on the applicant's primary interests, for example Applied Math; Computer Science; Ecology and Evolutionary Biology; or Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry. Posted: 9/30/10.
California State University, Fresno: M.S. research opportunity in parasitology/systematics. Annual stipend of $10k for each of two years. May be combined with a teaching assistantship (~$10k per annum). A non-inclusive list of previous research in my lab includes studies of protozoal systematics (Sarcocystis, Toxoplasma), heartworm, helminths of wildlife, tick prevalence and vectorial capacity, pesticide resistance in human head lice, and human intestinal parasitism. Students interested in pursuing research in these broad areas of parasitology and systematics should send a CV, unofficial transcripts, general GRE scores and statement of interest, either to the address below or via email. Dr. Paul R. Crosbie, Department of Biology, California State University, Fresno, 2555 E. San Ramon, Ave, Fresno, CA 93740-8034. pcrosbie@csufresno.edu. Please email with any further questions. The position is dependent on acceptance as an M.S. student at CSU Fresno, and by the Department of Biology. Admission deadline is 1 April. Posted: 1/27/11.
Carleton University: The Fish Ecology and Conservation Physiology Laboratory (Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada) is currently seeking potential Ph.D. (preferred) and M.Sc. students. All projects relate to understanding how wild freshwater and marine fish respond to anthropogenic and natural stressors. Examples of potential projects include the evaluation of fish responses to altered flow regimes (work in British Columbia) and the study of carryover effects and variation in habitat quality on fish behaviour, condition and fitness (work in Ontario, Quebec, Illinois and the Caribbean). All projects will involve extensive field work and will require an integration of behavioural (e.g., electronic tagging) and physiological (e.g., bioenergetics, endocrinology) tools. Competitive applicants will have excellent communication skills, superior problem solving abilities and demonstrated leadership experience. Applicants must also have an appreciation for interdisciplinary research, flexibility to travel, strong quantitative skills and a willingness to work on projects that span basic and applied (i.e., conservation science) realms. Joining our research group provides opportunities to interact with academic and/or government collaborators and a variety of stakeholders. Project start dates are somewhat flexible and extend from Sept 2011 to Sept 2012. Students would be admitted to the Ottawa-Carleton Institute of Biology (OCIB), a Joint Graduate Program with Carleton and the University of Ottawa. Interested candidates should send a cover letter and CV to Dr. Steven Cooke via email (steven_cooke@carleton.ca). The current funding climate favours domestic applicants, although truly stellar international applicants will also be considered. Posted: 5/2/11.
Case Western Reserve University: Graduate student positions are available in the Burns lab in Plant Ecology, Department of Biology. The Burns lab focuses on mechanisms governing community assembly and biological invasions. Work in the lab includes studies of demography and phylogenetic comparative analyses. Opportunities for collaborations and field work include the Holden Arboretum http://www.holdenarb.org/home/, Squire Valleevue and Valley Ridge Farms, Cleveland Metroparks, and The Nature Conservancy. Interested prospective students should contact Jean Burns at jbm122@case.edu. Posted: 9/24/10.
Central Michigan University: MS Position, Biology Department-“Population Trajectory Improvement for At Risk Freshwater Mussels in the Great Lakes Watershed”. The successful applicant will conduct a two-year research project on host fish determination and propagation of unionids in the Great Lakes Region. This project is funded by the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Endangered Species Program). The MS student will combine field and laboratory (host fish testing and rearing) techniques to assist in propagating state and federally listed freshwater mussels. The successful applicant will work with Dr. Daelyn Woolnough and Dr. Dave Zanatta to answer questions about the conservation of these mussel communities, ultimately leading to a comprehensive thesis. Stipend support in the form of Research Assistantships will be available in the summers and Teaching and/or Research Assistantships will be available through the school year. Graduate students in Biology receive full tuition waivers. Qualifications: The successful applicant should be highly motivated and have a B.S. (or completion by May 2010) in biology, zoology, ecology, aquaculture, fisheries or closely related field. Prior field experience (e.g, boats, snorkeling, SCUBA), interests in conservation biology, aquaculture, and working with fish, aquatic invertebrates and/or unionid mussels, are assets. Minimum academic qualifications include 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 system) and GRE scores must be sent to CMU graduate school for approval. Application materials for the graduate program in Biology (deadline for a Teaching Assistantship is Feb 15 2011). Salary: approx $15k + tuition waiver. Closing Date: Feb 15, 2011 (to CMU Graduate School). The candidate will be expected to begin by June 1, 2011. In addition to applying to the CMU Graduate Program in Biology, send the following by email with the subject ‘PROPAGATION MS’ to Dr. Woolnough and Dr. Zanatta (wooln1d@cmich.edu and zanat1d@cmich.edu): a cover letter explaining your interest and qualifications, a resume (CV), copies of transcripts (unofficial ok),names and contact information for three academic references. Feel free to contact Dr. Woolnough with any questions. Posted: 1/7/11.
Clark University: PhD Positions in Earth System Science Applications are invited for PhD assistantships within the Graduate School of Geography. Assistantships cover tuition, provide an annual stipend, and include eligibility for a competitive fellowship. Clark's Earth System Science program features expertise in terrestrial ecosystems and global change, hydrology, forest ecology, Arctic System Science, remote sensing of land cover and change, disturbance and landscape ecology, human dimensions, and GISci. For complete details see PhD Program: How to Apply, or contact Brenda Nikas-Hayes, BNikasHayes@clarku.edu , 508-793-7337. Applicants are encouraged to communicate with prospective advisors. Posted: 9/23/10.
Clemson University: How do ditches and intensive management help maintain biodiversity in forested landscapes in particular turtles and amphibians? We are seeking a motivated, experienced student to undertake a MS-level study of forested ecosystems in the lower Atlantic coastal plain of the eastern United States. Specifically, this study will address interactions among landscape-level hydrology, intensive silviculture, and distribution of amphibians and reptiles. We hypothesize that the temporal and spatial pattern of management activities provides critical habitats at important life history junctures for a subset of species. Hydrology of drainage systems interacting with low road traffic volume and soil and canopy disturbance may explain prevalence of species that are rare in developed landscapes elsewhere. The student will focus specifically on movements, activity patterns, and nesting ecology on a species of conservation concern across much of its geographic range (spotted turtle, *Clemmys guttata*) while observing whole community responses. These results will help guide region-wide management plans and increase our knowledge of how managed forests contribute to biodiversity. The project is a collaboration among Clemson University, Weyerhaeuser Company and other regional partners. The student will frequently interact with Dr. Jessica Homyack of Weyerhaeuser Company, and will spend the field season on-site in Eastern North Carolina. The ideal candidate will have a high level of maturity, independence, and field experience, including radio-telemetry and sampling of herpetiles. The position also involves a one-semester Teaching Assistantship, most likely in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) but also could be other topics in biology. We anticipate a fall 2011 start date. To be considered for the position, please send a resume and letter to Dr. Rob Baldwin, Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, baldwi6@clemson.edu. Posted: 2/21/11.
Clemson University: Funding is available for a Ph.D. Graduate Assistantship in Wildlife and Fisheries Biology in the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources. The successful applicant will start in January 2011 and will conduct research to evaluate the effectiveness of the immunocontraceptive Diazacon in preventing reproduction in free-ranging Eastern gray squirrels. The project is a collaborative effort between Clemson University, the USDA National Wildlife Research Center, the Berryman Institute, the South Carolina state office of the USDA Wildlife Services, and the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. The student will work closely with other researchers, biologists and students on the project. Qualifications: A M.S. degree in wildlife, zoology, biology or closely related field is required. Excellent people and communication skills are required, as well as the ability to work in a team environment. A strong work ethic is critical. Field experience capturing and handling small mammals is desirable. Please send a letter of interest (stating career goals and outdoor hobbies), resume, copies of transcripts, GRE scores, and names and contact information for 3 references. Salary: $18k/year plus tuition reduction. Last Date to Apply: November 15, 2010. Contact: Dr. Greg Yarrow, gyarrow@clemson.edu (preferred), Phone: 864-656-7370. Posted: 10/13/10.
Coastal Carolina University: The College of Science offers a graduate degree 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. Most of the students entering this program have undergraduate degrees in biology, environmental science, or geology. However, a B.S. degree is not necessarily a requirement for admission. It is important, however, that students have adequate background courses in mathematics and science. Assistantships and GK-12 fellowships are available. For information: http://www.coastal.edu/coastalstudies/ or contact Dr. James Luken, joluken@coastal.edu. Posted: 11/22/10.
College of William and Mary: John Swaddle (jpswad@wm.edu) and Dan Cristol (dacris@wm.edu) are looking for new Masters students to join their lab group. We have a continuing project investigating the consequences of low exposure to mercury on many aspects of songbird biology, from development and gene expression to behavioral ecology and inclusive fitness. As mercury is a global and persistent contaminant, occurring naturally but also produced by many anthropogenic activities, this project has both basic and applied science elements and will ultimately inform legislative settlements and policy regarding environmental remediation. We are looking for exceptional candidates who are interested in blending environmental and ecological interests (including ecotoxicology) with specialized biological sub-disciplines, such as developmental genetics, immunology, sensory ecology, reproductive endocrinology, and quantitative genetics. MS students in our program also receive substantial mentorship in teaching and are well-prepared to move on to PhD programs, Governmental agencies, and NGOs. If interested please contact one of the PIs with your CV and a brief letter introducing yourself. More information, including application materials: William & Mary graduate program. Posted: 11/17/10.
Colorado State University: The Department of Forest and Rangeland Stewardship in the Warner College of Natural Resources is recruiting a Ph.D. student in Natural Resource Policy and Governance. We are seeking a student interested in studying adaptive and/or collaborative governance systems for multiple-use lands, such as National Forests. Research potentially could focus on other types of public or communally managed lands in the U.S. or abroad. We are particularly interested in students who would like to pursue research on collaborative governance regimes that innovatively incorporate innovative scientific information or approaches, monitoring, and adaptive planning and management frameworks. We have initial funding for up to two years for a Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) with the potential for future funding for research assistance. The GTA would assist with a 300-level Natural Resource Policy course for all undergraduates in the College of Natural Resources. The position requires approximately 20 hours/week of teaching assistance, including attendance in lectures, holding office hours, and grading, and includes a $1320/month stipend and in-state tuition waiver. Out-of-state students also may potentially receive a waiver their first year and can apply for in-state status for their second year. We are open to working with students with a Master's degree in a variety of fields, including natural resource management, human dimensions of natural resource management, public administration, political science, or other relevant interdisciplinary programs. Familiarity with National Forest history and policy and some background in natural resource policy/governance is preferred. Students must be able and willing to work independently and complete tasks in an efficient and timely manner. As part of the Ph.D. program, the student would be expected to identify relevant research, integrate theory into their research, identify appropriate research methodologies, and work towards publication during and subsequent to their Ph.D. program. Funding will be subject to semi-annual review based on performance as a GTA and progress as a Ph.D. student. For more information please contact Dr. Courtney Schultz at courtney.schultz@colostate.edu or Dr. Tony Cheng at tony.cheng@colostate.edu. Posted: 5/17/11.
Colorado State University: We seek a highly motivated outstanding candidate for a MS (or eventually PhD) 2-year fully funded fellowship at the Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory. The student may earn her/his degree through the Graduate Degree Program in Ecology or through the Department of Soil and Crop Sciences. The student will join an established research program in soil isotope ecology and biogeochemistry. She/He will work on the quantification and understanding of carbon and nitrogen fluxes between plant, soil and the atmosphere as affected by climate change, using isotopic and other cutting edge techniques. 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 upon which all life depends sustainably into the future. For information and application, please contact the Graduate Student advisor: M. Francesca Cotrufo (Francesca.cotrufo@colostate.edu, 970-491-6056). Posted: 5/13/11.
Colorado State University: Vertebrate population ecology. We seek a PhD student to begin Fall 2011 for a fully funded cooperative project between CSU, Colorado Division of Wildlife, Exxon-Mobil and landowner partners investigating population monitoring and management strategies for greater sage-grouse in oil and gas fields of western Colorado. The student will have flexibility to explore questions that fall within the broader framework of population monitoring and management. The proposed study will build on an existing 6-year field project and will involve 2-3 years of fieldwork on greater sage-grouse near Meeker, Colorado. Top applicants will have the ability to work under difficult field conditions for long periods of time, the ability to work cooperatively with a diverse group of stakeholders, and excellent written and oral communication skills. The successful candidate will work under the guidance of Dr. Barry R. Noon (CSU) and Dr. Brett Walker (Colorado Division of Wildlife). Qualifications: An MS degree in biology, ecology, natural resources, etc., a strong interest in quantitative methods and population monitoring and modeling, and combined verbal and quantitative GRE scores > 1200. Funding provides salary and covers tuition and fees. Contact: Barry Noon (brnoon@cnr.colostate.edu). Posted: 4/18/11.
Colorado State University: We are seeking a PhD candidate for a graduate research assistantship to examine hydrologic fluxes between ephemeral streams, alluvial aquifers, vegetation, and the atmosphere in the Sonoran Desert of southwestern Arizona. The student will quantify interactions between streamflow and subsurface water in a network of sites with monitoring wells and soil moisture sensors. Eddy covariance techniques will be used to measure exchanges of water and CO2 between riparian ecosystems and the atmosphere. The student will have opportunities to participate in interdisciplinary research including: geophysical mapping of alluvial deposits; geomorphic characterization of stream networks; gas exchange from leaf to ecosystem scales; and identification of plant water sources using isotopic tracers. These data sets will be integrated to develop models describing the function of Sonoran Desert ephemeral streams, and how they may respond to climate change. The successful applicant will have a quantitative background in earth sciences, experience operating extensive networks of sensors and data loggers, and the ability to conduct research under (sometimes) physically-challenging desert conditions. Experience with eddy covariance techniques is a huge plus. The student would be admitted through either the Department of Geosciences or the Graduate Degree Program in Ecology in the Warner College of Natural Resources. The student would be based in Fort Collins, Colorado, but do field work in southern Arizona. Contact Dr. Stephanie Kampf (SKampf@warnercnr.colostate.edu) and Dr. David Cooper (David.Cooper@colostate.edu) with a letter of interest, an up to date CV, and a list of references. A master's degree in an appropriate field is required. The graduate research assistantship pays a monthly stipend, tuition, and all field expenses. Posted: 1/10/11.
Colorado State University: Ph.D. Assistantship in Climate Change and Forest Dynamics. We (the Martin lab) seek a Ph.D. candidate to join a dynamic team of field, experimental and quantitative ecologists for a research project on climate change and forest dynamics starting June 1st, 2011. The research will focus on quantifying and modeling the response of tree species distribution and abundance to climate change. Rigorous field studies and experiments will be used to build quantitative relationships, and the results will be integrated in a spatially-explicit, individual-based dynamic forest simulator (SORTIE-ND; http://www.sortie-nd.org), where scenarios of climate change, range expansion/contraction, competitive interactions, and disturbance-climate dynamics (esp. fire) will be explored. This research will focus on linking field research and modeling, and the use of advanced data analysis based on likelihood methods and information theory. This project requires a love of mountains, given the physically-demanding nature of fieldwork in the Rockies. The assistantship includes a graduate student stipend, health insurance benefits, and the cost of tuition. We seek candidates with proficiency/experience in at least some of the following areas: * Field work experience * Spatial, GIS, and/or Remote Sensing experience * Interest or experience using quantitative models of forest dynamics (e.g. SORTIE). * Statistical, quantitative, and programming skills (R, S-plus, etc.). * Knowledge of the relevant flora of the Rocky Mountain region * Excellent writing and communication skills. Applications for this position should be submitted through CSU’s Graduate Degree Program in Ecology. Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, but no later than January 1st 2011. For information or questions please contact: Dr. Patrick H. Martin, patrick.martin@colostate.edu. Posted: 11/16/10.
Colorado State University: The Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory seeks a highly-motivated Ph.D. student to join an interdisciplinary team of scientists and educators on a project to strengthen K-12 teaching and learning about global climate change using NASA Earth system data. We are collaborating with the Poudre and Greeley-Evans School Districts in Northern Colorado to prepare teaching modules that introduce students to climate change issues at local to regional scales and provide them with the information they need to explore the ideas on their own. We will be applying place-based and learning progression education philosophies to address global change issues and employing them with the use of geospatial data in classroom settings. A Graduate Research Assistantship is available for a Ph.D. student to serve as the primary liaison between teachers and researchers, and to provide technical expertise. The student will conduct an independent research project within the context of the broader project goals. We seek a well-qualified and self-motivated student with interests in global change education and interdisciplinary research. An M.S. degree or substantial experience in geography, landscape ecology, geophysics, or some aspect of remote sensing is preferred. To apply, send the following information by email to Kim Melville-Smith: 1) a cover letter outlining your research and educational interests and experience, 2) a detailed CV, and 3) contact information for at least 2 academic referees. Members of under-represented groups are encouraged to apply. Graduate student stipend and resident tuition fees are available for 3 year, subject to satisfactory progress in both coursework and research. Contact: Kim Melville-Smith, Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory, 1499 Campus Delivery, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1499. Email: kamsmith@nrel.colostate.edu, Phone: 970-491-7715. Posted: 11/15/10.
Colorado State University: Graduate Research and Teaching Assistantships Available The Department of Bioagricultural Sciences and Pest Management (BSPM) has several graduate student research and teaching assistantships available in fields ranging from ecology to genomics. Faculty seeking students and the general research areas are listed below. Stephen Chisholm (chisholm@colostate.edu): Community dynamics and pest management in algae production systems. Whitney Cranshaw (Whitney.Cranshaw@ColoState.edu): Management of insects affecting vegetables, woody plants, and residential structures. Ruth Hufbauer (ruth.hufbauer@colostate.edu): Evolutionary ecology of plants, insects, and plant-insect interactions; invasion biology, biological control John McKay (jkmckay@colostate.edu): physiology and genomics of drought adaptation; molecular and evolutionary basis of guard cell signal transduction. Andrew Norton (Andrew.Norton@Colostate.edu): Plant-insect interactions and the ecology of weed biological control systems Paul Ode (paul.ode@colostate.edu): behavioral and evolutionary ecology of plant–herbivore–parasitoid interactions; parasitoid sex allocation; biological control involving parasitoids Students can enroll through BSPM or through the Graduate Degree Program in Ecology. The deadline for applications is January 15, 2011. Application information: BSPM | Ecology. See also: Program in Molecular Plant Biology For more information and application instructions, please email our graduate secretary Janet Dill (dillj@lamar.colostate.edu) and the individual faculty listed above. Posted: 11/11/10.
Colorado State University and University of Nebraska: 3 PhD positions. A collaborative team of researchers from Colorado State University, University of Nebraska and Cornell University seeks individuals to join us on a recently awarded NSF Dimensions of Biodiversity grant called EVOTRAC (Evolutionary and Ecological Variability in Organismal Trait Response with Altitude and Climate). EVOTRAC aims to predict the vulnerability of stream organisms to climate change across latitudinal and elevation gradients by first understanding how temperature and disturbance shape stream biodiversity and function. Through several integrated research questions, we will build links between multiple levels of evolutionary, organismal and ecological biology using a combination of field surveys, in situ physiological tolerance measurements, and community/ecosystem scale mesocosm and whole stream experiments. To complete this highly integrative project, we are recruiting several PhD students with strengths in one or more of several areas (physiological ecology, aquatic insect systematics, experimental field ecology). We seek students who are enthusiastic about working in remote streams in Colorado and Ecuador, who speak Spanish, and who are excited about interacting with a team of principals from multiple universities and with international collaborators. Specifically we seek individuals with the following expertise: (1) Integrative Evolutionary Ecology (PhD position at Colorado State) - Interest in local adaptation and phenotypic plasticity in physiological traits related to thermal and hypoxia tolerance and how individual species’ performance may translate to whole community or ecosystem response to climate change. Ideal candidates would be familiar with physiological techniques (e.g. respirometry, organism and/or ecosystem metabolism), and would have a good working knowledge of both evolutionary and ecological theory. Instructions for applying to this PhD position are available on the CSU Graduate Degree Program in Ecology Prospective Student page. Applications will be accepted through January 31, 2011. Please also email your CV and a Letter of Interest directly to Cameron Ghalambor (Cameron.Ghalambor@Colostate.edu) or LeRoy Poff (LeRoy.Poff@Colostate.edu). (2) Aquatic Insect Systematics (PhD position at Colorado State) - Expertise in aquatic insect identification and taxonomy using morphological traits and experience in molecular systematics lab techniques and analysis. This student will link morphological and molecular data for species discovery in tropical and temperate streams to help characterize biodiversity patterns across elevation gradients at different latitudes. Instructions for applying to this PhD position are available on the CSU Graduate Degree Program in Ecology Prospective Student page. Applications will be accepted through January 31, 2011. Please also email your CV and a Letter of Interest directly to Chris Funk (Chris.Funk@Colostate.edu) or Boris Kondratieff (Boris.Kondratieff@Colostate.edu) (3) Stream Ecosystem Ecology (PhD position at University of Nebraska, Lincoln) - Interest in understanding the role of organism traits (physiology, trophic, dispersal) in influencing stream ecosystem structure and function, and in how ecosystem features condition the vulnerability of species to future warming and changes in hydrologic disturbance regime. Ideal candidates will have experience in conducting experiments in mesocosms and/or whole streams. Instructions for applying to this PhD position are available on the UNL SNR Graduate School Application page. Applications will be accepted through January 31, 2011. Please also email your CV and a Letter of Interest directly to Steve Thomas (sthomas5@unl.edu). Start date: Ideally, as early as June 2011. Posted: 12/7/10.
Dartmouth College: NSF IGERT Fellowship Opportunities in Polar Environmental Change. Dartmouth is seeking applicants for our NSF Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship (IGERT) program in Polar Environmental Change. Polar systems are at the forefront of global change science research. We are an interdisciplinary graduate program in polar sciences and engineering that merges 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 produce scientists wi! th an advanced knowledge of the role of science in policy and the ethics of conducting research with indigenous people. Research training is coupled with a coordinated core curriculum that focuses 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 first for information on participating departments, requirements, and application procedures. For further information, email the Program Manager at IGERT@dartmouth.edu or the IGERT Principal Investigator at Ross.Virginia@dartmouth.edu. Or call the Institute of Arctic Studies at 603-646-1278. Posted: 8/9/10, revised: 11/11/10.
East Carolina University: The graduate program in the Department of Biology invites applications from prospective PhD and MS students for fall 2011. ECU is the third largest campus in the University of NC system and has an active and well-supported group of faculty working in the areas of ecology and evolution. Currently, we have 74 MS students and 28 doctoral students enrolled in our graduate programs. Students accepted into the Interdisciplinary Doctoral Program in Biological Sciences will receive two years of support with no teaching obligations and at least five years of support total, at a very competitive level. TA-ships are readily available in our two MS programs and Biology faculty members also supervise students in ECU's Coastal Resource Management PhD program. Graduate students will be encouraged to participate in the newly formed North Carolina Center for Biodiversity (NCCB) at East Carolina University. Goals of the NCCB include training graduate students in biodiversity research and providing them opportunities to participate in related outreach. Our students enjoy living in the affordable community of Greenville, NC, participating in seminar series and journal clubs that feature research in ecology and evolution, and having access to several natural areas, universities and research centers located in central and eastern NC. Our faculty members conduct research across the globe and excellent opportunities exist to work in terrestrial, freshwater, wetland and marine systems. Application deadlines vary with particular programs but students applying early will have a greater chance of receiving financial support. Please visit http://www.ecu.edu/biology/ to find out more about our department, faculty and graduate programs. In addition to visiting departmental and faculty websites, please contact prospective mentors directly or our director of graduate studies, Terry West (westt@ecu.edu), for more information. Posted: 12/14/10.
Eastern Washington University: We are seeking a M.S. student for a funded project investigating the ecohydrology of invasive Reed Canary Grass in semi-arid eastern Washington. The student will work with a team of researchers at Eastern Washington University including R. Brown, C. McNeely, C. Nezat, and C. Schwab. The project will require extensive field work, and will include hydrology, measurements of plant transpiration, characterization of plant communities, and use of stable isotopes to trace water sources. A B.S. or B.A. in environmental science, biology, botany, geology or a related field is required. Previous experience in statistics and relevant field research are desired but not required. A strong candidate will possess excellent teamwork, problem-solving, writing, and quantitative skills. Student must be admissible to the Biology M.S. program at Eastern Washington University. Position begins mid-June 2011. Please send questions or application materials to Dr. Camille McNeely at camillemcn@gmail.com. Applications should include a C.V., statement of research and career goals, unofficial transcripts, and contact information for 3 references. If selected, admission to the M.S. program will require additional materials. Closing date: 5/23/2011. Posted: 5/9/11.
Eawag/EPFL: The Department of Aquatic Ecology (Eawag, Switzerland) and the Department of Ecohydrology (EPFL Lausanne, Switzerland) seek a PhD student in Ecology and Ecohydrology. Project title: Experimental and theoretical evaluations of travelling waves of organisms spreading in differently structured aquatic systems. The PhD student will participate in a collaborative research project with Dr. Florian Altermatt (Aquatic Ecology, Eawag) and Prof. Dr. Andrea Rinaldo (Ecohydrology, EPFL) to experimentally study travelling waves of aquatic organisms in landscapes of different structures. Understanding the spread of organisms in natural landscapes is a central issue of ecology and is currently receiving a large theoretical interest. We will use microcosm-system with protozoans, in which the propagation front can be accurately measured in the laboratory. These estimates are then used to parametrize a broad class of models. Ultimately, we want to get a more comprehensive understanding of the spread of organisms, such as disease vectors or invasive species, in bifurcating waterways and rivers. For this project, financed by Eawag, we are looking for a highly motivated candidate with interests in ecology, ecohydrology and river network dynamics. The project combines laboratory microcosm-experiments with protozoans and mathematical modeling. We offer a stimulating research environment in lively and social institutes in D?bendorf (near Zurich) and in Lausanne. At both localities, the departments host other research groups in ecology and ecohydrology. The position will be for a period of three years, and should start as soon as possible (June 2011 or soon thereafter). The PhD student will be enrolled at EPFL, but the lab- and working-environment is shared between the two localities (i.e., a large part of the PhD will be done in D?bendorf, the other part in Lausanne). The ideal candidate has good experimental skills and/or a strong background in quantitative modeling. Excellent communicational and writing skills in English, good work ethics, and creative thinking are desired. A Diploma or Masters degree (or equivalent) in biology, physics or related subject is necessary for admission. The working language in the groups is English. Applications should include a letter of interest with a description of pertinent experience, curriculum vitae, a list of publications (if any), the names (with e-mail addresses) of three potential referees, and copies of certificates of academic qualifications. Apply online by 10 April 2011. For further information, contact Florian Altermatt (Tel. +41 58 765 55 92) florian.altermatt@eawag.ch. Posted: 3/17/11.
Erasmus Mundus et al.: Announcement for 11 PhD fellowship for interdisciplinary research in River Science. Deadline for applications: January 31, 2011. A 3-years Joint PhD programme is offered in the framework of the Erasmus Mundus action by the University of Trento (Italy), Queen Mary, University of London (UK) and the Free University of Berlin (Germany), together with 12 associate partners in 8 different countries and 4 continents, encompassing research centres, private companies and governmental agencies. Research is multidisciplinary-based at a principal institution with mandatory mobility to a second Consortium partner and one Associate partner. It focuses on the core areas of natural and engineering sciences relevant to the sustainable management of river systems from their headwaters to estuaries, including moprhodynamics, hydrology, biogeochemistry, geomorphology, biology and ecology. Admission is on a selective basis; the best candidates will be assigned attractive EU fellowships. Successful completion of the PhD programme will be awarded a joint or double Doctoral Degree in River Science. For any further information concerning the programme, application and selection procedure please visit: http://www.riverscience.eu/. Posted: 1/5/11.
ETH Zurich: The Institute of Plant, Animal and Agroecosystem Sciences at ETH Zurich, Chair of Grassland Sciences (Prof. Nina Buchmann), seeks a Ph.D. student in Isotope Biochemistry. Responsibilities: Research within the SNF project "Carbon isotope fractionation during respiration: Mechanisms and environmental drivers" with focus on compound-specific isotope analysis using isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) and laser spectroscopy. Tasks include design and maintenance of experiments with plant seedlings in cli-mate chambers, sample collection and preparation, isolation of plant compounds, 13C analysis with HPLC and GC coupled to IRMS, CO2 flux measure-ments (photosynthesis and respiration), data analysis and interpretation, presentation of results nationally and internationally. Participation in further development of new methods for compound isolation as well as maintenance of instrumentation is expected. Requirements: Dynamic, reliable and motivated student with M.Sc./Diplom in plant ecophysiology, (bio)chemistry, ecology, environmental sciences or related disciplines. Strong interest in process-oriented re-search, particularly in plant physiology and isotope fractionating mechanisms. Lab experiences and skills in working with HPLC/GC are beneficial. English and German language skills are required. It is expected that the candidate will also collaborate with external institutes. Additional benefits The research will be carried out within a 3-year project, starting as soon as possi-ble. We offer an interesting position in an international, interdisciplinary research group (www.gl.ethz.ch) at a lively uni-versity environment in Zurich as well as international working experiences. Measurements will be performed in cooperation with the PSI in Villigen. Salary and social benefits are provided according to ETH Zurich rules. Application: Please send your complete application to Mr. Rolf Oertli (rolf.oertli@pa.ethz.ch), Human Resources, ETH Zurich, TUR C24, 8092 Zürich, mentioning "IPAS-Isotope Biochemistry". Evaluation pro-cedure will start November 1st, applications will be reviewed until the position is filled. Further information can be obtained from Mrs. C. Hostettler (gl-office@ipw.agrl.ethz.ch). Posted: 9/29/10.
ETH Zurich: The Institute of Plant, Animal and Agroecosystem Sciences, Chair of Grassland Sciences (Prof. Nina Buchmann), seeks a Ph.D. student in Ecology. Responsibilities: Research within the SNF project “Forest ecosystem responses to climatic drivers” with focus on CO2 and H2O vapor fluxes of two managed forests in Switzerland. Net ecosystem gas exchange between biosphere and atmosphere will be measured using eddy-covariance. Growth performance will be assessed using pointdendrometers. Tasks include maintenance of two established flux towers, design and maintenance of additional field experiments, sample preparation and analyses, data acquisition, analysis and interpretation, presentation of results nationally and internationally. Requirements: Dynamic, reliable and motivated student with M.Sc./Diplom in plant ecophysiology, ecology, forest management, micrometeorology, environmental sciences or related disciplines. Strong interest in process- and system-oriented research, particularly ecosystem flux measurements. Experiences and skills in working with large data sets are beneficial. Driving license is required. Teamwork within group and with project partners requires English and German language skills. Participation in Ph.D. Graduate School “Plant Sciences and Policy” is mandatory. Additional benefits: The research will be carried out within a 3-year project, starting as soon as possible. We offer an interesting position in an international, interdisciplinary research group (www.gl.ethz.ch) at a lively university environment in Zurich as well as international working experiences. Salary and social benefits are provided according to ETH Zurich rules. Application: Please send your complete application to Mr. Rolf Oertli (rolf.oertli@pa.ethz.ch), Human Resources, ETH Zurich, TUR C24, 8092 Zürich, mentioning “IPASEcology”. Evaluation procedure will start October 1stt, applications will be reviewed until the position is filled. Further information can be obtained from Mrs. C. Hostettler (gl-office@ipw.agrl.ethz.ch). Posted: 8/27/10.
Florida Atlantic University: We are inviting applications for a graduate research position (M.Sc. preferred) in the Plant Ecology Lab. We are seeking a highly motivated student for a Joint Fire Sciences Program-funded research project with broad focal areas in forestry, fire ecology, wetland ecology, remote sensing, soil science, and biogeochemistry. This research is part of a collaborative project by researchers at FAU, Michigan Technological University, US Forest Service, and US Fish and Wildlife Service investigating fire dynamics in wetland ecosystems. Research will focus on examining spatial patterns of wetland soil conditions and fuel moisture influence on soil combustion using a combination of laboratory and field experiments, prescribed burning, and remote sensing. The project will be based at Seney National Wildlife Refuge (SNWR), located in the east-central portion of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The Refuge encompasses 95,238 acres of wetland and upland forest ecosystems, including the Seney Wilderness Area and the Strangmoor Bog National Natural Landmark. Opportunities exist for synergistic activities with other current research programs in Michigan, western Canada, Alaska, and the Everglades. Applicants must have a Bachelor’s degree in ecology, forestry, or a related field. Only U.S. citizens or permanent residents are eligible for this position. Successful candidates must demonstrate the ability to work independently and conduct rigorous fieldwork in remote settings, as well as willingness to travel and work for extended periods at the research sites, occasionally under adverse weather conditions. A valid U.S. driver’s license and good driving record is preferred, as is prior experience in field research or prescribed burning. The successful candidate will be enrolled in the Environmental Sciences Graduate Program at FAU in Dr. Benscoter’s lab on the FAU-Davie campus. Student support includes monthly stipend and tuition as well as travel and accommodations at research sites and scientific meetings. The Biology and Environmental Science programs at FAU have partnerships with a number of research institutions, including Max Planck, Scripps, USGS, and Everglades National Park. Visit the FAU Environmental Science Program website for information on the graduate program and application requirements. Consideration of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled, with a target enrollment date of January 2012. Interested applicants should send a copy of their CV or resume, a written statement of research background and interest, and names and contact information for two references via email to Dr. Brian Benscoter (Brian.Benscoter@FAU.edu). Posted: 5/12/11.
Florida Atlantic University: Graduate Studies in Marine Biology and Ecology. Research on a diverse array of marine-related topics occurs at FAU's Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute in Ft. Pierce, and certain faculty on the main campus (Boca Raton) and Davie campus also work in marine and estuarine systems. FAU offers masters and doctoral degrees in biological sciences and a masters in environmental science. These programs emphasize cutting-edge research in extraordinary environments ranging from the poles to the tropics, and from intertidal to deep sea habitats. Students can focus on ecological, genetic, and physiological studies, aquaculture of fish and shellfish, or explore biomedical applications of extracts of 'natural products' from marine species. Partner institutions such as Smithsonian Marine Station, South Florida and St. Johns River Water Management Districts, USDA, Florida Oceanographic Society, and Wild Dolphin Project enhance the range of expertise of FAU faculty. Associations with nearby research facilities including Scripps Florida, Max Planck Florida Institute, and Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies broaden FAU leadership in biomedical research and training. A cooperative institute formed with UNC-Wilmington and NOAA also enhances the opportunities for ocean exploration and research. RA stipends may be available (contact individual faculty) and TA support is available at HBOI through our partnership with Indian River State College and at the FAU Boca Raton campus. For more information visit the web sites below or contact Dr. Ed Proffitt (cproffit@fau.edu). Department of Biological Sciences | Environmental Sciences Program | Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute . Posted: 12/1/10.
Florida Atlantic University: Ph.D. Research Assistantship in avian and aquatic ecology. Project involves both experimental and sampling approaches to address questions about controls on wading bird aquatic prey animals and their habitat in the Everglades. Candidate will be exposed to multidisciplinary research program as well as the application of science into one of the nation’s most comprehensive ecosystem restoration projects. MS degree and experience in avian ecology, wetland ecology, aquatic ecology, or wildlife science is required. The ability to work effectively at remote wetland field sites is essential, as is the ability to work well in teams. Candidate must have evidence of the ability to publish the results of scientific studies. Strong statistical analytical skills are also favorable. Expected start date is January 2011. Graduate stipend is $20k/year with tuition waiver. The degree is through the Integrative Biology PhD Program at Florida Atlantic University. Applications must be received by October 18, 2010. Send via email, a CV, pdf of transcripts, GRE scores (unofficial copy will suffice), names and contact information for 3 references, and a letter of interest to: Dr. Dale Gawlik, Department of Biological Sciences, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL 33431-0991. dgawlik@fau.edu, 561-297-3333. Posted: 9/2/10.
Florida International University: Six MS research assistantships in agroecology in the Earth and Environment Department. We have six Research Assistantships at the Masters’ level funded for two years by the USDA National Needs Fellows (NNF) Program. While enrolled in the Master of Sciences in Environmental Studies degree program, candidates will conduct research in the areas of soil microbiology, soil science, natural resource economics, agroecology and sustainable agriculture, population genetics, land use change and urban ecology, water resources, GIS applications in sustainable agriculture, and/or forest resources. Students are expected to test and analyze research data, prepare research manuscripts, as well as make research presentations at local, regional and national meetings. Students are encouraged to perform studies related to research projects in collaboration with USDA agencies, Students will also participate in general activities relating to our Agroecology Program growth and development. Some of the duties could involve mentoring undergraduate USDA-funded Multicultural Scholar students and interns in campus Organic Garden activities, urban community garden education and service, farmer’s markets, and agroecology event management. A B.S. degree in soil science, ecology, microbiology, biochemistry, environmental science, or closely related discipline is required. Some of the additional requirements are: US Citizenship or residency, demonstrated excellence in course work, excellent written and oral communication skills, and ability to work independently and as a team member. Each Fellow receives $18,500 per year for two years, and in-state and out-of-state tuition waivers. For further details about these positions please contact Dr. Krish Jayachandran, Associate Professor and Co-Director of Agroecology Program, phone 305-348-6553, jayachan@fiu.edu or Dr. Mahadev Bhat, Professor and Co-Director of Agroecology Program, Phone 305-348-1210, bhatm@fiu.edu To apply, please visit FIU’s University Graduate School (UGS) website and send us a copy of your completed application. The deadline for this National Needs Fellowship screening and acceptance is March 31, 2011. Posted: 2/18/11.
Florida International University: We have exciting opportunities available for graduate students to pursue a Ph.D. in the Ecophysiology and Global Change Lab in the Department of Biological Sciences. Active research projects in the lab include: Arctic ecosystem responses to climate change Carbon and water cycling in tropical rainforest Climate and water management effects on carbon fluxes in Everglades marsh Structure and function of Everglades tree islands For more information contact Steve Oberbauer (oberbaue@fiu.edu). To be eligible for positions, interested students must meet the graduate admission requirements of Florida International University and have competitive GPA and GRE scores. Support is by teaching assistantships with summer funding opportunities. Highly qualified candidates may be eligible for fully-funded Presidential Fellowships. The deadline for graduate applications is January 15th 2011. The form is available here. Applicants should be sure to request a teaching assistantship on the application form. 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 Marine, Everglades, Arctic, and Tropical Ecology. Posted: 12/14/10.
Florida International University: The Feeley Lab in the Department of Biological Sciences at FIU and the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden in Miami, FL USA is seeking PhD applicants to study the effects of climate change and other anthropogenic disturbances on tropical montane cloud forests in Peru (Manu NP) through combined modeling and field-based studies. Funding is competitive. To be considered, applicants must have a strong academic background, high GRE scores, and field experience. Completion of an MS and ability to communicate in Spanish is desirable. Send cover letter and CV to Kenneth Feeley: kfeeley@fiu.edu. Posted: 10/12/10, revised: 10/14/10.
Florida State University: Graduate student positions in plant-herbivore interactions and quantitative/theoretical ecology. The labs of Nora Underwood, Brian Inouye and Charlotte Lee in the Ecology and Evolution Group are looking for new graduate students (PhD or exceptional MS) to join our labs in fall 2011. Our three labs form an interactive group studying species interactions (particularly but not exclusively plant/insect interactions) from both empirical and quantitative/theoretical perspectives. Students may be co-advised across labs. We are seeking bright, independent, question-driven students with interests in plant/insect interactions, population dynamics and species interactions, theoretical ecology, and community ecology. Funding for all students in our program is guaranteed for five years through a combination of TAships and RAships. See below for specifics on each of our individual labs. Brian Inouye's lab focuses on understanding the roles of spatial and temporal variation in population and community ecology and linking theoretical and empirical approaches. Empirical work in the lab focuses on insects and plants. Current students work on questions ranging from estimating interaction webs to landscape ecology to plasticity in plant resource allocation. Charlotte Lee's lab focuses on a broad range of questions involving population dynamics, species interactions, demography and biodemography, and ecosystem dynamics. Students in her lab should have some demonstrated interest in quantitative theory and/or preparation in fields such as mathematical ecology, math, programming, physics and so on. Nora Underwood's lab works on empirical studies of the ecology and evolution of plant/insect interactions, with a focus on questions relating to dynamic properties of these systems such as population growth and spread, the form of natural selection, and interspecific interactions (competition, pollination, predation). The Florida State Ecology and Evolution group is a highly interactive and supportive community of about 20 faculty and 50 graduate students, with a particular strength in combining ecological and evolutionary perspectives. FSU is located in the Florida panhandle, with easy access to diverse natural habitats including long-leaf pine forests and savannahs, springs and rivers, old-fields, and marine habitats in national forests, wildlife refuges and TNC properties. Interested students should contact the professor(s) (Lee, Inouye, Underwood) who most closely match their interests by email, including a cover letter describing background and research interests and a CV with names of two or more references. Posted: 9/9/10.
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 2011. 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. Students can also work through our new Center for Urban Ecology (CUE). Accepted MS and PhD students are eligible to receive stipends in the range of $27-28k per year, plus full tuition remission. Students may work in many areas of ecology and evolution, 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 - Climate change effects on hibernation and survival of mammals - Conservation of endangered species - Ecology and epidemiology of vector-borne diseases - Ecology of invasive species in urban landscapes and watersheds - Ectomycorrhizal fungal diversity and species function - Evolution of animal social behavior - Evolution of herbivory defense in invasive plants - Freshwater food webs and water quality in streams and rivers - Landscape ecology and spatial distribution of disease vectors - Microbial and ecosystem responses to disturbances such as urbanization, species invasions, and global change - Nutritional and biochemical adaptations to seasonally cold environments - Plant systematics. Interested students should contact relevant faculty members or research scientists to discuss mutual research interests via the following websites. Biology faculty | Louis Calder Biological Field Station | Opportunities at the New York Botanical Garden | Opportunities at the Wildlife Conservation Society. The deadline for applications is January 5, 2011. Online applications are available from: http://www.fordham.edu/gsas For any questions, please contact Dr. J.D. Lewis by email: jdlewis@fordham.edu. Posted: 11/15/10.
Forschungsanstalt Agroscope Reckenholz-Tänikon: PhD student position on “Effects of nanoparticles on beneficial soil microbes and crops”. Organisation Research Station ART performs research for agriculture and nature. We combine scientific research in ecology, economics and agricultural engineering in a holistic approach for the advancement of science and to support science-based decision-making by farmers, government authorities and the society. Position and Project Description Nanotechnology – one of the key technologies of the 21st century – is increasingly used by industry for product improvement. However, the use of particles at the nanometre scale could also have harmful effects in the envi-ronment and these are still poorly investigated and understood. In this project you will test whether nanoparticles accumulate in crops (wheat and clover) and beneficial soil microbes (rhizobia and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi). Additionally, you will investigate whether ecological functions performed by beneficial soil microbes (e.g. nutrient uptake and nitrogen fixation) as well as yield and quality of crops are influenced by exposure to nanoparticles. The project is part of the Swiss National Research Programme "Opportunities and Risks of Nanomaterials" (NRP64) and has been awarded to the Research Station ART and the Federal Office of Agriculture. You will perform your studies in a multidisciplinary research team and in close collaboration with another PhD student who is focussing on the development of analytical methods to determine the fate of nanoparticles in agro-ecosystems. Requirements / Conditions We seek an enthusiastic PhD student with a Masters in biology, ecology, microbiology or agronomy. Further advantages are experience in laboratory and/or greenhouse work, use of molecular biology tools and a back-ground in ecotoxicology. The student should express a sincere interest in nanotechnology, plant-microbe inte-ractions, molecular ecology, soil science and agro-ecological research. Scientific work will be performed in a team consisting of experts from various disciplines. Excellent knowledge in spoken/written English and know-ledge of German are required. We offer the opportunity to work in a young, multidisciplinary research team addressing a variety of topics in agro-ecology research and chemical trace analysis. Well equipped state-of-the-art analytical, microbiological, and molecular biology laboratories as well as climate chambers, greenhouses and experimental fields are avail-able. The duration of contract is 3 years. The working place will be at Agroscope ART research station Reckenholz at Zurich-Affoltern, Switzerland. The salary is according to the guidelines of the SNF Swiss National Science Foundation. Start of work will be May 2011 or as soon as possible. Application Please send your application containing a complete academic record, CV, certificates and a short description of research interests to: Forschungsanstalt Agroscope Reckenholz-Tänikon ART, Fachgruppe Personal, Thomas Zehnder, Kennwort “NANOMICROPS PhD“, Reckenholzstrasse 191, CH-8046 Zürich, Email: human_resources@art.admin.ch. For further information, please contact Prof. Dr. Marcel van der Heijden, Head of Ecological Farming System Group, phone +41 44 377 72 78, marcel.vanderheijden@art.admin.ch. Deadline for application is: 28 April 2011. Posted: 4/19/11.
Freie Universität Berlin: The Plant and Mycorrhizal Ecology Lab (Prof. Matthias C. Rillig) seeks a highly motivated PhD student who will be involved in a project in the German Biodiversity-Exploratories, addressing the effects of land-use and biodiversity on root biomass and arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) communities in roots. The successful candidate will indentify AM fungi by means of next generation sequencing and subsequent phylogenetic analysis of the AM fungal communities. Further statistical analyses will be used to test for phylogenetic patterns in relation to land-use and specific traits of the host plants. The candidate must hold a M.Sc. or equivalent (e.g. Diploma) in biology, ecology or bioinformatics. Fluent written and spoken English and driver licence are required. Background in molecular ecology, phylogenetics, community ecology and ecological statistics are desirable. Duration: 36 months. Salary: 65 % of a full position according to E 13 TV-L FU tariff Applications including a CV and a copy/scan of relevant certificates (e.g. Master degree) must be sent not later than 4th April 2011 for full consideration to: Freie Universität Berlin, Institut für Biologie - Ökologie der Pflanzen, Dr. Stefan Hempel, Altensteinstraße 6, 14195 Berlin, Germany. Electronic applications are welcome. For additional information, please email to: hempel.stefan@gmail.com or matthias.rillig@fu-berlin.de. Posted: 3/16/11.
Freie Universität Berlin: The Plant and Mycorrhizal Ecology Lab (Prof. Matthias C. Rillig) seeks a PhD student who will be involved in a project funded by the DFG (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft), addressing the relative roles of neutral (demographic stochasticity with limited dispersal) and niche processes (competition with environmental heterogeneity) in structuring soil ecological communities. The study will address the structure of soil communities from a natural grassland at various spatial scales (from about one to thousands of meters). Aspects of the project will be: physical and chemical characterization of soil and assessment of microorganisms (molecular DNA based methods applied to the roots and the soil), and microarthropod (assessed morphologically) communities. The candidate must hold a M.Sc. or equivalent (e.g. Diploma) in biology/ecology. Fluent written and spoken English and driver's licence are required. Background in community ecology, ecological statistics and molecular ecology and/or soil zoology are desirable. Duration: 36 months. Salary: 65 % of a full position according to E 13 TV-L FU tariff. Applications must be sent not later than 28th February 2011 (for full consideration) to: Freie Universität Berlin, Institut für Biologie - Ökologie der Pflanzen, Dr. Tancredi Caruso, Altensteinstraße 6, 14195 Berlin, Germany. Electronic applications are also welcome; please send all files as a pdf. For additional information, please email to: tancredi.caruso@fu-berlin.de or hempel.stefan@gmail.com. Posted: 1/31/11.
Georg-August-University Göttingen: The ‘Biodiversity, Macroecology and Conservation Biogeography’ group (Prof. Dr. Holger Kreft) invites applications for two Ph.D. positions. Positions are initially available for two years, but can be extended to three years after positive evaluation. The salary is defined according to the German E13 TV-L scale (50%). Research in the group focuses on documenting and understanding broad-scale ecological and biogeographic patterns as well as implications of human activities on global biodiversity. Model groups are mainly plants and terrestrial vertebrates. Another emergent focus is the ecology of megadiverse tropical systems. Position 1: Global-scale macroecology of plants Research opportunities for a PhD project include basic and conservation-related topics on the macroecology of the global mainland floras. Depending on the individual research interests, the project may involve the testing of species richness hypotheses, biotic homogenization and geographic patterns of plant invasions. A number of methods will be applied, such as predictive geostatistical modelling, integration and comparisons of phylogenetic, functional, and species diversity. Working knowledge in at least two of the following areas is required: management and analysis of large relational databases, GIS (ArcGIS/ArcInfo), statistical methods (package R), scripting and programming languages (C++, Python). A strong interest in modern macroecological and biogeographical research questions is required. Position 2: Modelling spatial dynamics and demographic aspects of vascular epiphytes This DFG-funded project aims at developing demographic models for vascular epiphytes and at ultimately integrating this group of plants into process-based forest models. The PhD work involves field work in Panama and Brazil. The successful candidate will be responsible for developing demographic simulation models at both local and metapopulation scales as well as simulating scenarios of spatial-temporal distributions of epiphytes within forest fragments. Strong quantitative and computational skills and some experience with modeling techniques (C++ and/or R) are required. Experience with field work in the tropics, possibly with vascular epiphytes, is a plus. The project is in close cooperation with Prof. Gerhard Zotz (Functional Ecology Lab - University of Oldenburg, Germany). Applicants for both positions should have a master or diploma degree in biology, geography, environmental sciences or a related field. The doctoral thesis will be published as a series of English manuscripts in international peer-reviewed journals. We explicitly welcome applications from abroad. Applications including a CV and a statement of research interests should be sent as a single PDF document by email to Prof. Dr. Holger Kreft (hkreft@uni-goettingen.de). For informal enquiries about the posts please contact Prof. Dr. Holger Kreft (hkreft@uni-goettingen.de, position #1), Dr. Juliano Cabral (jsarmen@uni-goettingen.de, position #2) or visit www.uni-goettingen.de/biodiversity for further information. Review of applications will start on October 7 and continue until the positions are filled. The ‘Biodiversity, Macroecology and Conservation Biogeography’ group is a Free-Floater Research Group recently established at the Georg-August-University Göttingen in the scope of the German Excellence Initiative. Posted: 9/20/10.
Georgetown University: The Department of Biology has multiple opportunities for doctoral study in ecology, evolution and behavior (EEB). Students interested in any of the opportunities listed below are strongly encouraged to contact the relevant faculty member(s) via email. See Department of Biology graduate program. Information about graduate school application procedures and deadlines. Mechanisms of phenotypic evolution: Dr. Peter Armbruster seeks a highly motivated PhD student to join his laboratory’s research on mechanisms of phenotypic evolution in natural populations. The Armbruster lab is currently focusing on the invasive and medically important mosquito Aedes albopictus. This mosquito invaded the US in 1985 and spread rapidly over approximately 15 degrees of latitude. This natural experiment in evolution provides an exciting opportunity to identify the molecular and physiological mechanisms underpinning climatic adaptation during invasion and range expansion. Dr. Armbruster’s research is currently supported by grants from both NIH and NSF, and integrates a broad range of approaches, including molecular biology, bioinformatics, physiology, and quantitative genetics. Interested students should contact Dr. Peter Armbruster (paa9@georgetown.edu). Mathematical Population Biology: Faculty in the Departments of Biology and Mathematics have ongoing collaborations centered on quantitative modeling and analysis of population genetic data. Ongoing projects span a wide spectrum of applications including the development of coalescent models that better suit natural populations in order to infer biological mechanisms acting on genetic polymorphism to the development of novel quantitative models to analyze the evolution of HIV within an infected individual. These projects are highly interdisciplinary, drawing on approaches and techniques from both disciplines. Dr. Matthew B. Hamilton (Biology) and Dr. Sivan Leviyang (Mathematics) are seeking an outstanding student to pursue a jointly mentored PhD in mathematical biology. The course of study will include classes in biology, mathematics and computer science, with the goal of providing the student with a firm background in population genetics, ecology, statistics, probability, and computation. The specific topic of research is flexible and can favor theory or application depending on the students’ interest. The ideal student should possess a bachelor’s degree in biology or mathematics (with some course work and experience in the alternate field) with some experience in computation. Most importantly, an ideal student will have a strong desire to engage in interdisciplinary research in quantitative biology. Interested students should contact Dr. Hamilton (hamiltm1@georgetown.edu) and Dr. Leviyang (sr286@georgetown.edu). Empirical population genetics and molecular evolution: Dr. Matthew B. Hamilton is seeking students interested in using genetic marker data to test fundamental hypotheses in population genetics and molecular evolution. On-going empirical projects include using transcriptome-scale data to compare the molecular clock in annual and perennial plants, studying temporal genetic variation in striped bass and testing for the ecological causes of changes in genetic variation in salt marsh insects. The ideal project in the Hamilton lab is one that combines empirical genetic marker data collection with mathematical or computer simulation work to develop novel expectations or hypothesis tests. Interested students should contact Dr. Hamilton (hamiltm1@georgetown.edu). Ecological interactions, behavior & learning: Research in Dr. Martha Weiss’ lab focuses on ecological interactions (between plants and animals, as well as predator and prey), with an emphasis on behavior and learning. Recent or ongoing projects include investigations of butterfly and caterpillar learning, retention of memory across complete metamorphosis, the ecological context of defecation behavior, and predatory wasp learning and foraging behavior. We are also working on development of hands-on science curricular materials, mostly related to plants and insects, for use in K-12 classrooms. We seek an outstanding graduate student interested in these or related projects. For more information see the Weiss Lab website, but be aware that its content is out of date and in the process of being updated. Arthropod biodiversity and conservation: Professor Edward M. Barrows is seeking an excellent, self-motivated, and biology-passionate student to work on a long-term project regarding arthropod biodiversity and conservation especially in Dyke Marsh Wildlife Preserve (DMWP), Virginia, near Georgetown University. The study includes documenting DMWP species, their phenologies and relative abundances in habitats, and their food-web and other ecological roles in view of global change which may have significant effects on the Preserve. Dr. Barrows’ Entomology and Biodiversity Laboratory is currently analyzing a huge, baseline, historical (1998–1999) DMWP arthropod sample. The Friends of Dyke Marsh, National Park Service, Washington Biologists’ Field Club, and others are supporting this study. Interested students should contact Dr. Barrows at barrowse@georgetown.edu. Behavioral ecology, development, reproduction & life history of Bottlenose Dolphins: Professor Mann is seeking outstanding PhD students in 2011 to collaborate on her long-term study of wild bottlenose dolphins. Dr. Mann directs the Shark Bay Bottlenose Dolphin Research Project, a 25+ year longitudinal study on a population of wild bottlenose dolphins in Shark Bay, Western Australia. Members of her lab are currently focusing on research questions related to behavioral development, life history, female reproduction, information transmission/diffusion, social networks, home range and habitat use. More recently, members of her team are developing non-invasive techniques for sampling cetacean genetics, diet, and hormones. Her work is currently supported by NSF and ONR. Dr. Mann collaborates extensively with Dr. Lisa Singh in Computer Science. Dr. Mann is not accepting students in 2010 but will consider applicants the following year. Community Ecology and Landscape Genetics: Dr. Gina Wimp is seeking students interested in understanding the mechanisms that lead to the loss of biodiversity and increased risk of extinction in fragmented habitats. Dr. Wimp’s work takes place in the intertidal salt marsh where a rise in mean tidal height over the past 60 years has led to a change in the demography of the two dominant grass species, with the more flood-intolerant grass (Spartina patens) contracting in size. She uses manipulative experiments to examine the effects of habitat loss and fragmentation in S. patens on the abundance, diversity and composition of the dependent arthropod community. The Wimp and Hamilton labs have developed microsatellite genetic marker loci to examine the effects of habitat fragmentation on gene flow in two of the dominant herbivore species found in S. patens, both of which are flightless, specialist planthoppers. Interested students should contact Dr. Gina Wimp via email (gmw22@georgetown.edu). Posted: 11/15/10.
Goethe Universitat Frankfurt am Main: The Functional Plant-Biogeography working group (Institute for Physical Geography, J-W Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Germany) seeks applicants for a PhD fellowship to contribute to a DFG-supported project on the leaf phenology of an African savanna ecosystem. This project is embedded in a broader project that seeks to understand interactions between grasses and trees in savannas and how these interactions may change as atmospheric conditions change. This specific project will involve collecting leaf-level gas-exchange data and high resolution multi-spectral imagery. These data will be used to develop, parameterise and test models of growing season length. Field work will be based in Skukuza (Kruger National Park, South Africa). The successful applicant will hold an MSc-degree or equivalent in the natural sciences or engineering and have an interest and, preferably, experience in plant ecology and ecophysiology. An aptitude for environmental instrumentation (e.g. leaf gas-exchange systems, data-logger programming), data analysis (E.g., image processing, hierarchical Bayesian statistics) and dynamic vegetation modelling (using e.g. Fortran, C++) is expected. Further requirements include good skills in spoken and written English and, for non-German speakers, a willingness to learn German. The position is available as of 1 March 2011. Funding is for 36 months and the salary follows the (BAT IIa/E13) salary scale. The position is based in Frankurt. Interested applicants should submit by email (PDF-files) a CV, an abstract of your diploma/masters project, a brief description of scientific interests and the contact details of two references to Prof. Steven Higgins (higgins@em.uni-frankfurt.de). Posted: 1/13/11.
Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ: The Department of Computational Landscape Ecology invites applications for 2 Postdoctoral Scientists (full-time) and 1 Ph.D. Student position to commence as early as possible. All appointments are limited to 3 years and are subject to final funding approval by the funding agency. All positions are part of the GLUES project, which is coordinated by the Department. (1) Postdoctoral Scientist in Regional ecosystem services assessments and global feedbacks analysis – Code digit 24/2011 – The candidate is expected to develop, implement and test a framework for analysing off-site effects of ecosystem service based on land management. It requires developing a consistent model for ecosystem services provided in different regions of the world. This analysis will build on information from regional projects within the “Sustainable Land Management Programme” and other comparable initiatives with which GLUES cooperates. The candidate will furthermore be part of the GLUES coordination team and supervise the Ph.D. students funded by the project. (2) Postdoctoral Scientist in Modelling ecosystem functioning and services – Code digit 25/2011 – We are looking for a PostDoc with experience in landscape-scale process-modelling of regulatory, supporting and/or provisioning ecosystem services. Our interest lies in the improvement of such tools and their application to a range of specific land-use scenarios. The candidate will specifically focus on the development of simple generic models for ecosystem services that are of regional importance (such as drinking water availability, pollination) and those relevant for international trade (such as food and timber production, C-sequestration). (3) Ph.D. Student position on the topic Analysis of ecosystem service valuations - Code digit 26/2011 – The candidate is expected to develop an innovative approach to ecosystem service analysis. This approach is based on statistical analysis of an existing economic database and focuses on the questions of quantifying recent analyses of regional ecosystem services, identification of links between ecosystem services and economic sectors and analysis of the regional income elasticity of ecosystem services. Applicants for the posts should have a background in scientific fields such as environmental modelling, environmental data analysis, landscape or geo-ecology, environmental/ecological economics or statistical analysis. Software skills related to R, database management and model development are assumed to form the technical background. We expect very good written and oral communication skills in English and, for the PostDocs, a publication track record in peer-reviewed journals. Ability for working in an international interdisciplinary team is obligatory. We offer: • Excellent research opportunities within an interdisciplinary, international team located in a very pleasant city. • Funds for support through student internships. Further information will be provided by: Dr. Florian Eppink (florian.eppink@ufz.de) or Prof. Dr. Ralf Seppelt (ralf.seppelt@ufz.de) For Scientist positions: The positions will be located in Leipzig. Salary will be according to the appropriate civil service level (TVöD), Entgeltgruppe 13. For PhD positions: The positions will be located in Leipzig. Salary will be according to the appropriate German civil service level (50%) (TVöD), Entgeltgruppe 13. The PhD students participate in the newly established Graduate School HIGRADE. Women are explicitly encouraged to apply to increase their share in science and research. Physically handicapped people will be favoured if they are equally qualified. Please send your complete application documents (curriculum vitae, certificates of academic degrees and reprints of most important publications) with reference to the appropriate code digit. Please email your application with all documents in a single pdf-file that clearly states your name and the reference number of this job description (e.g. Smith_24_2011.pdf) to Florian Eppink and application@ufz.de or by mail to Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ, Personalabteilung, PF 50 01 36, D-04301 Leipzig, Germany. Posted: 2/17/11.
Indiana University: Ph.D. Opportunities in Terrestrial Ecosystem Ecology. The Phillips lab in the Department of Biology invites applications to the Ph.D. Program in Ecology Evolution and Behavior (EEB). We welcome inquiries from motivated students interested in how regional and global environmental changes such as nitrogen deposition, elevated atmospheric CO2 and changes in species distributions influence carbon and nutrient cycling in ecosystems. Our lab is a collaborative, highly interactive and dynamic group, with broad interests in community/ecosystem ecology, and soil biogeochemistry. Incoming Ph.D. students are encouraged to develop their own research projects on topics in these areas. The Ecology Evolution and Behavior (EEB) Program at IU is one of the top ranked EEB Programs nationally, with a concentration of core faculty working in the area of plant-soil-microbial interactions. Ph.D. students in EEB have opportunities for interdisciplinary training in atmospheric chemistry, biophysical ecology, climate-ecosystem interactions, land use and land cover change, microbial ecology and remote sensing. IU has outstanding resources for conducting research in the ecological and environmental sciences, including a state of the art biogeochemistry lab, an AmeriFlux eddy covariance tower and thousands of acres of nearby forest. Interested applicants should contact Rich Phillips (rpp6@indiana.edu) as soon as possible, and include “Ph.D. opportunity” in the subject line. In your email, please provide a brief statement of your research interests and a CV. More information on applying to the EEB Program (Deadline for International applicants: December 1; Domestic applicants: January 5). Posted: 11/22/10.
Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis: The Department of Earth Sciences at IUPUI invites applications for a full-time Graduate Research Assistant position (MS or PhD in Applied Earth Sciences) starting in Fall 2011 to work on a project that combines stable C isotope and selective inhibition techniques to assess methane dynamics in agricultural soils. This is part of a larger USDA-funded project investigating greenhouse gas emissions in no-till agro-ecosystems. We seek highly motivated students with excellent skills in soil biochemistry, microbial ecology and related disciplines. Assistantship includes competitive stipend, tuition, and medical insurance. To initiate the application procedure send a letter of interest including your academic background (an informal transcript is ideal) and research interests to Dr. Pierre-André Jacinthe (pjacinth@iupui.edu; 317-274-7969). More information concerning the program can be found at www.geology.iupui.edu. Posted: 2/25/11.
International Max Planck Research School for Organismal Biology: we offer several PhD student positions. The IMPRS is based in southern Germany and is jointly organized by The Max Planck Institute for Ornithology in Seewiesen and Radolfzell and the University of Konstanz. Outstanding students of all nationalities with a deep commitment to basic research in Organismal Biology are invited to apply. More than 25 internationally recognized groups actively participate in the PhD program and offer challenging, cutting-edge PhD thesis projects in the fields of Behavior, Ecology, Evolution, and Physiology. See PhD project suggestions. All students accepted to the program will be supported by stipends. The program offers dedicated teaching programs, high quality research experience, and outstanding research facilities in an inspiring research and living environment. All courses are taught in English. Each PhD candidate receives individual supervision and mentoring and is guided in her/his research work by a PhD advisory committee. Deadline for the application is January 15, 2011. Interviews with the applicants are scheduled in Konstanz for mid March. Candidates accepted into the program may start as early as April 2011. Qualification Applicants should hold an MSc or equivalent degree in biology or a related discipline at the point of enrollment. Queries should be mailed to the program office: IMPRS@uni-konstanz.de To apply: see application process. Posted: 11/15/10.
Iowa State University: We are seeking a highly motivated M.S. student to conduct a non-invasive investigation of lead levels in nesting and wintering Bald Eagles in Iowa. The primary purpose of this research is to determine the degree to which free-flying avian species of conservation concern are being exposed to high levels of lead and identify factors related to elevated lead exposure. Qualifications: B.S. degree in wildlife science, ecology, biology, or related natural resources field, GPA >3.0, and both V+Q GRE scores at least in the upper 50th percentile. Desired qualifications include an excellent academic record, field experience (preferably with birds), interest in developing laboratory skills, strong organizational skills and attention to detail, strong quantitative skills, and excellent writing skills. Stipend is approximately $19k per year. The student will receive health insurance and is responsible for half of in-state graduate tuition. To apply, please send a letter describing professional interests and career goals, curriculum vitae, copies of college transcripts and GRE scores, and names and phone numbers of at least three references to BOTH of the contacts below. Email inquiries are preferred. Review of applicants will begin immediately and continue until a suitable applicant is found. Tentative start date is August 15, 2011. Contacts: Dr. Julie A. Blanchong (julieb@iastate.edu) and Dr. Stephen J. Dinsmore (cootjr@iastate.edu), Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management. Posted: 5/4/11.
Iowa State University: A PhD assistantship in wildlife genetics and disease is available in the Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management. The objective of this project is to identify factors influencing the occurrence, transmission, and spatial spread of wildlife diseases. Results will aid in the design of effective disease surveillance programs and appropriate management strategies. Using white-tailed deer as the study organism, the student will 1) characterize patterns of deer population genetic structure and gene flow to forecast the spatial spread of diseases such as chronic wasting disease, and 2) estimate prevalence and spatial distribution patterns of deer-associated diseases of zoonotic and domestic animal concern (e.g., Coxiella burnetii, bovine viral diarrhea) to assess risks of interspecific transmission. The student is also expected to pursue additional research question(s) suitable to his/her interests. Qualifications: A M.S. in wildlife ecology, genetics, or a related field is desirable. This is a lab-based project in which the student will be responsible for generating and analyzing all genetic data as well as conducting disease assays. Preference will be given to applicants with prior research experience using genetic techniques. Experience with GIS is also desirable but not necessary. Contact: Dr. Julie Blanchong, julieb@iastate.edu, with a letter of interest, unofficial copies of college transcripts and GRE scores, description of any previous research experience, and contact information for three references. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until a suitable applicant is found. The project can begin as early as May, 2011. The candidate selected will be provided with an assistantship that includes a stipend, tuition waiver, and health care benefits. Posted: 12/9/10.
Iowa State University: A PhD assistantship is available in the Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management. The goal of the project is to use genetic tools to characterize white-tailed deer population structure with the objective of addressing the potential for transmission and spread of diseases such as chronic wasting disease. A second objective is to describe impacts of deer restoration efforts during the early 20th century on contemporary population structure. Opportunities exist to pursue additional research question(s) related to disease ecology or genetics depending on the student’s interests. A M.S. in wildlife ecology, genetics, or a related field is desirable. Preference will be given to applicants with prior research experience using genetic techniques. Contact Dr. Julie Blanchong, julieb@iastate.edu, with a letter of interest, cumulative GPA, GRE scores, description of any previous research experience, and contact information for three references. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until a suitable applicant is found. The project can begin as early as January, 2011. The candidate selected will be provided with an assistantship that includes a tuition waiver, an initial stipend of $19k per year, and health care benefits. Posted: 9/30/10.
Jagiellonian University: Institute of Environmental Sciences at the Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland (see list of staff members with information on research interests and selected publications). The leading Polish institute in: Behavioral ecology, Evolutionary genetics and life histories, Physiological ecology and bioenergetics, Ecotoxicology and industrial pollutants, Ecosystem ecology, Environmental education and management Is opening applications for: 1) 4-year interdisciplinary doctoral studies programme in ecology in English, offering research in Poland and half-year placements in academic centres outside Poland and a choice of 4 out of 8 courses from different scientific disciplines conducted by eminent Polish and foreign specialists Application deadline: *10 June 2011* 2)20-month fellowship programme for strongly motivated scientists with a PhD degree in Biology, Ecology or related field, realized in one of the research groups at the Institute of Environmental Sciences and a monthly internship at the universities in Europe and the U.S. Application deadline: *29 April 2011* Detailed information, containing the description of research projects proposed for PhD students, profile of the applicant and the application instructions are available at: www.eko.uj.edu.pl/ecology. Posted: 3/17/11.
Kansas State University: Graduate Positions in Terrestrial Paleoenvironment and Biogeochemistry, starting either in Spring 2011 or Fall 2011. We are seeking graduate students to join a growing research project reconstructing the history of nutrient cycling over Holocene timescales in forested and grassland ecosystems in the upper Midwestern U.S. Students will have opportunities to obtain, analyze, and interpret lacustrine sediment and dendroisotopic records, and to integrate them with regional paleoclimate records. Duties involve extensive field and laboratory work, data analysis, and publication of findings. Students would ideally begin field work during northern hemisphere Summer 2011. Basic qualifications include either a B.A. or B.S. degree in a field appropriate to paleoenvironments (including biological sciences, ecology, biogeochemistry, Earth science, or geography), a strong quantitative background, a valid driver's license and the ability to work independently in both field and lab settings. Skills acquired will include dendrochronology, stable isotope analysis, interpretation of sediment stratigraphy, and/or management of large data sets. We will consider applicants at both the Masters and Ph.D level. Interested applicants should contact Dr. Kendra McLauchlan by 1 October 2010 (mclauch@ksu.edu), Department of Geography, Kansas State University, 118 Seaton Hall, Manhattan, KS 66506. To apply, please send a CV, cover letter, and contact information for two references in PDF format to the same email address. Further information: KSU Paleoenvironmental Lab. Posted: 9/2/10.
Katholieke Universiteit Leuven: PhD position: Priority effects in grassland restoration. Many species rich grasslands in Western Europe have been replaced by a more intensive agricultural land use or are threatened through atmospheric nitrogen deposition and phosphorous input. There are many ecological restoration projects of these semi-natural vegetations. Community assembly theory, however, suggests a crucial role for stochastic events causing communities to diverge, even when the initial environmental conditions are identical. These events may jeopardize restoration efforts. More specifically, the order of species colonization and the frequency of these colonization events is expected to have long lasting or even permanent effects on community composition. If so, this is especially important in ecological restoration, as target species are often rare and thus unlikely to soon colonize the target habitat, whereas opportunistic species, including exotic species, are often abundant and strong colonizers. The aim of this PhD is therefore to explore the effects of plant species colonization order on the temporal variation of community characteristics such as species diversity, species and trait composition, and biomass in grassland restoration. Information and applications. Posted: 9/27/10.
Kent State and Miami University of Ohio: Doctoral Traineeships in Aquatic Sensing. We are now accepting applications for our National Science Foundation funded Integrative Graduate Education and Research Training program entitled: "Environmental Aquatic Resource Sensing (EARS): Basic Science, Business Education and Outreach". The EARS IGERT is part of the NSF foundation-wide interdisciplinary doctoral student training program. The theme of the EARS IGERT is training of doctoral students in environmental sensing, focused on freshwater resources, accentuated with business experiences, to develop professionals equipped for diverse careers. Students eligible for traineeships are those that will be, or have already been, successfully admitted to doctoral programs in one of the participating science departments (Kent: Biological Sciences, Chemical Physics, Chemistry, Geography, Geology; Miami: Chemistry, Geography, Geology, Microbiology, Zoology); international students are not eligible. IGERT trainees receive a stipend of $30k plus $10,500 for cost of education per year. Details, including the application materials and frequently asked questions, can be found at our web page, linked above. For more information, please e mail Laura Leff, IGERT program director, at lleff@kent.edu. To ensure full consideration for a traineeship starting in Fall 2011, please apply before February 1st 2011: applications will continue to be accepted until all positions are filled. Deadlines in subsequent years will be similar. Please also make sure you are aware of and follow the specific deadlines and requirements for graduate admissions for the specific department of interest. Initial notifications will be made by approximately the 3rd week of February. Posted: 11/18/10.
Kent State University: A NSF-funded PhD student research assistantship is available to examine microbial community dynamics related to the carbon and nitrogen cycles in marine systems. The project involves lab experiments, coastal field works and open ocean cruises. A multidisciplinary approach will be applied including gene-based molecular analysis, metagenomics and metatranscriptomics. Minimum requirements: · A bachelor’s degree in Microbiology, Biology, Ecology, or related field · Research experience in Microbiology and/or Microbial Ecology · Excellent communication skills · Self-motivated personality · Ability to work independently and interactively with a multidisciplinary research team · Excellent GPA and GRE scores. The graduate student position would begin in summer or fall 2011. Assistantships include stipend, health insurance, and tuition waiver. Review of applications will begin immediately, and continue until positions are filled. To apply, send a CV, a statement of research accomplishments and interests, GRE scores, and the names (with addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses) of three references to: Xiaozhen (Jen) Mou, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, Kent State University, Kent OH 44240. Tel: 330-672-3625, Fax: 330-6723713. Posted: 10/11/10, revised: 11/29/10.
Leibniz Center for Tropical Marine Ecology: Eight PhD positions will be available at Leibniz-ZMT GmbH in Bremen/Germany beginning this year: (1) Effects of environmental change (nutrification, acidification) on calcareous green algae. The PhD student position will be part of the working group at ZMT focusing on the effects of environmental change (nutrification, acidification) on carbonate secreting communities. The PhD project will focus on calcareous green algae in various modern tropical environments. We are looking for a student with a background in carbonate sedimentology and/or marine botany. Requirements - MSc or equivalent degree in geology or biology - basic analytical skills in carbonate sedimentology. Contact: for questions Prof. Hildegard Westphal: hildegard.westphal@zmt-bremen.de; applications should be sent to Isabel.sanz.jannke@zmt-bremen.de. (2) Movement patterns and habitat use of tropical estuarine crabs. Estuarine swimming crabs (Portunidae) are commercially important species in many tropical countries. Knowledge on their resource use, their dependency on different habitats and dial/tidal/seasonal as well as ontogenetic movements is necessary for understanding the ecological role of these crabs and for reaching sustainability of their exploitation. The successful applicant will perform direct observations of feeding and reproductive behaviour, conduct stomach content analyses, CN and isotope analyses, and will have the chance to investigate the movement of crabs with telemetry/t-tags. Requirements - Biologist/Marine Biologist with field work experience - Experience working with Decapods and with GIS is desirable - The candidate will spend several months in a tropical country (Brazil or Indonesia). Contact: Dr. Inga Nordhaus: inga.nordhaus@zmt-bremen.de. Project number: 1.2.1. Earliest starting date: May 1st, 2011. (3) Patters of fish habitat use in tidal mangroves of different landscape complexity. We are seeking an excellent candidate to investigate the movements and habitat use of fish in simple and complex mangrove landscapes using the four-eyed fish Anableps anableps as a model organism. The fish will be studied in the field using mark-recapture, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), and visual censuses. RFID antenna systems for continuous monitoring of movements of tagged individuals will be installed in simple and complex mangrove creek networks. This study will be undertaken within the Biology/Ecology Group of the ZMT under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Ulrich Saint-Paul and Dr. Uwe Krumme, and in cooperation with the Universidade Federal do Pará (Brazil). Places of work are Bremen, Germany, and Bragança, Pará, Brazil. Requirements - Master or “Diploma” degree in Ecology, Biology or any related field - Besides English (writing), Portuguese or good Spanish (speaking) is mandatory - good physical constitution and intercultural skills are welcome - experience in electronics, good knowledge of statistical methods, and interest in individual-based modelling (IBM). Contact: Dr. Uwe Krumme: uwe.krumme@zmt-bremen.de. Project number: 1.2.4. (4) Physiological and ontogenetic responses of tropical benthic calcifiers towards changing environments. Marine flora and fauna are facing ocean acidification, rising water temperatures and other stressors, particularly in tidal and estuarine environments. The aim of the project is to understand how selected tropical calcifying species from different phyla (coralline algae, coral, crustacean, mollusc) respond to single and combined effects of abiotic stressors in their environment. The study will focus on physiological (e.g. photosynthesis, respiration and calcification) and ontogenetic (e.g. development, growth and survival) responses of organisms and their critical tolerance levels to multiple stressors. Requirements - ecophysiological background with experience in performing lab experiments with marine organisms and sound practical skills regarding their cultivation - willingness to conduct research in the tropics, making previous field experience desirable. Contact: Dr. Andreas Kunzmann: andreas.kunzmann@zmt-bremen.de. Project number: 1.4.1. (5) Institutions for Sustainable Coastal and Marine Social-Ecological Systems. Formal and informal institutions that regulate human-nature relations in coastal areas range from informal norms to universally applied legal constructs. The recent focus on MPA networks at large geographical scales (e.g. CTI, LMMAs) poses new institutional challenges. The candidate will conduct a comparative institutional analysis of coastal and marine area protection case studies and will research into approaches for upscaling effective institutional solutions to coastal and marine area protection at ecologically relevant scales. The geographical focus of the post should be on one or several focal regions of the ZMT. Requirements Successful applicants will have a strong background in one or more of the following areas of expertise: sociology, maritime anthropology, maritime law, political sciences, coastal and marine management, marine and coastal governance. Contact: PD Dr. Marion Glaser: marion.glaser@zmt-bremen.de. Project number: 1.5.1. (6) Biodiversity and Mangrove Ecosystem Functioning. Mangrove forests are destroyed at an alarming rate. Fragmentation, pollution, overfishing and climate change may result in declining floral and faunal biodiversity. How species losses affect the functioning of mangrove ecosystems will be investigated by experimental long-term exclusion of dominant crab and mollusc species. The successful applicant will measure a wide range of parameters, e.g. changes in primary productivity, leaf retention, sediment physico-chemistry, overall benthic diversity and biomass. He/she will have the opportunity to conduct comparative field experiments in a species-poor Brazilian and a species-rich SE-Asian mangrove. Requirements - excellent Biologist/Marine Biologist with field work experience - eagerness to work for several months in the tropics - Knowledge on mangrove ecology and invertebrates is desirable. Contact: Dr. Karen Diele: karen.diele@zmt-bremen.de. Project number: 2.1.5. Earliest starting date: May 1st, 2011. (7) Ecological Modelling. The candidate will contribute to the analysis of phase shifts and resilience in coral-reef systems. The focus will be on the representation of trophic interactions as well as spatial connectivity of fish between adjoining habitats. It is expected that the candidate develops software modules as well as conducts field work on Zanzibar/Tanzania to parameterize the model. Requirements - Master's or Diploma degree in Ecology or related fields and experience in ecological modelling - Strong interest in spatial explicit modelling methods such as individual/agent-based modelling. Knowledge of Java is an asset. - Familiarity with reef-ecological field work and the fish community of the Western Indian Ocean - Good skills in English are essential; Swahili would be helpful in the field. Contact: PD Dr. Hauke Reuter: hauke.reuter@zmt-bremen.de. Project number: 2.2.2. (8) Innovation for sustainable coastal livelihoods. Under conditions of a changing socio-ecological environment, the capacity for adaptation and innovation is imperative for sustaining the wellbeing of coastal communities and their natural environment. The candidate will research into the innovation potentials of coastal communities with regard to sustainable livelihoods and marine and coastal management outcomes. Research will go beyond classical livelihood analysis and address the roots and drivers of local innovation processes. The geographical focus of the post should be on one or several focal regions of the ZMT. Requirements Successful applicants will have a strong background in one or more of the following areas of expertise: sociology, maritime anthropology, sustainability sciences, coastal and marine management, community-based natural resource management, sustainable livelihoods analysis. Contact: PD Dr. Marion Glaser: marion.glaser@zmt-bremen.de. Project number: 2.5.1. All: Applicants of any nationality are eligible to apply for this position. Applicants should hold a Master or “Diploma” degree as specified above. We seek excellent and highly motivated candidates with team spirit and interest in multidisciplinary research. Proficiency in English is mandatory in all projects. All positions are for a 3-year period. Salary will be according to the German TV-L E13 (50%). The call is open until filled with an initial application review date of March 15th, 2011. Applications should include a short outline of research interests and experience, two letters of reference, and a complete CV by email in a single pdf-file to the respective contact person. We cannot refund travel expenses. Posted: 2/22/11.
Lincoln University: We have exciting opportunities for two PhD students to work in a major international project examining the role natural enemies play in plant invasions. Each PhD will involve fieldwork and considerable travel in both the native (Europe) and introduced (New Zealand) range of a diverse set of invasive plants to test hypotheses about enemy release from soil microbes. The project brings together two of the foremost research teams in plant invasions in Europe (Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Wageningen) and New Zealand (The Bio-Protection Research Centre, Lincoln University). The positions will be based in New Zealand but require lengthy periods in Europe. The successful candidates will join an active and dynamic group of invasion ecologists as part of a three-year Marsden funded project headed by Profs Richard Duncan, Philip Hulme (Bio-Protection) and Wim Van der Putten (NIOO-KNAW). You can find out more about our work at: Weed Dynamics and Invasion Processes. The two PhD fellowships aim to test key hypotheses regarding the extent to which introduced species can escape their natural soil enemies, how any advantage of enemy release declines over time as enemies accumulate in the introduced range, and the implications of this for the evolution of increased competitive ability (see Diez et al. 2010, Ecology Letters 13: 803-809) Each fellowship is fully funded covering fees, a three year student stipend ($25k NZ per annum), and travel and operating expenses associated with the projects. The two PhD fellows will work closely together addressing different aspects of the enemy release phenomenon. The two project titles are: 1. Testing the dynamic enemy release hypothesis: how invasive plants escape and accumulate soil enemies. 2. Testing the EICA hypothesis: how escape from soil enemies alters plant competitive ability. For more details on these projects contact: Prof Richard Duncan (Richard.Duncan@lincoln.ac.nz) We are looking for numerate graduates in environmental sciences, ecology or botany with experience of field work and plant identification. There are no restrictions regarding nationality but if English is not your first language, evidence of proficiency (IELTS 7 equivalent) must be provided with your application. Applications for the PhD fellowships should include a CV, cover letter describing your relevant background and why the project interests you, and the names and e-mail addresses of three referees. If you would like to be considered for both projects please make this explicit in your application, identifying your preference. Applications close 1 December 2010 and we would expect to hold telephone interviews in early December (please state you availability and contact details for this period). Please email completed applications to: Richard.Duncan@lincoln.ac.nz. Posted: 11/11/10.
Louisiana State University: Ph.D. Graduate Research Assistantship Department of Biological Sciences. Position available for the Fall of 2011 in the laboratory of Dr. Jim Cronin. Research is in the area of invasive species ecology/evolution. Specifically, the project focuses the evolution of latitudinal gradients in the interactions between an invasive plant species (Phragmites australis) and its suite of insect herbivores. The work will be based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana but will also involve much travel along the Atlantic coasts of North America and Europe/Northern Africa. Graduate assistantship is funded by NSF. In addition to an annual stipend of $21k, the assistantship includes a tuition waiver and health benefits. If you are interested in joining my laboratory, please send me an email (jcronin@lsu.edu). Include with the message a CV containing a brief summary of accomplishments (educational background, GPA, GRE scores, and academic major if applicable) and a statement of potential research interests. Posted: 12/1/10.
Louisiana State University: Ph.D. Graduate Research Assistantship, Department of Biological Sciences. Position available for the Fall of 2011 in the laboratory of Dr. Jim Cronin. Research is in the area of Predator-Prey Population Dynamics. Specifically, the project focuses on age (stage) structure, differential vulnerability of prey life stages, and variability in development times of life stages on predator-prey stability. The focal organisms for this project are the cowpea weevil Callosobruchus maculatus and its parasitoid Anisopteromalus calandrae. Graduate assistantship is funded by NSF. In addition to an annual stipend of $23,250, the assistantship includes a tuition waiver and health benefits. If you are interested in joining my laboratory, please send me an email (jcronin@lsu.edu). Include with the message a CV containing a brief summary of accomplishments (educational background, GPA, GRE scores, and academic major if applicable) and a statement of potential research interests. Posted: 11/22/10.
Louisiana State University: The School of Renewable Natural Resources is seeking M.S. and Ph.D. applicants for Gilbert Foundation Graduate Research Assistantships. These assistantships are available to students concentrating in the study of forestry or forestry-related areas. Research areas could include forest management and economics, wood science and technology, forest biometrics, silviculture, forest hydrology, wetland forests, hardwood regeneration, ecophysiology, forest genetics, and forestry-related wildlife and fisheries management and conservation. Annual stipends are $23k for master's students and $26k for doctoral candidates and include a full tuition waiver and a scholarship for student fees. Master's degree applicants must have an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 overall and 3.25 for last two years. Ph.D. applicants must a have a cumulative graduate GPA of 3.6. Verbal and quantitative scores of the GRE should be 1,200 with greater than 500 in both sections, and the writing score must be at least a 4.0. Performance on the GRE will be evaluated in combination with GPA, letters of reference, and other evidence of the applicant's potential success in pursuing a graduate degree and representation of the Gilbert Foundation ideals. The School of Renewable Natural Resources 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. Graduates of the School are employed in private industry, and state and federal natural resource agencies, but many choose to continue their graduate education. For more information about graduate studies in the School of Renewable Natural Resources you are encouraged to visit the School's web page and the Graduate School web page. Interested applicants should apply online. If you need more information concerning graduate studies in the School of Renewable Natural Resources, please contact: Dr. Thomas Dean, Professor and Gilbert Committee Chair, 315 Renewable Natural Resources Building, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70803 (fwdean@lsu.edu, 225-578-4216). Posted: 10/12/10, revised: 6/23/11.
Louisiana State University: PhD Positions, Starting Fall 2011 I am currently recruiting PhD students for my lab in the Department of Biological Sciences starting Fall 2011. 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) disease 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. See the Elderd lab website for any additional details. 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 (linked above). If your interested in applying, please email a copy of your CV and a letter of interest in a single PDF to Bret Elderd (elderd@lsu.edu). Posted: 9/23/10.
Louisiana State University: A Graduate Research Assistant is needed to assist in a NSF-funded study examining the morphological evolution, biogeography and community ecology of New World bats. The applicant would matriculate at the Ph.D. level. It is anticipated that the appointment would start in the fall semester of 2011, however flexibility exists based on qualifications. Responsibilities will include fieldwork and specimen collection, digitizing and capturing landmarks and subsequently analyzing morphometric data on bats. Remaining time will be spent pursuing scholarly activities, conducting lab related work, as well as analyzing and publishing results. Ability to use GIS as well as independently perform a wide variety of univariate and multivariate statistical analyses, and design and implement statistical tests based on permutation, bootstrap and randomization is a plus. A strong desire and ability to learn these quickly is requisite. Interested persons should apply directly to the graduate program in Biological Sciences at LSU and also send a vitae, GPA, GRE and TOEFL scores as well as three letters of recommendation to: Dr. Richard D. Stevens, 202 Life Sciences Bldg., Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, e-mail: rstevens@lsu.edu. Applications will be considered until the position is filled, at the latest by May 2011. Posted: 9/20/10.
Louisiana Tech University: The School of Forestry has an M.S. Assistantship available beginning fall or winter of 2011. The candidate will earn a Master of Science in Biology from the School of Biological Sciences with the title of Graduate Research Assistant, which carries a stipend of $15k per year plus tuition for 2-years. This project is a cooperative effort between the USDA Forest Service and Louisiana Tech School of Forestry designed to evaluate the effects of species and stand density management regimes of short-rotation woody crop production (SRWC) on retired agricultural lands in the Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley (LMAV). The goal of this work is to determine how management intensity and environment influence plant gas exchange and C use efficiency. This study will utilize a fully replicated factorial experiment installed on marginal agricultural land located on the LMAV. Differences among two native, fast-growing, woody perennial energy crops eastern cottonwood (Populus deltoides Bartr. ex Marsh.) and black willow (Salix nigra Marsh.), and stand density management regimes (planting density combined with harvest regime) will be investigated. Requirements: minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.80 (on a 4.00 scale), hold a B.S. degree in forestry, biology, environmental science or a related field. Applying: Email the following items to Dr. Dylan Dillaway (dillaway@latech.edu) or Dr. Michael Tyree (mtyree@latech.edu), School of Forestry, Louisiana Tech University: 1.) cover letter, 2.) undergraduate transcript(s), 3.) CV and 4.) copies of GRE scores. Posted: 5/5/11.
Loyola University Chicago: We seek a motivated graduate student to fill a 2 year Masters of Science (MS) research assistantship devoted to studying oyster restoration and ecosystem function in urban environments. The overall project will analyze multiple metrics of ecosystem structure and function (e.g., N cycling, metabolism, nutrient limitation, hydrology, and oyster growth/condition) in association with recently constructed oyster reefs in the Hudson and East Rivers, NYC. Funding for the research and student is provided by the Hudson River Foundation. The graduate student will be based at Loyola University Chicago, but will also conduct field and lab work with faculty and students at Baruch and Brooklyn Colleges (NYC) and University of Texas Marine Science Institute (Pt Aransas, TX). Candidates with strong interest in biogeochemistry, restoration, and ecosystem science are encouraged to apply. We also encourage applications from those who are enthusiastic about the frequent travel obligations of this position. The MS position is available immediately for start in Fall 2011 and will remain open until filled. Applicants should send a curriculum vitae, statement of research interests, and contact information for 3 references to Dr. Timothy Hoellein (thoellein@luc.edu). Posted: 4/14/11.
Lund University: PhD-position on "Mitigating decline of wild plant pollination in agricultural landscapes" at the Center for Environmental and Climate Research at Lund University, Sweden. This PhD project is part of a multidisciplinary research program that will investigate ways agri-environmental measures may best be used to preserve wild plant pollination in agricultural landscapes. Pollinators have faced serious declines in farmland during the past centuries and there are fears that crop pollination may be at risk. Less focus has been on consequences for pollination of wild plants. However, pollinator declines may be one reason for the decline of many plants in farmland. See the Full Announcement for details. Deadline: 3/17/11. Posted: 3/1/11.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology/Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution: Ph.D. Student Opportunity - MIT/WHOI Joint Program - Population Connectivity / Ocean Modeling. We are looking for a highly motivated Ph.D. student to join a team of scientists in the Biology Department at WHOI to work on modeling marine population connectivity in a tropical ecosystem. Research will focus on developing reliable predictors of population connectivity from a range of habitat and oceanographic metrics that influence larval dispersal and settlement. A suite of tools, including a population model, a coupled biological-hydrodynamic model, and GIS-based spatial analysis will be developed. Detailed information, including application guidelines: MIT/WHOI Joint Program can be found at . Interested applicants are encouraged to send a letter and resume detailing interests, previous research experience, and education to Dr. Julie Kellner (jkellner@whoi.edu) and Dr. Rubao Ji (rji@whoi.edu). Additional details on the project collaborators: Dr. Julie Kellner, Dr. Rubao Ji, Dr. Simon Thorrold, Dr. Michael Neubert. Posted: 11/17/10.
Memorial University: A Ph.D. graduate assistantship is available for a keen and motivated student interested in research and training centered around understanding the impact of climate change on boreal forest soil carbon reservoirs. This assistantship is available as part of an NSERC Strategic Project research team made up of foreign collaborators (Drs. Ronald Benner at the University of South Carolina, Sharon Billings at the University of Kansas, and Martin Moroni at Forestry Tasmania in Australia), provincial and Canadian Forest Service partners (Dr Kate Edwards-Atlantic Forestry Center). The project is focused on exploiting the established Newfoundland and Labrador Boreal Ecosystem Latitudinal Transect (NL-BELT) with six sites located in western Newfoundland and southern Labrador. The project aims to determine the potential alterations in microbial transformations of soil organic matter (SOM) and losses of relatively recalcitrant pools of SOM that may occur with warming along this boreal forest transect. To isolate the potential impact of warming while maintaining an ability to apply the results to intact boreal forests, investigations of soils will be conducted along the NL-BELT and combined with manipulative warming experiments to develop biogeochemical indicators of soil responses to increasing temperature. It is anticipated that this Ph.D. student will focus on the alteration of chemical and isotopic composition of plant and microbial biomarkers in order to assess the microbial mechanisms associated with variation in SOM pools with warming and across this boreal forest latitudinal gradient. Experience with soil microbial ecology, biogeochemistry and/or organic geochemistry particularly at the M.Sc. level will be important. This assistantship will be available as early as April 2011 through the Department of Earth Sciences or the Ph.D. program in Environmental Sciences at Memorial University. Please direct inquires or send applications, including letter of interest and detailed curriculum vitae (including contact information for 3 references), to: Dr. Susan Ziegler, Canada Research Chair in Environmental Science, Department of Earth Sciences, Memorial University, St. John’s, NL A1B 3X5, Canada. 709.864.2669, sziegler@mun.ca. Posted: 11/23/10, revised: 2/22/11, 3/21/11.
Miami University: PhD positions are available in the Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Biology program at Miami University, Oxford, OH, for students interested in soil microbial ecology and biogeochemistry. Students would join collaborative NSF-funded research projects studying either winter climate change or nutrient colimitation in northern hardwood forest ecosystems at the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest, New Hampshire, USA. Possible research areas include plant- microbe mechanisms of nutrient acquisition; biogeochemical feedbacks to soil calcium depletion, nitrogen enrichment and/or phosphorus limitation; and wintertime microbial dynamics and organic matter processing in relation to the timing and depth of snowpack. Please contact Melany Fisk at fiskmc@muohio.edu for more information. Posted: 11/12/10.
Miami University: The Ph.D. program in Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Biology (EEEB) at Miami University (Oxford, Ohio) is now accepting applications from persons wishing to enter the program in Fall 2011. EEEB is a multidisciplinary, interdepartmental program that emphasizes basic and applied research and training, with a major focus on the application of ecological and evolutionary principles to environmental issues. The program provides students with educational experiences that reflect this emphasis, and facilitates collaborations and interactions among students and faculty. All students are supported with teaching assistantships, research assistantships, or fellowships. The program involves several departments and centers, and over 40 faculty members in several departments, and takes advantage of Miami's spirit of collaboration and excellent field and lab facilities. For more information, please see the link above or email Hank Stevens (hstevens@muohio.edu). Posted: 10/11/10.
Michigan State University MS graduate assistantship in the Department of Forestry's Geospatial Lab. A 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 forest biometrics, statistical computing, and geospatial computing. Applicants with a background in mathematics or statistics are particularly encouraged to apply. Compensation package: --RA funding available for 2 years, starting Fall 2011 semester --Enrolment through the Department of Forestry or Geography --Possible specialization in Statistics and Probability. Please provide: --Statement of interest and career goals --GRE scores --Undergraduate transcripts --Curriculum vita. Email application material (in pdf format) to Andrew Finley (finleya@msu.edu). Review of application will begin immediately. Posted: 5/18/11.
Michigan State University Department of Fisheries and Wildlife / Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and Behavior Program. We seek a PhD or MS student to join a research effort to examine non-consumptive predator effects (also called trait-mediated effects) of the invasive spiny water flea (Bythotrephes) on the zooplankton community, and food web in general, in Lake Michigan. We 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 extending this work looking at other behavioral responses of different zooplankton, and community and ecosystem level effects. This research has addresses basic food web ecology, and an applied problem of an invasive predator. It has applications to community ecology, invasion biology, and lake and ocean (marine) ecology. While particular graduate projects are flexible within the scope of the overall project, the positions will include field and laboratory work. The PhD position is expected to include a theory/modeling component (either included or main focus). This position is being re-advertised and on a very short time frame. We are hoping that a graduate student could join the lab this coming field season. Stipends are competitive based on qualifications, and health and tuition waiver benefits are included. Please email inquires with “assistantship” in the subject line to peacor@msu.edu. Please include: (1) cover letter describing general and specific research interests/experiences, brief statement of professional goals (e.g., plans after finishing the graduate training), potential start dates, and whether applying for MS or PhD position. (2) cv/resume. Include GPA and GRE scores, and list of three references. (3) Transcripts, or list of relevant courses (including math/physical sciences/modeling/statistics). Posted: 3/7/11.
Michigan State University Our Hydrogeology Lab seeks one or two postdoctoral researchers and several graduate students for research projects funded by NSF, NOAA, EPA, NASA and the USGS, which focus on hydrologic modeling, watershed biogeochemistry, and climate change. Candidates will join an interdisciplinary team examining the influence of changes in climate and land use on water resources, coastal invasive species, watershed nutrient and pathogen transport, near-shore harmful algal blooms, and the sustainability of agricultural practices. Candidates must have a Ph.D. in a related discipline, a demonstrated ability to conduct high-quality research and work effectively in interdisciplinary teams. Strong computer programming, GIS, remote sensing, and database management skills are desired. These one-year appointments can be renewed based on satisfactory performance. Postdoctoral applicants should send a letter stating their research interests along with a CV and contact information for three references to Dr. David Hyndman (hyndman@msu.edu, copy to geosci@msu.edu). Review of applications will begin on January 27th, and continue until the position(s) are filled. Graduate students should apply here. Posted: 1/21/11.
Michigan State University: PhD Assistantship Available - Carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas emissions in willow and poplar bioenergy plantations -Department of Forestry. I am seeking a PhD-level, graduate research assistant to examine carbon and nutrient cycling and soil greenhouse gas emissions from willow and poplar biomass energy plantations in the Upper Great Lakes Region. The overall objective of the study is to understand potential environmental impacts or benefits associated with converting retired agricultural lands to intensively cultured biomass energy plantations. This assistantship, in particular, will be focused on conversion effects on soil C pools, soil greenhouse gas fluxes and hydrologic fluxes of N. The successful candidate will assist with field and lab work towards the completion of overall project goals, and will have the opportunity to conduct his/her own original research. The project will involve significant travel for field sampling of sites across northern Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota. A bachelor’s degree in forestry, ecology, soil science, biology, environmental science or related discipline is required. A Master’s degree with previous research experience is highly desirable. Availability to begin field work in summer 2011 is also a plus. Three years of assistantship funding are available including: a full tuition waiver, a competitive annual stipend, health insurance, and dissertation research funding. Interested applicants should send a cover letter, CV, and list of references to David Rothstein (rothste2@msu.edu). Posted: 11/16/10.
Michigan State University: I am recruiting graduate students (M.S. or Ph.D.) to join my lab to work on questions in restoration, landscape, and/or plant community ecology. Research in the Brudvig Lab lies at the interface of these three disciplines and uses experimental and large-scale observational approaches to address questions of applied and basic relevance. Opportunities exist to work within a variety of ecosystems, within or outside one of my existing projects; however, students must take an active role – and in the case of Ph.D. students, the lead role – in developing research that contributes to general themes in the lab. Potential research topics include: Community assembly and restoration in fragmented ecosystems. The influences of temporally variable process, such as climatic variation, species arrival order, or initial species composition, on community assembly and restoration. Metacommunity theory and restoration: the roles of environmental heterogeneity and species interactions. Contingency in restoration: why does such a range of site-to-site variation in restoration outcomes exist and how can we use ecological theory to predict these? Requires qualifications include: a Bachelor’s degree in biology, ecology, or a related discipline, substantial research experience, and a strong desire to conduct ecological research that will help solve pressing environmental issues. Students may be admitted into the Plant Biology Department and Ecology, Evolutionary Biology, and Behavior Program, to start in summer/fall 2011. Interested individuals should email Lars Brudvig (brudvig@msu.edu) with a copy of their CV, GRE scores, undergraduate GPA, and a brief description of their past research experience and interests for research in graduate school. Posted: 11/11/10.
Michigan Technological University: A PhD graduate assistantship is available to study the effect of an emerald ash borer on black ash wetlands. Emerald ash borer is an invasive insect that has the potential to decimate ash forests throughout the Northern Great Lake States. Emerald ash borer impacts on black ash wetlands will likely be extreme, resulting in dramatic changes in native plant communities, wetland hydrology and increasing the potential for invasion by exotic plant species. We are looking for a PhD student to assist in a joint project with the US Forest Service that is investigating the ecological, hydrological and ecophysiological impact of EAB on black ash wetlands. Consideration of applications begins immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Start date is Fall 2011. Applicants should have a Master’s in ecology, hydrology, ecophysiology or related field. 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 Dr. Tom Pypker(tgpypker@mtu.edu). Posted: 2/4/11.
Michigan Technological University: A PhD or MSc research and teaching assistantship in remote sensing and resources inventory is available in the School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science at Michigan Technological University. The position will focus on further developing emerging remote sensing technology and statistical imputation algorithms for large area ecosystem assessment and inventory. The selected candidate will also serve as a teaching assistant for the integrated fall practicum during the fall semesters of the assistantship. The ideal candidate will be highly motivated, innovative, and posses a degree in Forestry, Forest Science, Environmental Science, or a related field. Start date is negotiable; however, summer semester 2011 is ideal. The assistantship includes a full tuition wavier and a competitive stipend. The School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science is located in a 93,000-square-foot teaching and research facility, and has state-of-the-art computing equipment, including remote sensing/GIS teaching and research laboratories. Michigan Tech is also home to the Earth, Planetary, and Space Sciences Institute (EPSSI), which is comprised of over twenty faculty focused upon promoting interdisciplinary research and education in various aspects of remote sensing. The University's close proximity to vast expanses of Northern Hardwood Forest make it an ideal location to conduct research on remote sensing and sustainable management in forested ecosystems. Interested persons should e-mail GRE scores, a statement of professional interests, curriculum vitae including names and contact information for three references, a writing sample, and any other relevant materials to Dr. Michael Falkowski (mjfalkow@mtu.edu). Review of applications will begin on February 1, 2011. Final award of the assistantship is subject to the availability of funds. Please consult the graduate program webpage for additional information regarding the program and associated application procedures. Posted: 1/7/11.
Michigan Technological University: A PhD position will be available beginning Fall 2011 with Dr. Amy Marcarelli to study consequences of salmon marine-derived nutrients for stream and river nutrient cycling and organic matter flow. There will be opportunities for field research in the Snake and Salmon River basins of central Idaho as part of a collaborative project with Dr. Colden Baxter (Idaho State University) and Dr. Mark Wipfli (University of Alaska), and in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. An M.S. in aquatic ecology or related discipline is preferred, but not required; substantial research and/or prior publication experience will be considered in lieu of a Master’s degree. All candidates must be highly motivated, work well with a team, and be willing to conduct research in wilderness settings. Desired qualifications also include excellent academic record, substantial field experience in aquatic ecosystems, a good quantitative background, and strong writing and computing skills. Interested applicants should contact Dr. Marcarelli (ammarcar@mtu.edu, 906-487-2867). For details on the application procedure, visit http://www.bio.mtu.edu/grads.htm. Positions will be open until filled, but applicants must apply by January 15 for full consideration. Posted: 12/7/10.
Michigan Technological University: 2 Ph.D. Graduate Assistantships in Fish Ecology, Biological Sciences. We are seeking two Ph.D. students to join a collaborative team that will be studying the ecology and restoration of Arctic grayling. These positions will be available January 2011. This collaborative project will study historic and contemporary ecology and conditions of the Big Manistee River, MI Watershed to guide a feasibility study for the potential reintroduction of Arctic grayling (Thymallus arcticus). Funding is from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service through a Tribal Wildlife Grant for development of native species restoration plans for the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians (LRBOI) Reservation and Big Manistee River. Students will attend MTU in spring and fall semesters, and conduct fieldwork in the Manistee watershed with the LRBOI in summers of 2011 and 2012. Qualifications: A very strong cooperative team approach is expected, as is an interest in the study of river ecology and native species restoration. Students should have B.S. and M.S. degrees in ecology, biology, fisheries and wildlife or related field with competitive GPA and GRE scores. Have computational abilities and show ability to participate in team research activities, work safely, and be respectful of tribal culture and objectives. Salary: Spring and fall full stipend and tuition, summer salary includes extra for reduced rate lodging at field site. The two funded positions are 1) Stream Ecology and 2) Fish Community and the students will be expected to work together to: 1) Determine historic conditions in the Manistee watershed when Arctic grayling existed naturally. 2) Conduct literature review on contemporary grayling habitat for all life stages (ie. Europe, Canada, US). 3) Determine contemporary conditions of physical habitat and abundance of potentially interacting species in the Big Manistee watershed. 4) Assess feasibility of and develop prescriptions for reestablishing an Arctic grayling population in the Big Manistee watershed that include all life stages. For Stream Ecology Focus Contact: Send CV, unofficial transcripts and GRE scores to Dr. Casey J. Huckins cjhuckin@mtu.edu. For Fish Community Focus Contact: Send CV, unofficial transcripts and GRE scores to Dr. Nancy Auer naauer@mtu.edu. Posted: 11/22/10.
Michigan Technological University: A PhD or MSc research and teaching assistantship in remote sensing and resources inventory is available in the School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science. The position will focus on further developing emerging remote sensing technology and statistical imputation algorithms for large area ecosystem assessment and inventory. The selected candidate will also serve as a teaching assistant for the integrated fall practicum during the fall semesters of the assistantship. The ideal candidate will be highly motivated, innovative, and posses a degree in Forestry, Forest Science, Environmental Science, or a related field. Start date is negotiable; however, spring semester 2011 is ideal. The assistantship includes a full tuition wavier and a competitive stipend. The School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science is located in a 93,000-square-foot teaching and research facility, and has state-of-the-art computing equipment, including remote sensing/GIS teaching and research laboratories. Michigan Tech is also home to the Earth, Planetary, and Space Sciences Institute (EPSSI), which is comprised of over twenty faculty focused upon promoting interdisciplinary research and education in various aspects of remote sensing. The University's close proximity to vast expanses of Northern Hardwood Forest make it an ideal location to conduct research on remote sensing and sustainable management in forested ecosystems. Interested persons should e-mail GRE scores, a statement of professional interests, curriculum vitae including names and contact information for three references, a writing sample, and any other relevant materials to Dr. Michael Falkowski (mjfalkow@mtu.edu). Review of applications will begin on October 30th. Final award of the assistantship is subject to the availability of funds. Additional information, including application procedures: graduate program. Posted: 9/13/10.
Michigan Technological University: Two graduate positions are available for qualified individuals to study peatland ecology in the Chimner lab at Michigan Tech and the US Forest Service Northern Research Station. The first position is seeking a PhD student to work on questions related to global-scale peatland ecosystem change. The exact research topic is open but could include feedbacks between anthropogenic change in peatlands, peatland greenhouse gas emissions, fire, and climate change. Peatland ecosystems are under threat from land use change, increased fire frequency, climate-driven changes in hydrologic regimes and a suite of other factors. Understanding the magnitude and consequences of these aspects of human-accelerated environmental change are critical to our ability to conserve peatland ecosystems, determine feedbacks to the climate system, and respond to climate change. Our group has expertise in boreal, temperate and tropical peatland ecosystem research, including Alaska, Colorado, Minnesota, the Andes and Asia, and seeks applicants who are excited about the opportunity to work across boundaries, think about big questions, and contribute to an integrated understanding of peatland ecosystems across the globe. The second position is seeking a MS student to work on quantifying C storage and organic soil physical and chemical characteristics across a range of forested peatland types in the western Great Lakes region. This project will develop new field techniques for Forest Inventory Analysis (FIA) organic soil sampling. Extensive field work collecting peatland soils will be required. 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 (rchimner@mtu.edu). Posted: 8/16/10.
Michigan Technological University: Ph.D. Assistantship investigating the interactions between forest canopy structure and function in forests of the Upper Midwest. Student will develop cutting edge research questions applicable to the field of climate change ecology. Topics may include canopy CO2 exchange, canopy microclimate, tree water relations, and vertical gradients of tree physiology or morphology. Applicant must have an M.S. in ecology or forestry-related field and GRE scores. Proficiency in a statistical software package and excellent writing skills are required. Preference will be given to applicants with prior experience in ecophysiological or ecohydrological measurement techniques. Ph.D. Assistantship is fully funded for three years. Applicants should create a single pdf including the following: cover letter, CV, unofficial undergraduate and graduate transcripts, unofficial general GRE scores, and contact information for three references. In the cover letter of the application package, please include a clear statement of purpose indicating what topics of scientific inquiry are most interesting and inspiring to you. Please email the pdf as an attachment to Dr. Molly Cavaleri (macavale@mtu.edu) with “Canopy Ecophysiology PhD Assistantship” in the subject line. The pdf should be named with the first and last name of the applicant. Screening of applicants will continue until position is filled. Desirable applicants will be invited to apply for admission to the graduate program in Michigan Tech’s School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science for a January 2011 start date. Posted: 8/3/10.
Minnesota State University, Mankato: The Water Resources Center is seeking a highly motivated and driven M.S. level graduate assistant to join our team starting Fall 2011. This thesis-based opportunity has considerable flexibility on the nature of the research; however, focus will be on fisheries ecology of juvenile and non-game fishes of the Minnesota River and its major tributaries. Research will include sampling of juvenile and non-game fishes in the various habitats of the central Minnesota River system. Significant water quality work has been ongoing in the basin and this project will strive to connect fish population status with ongoing watershed management efforts. The assistantship is a combined teaching and research assistantship. During the academic years of 2011-2012 and 2012-2013, the successful applicant will assist with lab sections of various general biology courses, prepare to conduct seasonal research, and develop and complete a thesis. During the summer of 2012, funding will be provided for the student to work full-time on research. Funding for summer 2013 work is pending, but anticipated to be available. $15k/year ($4,500 per semester and $6,000 per summer) plus 18 credits of tuition waiver during the academic years and full access to personal work space, lab resources, field equipment, biota tanks, etc. For additional information, or to express interest in the position, please contact Dr. Shannon J. Fisher, WRC Director and Associate Professor of Biology at shannon.fisher@mnsu.edu. If you are interested in being considered for the position, please send a cover letter, resume, unofficial transcripts, and three references via email to the email address above. Priority consideration will be given to letters of interest received by April 29. Posted: 4/14/11.
Mississippi State University: M.S. or Ph. D. Research Assistantship: Managing Native Warm Season Grass Plantings for Pollinators, Biomass, and Birds. This is a multi-disciplinary project to evaluate the effects of managing native grass plantings for biofuel and forage on pollinators in the Southeast. Student can integrate hypotheses related to avian ecology into insect work and is highly encouraged to do so. Collaborators include faculty from Wildlife and Fisheries, Plant and Soil Sciences, and Animal Science. Successful applicant will have the opportunity to collaborate on studies involving pollinators, predators, forage quality, animal health, plant diversity, human-wildlife interactions, carbon sequestration and biofuel potential. Responsibilities: Evaluate pollinator response to 11 different native grass practices including grazed and ungrazed mixed native grass pastures, intercropped switchgrass in intensively-managed forests, forage production systems, and biofuel production systems. Student will be responsible for conducting field work (pollinator trapping, measuring pollinator visits and bloom times of key plant species, supervising field technicians, analyzing data, and preparing technical reports and peer-reviewed publications. There is also potential to serve as teaching assistant for select courses. Qualifications: Passion for integrating wildlife objectives into productive agricultural systems. Experience with pollinators is strongly desired, especially identification but not required. Student must be able to work as part of an integrated team and be willing to work cooperatively with other students on related projects. Starting Date: January 2011 (some flexibility). Stipend: Starting 15K (M.S.) or 20K (Ph.D.) per annum plus complete waiver of tuition fees. Inquiry emails are welcomed and should be directed to Dr. James A. Martin (Co-Project Director, jmartin@cfr.msstate.edu) or Dr. Sam Riffell (Co-Project Leader, sriffell@cfr.msstate.edu). Drs. Wes Burger (MSU), Jerry Belant (MSU), and Josh Campbell (High Point University) are cooperating on the study, as well. Application: Submit: 1) transcript(s) and GRE scores (unofficial copies fine initially), 2) vita, 3) contact information for 3 references, and 4) letter of application which (a) describes your interest in the position, (b) describes your career goals, and (c) details your work or educational experience that is most relevant to this position. To: Dr. James A. Martin, Department of Wildlife & Fisheries, Box 9690, Mississippi State, MS 39762. Posted: 10/14/10.
Mississippi State University: A Ph.D. research assistantship will be available spring/summer 2011 to study distribution abundance and habitat relationships of the Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis jamaicensis) and the Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus vennator) in the Luquillo Mountains and the Cordillera Central of Puerto Rico. This study will examine hypotheses related to population and landscape ecology of two insular raptor species. Results of this research are linked to restoration strategies for the critically endangered Puerto Rican Parrot (Amazona vittata). This project will provide the successful applicant opportunities to develop and apply field techniques as well as advanced statistical analysis and other quantitative skills. Graduate studies will lead to a Ph.D. in Forest Resources. Qualifications: Completion of M.S. in zoology, ecology, conservation biology, wildlife management or related field. Upper percentile undergraduate and graduate course transcripts and GRE scores required. Applicants with knowledge of raptor survey techniques, distance sampling, occupancy modeling, and landscape habitat modeling are encouraged to apply. The successful candidate will work with field technicians recruited from local universities in Puerto Rico. Working knowledge of Spanish desirable, but not required. Field research will be conducted in the El Yunque National Forest, located in the Luquillo Mountains, and the Maricao Forest, located in the Cordillera Central of Puerto Rico. Salary: $21k including tuition and fringe benefits. Application: I will begin reviewing applications upon receipt; the desired start date is January 2011. Send resume including copy of academic transcripts, GRE scores, and 3 references to Dr. Francisco J. Vilella at fvilella@cfr.msstate.edu. Posted: 9/24/10.
Mississippi State University: The Forest Entomology Laboratory in the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology announces a M.S.assistantship in forest entomology. Theresearch project will utilize remote sensing and GIS to model potential risk ofspread of an introduced forest pest, the European woodwasp, in southern pine species. Additionally, the student would have opportunityto study another introduced forest pest, the redbay ambrosia beetle, by using remotesensing to detect forest change associated with the beetle and the laurel wilt pathogen it carries. Field studies of thebehavior and ecology of redbay ambrosia beetle, laurel wilt disease, andinteractions with native flora and fauna will also be encouraged. Both of these projects are of interest at thenational level, and will provide the student with great opportunities to work with scientists across the Southeast Region. Generous stipends (~$22K/yr) and tuition waivers will be awarded tosuccessful applicants. The positionstarts in January, 2011. The forest entomology laboratory has four broad research goals: 1) broaden applied scientificknowledge regarding the best integrated pest management of native (e.g.southern pine bark beetle guild) and introduced forest insect pests (e.g. redbay ambrosia beetle); 2) expand basicscientific knowledge about the biology, behavior, ecological roles, and biodiversity of non-pest forest insects; 3) broaden scientific understanding ofthe “disturbance ecology” of forest insects (both pests and non-pests) inresponse to various anthropogenic and environmental disturbances (e.g. climatic disturbances, habitat restoration, pollution, etc…); 4) develop and utilizeGeographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing techniques to enhancedetection, monitoring, prediction, and ecological modeling of the forest insect systems. The successful applicantwill receive training in GIS/Remote Sensing applications, Forest Entomology, andStatistics, as well as gaining experience sampling insects and studying them inthe field.Interested individuals should contact Dr. John Riggins and provide a C.V., including GRE scores, TOEFL scores (If not a citizen of the U.S.), GPA, and a list of references. Posted: 9/20/10.
Mississippi State University: The Department of Forestry is seeking a PhD graduate research assistant to examine nutrient, carbon, and water cycles in an intercropped loblolly pine-switchgrass system. The objective of the study is to understand the interspecific competition for soil resources with the goal of optimizing the production of biofuels (switchgrass) and timber (loblolly pine), determine the carbon sequestration potential and sustainability of this agroforestry system . This position is an excellent opportunity to prepare the successful candidate for a research position in either academic, governmental, and industrial settings. Responsibilities: Monthly field visits to sample soils, and assess above and below ground productivity, soil nutrients, and soil moisture. Laboratory work will include the assessment of soil nutrients and soil carbon in the Department's fully equipped soil laboratory (link). The student will be responsible for analyzing samples in the laboratory, data analysis, preparing technical reports, presenting results at national conferences, preparing and presenting a dissertation, and preparing and submitting manuscripts for publication. The student will also be expected to be involved in other projects within the Forest Ecology Lab and the Forest Soils and Hydrology Lab thereby providing them with a broad range of experience and opportunities to collaborate. Starting Date: ASAP. Students with a Master's degree in forestry, agronomy, soil science, environmental science or other related field are encouraged to apply. Research assistantships include a full tuition waiver, a competitive annual stipend including summer support, health insurance, and thesis research funding for three years. All project-related travel expenses will be covered including giving at least one presentation at a national conference. Application: Please send your CV and contact information for 3 references to either: Dr. Scott Roberts, Associate Professor, Forest Ecology Lab, Department of Forestry, Mississippi State University, MS State, MS 39762, Phone: 662-325-3044, Email: sroberts@cfr.msstate.edu or: Dr. Jeff Hatten, Assistant Professor, Forest Soils and Hydrology Lab, Department of Forestry, Mississippi State University, MS State, MS 39762, Phone: 662-325-7481, Email: jhatten@cfr.msstate.edu. Posted: 8/25/10.
Mississippi State University: M.S. or Ph. D. Research Assistantships. Ecosystem Services of Native Grasses in Multi-function Landscapes. We are looking exceptional applicants to work across a suite of multi-disciplinary projects about incorporating and managing native grass plantings for biofuel and feed in the Southeast. Potential projects include evaluating the pollinator response to a variety of production systems and conservation plantings, evaluating Carabid beetle response to biomass harvests in production forests, and evaluating forage quality for livestock and/or deer. All projects feature operational scale experimental units. Collaborators include faculty from Wildlife and Fisheries, Plant and Soil Sciences, and Animal Science. Responsibilities: Student(s) will be responsible for conducting field work including but not limited to insect trapping and identification, vegetation sampling, measuring pollinator visits and bloom times of key plant species, supervising field technicians, analyzing data, and preparing technical reports and peer-reviewed publications. Truly exceptional candidates will have the opportunity to design complementary projects. There is also potential to serve as teaching assistant for select courses. Qualifications: Passion for integrating wildlife objectives into productive agricultural systems. Experience with insects or plants is strongly desired. Student must be able to work as part of an integrated team and be willing to work cooperatively with other students on related projects. Starting Date: January 2011 – January 2012 (some flexibility). Stipend: Starting 15K (M. S.) or 20K (Ph. D.) per annum plus complete waiver of tuition fees. Application: Submit: 1) transcript(s) and GRE scores (unofficial copies fine initially), 2) vita, 3) contact information for 3 references, and 4) letter of application which (a) describes your interest in the position, (b) describes your career goals, and (c) details your work or educational experience that is most relevant to this position. TO: Dr. Sam Riffell (Co-Project Leader, sriffell@cfr.msstate.edu) and Dr. James A. Martin (Co-Project Leader, jmartin@cfr.msstate.edu). Posted: 8/23/10, revised: 1/5/11.
Mississippi State University: Project Title: Dispersal and source-sink population dynamics of beavers on DOD land in northern Alabama. One M.S. Research Assistantship is available within the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture. The graduate research assistant will develop and conduct a research project to better understand the source-sink population dynamics of beavers using radio telemetry and landscape genetics techniques. The student will collect radio telemetry data and beaver tissue samples and assist in DNA lab analysis. The student will closely work with USDA APHIS Wildlife Biologists and Department of Defense Wildlife Biologists. Qualifications: B.S. degree in wildlife sciences or a related field. Desirable qualifications include excellent written and oral communication skills and good organization skill. A minimum 3.0 GPA and GRE score of 1100 is desired. Coursework in population and spatial ecology would be beneficial. Location: Starkville, Mississippi. Starting Date: August 16, 2010. Stipend: $15k per year plus tuition and health benefits. Closing Date: 30 July 2010 or until position is filled. Apply via electronic application within the Office of Graduate Studies. Also create a single document (e.g., a PDF) containing 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. The name of the file should contain the first and last name of the applicant (e.g., Jane Doe.pdf). E-mail this file to Dr. Guiming Wang (gwang@cfr.msstate.edu) and Dr. Jimmy Taylor (jimmy.d.taylor@aphis.usda.gov) with "Landscape Beaver Assistantship" in the subject line. Inquiries: Dr. Guiming Wang; email: gwang@cfr.msstate.edu; phone: 662-325-0414 or Dr. Jimmy Taylor; email: Jimmy.D.Taylor@aphis.usda.gov; phone: (541) 737-1353. Posted: 5/25/10.
Montana State University: PhD Assistantship - Population Dynamics of Reptiles and Amphibians. The successful candidate will develop a research project to understand factors driving the distribution and dynamics of reptile and/or amphibian populations in Montana, especially changes resulting from anthropogenic effects (e.g., invasive species, climate and land-use change). Specific research questions and study organisms (e.g., western toad, long-toed salamander, snapping turtle, greater short-horned lizard) are flexible to accommodate the interests of the student and will be determined jointly by the advisor and selected candidate. The student will pursue a Ph.D. degree in the Department of Ecology. Required Qualifications: B.S. and M.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 are essential. Students must have a minimum 3.0 GPA and 1100 combined GRE score (V+Q). Preferred Qualifications: Background or interest in community and population ecology and herpetology. Experience trapping, handling, and identifying reptiles and amphibians, hiking, and some experience with plant identification. Stipend/Salary: The student will be supported by a research assistantship ($1500/month, plus insurance) for the first 3 years and nonresident tuition will be waived. Additional funding (via teaching and/or research assistantships) will be pursued for subsequent years of support. Start Date: mid-August 2011 Application Deadline: We will begin reviewing applications on 15 June 2011 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 and GRE scores, and contact information for 3 references to: Dr. Andrea Litt, andrea.litt@montana.edu. Posted: 5/31/11.
Montana State University: MS Assistantship - Understanding the dynamics between small mammal communities and invasive plants. Many studies have documented changes in populations and communities of small mammals in areas dominated by invasive plants. The successful candidate will develop a research project to understand the mechanism(s) that alter composition and abundance of small mammals in grasslands/sagebrush ecosystems or explore the role of small mammals in the distribution and abundance of nonnative plants. The student will pursue a M.S. degree in the Department of Ecology. Required Qualifications: 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 are essential. Students must have a minimum 3.0 GPA and 1100 combined GRE score (V+Q). Preferred Qualifications: Background or interest in community and population ecology, restoration ecology, and mammalogy. Experience trapping, handling, and identifying small mammals, hiking, and some experience with plant identification. Stipend/Salary: The student will be supported by a research assistantship ($1400/month, plus insurance) and nonresident tuition will be waived. Start Date: mid-August 2011 Application Deadline: We will begin reviewing applications on 15 June 2011 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 and GRE scores, and contact information for 3 references to: Dr. Andrea Litt, andrea.litt@montana.edu. Posted: 5/31/11.
Montana State University: Graduate Assistantship in Pollination Ecology. I am recruiting 1-2 M.S. students to join my lab. Research in the Burkle lab is focused on using species interactions, especially plant-pollinator interactions, to understand the effects of global change. Current projects include - Spatial and temporal variation in plant and pollinator responses to herbicides, invasive species, grazing, and fire - Changes in phenology and species interactions along elevation gradients - Resampling historic plant-pollinator interactions to investigate the effects of climate change - Investigating trophic interactions across terrestrial-aquatic boundaries. This position offers support for a new M.S. student at Montana State University in the Ecology Department, involving teaching and research assistantships. Under some circumstances, students interested in a PhD opportunity may be considered. The position is open for enrollment in the fall of 2011 or spring of 2012. There is the opportunity to begin field work in summer 2011. I am seeking a student with interests in the research areas described above. Experience identifying insects, especially bees, high self-motivation, previous research experience in this field, and strong writing skills are beneficial. Interested applicants should contact me, Laura Burkle, directly at laura.burkle@montana.edu. Please send the following information: (1) a brief personal statement (no more than one page) detailing your academic background and previous research experience, reasons for pursuing graduate school, your specific current research interests, and how your research interests fit the lab, (2) your CV, (3) informal undergraduate transcripts and GRE scores, and (4) contact information for three references. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis (open immediately), but no later than April 30, 2011. Posted: 4/8/11.
Montana State University: MS Assistantship - Soil Modification as a Restoration Tool to Reduce Old World Bluestems. Background: Nonnative Old World bluestem grasses (e.g., Bothriochloa, Dichanthium spp.) have become established and increasingly dominant throughout the southern and central Great Plains regions of the United States. Dominance by Old World bluestems can affect soil nutrients, as well as plant growth and the competitive relationships among plant species. Such altered competitive dynamics result in changes in vegetation composition, followed by subsequent changes in abundance and composition of insects, small mammals, and birds. The successful candidate will develop a research project to explore to whether modification of soil properties can serve to restore the vegetation and insect communities to that observed in areas dominated by native plants. Specific objectives involve quantifying changes in vegetation structure and composition as well as insect abundance and composition in treated areas compared to untreated controls and reference sites. The student will pursue a M.S. degree in the Department of Ecology and be a Welder Wildlife Foundation Fellow; the field work will take place at the Welder Wildlife Refuge in Sinton, Texas. 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 1100 combined GRE score. Preferred Qualifications: Background or interest in community and population ecology, restoration ecology, entomology. Experience identifying insects to order and family and some experience with plant identification are preferred. Stipend/Salary: The student will be supported by a Welder Wildlife Foundation Fellowship - a stipend of $1,400/month, $900/year for insurance, and nonresident tuition waived for 1 year (resident tuition fees apply); subsequent years of support are pending availability of funding. Field housing will be provided. Start Date: May/June 2011. Application Deadline: We will begin reviewing applications on 28 March 2011 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 and GRE scores, and contact information for 3 references to: Dr. Andrea Litt, andrea.litt@montana.edu (electronic applications preferred). Andrea R. Litt, Department of Ecology, Montana State University, P.O. Box 173460, Bozeman, MT 59717-3460. Tel: (406) 994-2332, Fax: (406) 994-3190. Location: 303 Lewis Hall. Posted: 3/24/11.
Montana State University: Graduate Research Fellowships to study past fire, vegetation, and climate interactions. Montana State University-Bozeman is seeking new students at the M.S. and Ph.D. level, starting June or Sept 2011, to study the fire, climate, and vegetation history of the western U.S., Australia, and New Zealand. These projects are funded by the NSF PIRE Program and the USDA Forest Service. For more information, see www.wildfirepire.org, or contact Cathy Whitlock (whitlock@montana.edu) or Dave McWethy (dmcwethy@montana.edu). Posted: 11/11/10.
Montana State University: A position at either the post-doc or PhD (graduate research assistantship) level is available in the lab of Dr. Paul Stoy beginning January, 2011 (flexible). Funding will be provided in part by an NSF-supported project that seeks to apply Maximum Entropy and Multiresolution techniques to scaling challenges in ecosystem and physiological ecology, building upon recent successful MaxEnt applications in population and community ecology (e.g. Harte, J. et al. 2009. Ecology Letters 12:789-797). Expertise in remote sensing and geostatistics is preferred. Research will be carried out in conjunction with the Brunsell lab at Kansas University. Please send a CV, contact information for three references, and a brief description of research experience and interests, including for PhD applicants a short list of reasons why you are interested in attending graduate school, to paul.stoy@montana.edu. Please do not hesitate to write with requests for additional information. Posted: 9/30/10.
Murray State University: Graduate Research Assistant, Watershed Studies Institute. One full-time position to begin May 2011. Qualifications: B.S. in biology, ecology, or related discipline. Previous experience with field experiments and stream/riparian ecosystems highly desirable. Responsibilities: To conduct research on the effects of stream restoration on stream and riparian biodiversity while completing a M.S. degree in Watershed Science. This project is fully funded, including travel to field sites in Colorado. Salary: Approx. $14,400 per year. Other benefits include housing at the Hancock Biological Station (Murray) and High Lonesome Ranch (Colorado). To Apply: Email a letter of application, curriculum vitae and the names and email addresses of three references to Dr. Howard Whiteman (howard.whiteman@murraystate.edu, 270-809-6753). Deadline: February 15, 2011. Posted: 1/24/11.
Murray State University: Graduate Research Associate, Watershed Studies Institute. Full time position to begin August 2011. Qualifications: B.S. in biology, ecology, or related discipline. Previous experience with aquatic insects and/or field and laboratory experiments highly desirable. Responsibilities: To conduct research on the impacts of agricultural chemicals on the behavior and ecology of larval aquatic insects while completing an M.S. degree in Watershed Science. Salary: $13k per year. Virtually free housing available at the Hancock Biological Station. To Apply: Email a letter of application, curriculum vitae and the names, addresses, and email addresses of at least three references to: Dr. Claire Fuller at Claire.fuller@murraystate.edu . Deadline: Jan. 15, 2011. Posted: 11/23/10.
Murray State University: M.S. Research Assistantship – Alligator Gar Telemetry and Ecology, Department of Biological Sciences. The research will examine the movements of alligator gar on several spatial and temporal scales. In addition, we will quantify habitat preference and diet. Many opportunities for collaboration and professional development with the Kentucky Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Resources will exist and are encouraged. Qualifications: The candidate should have a strong interest in fisheries, or stream ecology. The candidate should have a degree in fisheries, ecology, biology, natural resources or related field. The candidate should have good communication and writing skills, a strong work ethic, and the desire to work in challenging field conditions. Experience operating watercraft/outboard engines is a plus. Salary (stipend): $12k/yr. Start Date: Immediately. Contacts: Please send (via email) letter of interest, resume, unofficial transcripts and GRE scores and contact information for three references. The selected candidate will apply to the Biological Sciences program for admission. The candidate will be advised by Dr. Michael Flinn. Materials should be sent to: Email: michael.flinn(at)murraystate.edu (preferred) Or: Michael Flinn, Murray State University, 2112 Biology Bldg., Murray, KY 42071. 270-809-6051. Posted: 8/13/10.
Netherlands Centre for Biodiversity Naturalis: position available for a PhD student for a project on: Evolution and biogeography of tropical understorey plants. Modern tropical rain forests are one of the most important and species rich biomes on the planet. They are generally characterized by a stratified closed canopy, which creates deep shade for understorey plants. Numerous flowering plant lineages show particular adaptations to grow in these low-light environments (e.g. leaf shape, dependence on mycorrhizal fungi). How this diversity of tropical understorey plants evolved remains largely unexplained. In this project, the candidate will use a combination of multi-gene phylogenetic analyses, molecular clock dating, diversification analyses, and biogeographical reconstructions to explore the relationship between rain forest history and shade tolerance in tropical flowering plants. The student will be expected to use the herbarium collections at NCB Naturalis and to take part in at least one collection trip to Southeast Asia. This project will require inferring phylogenetic relationships of particular lineages of tropical understorey plants, as well as constructing hypotheses of the biogeographical histories of these clades. The candidate will integrate methods in systematics, collection-based research, fieldwork, morphology, phylogenetics, and historical biogeography. The goal will be to try to discover common patterns in the evolution of rain forest understorey plants. The results will provide insights into the history of modern rain forests, and will be transferrable to conservation research. Skills: The successful applicant will have proven knowledge of molecular phylogenetics and plant systematics. General requirements: You have a master degree in systematics, evolutionary biology or other relevant disciplines. You have a scientific and critical attitude, excellent time management and organizational skills, the ability to work independently, good verbal and written communication skills. Fluency in English required. We offer: A fulltime contract (36 hours per week) for a period of four years, starting June 1st 2011. However, the start date can be postponed by a few months if necessary. A salary that is comparable with salary for PhDs at Dutch Universities. All our employees are incorporated into a pension fund. The successful candidate will be employed by NCB Naturalis in Leiden. The candidate will also be affiliated to the University of Leiden. The appointment must lead to the completion of a PhD thesis. During your appointment you will be supervised by Dr. Vincent Merckx. Procedure: You are invited to submit your application including your curriculum vitae, a list of publications, up to five keywords describing your research interests, and the names and e-mail addresses of at least two persons that can be contacted for reference (and who have agreed to be contacted) before April 15th 2011 by e-mail to; sollicitaties@ncbnaturalis.nl, or by mail; NCB Naturalis, HR department, PO box 9517, 2300 RA Leiden, the Netherlands. Any additional information can be requested from: Prof. Dr. E.F. Smets, scientific director, erik.smets@ncbnaturalis.nl, Phone: +31 71 5687 713. Or: Dr. Vincent Merckx, merckx@nhn.leidenuniv.nl, phone: + 31 71 5273570. Posted: 3/24/11.
New Mexico State University: Ph.D. Assistantship: Golden Eagles and Wind Energy Developments. The New Mexico Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit (NMCFWRU) and Department of Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Ecology (FWCE) at New Mexico State University are seeking a highly motivated and talented Ph.D. student for a study on golden eagles in areas with a high potential for wind energy development in southern New Mexico. Specific research foci may include, but are not limited to population ecology, foraging ecology, and habitat and resource selection. The student will be given some discretion in the development of the focus of their dissertation research within the larger project goal of identifying areas where wind energy developments would likely have a high potential for negative impacts on golden eagles. The student will be co-advised by Drs. James Cain (NMCFWRU) and Gary Roemer (FWCE) but will apply to the Ph.D. program in the Department of Biology at NMSU for the January 2011 semester and begin conducting field work in 2011. Candidates must have a M.S. degree in Wildlife, Ecology, or a related field, a GPA exceeding 3.0, and competitive GRE scores. Prior experience conducting field research on raptors is preferred as is experience modeling resource selection in a landscape context. Students will be expected to present research results at professional conferences, publish research results in peer-reviewed scientific outlets, and assist with preparation of agency reports. To apply, please email a single PDF file that includes a letter of interest describing your experience as it relates to this project, a CV; transcripts, GRE scores (unofficial copies are fine), and the name and contact information of 3 references to Dr. James Cain at jwcain@nmsu.edu Review of applications will begin December 15, 2010. Salary: $21k per year + out-of-state tuition waiver. Posted: 11/16/10.
Nordic Centre of Excellence Tundra: 3-5 Post Doc and 3-5 PhD positions open at a new Nordic Centre of Excellence “How to preserve the tundra in a warming climate” (NCoE Tundra). NCoE Tundra is new during 2011-15, funded by NordForsk, under the scheme Top-level Research Initiative (TRI). Our scope is to study the interaction between the ecological phenomenon of top down impacts in food webs and climate-vegetation interactions, and to integrate this perspective with the man-managed reindeer husbandry and the Sámi culture dependent on it. Ultimately, we wish to learn how the top-down impact of reindeer can be optimally applied to the prevention of shrub encroachment and woodland expansion, and the resulting negative impacts of these processes on global climate and biodiversity. In the present project, we will approach the system of ecologic, climatologic, and socio-economic issues by means of an integrated, co-Nordic CoE project, gathering young specialists already working on different aspects of the above problem into an integrated Co-Nordic team. The project consists of Work Packages (see the NCoE Tundra website), each of them dealing with their own specific questions. More information (including more detailed instructions for applications) can be found in our website. The duration of positions is two years, with an option of two years of extension (2+2). Note that since one of the aims of the NCoE is to promote Nordic co-operation, post docs and PhD students will not carry their research in the country of their citizenship (i.e. a Finnish citizen cannot be placed in Finland). Application deadline 15th of April 2011. All applications should be sent to ncoe.tundra@gmail.com. Posted: 3/29/11.
North Carolina State University: PhD Assistantship - FL Keys Predator Study. Seeking candidates for a Ph.D. Assistantship beginning in Aug. 2011 or Jan. 2012. The successful applicant will join a team of faculty at NCSU, and biologists at the USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service to assess the effects of feral cats and other predators on populations of endangered Key Largo woodrats and Lower Keys marsh rabbits in the Florida Keys. The candidate will be supervised by Dr. Ted Simons, USGS NC Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, at NC State University (Raleigh, NC) and will work closely with Co-Principal Investigators, Dr. Allan O’Connell, USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center (Laurel, Maryland), and Dr. Beth Gardner, Dept. of Forestry and Environmental Resources, NCSU. Our primary objectives are to use camera trap data in spatial capture-recapture models to validate current occupancy estimates for woodrats and marsh rabbits, and to estimate the population size and movement of feral cats and other predators. Qualifications: MS in wildlife ecology or related discipline, GPA > 3.3, combined GRE > 1200, English fluency, excellent writing , communication, and quantitative skills, demonstrated ability to work independently and supervise assistants under harsh field conditions, and a valid U.S. driver's license. Desired experience: statistical modeling of capture-recapture data; proficiency with R, WinBUGS, and GIS. Submit a cover letter detailing your qualifications, resume, copies of transcripts and GRE scores, and names and telephone numbers of 3 references to Dr. Ted Simons (tsimons@ncsu.edu) Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Biology, Box 7617 North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695. Salary: Full project support for four years. Stipend of $21k per year plus benefits, health insurance, and tuition remission. Last Date to apply: 15 November 2011, or until suitable candidate is found. Contact: Ted Simons (tsimons@ncsu.edu). Posted: 6/30/11.
North Carolina State University: PhD Assistantships in Quantitative Forest Genetics. Two PhD graduate student assistantships are available with the Cooperative Tree Improvement Program to work in a multi-disciplinary research project with Drs. Ross Whetten, Steve McKeand and Fikret Isik. One of the objectives of the research is to inform future loblolly pine breeding and deployment decisions with projected climate change scenarios, taking into account uncertainty and risk introduced by performance instability. The first PhD student will use genetic and environmental data from loblolly pine genetic field tests to study for variation among pine families in stability of performance across environments. Those results will then be integrated with geospatially specific climatic predictions in a dynamic model to estimate the relative productivity and adaptation of genetic material to specific climatic conditions. Another objective of the research is to identify alleles in genes controlling growth, nitrogen responsiveness, cold hardiness, water use efficiency, and resistance to insect pests and fungal diseases in our experimental populations using DNA markers. The second PhD student will carry out high-throughput DNA sequencing and data analysis to discover new genetic variation, test for associations of specific genetic variants with phenotypes of interest, and use modern statistical methods to predict the performance of specific genotypes under field conditions. Such information is of particular interest because molecular markers will enable us to screen genotypes in breeding programs for adaptability to changing pest, disease and climate conditions. The candidates should have a strong background either in statistics and quantitative genetics or in molecular biology, and an interest in merging these disciplines in an applied breeding program. Computer skills and familiarity with statistical analysis software (e.g., SAS, R, ASReml), are highly desired. Applicants should submit a detailed resume, unofficial transcript, a statement of research interests, and the names and contact information of at least two referees to Fikret Isik (fisik@ncsu.edu). Review of applications will begin immediately and the positions will remain open until filled. Posted: 3/24/11.
North Carolina State University: A PhD research assistantship is available in the Hoffmann lab in the Department of Plant Biology. This position is part of a larger effort to understand the mechanisms that drive vegetation-fire feedbacks in longleaf pine savannas. The student will undertake research on 1) fire effects on vegetation or plant population dynamics or 2) physiological mechanisms of plant responses to fire. This position will pay a stipend of approx. $20k. More information on the graduate program. Applications should be submitted online. For full consideration, apply by Jan 15, but applications will be considered until a suitable applicant is recruited. Posted: 12/15/10.
North Carolina State University: Ph.D. Research Assistantship in Soil Science/Plant Pathology: A 3-year Research Assistantship in Soil Science and Plant Pathology Departments (4th year possible) is available to investigate the effect of legume cover crop species and termination method on rhizosphere soil processes, soil aggregation, and C stability in organic farming systems. The student will be a part of a dynamic team of 2 laboratories at NCSU focusing on plant-soil ecological interactions in the Soil Science and Plant Pathology Departments (with a focus on soil ecology). Related activities include associated laboratory work; data analysis; report preparation; presentation of research results at local, regional, and national meetings, and participation in extension activities with local organic producers. All graduate research and teaching assistants are required to participate in the Soil Science teaching program for the equivalent of two or three laboratory sections of an undergraduate soils course. Our labs include a diverse group of researchers interested in how ecological and organic management techniques affect various aspects of soil quality and microbial activity. Review of applications will begin Feb 15, 2011. Applications for all graduate degree programs are submitted online through the NC State Graduate School (see the “Apply to Graduate School” option at www.ncsu.edu/grad/). Prospective students will apply through either the Plant Pathology or the Soil Science department. For more information send a letter of interest and a current C.V. to Dr. Julie Grossman, Assistant Professor; North Carolina State University Department of Soil Science, E-mail: julie_grossman@ncsu.edu or Dr. Shuijin Hu Associate Professor, North Carolina State University Department of Plant Pathology, E-mail: shu4@ncsu.edu. Posted: 12/1/10.
North Carolina State University: M.S. Research Assistantship in Soil Science: Conduct independent research on assessing the decomposition of soil organic matter and plant residues and therefore the potentials of soil carbon sequestration in variously-managed organic farming systems from the perspectives of microbial activity and soil biochemistry. Related research activities will include investigations of soil microbial community structure, soil enzyme activity, chemical composition of water extractable soil organic matter, organic matter degradation, and nitrogen mineralization using contemporary techniques at molecular, biochemical, and soil process scales. Incumbent is required to collaborate with a Post-doctoral research associate and other graduate students involved in this USDA-funded interdisciplinary project. Other activities include laboratory and field work; data analysis; report and manuscript preparation; and presentation of research results at local, regional and national meetings. All GRAs are required to participate in our teaching program for the equivalent of two or three laboratory sections of the introductory undergraduate soils course. B.S. degree in Soil Science, Ecology, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Environmental Science, or closely related discipline. Demonstrated excellence in course work. Excellent written and oral communication skills. Ability to work independently and as a team member. For further details about this position please contact Dr. Wei Shi, Associate Professor, Soil Science, Phone 919-513-4641, wei_shi@ncsu.edu. Posted: 12/1/10.
North Dakota State University: One graduate research assistantship is available in the area of weed biology and ecology to pursue a M.S. in Plant Sciences. As one facet of his or her research program, the graduate student will conduct field experiments to assess the competitive ability of field pea varieties against weeds in an organically-managed cropping system. This research will require travel to and overnight stays in Dickinson, ND or Carrington, ND. Additional possible topics of study include biology and ecology of weed seed predation in agricultural systems, biological control of invasive weeds in rangeland and wild lands, and effects of management and cropping systems on weed population dynamics. The graduate research assistant will conduct field/greenhouse/lab studies, collect data, analyze research results, prepare reports, write journal articles, and prepare a thesis/dissertation. This assistantship will provide a monthly stipend ($17k annually) and a full tuition waiver. The field research projects will begin in Spring of 2011. Prospective students should hold a Bachelor’s degree in plant sciences, agronomy, biology, ecology, or other related field. Desired qualifications include a strong quantitative/ statistical background, excellent oral and written communication skills, field research experience, and an interest in ecologically-based weed management and organic crop production systems. Candidates must also meet the admission requirements of NDSU's Graduate School and the Department of Plant Sciences. Applications must be made on-line through the NDSU Graduate School. Inquiries should be addressed to: Dr. Greta Gramig, Assistant Professor, NDSU Plant Sciences, 166 Loftsgard Hall, North Bolley Drive, Fargo, ND 58102. Office phone: 701-231-8149, Email: greta.gramig@ndsu.edu. Posted: 1/5/11.
Northern Arizona University: The Professional Science Master’s program in Climate Science and Solutions is currently accepting applications for the Fall 2011 cohort. This interdisciplinary program provides training in addressing the climate challenge by deepening and broadening understanding of climate change science and the regulatory and market contexts for developing climate solutions. A key feature of the program is a summer internship – in private industry, in government, or the non-profit sector – in positions working directly on the climate challenge. An NSF grant provides a limited number of fellowships. The application deadline is February 14th. Further details and application instructions can be found at http://climatesciencesolutions.nau.edu/. Posted: 1/7/11.
Northern Arizona University: We are seeking a PhD student to examine the effects of different management actions on forest carbon dynamics. This is a field and modeling-based study. The RA includes three years of stipend, tuition, and research support. Qualifications include a BS (MS preferred) in ecology, environmental science, forestry, or mathematics. Other fields that included a substantial quantitative component will be considered. Applicants should have a strong interest in modeling and coursework in statistics. Application information: Department of Biological Sciences. For additional information please contact Matthew.Hurteau@nau.edu. Posted: 11/15/10.
Oakland University: A graduate student position (M.S.) will be available in the Autumn Semester of 2011 for a student with research interests in stream, wetland and/or riparian ecology. The student will have considerable control over the direction of his/her research, but applicants with interests in the following areas are particularly encouraged to apply: invasive species; restoration monitoring; effects of hydrological alterations on fish communities; and organic-matter decomposition. Interested applicants should email a CV, and cover letter (both as PDFs) that details past research experience and future career goals to: Scott Tiegs (tiegs@oakland.edu) before March 15, 2011. Posted: 2/1/11.
Ohio State University: Graduate Research Assistantships (Multiple Ph.D. & M.S. Positions) - Aquatic Ecology Laboratory -Drs. James E. Bauer, Stuart A. Ludsin, & Elizabeth A. Marschall. Openings are available for M.S. and Ph.D. students to conduct basic and applied research in aquatic ecology in a variety of systems using field, laboratory, experimental, and modeling approaches. Research topics include: 1) exploring life-history traits and optimal energy and parental effort allocation in a changing environment (*Marschall*); *2) *understanding how population structure, community and ecosystem processes, and abiotic factors interact to drive recruitment of top predators (e.g., largemouth bass, hybrid striped bass) in Ohio reservoirs (*Marschall/Ludsin*); *3)*identifying factors that regulate population dynamics and life-history strategies of *Chaoborus* (a predatory invertebrate) and its role in driving community dynamics, energy flow, and fish recruitment in Ohio reservoirs (* Ludsin*); *4)* understanding the genetic and ecological basis, as well as associated costs, for coping with environmental stress in animals (*Ludsin*); *5)* better understanding the biogeochemical cycling of carbon and associated elements in aquatic systems including lakes, rivers, estuaries, and coastal ocean waters (*Bauer*); *6)* quantitatively evaluating the sources of autochthonous and allochthonous materials supporting aquatic food webs, using isotopic and biogeochemical approaches (*Bauer*); and *7)*assessing the roles of biotic (e.g., microbial) and abiotic (e.g., light) factors in controlling the cycling and fate of dissolved and particulate organic matter in different aquatic systems (*Bauer*). *Qualifications: * Successful applicants will be creative, motivated, and capable of working effectively both independently and in collaborative groups. A degree in biology, ecology, biogeochemistry, chemistry, general aquatic sciences, or a related field is desired. Students must have strong writing and quantitative skills. *Salary:* ~$2,050/month plus full tuition waiver and some health benefits. Full support will be provided for the entire degree program. *Start date:* Summer or fall 2011. *How to apply:* See EEOB graduate application procedures and forms * and OSU Graduate School requirements at . The deadline for all graduate admissions applications is January 15, 2011. International and U.S. applicants seeking University Fellowship support must submit official applications by Nov. 30, 2010 and Jan. 15, 2011, respectively. As part of the AEL's unofficial screening of interested applicants, please email to Drs. Jim Bauer (bauer.362@osu.edu), Stuart Ludsin (ludsin.1@osu.edu), or Elizabeth Marschall (marschall.2@osu.edu): 1) a letter of interest that briefly describes your educational and research background, indicates which research topics interest you most, and specifies if you are interested in pursuing a M.S. or Ph.D.; and 2) a resume (or curriculum vitae) that also includes your GPA, GRE scores, and (if applicable) TOEFL/TSE scores. Unofficial screening of interested applicants will begin during late November. For additional information, contact Drs. Bauer, Ludsin, or Marschall at the above email addresses. Posted: 11/16/10.
Ohio University: A graduate student position (PhD or MS) in forest soil biogeochemistry is available working with Dr. Jared DeForest in the Department of Environmental and Plant Biology. The student would join a collaborative environment not only at Ohio University, but with many other researcher scientists as part of the Ohio Soil Ecology Collaboratory. Possible research areas include: coupling the biogeochemical cycles (CNP), soil microbial community dynamics, and plant-soil interactions. The research will be conducted on the Phosphorus-Aluminum Experiment (PAX) research sites. This NSF-funded research project was established in 2009 where soil acidity and/or P availability was experimental manipulated in eastern hardwood forests of Ohio. Please contact Jared DeForest (deforest@ohio.edu) for more information. Deadline for application is January 15th, 2011. Posted: 11/19/10.
Ohio University: I will be accepting new students in my lab to work with the spatial ecology of forest herbs. At present my students and I are considering the mechanics of seed dispersal in forest herbs, the spatial distribution of suitable microsites, interactions with patterns of animal behavior, and spatial and temporal challenges imposed by human land use including the corridor functions of roads and trails. We combine field observation and numerical modeling of populations and landscapes. Students can work at the Masters or PhD level. Teaching Assistantships are available. Ohio University is situated in the quaint university town of Athens in the forested hills of SE Ohio. Check out my website: Glenn Matlack or contact me at matlack@ohio.edu. Posted: 11/16/10.
Ohio University: The graduate program in Forest Ecology in the Department of Environmental and Plant Biology invites students to apply to the MS and PhD programs beginning in Fall 2011. The Forest Ecology program offers comprehensive training and research in the biology of Eastern hardwood forests, with expertise at the full range of the ecological hierarchy: organisms, populations, communities, ecosystems, and landscapes. The program consists of seven faculty, specializing in various sub-disciplines, and a graduate student community of ca. 30 individuals. Students have an opportunity to examine basic conceptual issues of forest and plant dynamics, as well as, their direct application to problems of conservation and forest management. Some current areas of research include biological invasions, land use history, water transport in trees and seedlings, consequences of energy production on forest dynamics, and American chestnut restoration. Deadline for application is January 15, 2011. All students accepted into the graduate program are supported by either teaching or research assistantships. Ohio University is situated in the small town of Athens, nestled in the densely forested hills of southeast Ohio. Applicants are strongly encouraged to correspond directly with specific faculty that they may be interested in working with. Posted: 11/15/10.
Ohio University: The Plant Physiological Ecology lab at is currently looking for 1-2 graduate students at either the M.S. or Ph.D. level to work on projects related to 1) understanding mechanisms of water transport in trees and 2) mechanisms of young seedling survival. The lab is located in the Department of Environmental and Plant Biology which is a vibrant research community of approximately 15 faculty and 30 graduate students. In addition, the department houses an Eastern Deciduous Forest Ecology research group that contains faculty members with expertise from the organism to the landscape scale. Deadline for application is January 15th, 2011. For more information, visit the departmental website or email me (Dan Johnson) directly at johnsod6@ohio.edu. Posted: 11/1/10.
Oklahoma State University: M.S. or Ph.D research assistantship examining the effect of preferred arthropod availability on bobwhite quail nest site selection and chick survival in the southern great plains region. Project begins in 2012. If interested please contact: Carmen Greenwood Carmen.greenwood@okstate.edu in the Dept. of Entomology and Plant Pathology. Posted: 6/17/11.
Oklahoma State University: Graduate Research Assistantship (M.S.) is available in the Dept. of Natural Resource Ecology & Management to study carbon dynamics in oak-pine savanna in eastern Oklahoma to begin Spring or Summer 2011. This project is part of a larger research effort examining the community and production ecology of the tallgrass prairie – oak & pine forest – prescribed fire interactions in newly restored savanna. Research opportunities can be tailored to interest, and we invite students to apply with research interests ranging from plant community ecology, to eco-physiology, production ecology or ecological modeling. The position will require substantial field work.. A stipend is available at $15,500/yr for two years, with renewal after the first year based on satisfactory progress. Benefits include tuition waiver and health insurance. A complete application includes: statement of research interests and relevant experience, three letters of reference, curriculum vitae, official transcripts of all college level study, GRE scores and a completed OSU Graduate College application. For further information contact Duncan Wilson, (duncan.wilson [at] okstate.edu). Posted: 11/5/10.
Oklahoma State University: The Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management (NREM) at Oklahoma State University is seeking applications for an MS graduate research assistantship(GRA)in ecohydrology and ecosystem science. The student will have opportunity to choose research projects related to ecological and hydrological effect associated with woody plant encroachment in grassland or land use conversion to perennial grass based biofuel feedstock production in semiarid region. Student is also encouraged to develop his/her own research idea around ecohydrology, especially using H and O isotope approach. Applicants should have completed at least one degree in natural resources, plant ecology, environmental sciences, hydrology, or a related field. Experience in ecophysiology, water and carbon flux, isotope, stream measurements, data processing, analysis and modeling, GIS are a plus. Strong verbal, written, and computational skills are essential. The student will enroll in an MS program at OSU starting 2011 spring semester. The stipend will be $15,500/year and will be renewed after each year based on satisfactory progress. Benefits include tuition waiver and health insurance. A complete application includes the following: personal statement, three letters of reference, curriculum vitae, official transcripts of all college level study, GRE scores and a completed OSU Graduate College application. If interested in applying please mail or email these documents to: Dr. Chris Zou, 562 Ag Hall, Stillwater, OK 74078-6013, Tel.: (405) 385-1045; Fax: (405) 744-3530, email: chris.zou@okstate.edu. Posted: 9/17/10.
Oklahoma State University: The Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management (NREM) is seeking applications for an MS graduate research assistantship in forest ecology to study the relationships among fire frequency, habitat quality, and wildlife values in Cross Timbers forests including vegetation composition and structure, forage production and amount and quality of litter and coarse woody debris. The Cross Timbers vegetation type is a mosaic of oak forest, oak savannah and tall grass prairie covering almost 5 million hectares from southeastern Kansas across Oklahoma to north-central Texas. It retains some of the best preserved old-growth oak forests in the south-central US because the forest has little commercial timber value. These 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. This research position is part of the project "Fire Frequency Effects on Habitat Quality of Three Wildlife Management Areas Dominated by Cross Timbers Forests" 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. In addition to the cooperation of several departments at OSU, the research includes collaboration with the staff of several wildlife management areas in the state. Position: The student will enroll in an MS program at OSU starting Winter 2010. The stipend will be $15,500/year and will be renewed after each year based on satisfactory progress. Benefits include tuition waiver and health insurance. Application: A complete application includes the following: personal statement, three letters of reference, curriculum vitae, official transcripts of all college level study, GRE scores and a completed OSU Graduate College application. Please contact Steve Hallgren (steve.hallgren@okstate.edu) with questions. Posted: 9/13/10.
Oklahoma State University: Graduate (M.S. or Ph.D.) positions in the laboratory of Jennifer Grindstaff to begin Spring or Fall 2011 to study effects of maternal and developmental environmental quality on adult physiology and behavior in songbirds. Relevant experience in measures of the immune response, behavioral analysis, and/or work with captive birds is highly desirable. Graduate student support will be provided through research and teaching assistantships. For general information about the Zoology department and how to apply for admission please see: http://zoology.okstate.edu. To apply send: (i) a statement of your research interests, (ii) a statement of relevant experience, (iii) GPA, GRE (%), (iv) CV, (v) names and institutions of people you will ask for letters of reference to jen.grindstaff AT okstate.edu. Posted: 9/10/10.
Oregon State University: Graduate Opportunity in Forest Ecology and Biogeochemistry. A Master’s level graduate research assistantship is available in the Department of Forest Ecosystems and Society starting Fall 2011. The GRA will support a research project to be developed with Dr. Steve Perakis examining climate, wildfire, and/or soil fertility effects on element cycling in Pacific Northwest forests. The assistantship carries a competitive stipend, tuition waiver, and health insurance for a period of 2 years. Prospective students should email a CV (including relevant experience, coursework, grades, and GRE scores) and a brief statement of interests to: steven.perakis@oregonstate.edu. Posted: 4/6/11.
Oregon State University: Two graduate student positions in plant invasion and restoration ecology are available working with Drs. Jeremy James and Roger Sheley at Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center and Dr. Paul Doescher at Oregon State University. The successful candidates will work on plant invasion and restoration ecology in sage steppe systems. Project details are flexible but the overall aim of the project is to improve understanding of the invasion ecology of annual grasses and improving ability to restore annual grass invaded areas. Candidates interested in population dynamics, plant-soil relationships, ecophysiology, community assembly processes are encouraged to apply. Preference will be given to students with a related M.S. degree but exceptional students with B.S. degree and professional experience will be considered. Stipend is approx $20k year with tuition and health insurance paid. The positions are open now. To apply, please submit as a single pdf document full CV, copy of academic transcripts, relevant publications, and the names and contact information of three references to jeremy.james@oregonstate.edu. Please include graduate position in the subject line. Applications will be considered until position is filled. For further information contact Dr. Jeremy James (541) 573-8911. Posted: 9/24/10.
Pennsylvania State University: PhD Research Assistantship in Entomology/Agroecology. Multidisciplinary research on arthropod community dynamics as related to agronomic properties and management approaches in organic feed grain cropping systems. Interest or experience in working in multidisciplinary systems is desired. Opportunity to participate in development and delivery of outreach programs and materials to diverse audiences. Student will work in collaboration with a multidisciplinary team of faculty, students, postdocs, extension educators, technicians, and a farmer advisory panel in guiding the research and outreach education associated with the project. For further information, contact Mary Barbercheck, PSU Dept. of Entomology, meb34@psu.edu. Posted: 6/13/11.
Pennsylvania State University: We are looking for a student interested in an MS or PhD program in forest ecology and carbon cycling. The student would be responsible for measuring forest carbon pools and fluxes within the Susquehanna Shale Hills Critical Zone Observatory watershed. Their research would focus on the influence of species, climate, and topographic position on tree litter fall production and radial growth, with the opportunity to relate aboveground carbon dynamics to soil processes. The student would interact with an interdisciplinary team of researchers working in fields such as geomorphology, hydrology, biogeochemistry, and ecophysiology. Their degree would be within the Intercollege Graduate Degree Program in Ecology starting in Fall 2011, with the possibility of beginning field work this summer (2011). If interested, please send an email with a brief description of your interest in this graduate program as well as your CV and GRE scores to Margot Kaye (mwk12@psu.edu) by Monday April 25th. Posted: 4/21/11.
Pennsylvania State University: Two Graduate Assistantships: Soil Ecology - funding is available for a self-motivated PhD student to develop a project within an agroecosystem context focusing on the role of microbial communities in the rhizosphere in carbon sequestration and nutrient mineralization. The PhD at Penn State University can be awarded in Ecology, Plant and Soil Sciences, or Horticulture. Contact Roger Koide (rxk13@psu.edu) or David Mortensen (dmortensen@psu.edu) for more information. Applied Plant Ecology - funding is available for a student with interdisciplinary interests in wild plant floral resources and the role they play in provisioning wild and commercial bee populations. Work is underway to quantify the extent to which unmanaged field edges support bee populations which in turn provide pollination services to adjacent fruit orchards. Candidates would pursue their degree in Penn State's Ecology Inter College Graduate Program. Interested candidates are encouraged to contact David Mortensen (dmortensen@psu.edu) for more information. Posted: 1/31/11.
Pennsylvania State University: A position is available for a PhD student in Root Biology. Research will focus on the physiology, genetics, and ecology of root traits for improved soil resource acquisition in maize, with the goal of improving food security in poor nations and enhancing agricultural sustainability in rich nations. Approaches include field work in the USA, Latin America, and Africa, structural-functional simulation modeling, and work with soil mesocosms in the greenhouse. An overview of lab activities may be found at http://roots.psu.edu/. Degrees may be obtained through the graduate program in Horticulture, the Intercollege program in Plant Biology, or the Intercollege program in Ecology. For more information contact Jonathan Lynch at JPL4@psu.edu. Posted: 10/11/10.
Plymouth State University: The Center for the Environment is inviting applications for M.S. graduate research assistantship (GRA) in the areas of hydrology, forest ecology, environmental social sciences, or any combination of those topics. The work of the Center for the Environment is primarily focused in the White Mountains and Lakes Region of New Hampshire or in the broader Central and/or Northern New England regions, and students receiving assistantships will conduct field sampling, analytical, and/or theoretical work on projects related to our mission. The students will have opportunities to collaborate with interdisciplinary teams of faculty and students from the Center for the Environment at Plymouth State University and scientists from other institutions working at the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest and other academic, governmental, and non-governmental organizations. The research topics for the assistantships are flexible, but all GRAs support students enrolled in the Environmental Science and Policy M.S. program at Plymouth State University. Individuals from all disciplinary backgrounds will be considered, however applicants with an interest in field research and quantitative analysis are preferred. These GRAs provide an excellent opportunity to work with a broader cohort of students (and their mentors) working at the intersection of plant ecology, biogeochemistry, hydrology, and social sciences. A signature of the program is that graduate work must involve a substantive contribution to any dimension of outreach. Prospective students are invited to visit the CFE website and to contact Betsy Ayotte (seayotte@plymouth.edu) at CFE. The priority deadline for funding consideration is February 15, and in addition to the application materials required by the University for admission into the M.S, in Environmental Science and Policy Program please submit a statement of interest and a current resume/CV to Betsy Ayotte (seayotte@plymouth.edu) early in your discussion about the program to be considered for graduate assistantship funding. Posted: 12/7/10.
Portland State University: we are recruiting students to our new interdisciplinary PhD program. With support from the National Science Foundation's Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship (IGERT) program, we are seeking prospective PhD applicants for our first incoming class in Fall 2011. The substantive focus of this program is on ecosystem services (terrestrial and marine) to support urbanizing regions (ESUR IGERT). We aim to recruit up to 6 PhD students for our first cohort. Of particular interest are underrepresented candidates who are permanent residents or US Citizens. For information about this IGERT program, including the application process, community partners, and participating departments, please see our recently launched website: http://www.pdx.edu/esur-igert. Participants in the IGERT PhD program will received multiple benefits. Aside from alleviating many of the financial woes of graduate school (three year traineeship with annual stipend of $30K, tuition remission, $10,500 in research funding, national and international conference travel, etc.), the IGERT program offers extensive opportunities for PhD trainees to engage faculty from a broad array of disciplines, community partners in local, national, and international organizations and agencies, and involvement in team-based research in an emerging area of scholarship. Deadline: 1/15/11. Posted: 11/17/10.
Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research: PIK looks for applicants for a research position within the Marie Curie Network GREENCYCLES-II, based in Potsdam, Germany: T5.3 Feedback analysis and evaluation using the CLIMBER model. The Early-Stage Researcher (PhD candidate) will investigate feedbacks between climate and vegetation using the CLIMBER family of intermediate-complexity Earth-system models developed at PIK. Specifically, the established CLIMBER-2 model will be used to evaluate biosphere-climate interactions at global and continental scales. This will be complemented by more detailed investigations of feedbacks resulting from large-scale modifications of the land surface such as due to expanded biofuel production with the CLIMBER-3 model currently under development. The successful candidate will actively participate in network-wide workshops and training events. The position is expected to start on 1 January 2011 and run until 31 December 2013. Applications should arrive before Oct 1, 2010, but will be also accepted until the position is filled. Interested candidates should send a CV, a half-page statement of interest, copies of your high-school and academic certificates, the names of two referees and a completed Eligibility Form (http://www.greencycles.org/vacancies/) to Dr. Andrey Ganopolski, preferably by e-mail (Andrey.Ganopolski@pik-potsdam.de) or by post (Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, PF 60 12 03, 14412 Potsdam, Germany). Payment will be according to Marie Curie rules, including an allowance for transnational travel and mobility. At the start of their fellowship, researchers may not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc) in Germany for more than 12 months in the preceding 3 years. German nationals are eligible only if they have been active in research in a non-Associated Third Country for at least three of the last four years Early-stage researchers (ESRs) must be in the first 4 years (full-time equivalent) of their research careers, including the period of research training, starting at the qualification date. Posted: 9/27/10.
Purdue University: Graduate Research Studies in Sustaining Hardwood Ecosystems Woody Biomass Allometry and Modeling. The Sustaining Hardwood Ecosystems research group within the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources is anticipating an available Ph.D. assistantship starting in spring, 2012. This position will be dedicated to the investigation of woody biomass modeling (e.g., allometry, species and site dependency) within silvicultural and forest harvesting treatments across two large-scale, replicated studies of forest management within the Central Hardwood forests of southern Indiana. Inquiries on the position should be directed to Drs. Songlin Fei (sfei@purdue.edu) and/or Michael Saunders (msaunder@purdue.edu). The Sustaining Hardwood Ecosystems is an interdisciplinary research team focused on forest ecology and management, and is identified at one of three Areas of Excellence within the department. This research focus includes long-term field, laboratory and social science studies on Midwestern forests and woodlands. The assistantship includes an annual stipend of $19,810. Purdue also provides a tuition waiver and health care benefits. Complete applications for spring semester 2012 must be received by September 15, 2011; highly qualified students should apply by August 1, 2011, for consideration in competitive fellowships. Applications must include a letter of interest, resume or curricula vita, cumulative GPA, GRE scores, TOEFL scores (international students only), and letters from three references. Graduate admissions guidelines. Applications should reference the Sustaining Hardwood Ecosystems - Woody Biomass in order to be considered. Posted: 5/20/11.
Purdue University: A PhD or Postdoc is needed for spatial modeling research on an Ecosystem services project (USDA-NIFA). The Department of Entomology seeks a researcher to work on the spatial modeling of biocontrol insects. The successful candidate will be responsible for conducting field work, managing seasonal field workers, and collecting, storing, and identifying insect predators. The insect samples will be used to identify patterns of soybean aphid predator distribution within the agro-ecosystem context to better understand how grassland protected areas and restorations contribute to the protection of soybean yields. Experience with spatially explicit modeling, a valid driver's license, and ability to do field work are essential. Experience with entomological surveys and GIS are advantageous. The assistantship will start in late May or early June 2011. Please contact Dr. Jeff Holland (jdhollan@purdue.edu) or Dr. Helen Rowe (hirowe@asu.edu) for more information. Posted: 12/6/10.
Purdue University: Graduate student (PhD and MS) assistantships available to participate in various research projects exploring dynamics of fish in the Great Lakes. 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, survival and recruitment 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 and influences of size-selective fisheries harvest on these traits Selected individuals will enroll in Purdue's Department of Forestry and Natural Resources in West Lafayette, IN. Qualifications: 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 2011). For full consideration, please respond by 17-December-2010 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 information please contact: Tomas Höök. Posted: 11/15/10.
Purdue University: Outstanding candidates are sought for a graduate position as a Fred M. van Eck Scholar affiliated with the Hardwood Tree Improvement and Regeneration Center (HTIRC), Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University. HTIRC is a collaborative national research organization of industry, state and federal agency, and university partners. Its purpose is to improve the genetic quality and regeneration success of North American hardwood tree species. The successful candidate will focus on wildlife as factors limiting recruitment and restoration success of blight-resistant hybrid American chestnut and possibly other fine hardwoods, with topics potentially including but not limited to: frequency-dependent seed predation and seedling herbivory by vertebrates and invertebrates; habitat-specific effects on wildlife limitation of tree recruitment; and deterrence of seed predation and herbivory. The candidate will join a research team of forest scientists and wildlife ecologists actively engaged in the science of restoration, including ecological research on the implications for wildlife of resource (seed) pulses, and the effects of wildlife consumers on restoration/regeneration of hardwood trees. Qualifications: Candidates should have well developed quantitative skills and knowledge and experience in biological sciences such as wildlife, forestry, genetics, pathology, or entomology. Candidates should have a GPA of at least 3.2 and a cumulative GRE score of at least 1200 (V+Q). Assistantships: Stipends are $18,000 (M.S.) and $20,500 (Ph.D.) per year. In addition, an annual research budget of $10,000 is available for research support, and a laptop computer will be provided for the duration of the scholarship. Applications: For consideration for fall 2011 semester, applications must be received by 15 November 2010. Send via email a short (1-page) letter of interest, resume, cumulative GPA, GRE scores, TOEFL scores (international students only), and three letters of reference to rswihart@purdue.edu. Please see our web page HTIRC.org for more information. If selected for a van Eck Scholarship, we will notify you to make formal application to Purdue. Posted: 10/13/10.
Purdue University: Funding is anticipated to support a Master of Science graduate position beginning on or before mid-March in the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources. We seek outstanding candidates to address the effects of granivory on the restoration of blight-resistant hybrid American chestnut, the response of Allegheny woodrat population dynamics to mast supplementation simulating mast availability following the restoration of American chestnut, frequency dependent seed predation, and habitat-specific effects of wildlife limitation on tree recruitment. Principal field tasks will include telemetry, live-trapping and the handling of woodrats, the use of remotely activated cameras, and conducting Giving Up Density (GUD) and seed preference trials. The candidate will join a research team actively engaged in the conservation of a state endangered species, the restoration of the American chestnut, and the effects of wildlife consumers on restoration/regeneration of hardwood trees. Qualifications: Candidates should have well developed quantitative and communication skills with knowledge and experience in the ecological sciences. Candidates should have a GPA of at least 3.2 and strong GRE scores. Additionally, candidates should be comfortable and confident working at heights as is required for Allegheny woodrat live-trapping. Rock climbing experience is desirable. Assistantship: Annual stipend >$17,250 will be provided. Applications: For consideration for the spring 2011 semester, applications must be received by 15 November. Send via email a short (1-page) letter of interest, a resume including cumulative GPA and GRE scores, TOEFL scores (international students only), and 3 references to rswihart@purdue.edu. Posted: 10/13/10.
Purdue University: MS/PhD Assistantship: Herbivore-induced plant volatiles and attraction of predaceous arthropods. The Kaplan Lab has USDA funding to support a graduate research assistantship at either the MS or PhD level in the Department of Entomology. The project is aimed at manipulating herbivore-induced plant volatiles (e.g., methyl salicylate) in agricultural fields with the goal of attracting natural enemies and enhancing their impact on plant-feeding insects in the context of biological control. This project will include components of landscape ecology and enemy movement between crop-noncrop habitats, plant 'priming' responses to volatiles (e.g., inter-plant communication) at the molecular-level, and behavioral responses of predators to volatile exposure/intensity in the field (i.e., learning and habituation to constitutively expressed cues). Ideal students should be highly enthusiastic and interested in working at the interface of ecology, entomology, and agriculture. Position comes with an annual stipend of $18,500, full tuition waiver, and benefits package including health insurance. Preferred start date is Summer 2011, although this may be flexible. Interested individuals should contact Ian Kaplan directly via email (ikaplan@purdue.edu) to discuss their background, qualifications, and research interests. Please provide a cover letter, CV, academic transcripts and GRE scores (unofficial are fine), and contact information for at least 3 references. Posted: 10/8/10.
Purdue University: Graduate assistantships in forest ecology, Department of Forestry and Natural Resources. We are currently seeking M.S. and Ph.D. students to begin work on a multi-state study of old-growth forests across the Central Hardwood Region. This project will use data from a network of permanent plots to examine long-term forest change and carbon budgets in Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Iowa, and Arkansas. Positions are available beginning January 2011. The assistantships include tuition and a competitive stipend. Applicants should have a strong background in field ecology. Qualified candidates should have a B.S. or M.S. in forestry, botany/plant ecology, biology, wildlife science, geography, or a related discipline. A basic familiarity with plant species identification and some prior coursework in statistics and GIS are preferred. Interested candidates should submit a brief letter of introduction, CV, and contact information for two references to Dr. Michael Jenkins (jenkinma@purdue.edu; 765-494-3602). Posted: 8/13/10.
Purdue University: MS/PhD Assistantship: Insect responses to enhanced plant diversity in organic agroecosystems. I have USDA funding to support a graduate research assistantship at either the MS or PhD level in the Department of Entomology at Purdue University. The project is part of a multi-disciplinary group aimed at manipulating non-crop plant diversity to enhance ecosystem services in organic agricultural systems. As a result, qualified individuals should be prepared to work with a diverse group of faculty and students in the College of Agriculture at Purdue (e.g., Depts of Horticulture, Agronomy, Botany & Plant Pathology, Agricultural Economics). The specific objective of the insect component will be to document changes in natural enemy abundance and impact on herbivorous prey in organic tomato crops, and better understand the mechanisms that underlie community-level changes in system function. Ideal students should be highly enthusiastic and interested in working at the interface of ecology, entomology, and agriculture. Position comes with an annual stipend of $18,500, full tuition waiver, and benefits package including health insurance. Preferred start date is Spring 2011, although this may be flexible depending on the circumstances (Summer 2011 is a possibility). For additional information visit the following websites: Kaplan Lab and Purdue Entomology. Interested individuals should contact me, Ian Kaplan, directly via email (ikaplan@purdue.edu) to discuss their background, qualifications, and research interests. Please provide a cover letter, CV, academic transcripts and GRE scores (unofficial are fine), and contact information for at least 3 references. Posted: 7/13/10.
Queen’s University: Ph.D. and M.Sc. graduate positions in Terrestrial Ecosystem Ecology. Paul Grogan's lab in the Department of Biology is focused on understanding how terrestrial ecosystems function and why they are structured the way they are. We investigate biogeochemical interactions between plants, herbivores, soil microbes, and soils that significantly affect ecosystem functioning. Right now, we are interested in gaining a better understanding of the controls on carbon and nutrient cycling and their interactions in arctic tundra, temperate grassland and forest ecosystems, and have experiments and collaborations across Canada as well as in Alaska and Scandinavia. The underlying rationale for our research is that an improved understanding of biogeochemical interactions is essential to predicting the impacts of perturbations such as changes in climate and land-use management, and therefore to developing appropriate adaptation and mitigation strategies. Here are just two of many questions that I would be interesting in developing with new graduate students: How do the differences between nitrogen and phosphorus biogeochemistry influence our understanding of low arctic tundra ecosystems, and how they will be affected by climate change? What is the relative importance of top-down (deer herbivory) and bottom-up (water and nutrient availability) controls on primary production and plant community composition in temperate grasslands? Applicants should e-mail me (groganp@queensu.ca) with a short CV and an insightful paragraph outlining specifics of how your research interests and experience would contribute to, and the kinds of questions you would like to address. We currently have funding for two graduate positions and will begin reviewing applications on April 21st, 2011. Biology and associated departments on campus offer a wide range of faculty with interests and skills relevant to our lab’s research including the ecology of plant communities and vegetation succession, nucleic acid analyses and metagenomics, epifluorescence microscopy, soil bacterial tolerance to freeze-thaw, ecosystem trace gas production, regional and landscape-level patterns of soil biogeochemistry, remote sensing, and isotope analyses. Posted: 4/4/11.
Rice University: I am recruiting 1-2 PhD students to join the Miller lab beginning August 2011. Research in the lab is focused on demography, population dynamics, species interactions, and invasion biology, with emphasis on plants and insects. Current projects are examining: - range expansion by invasive organisms, especially insects - effects of herbivores and mutualists on plant population dynamics - population dynamics of dioecious organisms - community structure and competitive coexistence of plant-tending ants - symbiosis between plants and vertically transmitted fungi - the evolution of plant life history strategies. Incoming students will be expected to develop an independent research program within these or related areas. A major theme of the lab is combining theoretical and experimental methods to tackle ecological questions. Prospective students with strong quantitative skills and experience or interest in theoretical ecology and theory/data interface are especially encouraged to apply. PhD students in my lab making satisfactory progress will receive full fellowship support with minimal teaching for up to five years, including a competitive stipend. The Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology is home to a collegial and vibrant community of scholars. We have an unusually strong concentration of faculty and students studying the ecology and evolution of species interactions. Applicants should contact me directly (tom.miller@rice.edu) and provide the following: (1) a paragraph describing your academic background, including any research experience and a statement about why you want to earn a graduate degree, (2) a paragraph describing the type(s) of research you would like to pursue as a graduate student and how your research interests would fit the lab, (3) CV, (4) undergraduate transcripts and GRE scores (need not be formal reports), and (5) contact information (name, institution, email, and phone) for 2-3 references. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis (open immediately), but no later than May 6, 2011. Please contact me (tom.miller@rice.edu) if you would like additional information. Posted: 3/24/11.
Rice University: Ph.D. Students Wanted! Ecology and evolution of plants and plant-animal interactions. My lab is broadly interested in the ecology and evolution of plants and their communities. Major questions include how genetic diversity is maintained in nature, effects of genetic diversity on colonization success, what drives invasive success, the relationship between hybridization and adaptation, and what explains the evolution of plant genome sizes. 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 modern 3600 sq. ft. greenhouse. Areas of emphasis in the department include interspecific interactions, mutualism, cooperation, herbivory, genomics, and invasion biology. Outstanding fellowship-based financial support is available for Ph.D. students. For more info please contact: Ken Whitney email: kwhitney@rice.edu. Please also check out the research pages for other Rice EEB faculty, many of whom are also accepting students. Posted: 11/10/10.
Ryerson University: Graduate Assistantship available in Plant Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Biology. My lab is broadly interested in the evolution and conservation of plants, often focusing on plant hybridization and mating patterns. My research program broadly aims to understand the evolutionary consequences of global climate change, species invasions, and species rarity. More specifically, I study (1) the mechanisms regulating genetic diversity, phenotypic evolution, and population demography in rare and invasive plants and (2) how evolutionary processes (hybridization, adaptation) and properties (mating systems, genetic diversity) affect the ecological function of plant populations (e.g., reproduction, extinction). As such, my research touches on a variety of sub-disciplines, including conservation biology, agricultural ecology, and population dynamics using a combination of field, greenhouse, and eco-informatic approaches. Students are expected to develop their own independent projects but will also have opportunities to collaborate on funded investigations of hybridiza tion in North American agricultural and natural plant ecosystems. Ryerson’s Chemistry and Biology department program boasts an exceptionally active and growing faculty. Areas of emphasis include environmental and molecular biology. Financial support is available for graduate students. I am accepting applications from prospective MSc or PhD students to start a graduate program in September 2011. If you are interested, please email me (lesley.g.campbell@ryerson.ca) a statement of your research interests with your CV and the names and email addresses of at least 2 references. Posted: 1/7/11.
San Diego State University: Funding opportunities exist for students who want to pursue doctoral degree in landscape ecology, land use and land cover change research, space-time analysis and modeling, and complexity theory. Please visit Dr. An's group web page at http://complexity.sdsu.edu/ (under Positions) for application procedures. Please go to http://geography.sdsu.edu/Programs/programs.html for application procedures. If you have questions about your application, please contact Dr. An at lan@mail.sdsu.edu. The following materials could be helpful: your most recent Curriculum Vita, transcripts, GRE Scores, TOEFL Scores (for international students only), and research statement. Also a new MS student is being sought to work on a recently funded NSF project "Mapping Cyberspace to Realspace: Visualizing and Understanding the Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Global Diffusion of Ideas through the Semantic Web" starting in the fall (spring likely) semester of 2011. Please contact Dr. An as well. Posted: 11/12/10.
San Diego State University: Two new PhD student positions are available for studies of ecosystem-atmosphere water and carbon exchange in U.S. western ecosystems. Position 1:Research supported by a NSF project "An improved understanding of water isotope fractionation in atmospheric vapor and its source" in the Wind River Canopy Crane Research Facility. This project aims to measure in-situ, high quality, and uninterrupted water isotope ratios (2H and 18O) in atmospheric water vapor by optical spectroscopy instrument in a coastal, old-growth forest. These measurements provide a 'water' aspect of an integrated land-atmosphere water-carbon research program. Position 2:Research supported by a DOE project "Improving representation of drought stress and fire emissions in climate carbon models: measurements and modeling with a focus on the western USA". This project aims to collect carbon data including concentrations and isotope ratios of CO2 (13C and 14C) and CH4 from ecosystems located in a forest-urban gradient (Wind River Experimental Forest, Salt Lake Valley and southern California) by a collaborative effort with researchers at the University of Utah and UC-Irvine. Using these measurements we will develop models to improve our understanding of the role of drought and fire impacts on the terrestrial carbon cycle in the western US. The ecology program at SDSU offers a joint PhD program in Ecology with University of California, Davis in a collaborative research environment. If accepted, salary and benefits will be provided for 5 years. Application deadline is December 15. To apply, please contact Dr. Chun-Ta Lai (lai@sciences.sdsu.edu) with a copy of your CV and a brief statement about your goals and research interests. Posted: 9/28/10.
San Francisco State University: The Department of Geography and Human Environmental Studies is now accepting applications for Spring 2010 admission to our new program: Masters of Science in Geographic Information Science (MS GISci) This program is designed to prepare students for careers in a wide range of geospatial information research and applications. GISci encompasses the development, use, and applications of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), remote sensing, global positioning systems (GPS), and spatial statistics. Students completing this program will be prepared to take on advanced technical and leadership roles in environmental or resource agencies and firms employing GIS, remote sensing and other geospatial technologies. Applicants must have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution with a GPA of 3.25 or better in Geography or a related discipline, with emphasis or experience in spatial data analysis, and have earned a grade of B or better in an introductory GIS course such as Geog 603 or equivalent. In addition to the general application and grade transcripts which must be sent to the Graduate Studies Office, applicants must submit to the department in one packet a detailed Statement of Purpose, GRE scores and two letters of recommendation. Check http://bss.sfsu.edu/geog/ for details on how to apply. Personal interviews with the graduate advisers and appropriate department faculty are recommended. The deadline for application materials is November 1, 2010. Please contact the program advisors (listed here with specialized interests) for further information: Leonhard Blesius (remote sensing, geomorphological hazards): lblesius@sfsu.edu; Jerry Davis (GIS for environmental and surface modeling, GPS and survey field methods): jerry@sfsu.edu; Ellen Hines (GIS/remote sensing, resource management, marine/coastal areas): ehines@sfsu.edu; XiaoHang Liu (GIS, socio-economic, urban remote sensing): xhliu@sfsu.edu. Posted: 10/1/10.
Simon Fraser University: The Fisheries Science and Management Research Group at the School of Resource and Environmental Management (REM) has multiple Masters- and PhD-level assistantships available for highly motivated students interested in improving the understanding and management of fish populations 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, and environmental law. The choice of a specific research project is extremely flexible. Past and current projects have focused on such topics as population dynamics, environmental causes of variation in survival and growth rates, habitat and resource selection modeling, dynamic response of commercial and recreations fishing fleets, 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 modeling components. 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), and hydroacoustics and sonic tracking equipment. Interested students should visit the link above or contact: Dr. Randall Peterman (peterman@sfu.ca), Dr. Andy Cooper (andrew_cooper@sfu.ca), Dr. Sean Cox (spcox@sfu.ca). Posted: 12/14/10.
Sonoma State University: Stomatal biology and respiration in intact leaves (experiments and/or modeling). 1-2 graduate students (MS) are sought to work with Dr Tom Buckley in the Department of Biology at Sonoma State University on one of two projects: (i) water and gas movement in leaves in relation to stomatal control, and (ii) effects of light on respiration rate in relation to leaf development and anabolism. Students will develop laboratory-based research projects based on open-flow gas exchange, psychrometry, tissue biochemical analysis, microscopy and/or computational modeling. Students in Dr Buckley's lab have exceptionally good opportunities for regular interaction with their supervisor, in an intellectually stimulating and creative environment that eschews disciplinary boundaries and emphasises work-life balance in the beautiful Northern California region. This work can involve collaboration with Dr Buckley's colleagues at PhD-granting schools, offering prospects for further study after completing the MS degree. Applicants should have a strong background in organismal plant biology, and must meet admission requirements for the Department of Biology's Graduate Program. Experience and aptitude with applied mathematics, physical chemistry and physics are highly desirable. The application deadline for the Biology Graduate Program is January 31 for the Fall semester and October 31 for the Spring semester. Graduate students in our Department are supported in a variety of ways, including teaching assistantships, in-state tuition waivers and SSU scholarships. For more information contact Tom Buckley (tom.buckley@sonoma.edu). Posted: 11/30/10.
Sonoma State University: Graduate Research Opportunity in Population & Community Ecology. Two graduate students at the M.S. level are sought to work with Dr. Hall Cushman in the Department of Biology. The successful applicants will develop thesis research projects using one of the systems already being studied in the Cushman lab: 1) long-term impacts of mammalian herbivores (black-tailed deer and jackrabbits) on native and exotic vegetation in coastal dune communities; 2) facilitation and environmental stress as mediators of plant invasions in coastal dune communities; 3) impacts of cattle grazing on endangered plants, endangered butterflies and invaded grassland communities; and 4) consequences of Tule elk re-introduction for plant invasions and community composition in coastal grasslands. Applicants for this graduate position should 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 for the Biology Graduate Program is January 31 for the Fall semester and October 31 for the Spring semester. Details on the procedures for applying can be found at the link above. Graduate students in the Department of Biology are supported in a variety of ways, including teaching assistantships, in-state tuition waivers and SSU scholarships. Hall Cushman also works closely with his graduate students to obtain additional grant funding to support their project. For more information contact Hall Cushman (707.664.2142, cushman@sonoma.edu). Posted: 10/8/10.
South Dakota State University: African Vegetation Dynamics, Remote Sensing and Modeling. A PhD Graduate Research Assistantship is available for a well qualified (ideally, post-Masters) student to join a team conducting research on African vegetation dynamics, carbon and water cycles at scales ranging from experimental plots, to watersheds, to the continent. We are exploring how climate and human management interact with vegetation dynamics, ecology, hydrology and the African carbon cycle, using a combination of field based studies in West and Southern Africa, diverse earth observation data sets and coupled ecological and social-ecological system models. We seek a graduate student with a strong background in geography, geospatial information science, data assimilation or related disciplines. The student will develop their research in the areas of geospatial modeling and remote sensing data assimilation related to African carbon and ecohydrological dynamics. Existing expertise, or a willingness to develop new skills, is important. The student will have the opportunity to conduct field research at our research sites in Mali and South Africa, with possibilities to visit and work with collaborators in other parts of the world. Further details. Contact: Dr. Niall Hanan, The Geographic Information Science Center of Excellence (GIScCE), South Dakota State University, Brookings, South Dakota, Email: niall.hanan@sdstate.edu. Posted: 11/15/10.
Southeastern Louisiana University: An MS assistantship is available starting Fall 2011 to study benthic macroinvertebrate communities of shallow water habitats of Lake Pontchartrain. Project goals are: 1) to assess how communities change along an east-to-west, salinity and potential "oil spill impact" environmental gradient, and 2) to characterize communities associated with sea grass beds, a habitat of conservation concern. The successful candidate will be highly motivated with research interests in conservation biology, community ecology, and/or environmental degradation. Graduate Assistants in the Biological Sciences Department are guaranteed two years of support and full tuition waivers. The university is located in Hammond, LA, which is near both New Orleans and Baton Rouge, and surrounded by a diversity of unique terrestrial, wetland, and aquatic habitats. Applications must be submitted immediately to meet the deadline of February 1. Interested students should contact Dr. Janice Bossart directly (jbossart@selu.edu, 985-549-5287). Details of the graduate program. Posted: 1/24/11.
Southern Illinois University: Graduate Research Assistantships in Agroecosystem Sustainability. The Department of Forestry at SIU Carbondale announces the availability of M.S. and Ph.D. research assistantships beginning in May or August 2011. Assistantships include annual stipends of $17,600 for M.S. students and $19,100 for Ph.D. candidates, a tuition waiver, and health benefits. The graduate student will join a team of researchers, lead by Karl W.J. Williard and Jon E. Schoonover, who are investigating soil chemical and physical responses under various cover crops, tillage regimes, and crop rotation treatments in central Illinois agricultural ecosystems. Specifically, CO2 and N2O emissions and soil quality will be monitored in response to the agricultural treatments. Research will include significant field and laboratory components. Ph.D. students will enroll in an interdisciplinary Ph.D. program in Agricultural Sciences. M.S. students will enroll in a soils and hydrology M.S. program in Forestry. Qualified applicants should possess a M.S. or bachelor’s degree in soil science, forestry, agricultural science, environmental science, chemistry, biology, or a related discipline. Please email a letter of interest and resume to Dr. Karl Williard, williard@siu.edu or Dr. Jon Schoonover, jschoon@siu.edu, Department of Forestry, Mailcode 4411, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL, 62901-4411. Tel: 618-453-7478. Posted: 3/30/11.
Southern Illinois University: Carbon and Nitrogen Cycling in Agricultural Systems. The Department of Forestry at SIU Carbondale announces the availability of M.S. and Ph.D. research assistantships beginning in May or August 2011. The graduate student will join a team of researchers, led by Karl W.J. Williard and Jon E. Schoonover, who are investigating soil chemical and physical responses, including CO2 and N2O emissions, in cover crop, tillage, and crop rotation treatments in central Illinois agricultural systems. Research will include significant field and laboratory components. Ph.D. students will enroll in an interdisciplinary Ph.D. program in Agricultural Sciences. M.S. students will enroll in a soils and hydrology M.S. program in Forestry. Qualified applicants should possess a M.S. or bachelor’s degree in soil science, forestry, agricultural science, environmental science, chemistry, biology, or a related discipline. Please email a letter of interest and resume to Dr. Karl Williard, williard@siu.edu, Department of Forestry, Mailcode 4411, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL, 62901-4411. Tel: 618-453-7478. Posted: 3/1/11.
Southern Illinois University: IGERT Program in Watershed Science and Policy. SIU Carbondale is offering PhD fellowships through NSF's Integrative Graduate Education Research and Training (IGERT) program. This is a highly competitive and prestigious award. Fellowships are available to U.S. citizens and permanent residents in any water-, river- or watershed-related field of study, including Civil and Environmental Engineering, Geology, Hydrology, Geography, Plant Biology, Zoology, Forestry, and Ecology. Applicants should have a MS-level degree at the time of enrollment (direct PhD possible in cases of exceptional merit.) Fellowship benefits include $30k/year stipends, $10,500/year education allowances, student laptops, and annual international river basin tours. For more information and application material, please see http://www.igert.siuc.edu or contact igert@siu.edu. Start date is June 2011. Application deadline is Jan. 15, 2011. Posted: 11/12/10.
Southern Illinois University: The Cooperative Wildlife Research Laboratory, SIU Carbondale is inviting applications for a PhD-level Graduate Research Assistantship beginning January 2011 (or earlier). Assistantships are on a 12 month basis, with competitive stipend plus full tuition waiver and support for research activities. For more information about our graduate program, please see the home pages of the Wildlife Lab and the a href="http://www.science.siu.edu/zoology/" target="_blank">Zoology Department. This project will examine interspecific interactions between sympatric cottontail and swamp rabbits in southern Illinois. Specifically, we seek to understand how differential habitat use under predation risk could permit or hinder the coexistence of these 2 species. The successful candidate will also have the opportunity to take advantage of extensive existing datasets of movement data, patch occupancy surveys, and live trapping data to develop and improve population models to inform conservation and management. This project will also provide the successful applicants opportunities to develop and apply mathematical modeling and other quantitative skills. Graduate studies will lead to a Ph.D. in Zoology or Ecology at SIU. A Master's Degree and competitive GPA and GRE scores are required. Applicants with backgrounds in wildlife biology, ecology, and/or zoology are encouraged to apply. Prior field experience and coursework or experience in habitat analysis, GIS, animal behavior, and population modeling are desirable. Send CV, transcripts, cover letter, and contact information for 3 references by October 22, 2010 to: Eric Schauber (schauber@siu.edu). Posted: 9/24/10.
Southern Illinois University: The Cooperative Wildlife Research Laboratory, SIU Carbondale is inviting applications for a PhD-level Graduate Research Assistantship beginning January 2011 (or earlier). Assistantships are on a 12 month basis, with competitive stipend plus full tuition waiver and support for research activities. For more information about our graduate program, please see the home pages of the Wildlife Lab and the Zoology Department. This project will examine patterns of social interaction and space-use by white-tailed deer, especially group cohesion and inter-group interactions, in the context of potential spread and impacts of wildlife diseases. The successful candidate will also be have the opportunity to take advantage of extensive existing datasets of movement data as well as initiate new field studies. This project will provide the successful applicants opportunities to develop and apply field techniques as well as advanced statistical analysis and other quantitative skills. Degree and Qualifications: Graduate studies will lead to a Ph.D. in Zoology or Ecology at SIU. Competitive GPA and GRE scores are required. Applicants with backgrounds in wildlife biology, ecology, and/or zoology are encouraged to apply. Prior experience in capture and handling of animals, as well as quantitative behavioral observation are desirable. Provide CV, transcripts, and contact information for at least 3 references by October 22, 2010 to: Eric Schauber (schauber@siu.edu). Posted: 7/8/10, revised: 9/24/10.
SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry: A Ph.D. assistantship in Global Change and Forest Ecology is available in the Plant Ecology Laboratory of Dr. Martin Dovciak. The student will develop his or her dissertation research to examine how forest dynamics, location of montane forest ecotones, and/or elevational distribution of plant communities may have changed due to anthropogenic stresses such as climate change and acid deposition in the Adirondack Mountains of northern New York State. The research will involve resurveying vegetation transects established on Whiteface Mountain in the 1960s and 1980s, and measurements of elevational gradients in climate and soil. Research may also include investigation of plant ecophysiology or dendrochronology, or the use of remote sensing/GIS. Direct collaborative opportunities exist with UC Berkeley and two related remote sensing/GIS and dendrochronology research projects at SUNY-ESF. Collaborative opportunities may also exist within a multi-investigator project, the Appalachian Trail MEGA-Transect Study examining relationships among vegetation, soil, climate, and acid deposition along the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine. Funding: Available for at least 4 years, starting in August 2011, via a combination of research and teaching assistantships. Opportunities exist to apply for additional internal and external funds. Early start in June 2011 may be possible. Qualifications: Academic background (M.S. preferred) in plant or forest ecology, relevant field research experience, GRE scores in the 70th percentile or higher, GPA at least 3.5 (graduate and undergraduate), and strong interpersonal, quantitative, and writing skills. Previous refereed publications may offset GRE/GPA requirements. A successful applicant will have a driver’s license, be able to live near research sites in the Adirondacks during the summer field season, and be able to hike and work long hours in difficult terrain, potentially under inclement weather. Applications: The official application deadline is January 15, however, applications will be considered after this date until the appropriate candidate is found. Online application instructions and forms. Inquiries: Dr. Martin Dovciak (mdovciak@esf.edu) with an email containing a single pdf with (1) a brief statement of purpose summarizing qualifications, research interests, and professional goals as they relate to this position, (2) curriculum vitae, and (3) contact information for three referees. Include GRE scores and GPA (undergraduate and graduate) and use “PhD Assistantship: Global Change & Forest Ecology” in the subject line. Posted: 1/18/11.
SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry: I am seeking Ph.D. students to join our lab, which studies impacts of disturbance and other physical drivers on riparian zones, forested wetlands, streams, and rivers. Funded graduate assistantships are available for a variety of riparian ecology projects, including (1) Quantifying feedbacks between fluvial processes and pioneer vegetation in aridland, sand-bed rivers; (2) Beaver impacts on forest composition and structure; (3) Plant community assembly in constructed vernal pools; and (4) Tree-ring stable isotope indicators of human and climate change in Mediterranean climate rivers. Applicants must have research experience (M.S. preferred) and strong quantitative and writing skills. See Stella lab for project descriptions and contact Dr. John Stella for more information (stella@esf.edu). SUNY ESF in Syracuse, NY is a dynamic research university with graduate degrees in diverse areas of environmental science. Posted: 11/22/10.
SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry: We are searching for a student (PhD preferred, summer start preferred, fall or winter start possible) for a project on nutrient limitation in young and old northern hardwood stands at Hubbard Brook, Jeffers Brook, and Bartlett Experimental Forest (sites with contrasting soil fertility) 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 N mineralization and P availability. Nutrient manipulations begin in May! Please visit the project web site and contact Heather Engelman at forestecology@esf.edu if you are interested in applying to SUNY-ESF. 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. Posted: 11/12/10, revised: 4/11/11.
SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry: Ph.D. Assistantship on Emerald Ash Borer. Research will be centered around development, implementation and evaluation of management strategies for emerald ash borer (EAB) in New York State based on four primary objectives 1) Quantification of the ash resource, 2) Delimitation of the infestation 3) Mechanical management of insect densities, 4) Early implementation of biological control. We will be identifying locally high-value areas and unique ecosystems most susceptible to EAB-induced impacts, determining and evaluating realistic management options that will positively affect these areas/ecosystems, and working with local, regional and state partners to implement management activities in the selected areas/ecosystems. Parts of this project have been set in motion enabling the successful candidate to commence research immediately while still having the flexibility of focusing on particular aspects that are of greater interest and developing their own questions related to and stemming from research supporting the project objectives. This position is open for a January 2011 start date and an M.S. degree in entomology, forestry, biology or a related field is desired. Ph.D. assistantships at SUNY-ESF provide a competitive stipend, with benefits, and tuition is waived for students on assistantships. Questions regarding the position are welcome, just please be sure to include the text "EAB graduate assistantship" in the message subject line. To apply, please send a CV, cover letter and contact information for three references to: Melissa K. Fierke, 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, Phone: (315) 470-6809, Fax: (315) 470-6934. Posted: 10/12/10.
SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry: Ph.D. Level Graduate Research Assistantship – We seek an advanced graduate student with strong interdisciplinary interests in biogeography, ecology and evolution to join us in an NSF-funded project studying body size of mammals that inhabit islands. This project will be conducted collaboratively with Drs. Mark V. Lomolino – College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, NY, USA (biogeographer and community ecologist), Dov F. Sax – Brown University, Providence, RI, USA (an invasion biologist) and Dr. Maria R. Palombo - Università degli Studi “La Sapienza” – Roma, Italy (a vertebrate paleontologist) to examine a diverse array of evidence for changes in body size that occur following colonization of islands by mammals. The position will involve significant travel, but will be based in the research lab of Dr. Lomolino in Syracuse, NY. The position is available beginning January, 2011, or earlier depending on availability of applicant. Please send a curriculum vitae and letter of inquiry as email attachments to Professor Lomolino at island@esf.edu; please fill in the subject line as “Island GRA”. Posted: 9/27/10.
SUNY-ESF, University of Montana, University of New Hampshire: We invite applications for the following THREE PhD research positions in riparian ecology, fluvial geomorphology, and hydraulics for an NSF-funded project: "Quantifying feedbacks between fluvial morphodynamics and pioneer riparian vegetation in sand-bed rivers" Riparian vegetation communities and river geomorphology co-evolve in many systems. Feedbacks vary spatially and temporally but are expected to be especially strong when vegetation is newly established: small enough to be vulnerable to scour and burial but large enough to redistribute flow and sediment transport within channels and on bars. This project will couple laboratory experiments, field investigations, and numerical modeling of vegetation, flow, and sediment interactions to develop a mechanistic and predictive understanding of feedbacks at nested spatial scales ranging from individual plants to channel reaches. We will concentrate on measuring and modeling the effect of vegetation on flow and sediment transport around individual plants and the reciprocal effect of flow on plant removal via scour and burial in arid sand-bed rivers, with the goal of improving management of river systems. We seek three Ph.D. students to form an integrated interdisciplinary team across our three institutions. Position 1: State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY ESF) Dept. of Forest and Natural Resources Management. Seeking Ph.D. student starting in Spring or Summer 2011 working with Dr. John Stella to conduct riparian plant ecology studies in complementary field and flume settings. Field studies in the southwestern US will document woody plant responses to flooding disturbance in concert with geomorphology collaborators. Flume experiments at the St. Anthony Falls Laboratory, University of Minnesota, will investigate mechanistic processes of plant mortality in concert with engineering collaborators. Ideal candidates will have an MS in ecology, environmental science, or a related field; a strong quantitative and statistical background; the ability to work in remote field settings; and interest in feedbacks between vegetation and fluvial physical processes. The position is funded for a minimum of two years and provides a competitive stipend, tuition and benefits. Interested candidates (inquiries welcome) should send a CV or resume (with GPA and GRE scores), a letter describing research interests and experience, and names and contact information for 3 references to stella@esf.edu. Position 2: University of Montana (UMT) Dept. of Geosciences: Ph.D. student in fluvial geomorphology sought to plan, implement, and interpret field and numerical modeling elements of project, working with Dr. Andrew Wilcox and starting in Spring or Summer 2011. Field studies will be completed in the southwestern US and will include data collection on hydraulics, sediment transport, topography, and, in concert with ecology collaborators, riparian vegetation. Modeling will entail simulations of flow and sediment transport that integrate vegetation feedbacks to address management scenarios. Ideal candidates will have a BS/MS in earth sciences, engineering, or a related field; a strong quantitative and computational background; the ability to work in remote field settings; and interest in riparian ecology. The student will be funded as a Research Assistant (minimum two years) and Teaching Assistant, including stipend, tuition and benefits. Interested candidates should send a CV or resume (with GPA and GRE scores), a letter describing research interests and experience, and names and contact information for 3 references to andrew.wilcox@umontana.edu. Position 3: University of New Hampshire (UNH) Department of Earth Sciences or Department of Civil Engineering: Seeking Ph.D. student starting in Spring or Summer 2011 to plan, oversee , and interpret hydraulic and sediment transport aspects of flume experiments at UNH and in the Outdoor StreamLab at the St. Anthony Falls Laboratory at the University of Minnesota. Basic qualifications include a BS degree in engineering, earth sciences, physics, or mathematics; a strong quantitative background; and the ability to work without supervision in both field and lab settings. Desired qualifications include an MS degree in environmental engineering, hydrology, or geomorphology; a background in environmental fluid mechanics, open channel hydraulics, or sediment transport; and experience with hydraulic measurements. The position is funded for a minimum of two years and provides a competitive stipend, tuition and benefits. Interested candidates should contact Dr. Anne Lightbody, anne.lightbody@unh.edu. Application deadlines are December 1 for Spring 2011 and April 1 for Summer 2011. Posted: 9/24/10.
SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry: Graduate Research Assistantship in Dendroclimatology, starting either in Spring 2011 or Fall 2011. We are seeking a graduate student to join a new project investigating multi-scale interactions of forest ecosystems and climatic variability in the Adirondack Mountains of northern New York. Using high resolution spatial climate data, we will establish an extensive multi-species tree-ring network in the Adirondacks that captures the spatial and temporal variability in climatic factors influencing northern hardwood and sub-boreal conifer forest ecosystems. The graduate student will lead the collection, measurement and analysis of tree-ring data and will assist with climate-growth modeling and related efforts. Basic qualifications include a BSc degree in ecology, mathematics, statistics or a similar field, a strong quantitative background, the ability to work without supervision in both field and lab settings. Desired qualifications include one or more of the following: a MSc degree in forest ecology, dendrochronology, applied mathematics (including statistics), ecological modeling or a similar field, or equivalent amount of experience with: tree-ring measurements/analysis; wood anatomy sampling/analysis; management of large datasets; supervising technicians. The position is funded for a minimum of two years and provides a competitive stipend, tuition and benefits. To apply, please send a CV, cover letter, and contact information for three references to Dr. Colin Beier at cbeier@esf.edu. PDF format is preferred. Questions regarding the position are welcome. Please be sure to include the text "ADK DENDRO" in the message subject line. Posted: 8/9/10.
SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry: Graduate Positions in Biogeochemistry and Terrestrial Biodiversity, starting either in Spring 2011 or Fall 2011. We are seeking graduate students to join a growing research project investigating the importance of soil calcium availability for multiple forest communities, including gastropods, amphibians, arthropods, birds and vascular plants, and the forest floor food web. We are building on a project recently completed in the Adirondacks of northern New York that found strong responses of snail and salamander communities to gradients in Ca availability and acidic deposition (acid rain), and are now expanding the research to sites across the Northern Forest region, including northern VT, NH and ME. Duties on the project involve extensive field and laboratory work, data analysis, and publication of findings. We are looking for students ready to begin field work in summer 2011. Basic qualifications include a BSc degree in biological sciences, ecology, biogeochemistry, zoology or a similar field, a strong quantitative background, a valid driver's license and the ability to work without direct supervision in both field and lab settings. Desired qualifications include field experience in sampling one or more taxa relevant to this research (plants, snails, salamanders, arthropods) and/or experience with statistical analysis and management of large data sets. We will consider applicants at both the MS and PhD level. The positions provide a competitive stipend, tuition and benefits. To apply, please send a CV, cover letter, and contact information for three references to Dr. Colin Beier at cbeier@esf.edu. PDF format is preferred. Questions regarding the position are welcome. Please be sure to include the text "CALCIUM" in the message subject line. Posted: 8/9/10.
SUNY Plattsburgh: Lake Champlain Research Institute, Graduate Research Assistant in Fish Biology. Applications are due March 1, 2011. Start Date: May-June 2011. This position is for a graduate research assistant to work on a study of Black Bass dispersal patterns in Lake Champlain. The employee will work at the Lake Champlain Research Institute supervised by LCRI staff. Responsibilities: Assist with laboratory work and field sampling for a study of Black Bass dispersal patterns, following the release from tournament events on Lake Champlain. Duties include fish tagging and telemetry research, data entry/analysis and use of on-lake field telemetry gear (acoustic and radio) to track fish dispersal. Computer work includes data entry and preparing data sets in spreadsheet format. Boat work includes field surveys and fish tracking by boat. The student will be expected to complete a Research thesis based on this project. Qualifications: Bachelors degree in Biology, Ecology, Fisheries or a related science. The student must be accepted and enroll in the Masters in Natural Science degree at SUNY Plattsburgh. Preference will be given for students with career interests in fisheries and/or experience with telemetry studies, GIS and/or statistical analysis. Salary: Competitive stipend plus graduate tuition waiver (salary funding contingent on grant funds). Interested students should contact: Dr. Timothy B. Mihuc (timothy.mihuc@plattsburgh.edu). Posted: 1/31/11.
Stony Brook University: The Graduate Program in Ecology and Evolution in the Department of Ecology and Evolution is recruiting doctoral and master's level graduate students for Fall 2011. The program trains students in Ecology, Evolution and Biometry. The following faculty are seeking graduate students: H. Resit Akcakaya http://life.bio.sunysb.edu/ee/akcakayalab/Stephen B. Baines http://life.bio.sunysb.edu/ee/baineslab/Michael A. Bell http://life.bio.sunysb.edu/ee/belllab/Liliana M. Davalos http://life.bio.sunysb.edu/ee/davaloslab/Welcome.html John G. Fleagle http://www.anat.stonybrook.edu/people/facultypage/fleagle Lev Ginzburg http://life.bio.sunysb.edu/ee/ginzburglab/Catherine Graham http://life.bio.sunysb.edu/ee/grahamlab/Jessica Gurevitch http://life.bio.sunysb.edu/gurevitchlab/Jeffrey Levinton http://life.bio.sunysb.edu/marinebio/levinton.main.html Dianna K Padilla http://life.bio.sunysb.edu/ee/padillalab Joshua Rest http://life.bio.sunysb.edu/ee/restlab/John J. Wiens http://life.bio.sunysb.edu/ee/wienslab/homepage.html Patricia C. Wright http://icte.bio.sunysb.edu The deadline for receipt of all application materials is January 15, although earlier submission is encouraged to ensure full consideration for available fellowships. For additional assistance, e-mail our Graduate Program Coordinator, Iris Roth, iroth@notes.cc.sunysb.edu. Posted: 11/15/10.
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences: Ref. nr 1764/2011: PhD studentship on Aboveground-Belowground Linkages in Northern Boreal and Subarctic Ecosystems. A new Ph.D. studentship is available with the Department of Forest Ecology and Management at SLU in Umeå, Sweden. The position is fully financed (including salary and benefits) for a period of four years. The start date for the position is January 1 2012, although there is some flexibility around this date. The project will focus on interactions among plant communities, soil organisms and ecosystem processes across major environmental gradients in natural tundra and forest ecosystems in northern Sweden. Work will be performed in two study systems: (1) Gradients of elevation (and thus temperature) across each of two widely contrasting vegetation types in subarctic tundra in the Abisko region; and (2) Gradients of succession along a fire-driven chronoseqence in boreal forest. The project will include both field work over the summer and autumn months, and corresponding laboratory work. While it is our intention that the student works on these two systems, the scope of the project work is deliberately broad, and is adaptable to suit the specific interests of the student that is appointed. This project would be ideal for anyone intending to specialize in community or ecosystem ecology with a focus on natural ecosystems. The supervisors of this studentship are Professor David Wardle and Marie-Charlotte Nilsson (SLU), and Assoc. Prof. Reiner Giesler and Dr. Ellen Dorrepaal (Umeå University). Requirements include a M.Sc. (or comparable degree) in Ecology or a related discipline, with an emphasis on plants and/or soils. Having a degree (minimum 180 ECTS) with similar emphasis is also acceptable. Applications from both Sweden and elsewhere in the world are welcome. Enquiries and further information about this position can be made to Prof. David Wardle (david.wardle@svek.slu.se). Please send applications, marked with Reference Number 1764/2011, together with a letter motivating your interest, your CV, and the contact information for two referees whom we can approach, to the Registrar, SLU, P.O. Box 7070, SE-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden, or by E-mail to registrator@slu.se. Applications should arrive at the latest on 10 August 2011. Posted: 6/21/11.
Texas A&M University: PhD leadership fellowship in forest and woodland ecosystem ecology. Deadline: August 15, 2010 (or until filled). NOTE: Applicants attending ESA in Pittsburg, contact Dr. Moore to arrange a meeting. The Department of Ecosystem Science and Management at TAMU in partnership with the USDA National Needs Program has launched a Ph.D. fellows program aimed at producing scientific leaders with expertise in forest and woodland ecosystems in the context of a rapidly changing global environment. These fellowships provide a $30,000/yr stipend, a $10,500/yr cost-of-education allowance, and a $1,500/yr travel allowance for a three-year period. The total award value over a period of three years is $126,000. Review of applications is ongoing with only one of four positions remaining. Exceptional individuals with interests in ecosystem restoration, ecohydrology, watershed management, remote sensing, and geographic information systems (GIS) are encouraged to apply to work under the supervision of Dr. Georgianne Moore and Dr. Robert Washington-Allen. In particular, we seek individuals who can excel in a challenging, interdisciplinary academic environment and aspires to become scientific leaders whose research and teaching solves human-induced socio-ecological problems in forest and wildland ecosystems. Successful fellows also have the opportunity to become an Associate with our National Science Foundation Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship (NSF-IGERT) program in Applied Biodiversity Science including a 3-week Amazon Field Course and a mentor with our NSF-REU (Research Experience for Undergraduates) hydrology program in Costa Rica. Applicants must have completed an M.S. degree (or equivalent professional experience) in the life sciences, environmental sciences, or environmental engineering field, and be able to begin in January 2011. They must also be U.S. citizens. Application details. Please contact Dr. Moore at gwmoore@tamu.edu for further details. Posted: 7/20/10.
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi: I am seeking a motivated student to fill a graduate assistantship at the Ph.D. level in the Marine Biology Program. The position is available beginning in August 2011, but applicants who wish to enter in January 2012 will also be considered. Current lab research focuses on understanding the ecological mechanisms controlling estuarine/coastal phytoplankton blooms, planktonic food web interactions, and effects of climatic and anthropogenic change on coastal ecosystems. The student’s dissertation will focus on the effects of variable freshwater inflow on estuarine plankton production and food web interactions. Using this general research area as a framework, the student will be encouraged to develop his/her own dissertation study. Ample resources are available for field sampling, experimental (mesocosm & laboratory) approaches, and or synthesis/modeling of existing data. The student will be housed at the Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies. Interested students should preferably hold a M.S. degree in ecology, marine science/oceanography, or a related field and possess strong quantitative skills. Potential applicants with only a B.S. degree should have at least 2 years of research experience in an area related to plankton or estuarine ecology and evidence of strong writing and presentation skills. Experience with GIS and/or spatial analysis will be viewed positively. The graduate assistantship will have an excellent stipend relative to the cost-of-living. To be considered for the position, please email me, Dr. Mike Wetz at michael.wetz@tamucc.edu. Along with a letter of interest, please send your C.V., unofficial transcripts and GRE scores. Screening of applications will begin on May 28th, 2011, and preference will be given to those applying by this date. The position will remain open beyond this date until filled. Posted: 1/14/11, revised: 5/6/11.
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi: I am seeking a motivated student to fill a graduate assistantship at the M.S. or Ph.D. level in the Marine Biology Program. The position is available beginning in either late August, 2010, or January 1, 2011. The research project will focus on the role of top-down (i.e., grazing) vs. bottom-up (i.e., light, nutrients) environmental factors in determining estuarine phytoplankton bloom potentials and community composition. My lab conducts research on estuarine/coastal phytoplankton ecology, nutrient & organic matter cycling in the coastal zone, food-web dynamics, and impacts of anthropogenic & climate change on coastal ecosystems. TAMU-CC is affiliated with the Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies, which is where our research labs are located. This study will require the student to spend some time during spring and summer of the next few years at a field station in Morehead City, NC. I would also envision a spin-off of this work to develop in coastal Texas waters. Candidates should have a background in ecology or marine science and should possess strong quantitative skills. The assistantship will be grant-supported and has an excellent stipend relative to the cost-of-living. Interested candidates should email me, Dr. Mike Wetz at mwetz@fsu.edu, by July 24th, 2010. Please include a letter of interest, C.V., unofficial transcripts and GRE scores. Posted: 7/9/10.
Texas State University: We invite applications for a graduate instructional and research position (M.Sc) in Stream Ecology Lab in the Department of Biology, starting in Fall 2011. Research areas will focus on: (1) stream biodiversity and land use impacts, or (2) Instream flows and riverine ecology. Research work will have both field- and lab-based components, which include collecting and assembling data, and data analysis. Applicants who are independent, highly motivated on research should have demonstrated academic excellence and field experience. BS in biology and ecology with background in aquatic invertebrates or related fields is required. Funding for this project is provided by a renewable 9-mo. teaching assistantship at $10,152 plus benefits augmented by 3-mo. summer salary at about $1,300/month. Resident tuition rates apply for this assistantship. Minimum academic qualifications for this position include GRE > 1100 (verbal + quantitative) and an undergraduate GPA > 3.0. Required documentation includes a cover letter for describing research interests /experiences, CV, transcripts and GRE scores. E-mail the documents to Dr. Yixin Zhang (yz11@txstate.edu, Department of Biology, Texas State University – San Marcos). Application deadline is open until the position is filled. Three reference letters are needed for final application. Posted: 5/18/11.
Texas State University: We seek a Ph.D. student with training and interest in plant physiological ecology or a related field to study mechanisms of community transitions in the Mojave Desert. The focus is on the blackbrush community, one of the most endangered communities in the Mojave Desert. The research is part of a multi-investigator research collaboration involving two universities (Texas State University – San Marcos, California State University – Fullerton, and three USGS field offices in Menlo Park, California, Moab, UT, and Las Vegas, NV. For more information, visit the Recoverability and Vulnerability of Desert Ecosystems project website. Initially the study will focus on the role of soil depth in modifying the competitive interactions of creosotebush (the dominant shrub at lower elevations) and blackbrush (dominant at higher elevations). The student is expected to develop future research directions according to his or her interests under the guidance of the project leaders. The project requires willingness to pursue physically demanding field work in relatively isolated locations and to spend the summer break near the field sites which are in proximity to Mojave National Preserve, about 50 miles outside of Las Vegas. The Ph.D. position is with the Biology Department of Texas State University in San Marcos and is in part supported by a teaching assistantship in the Department of Biology. The student will have the opportunity to earn additional summer salary working with the USGS office in Las Vegas during summer. San Marcos is situated halfway between Austin and San Antonio, at the foot of the Texas Hill Country, an environmentally attractive region of many spring-fed rivers. More information about our Ph.D. program. To send a letter of interest or for any other inquiries about this opportunity, contact: Susan Schwinning, Department of Biology, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX 78666. 521-245-3753, schwinn@txstate.edu. The deadline for applying to the Ph.D. program for an August 2011 starting date is January 15, 2011. Posted: 12/3/10.
Texas Tech University: PhD Assistantship: Plant/Restoration Ecology, Department of Natural Resources Management. PhD to study ecophysiology and control of Huisache in S. Texas. Begin as soon as possible, but certainly by Fall 2011. Students interested in plant physiology and ecology, vegetation management, and invasive species management are encouraged to apply. MS 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 required. Assistantship provides $18k per year plus reduced tuition and health insurance. Interested applicants please contact Dr. Robert D. Cox@ 806-742-2841 or robert.cox@ttu.edu. Posted: 2/22/11.
Texas Tech University: The Resetarits Lab is seeking PhD. students to work on projects at the interface between community, behavioral, and evolutionary ecology. Current work focuses on the role of habitat selection in the assembly of communities and the dynamics of metacommunities, the role of species diversity in community assembly/ecosystem function, and ecological character displacement and community structure in assemblages of intra-guild predators. I also have a long-standing interest in complex life histories (e.g., amphibians, insects). Focal taxa include amphibians, aquatic insects, and fish, while habitats range from small ephemeral, coastal plain ponds to headwater mountain streams. Existing projects are primarily in the Eastern US, but opportunities exist to develop projects in the unique aquatic habitats of the Southwest. Students are expected to develop their research projects (empirical and/or theoretical) around the larger themes identified above. Funding for past and ongoing research has come primarily from the National Science Foundation. Texas Tech has a dynamic group of ecologists and evolutionary biologists, many of whom work at the interface between ecology, evolution, and behavior. Funding for both 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. William Resetarits. Website is currently under development, but I will be happy to send a collection of reprints. Posted: 1/20/11.
Texas Tech University: If you are interested in pursuing a graduate (M.S. or Ph.D.) degree in odonate ecology, please contact me, Nancy McIntyre (nancy.mcintyre@ttu.edu, 806-742-4113 ext. 280). I currently have space in my lab and am seeking students interested in ecomorphology, metapopulation/metacommunity biology, or other ecological topics focusing on dragonflies and damselflies in playa wetlands and urban lakes. Applications are due Feb. 1 to start in fall 2011, and financial assistance is available. Posted: 12/7/10.
Texas Tech University: I am recruiting graduate students into my lab to work on plant ecology. The themes of my lab's research are described at www.schwilk.org. Possible areas of research include effects of climate change on tree communities in southwestern sky island mountain ranges, plant ecological strategies and fire, and the ecological role of plant flammability. Join a growing and dynamic lab. Funding through competitive research assistant fellowships is available to strong applicants who apply by mid January. For more information, contact Dr. Dylan Schwilk. (dylan.schwilk@ttu.edu). Links to specific application procedures and deadlines are available at http://www.schwilk.org/pro-students.htm. Posted: 12/1/10.
Texas Tech University: Seeking Graduate (PhD and MS) Students in Behavioral Ecology and Avian Population Ecology - I am recruiting graduate students into my lab to work on songbird populations in the scenic Hudson Valley of New York. Work is funded by the National Science Foundation through at least 2013. Our current focus is on how birds use public, private, past and/or current information of predator abundance and reproductive success to select breeding territories and avoid predators. Opportunities exist to build on this research theme or initiate new studies in the fields of behavioral and/or population ecology, including avian communication. Funding for research and teaching assistantships are available to help support students. Students are expected to develop their research thesis (empirical and/or theoretical) around the larger theme of my lab, which is based on Ecology of Information – how organisms acquire and use information to manage their daily lives of finding food, avoiding predators, selecting mates, etc. For more information or to apply, please attach a letter of interest and resume (including contact information for 3 references) to Dr. Ken Schmidt (kenneth.schmidt@ttu.edu). Posted: 11/10/10.
Towson University: Two Graduate Assistantships (MS) available in the Department of Biological Sciences. An ideal candidate for either of these positions has a strong interest in plant ecology or natural resource management, holds a B.S. in botany or ecology, is self motivated, works well independently, and has experience working in a field setting. Both positions will require long hours in the field under moderate conditions (often alone). Familiarity with Eastern North America flora and/or experience using taxonomic keys to identify plants is highly desirable. Prior experience with field research, plant sampling techniques, and data management are helpful but not required. Applications for either position must be received by March 1, 2011. Position #1 - Successional Dynamics at the Middle Patuxent Environmental Area: contact Dr. Vanessa Beauchamp (vbeauchamp@towson.edu, 410-704-2286) for details. Position #2 - Plant Ecology and G6-12 Education: contact Sarah Haines (shaines@towson.edu, 410-704-2926) for details. Posted: 12/17/10.
Trent University: As part of a recent Strategic NSERC grant with collaborators Dr. Paul Wilson (Trent University), Dr. Jim Roth (University of Manitoba), and Dr. Jeff Bowman (Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources), we are assessing the factors affecting long-term viability of Canada lynx populations, especially at their range margin. Using an extensive sample (thousands) of lynx that were both genotyped and geo-referenced, we are developing species distribution models including habitat suitability, range limit, and corridor delineation analyses, to determine the current and predicted future distribution of lynx. Parallel analyses for bobcats will elucidate species differences and identify areas of potential sympatry and future hybridization. These samples also will serve towards stable isotope analyses of lynx, bobcats, coyotes, and prey, to help identify diet overlap between carnivores, potential exploitative competition with lynx, and proximate causes of lynx dispersal. We are also undertaking extensive and unprecedented analysis of fur harvest records of carnivores across North America to examine if evidence of cyclic asynchrony and decoupling, dispersal barriers, and exploitative competition between species, can be detected in the region of lynx distribution. Ultimately, the above projects will feed directly into comprehensive harvest, distribution, and population viability models for lynx that factor connectivity and dispersal, regional threats such as hybridization and competition, and ongoing and projected loss of habitat and climate change near the range periphery. This work is the logical continuation of our previous efforts (Murray et al. 2008. J. Wildl. Manage. 72:1463-1472; Roth et al. 2007. Ecology 88:2736-2743; Steury and Murray 2004.Biol. Conserv. 117:127-141) to understand factors affecting viability of southern lynx populations. Post-doctoral fellows will have the opportunity to develop an independent research program within the framework of existing funding. The specific parameters of the PhD and/or PDF positions will be adjusted according to the strengths and interests of the successful applicants, within the basic scope of the above-described project. Applicants should hold degrees in population ecology, population genetics, landscape ecology, or a related area. The successful candidates should have expertise in population and/or landscape analysis and modeling, population/landscape genetics, and/or statistical analysis, including previous work with GIS or time series data. The successful applicants will require demonstrated publishing success. Candidates should submit a letter of application, curriculum vita, and names and contact information for three references to: Dr. Dennis Murray, Department of Biology, Trent University, 1600 West Bank Drive, Peterborough, ON Canada K9J 7B8 (email: dennismurray “at” trentu.ca). Applications will be reviewed immediately and the positions will close as soon as suitable candidates are found. PDFs will receive $45k annually, + benefits; PhD students will receive a full graduate stipend plus waiver of any foreign tuition fees. Posted: 11/12/10.
Trent University: PhD opportunity – Snowshoe hare predation risk assessment. Snowshoe hares have been studied for 30+ years in our southwestern Yukon study site. A recent study by Sherriff et al. (J. Anim. Ecol. 78:1249-1258) found that a predator-induced increase in baseline stress levels affected the reproductive rates of hares, with highly-stressed females producing fewer litters of young and generally smaller and less robust leverets. These findings imply that predators may have important sublethal effects on snowshoe hares, which could translate to predators having an even more important role than previously thought on the snowshoe hare population cycle. In collaboration with Dr. Stan Boutin (University of Alberta) and Dr. Rudy Boonstra (University of Toronto), the PhD project will build on the previous study and assess whether sublethal effects of predators have demonstrable effects on hare behaviour and survival. Using a variety of methods, we will monitor relationships between hare activity patterns, habitat selection, energy expenditure, and survival rates, relative to baseline stress levels. We predict that individual variability in stress levels will reflect local predation risk, and thereby be manifest in risk-sensitive behaviour among putative high-risk individuals. The intent is to follow up the observational study with experimental manipulation of perceived risk to induce further changes in free-ranging hares. Finally, the study will involve modeling tradeoffs between energy acquisition versus predation risk avoidance, and possibly include modeling the potential sublethal effects of predators on hare population cycles. Applicants should hold an MSc in ecology or a related area as well as good field and quantitative skills. The successful applicant also will require demonstrated publishing success. Candidates should submit a letter of application, curriculum vita, and names and contact information for three references to: Dr. Dennis Murray, Department of Biology, Trent University, 1600 West Bank Drive, Peterborough, ON Canada K9J 7B8 (email: dennismurray “at” trentu.ca). Applications will be reviewed immediately and the position will close as soon as a suitable candidate is found. The successful applicant will receive a full graduate stipend including waiver of any foreign tuition fees. Posted: 11/12/10.
Trent University: M.Sc. position - Raspberry pollination in Algonquin Park, Ontario, Canada. We are looking for a M.Sc. student to participate in a project investigating ecological interactions between plants and pollinators in the hardwood forest ecosystem of Algonquin Park. The student will be working with a multi-discplinary team of faculty members in the Department of Biology at Trent University, Ontario. The project will involve an examination of the effects of pollinator diversity and abundance on patterns of fruit production in wild raspberry (Rubus strigosus). Previous field experience is required, and a background in plant and/or pollinator ecology is preferred. Basic skills in plant and insect identification are also desired. The student will be supported by a combination of research funding and teaching assistantships (minimum annual stipend of $18k CA). Please send applications by email to Marcel Dorken (marceldorken@trentu.ca) or Erica Nol (enol@trentu.ca). In the application, include a letter outlining your suitability for the position, a CV, and contact details for three referees. This position is available in May 2011. Posted: 9/13/10.
Tulane University: PhD position - Marine Ecology - Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. Start Date: Summer or Fall, 2011. Project: Applications are invited for a highly motivated Ph.D. student to conduct an interdisciplinary research project studying the effects of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on marine zooplankton or on the larval stages of fish or crustaceans. Research questions will be developed by the student and may range from population dynamics to species distribution and diversity patterns. The project will involve analysis of plankton samples that have been collected various distances from the spill site over time and collection of new samples. The student will also work on incorporation of results from this analysis into a fine-scale hydrodynamics computer model of larval dispersal of the Gulf of Mexico. Qualifications: A bachelor’s degree in a related field is required. Previous experience with zooplankton identification and/or experience with computer programming preferred, but training for either task can be provided for an enthusiastic and well-qualified candidate. Salary and Benefits: Full tuition scholarships and health insurance for successful applicants are provided. Support of $21-25k per year is provided by teaching assistantships and research assistantships when available. Please submit a Curriculum Vitae, GRE scores, and a cover letter to Dr. Caz Taylor (caz@tulane.edu) by Dec 15 2010 for consideration. Posted: 11/17/10.
Umeå University: PhD Project: Effects of Populus genetic variation on above and below-ground processes. The project will focus on how genotypic variation of foliar tannin concentrations in Populus are linked to physiological responses that affect aboveground processes (herbivory and fungal pathogen infection) and belowground processes (litter decomposition and nitrogen cycling). The project will also explore how contrasting genotypes with different tannin contents respond to environmental nitrogen enrichment such as occurs through forest fertilization programs or atmospheric nitrogen deposition. The project will involve greenhouse and field based experiments near Umeå, utilizing a well-characterized collection of Populus genotypes. The position is financed for four years by the Center of Environmental Research in Umeå, and the work will be carried out at Umeå Plant Science Centre (UPSC), Department of Plant Physiology, Umeå University and at Department of Forest Ecology and Management, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Umeå. We seek a student with interests in exploring a career in plant physiology and terrestrial ecology, through studies of genotypic variation and its importance for ecosystem functioning. Supervisors will be Dr. Benedicte Albrectsen and Dr. Michael Gundale. A relevant background is a degree in Plant Biology, Plant Physiology, Ecophysiology, Ecology, Soil Science or a related discipline, with an emphasis on plant science and/or soils. The recruitment procedure will follow the Higher Education Ordinance (Högskoleförordningen chapters 5 and 7). Prerequisites include 240 ECTS credits of higher education studies of which 60 should be on an advanced level (Master level). The successful applicant should have good ability to write and speak in English, should demonstrate creativity, initiative, independence, and an ability to collaborate. International applicants are welcome to apply. For Enquiries and further information contact Benedicte Albrectsen. Telephone: 090 786 70 11. Email: benedicte.albrectsen@plantphys.umu.se. Applications will be discarded or, if the applicant so wishes, returned two years after the position has been filled. Documents sent electronically should be in MS Word or PDF format. Your application should contain a letter motivating your interest, your CV, and the contact information for two referees whom we can approach. Your complete application, marked with reference number 313-88-11, should be sent to jobb@umu.se (state the reference number as subject) or to the Registrar, Umeå University, SE-901 87 Umeå, Sweden to arrive March 01, 2011 at the latest. Posted: 2/18/11.
Umeå University: Announced by the Dept. of Ecology and Environmental Science. A PhD position (4 years) in the project “Biotic resistence in fish communities” is available. Project: There is large variation between natural communities in their susceptibility to invasions, and we have a poor understanding of the underlying mechanisms. In this project we use information about >1200 introductions of fish species to Swedish lakes to examine what properties of ecological communities that make them resistant to invasive species. The project will generate knowledge that can be used in management, but there is also a strong focus on development of general theory within this field. The project is a cooperative effort involving Göran Englund, David Wardle and Jun Yu. Apply before February 15, 2011. Posted: 1/18/11.
Université du Québec: We are seeking a PhD student to study the ecological factors structuring metacommunities. The overall theme of the project is to better understand the complex interplay between environmental heterogeneity, community interactions and dispersal on the spatial and temporal structuring of ecological communities. The exact design will depend on the interests and experience of the student, but the focus is mainly theoretical and the general framework is based on simulation models considering four main processes: (a) ecological interactions, (b) environmental heterogeneity, (c) functional complexity and (d) evolutionary relationships among species. The project will also look into the development of novel statistical frameworks to understand the links and interactions between environmental features, species interactions, spatial scaling and dispersal in real ecological communities. We have extensive data sets on forest and aquatic ecosystems that will be used in this research component. Qualifications. An MSc degree in biology, environmental sciences, mathematics or informatics is ideal, but other fields may be considered. Applicants should have a demonstrated interest in ecological complexity, a good statistical basis and some programming skills or at least a strong interest in learning it. An interest in using novel analytical approaches, such as Bayesian and multivariate statistics, is considered a valuable asset. We especially encourage creative students who are adept at working in teams and have good writing and communication skills. Instructions. Applications, including a letter describing research interests, a CV, copies of transcripts and the contact information (address, email and phone) for two references, or any questions about the project should be directed to Dominique_Gravel@uqar.qc.ca. The starting date is January 2011. The project will be conducted under the co-supervision of Pedro Peres-Neto (UQAM: Université du Québec à Montréal) and Dominique Gravel (UQAR: Université du Québec à Rimouski) across both institutions. The student will be registered in the shared graduate program in Biological sciences. Pedro Peres-Neto is specialized in developing new statistical methods to analyze the spatial organization of metacommunities. Dominique Gravel is a theoretical ecologist working on the spatial dynamics and organization of trophic metacommunities and metaecosystems. Both institutions are francophone and although applicants are not obliged to speak French, they should have an interest in learning it. Posted: 11/11/10.
Université du Québec à Montréal: We are looking for a MSc. Student (or potentially a PhD) to work on a fully funded project looking at how soil microarthropod communities in agroforestry and mixed-species forest plantations may be affected by climate change. These plantations are part of developing network of experimental sites unique to North America where diverse tree species with varying ecological traits are combined in an agroforestery/plantation setting to buffer potential impacts of climate change and re-establish biodiversity in agricultural landscapes. This project will focus on comparisons of microarthropods (collembolan and soil mites) in root systems with complimentary rooting depths in an effort to characterize diversity-ecosystem function relations and the capacity for complex root systems to maintain microorganisms in a changing climate. The successful candidate will have an interest in soil microarthropods and the ecological role of these organisms in agricultural and forest systems. No formal experience with soil microarthropods is necessary: identification of very small soil organisms will be a major part of this project, but training will be provided. As with any graduate project, enthusiasm, dedication, and a willingness to learn will be crucial. Prospective candidates must have a Bachelor's degree in Biology, Ecology, Environmental Science, or some related field. Ideally, the project will begin in September 2011. The successful candidate will be part of the Department of Biological Sciences at the Université du Québec à Montréal [UQAM] and the Center for Forest Research [CFR]. A working knowledge of English is necessary to understand the scientific literature. Knowledge of French would also be an asset. UQAM accepts theses in either language, and CFR professionals are available to help students write in either language. Interested candidates are invited to send their CV and cover letter to Tim Work (work.timothy@uqam.ca) or Rebecca Tittler (rtittler@gmail.com). Posted: 6/14/11.
Université du Québec à Montréal: Two M.Sc. projects and one Ph.D. project on the growth, physiology and carbon dynamics of short intensive cultures of willow grown for bioenergy. For more than 15 years, Sweden has been succesfully using short rotation intentive cultures (SRIC) of willow for energy production purposes. Willows (Salix spp.) are especially well adapted to cool and wet climatic conditions and to poorly drained clayey soils. These systems are initiated from cuttings which are planted at a high spatial density (15,000 to 18,000 plants per hectare). Aboveground biomass is harvested every two to three years while preserving the root system to promote new growth from sprouting after each harvest. The production system is thus a renewable one, which operates on short rotations for at least 25 years. This type of system also favours the use of organic residues (e.g. liquid manures and slurries). Commercial systems could assure the long term production of would fiber for solid and liquid biofuels (e.g. granules, cellulosic ethanol) or wood products. SRIC of willow can also play a major role in water purification as well as in conserving biodiversity and soil fertility in agricultural settings. They are also used for other environmental purposes such as phytoremediation of contaminated soils and the construction of sound barriers. Under our latitudes, SRIC of willow constitutes one of the most productive agricultural system. In Quebec, it is estimated that SRIC of willow can produce between 8 and 20 tons per hectare per year of dry biomass for its aboveground component only. However, climatic and soil conditions that favour maximum yields are not well elucidated. Also, we only have preliminary data on root biomass production and soil carbon accumulation. Currently, entrepreneurs interested in developing willow bioenergy plantations do not have the required tools to identify the sites that are conducive to the short rotation intensive culture of willow trees and to determine the potential of the plantations to sequester carbon. This is a problem when starting such a business because of the uncertainties about returns associated to biomass sales and carbon credits. For the last 15 years, our team has contributed to the establishment of many SRIC of willow across the province. With the help of producers, we estimate that more than 300 hectares of SRIC of willow are under production from Huntingdon in the Southwest of Montreal to Abitibi in the North and Rivière-du-Loup in the East. Thus, our team benefits from a tremendous network of plantations with various willow species, different ages, and established under an array of soil and climatic conditions. The general objective of this project is thus to maximize the use of this network of plantations to bring knowledge on the role of willow plantations to sequester carbon. More specifically, the study will allow to : (i) quantify the amount of carbon sequestered in aboveground and belwoground biomass in plantations with contrasted growth, (ii) build models to identify the best sites for growing willow systems by establishing functional relationships between (a) hydroclimatic conditions, soil physical and chemical properties, nutrient status of plants (foliar) and gaz exchange, and (b) biomass production and sequestered carbon; (iii) calibrate and validate mathematical models to predict the potential for carbon sequestration and its long term dynamics in aboveground biomass and soil, and (iv) develop simple tools to quickly and precisely account for carbon content in aboveground biomass and roots. The latter objective aims at quickly and precicely measuring the amounts of carbon sequestered for the need of carbon accounting in the context of a carbon credit market. These questions will be investigated by two fully funded M. Sc. students (objectives i, ii and iv) and one fully funded Ph.D. candidate (objective iii) located at the Center for Forest Research, at UQAM, under the supervision of Nicolas Bélanger and co-supervisions with either Christian Messier, Michel Labrecque and François Courchesne. The ideal M. Sc. candidates will have completed a B.Sc in biology or geography whereas the Ph.D. candidate will have a graduate degree in pedology, ecology, biogeochemistry or microbiology. For full information, please contact Dr. Nicolas Bélanger, Center for Forest Research, Université du Québec à Montréal, by email: belanger.nicolas@teluq.uqam.ca or phone: (514) 987-3000 ext. 0900#. Posted: 2/18/11.
Université du Québec à Rimouski: We are seeking a PhD student to study the impact of trophic interactions onto functioning of forest ecosystems. The overall theme of the project is to compare the role of tree species, phylogenetic and functional trait diversity in (1) maintaining healthy natural and managed forests; (2) contributing to more productive and resilient novel forest ecosystems; and (3) maximizing carbon sequestration. The core approach of this project is the study of a series of world-unique experimental high-density single and mixed native and exotic tree species plantations. The objective of this PHD project is to develop models and methods generalizing the concept of species complementarity to trophic and non-trophic interactions and to test them on the field. Qualifications. An MSc degree in biology or environmental sciences is ideal, but other fields may be considered. Applicants should have a demonstrated interest in ecological complexity and modeling, or at least a strong interest in learning it. Experience in microbiology or entomology is also considered a valuable asset. We especially encourage creative students who are adept at working in teams and have good writing and communication skills. Instructions. Applications, including a letter describing research interests, a CV, copies of transcripts and the contact information (address, email and phone) for two references, or any questions about the project should be directed to Dominique_Gravel@uqar.qc.ca. The starting date is either June or September 2011. The project will be conducted under the co-supervision of Dominique Gravel (UQAR: Université du Québec à Rimouski), Christian Messier (UQAM: Université du Québec à Montréal) and Timothy Work (UQAM). Dominique Gravel is a theoretical ecologist working on spatial ecology and ecosystem functioning. Christian Messier is a forest ecologist working on development of novel sylvicultural and forest management practices. Timothy Work is an entomologist working on the effect of forest management practices on biodiversity. Both institutions are francophone and although applicants are not obliged to speak French, they should have an interest in learning it. Posted: 2/18/11.
Université du Québec à Rimouski: I am looking for a student to work on a MSc project on the spatial distribution and functioning of the soil food web at the transition between temperate and boreal forests. The project is part of a larger research program looking at the relative importance of the abiotic and biotic environments and dispersal on ecosystem functioning. The research project will rely on a newly established network of three large permanent sampling plots located in southern Québec. Qualifications. A graduate degree in biology, forestry or environmental science is required. Candidates must also have strong interests in community ecology. Students with technical skills in microbiology or entomology are encouraged to apply. Instructions. Applications, including a letter describing research interests, a CV, copies of transcripts and the contact information for two references, or any questions about the project should be directed to dominique_gravel@uqar.qc.ca. The project would start in January 2010. A fellowship of $15k per year for 2 years is offered. The student will join the new research team at the Chair in Ecosystem Ecology. We conduct theoretical and experimental work to better understand the complex interplay between community diversity, structure and distribution on ecosystem functioning. Studies will be conducted within the master program at the University of Québec at Rimouski and the student will be part of the Center for Forest Research. Dominique Gravel, Chaire de recherche du Canada, en écologie des écosystèmes continentaux, Université du Québec à Rimouski, 300 Allée des Ursulines, Rimouski, Québec, G5L 3A1. (418) 723-1986 #1752, dominique_gravel@uqar.qc.ca. Posted: 11/10/10.
Université Laval: Ph.D. position: Consequence of natural disturbances on the design of the forest industry. Domain of study: Forest management - Landscape ecology - Strategic planning. Description of research: We are looking for a Ph.D. candidate to design a strategic plan formulation sensitive to the influence of timber price projections and to the sustainability of forest management, including fire risk. The study takes place in the boreal forest of Quebec and Ontario, Canada. This project fits within a larger collaborative research to provide the forest industry and policy makers with new advanced planning and decision support systems. Profile of potential candidates: - Education in forest sciences or biology preferred but not mandatory, - Preference will be given to candidates demonstrating a strong potential in the use and analysis of quantitative data (mathematical programming). The successful applicant will join a Canada-wide research network that offers many opportunities for interaction (http://www.reseauvco.ca/). Funds are available for two stays, one at the fire laboratory of David Martell (U. Toronto) and one with Glen Armstrong (U. Alberta). The PhD position includes a full 3-yr scholarship and is expected to start in September 2011. Study program : Doctorat en Sciences Forestières, Département des sciences du bois et de la forêt, Université Laval, Québec. Note that although the language of instruction at Université Laval is French, one's thesis may be written in English. Interested candidates can send a CV, transcript of academics records and an introduction letter to: Frédéric Raulier : frederic.raulier@sbf.ulaval.ca. Posted: 6/29/11.
Université Laval: Ph.D. position: Dynamic mapping of carbon content in Québec's boreal forest. We are looking for a Ph.D. candidate to develop a map of forest carbon for the boreal forest of the Province of Québec (Canada) using sequences of satellite imagery and statistical and process-based modeling tools. This project fits within a larger effort to impute the carbon cost of forest management to the solid wood products that are extracted from a management unit, and uses information from a parallel project on the change in forest carbon content over a forest management unit during the past few years. Profile of potential candidates: - Education in forest sciences, biology, or other quantitative disciplines, - Preference will be given to candidates demonstrating a strong potential in the use and analysis of quantitative data. The successful applicant will join a research program that offers many opportunities for interaction (Centre d’étude de la forêt, Canada's Forests, Wood Research Centre). The PhD position includes a full 3-yr scholarship and is expected to start in September 2011. Study program : Doctorat en Sciences Forestières, Département des sciences du bois et de la forêt, Université Laval, Québec. Note that although the language of instruction at Université Laval is French, one's thesis may be written in English. Interested candidates can send a CV, transcript of academics records and an introduction letter to: Frédéric Raulier (frederic.raulier@sbf.ulaval.ca). Posted: 5/18/11.
Université Laval: We are seeking a PhD student in the area of ecosystem management to develop our understanding of the natural range of variability of eastern balsam fir forests and the deviation imposed by the intensification of forest management and increasing population of large herbivores. To reach the objectives of the project the candidate will have to analyses historical (1930) and contemporary data on the composition and structure of forest plots located in the Gaspesie peninsula, Quebec, Canada and to establish relationships between moose abundance data from Quebec’s large mammals aerial survey program and data from decadal forest surveys. We offer a PhD scholarship (18 500$/year x 3 years) and support for a 3-4 months visit to an international lab during the PhD program. The PhD will be conducted under the supervision of Dr Dominique Arseneault at the Université du Québec à Rimouski (UQAR) with the collaboration of Jean-Pierre Tremblay from Université Laval. UQAR is a francophone institution located close to the study area in eastern Quebec, CA. The successful candidate should own or on the way to obtain a MSc in biology or forest sciences, have experience with field work in remote areas, numerical analyses of data and redaction of scientific manuscripts. Applicants should submit a CV, a statement of research interests, a copy of their last academic transcript, and the names and contact information for two references. Start date is targeted for spring 2011. Please submit applications before 4 February to: Dominique Arseneault (dominique_arseneault@uqar.qc.ca), Département de biologie, Université du Québec à Rimouski, 300 allée des Ursulines, Rimouski, Québec, Canada G5L 3A1 and Jean-Pierre Tremblay (jean-pierre.tremblay@bio.ulaval.ca), Département de biologie, Université Laval, 1045, avenue de la Médecine, Québec, Québec, Canada, G1V 0A6. Posted: 1/7/11.
Université Laval: Funded PhD Project: Regional conservation planning for dynamic landscapes under climate change. The goal of this project is to design protected areas networks in Québec, Canada, that are likely to maintain biodiversity under a changing climate. We seek a PhD student to apply ecological modelling of forest dynamics and spatial simulation to this design problem. Our case studies are existing protected areas networks in the regions of Gaspésie and Mauricie, each embedded within a matrix of forest lands managed for timber harvesting, hunting and conservation. One region is subject to wildfire, the other contains an isolated population of endangered woodland caribou. One major aspect of the research will be modelling the rate of northwards migration of tree species through the regions, as affected by climate, existing landscape structure, disturbance regimes and management. This student will work alongside a second PhD student who is focused on wildlife behaviour and landscape connectivity. We offer a 3yr PhD scholarship at C$20k/yr, tenable at the Département des sciences du bois et de la forêt, Université Laval, Québec City, under the supervision of Steve Cumming, Alison Munson and Eliot McIntire. The position is to commence as soon as possible. The successful applicant will work closely with a team of conservation biologists, wildlife biologists, ecosystem modelers and partners in sponsoring government agencies and ENGOS, and will join an active "meta-lab" of 10-15 students working on spatial simulation, statistical ecology and conservation biology. The 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 R, Python, C, SELES, or Visual Basic) would be a major asset, although modelling courses are available in the lab. The language of instruction at Université Laval is French, but one's thesis will be written in English. Applicants whose first language is not french are encouraged to apply. Québec’s francophone cultural environment provides an excellent opportunity to improve french language skills. Québec is also well known for its exceptional outdoors recreational opportunities and natural beauty. 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). Posted: 1/5/11.
Université Laval: Funded PhD Project 2: Building wildlife behaviour, connectivity and climate change into the design of conservation networks. The goal of this project is to design protected areas networks in Québec, Canada, that are likely to maintain biodiversity under a changing climate. We seek a PhD student to incorporate wildlife habitat selection, movement, and connectivity into this design. We expect that simulation modeling will be the unifying methodology. Our case studies are existing protected areas networks in the regions of Gaspésie and Mauricie. In the former, a primary issue is the protection and recovery of an endangered population of Mountain Caribou; in the latter, a key issue relates to black bear dynamics. The two networks are each embedded within a matrix of forest lands managed for timber harvesting, hunting and conservation. This student will work alongside a second PhD student who will focus on forest dynamics. We offer a 3yr PhD scholarship at C$21,500/yr, tenable at the Département des sciences du bois et de la forêt, Université Laval, Québec City, under the supervision of Eliot McIntire and Steve Cumming. The position is to commence as soon as possible. The successful applicant will work closely with a team of conservation biologists, wildlife biologists, ecosystem modelers and partners in sponsoring government agencies and ENGOS, and will join an active "meta-lab" of 10-15 students working on spatial simulation, statistical ecology and boreal conservation biology. The 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 R, Python, C, SELES, or Visual Basic) would be a major asset, although modelling courses are available in the lab. The language of instruction at Université Laval is French, but one's thesis will be written in English. Applicants whose first language is not french are encouraged to apply. Québec’s francophone cultural environment provides an excellent opportunity to improve french language skills. Québec is also well known for its exceptional outdoors recreational opportunities and natural beauty. Applicants should submit by email a short statement of interest, a current CV, and the names of three references. For further information, contact: Eliot McIntire (eliot.mcintire@sbf.ulaval.ca). Posted: 1/5/11.
Université Laval: We are looking for an MSc candidate to participate in a research project on the changes in abundance of different wildlife groups (insects, birds, small mammals and snowshoe hare) along a gradient of forest succession. More specifically, the objective is to understand source-sink dynamics for several species along chronosequences resulting from forest harvesting. The student will have to evaluate biodiversity patterns and identify factors influencing habitat quality along the chronosequences. Fieldwork (summer and winter) will take place in Côte-Nord region of Québec’s boreal forest. A PhD student will also be involved in the project, but he/she will work on a different species group. Qualifications: Laval University is a French university and some basic French is therefore desirable. Knowledge of GIS and field experience are an advantage. A fellowship of 15k$/year is available for 2 years for the MSc candidate. However, students admissible for NSERC and FQRNT fellowships will be favored. Documents to provide: Applicants for this position should forward a short covering letter indicating their motivation, accompanied by a current CV, unofficial transcripts and contact information of three references. We will start reviewing the applications on 23 August 2010. Daniel Fortin, Département de biologie, Pavillon Alexandre-Vachon, 1045, av. de la Médecine, Université Laval, Québec (Qc) G1V 0A6, Canada Courriel : Daniel.Fortin@bio.ulaval.ca. Posted: 8/6/10.
Université Laval: We are looking for a PhD candidate to participate in a research project on the changes in abundance of different wildlife groups (insects, birds, small mammals and snowshoe hare)along a gradient of forest succession. More specifically, the objective is to understand sourcesink dynamics for several species along chronosequences resulting from forest harvesting. The student will have to evaluate biodiversity patterns and identify factors influencing habitat quality along the chronosequences. Fieldwork (summer and winter) will take place in Côte-Nord region of Québec’s boreal forest. An MSc student will also be involved in the project, but he/she will work on a different species group. Qualifications: Have completed an M.Sc. in biological sciences or in forestry. Have a strong interest in biodiversity conservation, sylviculture and statistics. Laval University is a French university and some basic French is therefore desirable. Knowledge of GIS and field experience are an advantage. A fellowship of 18,500$/year is available for 3 years. However, students admissible for NSERC and FQRNT fellowships will be favored. Documents to provide: Applicants for this position should forward a short covering letter indicating their motivation, accompanied by a current CV, unofficial transcripts and contact information of three references. We will start reviewing the applications on 23 August 2010. Daniel Fortin, Département de biologie, Pavillon Alexandre-Vachon, 1045, av. de la Médecine, Université Laval, Québec (Qc) G1V 0A6, Canada, Courriel : Daniel.Fortin@bio.ulaval.ca. Posted: 8/6/10.
Université Laval: We are looking for a PhD student to participate in a research project on caribou and wolf interactions in the boreal forest of the Côte-Nord region of Québec. The research objective is to assess the efficiency of current management plans for the conservation of woodland caribou living under wolf predation. More specifically, the PhD student will evaluate the interplay between space use patterns and the physical condition and survival of marked caribou. The research should also identify how landscape structure influences predation by wolf. Overall the project should provide information useful to anticipate the long-term persistence of caribou populations in managed forests. The project will involve little fieldwork but will require a detailed evaluation of GPS locations collected on approximately 45 caribou and 6 wolf packs. The candidate will be part of a research group combining researchers and graduate students from Laval University (www.sylvifaune.ulaval.ca) and the Ministère des Ressources Naturelles et de la Faune (S. Couturier). Qualifications: Have completed an M.Sc. in biological sciences or forestry. Have a strong interest in wildlife conservation, quantitative ecology and statistics. Laval University is a French institution and some basic French is desirable. Knowledge of GIS is also an advantage. A fellowship of 18 500$/year is available for 3 years. However, students admissible for NSERC and FQRNT fellowships will be favored. Documents to provide by email: Applicants for this position should forward a short covering letter indicating their motivation, accompanied by a current CV, unofficial transcripts and contact information of three references. We will start reviewing the applications on 23 August 2010. Daniel Fortin, Département de biologie, Pavillon Alexandre-Vachon, 1045, av. de la Médecine, Université Laval, Québec (Qc) G1V 0A6, Canada, Email: Daniel.Fortin@bio.ulaval.ca. Posted: 8/6/10.
University at Buffalo: The State University of New York at Buffalo (UB) encourages qualified individuals to apply for doctoral study with a concentration in Ecosystem Restoration. The Ecosystem Restoration through Interdisciplinary Exchange (ERIE) Program provides students with the technical, professional, and personal skills necessary to become leaders in the rapidly advancing field of ecosystem restoration. The ERIE Program is innovative and interdisciplinary, combining research and academic training in environmental sciences, engineering, and policy with a focus on nationally-recognized ecological restoration efforts in western New York State and the lower Great Lakes region. Eligible students (U.S. citizens or permanent residents only) are funded for two years through a National Science Foundation (NSF) IGERT traineeship (www.igert.org) that provides tuition, a generous $30K annual stipend, and a research allowance for Ph.D. level graduate study in any of the eight participating graduate programs at the University at Buffalo or at nearby Buffalo State College that encompass engineering, science, policy, and Native American perspectives. Additional support is provided through departmental assistantship following the period of NSF support. In addition to departmental doctoral requirements, ERIE trainees take core courses in ecosystem restoration philosophy, principles, and practice; have opportunities for professional training in ecosystem restoration and case-study teaching methods; and participate in professional internship and Canadian exchange activities. Interested students should apply to the ERIE-affiliated UB graduate program of choice and indicate their interest in the ERIE Program. Applications to the ERIE Program are due February 1, 2011 for admission in the Fall 2011 semester (note that participating UB departments may have deadlines that are earlier). Admission is contingent on successful application to the chosen UB departmental graduate program. For program information, research and departmental descriptions, and application instructions, please visit www.erie.buffalo.edu or contact: ERIE IGERT Program, Dr. David Blersch (Director) or Dr. Alan Rabideau (Principal Investigator), Department of Civil, Structural, and Environmental Engineering, State University of New York at Buffalo, 202 Jarvis Hall, Buffalo, NY 14260. Phone: (716) 645-4001, Email: igert-erie at buffalo dot edu. Posted: 11/19/10.
University of Alabama: M.S. opportunity in biogeochemistry for Fall 2011. We have a position available in the Biogeochemistry Lab that currently has active projects in nearshore coastal waters. The work is focused on effects eutrophication and oil spill on biogeochemical processes. The successful applicant will work on elucidating spatial and temporal patterns in nitrogen cycling and/or carbon dioxide and methane fluxes in coastal ecosystems located within the vicinity of Dauphin Island, a barrier island in the Northern Gulf of Mexico. The initial work will focus on using membrane inlet mass spectrometry to detect rates of denitrification. Future work may involve tracing sources and utilization of nitrogen in coastal waters. The assistantship will include (1) a tuition waiver, (2) an annual stipend and (3) health insurance. For additional information, contact Dr. Behzad Mortazavi, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa AL 35487, email: bmortazavi@ua.edu, ph: 251-861-2141 Ext 2189. Application information and forms. Funding is primarily in the form of research assistantships. Posted: 1/5/11, revised: 2/21/11, 5/16/11.
University of Alabama: The Laboratory of Dr. Gregory Starr in the Department of Biological Sciences is seeking applicants for the Ph.D. program. Dr. Starr currently has 4 projects in operation related to the anthropogenic issues, climate change and biogeochemical cycles. The projects included: 1. Understanding of winter physiological activity in Arctic Tundra Plants and their metabolic carbon pools near Toolik Lake Research Station, Alaska. 2. Determining the role prescribed fire has on ecosystem processes in Long Leaf Pine Ecosystems. 3. Assessment of Biogeochemical Cycles in Everglades National Park with alteration in the hydrologic regime during the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan. 4. Assessing the health of Alabama Salt water marshes and their biogeochemical cycles following the deep horizon oil spill. Motivated Students should submit 1) a current curriculum vita, 2) a statement of research interests; and 3) the names, phone numbers and email addresses of three references to Dr. Gregory Starr (gstarr@ua.edu or 205-348-0556). For more information contact Dr. Starr, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alabama, Campus Box: 870336, Tuscaloosa, AL, 35487. We will begin initial review of immediately and continue to take applications until the position is filled. Posted: 1/27/11.
University of Alabama: Graduate Assistantship in Arctic Plant Physiological Ecology is open for the spring of 2011. A M.S. 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 (gstarr@ua.edu or 352-846-0889). Posted: 10/11/10.
University of Alaska Fairbanks:. We are seeking to fill two positions, at either the post-doc and/or PhD (Research Assistantship) levels, on a study that aims to understand climate change effects on the food base (freshwater invertebrates and fishes) of eiders and loons on the Arctic Coastal Plain of Alaska. Primary goals are to document freshwater invertebrate communities across a range of eider and shore-bird habitats, conduct manipulative field experiments that elucidate how environmental changes from climate warming influence nutrient flux and invertebrate communities, and determine the role of hydrologic connectivity and limnological controls on occupancy, growth, and dynamics of fish in lakes used by breeding loons. This is a highly collaborative, team-oriented, research effort among University and USGS scientists, graduate students, and technicians. Strong academic training in appropriate field (e.g., entomology, invertebrate ecology, freshwater ecology, avian ecology, fish ecology), excellent communication (written and oral) and interpersonal skills, supervisory skills, solid field experience and competence, and ability to work in team and individual settings are essential. Candidate will be required to complete training in boat operation, aviation, gun/bear safety, wilderness survival, first aid, and CPR. Driver's license is required. Work will be based from the University of Alaska Fairbanks, and fieldwork will involve camping and working in remote field sites during most of the field season (May -- Sept). Weather during the research season ranges widely (0 C -- 25 C) and can be wet, as well as bear and bug-ridden. PhD students will have the option of obtaining their degrees in either Fisheries or Biology, and will be expected to assist with course instruction (TA) one out of every three semesters during their program. Funding is for 3.5 years. To begin the application process, submit via email a cover letter that includes a brief review of your research experience and interests, and professional goals (1 page max), resume, transcripts, GRE scores, and names of at least three references to: Dr. Mark Wipfli, Alaska Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Institute of Arctic Biology, 209 Irving I Bldg, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK 99775, USA; mwipfli@alaska.edu. To learn more about graduate studies at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, visit www.uaf.edu/gradsch. Position to be filled no later than spring 2011. Contact Dr. Mark Wipfli (mwipfli@alaska.edu) for more information on the invertebrate component, and Dr. Chris Zimmerman (czimmerman@usgs.gov) on the fish component. Posted: 9/20/10.
University of Alberta: Three graduate student positions (2M.Sc. and 1Ph.D.) are available for forest ecology research investigating the impact of abiotic stresses such as water and nutrient limitations and biotic conditions such as inter- and intra-specific competition on tree species. The research is part of a large project that investigates the role of early successional tree species as reclamation species in mining areas of the boreal mixedwood forest and parkland regions of Alberta. The overall aim of the research is to understand underlying forest ecosystem processes, to develop reclamation techniques, and to determine stand trajectories to successfully regenerate surface mined lands to self-sustaining forests by restoring ecosystem functions and processes that are essential for the development of resilient forests. Of particular interest are (1) growth and biomass and resource allocation (rooting behaviour) in plants and their effect on water, carbon, and nutrient cycling, (2) determine characteristics necessary to improve the success of planted tree seedlings, and (3) explore the impact of various growing conditions such as soil, water and nutrients on forest establishment and growth. Graduate students in this project will be under the supervision of Simon Landhäusser, Industrial Research Chair in Forest Land Reclamation. Depending on the interest and quality of the applicants, the project offers considerable flexibility in designing a research program that investigates areas of personal interest within the overall framework of the project. Background in plant biology, forest ecology or related field is essential, as is an interest in the linkages between forests and disturbance. Experience with any of the following will be an asset, but is not required: soil science, ecophysiology, plant nutrition, and silviculture. Proficiency in spoken and written English is a necessity. Selection of a student will be based on academic achievements, reference letters and if applicable previous research experience. Strong verbal, written, and computational skills are essential. Application deadline: April 1, 2011 or until the positions are filled. Salary ranges between CAN$ 19,500 – 23,500 per year plus benefits for a period of 2 years for a M.Sc. and 3 years for a Ph.D.; extensions are possible but will depend on student performance. Students could also be eligible for Tri-Council graduate scholarships (e.g. NSERC) in their first year. It is preferable that successful candidates start their laboratory and fieldwork in May 2011 while applying to the graduate program at the University of Alberta for the fall or winter of 2011. The applicants must meet the entrance requirement for the Department of Renewable Resources, which can be viewed at: http://www.ales.ualberta.ca/rr/phdprograms.cfm 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. Simon Landhäusser (simon.landhausser@ualberta.ca), Department of Renewable Resources, 4-42 Earth Science Building, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2E3, CANADA. Phone: (780)-492-6381; Fax: (780)-492-1767. Posted: 3/18/11.
University of Alberta: The Silviculture and Fire Science Labs are jointly looking for 1-2 graduate students at either M.Sc. or Ph.D. level to work on a project study the effect of understory burning on lodgepole pine killed by mountain pine beetle. The students will study controlled burns of pine stands in relation to pine regeneration, nutrient cycling or fire behaviour. Applicants should have completed at least one degree in plant ecology, environmental science, forestry, biology, or related field. Knowledge in silviculture and fire science is desirable. The position will require substantial field work and driving skill is mandatory. The project comes with support for both a stipend and field expenses. The anticipated starting date is Sep 2011. A complete application includes: statement of research interests and relevant experience, three letters of reference, and CV. For further information please contact Dr. Victor Lieffers (victor.lieffers@ualberta.ca) or Dr. Soung Ryu (soung.ryu@ualberta.ca). Posted: 12/8/10.
University of Alberta: We are looking for outstanding students to fill 3 MSc positions. All 3 students would work on an NSERC funded project focusing on how mycorrhizal fungi facilitate pine regeneration following mountain pine beetle attack. We are exploring whether needle deposition and overstory tree mortality alters ectomycorrhizal abundance, community composition and networks, and in turn whether these affect seedling regeneration. This project will combine field and greenhouse experiments, 454 Pyrosequencing technology and expertise from ecology, physiology, mycology, entomology, chemical ecology and silviculture to identify management practices to enhance forest sustainability. Funding is a combination of TA and summer support. There are opportunities for paid positions prior to the commencement of MSc studies in September 2011. This is an interdisciplinary, integrative project drawing on strengths from the labs of James Cahill, Suzanne Simard, Janice Cooke and Nadir Elbilgin. Two MSc positions will be through the Department of Biological Sciences, and the other through the Department of Renewable Resources. Admission general details can be found at the links above. If you are interested in working on this project please contact: James F Cahill, jc.cahill@ualberta.ca. Posted: 10/13/10.
University of Arizona: Graduate Research Assistant Position in Natural Resources Ecology. We have recently been awarded a National Science Foundation, Coupled Natural and Human Systems project titled "Strengthening Resilience of Arid Region Riparian Corridors: Ecohydrology and Decision-Making in the Sonora and San Pedro Watersheds". The project will link ecohydrology and decision making (individual and institutional) data and approaches to evaluate the resilience of arid riparian areas to climate change and land-use practices. We are looking for a MS or PhD candidate with background and interest in working with ecological and climate data, particularly related to water and land-use decision-making. The candidate will be synthesizing data relating to ecosystem fluxes, hydrological flows, climate, and ecosystem services. There will also be field work opportunities to help develop ecological indicator data sets that link to decision making and to monitor ecosystem responses to climate and land-use variability. This position requires a background in environmental science, ecohydrology, plant science, ecosystem ecology, environmental statistics, geography or related field. Preference will be given to applicants with expertise in Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and with explicit skills in data analysis and modeling. For details on the assistantship or graduate admissions, contact Dr. Mitchell Pavao-Zuckerman (mzucker@email.arizona.edu) with the School of Natural Resources and the Environment (see, Information for Prospective Students and Graduate Programs of Study) and Biosphere 2. Candidates selected to receive the assistantship will have a full tuition waiver and receive a stipend and benefits according to the program, - the student would start in Fall 2011. Pending satisfactory progress with project-related research and with the student's course of study, funding is available for four years. Posted: 2/18/11.
University of Arkansas: A doctoral graduate research assistantship (RA) in stream ecology and ecological stoichiometry is available in the Department of Biological Sciences in Dr. Michelle Evans-White’s laboratory. The position is funded by an NSF grant to examine resource ratio effects on detritivore-detritus interactions in Ozark streams. The RA will be expected to complete research specified within the grant proposal and will develop further research projects related to ecological stoichiometry, community interactions, and ecosystem processes in Ozark streams. The RA position starts at $20k per year starting in summer or fall 2011. Graduate fellowships of $10-20K above this starting salary are available through the Graduate School for qualified applicants. General requirements for doctoral degrees in Biological Sciences can be found on the biology website. Applicants should have a B.S. in biology, ecology, environmental sciences, or a related field; a 3.0 GPA (minimum); 1100 (V+Q) and 4 (Writing) score (minimum). Previous research or job experience in stream ecology is preferred. Please send a letter describing your interest in the project and in graduate school, a completed graduate application form ( http://biology.uark.edu/1251.htm), official copies of transcripts, GRE scores, and 3 letters of recommendation to Dr. Michelle Evans-White ( mevanswh@uark.edu), University of Arkansas, Dept. of Biological Sciences, 601 Science Engineering Building, 850 West Dickson, Fayetteville, AR 72701. The application deadline is January 15 or until the position is filled. Posted: 12/14/10.
University of Arkansas: I seek a Post-Doctoral Research Associate and PhD student for a project to develop regional ecological-flow relationships that will form the scientific framework for setting environmental flow standards and understanding impacts of global climate change in the Ozark Mountains and the state of Arkansas. Objectives are to classify stream types within Arkansas based on hydrology and geomorphology and develop regional-level hydrology-ecological response relationships for a portion of the Ozarks. We will use existing hydrologic and biological databases, along with comparative studies within the Ozarks to develop ecological-flow relationships. This study will provide the basis for conservation of many fish, crayfish and macroinvertebrate species. The post-doc and PhD student will work with a multidisciplinary team of faculty members, state and federal agency personnel, and NGO staff. This project will involve field work in the Ozark Mountains and may also involve experiments and observations in the lab. Applicants should have a BS and MS (and PhD for those seeking the post-doc) in fisheries, ecology, biology, or a related field and; 3.0 GPA (minimum); 1100 (V+Q) minimum GRE. Previous research experience with fish, invertebrates and/or streams is preferred. Strong quantitative skills and knowledge of GIS are preferred. Applicants must be responsible, motivated, and able to work independently in remote field locations. Graduate student stipend will be $18k plus full tuition waiver with potential for additional fellowships. Applications will be considered on October 15, 2010 but will be accepted until the positions are filled. Start date January 2011 is flexible. Contact me for information or email 1) a letter describing your interests and career goals, 2) your resume (including GPA and GRE scores), 3) names and telephone numbers of three references, and 4) transcripts to: Dan Magoulick, Arkansas Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, danmag@uark.edu, 479-575-5449. Posted: 9/23/10.
University of Arkansas at Monticello: MS Assistantship, Carbon and Nitrogen Dynamics in Agroforest Bioenergy Plantations, School of Forest Resources. The successful candidate will work on a SARE, SUNGRANT, and AFRI funded project developing cottonwood/switchgrass agroforest systems for supplying cellulosic bioenergy feedstock in the Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley (LMAV). The project is a coordinated effort between scientists in Arkansas and Louisiana. The MS assistantship will focus on carbon and nitrogen dynamics in bioenergy agroforests (cottonwood, switchgrass, and combined cottonwood/switchgrass cropping systems) compared to that in traditional agriculture ecosystems that are commonly grown on marginal soils in the LMAV. The student will investigate these dynamics in relation to the carbon sequestration and nitrogen retention. Nitrogen mineralization, nitrogen loss, and CO2 gas flux are will be monitored within this the study area to support the project. See the more detailed description of the assistantship and project. A 2.7 overall undergraduate GPA or 3.0 GPA in the last 60 semester hours of undergraduate courses and satisfactory GRE scores (verbal+quantitative ~1000). A B.S. degree in environmental science, biology, soils, agriculture, forestry or a related field is also required. Be able to drive an automobile in the U.S. The assistantship is half-time, includes a stipend of $15k/year, a tuition waiver, and support for research and travel to conferences. The School of Forest Resources and Arkansas Forest Resources Center are regionally and nationally recognized for their Natural Resource Research and Education activities. The SFR and the AFRC performs research on a variety of topics and issues and is currently undergoing a $6 million dollar building expansion Send a brief statement of interest and resume to Dr. Hal O. Liechty, School of Forest Resources, UAM, P.O. Box 3468, Monticello AR 71656. Phone:870-460-1452, E-Mail: Liechty@uamont.edu. See also: Graduate materials and information. Deadline: 5/15/2011. Posted: 2/1/11.
University of Arkansas-Monticello: M.S. Assistantship: Forest Science “Multifunctional management of natural origin southern pine forests to improve ecosystem services”. The School of Forest Resources is seeking a highly motivated M.S. student interested in natural and plantation origin southern pine stands in terms of traditional forest commodities, carbon offset credits and bio-feedstock production potential. The 2-yr graduate assistantship includes $15k/yr stipend and a tuition waiver. Qualifications: Applicants should have an undergraduate degree in forestry, ecology, natural resources management, or related fields. Individuals need to be self-starters, able to work outdoors during inclement conditions, and have a valid driver license. Applications: Start date for this assistantship is August 2011, but accommodations can be made for as early as May. For additional information or to apply, please contact: Dr. Jamie Schuler, University of Arkansas-Monticello, School of Forest Resources, P.O. Box 3468, Monticello, AR 71656. E-mail: schuler@uamont.edu; Phone: 870-460-1448. Posted: 1/28/11.
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff: M.S. in Stream Ecosystem Health. The graduate student will work with faculty and other students to conduct: (1) Field investigation of nutrients, sediments, and other water quality parameters in streams; (2) Watershed assessment; (3) Stream biological (macroinvertebrates and fish) monitoring; and (4) Data analysis with statistical tools. The student will get training in water quality/biological field monitoring, laboratory instrument analysis, and quantitative computer software modeling. Research results will be presented in national or international academic conferences and published in peer reviewed journals. Minimum qualifications: B.S. in aquatic ecology, zoology, fisheries/aquaculture, biology, environmental sciences or related field. GPA of 3.0 and GRE score of 1,000+ (verbal +quantitative). A TOEFL score of 550 (paper) or 213 (computer) is required for international candidates. Strong English communication and writing skills and computer proficiency are preferred. The potential student must meet eligibility requirements for admission into the graduate program in the Department of Aquaculture and Fisheries, UAPB. Stipend: (Year 1 $17,800; Year 2+ $18,800). Pre-Application: A current resume with GRE/TOEFL scores, unofficial transcripts, and name and email contact information of three references are needed to be sent to Dr. Yushun Chen at ychen@uaex.edu. Closing Date: Open until filled. Contact: Dr. Yushun Chen Assistant Professor Center/Department of Aquaculture and Fisheries, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff 1200 N. University Drive, Mail Slot 4912, Pine Bluff, AR 71601, U.S.A. Phone: 870-575-8136, Fax: 870-575-4639, E-mail: ychen@uaex.edu. Posted: 6/30/11.
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff: M.S.Research Assistantship in Water Quaity/Aquatic Ecosystem Management. Funding is available from USDA and the State of Arkansas to manage water quality and aquatic ecosystem health in fish ponds and streams/watersheds, southern Arkansas. The student will work with our aquatic crew to conduct: 1. Field investigation of dissolved oxygen and its dynamics in fish ponds; 2. Nutrients and other water quality monitoring in fish ponds; 3. Investigation of fish length and weight, and other production characteristics; 4. Water quality monitoring in streams within urbanized and agricultural watersheds; 5. Biological (fish/invertebrates) monitoring in the above mentioned streams; 5. Watershed land use and land cover with GIS applications; 6. Data analysis with statistical tools. The student will get extensive training in biotic and abiotic field monitoring, laboratory instrument analysis, and quantitative computer software modeling. Research results will be presented in national or international academic conferences and published in peer reviewed journals. Pre-Application: A current resume with GRE scores, research interest, and name and email contact information of at least three references are needed to be sent to Dr. Yushun Chen (ychen@uaex.edu), Aquaculture/Fisheries Center. Posted: 11/22/10.
University of Auckland: We are re-advertising for applications to a PhD project at the University of Auckland in collaboration with Landcare Research focussed on pest mammal behavior and interactions with control devices in relation to maximizing detection probabilities. This PhD is part of a larger programme of research aimed at improving the cost-effectiveness of both aerial and ground-based control and eradication of mammal pests for the protection of New Zealand’s indigenous biota and livestock health. The student will have scope in selecting fieldwork locations, methods, and the species of interest in consultation with supervisors. The project will be suited to a student with interests in statistics, fieldwork, pest control and mammal biology. Expected start date is mid 2011 with fieldwork commencing by the end of the year. The position will remain open until filled, but for strongest consideration applications (CV, university grades and 2-3 references) should be received before March 31 2011. A first decision will be made in mid-April and all applicants contacted by the end of April. Preferred selection criteria: • Completion of 1st-class or high second-class honours or a Master of Science (MSc). • High GPA in order for application to Doctoral scholarships (>7.5/9) • Interest in both quantitative and qualitative research design, methodology and analysis • Interest in undertaking field-based mammal research, especially related to pest control • An enjoyment of the outdoors and confidence in working in remote locations that frequently experience extreme weather. • Willingness to engage with external stakeholders, such as private companies, regional councils, and government departments • Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills • Willingness to work as part of a large interdisciplinary team. Both domestic and international applications are encouraged. For a full project brief please contact Dr. James Russell. Posted: 3/17/11.
University of Bonn: PhD fellowship on hydrological dimension of dryland afforestation in Central Asia. ZEF is looking for a candidate to conduct a PhD study as a part of the interdisciplinary research project “Opportunities for climate change adaptation and mitigation through afforestation of degraded lands in Central Asia”, which was initiated by ZEF in 2009 with a financial support from the Robert Bosch Stiftung. The hydrological component of the project will aim to examine water use by mixed-species tree plantations established on degraded, highly salinized cropland, tree-groundwater interaction and potential impacts on water balance from introducing trees in irrigated croplands. The fellowship will provide a stipend and research funds to pursue this doctoral study. Requirements for the applicants: - Master’s degree in natural sciences; - experience in (hydrological) modeling; - (agro)forestry background is advantageous; - good writing skills in English; - team-work orientation. Start and duration of the PhD study: Starting with developing a full research proposal in May 2011 at ZEF and proceeding with the field work in August 2011. The duration of the scholarship period is 3 years. Duty station: During fieldwork: Khorezm province, Uzbekistan and Beruny province, Karakalpakstan; Otherwise: Bonn, Germany. The eligible candidates are invited to send their applications via email including: - a letter of motivation; - a concept note (2-3pp) that would outline the research proposal on the suggested topic, including problem statement, research objectives and suitable methodologies; - Curriculum Vitae, - and copies of certificates, to: Inken Rabbel, Center for Development Research (ZEF), Walter Flex Str., 3, 53113 Bonn, Germany. E-mail: irabbel@uni-bonn.de, Tel: +49 228 734927, Fax: +49 228 731889. Closing date for submitting the application is May 1, 2011. Posted: 3/24/11.
University of British Columbia: The Biodiversity Research Centre would like to announce the availability of BRITE Graduate Fellowships available through our NSERC-CREATE Training Program in Biodiversity Research. The Biodiversity Research Centre is a world-class collection of researchers in ecology, evolution, and organismal diversity. See the links above for details. Interested students of any nationality are eligible to apply. Students are encouraged first to contact possible faculty mentors from the Centre, and mentors will forward names of interested students to the fellowship adjudication committee. Posted: 11/15/10.
University of California Berkeley: A well-funded Ph.D. opportunity is available starting Fall 2011 for a student to conduct insect population dynamics experiments. This work will be related to efforts to improve and test realistic stage-structured population modeling and statistical analysis methods. The student need not conduct modeling research but would benefit from an interest in combining models and data to understand population dynamics. Interested candidates should inquire with Perry de Valpine at pdevalpine@berkeley.edu. Posted: 9/16/10.
University of California Los Angeles: Ph.D. Position in Tropical Biogeochemistry beginning Fall 2012 (application deadline December 2011). Daniela Cusack, Department of Geography. Our lab focus is in ecosystem science and tropical ecology, with an emphasis on biogeographic gradients and global change. We examine how interacting change factors (e.g. nitrogen deposition, warming, land-use change, fire regime) drive changes in plant-soil-microbe processes, with an emphasis on ecosystem carbon storage and cycling. In addition to altering plant productivity and carbon inputs to soils, global change can directly alter soil carbon storage via changes in microbial activity, decomposition, and soil chemical properties. Our current projects are: 1) Effects of urbanization on the biogeochemistry of Latin American forests; 2) Changes in above- and belowground carbon storage with interacting change factors in tropical ecosystems; 3) Effects of wildfire on plant-soil-microbe interactions in California savanna-oak woodlands. Our work is done primarily in collaboration with the San Juan Urban Long-Term Research Area (ULTRA) in Puerto Rico, and with the Santa Monica Mountain Conservancy. The student will have flexibility to explore questions that fall within the broad framework outlined above. The student is expected to have strong interests in ecology, soils, and biogeochemistry. Students interested in working with the ULTRA will be encouraged to include a social outreach component to their work, so Spanish proficiency is a plus. An undergraduate degree in biology, ecology, chemistry, environmental studies, or related field is preferred, though applicants with relevant research experience and coursework will be considered. The position stipend will be $20k to start with health insurance and a full tuition waiver. To apply please send the following items in a single PDF file to Daniela Cusack (dcusack@geog.ucla.edu): letter of interests/experience, CV, unofficial transcripts, and the names and contact information for three professional references. Posted: 6/13/11.
University of California Los Angeles: The graduate program in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at UCLA invites applications from prospective Ph.D. and Masters students. Graduate students in our department conduct research all over the world on a wide range of organisms and have full access to the outstanding facilities and resources that the University of California offers. Generous 5-year support packages are provided to all incoming PhD students. Areas of specialization within the department include behavioral ecology, conservation biology, ecology, evolutionary biology, marine biology, paleobiology, plant biology, physiological ecology, theoretical ecology, and tropical biology. Our department includes 27 regular faculty with a broad range of research interests and expertise. For a complete list of faculty and their research interests, see http://www.eeb.ucla.edu/faculty.php The official application deadline for Fall 2011 admission is Dec 1, but applications received by Dec 31, 2010 will still be given full consideration. Apply online. Posted: 11/22/10.
University of California, Santa Barbara: Ph.D. Positions in Urban Climate and Vegetation. Two graduate assistantships are available to study land-atmosphere fluxes and vegetation in urban and suburban areas. The projects involve using flux data, remote sensing/GIS, and models to understand how vegetation affects the carbon, water, and energy budgets of developed land over large regions. Students with research interests in micrometeorology, remote sensing, or data analysis, and a desire to collaborate on an interdisciplinary science team are encouraged to apply. Candidates must have a B.S. or M.S. degree in atmospheric science, engineering, biogeoscience, physical geography, or a related environmental science discipline. The graduate application deadline is Dec. 15, 2010. For inquiries and details on applying, contact Prof. Joe McFadden (mcfadden@geog.ucsb.edu) and send a c.v. and a statement of your research interests. Posted: 11/23/10.
University of California, Santa Cruz: A graduate student assistantship to start in the Fall of 2011 in the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Department on a recently funded NSF grant is available for an outstanding student interested in studying the impacts and transmission dynamics of a recently emerged pathogen (*Geomyces destructans*) causing White Nose Syndrome in hibernating bats. White Nose Syndrome is a devastating new disease affecting hibernating bats in eastern North America. Dissertation research will be focused on understanding disease dynamics of White Nose Syndrome at multiple scales. Graduate research will require intensive field study efforts as well as quantitative analysis and a strong passion for conservation and ecology. The most qualified applicants will have experience working in difficult field settings, a quantitative background, and an ability to face challenges and think creatively. Prior field experience with bats or disease ecology is a plus, but not required. Interested applicants should submit the following items: 1) a C.V. with GPA, GREs, and 3 references, 2) a 1-2 page description of research interests and experience, and 3) a 1-2 page statement outlining 3 potential research questions for projects aimed at understanding the ecology and/or impact of White Nose Syndrome. Each of the three proposed thesis ideas should include a testable hypothesis, justification or rationale for its importance, and a brief description of methods for how the research could be carried out to test the hypothesis. Applications should be submitted in a single file (pdf, Word, or .rtf) by email to: Dr. A. Marm Kilpatrick (marm@biology.ucsc.edu) and Dr. Winifred Frick (wfrick@batresearch.org) with the Subject line: GRADUATE STUDENT ASSISTANTSHIP – DISEASE ECOLOGY. Posted: 6/20/11.
University of Calgary: I (Jeremy Fox) am seeking a graduate student (M.Sc. or Ph.D.) to start in Sept. 2011 or Jan. 2012. Work in my lab encompasses several lines of question-driven research in population, community, and eco-evolutionary dynamics. Potential research topics for new students include: -Spatial synchrony of population dynamics -Food web structure and stability -Evolution of resource requirements (stoichiometry) and resource acquisition traits in bacteria. Work in my lab places a strong emphasis on linking theoretical models to data, using experiments in tractable model systems (primarily microcosms of bacteria and protists). My lab currently comprises an active group of three graduate students, funded by an NSERC Discovery Grant. Guaranteed funding of approximately $20k CAD per year for 4 years (Ph.D.; 2 years M.Sc.) is available to qualified students through a combination of TAships, GAships, and scholarships. The University of Calgary is one of the largest research universities in Canada. The Dept. of Biological Sciences is the largest dept. on campus, with over 170 graduate students, about 40% of whom are in ecology & evolution. Students interested in applying should first email me (jefox@ucalgary.ca). Please include a description of your background, interests, and long-term goals, and why my lab would be a good fit for you. Please also include a transcript (unofficial is fine). Posted: 9/23/10.
University of Cincinnati: Graduate Positions in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. The Department of Biological Sciences is recruiting highly talented students wishing to pursue graduate degrees (MS or Ph.D.). The department is integrative with strengths in Ecological areas such as Behavior (Buschbeck, Jayne, Layne, Polak, Rollmann, and Uetz), Populations and Communities (Cameron, Culley, Lentz, Matter, Maurer, and Petren), and Ecosystems (Buffam, Maurer, and Shann) as well as Ecological and Evolutionary mechanisms at Genetic and Genomic levels (Baucom, Buchholz, Culley, Gross, and Petren). Inter-departmental collaborations promote basic Ecology relating to Landscape Ecology (Buffam, Cameron, Culley, Lentz, and Matter) and Biogeochemistry (Buffam and Shann). Additionally faculty have specialized interests ranging from climate change, invasive species, and co-evolution to nutrient cycling and urbanization. The department offers competitive support packages for qualified students. Interested students are encouraged to look at the web pages of individual faculty members and contact them for further information. More information: graduate studies in the department of Biological Sciences | Graduate admission. Posted: 11/16/10.
University of Cincinnati: We are looking for a motivated MS or possibly Ph.D. student to participate in an NSF funded project. The research investigates rising treeline in the front ranges of the Canadian Rocky Mountains and its effects on alpine species. The ideal candidate would have interests in Ecology, Forestry, or Conservation with skills in GIS and mapping using GPS. The research involves strenuous hiking in alpine areas thus participants must be able to cope with harsh climates and conditions necessary for field work. The Department of Biological Sciences offers competitive graduate assistantships and stipends. Applicants must be available beginning June 2011 with matriculation in Fall 2011. For more information and application instructions please contact: Dr. Stephen F. Matter (513-556-9768; mattersf@uc.edu). Posted: 9/14/10.
University of Connecticut: One NSF funded PhD assistantship in Forest Ecology. The onset of crown collisions is implicated to influence canopy structure and function by reducing leaf area, inducing crown asymmetry and increasing light in the understory. Student will examine the relationship between canopy structure and tree sway dynamics and explore implications for its fundamental role in forest stand dynamics, such as age related decline. Furthermore, the collaborative nature of the larger project allows for innovative interdisciplinary work with atmospheric scientists and models. Experience with data loggers and field work is preferred. Position begins either Fall of 2011 or Spring 2012. Interested persons should contact Dr. Mark Rudnicki, mark.rudnicki@uconn.edu. Along with a letter of interest, please send your C.V., unofficial transcripts and GRE scores. Posted: 6/23/11.
University of Delaware: Postdoctoral and PhD student positions available for coral ocean acidification project in U.S. Available immediately: One postdoc position and one PhD student position to join a recently funded research project investigating the physiological impacts of ocean acidification, temperature and nutrients on reef building corals. These positions will be through the University of Delaware and based on the marine campus of the College of Earth, Ocean, and Environment in Lewes DE. Desired (but not required) qualifications for the student position are a Masters in biological science, experience in coral, algal, or plant physiology and/or molecular biology. Qualifications for the postdoc are a PhD in marine or biological science, with a focus on ocean acidification, photosynthesis research and/or algal and cnidarian physiology. Current funding is for two years, with an expected continuation of funding for the student position beyond this project. Please submit applications/inquires electronically to Dr. Mark Warner at mwarner@udel.edu. Please include the subject line “graduate student application” or “postdoc application” in your email. For students, please include in a single pdf file: a statement of your research experience and goals, CV, GRE scores, unofficial transcript and the names and contact information for three references. Applications to graduate school here. For postdocs, please include a single pdf file containing, cover letter, CV, and the names and contact information of three references. Posted: 11/11/10.
University of Florida: Graduate Research Assistantship in Tropical Forest Ecology in the School of Forest Resources and Conservation. The M.S. or Ph.D. research assistantship begins preferably in the fall 2011 or winter 2012, but possibly summer or fall 2012. I study forest structure/dynamics, carbon cycling and tree species distributions from local to regional scales using a combination of field data, remote sensing and modeling. I am looking for a graduate student who is interested in one or more of these areas. The ideal candidate is highly motivated and self-directed; has a background and/or interest in ecology or forestry; has quantitative skills in math, statistics, GIS and/or remote sensing; demonstrated writing skills; has worked on and completed independent research project(s); can provide at least 2 excellent references if requested. Qualifications: A bachelor’s or master’s degree in biology, ecology, environmental science and/or demonstrated interest and competence/experience in ecology, modeling or GIS/remote sensing . Please email (1) a resume/CV, with GRE scores listed if available and (2) a letter stating your interests, background, qualifications and long-term goals to Dr. Stephanie Bohlman (sbohlman@ufl.edu). The assistantship will include (1) a tuition waiver, (2) an annual stipend of $16k and (3) health insurance. UF offers an excellent across discipline support and intellectual community for students involved in ecology and conservation, especially focused in tropical regions. Posted: 6/24/11.
University of Florida: Graduate Research Assistantship in Tropical Forest Ecology in the School of Forest Resources and Conservation. The M.S. or Ph.D. research assistantship begins in August 2011. I am seeking a highly motivated, quantitatively skilled graduate student to work on tropical forest ecology. I study landscape patterns of species distribution, carbon cycling and forest structure/dynamics using a combination of modeling, remote sensing and field data. I am looking for a graduate student who is interested in one or more of these areas. My website (link below) provides more details on the types of projects in which I am involved. Qualifications: A bachelor’s or master’s degree in biology, ecology, environmental science and demonstrated interest and competence/experience in ecology, modeling or GIS/remote sensing. Please email a resume and a letter stating your interests, background, qualifications and long-term goals to Dr. Stephanie Bohlman (sbohlman@ufl.edu). The assistantship will include an annual stipend, tuition and fees. Posted: 3/4/11.
University of Florida: PhD Research Position in Land Biogeochemistry Modeling. Applications are invited for a PhD Level student to fill a graduate research position available in the Soil and Water Science Department. Financial support includes a annual stipend, support for travel to scientific meetings, and tuition waiver (which covers approximately 90% of tuition and fees), and health insurance. The position is scheduled to begin in summer 2011. The successful applicant will use and develop a dynamic vegetation model to probe our understanding of land biogeochemical cycles, and how terrestrial carbon and nutrient dynamics feed back into the larger Earth system. Possible topics include land carbon sequestration, sensitivity of nutrient dynamics to shifts in climate, interactions of carbon and nutrients, disturbance of land biogeochemistry from land-use and effects of nutrient pollution on land ecosystem. There exist opportunities to evaluate the model on regional scales i.e. developing and applying the model to questions related to the Florida landscape and local environmental health. Applicants should have an undergraduate or graduate degree in biology, ecology, climatology, geography, computer science, or a related field. The ideal candidate should have a strong quantitative background and knowledge of basic programming languages such as C or FORTRAN. Candidates are most welcome to further inquire about the position. Contact: Stefan Gerber, University of Florida IFAS, Soil and Water Science Department, PO Box 110290 | G175 McCarty, Gainesville, FL, 32611-0510. ph 352-392-1951 #244 fax 352-392-3902, sgerber@ufl.edu. Posted: 1/18/11.
University of Florida: The University of Florida Water Institute seeks applicants for up to 6 Ph.D. Fellows to join an interdisciplinary team working on complex, emerging issues related to nutrient dynamics, management and policy in watersheds. The 4-year fellowships include a $25k stipend, tuition waiver and health insurance. Fellows will explore interdisciplinary research issues affecting watershed management in the face of EPA's new nutrient criteria for Florida waters. We seek students who have: 1) an interest in integrative, cross-disciplinary research, 2) a passion for understanding interactions between human and natural systems, and 3) an eagerness to develop research in one facet of the program, i.e. nutrient best management practices, hydrologic processes, riverine nutrient processing, ecological consequences of nutrient enrichment, paleolimnology, environmental policy and governance, and systems modeling. Fellows will be supported by an internal research grants program and will benefit from international field experiences and integrative activities that enhance interdisciplinary skills. Applicants must have a Masters degree in natural sciences, social sciences or engineering with strong demonstrated interest in water issues. For more information and the online application visit http://waterinstitute.ufl.edu/WIGF or contact Wendy Graham, Director of the UF Water Institute at wgraham@ufl.edu, or 352-392-5893 x 2113. Applications are due by 2/11/2011. Posted: 1/4/11.
University of Florida: Ecosystem Ecology Graduate Assistantships in the Department of Biology. Research projects are aimed at understanding how terrestrial northern latitude ecosystems will respond to global climate change. The research focuses on the response of plants and soils to environmental change, and in understanding how natural ecosystems store and exchange carbon and nutrients. Summer research is centered in Fairbanks, and study areas are distributed across Alaska. All projects involve collecting data and samples from field sites, processing samples in the laboratory in Florida, analyzing data, and presenting oral and written research results. Contact Dr. Ted Schuur (tschuur@ufl.edu) or Dr. Michelle Mack (mcmack@ufl.edu). Applications are due on December. 15, 2010. Posted: 11/4/10.
University of Georgia: M.S. or Ph.D. assistantship available in the Odum School of Ecology to study aspects of watershed land use change and nutrient loading on stream ecosystem structure and function. This work will involve landscape-scale studies linking watershed characteristics to biotic response (microbial and macroinvertebrate) as well as opportunities in education and outreach. The Ideal candidate would have previous experience with multiple components of stream ecosystems (carbon and nutrient flux, micro- and macro-organisms, and quantitative analyses) and excellent written and oral communication skills. Spatial analysis skills are additionally desirable. Research funding could begin as early as fall 2011, with potential opportunities to defer until January 2012. Applicants should send a letter of intent, with a CV, including 3 references with contact information, GPA and GRE scores to Dr. Amy Rosemond, Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia (rosemond@uga.edu) by July 15 for consideration for fall admission. Posted: 6/20/11.
University of Georgia: PH. D. Assistantship – Hydrology of isolated wetlands. Objective: To investigate the hydrologic connectivity of isolated wetlands with surface water flows within the lower Flint River Basin, a karst region of the State (the Dougherty Plain) with numerous depressional wetlands. Specifically, this project will: a) characterize isolated wetland recharge and discharge mechanisms; b) quantify potential flow pathways between cropland, wetlands and the underlying regional unconfined aquifer; and c) identify hydrologic and climatic conditions that result in surface water connectivity with streams and rivers. The graduate research project will build upon an on-going long-term study of depressional wetlands in the coastal plain of Georgia. Student will complete coursework at the University of Georgia campus and then relocate to Ichauway, J. W. Jones Ecological Research Center (Newton, GA), for duration of fieldwork period and dissertation completion. The 3-year Assistantship is jointly funded by UGA and the Jones Center. Graduate stipend and housing will be provided while in residence at Ichauway. Anticipated starting date is August 2011. Requirements: Candidate must have a B.S. or M.S. in Natural Resource Management with emphasis in Soil Ecology and Hydrology and demonstration of strong quantitative skills. Interest and experience in Landscape Ecology, Remote Sensing (e.g., LIDAR), GIS and Wetlands Ecology preferred. Graduate student will be co-advised with Dr. Jeffrey Hepinstall-Cymerman, UGA Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, and Dr. George Vellidis, National Environmentally Sustainable Agricultural Laboratory, Tifton, GA, and Dr. Katherine Kirkman, Jones Ecological Research Center. For more information, contact: Dr. Katherine Kirkman (229-734-4706, kkirkman@jonesctr.org) Dr. Jeffrey Hepinstall (706-583-8097, jhepinstall@warnell.uga.edu). Posted: 3/21/11.
University of Georgia: Forest Production Ecology. As part of a multidisciplinary study of woody biofuel production funded by the USDA Agriculture and Food Research Initiative, a PhD Assistantship is available in applied ecology to examine resource use, growth efficiency and intercepted radiation of loblolly pine stands across a wide range of sites and environmental conditions in the southeastern US. The assistantship ($23k/yr, plus full tuition waiver) is available starting Summer or Fall 2011. Applicants should have a BS or MS in Forestry, Ecology, Natural Resources or a related field. For more information, please contact Dr. Robert Teskey, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia Athens GA 30602, rteskey@uga.edu. Posted: 1/19/11.
University of Georgia: PhD Position: Soil Carbon Cycle Geochemistry. We are inviting applications for a PhD student to study carbon cycle dynamics and carbon stabilization mechanisms across a chronosequence of land conversion to Management Intensive Grazing Dairies (MiGD). MiGDs manage their animals and pastures in fundamentally different ways than conventional confinement dairies and conventional no-till pastures resulting in unique biogeochemical transformations of carbon. The central goal of this project is to understand how this emerging land use conversion will impact the regional C-cycles. The project team involves PI expertise in ruminant metabolism, forage biochemistry, and soil geochemistry, ecology and biogeochemistry. This 3-year PhD-level assistantship position will focus on applying state-of-the-art analytical and spectroscopic techniques to characterize carbon gas fluxes and soil organic matter and mineral composition. The project calls for coupling careful application of 13-C labeled substrates with spatial and chemical characterization of the mineral-carbon interface in field and laboratory experiments. We are seeking highly motivated candidates with a strong interest integrating carbon cycle science from the ecosystem the molecular scale. Applicants should hold a MS degree (or equivalent) in environmental sciences, ecology, geology, mineralogy, chemistry, or a related natural science discipline. Excellent written and oral communication skills are essential. The project will allow the successful candidate to gain collaborative experience in soil biogeochemistry, stable isotopes, NMR, plant physiological ecology and carbon cycle science. The project is a collaboration between the University of Georgia, Clemson University, and the UC Santa Cruz. UGA maintains a strong focus on interdisciplinary ecological research and teaching. Applications for the position should be submitted as a single pdf file to Aaron Thompson (AaronT@uga.edu). Please include an application letter, CV, statement of research interests and motivation, and contact information for 2-3 potential referees. Posted: 1/4/11.
University of Georgia: I (Rick Lankau) am currently recruiting highly motivated Ph.D. students to join my new lab group in the Department of Plant Biology for Fall 2011. Research interests include evolutionary, population, and community ecology of plants and associated soil microbes. Current funded projects address 1) evolutionary responses in native plants and soil communities to an allelopathic invasive species, and 2) biogeography of rhizosphere fungi (mycorrhizal fungi, endophytes, and pathogens) across host tree ranges, and their role in tree species range migrations in response to climate change. Interested students can contact me at ralankau@illinois.edu. The Department has a strong program in ecology and evolutionary biology, as well as close connections with the Odum School of Ecology, the Warnell School of Foresty and Natural Resources, and the Savannah River Ecology Laboratory. Ongoing research in the Department investigates fundamental ecological and evolutionary questions at scales ranging from molecules to ecosystems. Particular strengths include ecophysiology, community ecology, evolutionary ecology and population genetics. Graduate fellowships, assistantships, research support and travel grants are available for qualified candidates. Applications are due on December 15th. Posted: 11/24/10.
University of Georgia: I am recruiting MS and PhD students to join my lab group in the Odum School of Ecology. The research in my lab focuses on the biogeochemical cycles of terrestrial ecosystems and global change. Recent and ongoing work in the lab includes examinations of nutrient limitation on ecosystem processes, plant-soil relationships and the role of root symbioses (mycorrhizas and nitrogen fixation) in the nutrient cycles of temperate and tropical forests. I am seeking graduate students with a strong interest in nutrient cycles, plant-soil relationships and/or soil ecology to join my lab in the summer or fall of 2011. Students will have the opportunity to develop research projects in temperate or tropical ecosystems (see lab website for more details). Interested students should contact Nina Wurzburger (ninawurz@gmail.com) with a CV and a brief statement of research interests. Posted: 11/22/10.
University of Georgia: Dr Andrew Park's disease modeling lab is seeking to recruit 2 PhD students. Both projects have significant funding available, and students may be eligible for further awards. One project will develop ecological/evolutionary models alongside existing data sets to understand how pathogens evolve on short time scales when interacting with the environment. The other project will aim to explain the transmission of a coral disease in the Florida Keys, using a combination of data analysis and modeling (and potentially some field work involving scuba diving). Applicants should have a demonstrable interest in the quantitative side of ecology and a willingness to learn how to connect data and theory. In the first instance, applicants are asked to contact Dr Park (awpark@uga.edu) with a brief CV including a short statement of research interests. Posted: 10/12/10.
University of Georgia-Griffin: PhD Graduate Student Research Assistantship available to study nitrogen cycling and microorganisms involved in nitrogen cycling under differently managed agricultural systems using molecular, functional and process based approaches. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in soils and/or microbiology. For more information, please contact Mussie Habteselassie (mussieh@uga.edu). The Griffin Campus is located less than one hour drive from downtown Atlanta. Posted: 4/5/11.
University of Göttingen: The working group Biodiversity, Macroecology and Conservation Biogeography seeks applicants for one PhD position in Ecology starting October 1, 2010, or later. The DFG-funded project aims at developing demographic models for vascular epiphytes and at ultimately integrating this group of plants into major process-based forest models (FORMIND). The PhD work also involves field work in Panama and in Brazil. The successful candidate will be responsible for developing demographic simulation models at both local and metapopulation scales as well as simulating scenarios of spatial-temporal distributions of epiphytes within forest fragments. Strong quantitative and computational skills and some experience with modeling techniques (C++ and/or R) are required. Experience with field work in the tropics, possibly with vascular epiphytes, is a plus. The position will include cooperation with Prof. Gerhard Zotz (working group Functional Ecology - University of Oldenburg, Germany). The position will be for 3 years with a salary in accordance with the German state regulated public service salary scale (50% E 13 TV-L). Applications should be sent as a single pdf-file to Dr. Juliano Sarmento Cabral, jsarmen*uni-goettingen.de, and will be accepted until the position is filled. The file must include: Letter of motivation (including eventual field work and modeling experiences), CV and up to two recommendation letters. For more information, do not hesitate to contact: Dr. Juliano Sarmento Cabral: jsarmen@uni-goettingen.de, Prof. Dr. Gerhard Zotz: gerhard.zotz@uni-oldenburg.de, Prof. Dr. Holger Kreft: hkreft@uni-goettingen.de. Posted: 8/12/10.
University of Guelph: Metacommunity dynamics should play a critical role in the assembly of plant communities, based on the potential influences of dispersal, source-sink dynamics, stochastic factors, and trait-based species sorting. Using combined experimental, demographic, and/or statistical approaches, this project will test the relative influence of these factors with a unique large-scale (45 acre), long-term assembly experiment in tallgrass prairie in southern Ontario. I seek a highly-motivated PhD candidate with a theoretical or field-based empirical background to use this project as the basis for their dissertation research, starting 2011 or 2012. The direction and scope of the research will be self-determined based on interest and background. Possible topics include (but are not limited to): whether population, community, and ecosystem-level responses to metacommunity processes are synergistically linked or unfold independently during assembly; whether producer, herbivore, and predator responses are synergistically linked or unfold independently during assembly; the degree to which the relative strengths of metacommunity processes vary at different stages of assembly; whether the size, shape, and connectivity of metacommunity patches influence their stability and functioning; and how extrinsic influences associated with climate change, fire, and herbivory deflect or intensify assembly trajectories. The successful student will be remunerated with a combination of fellowships, research or teaching assistantships, with funding guaranteed for three years. Please submit a letter of interest and CV including grades to Dr. Andrew MacDougall, Department of Integrative Biology (amacdo02@uoguelph.ca). Posted: 3/24/11.
University of Helsinki: We are looking for a PhD student with a background in population or community ecology, and an interest in parasitoids, to join the Metacommunity Ecology Group, which is part of the Metapopulation Research Group. Potential research topics are (1) parasitoid metacommunity structure, (2) sex ratio and spatial population structure of contrasting parasitoid species, and (3) patterns and mechanisms of parasitoid virulence and host susceptibility. The project will have a field and laboratory component and, depending on the student can also have a mathematical component. The applicant must have a Masters Degree or equivalent. We have a strong international research environment with opportunities for mixing among ecologists, molecular ecologists 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 enquiries to Saskya van Nouhuys (saskya@cornell.edu). 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 references. We will begin interviews in November 2010, and the position will start spring 2011. Posted: 8/27/10.
University of Houston: The Department of Biology and Biochemistry welcomes applications for its graduate program in Evolutionary Biology and Ecology for Fall 2011. The following faculty in the area of Evolutionary Biology and Ecology have opportunities available for their labs: Blaine Cole (bcole@uh.edu) - Evolution and social behavior Dan Graur (dgraur@uh.edu) - Theoretical molecular evolution Dan Wells (dwells@uh.edu) - Evolution of development and behavior Diane Wiernasz (dwiernasz@uh.edu) - Sexual selection George Fox (fox@uh.edu) - Experimental evolution and origin of life Gregg Roman (gwroman@uh.edu) - Evolution of behavior Rebecca Zufall (rzufall@uh.edu) - Genome and molecular evolution Ricardo Azevedo (razevedo@uh.edu) - Evolutionary genetics Steve Pennings (spennings@uh.edu) - Community ecology Tim Cooper (tcooper@central.uh.edu) - Experimental evolution Tony Frankino (wafranki@central.uh.edu) - Evolution of complex traits Yuriy Fofanov (yfofanov@bioinfo.uh.edu) - Evolutionary bioinformatics. For more information regarding the Evolutionary Biology and Ecology graduate program at UH see: http://www.uh.edu/admissions/graduate/ The deadline for application of prospective students is April 1st, 2011, but students are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Posted: 12/10/10.
University of Hull: Predicting biological invasions: a phylogenetic approach. Supervisor: Dr. Isabella Capellini, Co-Supervisors: Dr. Chris Venditti, Dr Darren Evans, Department of Biological Sciences. We are inviting applications for this NERC-funded PhD studentship to commence in October 2011. Aim of the project: Non-native 'invasive' species are one of the major causes of the loss of native biodiversity, can alter ecosystem dynamics, and lead to considerable economic impacts. The strategies to cope with invasive species are often planned after the invader is well established and has colonized large areas; as a result the costs of eradication are high and often impractical. Preventing invasion is therefore the best strategy to avoid longterm environmental damage and economic costs. However, predicting potential invaders before they colonize habitats is at present a poorly resolved task. This project will systematically test what biological characteristics known invaders share across a range of phylogenetic lineages, from plants to vertebrates and invertebrates, using cuttingedge phylogenetic comparative methods. The project will provide (i) comprehensive answers to the key question of what biological traits successful invaders share and identify potential differences across lineages and ecosystems; (ii) a much needed screening tool for predicting the potential for successful invasion of species introduced in the UK; and (iii) fundamental information for assessing the invasive potential of species under different scenarios of climate change. Working at the cutting edge of ecology and evolutionary biology within the Department of Biological Sciences, the student will acquire cutting edge statistical methods, fundamental theoretical knowledge and critical thinking skills within a highly stimulating and lively research environment. The project will also address a key problem in conservation biology with potential applications for policy-makers and land managers. Entry requirement: A first degree (at least an Upper Second Class Honours or equivalent) in biology, ecology, conservation biology or related discipline. A Masters degree in a relevant discipline will be an advantage. Please refer to the NERC eligibility criteria To apply: a CV, covering letter and names of 2 referees should be sent to Sarah Richards (S.Richards@hull.ac.uk) by 6th June 2011. Informal enquiries to: Isabella Capellini (I.Capellini@qub.ac.uk). Posted: 5/19/11.
University of Idaho:[position filled] A PhD research assistantship is available to evaluate impacts of Pacific Northwest woody energy crop plantations on dynamics of soil productivity and ecohydrology. Feedstocks from large-scale poplar coppice plantations will be used for production of cellulosic biofuels in an interdisciplinary project. Soil productivity research involves assessing soil chemical, physical and biological responses to poplar coppice culture, including soil gas exchange, extracellular enzyme activity, substrate induced respiration, and ion exchange. Ecohydrology will determine storm runoff and soil erosion impacts, including off-site movement of sediments and agricultural products using automated Isco samplers. Impact assessments will compare woody coppice culture relative to traditional agricultural cropping systems. Selected candidate will meet research standards by having good work ethic, strong quantitative skills, demonstrated publication potential, and effective team-membership qualities. Prior soil and hydrology courses and work experiences are highly desirable. Fall 2011 start date is preferred, but spring 2012 will also be considered. Students can apply to graduate programs in Natural Resources or Environmental Sciences depending on interests and professional aspirations. Interested students should first email a letter describing common interests, contact information for three references, and a brief resume (including GRE scores, graduate and undergraduate transcripts, and TOEFL (where appropriate) to Mark Coleman (mcoleman@uidaho.edu). For parallel research activities see websites for Intermountain Forest Tree Nutrition Cooperative and Short Rotation Woody Crops Cooperative Research Program. Posted: 6/20/11.
University of Idaho: We are seeking a highly motivated PhD student to evaluate responses to biochar amendments on forest soil carbon cycling. The project will evaluate impacts of utilizing forest biomass from pre-commercial thinning and fuel reduction projects for production of biofuels and biochar through the mobile fast pyrolysis process (pdf). Research will focus on biochar amendments on native forest soil organic matter decomposition and shifts in carbon stocks between short- and long-residence carbon pools as measured through soil respiration, microbial biomass and soil enzyme activity. The student should be familiar with forest soils, as well as above and belowground processes controlling forest productivity throughout the Inland Northwest. Desirable background includes experience with biochemical analysis, field automated monitoring, soil microbial ecology and forest bioenergy production systems. For inquiries contact Mark Coleman, Forest Ecology and Biogeosciences Department, University of Idaho (mcoleman@uidaho.edu). Full announcement. Posted: 3/1/11.
University of Idaho: We seek motivated and creative individuals to apply for Ph.D. and M.S. research assistantships available at the University of Idaho to develop lidar and satellite remote sensing applications for studying plant structural and physiological characteristics. In particular, the research will entail the use of airborne lidar, terrestrial lidar, and high spatial resolution satellite data to measure and map plant biomass, chlorophyll content, and foliar nitrogen status in field settings. This work will be conducted in a highly interdisciplinary team setting, in the context of improving agro-ecological practices to mitigate the release of nitrogen-based compounds into the atmosphere (e.g. NOx, N2O) and groundwater (e.g. nitrate), with the ultimate goal of mitigating climate change impacts of agriculture. Applicants should have a strong interest in developing quantitative skills relating to remote sensing, statistical modeling/programming, and biogeochemistry, and in understanding the multiple ecological dimensions relating to the management of agricultural lands. Evaluation of applications will begin immediately, with a start date of Summer-Fall 2011. For more information, please contact Dr. Lee Vierling (leev@uidaho.edu) and Dr. Jan Eitel (jeitel@vandals.uidaho.edu). General information about the graduate application process: http://www.uidaho.edu/cogs. We look forward to hearing from you. Posted: 1/20/11.
University of Idaho: Up to two Ph.D. research assistantships will be available to join a collaborative team working to evaluate the resiliency of social and ecological systems in the complex forested landscapes of the US northern Rockies. Landscape Disturbances and Climate Change. We seek a highly motivated and qualified student to contribute to our understanding of resiliency in forest ecosystems of the US northern Rockies. Research will focus on: (1) Identifying thresholds of resilience (or lack thereof) to changes in climate, land use and disturbance regimes; (2) Examining the drivers of and interactions among climate, wildfires, bark beetle outbreaks, vegetation change, and land use change over past decades, centuries and millennia; and (3) Modeling landscape dynamics in the context of future climate and land-use change. Contact Penny Morgan (pmorgan@uidaho.edu), Philip Higuera (phiguera@uidaho.edu) and John Abatzaglou (jabatzoglou@uidaho.edu). Climate Change and Wildfire Regimes. We seek a highly motivated and qualified student to contribute to our understanding of the influence of meteorology (spanning the weather-climate continuum) on wildfire regimes in the US northern Rockies. Research will focus on: (1) Identifying the sensitivity of historical wildfire size, burn severity and vegetation regeneration to a suite of meteorological and hydroclimate metrics; (2) Examining changes in the interactions among wildfire, climate change, and vegetation change over both the modern and paleo record; and (3) Modeling wildfire regimes in the context of future climate scenarios. Contact John Abatzoglou (jabatzoglou@uidaho.edu), Philip Higuera (phiguera@uidaho.edu). Spatial Analysis of Ecosystem Response to Disturbance. We seek a highly motivated and qualified student to conduct research focusing on the nature, magnitude, and distinguishing attributes of large, severe ecosystem disturbances and the associated biophysical recovery processes using remote sensing and spatial analysis techniques. Work will include assessing both near-term and long-term impacts of disturbances and landscape change, and understanding how the resistance, resilience, cumulative productivity, and recovery vary under different physical, political, and social contexts. Contact Alistair Smith (alistair@uidaho.edu) and Eva Strand (evas@uidaho.edu). Review of applications will begin Jan 4th 2011. For full details go to: http://www.cals.uidaho.edu/igert2/ and click on "Idaho Northern Rockies" link. Posted: 11/11/10.
University of Idaho: Two PhD assistantships are available to pursue graduate work in the Paleoecology and Fire Ecology Lab, starting as soon as January 2011. Each position is a component of a multi-institution, NSF-funded interdisciplinary research project: (1) Fire-climate linkages in arctic tundra ecosystems of Alaska and Canada. Research involves paleo reconstructions of climate, vegetation, and fire in remote regions of Alaska, quantifying modern tundra fire regimes in Alaska and Canada, and modeling tundra ecosystems using state-of-the-art ecosystem models. (2) Feedbacks and consequences of altered fire regimes in the face of climate and land-use change in Australia, New Zealand, and the western U.S. Research focuses on understanding the causes and consequences of fire regimes using paleo data, observational data, and/or numerical models. More information on each position is available at lab website or by contacting Philip Higuera at phiguera@uidaho.edu. Posted: 10/11/10.
University of Idaho: Funding is available for a Ph.D. student to study landscape vegetation change caused by drought and bark beetles in Bandelier National Monument, New Mexico. Project goals include quantifying piñon pine and juniper mortality and assessing the effectiveness of restoration treatments with multitemporal aerial and satellite imagery, and developing a predictive model of mortality based on environmental variables. Funding from the National Park Service is available for at least three years at $23k/year plus tuition/fees and health insurance. The successful candidate will have a background in geography, ecology, biogeosciences, or a related field. Desirable qualifications include a quantitative background, familiarity with remote sensing and statistical modeling, and a research-based M.S. thesis. Students have the opportunity to receive a degree in either Geography (www.uidaho.edu/geography) or the Environmental Science Program (www.uidaho.edu/envs). 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 (jhicke@uidaho.edu) as well as apply to the desired degree program. Inquiries via email or phone (208-885-6240) are welcome. Posted: 9/20/10.
University of Idaho: Up to five Ph.D. research assistantships are available to join a collaborative, crossdisciplinary team working on aspects of conservation of the endangered Palouse Prairie ecosystem in the context of bioregional planning and sustainable agriculture in southeastern Washington State and Northern Idaho. Students will work with mentors on linked dissertation projects to address the biological, biogeochemical and socioeconomic aspects of this issue. With funding from the NSF’s Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship program (IGERT), the individual fellows will pursue disciplinary research important for the overall theme, and work together to identify and address interdisciplinary issues critical for development of effective planning and policy. The team will interact with members of five other IGERT-sponsored student/faculty teams pursuing similar objectives in other ecosystems in which sustainability and conservation in the face of changing conditions and pressures is desired. This opportunity is especially appropriate for students motivated to develop their skills for interdisciplinary collaboration to address complex problems involving interacting human and natural systems. (1) Soil Biogeochemistry. Seeking a highly motivated and qualified student to pursue the study of soil-plant relations and feedbacks in the endangered Palouse Prairie. The student will contribute to our understanding of resiliency in this unique ecosystem that is increasingly threatened by invasive weed species and urban sprawl. Research will focus on: 1) the importance of soil and site properties in determining the likelihood of invasion, and 2) the impact of invasive species on processes that control carbon storage and nutrient availability. In addition, the student will conduct collaborative research to examine interdisciplinary aspects of conservation of Palouse Prairie within a dynamic, human dominated landscape, with team members in fields such as entomology, conservation/restoration plant ecology, virus ecology, and rural and community economics. Contact Jodi Johnson-Maynard (jmaynard@uidaho.edu). (2) Entomology, Landscape Ecology and Landscape Genetics. Seeking a highly motivated and qualified student to pursue the study of populations of native insects linked to the ecological communities specific to the Palouse Prairie, now existing exclusively as widely distributed small remnants. Target populations will be key pollinators, specialist herbivores affecting predominant plant species and other indicator species. Research will focus on: 1) determining the genetic diversity and structure of arthropod populations, 2) examining how behavioral and ecological correlates of genetic structure influence level of landscape connectivity, and 3) assessing requirements for connectivity as part of conservation and restoration planning. In addition, the student will conduct collaborative research to examine interdisciplinary aspects of conservation of Palouse Prairie within a dynamic, human dominated landscape, with team members in fields such as soil science, conservation/restoration plant ecology, virus ecology, and rural and community economics. Contact Sanford D. Eigenbrode (sanforde@uidaho.edu) and Lisette Waits (lwaits@uidaho.edu). (3) Conservation/Restoration Plant Ecology. Seeking a highly motivated and qualified student to pursue restoration ecology research within the Palouse Prairie and related canyon grassland systems of Northern Idaho. The field research will develop restoration methods appropriate for a range of plant communities at various stages of secondary succession to enhance resilience of those plant communities. The outcome of the research will include development of a decision tool to assist those actively involved in restoration. Research may include: 1) sequence of introduction of native species, 2) seeding techniques, 3) invasive plant management, 3) species selection for seed mixes that may incorporate native annuals, 4) feasibility of establishment of biological soil crust. In addition, the student will conduct collaborative research to examine interdisciplinary aspects of conservation of Palouse Prairie within a dynamic, human dominated landscape, with team members in fields such as soil science, entomology, virus ecology, and rural and community economics. Contact Tim Prather (tprather@uidaho.edu). (4) Rural and Community Economics. Seeking a highly motivated and qualified student to pursue the study of rural community economics and social dynamics found in the Palouse Prairie region, including both patterns of decline and revitalization. The student will contribute to our understanding of patterns and perceptions affecting rural community opportunities and constraints related to the surrounding environment. Research will focus on: 1) determining the economic and social factors that contribute to forming vibrant communities, 2) examining the economic relationships embedded in community-based uses and values attached to natural resources and natural amenities, and 3) assessing social networks and forms of capitals needed to ensure community vitality and well-being. Methods that may be employed include regional general equilibrium economic modeling, social accounts modeling, capitals framework analysis, nonmarket valuation, and behavioral modeling. In addition, the student will conduct collaborative research to examine interdisciplinary aspects of conservation of Palouse Prairie within a dynamic, human dominated landscape, with team members in fields such as soil science, entomology, conservation/restoration plant ecology, and virus ecology . Contact Philip Watson (pwatson@uidaho.edu) and J.D. Wulfhorst (jd@uidaho.edu). (5) Virus Ecology and Virology. Seeking a highly motivated and qualified student to pursue the study of plant viruses and virus ecology in the endangered Palouse Prairie and surrounding agricultural landscape. Research will focus on studies to: 1) reveal the breadth of viruses in native plants and invasive species in the Palouse Prairie, 2) assess vector transmission and virus spread and their role on dynamics of virus populations in the landscape, and 3) examine the role of viruses on plant and vector fitness. The student will use various types of sequencing and bioinformatics methods applied to field-collected material, and conduct controlled field and greenhouse experiments. In addition, the student will conduct collaborative research to examine interdisciplinary aspects of conservation of Palouse Prairie within a dynamic, human dominated landscape, with team members in fields such as soil science, entomology, conservation/restoration plant ecology, and rural and community economics. Contact Nilsa Bosque-Pérez (nbosque@uidaho.edu) and Alexander Karasev (akarasev@uidaho.edu). All positions: This unique graduate education program will provide students: • Team-based interdisciplinary education • International perspective • Broad geographic and ecological exposure • Participation in integrated interdisciplinary teams • Cross-cultural experience • Mentoring by faculty from multiple disciplines and institutions. Requirements: Applicants must be American citizens or permanent residents of the USA. Successful applicants must have obtained a research-based M.S. degree in a discipline of relevance to the project or equivalent experience during or after a B.S. degree, and demonstrate interest and/or experience in team-based projects. Students will join the program to begin course work at the end of July 2011. Review of applications will begin November 1st 2010. Earlier applications are highly encouraged. Interviews of top applicants will be conducted at the University of Idaho campus in early February 2011. For project and application information visit IGERT and College of Graduate Studies. Posted: 8/18/10.
University of Idaho: Up to five Ph.D. research fellowships are available to join a collaborative, interdisciplinary team focusing on the social an ecological resilience of the sagebrush steppe ecosystem of the Columbia Plateau and northern Great Basin in southern Idaho. This region is a mosaic of public lands, private ranches, agricultural parcels, and areas experiencing rapid urban and recreational development. The social and ecological components, structures and processes within this ecosystem are rapidly changing as a result of population growth, economic opportunities, policy changes, land conversion, climate change, invasive species and shifts in disturbance regimes. To capture the range of variation in the system and determine thresholds for resilience, the student and faculty team will evaluate the characteristics and impacts of these drivers in study areas across a climate gradient that include minimally altered to highly impacted rangelands. With funding from the NSF’s Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship program (IGERT), the students will pursue interlinked dissertation projects important for the overall theme, and work together to identify and address interdisciplinary issues critical for development of effective planning and policy for future resilience of this threatened system. The team will interact with members of five other IGERT-sponsored student/faculty teams pursuing similar objectives in other ecosystems in the Pacific Northwest and Costa Rica. This opportunity is especially appropriate for students seeking to develop skills for interdisciplinary collaboration and team-based research that addresses complex problems involving interacting human and natural systems. (1) Plant Ecology We seek a highly motivated PhD student to participate in a project focusing on plant community responses to environmental changes in sagebrush ecosystems, which include fire, climate, invasive species, and land conversion. The student will identify plant community factors and/or processes affecting ecosystem resiliency in response to changing disturbance regimes. Topics may include plant community composition, habitat types, and species interactions that identify a gradient of resiliency. Species interactions beyond plant-plant interactions may further affect resiliency and include plant-insect, animal and microbial interactions. Many opportunities exist to integrate these research topics with other sagebrush steppe team members focused on biogeochemical cycling, ecohydrology, wildlife ecology, and rural social systems across a wide range of spatial and temporal scales. Contact Beth Newingham (beth@uidaho.edu), Lee Vierling (leev@uidaho.edu) and Dave Tank (dtank@uidaho.edu) for more information. (2) Ecohydrology We seek a highly motivated PhD student to participate in a project focusing on the interactions between ecological and hydrological patterns and processes in sagebrush ecosystems undergoing changing disturbance regimes and anthropogenic influences, including climate change, invasive species, and land conversion. Resiliency to these drivers of change can be assessed by examining changes in water status and flux in the soil and plant environment, which may be mediated by soil-plant-microbial interactions. The sagebrush steppe team seeks a student interested in topics such as 1) effects of changing climate regimes (snow to rain-dominated) and/or 2) the effects of plant community structure changes on water dynamics and feedbacks on vegetation. These spatiotemporal dynamics include changes in snow redistribution, interception, evaporation, transpiration, sublimation, and soil water content and fluxes. Many opportunities exist to integrate these research topics with other sagebrush steppe team members focused on biogeochemical cycling, plant ecology, wildlife ecology, and rural social systems across a wide range of spatial and temporal scales. Contact Beth Newingham (beth@uidaho.edu), Tim Link (tlink@uidaho.edu), and Lee Vierling (leev@uidaho.edu) for more information. (3) Biogeochemical Cycling We seek a highly motivated PhD student to participate in a project focusing on biogeochemical responses to changes in the structure and function of sagebrush ecosystems, resulting from urban sprawl, climate change, invasive species and shifts in disturbance regimes. Quantifying changes in biogeochemical cycling is fundamental to understanding the resilience of sagebrush ecosystems as they respond to these drivers of change across spatial and temporal scales. We seek a student with keen interest in studying biogeochemical pools and fluxes of C, N and/or other nutrients in the context of developing indices for quantifying ecosystem resilience under a rapidly changing environment. Projects are encouraged that incorporate soil, plant, atmospheric, and/or microbial interactions. Many opportunities exist to integrate these research topics with other team members focused on ecohydrology, plant ecology, wildlife ecology, and rural social systems across a wide range of spatial and temporal scales. Contact Contact Jodi Johnson-Maynard (jmaynard@uidaho.edu), Lee Vierling (leev@uidaho.edu) or Beth Newingham (beth@uidaho.edu) for more information. (4) Animal Ecology We seek a highly motivated and qualified PhD student to evaluate the resiliency of animal populations and communities occupying sagebrush steppe systems. This research project will focus upon species-specific and community-level assessments of animals across major environmental gradients within sagebrush steppe. The focus of the project will include: 1) examining how different focal taxa (e.g. reptiles, amphibians, mammals, and/or birds) respond to key environmental and landuse gradients in sagebrush steppe, 2) determining the relationship between environmental gradients and community group composition/function, and 3) modeling how climatic and/or landuse changes will affect the resilience of these species and communities. Many opportunities exist to integrate these research topics with other team members focused on ecohydrology, plant ecology, biogeochemical cycling, and rural social systems across a wide range of spatial and temporal scales. Contact Janet Rachlow (jrachlow@uidaho.edu), Kerri Vierling (kerriv@uidaho.edu) and Lisette Waits (lwaits@uidaho.edu) for more information. (5) Rural Social Systems We seek a highly motivated and qualified PhD student to pursue analyses of differences in human communities with respect to their impact on and openness to protection and restoration of sagebrush habitat. Applicants with a strong background in sociology are preferred, but students with significant and relevant backgrounds in social sciences will be considered as well. The research project will focus on social factors affecting ecological degradation including: 1) introduction of invasive species, 2) exurban and other development patterns, 3) grazing and off-road recreation, 4) fire suppression and 5) carbon-based climate change. Characteristics of interest include the degree to which institutions (e.g., education, tourist economy, state and regional governments) and nonprofit organizations support or resist restoration and contribute to or work against degradation, the presence or absence of social or creative capital, the impact of social class and varying levels of access to political and economic power (local, state and national), and the impact of tax policies and decision-making for diminishing oversight and regulation of public lands. Many opportunities exist to integrate these research topics with other team members focused on ecohydrology, plant ecology, biogeochemical cycling, and wildlife ecology. Contact Patrick Gillham (gillham@uidaho.edu), Leontina Hormel (lhormel@uidaho.edu), and J.D. Wulfhorst (jd@uidaho.edu) for more information. All positions: This unique graduate education program will provide students: · Team-based interdisciplinary education · International perspective · Broad geographic and ecological exposure · Participation in integrated interdisciplinary teams · Cross-cultural experience · Mentoring by faculty from multiple disciplines and institutions. Requirements: Applicants must be American citizens or permanent residents of the USA. Successful applicants must have obtained a research-based M.S. degree in a discipline of relevance to the project or equivalent experience during or after a B.S. degree, and demonstrate interest and/or experience in team-based projects. Students will join the program to begin course work at the end of July 2011. Review of applications will begin November 1st 2010. Earlier applications are highly encouraged. Interviews of top applicants will be conducted at the University of Idaho campus in early February 2011. For project and application information visit IGERT and College of Graduate Studies. Posted: 8/18/10.
University of Idaho: Up to five Ph.D. research assistantships will be available to join a collaborative team working on ecological, socio-economic, and institutional aspects of sustainable production, conservation, and sustainable rural livelihoods within the Hojancha region of Costa Rica. The linked dissertation projects will work in a region that faces a variety of natural resource management problems and where landuse changes affect, positively or negatively, the provision of ecosystem services for which increasing demand exists. With funding from the NSF’s Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship program (IGERT), fellows will pursue disciplinary research important for the overall theme, and work together to identify and address interdisciplinary issues critical for effective policy development, institution building, management planning, and implementation. The team will interact with members of five other IGERT-funded student/faculty teams pursuing similar objectives in other ecosystems in Costa Rica and Idaho in which sustainability and conservation in the face of changing conditions and pressures are desired. 1) Landscape Ecology and Ecosystem Service Science. Seeking a highly motivated and qualified student to study the integration of landscape ecology in landuse planning, with a special focus on spatially explicit ecosystem services. Conservation in Latin America is increasingly being driven by social-ecological drivers. Forest restoration and conservation in the Chorotega Biological Corridor has largely been driven by a strong desire by local stakeholders to reduce system vulnerability to annual droughts and severe storm events. However, a concurrent objective of the corridor is to ensure functional biological connectivity between reserves and protected areas in the region. For example, recent studies suggest that pollination and pest control services at the local scale are spatially dependent on broader scales. With a landscape ecology and ecosystem services approach, the successful candidate will work with local communities, as well as other team members, to prioritize ecosystem services are in the region. The project will include GIS analyses to determine how landuse, including conservation units, can be spatially arranged to maximize the provisioning of bundled ecosystem services. The successful candidate will have a strong background in landscape ecology, GIS and modeling. The candidate must also demonstrate the ability to work in a team setting, integrating both the human and ecological dimensions of ecosystem services. In addition, the student will conduct collaborative research to examine interdisciplinary aspects of ecological and social resilience in the dynamic, human-dominated landscape that constitutes the Hojancha region with team members in fields such as entomology, landscape ecology, regional planning, rural sociology, and environmental and natural resource economics. Contact Alex Fremier (afremier@uidaho.edu) and Fabrice De Clerck (fdeclerck@catie.ac.cr). 2) Entomology and Landscape Ecology. Seeking a highly motivated and qualified student to pursue studies on communities of arthropods in diverse landuses, including forest and pastures within the Chorotega Biological Corridor. Arthropods are excellent indicators of ecosystem health, but have been studied minimally following conservation efforts in the region. Research will focus on a combination of the following or related topics: 1) assessment of ecosystem services provided by arthropods, 2) examination of the impact of diverse landuses including pastures and forest lands on arthropod abundance and dispersal, and 3) determination of the effect of land management practices and landscape factors including spatial scales, on arthropod biodiversity. In addition, the student will conduct collaborative research to examine interdisciplinary aspects of ecological and social resilience in the dynamic, human-dominated landscape that constitutes the Hojancha region with team members in fields such as ecosystem service science, landscape ecology, regional planning, rural sociology, and environmental and natural resource economics. Contact Nilsa Bosque-Pérez (nbosque@uidaho.edu), Steve Cook (stephenc@uidaho.edu), and Fabrice De Clerck (fdeclerck@catie.ac.cr). 3) Regional Planning and Sustainable Communities. Seeking a highly motivated and qualified student with a background in urban and regional planning, anthropology, geography, law or political science to pursue the study of how the social, cultural, economic and/or political-legal and institutional frameworks affect rural livelihood and landuse dynamics and how public and private decision-making affect sustainable forms of regional and local development. Research will focus on a combination of the following or related topics: 1) understanding how complex contextual cultural, economic, social, institutional, and/or governance variables affect landuse decisions and political dynamics; and 2) evaluating the feasibility and appropriateness of alternative regional planning and governance approaches to shift the trajectory of decisions to meet both conservation and socio-economic development goals at multiple local and regional scales. Familiarity with case study design, mixed methods, and geospatial applications for scenario-building and NVIVO will assist the team address multiple resource values while responding to economic and climate change scenarios at various rural to urban and regional scales. The student will closely collaborate with the student working on Social Systems and Resilient Livelihoods (see below). In addition, the student will conduct collaborative research to examine interdisciplinary aspects of ecological and social resilience in the dynamic, human-dominated landscape that constitutes the Hojancha region with team members in fields such as entomology, landscape ecology, ecosystem service science, rural sociology, and environmental and natural resource economics. Contact Sandra Pinel (spinel@uidaho.edu), Dietmar Stoian (stoian@catie.ac.cr), and Roger Villalobos (rvillalo@catie.ac.cr). 4) Social Systems and Resilient Livelihoods. Seeking a highly motivated and qualified student with a background in anthropology, rural sociology, or agricultural economics, to study how rural livelihoods and social/cultural systems respond to demographic, economic, environmental, institutional, and/or climate change. Emphasis will be on how related drivers interact and induce change in terms of vulnerability and resilience at household, community, territorial, and national level. Research may also analyze the impacts of emerging socio-political-economic systems and conservation policy alternatives on rural livelihoods and communities. A strong theoretical background in social resilience and experience with livelihoods frameworks in general, and qualitative case study, participatory, ethnographic, and mixed methods research design in particular, will be important to understand and address interactive economic and social variables and to evaluate the outcomes and impacts of market forces and policy alternatives on social equity and community systems. Research will include empirical analysis involving social and economic factors including conducting focus groups and interviews among rural households and key informants. In addition, the student will conduct collaborative research to examine interdisciplinary aspects of ecological and social resilience in the dynamic, human-dominated landscape that constitutes the Hojancha region with team members in fields such as regional planning, entomology, landscape ecology, ecosystem service science, and environmental and natural resource economics. Contact Sandra Pinel (spinel@uidaho.edu), Levan Elbakidze (lelbakidze@uidaho.edu), Patrick Gilham (gillham@uidaho.edu) and Dietmar Stoian (stoian@catie.ac.cr). 5) Environmental and Natural Resource Economics. Seeking a highly motivated and qualified student with strong quantitative skills to study any of the following or related topics: 1) economic efficiency of allocating resources across ecosystem services and production goods originating from forestry and other competing landuses in the biological corridor, 2) the role of communities’ preference structures and tradeoffs in addressing forest tenure and other use rights in policy processes, 3) transaction costs for achieving good governance of riparian protection areas in private lands within the corridor, 4) economic valuation of willingness to pay for ecosystem’s services and natural resources, 5) incentive compatibility of natural resource management alternatives, 6) economics of water resources management, 7) economic efficiency in invasive species management. The research will be conducted using a variety of empirical approaches including but not limited to survey methodologies, experimental economics, game theory, econometric analysis and mathematical optimization frameworks. In addition, the student will conduct collaborative research to examine interdisciplinary aspects of ecological and social resilience in the dynamic, human-dominated landscape that constitutes the corridor with team members in fields such as regional planning, rural sociology, entomology, landscape ecology, and ecosystem service science. Contact Levan Elbakidze (lelbakidze@uidaho.edu), Guillermo Navarro (gnavarro@catie.ac.cr), Francisco Alpizar (falpizar@catie.ac.cr). All positions: Applicants must be citizens or permanent residents of the USA. Successful applicants must have obtained a research-based M.S. degree in a discipline of relevance to the project or equivalent experience during or after a B.S. degree, and demonstrate interest and/or experience in team-based projects. Prior Spanish language skills are desirable but not required. Students will join the program to begin course work at the end of July 2011. Review of applications will begin November 1st 2010. Earlier applications are highly encouraged. Interviews of top applicants will be conducted at the University of Idaho campus in early February 2011. For project and application information visit IGERT, College of Graduate Studies, Joint Doctoral Program, and CATIE. Posted: 7/8/10.
University of Illinois: Graduate opportunity in wetland plant ecology and restoration. I am seeking a graduate research assistant (M.S.) to begin in fall 2011 in the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences. Research will focus on plant community ecology in natural and restored wetlands, and specific research projects will be developed with the student. The ideal candidate will have a strong interest in applied ecology and a B.S. in ecology, botany, environmental science or a related discipline. Experience with field research, GIS, or the flora of the Midwestern U.S. is highly desirable but not required. Interested students should send a CV and a letter of interest to Jeff Matthews (matthews@inhs.illinois.edu). The selected candidate will be supported with a stipend and tuition waiver. To be selected, a candidate must be admitted to the M.S. program in Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences. Posted: 12/23/10.
University of Illinois: We are seeking a student to conduct their PhD research in the lab of Drs. Jinelle Sperry and Patrick Weatherhead in the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences. Funding is available to examine the effects of climate change on predator-prey interactions between snakes and birds. Research will take place in the Sandhills region of the eastern US (GA or NC) and will investigate, through snake radio-telemetry and bird nest observations, how increased temperatures impact snake behavior and bird nest predation risk. Field research will begin spring/summer 2011. The selected candidate will be provided with summer salary and an assistantship that includes a tuition waiver and stipend. Qualifications: Candidates with an M.S. in a related field (ecology, wildlife biology, etc) are preferred. Preference will also be given to applicants with field experience working with reptiles, birds and/or radio telemetry. Contact: Dr. Jinelle Sperry (jinelle.sperry@usace.army.mil), with a letter of interest, curriculum vitae, (including GRE scores and GPA), and contact information for 3 references. Review of applications will begin immediately. Posted: 12/22/10.
University of Illinois: We seek a graduate student to join a team of scientists studying land-water interactions in the Alaskan Subarctic. The project addresses the question: what is the relative role of N-fixing plants and salmon in maintaining the nutrient and productivity levels of oligotrophic freshwater systems? The project involves water and soil sampling in remote areas using a float airplane, as well as biogeochemical, GIS, and statistical analyses in the laboratory. The work is in collaboration with scientists from the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Field sites are in the coastal areas of southwestern Alaska. Preference will be given to a highly motivated student who enjoys rigorous outdoor activities and who is interested in ecological conservation. Prospective students should have (1) a BS or MS in biology, geology, environmental science, or related fields, (2) strong verbal and written communication skills, and (3) excellent interpersonal skills. The student will be based at the University of Illinois but will interact with scientists from other institutions. For additional information, please contact Prof. F.S. Hu (fshu@life.illinois.edu) or Prof. J.M. Fraterrigo (jmf@illinois.edu). Posted: 12/13/10.
University of Illinois: A Graduate Assistantship (Ph.D.) is available to study the effects of invasive species on ecosystem processes, particularly nutrient cycling, in the lab of Dr. Jennifer Fraterrigo. Work will focus on Microstegium vimineum, a C4 annual grass that is currently invading deciduous forests throughout the eastern U.S. Applicants may pursue admission through the interdisciplinary graduate Program in Ecology, Evolution and Conservation Biology (PEEC) or the graduate program in Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences (NRES). Qualifications: Highly motivated individuals with excellent academic credentials and strong communication skills are encouraged to apply. Candidates must be able to work independently. Interested candidates should e-mail Dr. Jennifer Fraterrigo (jmf@illinois.edu) a single PDF file containing the following information: - Cover letter outlining research interests, academic and professional backgrounds - Resume - Copies of transcripts (unofficial copies acceptable) - GRE scores and percentiles (if not available, indicate when exam will be taken) - Names and contact information for three references. The deadline for applications is December 15. Applications will be reviewed upon receipt, and promising candidates will be invited to submit formal applications to a UIUC graduate program (PEEC or NRES) by Jan. 1. For further information, contact: Dr. Jennifer M. Fraterrigo (jmf@illinois.edu, 217-333-9428). Posted: 11/12/10.
University of Kansas: The Ballantyne lab in the department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology is looking to recruit graduate students interested in population, community or ecosystem ecology. We use theoretical and experimental approaches to study what regulates population dynamics, what structures communities, and what drives biogeochemical cycles across space and through time. Current projects are focused on ecosystem stoichiometry, soil organic matter decomposition, spatial plant population models, and transcription regulation of denitrification. For more information, please look at the lab website and email me (fb4 at ku dot edu) if you are interested in joining the lab. Also look at the KU ecosystems research group website to learn about other ecological research at KU. In addition to support through EEB, KU has a climate change IGERT program that provides graduate fellowships and offers a dynamic, interdisciplinary graduate experience. Posted: 11/30/10.
University of Kansas: We are currently recruiting for a Ph.D. position in soil biogeochemistry, microbial ecology, and ecosystem science, to join the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology in fall 2011. The successful applicant will explore how warming influences flows of carbon and nitrogen from substrates of varying recalcitrance through microorganisms and how these flows relate to the transformation of organic carbon into CO2. Most work will be conducted in the laboratories of Dr. Sharon Billings and Dr. Ford Ballantyne at KU, in conjunction with a post-doctoral researcher. The graduate student will participate in conducting incubations of multiple media using isotopically labeled substrates, enzymes associated with their degradation, and populations of microorganisms important in transformations of soil organic matter. The student will have the opportunity to participate in measurements of soil enzymatic activity, respiration and δ13CO2, and microbial biomass and isotopic signature. Results of these efforts will be incorporated into models developed to elucidate the influence of warming on microbe-substrate interactions; the successful applicant will have the opportunity to conduct additional modeling efforts as well. We seek a creative individual who is enthusiastic about moving the science of climate change and soil organic matter dynamics forward. Required qualifications include a Bachelor's degree or Master's degree in an appropriate field, with sufficient coursework in ecosystem ecology, Earth system science, biogeochemistry or a related field. To apply, contact Dr. Sharon Billings at sharonb@ku.edu or Dr. Ford Ballantyne at fb4@ku.edu. Be sure to tell us about your reasons for attending graduate school, and include your c.v. and a list of relevant courses. You can explore the KU Graduate School webpage for more information. Please note that the Department's deadline is December 15, 2010. Posted: 7/12/10, revised: 11/22/10.
University of Kentucky: A graduate research assistantship is available in the Department of Horticulture to participate in an integrated, multi-state, research and extension project funded by a USDA Specialty Crop Research Initiative Grant and entitled “Impact and social acceptance of selected sustainable practices in ornamental crop production systems.” This position will be involved with evaluating sustainable plastic alternatives, water use efficiency in greenhouse crops, and/or landscape performance of sustainably grown crops. This assistantship is available beginning the Fall 2010 semester. A spring 2011 start date is also acceptable, but fall 2010 is preferred. A stipend of $17k will be augmented by paid tuition and health insurance. For additional information, contact: Dr. Rebecca Schnelle, Department of Horticulture, N-318 Ag Science North, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546-0091. (859) 257-4721 (office); (352) 871-7744 (cell), e-mail: rebecca.schnelle@uky.edu. Posted: 8/18/10.
University of Lethbridge: Graduate student positions in plant ecophysiology. Research will involve plant physiological response to environmental stress in semi-arid ecosystems of southern Alberta, Canada. Applicants must hold degrees in environmental science, plant ecology, forestry, biology, physical geography or a related field, and must possess strong written, verbal and mathematical skills. The position would require substantial fieldwork, at field stations located in grassland, riparian woodland and subalpine forest ecosystems, in addition to laboratory and growth chamber studies. Familiarity with leaf photosynthesis, fluorescence and reflectance is desirable. Successful candidates would also serve as teaching assistants. Basic salary would be in the CAN$20,000 per year range for M.Sc. students (slightly higher for Ph.D. students). Eligible students are expected to apply for postgraduate scholarships, including NSERC. Anticipated starting dates would be Sept 2011 or January 2012, but successful candidates may wish to take on a summer Research Assistantship in 2011, to become acquainted with equipment, facilities and research strategies. Interested students should provide a statement of research interest, letters of reference and a curriculum vita to Dr. Matthew G. Letts (matthew.letts@uleth.ca), and be prepared to send academic transcripts to the School of Graduate Studies. Posted: 3/31/11.
University of Lethbridge: MSc or PhD position: The ecology and evolution of non-transitive competition and its effect on biodiversity. An NSERC-funded graduate student position (MSc or PhD) is available in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Lethbridge (Alberta, Canada). The student will be co-supervised by Rob Laird of the University of Lethbridge and Brandon Schamp of Algoma University (Sault Ste Marie, Ontario, Canada). The focus of the project is non-transitive competition (as in the game Rock-Paper-Scissors) and its potential to promote the maintenance of biodiversity via indirect facilitation. The project will include some combination of lab work, field work, and mathematical/computer modeling -- ideally all three! Our previous empirical work has examined coexistence in plant and invertebrate communities, but we welcome applicants interested in working on other systems as well. Interested candidates should visit our web pages for details and previous publications and send us an email including your CV and a brief statement of your research experience and interests. Dr. Brandon Schamp (brandon.schamp@algomau.ca), Dr. Robert Laird (robert.laird@uleth.ca). Posted: 9/2/10.
University of Lisbon: Graduate Research Assistantship: Temporal dynamics of fragmentation impacts on Neotropical bats A graduate research position is available in the Center for Environmental Biology, University of Lisbon, Portugal. The student will participate in a collaborative project aiming to investigate the temporal dynamics of fragmentation impacts on Neotropical bats. Field research will be conducted at the Biological Dynamics of Forest Fragments Project near Manaus, Brazil. Based on baseline data from a previous study, this comparative follow-up study aims at providing insights into the longer-term dynamics of fragmentation effects on Neotropical bats. Interested students should hold a M.S. degree in ecology, conservation biology, or related field. Preference will be given to students wishing to pursue a PhD and to applicants with previous field experience in the tropics and/or working with bats. Candidates should have strong English writing skills and a demonstrated aptitude in data analysis and statistical modeling. Proficiency in a statistical software package (preferably R) and an interest in learning novel analytical approaches is a plus. The project involves extensive fieldwork in Brazil and the ability to work long hours at night under harsh field conditions is essential, as is the ability to work well in a team. The ability to communicate in Portuguese is desirable. The Assistantship includes a stipend, renewable each year for up to 3 years, health insurance, as well as research and conference travel support. Interested applicants should email a cover letter, CV, transcripts, as well as contact information for three references to Dr. Christoph Meyer (cmeyer@fc.ul.pt). The expected start date is April 2011 (or as soon as possible thereafter). Applications will be considered until March 7th 2011. Posted: 2/16/11.
University of Louisiana: I (Scott M. Duke-Sylvester) am looking for highly motivated PhD students to work in my lab group in the Department of Biology starting in the Fall of 2011. My research is interdisciplinary and focuses on applying mathematical models to understand how ecological and evolutionary processes interact to shape the epidemic spread and endemic persistence of infectious diseases. I currently have two ongoing projects that consider infectious disease biology at the interface between ecology and evolution. One project focuses on the the molecular evolution of a virus that occurs over the course of an epidemic and the spatial and phylogenetic structure created by the interactions. The other project involves the spatial expansion of ticks in the eastern US and the spatial and genetic structure of both the tick population and bacterial pathogen carried by the tick. Please feel free to contact me directly at smd3729@louisiana.edu for further information. The ULL graduate program brochure is posted at the Ecology Center’s site. Doctoral Fellowships and other assistantships are available for Ph.D. students in Environmental and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Louisiana. Ph.D. students entering in the Fall of 2011 are eligible for University Doctoral Fellowships, Board of Regents Fellowships as well as other teaching assistantships. UL Fellowships are funded for 3-4 years and have limited teaching responsibilities, while BoR Fellowships are funded for 4 years and have no formal teaching duties. Stipends are up to $27k per year (with tuition waiver). Eligibility requirements include US citizenship (or permanent residency) or degree from a US institution. The Department of Biology has approximately 70 graduate students and 25 graduate faculty members conducting research on a wide variety of topics. Posted: 12/10/10.
University of Louisiana: Fellowships and assistantships for Ph.D. students in Ecology-Evolutionary Biology. Doctoral fellowships and research and teaching assistantships are available for students entering graduate school in Fall 2011. Stipends cover living expenses and tuition. Applicants must have US citizenship, permanent residence status, or degree from a US institution. Students interested in plant and animal interactions, population dynamics, and quantitative ecology are sought. Must have knowledge of, or desire to learn MATLAB. Contact Susan Mopper (MOP@ULL.EDU) for more information, or these websites: Biology Department and Ecology Center. Posted: 10/11/10.
University of Louisiana: Doctoral Fellowships and other assistantships available for entering Ph.D. students in Environmental and Evolutionary Biology. We will be awarding University of Louisiana Fellowships and Board of Regents Fellowships to Ph.D. students entering Fall 2011. UL Fellows are funded for 3-4 years and have limited teaching responsibilities, while BoR Fellows are funded for 4 years at and have no formal teaching duties. Stipends are up to $27k per year (with tuition waiver). Eligibility requirements include US citizenship (or permanent residency) or degree from a US institution. We will also have teaching and research assistantships available for incoming Ph.D. students. Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to directly contact prospective advisors. Their contact information and research interests can be found at our departmental web site. Our graduate program brochure is also posted at our Ecology Center’s site. The Department of Biology has approximately 70 graduate students and 25 graduate faculty members conducting research on a wide variety of topics. Posted: 9/30/10.
University of Louisiana at Monroe: M.S. student positions – rodent social systems. I am seeking one or two highly motivated students interested in pursuing a research-based M.S. degree in the Department of Biology. The start date would be in August 2011. My lab group studies the social systems of two rodents, Octodon degus (in Chile) and Microtus kikuchii (in Taiwan). I seek prospective students interested in one of the following research themes: (i) ecological and neural causes of mating system variation or (ii) reproductive fitness consequences of social group living. However, I will consider students with other interests in the area of mammalian sociality and mating systems. Prospective students should have strong writing skills and previous research experience (preferably with a publication or manuscript near submission). Although GPA and test scores are important, previous research experience, strong writing and analytical skills, and ideas for thesis work are most important. The ideal candidate will be committed to writing a NSF GRFP to support their research (prior to admission or during their first semester in our program). Students interested in research in Taiwan will be asked to write a NSF EAPSI grant proposal in the autumn of their first semester. I can offer students working on projects in Chile support for one field season in June-November 2012 ($6000 per diem, travel costs, tuition waiver). The ULM Department of Biology offers Teaching Assistantships ($4000/sem) and tuition waivers (up to six semesters) to students accepted into our research-oriented thesis program. Please visit the ULM Graduate Studies for more information. I encourage highly qualified and motivated students interested in writing a NSF GRFP proposal (by the November 2010 deadline) to review the tips for writing a GRFP and to contact me (lhayes@ulm.edu; phone: 318 342 1798) as soon as possible to discuss a project idea. Otherwise, I will review applications to work in my lab in Nov-Dec 2010. I highly recommend that prospective students send me a CV, unofficial transcripts, contact information for two references, and a brief summary of research interests (in a single pdf file, please) before submitting a full application to the ULM Graduate School. Due to funding restrictions, I can only support U.S. citizens at this time. Posted: 8/23/10.
University of Maine: Graduate Research Assistantships in Forest Soils – PhD/MS: Position responsibilities will be to conduct research on the biogeochemistry of northern forested watersheds related to a changing chemical and physical climate. Several positions are available related to a new project using stable isotopes to study nitrogen cycling, and ongoing studies of watershed biogeochemistry, recovery from acidification, and phenology. Students interested in pursuing a PhD are preferred, although highly qualified MS students may apply. Positions are available starting in the summer of 2011. Qualifications: BS/BA and/or MS in appropriate discipline (e.g. soil science, ecology, forestry, environmental science, or related field), strong commitment to career in related subject matter, experience with demanding field research, and excellent laboratory skills. To apply: Interested applicants are encouraged to send a letter of interest (prior accomplishments, research experience and interests, future career goals), a CV, transcripts, and GRE scores. Details about the graduate admissions process at The University of Maine can be found at http://www.umaine.edu/graduate/. Send information to: Dr. Ivan J. Fernandez, University of Maine, 5722 Deering Hall – Room 1, Orono, ME 04469-5722. Tel: 207-581-2932, Fax: 207-581-2999, ivanjf@maine.edu. Posted: 3/21/11.
University of Maine: A graduate research assistantship is available for a student interested in microbial response to altered watershed biogeochemistry. The successful applicant will be involved in a NSF-funded project that examines how nitrogen and acid deposition change microbial community composition and nitrogen pathways at a long term, whole-watershed experiment site in Maine. The research integrates a whole-watershed stable nitrogen isotope tracer study with detailed microbial and biogeochemical analyses of factors including abundance of nitrogen fixation, nitrification, and denitrification genes by qPCR, microbial community composition (by qPCR, PLFA analysis and substrate induced respiration with specific inhibitors), and microbial enzyme activity in soils and streams. The student will be part of a collaborative team of terrestrial and stream ecologists, soil chemists, and geochemists. Field work will be conducted at a forested NSF Long-Term Research in Environmental Biology (LTREB) site in Maine. Ph.D. students are preferred, but M.S. students may apply. Applicants with experience in molecular and microbial techniques are preferred. The assistantship includes a stipend, tuition, and health insurance. Interested applicants should contact Dr. Jean MacRae (Jean.MacRae@umit.maine.edu) or Dr. Kevin Simon (ksimon@maine.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 at the University of Maine can be found through the School of Biology and Ecology, the Ecology and Environmental Sciences Program, and the graduate school. Posted: 2/3/11.
University of Maine: Doctoral Research Assistantship in Human Cooperation and Socio-Ecological Systems Dynamics Maine’s Sustainability Solutions Initiative (SSI) offers unprecedented opportunities for graduate students to experience a truly interdisciplinary learning experience through a $20 million, 5-year program funded by the NSF’s EPSCoR program. The SSI’s mission is to create an integrative research program and strong stakeholder partnerships to generate improved solutions to intersecting ecological, social, and economic challenges in and beyond Maine. The SSI assistantship in human cooperation and socio-ecological systems dynamics is designed for students interested in helping develop our quantitative understanding the dynamics of human behavior and culture as it pertains to the environment. The graduate student will work with Dr. Waring to develop new theory and conceptual models of human-environment interaction, and help to empirically test that theory and/or develop and explore precise models of socio-ecological systems. Some potential avenues of research in this project are: 1) testing current socio-ecological systems theory using freshly collected empirical data or extant datasets, 2) developing mathematical and/or computer models of coupled human-natural systems, exploring their implications and requirements, and ultimately testing their predictions, and 3) using experimental research on human cooperation within socio-ecological systems using cooperative games methods. Qualifications: A degree (preference given to individuals with an MS) in ecology or environmental science, environmental and resource economics, ecological anthropology, social psychology or a related field; excellent GPA and GRE scores; strong quantitative and computational skills; demonstrated independence, and the ability to work respectfully and collaboratively in teams. Support includes a fellowship of $22-25k/yr for four years, a tuition waiver, subsidy for health insurance, and funds for field research. Application Procedures: Please submit the following information to timothy.waring@maine.edu with subject line “SSI Socio-Ecological Systems Dynamics Assistantship”: 1. A letter detailing your interest in this position specifically and the goals of the SSI in general, 2. A CV or resume, 3. Scanned GRE scores and transcripts, 4. Names, phone numbers, and email addresses of three references familiar with your academic and research history. Review of materials will begin in December and continue until the position is filled. Posted: 11/11/10.
University of Maine: Doctoral Research Assistantship in Marine Policy and Science. Maine’s Sustainability Solutions Initiative (SSI) offers unprecedented opportunities for graduate students to experience a truly interdisciplinary learning experience through a $20 million, 5-year program funded by the National Science Foundation’s EPSCoR program. The SSI’s mission is to create an integrative research program and strong stakeholder partnerships to generate improved solutions to intersecting ecological, social, and economic challenges in and beyond Maine. One SSI project is an interdisciplinary research program focused on the social and ecological aspects of tidal power development. We seek a doctoral research assistant interested in working on sustainability science research focused on tidal power development in Maine. This research is focused on understanding the human dimensions in order to effectively link knowledge to action for the responsible development of tidal power. Some key research areas on this project are (1) stakeholder perceptions related to tidal energy development, (2) data collection on the potential social and economic impacts of tidal power development, and (3) the development of stakeholder and community engagement models to effectively link scientific and community knowledge for improved decision-making related to tidal power development. This research will begin as early as June 2011. Qualifications: A degree (preference given to individuals with an MS) in anthropology, marine policy, or a related social science field; excellent GPA and GRE scores; strong communication and writing skills; and the ability to work collaboratively with a large and diverse group of researchers and stakeholders. Some background in marine biology or natural science is preferred, but not required. Support includes a fellowship of $20-25k/year for four years, a tuition waiver, subsidy for health insurance, and funds for field research. Application Procedures: Please submit the following information to Teresa Johnson, School of Marine Sciences, teresa.johnson@maine.edu with subject line “SSI Tidal Power Research Assistantship.” 1. A letter detailing your interest in this position specifically and the goals of the SSI in general; 2. A resume; 3. Scanned GRE scores and transcripts; and 4. Names, phone numbers, and email addresses of three references familiar with your academic and research history. Review of materials will begin in late November and continue until the position is filled. Posted: 11/11/10.
University of Maryland: Two PhD positions are available for a new NSF Water Sustainability and Climate project investigating the impacts of regional climate variability and patterns of urban development on the urban water cycle and nutrient export. A PhD student interested in urban hydrology/modeling will work with Drs. Claire Welty and Andrew Miller at University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) in Departments of Civil and Environmental Engineering/Geography and Environmental Systems. A PhD student interested in biogeochemistry/ecosystem ecology will work with Dr. Sujay Kaushal at University of Maryland, College Park in the Department of Geology & Earth System Science Interdisciplinary Center. The students will have opportunities to interact with collaborators at the Baltimore Ecosystem Study Long-Term Ecological Research project. Interested applicants should contact Dr. Claire Welty at weltyc@umbc.edu or Dr. Sujay Kaushal at skaushal@umd.edu. Application deadlines are February 1, 2011 for UMBC and for best consideration by January 15, 2011 for University of Maryland, College Park. Posted: 1/5/11.
University of Maryland: Stream community ecology and watershed processes in urban landscapes. The Center for Urban Environmental Research and Education (CUERE) at UMBC invites applications for a full-time PhD Assistantship starting in summer 2011. Students should have a MS degree in ecology, geography or related field, and a keen interest in community ecology and quantitative spatial analysis. Students will be expected to develop an independent project within the context of a NSF funded project on the role of network connectivity in stream community assembly. Funding includes tuition and fees, and a 12-month stipend. Experience with GIS software and quantitative analysis is preferred, as is familiarity with aquatic invertebrate or fish taxonomy and routine aquatic sampling techniques. Interested applicants are encouraged to contact Dr. Matthew Baker (mbaker@umbc.edu) and Dr. Chris Swan (cmswan@umbc.edu) in the Department of Geography and Environmental Systems. Applicants must also submit required materials to the UMBC graduate program in Geography and Environmental Systems by February 1st, 2011. More information on Dr. Baker’s and Dr. Swan’s research, the GES department, CUERE, and UMBC can be found at http://www.umbc.edu/ges/. Posted: 1/18/11.
University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science: The Appalachian Laboratory (AL) of UMCES seeks a M.S. student to study the impacts of wind-turbine mortality on bat populations. The student will join a team of researchers (David Nelson, Stephen Keller, Ed Gates, Josh Johnson, and Matt Fitzpatrick) who are using stable isotopes, genetics, and geospatial modeling to understand the impacts of wind-turbine mortality on populations of migratory bats. The position is available as early as August 2011. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Please email a letter of interest and resume/CV (including GPA, GRE scores, and contact information for 3 references) to Dr. David Nelson (dmnelson@al.umces.edu) and Dr. Stephen Keller (kelle913@umn.edu) to learn more about the position. The student will have access to AL’s excellent research, computing, and teaching facilities, including state-of-the-art molecular and stable isotope labs. Posted: 4/7/11.
University of Massachusetts: I am seeking a qualified candidate for a 2-year funded Master's program studying migration and passage of American shad through the Environmental Conservation program. Qualified candidates must have a BA/BS and be able to perform field work that can be physically demanding. The degree will include extensive work with various forms of telemetry (radio, acoustic, and PIT), and the student will need to be able to quickly learn database development and management skills, along with advanced statistical techniques. Strong math skills a definite plus. This position requires a rapid response: it is contingent on funding, and will begin in June of 2011 (possibly sooner). Interested candidates should provide resumes, transcripts, and references to: Theodore Castro-Santos, PhD., Research Ecologist, S.O. Conte Anadromous Fish Research Center, One Migratory Way, P.O. Box 796, Turners Falls, MA 01376, 413-863-3838, tcastro_santos@usgs.gov. Posted: 3/18/11.
University of Massachusetts Amherst: Ph.D. Opportunity: Urban Green Infrastructure and Ecosystem Services. Green infrastructure (GI) is understood and increasingly accepted internationally as an alternative to conventional urban infrastructure. Theory supporting green infrastructure is evolving with a focus on the broad suite of ecosystem services putatively supported by GI that support urban sustainability and resilience goals. In a holistic sustainability context, these GI-ecosystem services can be organized/classified according to the ABC resource model (abiotic, biotic and cultural) (Ahern 2007, 2010, Pauliet et al 2011). This model is helpful to maintain a broad and inclusive awareness of ecosystem services, not limited to the biophysical. The identification and assessment of specific ecosystem services is arguably the greatest opportunity, and research challenge for continued development and application of urban green infrastructure. Landscape ecology provides a foundation of applied principles, theories and methods for relating spatial patterns to ecological process, across a range of contexts. This research program will focus on urban ecosystems and urban ecosystem services as provided by green infrastructure. The research will collaborate with an ongoing interdisciplinary ULTRA research group focusing on the socio- ecological drivers and consequences of landscape change in the Boston Metropolitan area. Planning and design for urban infrastructure is a highly dynamic enterprise, requiring routine re-construction, and continuous adaptations to new regulations and technologies. Research on bio, and ecological engineering is identifying new approaches at broad system levels as well as at project-scale designs for urban green infrastructure. New and emerging ideas and practices in green infrastructure will require an adaptive approach, in which planning and design interventions and “safe-to-fail” design experiments occur within a program of continuous/ongoing monitoring and adaptation. This position is offering support for a new Ph.D. student in the Department of Landscape Architecture and Regional Planning. I am seeking a student with the research interests described and specific skills including: very strong English language writing skills, graphic skills - including digital tools, GIS modeling and assessment, and a high level of self-motivation. Interested persons are requested to reply with a 1000 word statement, including your research interests, academic background, research skills, and 2 academic references. The position is open for enrollment in the fall of 2011. A formal application process will require GRE, transcript(s), letters of reference and TOEFL (if not a native English speaker). Please send statement of interest to: Jack Ahern, Professor of Landscape Architecture (jfa@larp.umass.edu) Posted: 4/5/11.
University of Massachusetts Boston: The Bowen lab is searching for a well qualified student (either MS or PhD seeking) to work and learn on an NSF funded proposal focusing on microbial controls of N2O fluxes in salt marsh sediments. N2O is now the number one ozone depleting chemical being emitted to the atmosphere and its concentrations continue to rise. Microbially produced N2O can result from either nitrification or denitrification but the relative importance of these two pathways to N2O flux is not well characterized. This project will combine field experiments on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, geochemical analyses of nitrogen fluxes, and a variety of techniques in molecular biology (in particular quantitative PCR and functional gene microarrays) to start to understand what environmental factors and microbial pathways control N2O flux. Applicants must minimally have a Bachelor’s Degree in Ecology, Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science or a related field and must have excellent written, verbal, and quantitative skills to be accepted into the graduate program at UMass. This is a full-stipend position. Details for applying to the graduate program. If you are interested in working on this project please also contact me directly (Jennifer.bowen@umb.edu) to learn more about joining our group. Posted: 10/11/10.
University of Michigan: A Ph.D. opportunity is available for a student to join the Cardinale lab to work on a newly funded National Science Foundation DIMENSIONS of Biodiversity grant that examines how the evolution of genetic diversity among species of algae influences the productivity of lake ecosystems. The overarching goal of this project is to determine whether evolutionary and genetic divergence among species can accurately predict which species extinctions will have the greatest impacts on the productivity of whole ecosystems. The project will identify the genetic bases of niche differences among species that coexist throughout North America, determine if these genetic differences are evolutionarily conserved, and assess whether the genes that influence coexistence also control the productivity of entire lake algal communities. The work includes field and laboratory experiments, as well as natural surveys. Collaborators include Dr.’s Todd Oakley – a phylogeneticist at the University of California-Santa Barbara, and Chuck Delwiche – a genomics expert at the University of Maryland. The successful applicant will be involved in all aspects of the proposed experiments, and will also be expected to develop their own independent dissertation to compliment the broader goals of the project. A background in ecology, evolution, environmental science, limnology, or a related field is required. A background working with freshwater organisms is preferred, but not required. The assistantship offers a competitive stipend plus tuition and benefits. Applications should be submitted through the University of Michigan’s Rackham Graduate School by January 5th, 2011. Pre-inquiries can be directed to Dr. Bradley J. Cardinale (bradcard@lifesci.ucsb.edu). Posted: 11/12/10.
University of Minnesota: The Department of Forest Resources is seeking a master's-level graduate student to participate in a research project examining the response of second-growth northern hardwood systems to old-growth restoration treatments within northern Wisconsin. The student will join a team of collaborators from the University of Minnesota, USFS Northern Research Station, University of Wisconsin, and Wisconsin DNR to assess the influence of different levels of overstory disturbance and deadwood levels and herbivory on tree regeneration and forest structure. The position is available for Spring/Summer 2011 and includes two years of funding (stipend, tuition waiver, and health insurance). The ideal candidate will have a B.S. in forest ecology, forestry, natural resources conservation, environmental science, biology 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. The application deadline for this position is December 15, 2010. Interested candidates should contact: Dr. Anthony D'Amato (damato@umn.edu, 612-625-3733). Posted: 10/8/10.
University of Missouri: The Center for Agroforestry has the following graduate student openings for Summer/Fall 2011. Interested students please contact the respective faculty members for details: 1. Breeding black walnut for improved nut traits (M.S.) (Mark Coggeshall; coggeshallm@missouri.edu) 2. Shortleaf pine restoration: An evaluation of family performance in a silvopasture setting (M.S.) (John Dwyer; dwyerj@missouri.edu) 3. Riparian buffer effects on filtration of field applied manure: A rainfall simulator plot study (M.S.) (Ranjith Udawatta; udawattar@missouri.edu) 4. Shade tolerance of warm season grasses for agroforestry applications (Ph.D.) (Jerry Van Sambeek; vansambeekje@missouri.edu) 5. Mycorrhizal associations in agroforestry (M.S.) (Johann Bruhn, bruhnj@missouri.edu) 6. Ecological sustainability of agroforestry biomass feedstock production systems (Ph.D.) (Shibu Jose; joses@missouri.edu). Posted: 11/15/10.
University of Missouri: I am interested in recruiting a doctoral student to my lab to conduct research on factors regulating tree cover and diversity in African savannas starting in Fall 2011. Potential topics include: i) factors limiting tree recruitment along rainfall gradients; ii) mechanisms of tree-grass and tree-tree coexistence through partitioning of soil moisture; iii) analysis of traits and trait-tradeoffs at different scales (leaf, stem, whole-plant); iv) relationships between functional (e.g., wood density, drought-resistance) and demographic traits across tree species. The field components would most likely take place in the Serengeti (i) and Kruger (ii-iv) National Parks. I am interested in applicants with strong quantitative skills (e.g., familiarity with maximum likelihood and/or Bayesian methods and/or mathematical/simulation modeling) or who are interested in acquiring them, and who are interested in integrating field, lab, and modeling approaches. Funding in the Division of Biological Sciences is available through Graduate Teaching Assistantships and a number of competitive four-year Life Sciences Fellowships. Further funding in the form of Research Assistantships may become available, depending on the success of pending and future proposals. In the meantime, I have limited funding available to seed field projects. Columbia is an attractive college town with excellent amenities and recreational opportunities and affordable housing, and is less than 2 hours from the St. Louis airport and 2-3 hours from the Ozark mountains. Interested applicants please send a CV, a brief description of research interests, and a writing sample to Dr. Ricardo Holdo at holdor@missouri.edu. Posted: 11/10/10.
University of Missouri: The Interdisciplinary Hydrology Laboratory is seeking a Masters level Graduate Research Assistant (M.S. GRA) to assist with studies investigating the movement of water and effects of vegetation management in central Missouri, USA. The Interdisciplinary Hydrology Laboratory is located in the School of Natural Resources and the Department of Forestry. The University of Missouri is among the top ten of the nation's universities with demonstrated excellence in teaching and research. This two year position will begin as soon as a qualified applicant is selected. Primary duties will include field work to measure surface and groundwater flow in two distinct projects investigating floodplain and prairie ecosystem land-use management. The successful applicant will possess previous experience, be required to work independently and collaboratively, conduct field work and aid in installation and maintenance of instruments and monitoring sites. Other duties include data collection, processing and analysis, and completion of a Master’s Thesis, including at least one peer reviewed publication. Applicants should have completed at least one degree in natural resources, environmental sciences, hydrology, or a related field, and must possess a valid US driver's license. Experience in stream measurements, data processing, analysis and modeling, water quality monitoring, soil physics, GIS, and computer programming are a plus. Strong verbal, written, and computational skills are essential. Applicants must be able to lift and carry equipment and tools. If interested in applying please forward by email the following documents, transcript, curriculum vitae, recent GRE scores, recent TOEFL scores, cover letter, letter of professional experience, interests and goals, 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: 8/31/10.
University of Missouri: The Interdisciplinary Hydrology Laboratory is seeking a Masters level Graduate Research Assistant (M.S. GRA) to assist with a study investigating water flow and water quality in a dynamic multi-land-use urbanizing watershed of the central U.S. The study takes place in the Hinkson Creek Watershed (HCW) encompassing the city of Columbia and the University of Missouri. The Interdisciplinary Hydrology Laboratory is located in the School of Natural Resources and the Department of Forestry of the University of Missouri. The University of Missouri is among the top ten of the nation's universities with demonstrated excellence in teaching and research. This two year position will begin as soon as a qualified applicant is selected. Primary duties will include field work to measure water flow, collect grab samples, and maintain a sediment instrumentation network at permanent monitoring sites in the HCW. Other duties will include ordering supplies, water quality analyses, and technician supervision. The successful applicant will possess previous experience, be required to work independently and collaboratively, conduct field work and aid in installation and maintenance of instruments and monitoring sites. Other duties include data collection, processing and analysis, and completion of a Master’s Thesis, including at least one peer reviewed publication. Applicants should have completed at least one degree in natural resources, environmental sciences, hydrology, water quality, or a related field, and must possess a valid US driver's license. Experience in stream measurements, data processing, analysis and modeling, water quality monitoring, soil physics, GIS, and computer programming are a plus. Strong verbal, written, and computational skills are essential. Applicants must be able to lift and carry equipment and tools. If interested in applying please forward by email the following documents, transcript, curriculum vitae, recent GRE scores, recent TOEFL scores, cover letter, letter of professional experience, interests and goals, 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: 7/9/10, revised: 8/31/10.
University of Missouri-St. Louis: A graduate student position (MSc.) is available at UMSL in collaboration with the Missouri Botanical Garden (MBG) to examine the effects of climate change on the spatial distribution of rare plants in the Midwestern US. The student will be co-supervised by Drs. Matthew Albrecht (MBG), Ivan Jimenez (MBG), and Amy Zanne (UMSL) and will be supported by research funding for two years under a grant funded by the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS). The project will use observed relationships between known species occurrences and current climatic conditions, as well as data on functional and life history traits, to predict species distributions under scenarios of future climate change. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to interact with a dynamic group of ecologists, systematists, and evolutionary biologists at UMSL, Washington University, Saint Louis University, and one of the leading research botanical gardens in the world. The position is available to start in January or August, 2011. Qualifications: Candidates must have a strong academic background, work ethic, and oral and written communication skills. Experience with the R statistical environment, ESRI software and/or species distribution models are helpful but not required. A cover letter and resume or CV should be submitted to Dr. Matthew Albrecht (matthew.albrecht@mobot.org). In the cover letter, provide details about your academic background (including GPA and GRE scores if available), research interests, and desire to attend graduate school. Applicants should also apply through the Biology Graduate Program at UMSL. The UMSL application will require transcripts and three letters of recommendation. You should notify Dr. Albrecht when you submit your UMSL application. Applications are due December 1, 2010. Posted: 10/11/10.
University of Montana: PhD Graduate Research Assistantship available to study the efficacy and ecological effects of treatments to restore whitebark pine forests. The successful applicant will contribute to investigations of the effects of restoration treatments on recruitment, growth, and survival of whitebark pine, in addition to developing independent, complementary dissertation research. Possible focal areas for dissertation include effects of restoration treatments on: (1) whitebark pine seed quality and outplanting success; 2) natural regeneration of whitebark pine; 3) successional dynamics of whitebark pine ecosystems. Applicants should have an excellent academic record; prior field or greenhouse experience; and strong interest in forest ecology and restoration. Support package consists of up to 6 semesters of salary and tuition waiver. Start date: As early as June 2011 and preferably before January 2012. To apply, please send (1) a letter of interest, including career goals and relevant past experiences; (2) a resume or CV; (3) GRE scores; (4) academic transcripts; and (5) contact telephone numbers and email addresses for three references. Submission of application materials by e-mail is preferred. Address applications to Andrew J. Larson, College of Forestry and Conservation, University of Montana, 32 Campus Drive, Missoula, MT 59812. E-mail: andrew.larson@cfc.umt.edu. Posted: 5/4/11.
University of Montana: PhD Graduate Research Assistantship available to study the efficacy and ecological effects of treatments to restore whitebark pine forests. The successful applicant will contribute to investigations of the effects of restoration treatments on recruitment, growth, and survival of whitebark pine, in addition to developing independent, complementary research for her or his dissertation. Possible focal areas for dissertation include effects of restoration treatments on: (1) whitebark pine seed quality and outplanting success; 2) natural regeneration of whitebark pine; 3) successional dynamics of whitebark pine ecosystems. Applicants should have an excellent academic record; prior field or greenhouse experience; and strong interest in forest ecology and restoration. Support package consists of salary and tuition waiver. Start date: Summer or Fall 2011; Summer preferred. 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; (4) academic transcripts; and (5) contact telephone numbers and email addresses for three references to: Andrew J. Larson, College of Forestry and Conservation, University of Montana, 32 Campus Drive, Missoula, MT 59812 (andrew.larson@cfc.umt.edu). Posted: 3/7/11.
University of Nebraska: The University of Nebraska-Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Unit is looking for a doctoral student to study the benefits of recent pollinator oriented practices and activities in CRP. The field component of this project is funded through a State Wildlife Grant, and the doctoral candidate will be a fellow of the IGERT program. This project is focused on examining the ecosystem services provided in CRP, with a focus on evaluating pollinators; however there is potential for the selected candidate to add a wildlife component for additional taxa of interest. The IGERT program, funded by the National Science Foundation, strives to teach fellows about real-world policy applications in the natural resources arena and enable the transfer of knowledge in a way that is useful to policymakers in responding to the challenges created by demands for diminishing resources, and the need to maintain and build resilience in stressed ecosystems. This approach understands that sound policy and management decisions cannot be based on one discipline alone, but depend on the convergence of hard science (i.e. ecology, geosciences, natural resources), complex analyses of data, the politics of building consensus and a supportive constituency. Benefits include: * Stipend of $30k annually for 2 to 3 years * Externships with outside agencies * Travel funds for conferences * Computers * Paid tuition and student fees * Basic individual student health insurance * Applicants must be U.S. citizens, or permanent residents. If interested contact Craig Allen (allencr@unl.edu, 402-472-0229). Posted: 2/18/11.
University of Nebraska: I am looking for a Ph D student interested in vegetation dynamics in prairie remnants and prairie restorations. The Nature Conservancy has restored 1,500 acres of grassland and manages 2,000 acres of remnant prairies and uses prescribed fire and grazing to increase habitat quality around Grand Island, Nebraska. However, it is increasingly clear that environmental factors such as soil composition and fertility, drought susceptibility, site history and species pools significant influence the vegetation composition. For instance, observationally, we see that remnant prairies are often dominated by invasive grasses and are low in forb diversity. Even when subjected to years of management to suppress invasive grasses and repeated over-seeding attempts, forb diversity fails to increase. Conversely, cropland restorations planted with 150-230 species successfully establish diverse plant communities. However, these restorations are threatened by the same invasive grass species and we see large variation among sites. There seems to be environmental variability, presently unaccounted for, that is hindering successful efforts to rehabilitate remnant prairies and restored prairies. We are currently examining how management (including fire and grazing), site history and site environmental factors correlate with vegetation composition, diversity, and the abundance of at-risk and invasive species. For this we have set up 800 permanently marked plots that are annually monitored for plant composition and abundance. In addition we have data of site history, management, soil fertility, soil texture and will collect productivity, nitrogen and water availability data in the next year. Based on this we will analyze the factors that control diversity, and propose hypotheses for management strategies that increase diversity, decrease the prevalence of invasive species, and increase the abundance of at-risk species. As a next step, we will experimentally examine these hypotheses on factors that controls plant diversity and how we may change the competitive balance among plant species to favor natives, increase the abundance of rare and threatened species, and decrease the prevalence of exotic weeds. If you are interested in such a research project for your Ph D, please contact me. This requires an interest in both basic and applied community and ecosystem ecology. Johannes (Jean) M H Knops, School of Biological Sciences, University of Nebraska, 348 Manter Hall, Lincoln, NE 68588. Phone (402) 310 3904, Email: jknops2@unl.edu. Posted: 12/3/10.
University of Nevada Las Vegas: An assistantship towards a Master degree of Public Health (MPH) is available in the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health. The incumbent will work with state government agencies and, as well as other research teams on projects such as impacts of quagga mussels (Dreissena bugensis) on fisheries, how to find solutions to control this invasive pest in the arid southwest. Invasive quagga mussels were discovered in Lake Mead on January 6, 2007. It is the first known occurrence of the dreissenid species in the western United States. Now it has been found in many ecosystems in the Southwest United States. The incumbent needs to do field work to collect water and sediment samples in Lake Mohave, summarize water quality data, enumerate quagga mussel veligers and adults, identify and count benthic samples, present research results in interagency meetings, and draft report to funding agencies. The funding is available for 2 years. Minimum requirements include 1) a Bachelor’s degree in Ecology, Biology, Limnology, Chemistry, Environmental Sciences, or related field; 2) good physical condition; 3) safe driving history; 4) self-motivated personality; 5) working independently and interactively with a multidisciplinary team. The position starts from September 2010 depending on the availability of qualified applicant. Interested students should send CV, letter describing their qualifications, contact list of two references, and unofficial transcripts to Dr. David Wong (david.wong@unlv.edu), Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, University of Nevada at Las Vegas, 4505 Maryland Parkway Box 453064, Las Vegas NV 89154 (Tel: 702-895-2446/Fax: 702-895-5166). Electronic submission is preferred. The due date for application is August 7, 2010. More information about graduate studies at UNLV can be found at http://graduatecollege.unlv.edu/. Posted: 7/6/10.
University of Nevada, Reno: Applications are invited for a M.S. or Ph.D.-level student to fill a graduate research position that is currently available in the DendroLab. This position is part of the current Nevada NSF-EPSCoR project entitled "Nevada Infrastructure for Climate Change Science, Education, and Outreach", and relates mainly to the "Ecological Change" and "Water Resources" infrastructure-building components. Financial support includes a monthly stipend, support for travel to scientific meetings, field and laboratory analyses, tuition and health insurance. The position is scheduled to begin summer 2011 and is for one year, with a possibility of renewal for additional years. The successful applicant will be part of a multi-disciplinary, multi-institutional team that includes UNR, the Desert Research Institute (DRI), and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). The specific purpose of this assistantship is to utilize the two valley-to-mountain instrumental transects, one in the Snake Range (eastern Nevada) and one in the Sheep Range (southern Nevada), funded by the NSF-EPSCoR project. A number of environmental parameters are going to be monitored at the transect locations, including atmospheric (barometric pressure, air temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and direction, precipitation, insolation, net radiation, snow accumulation, etc.), pedologic (soil moisture, soil temperature, etc.), and vegetational (stem increment, sap flow, NDVI, phenological changes, etc.) ones. The specific hypothesis that will be tested by the research team is how wood formation responds to climate, with particular emphasis on bristlecone growth as a record of air temperature. Radial changes will be measured using point dendrometers at half-hour intervals, and repeated microcore sampling will be combined with histological analysis to determine the timing of cambium activity, subdivision, elongation, and lignification of new xylem cells during the season. Finally, field experiments and manipulations are planned to determine how bristlecone pine rings may reflect changes in, for instance, increased summertime precipitation compared to reduced snow cover. This project is also part of an ongoing collaboration between the DendroLab and Prof. Hubert Morin's team at the Département des Sciences Fondamentales, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, Canada. Applicants should have an undergraduate or graduate degree in biology, wood science, engineering, hydrology, ecology, climatology, geography, applied statistics, computer science, or a related field. The ideal candidate should have a strong quantitative background and interest in proxy records of climate change. Experience in one or more of these areas is particularly welcomed: field electronics and sensors, numerical analysis in script-based environments (such as R or SAS), wood anatomy and microtomy. The successful applicant will need to be accepted in one of the following graduate programs: Geography, Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology, Hydrologic Sciences, Environmental Sciences, or Atmospheric Sciences. Candidates should also check the University Graduate School website, which includes information for international applicants. For questions or additional details on the position, please contact Prof. Franco Biondi (fbiondi@unr.edu, +1 775 784-6921). Posted: 1/12/11.
University of Nevada, Reno: The Program in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology (EECB) at UNR has new research opportunities and both teaching and research fellowships available for well-qualified students interested in pursuing a Ph.D. in fall 2011. We have research opportunities through our interdisciplinary graduate program, which links scientists across multiple departments (Biology, Natural Resources and Environmental Science, Geography, and others), the Desert Research Institute, and various state and federal agencies. Participating departments support about 100 graduate students in EECB and closely associated programs. Accepted Ph.D. students are eligible to receive stipends in the range of $16,800 to $28,000 per year, plus health benefits and tuition remission. In addition, EECB students are eligible for internal research and travel grants. Students may work in many areas of ecology and evolution, 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. EECB faculty and graduate students conduct research from South America to the Arctic in a variety of ecosystems. The EECB graduate program is one of the first nationwide to include Conservation Science in our degree. Facilities include the Whittell Forest and Wildlife Area Field Station, Conservation Genetics Center, and the Nevada Genomics Center. UNR is situated on the east side of the Sierra Nevada with easy access to both Lake Tahoe and the Great Basin, areas ideal for both research and recreation. Interested students should contact relevant EECB faculty members to discuss mutual research interests. EECB also hosts a colloquium series, which brings top researchers from around the globe to give talks on their respective work. The deadline for fall 2011 applications is 28 February 2011. Online application and admission information. For any questions, please contact co-directors Dr. Mary Peacock (mpeacock@unr.edu), Dr. Peter Weisberg (pweisberg@cabnr.unr.edu), or EECB program secretary Pauline Jasper (paulinej@unr.edu). Posted: 12/13/10.
University of Nevada, Reno: two Graduate research assistant opportunities for 2011: 1: Conservation biogeography A graduate research assistant position is available starting summer 2011 with Professor Thomas Albright in the Laboratory for Conservation Biogeography. This is an extremely flexible opportunity to support student-driven research in conservation biogeography, ecoclimatology, remote sensing, and/or landscape ecology. Students can pursue Masters or Ph.D. degrees in Geography or a Ph.D. in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology. Qualifications: - Background in geography, biology, natural resources, or related disciplines - Strong communication and independent working skills - Excellent academic credentials - Great research ideas - Experience with any of the following highly desirable: GIS, remote sensing, scientific computing/programming, statistics, spatial analysis, species distribution modeling, eco-informatics, conservation genetics If interested, please prepare a single PDF or rtf document entitled [lastname].pdf or [lastname].rtf containing: - Cover letter highlighting your academic/professional background/goals and outlining your research interests - Resume/CV - Copies of transcripts (unofficial ok) - GRE scores and percentiles, if available - Names/contacts of three references Send document to talbright [at] unr.edu by 1 January 2011. Please note that an application to UNR graduate school and Geography or EECB will be required before 1 February 2011. Instructions available on the websites provided above. 2: Paleoecology – Reconstructing fire and vegetation history in the Sierra Nevada Range, California. A graduate research assistant position is available starting summer 2011 with Professor Scott Mensing in the Department of Geography. Funding is available for a PhD student interested in using pollen and charcoal analysis and fire scars to reconstruct vegetation and fire history in Sequoia National Forest, southern Sierra Nevada and compare this with Native American land use history. We will collect sediment cores from lakes and meadows and use pollen and charcoal analysis to reconstruct vegetation and fire history during the last 4,000 years. Fire history during the last 200 to 300 years will be reconstructed from fire-scarred trees near the core sites to establish recent fire dynamics. The project will also use existing archeological evidence to document the arrival and distribution of Native Americans across the region of study. This research assistantship is part of a larger NSF funded project. Funding is available for three years, renewable each year pending adequate progress towards the PhD. Master’s degree required. Prior experience with pollen analysis is not required; however a good background in ecology and/or paleoecology is preferred. If interested, please contact Scott Mensing for further information (smensing@unr.edu). An application to UNR graduate school and Geography will be required before 1 February 2011. Posted: 11/24/10.
University of Nevada, Reno: Applications are invited for a M.S. or Ph.D.-level student to fill a graduate research position that is currently available with Dr. Laurel Saito and Dr. Franco Biondi in the Graduate Program of Hydrologic Science. Financial support includes a monthly stipend and covers tuition and health insurance. The position will begin January 2011 and is guaranteed for one year, with a possibility of renewal for additional years. The deadline for applications is September 1, 2010. The successful applicant will work on an NSF-funded project that involves combining dendrochronology (i.e., tree-ring analysis) with mechanistic watershed modeling to reconstruct past streamflows and examine model sensitivities and applications. This new technique is an effort to quantify the effect of watershed topography, vegetation dynamics, natural disturbance, and land use changes on proxy-augmented streamflow records. The premise of the research is that dendrohydrologists have employed sophisticated regression techniques to extend runoff records, but this empirical approach cannot directly test the influence of watershed factors that alter streamflow independently of climate. The proposed approach employs tree-ring records to generate long time series of precipitation and possibly temperature, which can be used as input to a process-based watershed model to calculate streamflow. The analysis will be conducted with data from the upper reaches of the Walker River on the boundary between the Sierra Nevada of California and the Great Basin of Nevada. Multiple tree-ring records, up to 2,300-year long, have been generated from the region and will be used as a basis for analysis. Applicants should have a B.S. in engineering, hydrology, applied statistics, applied mathematics, computer science, or a related field. The ideal candidate should have a strong quantitative background and interest in interdisciplinary surface water issues. Programming experience is particularly welcomed. Information on the application process is available at www.hydro.unr.edu. Candidates should also check the UNR Graduate School website, which includes information for international applicants. If you are interested in the position, please contact Dr. Saito (lsaito@cabnr.unr.edu) and/or Dr. Biondi (fbiondi@unr.edu). Posted: 4/23/10.
University of New Brunswick: Graduate Student Opportunities – Cunjak lab, 2010-2012. Project #1, PhD student To answer the question "Is egg survival of Atlantic salmon a function of hyporheic water quality and/or flow regulation"? This research is aimed at quantifying the relationship between egg survival of autumn spawning fishes and the environmental attributes associated with flow regulation from hydroelectric activities in rivers. Specifically, it is hypothesized that egg survival will decrease in response to altered winter and spring flows as a result of hyporheic anoxic water delivery within the substrate (redd). Secondarily, it is hypothesized that winter flow regulation will lead to compromised physiological development in alevins that will result in impaired growth and reduced recruitment. For more details on the project contact Richard Cunjak (cunjak@unb.ca). - ideally, would commence January or April 2011 - funding support: NSERC Strategic Network Grant (HydroNet). Project #2, PhD student (co-supervised with M. Power, U. Waterloo) To address the question “Does instream connectivity, both lateral and longitudinal, change with a seasonally altered flow regime in ways that significantly affect resident fish populations?” Specifically we will test a series of hypotheses that the possible consequences of changes in habitat and trophic connectivity for resident fish and invertebrate species in both summer and winter as follows: a) altered flow regimes in regulated rivers will alter accessibility to preferred summer feeding habitats for fish located below the dam, thereby, reducing size and growth rate, nutritional status and winter survival. b) surface and subsurface ice accumulations and/or related flow constrictions will reduce suitability and complexity of lateral (floodplain) and longitudinal habitats such that fish will experience increased energy expenditure (measurable as loss of lipid reserves) in high flow mainstem habitats, and reduced winter survival. This is largely a field-based study to be conducted in the West Salmon River, NL and using the Conne River as a reference study site. Knowledge of biotelemetry technology, especially passive integrated transponders, is an advantage. - ideally would commence in January or May 2012 - funding support: HydroNet and DFO-CHIF grants Applicants for both positions will have a strong academic record and significant field experience working with stream fishes, preferably in the area of ecology and population dynamics. Graduate students will be located at the Canadian Rivers Institute at the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton, New Brunswick. Full funding for salary and research is available for 2.5–year (MSc) or 4-yr (PhD) terms. If interested, please send CV, statement of research interest(s), academic transcript, and the names of three references to: Richard A. Cunjak, Ph.D., Professor, and Canada Research Chair in River Ecosystem Science, Fellow, Canadian Rivers Institute, Department of Biology, and the Faculty of Forestry & Environmental Management, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, New Brunswick, CANADA. E3B 5A3. email - cunjak@unb.ca. Posted: 12/2/10.
University of New Brunswick/University of Ottawa/University of Toronto: As a collaborating group of academic and government scientists, we are seeking 5 Ph. D. students to work as a part of a multidisciplinary team conducting manipulative experiments designed to examine the effects of multiple stressors in small wetland ecosystems. The focus of this NSERC funded research program will be on the potential effects of climate change on amphibians and other aquatic organisms alone and in combination with herbicide use. This would be the 3rd in a series of experiments conducted at the Long-term Experimental Wetlands Area (LEWA), on Canadian Forces Base Gagetown in New Brunswick Canada. All positions are contingent on funding - we will know funding decision by October 2010. (a) 1 Ph. D. position at the University of Ottawa. A Ph. D student will be examining climate change/herbicide effects on gene expression, sexual development and metamorphosis in amphibians. They will be supervised by Dr. Vance Trudeau (University of Ottawa; see www.teamendo.ca) and Dr. Vince Palace (DFO, Winnipeg, Manitoba) and work out of The University of Ottawa Centre for Advanced Research in Environmental Genomics. Qualifications: Candidates should have a background in comparative physiology or vertebrate endocrinology, and have demonstrated experience with basic molecular biology methods (PCR, gene cloning, etc). A keen interest in climate change effects on aquatic ecosystems would be an asset to the team. (b) 3 Ph. D. positions with the Biology Department and The Canadian Rivers Institute at the University of New Brunswick Saint John. 1. One Ph. D. student will be examining climate change/herbicide effects on DOC and UV radiation attenuation. The student will be supervised by Drs. Nelson O?Driscoll and Jeff Houlahan (UNB Saint John). Qualifications: An M. Sc. in chemistry, biology, environmental science or a related discipline is preferred. Exceptional B. Sc. students will be considered. All candidates should have good statistical skills (i.e. are comfortable with traditional analyses such as ANOVA and regression) and be comfortable with independent laboratory and field work. 2. One Ph.D. student will examine the effects of climate change/herbicide use on planktonic and benthic invertebrate communities in these experimental ponds. The student will be supervised by Dr. Karen Kidd (UNB Saint John). Qualifications: An M.Sc. in ecotoxicology, aquatic ecology or a related discipline. The student should have experience conducting field work on aquatic systems and good statistical skills. Experience in macroinvertebrate identifications is an asset. 3. One Ph. D student will be examining the effects of climate change/herbicide stressors on primary production and plant abundance and diversity. The student will be supervised by Dr. Jeff Houlahan. Qualifications: An M. Sc. in ecology, conservation biology, botany or a related discipline is preferred. We would consider a statistics, math or computer modelling graduate if there is a strong natural history interest and background. Exceptional B. Sc. students will be considered. All candidates should have good statistical skills (i.e. are comfortable with traditional analyses such as ANOVA and regression). Experience in aquatic plant identification is an asset. (c) 1 Ph. D. position with the Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences at the University of Toronto. One Ph. D student will be using the output from 24 Global Climate Models and four Regional Climate Models applied to Canada in conjunction with a common regression-based stochastic weather generator software to develop realistic regional climate projections under different future scenarios of climate change. The student will be supervised by Dr. Adam Fenech. Qualifications: A Masters degree in physical geography or physics with specific courses in climatology and/or meteorology. All candidates should have numerical skills, and enjoy database development and manipulation. Geographic information system experience is an asset. (all positions) Additional qualifications: The importance of candidates being effective team players cannot be overstated. Excellent verbal and written communication skills as well as interpersonal relation skills are considered vital personal attributes. This project will involve many students and senior researchers (as well as, a number of field technicians) working on the same set of 24 ponds for at least the next 3 years and therefore the ability to collaborate effectively will be a critical, perhaps the most critical, attribute determining the success of this project. We are looking for that rare combination - the ability to think and work independently while also being a collegial, collaborative and cooperative team member. Terms for Placement: All Ph.D. students have guaranteed funding of $20-22k annually for 3 years with a fourth year of funding likely. Duties: Successful candidates will work as a team to establish 24 experimental ponds on CFB Gagetown. They will be responsible for establishment of testable hypotheses, study design, experimental installation, data collection, analyses and lead-authoring peer-reviewed publications in international journals as well as a thesis dissertation pertaining to their subproject. In addition all students will be required to work with other team members to integrate results across subprojects which will enhance their multi-disciplinary learning experience. Successful applicants will have access to state-of-the art laboratory facilities at the Canadian Rivers Institute, UNB Saint John, and at the University of Ottawa. Start Date: We would prefer students to start in January, 2011 but have some flexibility on start dates. Students who have a keen interest in this unique opportunity to work with our team should send applications (i.e. CV, graduate and undergraduate academic transcripts, cover letter and full contact information for a minimum of three academic/research references) to Jeff Houlahan at jeffhoul@unbsj.ca. Please clearly identify the position(s) for which you are applying. Applications will be accepted until all positions have been filled. After selection the candidates will also have to apply for acceptance into the graduate programs of the host universities. For more information about specific subprojects contact the supervisor. Posted: 8/23/10.
University of New Hampshire: Ph.D. Position in Soil Microbial Ecology beginning Fall 2011. Serita Frey, Department of Natural Resources & the Environment, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH USA. Our lab is focused on understanding the linkages between microbial community structure and ecosystem function. We examine how environmental change (climate warming, nitrogen deposition, biodiversity loss, invasive species) alters the biodiversity, community composition, and function of the soil microbial community and how shifts in the community feedback to influence ecosystem-scale nutrient cycling processes. Currently, we are focused on understanding how chronic soil warming and nitrogen deposition influence the diversity, evolution, and function of decomposer fungi. Our work is done primarily within the context of several global change experiments at the Harvard Forest Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) site in Petersham, MA USA. The student will have flexibility to explore questions that fall within the broad framework outlined above. The student is expected to have strong interests in ecology, soils, microbiology, and biogeochemistry. Applicants should be able to work independently, but also cooperatively with other members of the lab. Interest in and experience with high-throughput sequencing methodologies is desirable. An MS degree in biology, ecology, natural resources, microbiology, or related field is preferred, though applicants without an MS degree, but with relevant research experience, will be considered. The position stipend will be $24k to start with health insurance and a full tuition waiver. To apply please send the following items in a single PDF file to Serita Frey (serita.frey@unh.edu): letter of interests/experience, CV, unofficial transcripts, and the names and contact information for three professional references. Posted: 4/20/11.
University of New Hampshire: Graduate Student Opportunity For Fall 2011: Sustainability of Aquatic Ecosystems. We seek a highly motivated graduate student who will advance understanding of aquatic ecosystem responses to land use change in a variable and changing climate in New England. Research questions can focus on a variety of topics, including storm responses of stream biogeochemistry under different agriculture, suburban, and forest management activities; surface water influence on nutrient and carbon fluxes to the coastal ocean; and the role of spatial and temporal heterogeneity within river networks in controlling nutrient and carbon fluxes. We seek candidates with strong quantitative, technical and/or electronic skills who will be able to deploy novel, in situ nutrient measurement instruments ideally suited for understanding storm responses and ecosystem processes. This position is part of a broader collaborative effort at the University of New Hampshire and collaborating institutions, including the Plum Island Ecosystem Long Term Ecological Research site in Massachusetts, to further understanding of sustainable agriculture and sustainable ecosystems in New England. Position is available immediately for start in Fall 2011 and will remain open until filled. Applicants should send a curriculum vitae, statement of research interests, and contact information for 3 references to Dr. Wilfred Wollheim (wil.wollheim@unh.edu). Posted: 4/11/11.
University of New Hampshire: Funding is available starting fall 2011 for a self-motivated PhD student to develop a project within an agroecosystem context that considers the roles of soil management, cover crops, and microbial communities in the rhizosphere in mediating carbon sequestration, nutrient dynamics, weed-crop competition, and/or crop response to climate change. Prospective students should possess a master’s degree in ecology, agroecology or agronomy and meet the qualifications necessary to be accepted into the Natural Resources & Earth Systems Science Ph.D. Program. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to conduct field research at both the UNH campus in Durham, NH and the Penn State Campus in State College, PA, and to collaborate with other researchers housed at UNH, Penn State, the University of Minnesota, the University of Illinois, Michigan State University, and the USDA ARS. For more information, please contact Dr. Rich G. Smith (richard.smith@unh.edu). Posted: 3/7/11.
University of New Hampshire: A position is available for a highly qualified and motivated PhD student or post-doctoral research associate to conduct research in the mixed hardwood-conifer forest ecosystems of New Hampshire related to ecosystem ecology, plant ecophysiology, and/or ecohydrology. The research should address questions related to plant water relations from the leaf to the stand and their influence on water fluxes at the ecosystem and/or landscape scales. The research should also enhance understanding of how climate change and land use change have affected these ecohydrological processes historically and make projections about possible future trajectories. The student or post-doc would have substantial flexibility to develop the details and focus of their research within these broader goals. A variety of tools will be available for conducting the research, including but not limited to sap flow techniques, stable isotope analysis, throughfall measurements, soil moisture dynamics, nutrient analysis, and leaf- and plant-level ecophysiological assessments. Exceptional opportunities exist to collaborate with scientists having diverse expertise within UNH?s Department of Natural Resources and the Environment and Complex Systems Research Center (at the Institute for the study of Earth, Oceans, and Space), as well as the USDA-Forest Service's Northern Research Station. Requirements: Successful PhD applicants must have obtained a research-based M.S. degree in a discipline related to ecosystem ecology or plant ecophysiology, or equivalent experience during or after a B.S. degree. For the post-doctoral research associate position, the applicant should have significant publications related to these fields and evidence of being able to successfully contribute to the development of a strong and dynamic research program. Applicants should also have a demonstrated ability to work both independently and cooperatively in both field and laboratory settings, strong organizational and interpersonal abilities, and excellent written and oral communication skills. Previous experience with plant water relations, sapflow and/or micrometeorological techniques, and/or stable isotope analysis is desirable but not required. To apply, please submit a statement of interest, full CV, copy of academic transcripts, pdf(s) of relevant publications, and the names and contact information of three references to the contact listed below via email. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until a suitable candidate is found. The anticipated start date is sometime between May and August 2011. Dr. Heidi Asbjornsen, Associate Professor of Ecosystem Ecology, heidi.asbjornsen@unh.edu, Department of Natural Resources and the Environment, Durham, New Hampshire. Posted: 2/17/11.
University of New Hampshire: seeking a highly-motivated graduate student interested in linking human dimensions to ecosystem change to work on a new interdisciplinary project in northeastern Oregon. This project, “Community and Forest: Linked Human-Ecosystem Responses to Natural Disturbances in Oregon” is funded through the USDA’s Disaster Resilience for Rural Communities Program. In addition to thesis/dissertation research, this student will work closely with project directors in designing, implementing, and analyzing a household survey, will conduct field work in northeastern Oregon, and will work alongside other graduate students and community and agency partners in providing appropriate deliverables throughout the project (e.g., extension publications, briefs, conference papers, community presentations, refereed articles). Funding is available – 2 years funding for a MS student and 3 years funding for a PhD student. Project: Forests in the Wallowa-Whitman Ecosystem (WWE) are threatened by the risk of catastrophic insect outbreaks and wildfire. Forecasted growth in these natural hazards implies dramatic socio-economic costs to communities that are dependent on forests and their ecosystems. Coupled with that risk is ongoing ecological deterioration concurrent with declining commodity timber-production and changing management goals on public lands, all of which has completely transformed the ways that forests are perceived, valued, and managed. This research uses a multi-scalar, multi-disciplinary approach to examine risk perceptions and behavioral reactions to forest management with implications on land use and housing. Further, this work focuses on the dynamic feedbacks between landscape changes, land use conversion, parcelization, and the strategies people use to respond to risk in the WWE. Application is open to students from social science disciplines (e.g., sociology, geography), natural resources, landscape ecology, and related professional fields who will make significant contributions to linking social dynamics of land management and risk perception with ecological change the research project in the form of a master’s thesis or PhD dissertation. Preference will be given to individuals who have experience in statistics and GIS. Optional qualifications include an interest in working in rural communities of the US West, rural sociology, landscape ecology, experience in satellite imagery analysis, and modeling. Potential PhD students can apply to either to the Natural Resources and Earth Systems Science or Sociology and potential MS students can apply to either the Department of Natural Resources & the Environment or Sociology at UNH. The student has the option to begin study in late January 2011 or September 2011. Graduate students will also work closely with the Carsey Institute while at UNH. Send a CV and letter of application by December 15, 2010 to: Joel Hartter, Department of Geography, University of New Hampshire, 102 Huddleston Hall, 73 Main Street, Durham, NH 03824 USA. Tel: 603-862-7052, Email: joel.hartter@unh.edu. Posted: 11/15/10.
University of New Hampshire: A position is available for a highly qualified and motivated PhD student to conduct research in the mixed hardwood-conifer forest ecosystems of New Hampshire related to ecosystem ecology, plant ecophysiology, and/or ecohydrology. Broadly, the research should address questions related to how plant species, forest ecosystems, and management practices influence water fluxes from the individual plant to the stand or watershed scale. Ideally, the research would enhance understanding of how climate change is affecting these ecohydrological processes within forested landscapes. The student would have substantial flexibility to develop the details and focus of the research once initiating her/his PhD program at UNH. Examples of possible research questions include: How do different tree species and/or forest ecosystems vary in their water use patterns in relation to management history, stand structure, and/or site conditions? What are the trade-offs between different species' adaptive strategies to key environmental stresses, such as drought, flooding, temperature extremes, and nutrient deposition, and the implications for long-term shifts in species composition? How do different silvicultural practices influence plant transpiration, canopy interception, and ultimately, site water balance? What is the relationship between historical fluctuations in climate (e.g., rainfall, temperature, CO2 concentrations, N deposition), plant water use efficiency, and alterations in species composition along elevational gradients and/or under different management practices? A variety of tools will be available to the student for conducting the research, including but not limited to sap flow techniques, stable isotope analysis, throughfall measurements, nutrient analysis, and leaf- and plant-level ecophysiological assessments. There would also be the opportunity to collaborate with researchers having diverse expertise within UNH's Department of Natural Resources and the Environment, Complex Systems Research Center, Stable Isotope Laboratory, and the Institute for the study of Earth, Oceans, and Space, as well as the USDA-Forest Service's Northern Research Station. Requirements: Successful applicants must have obtained a research-based M.S. degree in a discipline related to ecosystem ecology or plant ecophysiology, or equivalent experience during or after a B.S. degree. Applicants should also have a demonstrated ability to work both independently and cooperatively in both field and laboratory settings, strong organizational and interpersonal abilities, and excellent written and oral communication skills. Previous experience with plant water relations and/or stable isotope analysis is desirable but not required. To apply, please submit a statement of interest, full CV, copy of academic transcripts, pdfs of relevant publications, and the names and contact information of three references to the contact listed below via email. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until a suitable candidate is found. The anticipated start date is flexible, but should be sometime between January and August 2011. Dr. Heidi Asbjornsen (heidi778@gmail.com), Currently: Iowa State University As of January 2011: University of New Hampshire. Posted: 9/14/10.
University of North Carolina at Charlotte: We are offering multiple assistantships in urban stream research. Students will join an interdisciplinary research team (see below) investigating the effects of restoration practices on the ecology, biogeochemistry, and hydrology of headwater streams from the reach to the watershed scale. Applicants with strengths in hydrologic modeling, watershed biogeochemistry, groundwater-surface water interactions, and benthic invertebrate diversity and production are encouraged to apply. Students will have flexibility to develop independent research questions within the context of several projects that address interactions among hydrology, biogeochemistry and ecology in urban aquatic ecosystems. Applicants should have a degree in biology, earth sciences, ecology, environmental engineering, or related field. Please submit a statement of career goals and research interests, full CV, unofficial transcripts and GRE scores, and contact information for three potential references to: Dr. Sara McMillan (smcmillan@uncc.edu); Dr. Sandra Clinton (slinto1@uncc.edu); and/or Dr. Anne Jefferson (ajefferson@uncc.edu). The anticipated start date is negotiable however preference will be given to those qualified applicants who could start during summer 2011. Posted: 2/18/11.
University of North Carolina at Charlotte: Research assistantships are available at the MS or Ph.D. level to participate in a recently funded NSF project investigating the effects of stormwater management on ecosystem function in urban watersheds. The overall goal is to better understand and predict the impacts of stormwater management on receiving streams over a range of spatial and temporal scales through a combination of field based research and watershed scale hydrologic modeling. This interdisciplinary project will link (1) mass-balance based monitoring of individual BMPs, (2) ecosystem processes (nutrient uptake, metabolism, temperature and biological indices) in the receiving stream and (3) monitored and modeled watershed outputs of flow, nitrogen, and carbon. Applicants interested in aquatic biogeochemistry, hydrology, stream ecology and/or watershed modeling are encouraged to apply. Experience with field methods to measure nutrient spiraling and metabolism, data processing and analysis, watershed modeling and GIS are a plus. Students will have flexibility to develop independent research questions within the context of this project that broadly address the interactions among hydrology, biogeochemistry and ecology in aquatic ecosystems. Qualifications: degree in biology, ecology, environmental engineering, hydrology or related field is required. Successful applicants should have a strong interest in working in an interdisciplinary research environment, be creative, motivated and capable of working well both independently and cooperatively and possess strong communication and quantitative skills. Competitive stipends and tuition waivers are available for highly motivated students. For more information on admission requirements and deadlines, visit http://graduateschool.uncc.edu. Opportunities exist for collaboration with the labs of Sandra Clinton and Anne Jefferson at UNC Charlotte who are collaborators on the project. Interested students with strong motivation to succeed in research should contact Sara McMillan via email (smcmillan@uncc.edu). Please submit a statement of career goals and research interests, full CV, unofficial transcripts and GRE scores, and contact information for three potential references. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until suitable candidates are found. The anticipated start date is flexible, but should be sometime between January and August 2011. Posted: 9/24/10.
University of North Dakota: I am seeking highly-motivated students to join the Grassland ecology research group (at the MS level) starting Fall 2011. Research in our laboratory focuses on investigating factors that affect grassland community dynamics with the goal of informing grassland management and tallgrass prairie restoration practices. Opportunities exist to develop novel research projects investigating questions concerning plant species invasions in the Northern Great Plains. Potential projects may be developed around established studies (but are not limited to) on the effects of plant heterogeneity on species invasion or on effects of fungal-symbionts in grasses on native and non-native species interactions. Potential research sites include UND's Oakville Prairie, a > 900 acre remnant prairie in the Red River Valley, ND and other large remnant and restored prairies in Northern Minnesota and the Dakotas. Applicants will be expected to collaborate with land managers from local agencies including the Nature Conservancy, USFWS, and North Dakota Game and Fish Department. Qualifications: Applicants should have a strong interest in invasion ecology, plant community ecology or restoration ecology. Applicants should possess good written and verbal English skills, be capable of working independently, and have demonstrated the ability to work as part of an interactive group. Successful candidates will be invited to submit a formal application for admission to the graduate program at UND. The position will include a full tuition waiver and health insurance and will be supported with a combination of teaching and research assistant stipends. For full consideration please e-mail a cover letter describing your interests and any relevant experience, a CV, unofficial transcripts and contact information for three references to: Dr. Kathryn Yurkonis, Dept of Biology, University of North Dakota, Stop 9019, Grand Forks, North Dakota, 58202, e-mail Kathryn.Yurkonis@und.edu, phone: 701-777-4676 by MAY 15Th. Posted: 4/21/11.
University of North Dakota: Applications are invited for graduate student positions (Ph.D. or M.Sc. level) to study plant-insect interactions in the laboratory of Dr. Steven Ralph. A Graduate Research Assistantship is available immediately to investigate the molecular basis for resistance to insect pests in poplar trees using a forward genetics strategy. This project is funded by a new three year grant from the National Science Foundation. One of the most successful approaches to identify genes responsible for variation in a trait of interest is to produce mutants that are then screened for alterations in such traits. Our previous research identified several dozen activation tagged mutant poplar lines that are resistant to feeding by defoliating insect larvae. In this project, the modified gene in these insect resistant (IR) lines will be identified and functionally characterized. The roles these genes play in mediating IR will be systematically examined in poplar through both gene knock-down and over-expression studies. Furthermore, mutant plants will be subject to thorough phenotypic characterization that includes evaluation of global changes in gene expression and measurement of insect feeding performance and larval development. It is expected that these studies will provide new insight into the genes and pathways that enhance resistance to feeding insects. Identification of specific IR genes will facilitate breeding of improved tree varieties in the future. The successful candidate will receive training in plant tissue culture, plant transformation, insect feeding/development bioassays, gene cloning and heterologous expression, bioinformatics, microarrays, and real-time PCR among other techniques. This project involves collaboration with researchers at North Dakota State University and the University of Florida and will require periodic travel to both institutions. Qualifications: Successful candidates should have a strong interest in research areas such as ecological and functional genomics, forest tree biology, plant-insect interactions, biochemistry and molecular biology. Candidates should possess good written and verbal English skills, be capable of working independently, and have demonstrated the ability to work as part of an interactive group. Successful candidates will be invited to submit a formal application for admission to the graduate program at UND (deadline February 15, 2011). Stipend: The Graduate Research Assistantship starts at $18k (M.Sc.) or $21k (Ph.D.) per year and includes medical health insurance and a full tuition waiver. How to apply: Please supply a cover letter stating your interests, a CV describing your education and skills, undergraduate transcripts (unofficial is acceptable), and contact information for three referees. Send applications to Dr. Steven G. Ralph, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Biology, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, North Dakota, 58202-9019, email steven.ralph@und.nodak.edu, phone: 701-777-4673. Posted: 1/5/11.
University of Notre Dame: Position for master's student in endangered species and climate change Jessica Hellmann, Associate Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences, is recruiting a student to work on a master’s project examining the effects of climate change on an endangered butterfly (Karner blue butterfly). Graduate studies would begin in Fall 2011, but the successful applicant could start work on the project as a paid technician in the spring or summer of 2011. The project is funded by the National Park Service and involves collaboration with Ralph Grundel of the USGS and Randy Knutson of the National Park Service, both at the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. The project examines how temperature changes might affect demography and habitat use by the Karner blue. For more information on the project and how to apply, please contact Jessica Hellmann at hellmann.3@nd.edu. Posted: 12/2/10.
University of Notre Dame: We are recruiting two Ph.D. students to participate in research linking microbial genome content and gene expression to ecological interactions. This work will be conducted in both aquatic and soil systems. However, the research will focus extensively on analysis of genomic and transcriptomic data and incorporation of this information into theoretical models of species-species and species-environment interactions. Ideal candidates would have bioinformatics experience or at least significant computer programming experience. Mathematical interest, if not aptitude, is a requirement. The students would be advised by Dr. Stuart Jones, but would work closely with collaborators in computer science and applied mathematics. Notre Dame offers exemplary facilities, including both genomics and bioinformatics cores. We also have access to grid computing resources. Students would receive above average salary in the form of research and teaching assistantships. More information on the facilities and graduate program can be found here: http://biology.nd.edu. Applications to the graduate program are due January 5th, 2011. Applicants who contact Stuart directly are much more likely to be successful. Posted: 12/2/10.
University of Notre Dame: Masters and Ph.D. research positions are available in aquatic community and ecosystem ecology in the Jones Lab. In our lab, we develop knowledge and tools for the prediction of lake ecosystem services under future climate and land use scenarios and identify strategies for mitigation of undesirable aquatic environmental change. These goals are accomplished using a combination of theoretical and empirical research that integrates approaches from ecology, molecular biology, and mathematics. Because microorganisms mediate most ecosystem services, but possess few morphological characteristics that distinguish one species from another, we use a variety of molecular techniques, including next generation sequencing and genomics. However, these techniques are used to directly develop and test ecological theory. I am also open to applicants with independent research questions in a variety of aquatic systems. Regardless of research topic, a student in my laboratory will gain a multi-disciplinary training, work as a member of a diverse research team, and be expected to significantly contribute to the goals of the lab. Notre Dame offers excellent facilities and resources including the University of Notre Dame Environmental Research Center (UNDERC), Genomics Core Facility, and the Center for Aquatic Conservation. University fellowships and research assistantships are available for competitive applicants. Feel free to contact me (Stuart E. Jones) with questions or interest in applying (sjones20@nd.edu, 574-631-5703). Graduate applications to the Department of Biological Sciences are due by January 5th, 2011. Posted: 11/11/10.
University of Oldenburg: PhD position treeline seedling ecophysiology. We invite applications for a 3-year PhD position (E13, 65%) in a DFG-funded project addressing ecophysiological limitations for germination and seedling performance of a range of tree species at the alpine treeline. The goal of the project is to understand the processes that determine treeline dynamics in different tree species, distinguishing generalised and species-specific responses. Approaches used include field and laboratory germination experiments, field experiments with small seedlings, and various ecophysiological measurements (growth, chemistry, chlorophyll fluorescence). The position is based in Oldenburg, northern Germany, and involves extensive fieldwork in the French Alps. The successful applicant will hold an MSc-degree or equivalent in Biology or a related discipline and have an interest and, preferably, experience in plant ecophysiology and ecology and/or seed and seedling biology. Further requirements include an analytical and critical mindset, the ability to work independently in potentially harsh field conditions, good English oral and writing skills and a willingness to learn French. Closing date for applications: July 9, 2010. Starting date: autumn/winter 2010, or a.s.a.p. For further information: maaike.bader[at]uni-oldenburg.de. Please send your application, including CV and the contact details of three references, to the 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: 5/28/10.
University of Oregon: The Oregon Institute of Marine Biology (OIMB) has funding for a student interested in applying for a master’s degree to work on a two-year study of the biology of the larvae of the native West coast oyster (Ostrea lurida). The research will take place at the University of Oregon’s marine laboratory in Charleston, Oregon with Dr. Alan Shanks. The two years of funding starts in fall or winter terms of the 2011/2012 school year and provides a stipend and tuition support. Please send a letter of interest and a CV to Dr. Alan Shanks at ashanks@uoregon.edu. Posted: 5/4/11.
University of Oregon: The Department of Biology and the Center for Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (CEEB) seek outstanding applicants for the PhD program in Ecology, Evolution, Development, and Genomics. We are looking for highly motivated students who wish to develop high-caliber research programs in any area of ecology and evolutionary biology. CEEB consists of a dynamic, energetic, and highly interactive group of faculty members, graduate students, and postdocs whose research interests are world-renowned and span traditional disciplines. Particular strengths of the group include molecular evolution, evolutionary genetics and genomics, evolution of development, and microbial, population, community, and ecosystems ecology. CEEB maintains close ties with other research institutes and departments on campus, including the Institutes of Molecular Biology and Neuroscience, the Oregon Institute of Marine Biology, and the Departments of Chemistry, Geography, Computer Science, Geology, and Landscape Architecture. Our integrative approach to research and graduate education is supported by numerous grants, training grants, and fellowships from both federal and privately-funded sources. For more information about CEEB and individual faculty research interests, please see the CEEB website (linked above) as well as individual lab websites. For information about graduate studies in the Department of Biology, or to submit an online application, please see: http://biology.uoregon.edu/graduate/apply.php. The deadline for online applications is December 15, 2010. For specific inquiries about the graduate application process, please contact the Biology Department Graduate Recruiting Coordinator, Lynne Romans (lromans@uoregon.edu). Posted: 11/16/10.
University of Potsdam: PhD position. The Department of Ecology and Ecosystem Modeling performs ecological research on aquatic communities that respond to the sudden and gradual impacts of global change. We presently offer a PhD position in the project: Warm and fragile: Temperature and vulnerability to extinction in pelagic food webs for experimental work on the effects of elevated temperatures on recovering plankton communities. This work is part of a larger DFG-funded project that combines both theoretical and empirical research. Project description Our overarching goal is to explain which mechanisms support the recovery of disturbed communities, and which mechanisms may prevent it, in a context of global warming. You will perform experiments at different temperatures that involve grazing, predation, competition and re-introductions of species that were lost from the system. You will work with both temperate and (sub-)tropical plankton species in communities of varying complexity. Requirements You are a highly motivated ecologist, holding a Diplom or Masters degree in plankton ecology or community ecology. You have a keen interest in major ecological concepts and in working together with theoreticians that approach the project’s questions with mathematical models. The ideal candidate has above-average study marks, good quantitative and analytical capabilities, excellent interpersonal and communication skills, a strong sense of determination to succeed, and is easily able to express his or her ideas in English writing. Some control of the German language is welcome but not essential. Appointment This is a temporary appointment for 3 years, on a 50-75% EG 13 TvöD-O position. The position will be filled as soon as possible. For more information: please contact Dr Matthijs Vos, Phone: +49 (0)331-1977-1953, e-mail: mattvos@uni-potsdam.de. Application Please send your application letter outlining your suitability and motivation, plus complete curriculum vitae including degree certificates with marks by e-mail to Dr. Matthijs Vos (mattvos@uni-potsdam.de). Selection starts immediately and closes as soon as we find a well-qualified candidate. Posted: 2/3/11.
University of Pretoria: Two positions available at the Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), in association with the Department of Zoology and Entomology. FABI is a world-class, internationally recognized institute dedicated to understanding and promoting health in native and plantation forests, with a strong focus on insect and fungal ecology, genetics/genomics, systematics and biological control. Specific projects can be tailored to student interests and background, but primary focal areas include: 1) understanding population feedbacks between the introduced pine woodwasp (Sirex noctilio) and various native and introduced organisms (including but not limited to: pine weevils, bark beetles, fungi, and baboons), and 2) assessing ecological and evolutionary processes driving insect community overlap between native and exotic trees (e.g, spillover of introduced insects from exotic hosts onto native trees, and host expansion/switching of native fauna onto exotic plantation species). More information is available upon request. Both projects are funded, and include a student bursary to cover University fees and living expenses. Pretoria, the administrative capital of South Africa, is a modern city situated in the northern center of the country in the highveld (high elevation savanna). The area is has a moderate climate with wet summers and dry winters, is culturally diverse with 11 official languages (English is the language of choice at FABI, where students come from over 40 countries). The University is located within driving distance of many amazing locations including the Drakensburg Mountains and Kruger National Park, with hiking and biking (together with giraffe, wildebeest and all manner of fascinating biodiversity) within the city limits. PhD students will typically have completed an MSc degree (except under special circumstances). An interest in insect, plant and/or fungal ecology and evolution is essential, as is a working facility with English. Students with a drivers license and field/lab experience preferred. Please send a CV, statement of interest and a short writing sample to Dr. Jeff Garnas (jeff.garnas@fabi.up.ac.za). Posted: 2/24/11.
University of Regina: Graduate Student positions in Stable Isotope Ecology: Impacts of climate and land-use on food-web structure and energy Flow in prairie lakes I am looking for two highly motivated graduate students at the MSc or PhD level to take on two new projects related to food-web structure and energy flow in prairie lakes. Prairie lakes are extremely dynamic and diverse systems. At the same time these lakes are very susceptible to multiple stressors including climate, land use, and management practices. Future projects will include whole-lake experiments to study the interactions of increasing salinity and fish predation. As part of this study, metabolic activity will be assessed by analyzing concentrations and stable isotopes of dissolved oxygen and dissolved inorganic carbon to quantify the relative importance of climate and land-use for the increasing frequency of winterkill in prairie lakes. Students with an interest in aquatic ecology and stable isotope technology are encouraged to apply. The successful applicants are expected to participate in field collections and laboratory analyses, including microscopy and stable isotope analysis. Financial support of $18k yr-1 will be provided though a combination of research and teaching assistantships. Starting date of the positions is negotiable, but will be no later than fall 2011. For further information, please contact: Dr. Björn Wissel Adjunct Professor, Dept. of Biology; EQAL Manager, Faculty of Science University of Regina, 265.2 Lab Building, Regina, SK S4S 0A2, Canada phone: 306 585-4890, fax: 306 337-2410, e-mail: bjoern.wissel@uregina.ca. Posted: 3/18/11.
University of Regina: PhD studentships in plant ecology. We have openings for students with an ecological background to pursue a PhD in grassland, forest and arctic alpine systems (more information). Recent publications include: - Arctic alpine vegetation change over 20 yr. Global Change Biology 15: 1676 - Phenology of fine roots and leaves in forest and grassland. Journal of Ecology 96: 1222 - Climate variability alters the outcome of long-term community assembly. Journal of Ecology 96: 346. Potential research projects include the effects of invasive species on ecosystem function, climate-driven phenological coupling between shoots and roots, and vegetation restoration. These 4-year positions start in September 2011 with salary at standard rates, and are funded by grants from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada and limited teaching stipends. Applicants need a driver's license and an ability to work independently, especially in the field. The position is based in Regina, Canada with fieldwork in Canada, the US, and Sweden. Please email a letter, résumé, contact information for three references, and unofficial transcripts to scott.wilson.uregina@gmail.com. Posted: 11/11/10.
University of Rhode Island: Ph.D. Graduate Research Assistantship, Department of Natural Resources Sciences. Position available for the Fall of 2011 in the laboratory of Dr. Laura Meyerson Research is in the area of invasive species ecology/evolution. Specifically, the project focuses the evolution of latitudinal gradients in the interactions between an invasive plant species (Phragmites australis) and its suite of insect herbivores. The work will be based in Kingston, RI but will also involve much travel along the Atlantic coasts of North America and Europe/Northern Africa. More details regarding this project. Graduate assistantship is funded by the National Science Foundation. In addition to an annual stipend, the assistantship includes a tuition waiver and health benefits. If you are interested in joining my laboratory, please send me an email (lameyerson@mail.uri.edu). Include with the message a CV containing a brief summary of accomplishments (educational background, GPA, GRE scores, and academic major if applicable) and a statement of potential research interests. Posted: 2/18/11.
University of Queensland: A PhD position in plant community ecology/restoration ecology is currently available working with Dr. Margie Mayfield, Prof. Richard Hobbs (University of Western Australia) and potentially Prof. Robert Holt (University of Florida). The successful candidate will work on plant community assembly in Western Australia’s York Gum woodlands, one of the world’s plant biodiversity hotspots. The PhD project details are flexible but the project as a whole aims to improve understanding of the mechanisms and processes involved in plant community reassemble following land use change, and how these processes differ across a natural climate gradient. Candidates interested in theoretical community assembly, the integration of ecological and evolutionary theory into restoration ecology and conservation biology and plant field ecology or evolutionary biology are all welcome to apply. For the right candidate, the position comes with an annual living stipend (~AU$25,000) and tuition fees for 3.5 years. Candidates with a Masters degree and/or publications are preferred though all excellent candidates will be considered. The start date is flexible. For more information please contact Dr. Margie Mayfield (m.mayfield@uq.edu.au) and to apply e-mail Margie a CV and letter of interest. Drs. Mayfield and Hobbs will be attending ESA-Pittsburgh in August and will be available to meet with promising candidates who are also attending the meeting (phone and Skype interviews can also be arranged). Applications will be accepted through August 2010. Posted: 6/1/10.
University of Saskatchewan: Masters Research Opportunity: Integrating Resource Selection, Movement, and Group Size Models to Predict and Communicate Chronic Wasting Disease Risk for Elk with Co-occurring White-tailed Deer. Two well-funded Masters level research projects on the Northern Prairie Elk Project are available in the Wildlife Ecology and Community Resilience Lab of Dr. Ryan Brook at the University of Saskatchewan. Our research group has initiated a large-scale interdisciplinary study investigating the ecology and management of northern prairie elk populations across Saskatchewan and Manitoba with a focus on disease risk at the interface of elk and white-tailed deer. We have an existing long-term database of >400 radio-collared elk and deer from our model system in southwestern Manitoba in addition to extensive data on crop damage claims and disease testing. The two Masters projects will involve determining the spatial distribution of elk and their dietary overlap with deer on agricultural lands in order to predict and mitigate transmission of Chronic Wasting Disease. The philosophy of our research group is to recruit bright, mature students and train them in research design by giving each student considerable latitude to develop the project in ways that best fit their skills and career aspirations. In addition to an education with a focus on strong science, natural history, and critical thinking, students will gain valuable practical experience in Geographic Information Systems and spatial analysis. Fieldwork will include participation in collecting additional radio-collar data, validating GIS layers, as well as community consultation and knowledge translation to share project objectives and outcomes. Students will also participate in our school-based education module to teach rural and aboriginal youth about wildlife and Chronic Wasting Disease and will contribute to media relations. Our interdisciplinary research program incorporates fully funded specialized training modules with partners from Canadian and US institutions – academic and provincial, national and international wildlife agencies, presenting strong opportunities to network with potential employers and develop a broad skill set. The project also provides support for conference attendance. The successful applicants will ideally begin September 2011, though there is some flexibility. During the first autumn and winter terms the students will be expected to seek scholarships, analyze data, and complete coursework. Stipend is $16,500/year and this can be supplemented with additional scholarships. Applicants must have a B.Sc. or equivalent in biology, ecology, geography, environmental science, veterinary medicine, or a related field and must meet the admission requirements for the College of Agriculture & Bioresources. Interested candidates should email Dr. Ryan Brook (ryan.brook@usask.ca) based in the Indigenous Land Management Institute, the Department of Animal and Poultry Science, and the School of Environment and Sustainability, along with a letter of interest, CV, and indication of academic performance (unofficial transcripts acceptable at this stage). Application review will begin June 15, 2011 and will continue until the positions are filled. Posted: 4/7/11.
University of Saskatchewan: The McLoughlin lab is developing a long-term, individual-based program of research into the ecology and evolution of the feral horses living on Sable Island, Nova Scotia. As part of this initiative, I am looking to recruit Ph.D. students or post-docs to ask fundamental questions of the population ecology, life history, behaviour, and evolution of the feral horse population, and inter-species and inter-ecosystem dynamics between horses, vegetation, and other species on the island such as birds and seals. I am particularly looking for post-docs and mature M.Sc. students that are interested in developing a Ph.D. program that will contribute to and make use of the long-term data set my lab is collecting on the life histories of the horses on the island. This summer will be the fourth year of data collection, which includes summer censusing and identification of all individuals on the island using digital photography, and documentation of individual life histories with the goal of constructing whole-island pedigrees. Sample sizes are large, with more than 400 horses currently living on the island. Ph.D. students with 2–3 years of further data collection will be in a position to ask interesting questions regarding individual-based dynamics, band dynamics and dispersal, behaviour and dominance, habitat selection, social networking, sex-ratios, or, with potential sampling of horses for DNA and traits such as body size, questions on genetics and evolution, including paternity. There is also the potential to ask questions (depending on securing additional funding) of the impacts of the feral horses on island bird populations, including endangered Roseate Terns. The important thing is that applicants will be mature enough to develop their own insightful questions of ecology, using the system we have access to on Sable Island as a model. That said, our lab is following several lines of research that potential students may want to build on. Current students are studying spatial heterogeneity in horse population growth on the island, band-level social networking, patterns in vegetation and successional dynamics, and spatial heterogeneity in isotopic signatures from vegetation samples and horse tissues to develop isoscapes to determine the importance of seal and seabird transference of marine-derived nutrients to island dynamics. Opportunities to publish in the best journals of our field and set oneself up for a career in academia can be found here. Field work will occur principally in late summer on Sable Island; further information on this field site can be found at my lab website, below. My expanding lab will soon be moved to a new office designed to promote an atmosphere of collaboration among students (communally housed student spaces with whiteboard and conference table). Students can expect to publish outside of one’s own thesis topic as part of whole-lab research questions. Successful applicants will require a Canadian NSERC PGS scholarship/fellowship or other secured source of scholarship funding (e.g., if an international student). I am particularly interested in candidates that anticipate being successful in the current year’s NSERC scholarship/fellowship round, to start this summer or in the fall; or students that are in the process of finishing their degrees and would thus be in a position to apply for an NSERC scholarship/fellowship this October, for a start date in May 2012. Preference will be given to students that aspire to a career in academia and who have a track record that reflects this career goal. In addition to obtaining scholarships, students will be expected to apply for and help secure research funding for their own projects. Students and post-docs with funding in-hand are always welcome. Open until filled, but applications viewed first on April 15, 2011. Apply: Email me a CV and pdf copies of both undergrad and graduate transcripts (unless interested in a post-doc, then only a CV is required). Email to philip.mcloughlin@usask.ca. Please write “Sable Island” as the subject line. Posted: 3/7/11, revised: 3/29/11.
University of Saskatchewan: The Northern Plant Ecology Lab (NPEL) at the Department of Biology, is looking to recruit a Ph.D. student for work on the ecosystem ecology of northern boreal forests. Funding is available to support research examining the role of plant-soil interactions and disturbance processes in shaping the resilience of boreal forests to climate change. The student will spend a minimum of three summers of field research in the boreal forests of interior Alaska and Yukon Territory. Coursework and lab-based research will take place at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan (Canada). The successful applicant will be fully funded for three years of study at the standard NSERC rate for PhD students ($19,500/year) and will have opportunities to obtain teaching scholarships or other support for the remainder of their study program. We are particularly looking for applicants able to start their study program by May 2011. This position is open to students of any nationality, although preference will be given to students with field or backcountry experience in North America. Initial applications should consist of a letter of introduction summarizing your interest in the position and relevant background, a CV with contact info for three references, and a PDF (informal is fine) copy of past academic transcripts. Please send application materials electronically to Dr. Jill Johnstone (jill.johnstone@usask.ca). Applications will be reviewed starting on Sept. 30, 2010. More information is available on the NPEL website. Posted: 9/9/10.
University of South Dakota: I am currently looking to recruit a graduate student for the Fall of 2011 to work on an ongoing project examining the potential impacts of agricultural chemicals on the amphibian diseases of chytrid and ranavirus. We possess state of the art equipment and are located only a few miles from our field sites along a unique protected stretch of the Missouri River. Several research opportunities are available depending on your specific interests and previous knowledge. Currently, financial support is available through a guaranteed teaching assistantship. I will begin reviewing applications February 15 but applications received after this date will also be considered. Necessary information regarding program application. Please contact me directly prior to applying (Jacob.Kerby@usd.edu) and provide a C.V. with your GPA and GRE scores (if available). Information on current projects and personnel in my lab can be found on the laboratory website: http://people.usd.edu/~Jacob.Kerby/. Posted: 2/3/11.
University of South Dakota: Graduate Assistantship: Aquatic Insect Conservation. Opening for a graduate student (Ph.D. or M.S.) interested in conducting research on the conservation and ecology of aquatic insects that contributes to conserving the Hine’s emerald dragonfly (Somatochlora hineana). This species is 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, roadway impacts, habitat restoration and creation. Field research is conducted primarily in Illinois, Wisconsin and Michigan. Students interested in adult dragonfly ecology and behavior are especially encouraged, however, those with general interests in predator-prey or predatorpredator interactions, wetland hydrology, and/or crayfish ecology are also encouraged. I seek students interested in working on studies that integrate basic and applied ecology. If you are interested in conducting research that plays a vital role in saving a rare and unusual species and conserving other aquatic insects, contact Daniel A. Soluk, Dept. of Biology (dsoluk@usd.edu) for further information. Consideration of applicants will begin Dec 21, 2010. Posted: 12/13/10.
University of South Florida: I am seeking a master’s or Ph.D. student for the College of Marine Science, to begin Fall 2011. Research will focus on basic or applied ecology of marine fishes and projects will be developed with student. Previous and current research foci have included predator-prey interactions, species-habitat relationships, and population, community and ecosystem-level effects of fishing. Fellowships and Graduate Assistantships are available on a competitive basis for first-year students. Average funding is $18k for master's students and $20k for Ph.D. students annually (fall, spring, summer). Fellowships and assistantships normally include a tuition waiver or payment (covering approximately 80-90% of your total tuition expenses, depending on the funding source). 100% health insurance premiums paid to full time (20 hours/week) Graduate Assistants. Second-year students become eligible for Teaching Assistantships. Interested students should email a CV and a brief statement of their research interests ASAP: Chris Stallings, Assistant Professor, College of Marine Science, University of South Florida, St. Petersburg, Florida, email: stallings@bio.fsu.edu. Deadline to apply to graduate school is January 15, 2011. Posted: 12/22/10.
University of South Florida: The Department of Integrative Biology is accepting applications for students to enter their integrative graduate education program in Organismal Biology, Ecology and Evolution. Our department is committed to train the next generation of graduate students to prepare them for professional success in the fields of biological sciences that mirror our faculty’s expertise, which emphasizes organismal interactions and adaptations to the environment at all scales, from microorganisms to complex plants and animals. Our program of graduate study is designed to foster the development of technical and analytical skills used in existing and emerging fields of discovery. Increasingly, students are given opportunities to include an international experience in their research projects and also be involved in outreach activities. The research and training ongoing in the Department of Integrative Biology contributes to advancements in both basic science and applications to real world problems. Application files must be complete and received by the Biology Graduate Office before January 1, 2011 to be considered for Fall 2011 Teaching Positions or the University Graduate Fellowship. Students can pursue a M.S. or Ph.D degree in Biology. Each of the degrees requires a student to identify an area of concentration. The program offers: • M.S. in Biology, Concentration in Ecology and Evolution (EEV) • M.S. in Biology, Concentration in Environmental and Ecological Microbiology (EVM) • M.S. in Biology, Concentration in Physiology and Morphology (PMY) • Ph.D. in Biology, Concentration in Ecology and Evolution (EEV) • Ph.D. in Biology, Concentration in Environmental and Ecological Microbiology (EVM) • Ph.D. in Biology, Concentration in Physiology and Morphology (PMY). Faculty who are currently accepting students into their laboratories: * Bell, Susan- Marine Ecology * Crisman, Thomas- Freshwater Ecology * Deban, Stephen- Physiology, Biomechanics, and Evolution * Fox, Gordon- Plant Ecology, Conservation Biology, and Population Biology * Harwood, Valerie- Microbial Water Quality * Lajeunesse, Marc- Ecology, Evolutionary Biology and Research Synthesis * Lewis, David- Ecosystem & Landscape Ecology * Martin, Lynn- Ecological Physiology and Immunology * McCoy, Earl- Conservation Ecology * Motta, Philip- Functional Morphology * Pierce, Sidney- Cellular Physiology and Biochemistry * Richards, Christina- Plant Ecological Genomics and Epigenetics * Rohr, Jason- Ecology * Scott, Kathleen- Microbial Physiology and Biogeochemistry * Stiling, Peter- Ecology. Posted: 11/22/10.
University of South Florida: Applications are invited for a graduate position in Ecology in the laboratory of Jason Rohr in the Integrative Biology Department. The applicant should have interests in climate change, pollution, disease, or closely related fields. The candidate should follow the application instructions at the following two websites, prospective grad students, application process, and must be able to start graduate school by Spring or Fall 2011. The position description is intentionally vague because the student will be expected to develop his/her own research projects and to eventually become an autonomous researcher. Preferred qualifications: Masters degree in ecology or related discipline; OR, substantial undergraduate research experience. The candidate must be a strong writer, highly motivated and organized, and have a passion for ecology, conservation, and research. Contact Jason Rohr at jasonrohr@gmail.com if you have questions. Jason Rohr will be attending the Ecological Society of America meeting in Pittsburgh, PA from 2-5 August and would be happy to meet interested applicants then. Please contact him through email (jasonrohr@gmail.com) before or during the conference if you are interested in meeting. Posted: 7/29/10.
University of Southern Mississippi: Two MSc/PhD student positions are available at the Department of Coastal Sciences located at the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory in Ocean Springs, Mississippi, on the Gulf of Mexico coast. Expected start date is January 2011. One position is funded by EPA. The focus of the project is biogeochemical modeling at high elevation forests under climate change using PnET-BGC model. The other position is funded by NERR. The focus of the research is land use/land cover modeling. We are seeking bright, independent, question-driven,highly-motivated students with interests in ecosystem ecology, spatial modeling, GIS and remote sensing. When applying for the PhD program, candidates should possess a relevant MS (Ecology, Environmental Science, Computer Science etc.) degree and have evidence of the ability to publish the results of scientific studies. Experiences in the application of satellite or airborne remote sensed data, and writing computer code in C++, R, FORTRAN or other programming languages are a plus. Strong statistical analytical skills are also favorable. Successful applicants will be provided a 12-month research assistantship with tuition waiver and other employee benefits. Interested candidates should send, via email, a curriculum vitae, statement of research interests, undergraduate and/or graduate transcripts, GRE score (unofficial or official), and contact information for three references to Dr. Wei Wu (wei.wu@usm.edu), Assistant Professor, Department of Coastal Sciences, University of Southern Mississippi, 703 East Beach Drive, Ocean Springs, MS 39564. Posted: 9/23/10.
University of Southern Mississippi: Applicants are invited for up to two highly motivated students (Ph.D. or M.S.) (start date January 2011) in the lab of Donald Yee. The positions can focus on any aspect of the ecology of insects in temporary water, although our current focus is on mosquitoes and predaceous diving beetles. Current and past research topics include larval competition, invasion ecology, predation, species diversity, and life-history trade-offs. The Yee lab uses a combination of field sampling, field and laboratory experiments, and statistical modeling to answer ecological questions and to test ecological theory. Other research topics may be considered, especially at the Ph.D. level, although aquatic insect communities or populations should be a focus. Prior field experience and coursework in ecology, entomology, and statistics is preferred but not essential. Full tuition scholarships for successful applicants are provided. Basic and major medical health coverage is provided to fulltime graduate students in good standing academically. Support is provided by teaching assistantships and research assistantships when available. 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. For more information on admission see: http://www.usm.edu/biology/graduate.htm Deadline for Spring 2011 applications is 15 October 2010. 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@usm.edu. Posted: 7/8/10.
University of Sydney: PhD scholarship (APAI) on ecosystem cycling of N in forest plantations. This scholarship is funded by an ARC Linkage-Project grant and will provide support for 3 years on a full-time basis for a research project leading to a PhD. The objective of the research project is to explore the significance of organic nitrogen for the nutrition of plantation Eucalyptus species. The PhD candidate will help to determine the forms of N that are taken up by plantation forest species, and identify what limits the supply of available N. To tackle these questions will involve stable isotope labelling and use of mass spectrometry to trace fluxes into bacteria, fungi and plants. There is generous support for projects costs and the PhD candidate will have access to state-of-the-art research facilities at the University of Sydney. Eligibility: Applicants should have an Honours 1 or 2A degree in biology, agriculture or biogeochemistry. Experience/background in nutrient cycling would be an advantage, but is not essential. Applicants must be Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents or New Zealand citizens. Amount Awarded: The scholarship stipend is $26,669 per annum (tax exempt). For further information please contact the Principal Investigator of the project Dr Charles Warren (E-mail: charles.warren@sydney.edu.au). Applications, including a curriculum vitae, copy of an academic transcript, proof of citizenship or permanent residency, the names and contact details of at least two referees should be sent by e-mail to Dr Charles Warren, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Sydney NSW 2006 Australia. Closing Date: 14 May, 2010. Posted: 4/7/10.
University of Technology Sydney: 2011 PhD Research Scholarships - Climate Change. The Plant Functional Biology and Climate Change Cluster (C3) is a Key UTS Research Strength, bringing together expert plant physiologists, ecologists, biological and physical modellers and remote sensing specialists. Applications are open for suitably qualified candidates interested in a research career with a focus on impacts of climate change. A range of PhD projects is available within the following C3 Research Groups: * Aquatic Processes * Biodiversity * Ecological Modelling and Remote Sensing * Terrestrial Ecohydrology. C3 is a multidisciplinary research cluster and honours graduates with backgrounds in physics and mathematical modelling are encouraged to apply, as well as candidates with a background in environmental sciences. To find out more about the important research being carried out by the C3 team, potential PhD projects and supervisors: www.c3.uts.edu.au. Applications Close: Domestic students: 31st October 2010, International students: 1st September 2010. How to apply To apply for a research scholarship, you need to submit an application for admission to a higher degree by research (more details) Contact: Rochelle Seneviratne Phone: +61 2 9514 2490 Email: science.research@uts.edu.au. Posted: 8/23/10.
University of Texas at Arlington: A Graduate Research Assistantship (GRA) is available to participate in an NSF-funded arctic ecology research project with field work based at Toolik Field Station in northern Alaska, the site of the Arctic Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) site. The position is in the plant ecology laboratory of Dr. Laura Gough. Ideally the student will spend several weeks in Alaska during Summer 2011 and could begin formal graduate study in Summer or Fall 2011. Ph.D. students are preferred. Applicants can find information relevant to our graduate program at: http://www.uta.edu/biology/graduate/. This project is focused on determining how migratory songbird species are affected by availability of shrub habitat across several sites on the North Slope. The goal is to predict how ongoing changes in vegetation associated with climate warming may affect bird mating success and population viability [in collaboration with Natalie Boelman (Columbia University) and John Wingfield (University of California, Davis)]. Applicants must be in good physical condition, be able to hike over uneven terrain carrying heavy packs, and be available to spend most field seasons (up to three months) in a remote location. To apply for this position, please e-mail a c.v., names and contact information for three references, and a brief statement of interest to gough@uta.edu. Review of applications will begin in mid-November and continue until the position is filled. Posted: 11/10/10.
University of Texas Arlington: A PhD assistantship is available at UTA in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex to study the effects of micro- and macronutrient limitation on benthic algae in streams, starting as early as spring of 2011. The position is funded by the Norman Hackerman Advanced Research Program and provides a competitive stipend and tuition waiver. The prospective student will conduct research in state-of-the art facilities housing artificial streams, a water chemistry autoanalyzer, and light and confocal microscopes with digital imaging. He/she will interact with a post-doc and a PhD student, involved in this and other projects, as well as with a diverse and international group of graduate students in the Biology Department. This research will test experimentally two theories developed recently in the lab, e.g. PNAS 2008, 105: 9663-9667 and Ecology 2010, 91: 36-41. The first theory proposes that biodiversity in the three-dimensional algal biofilm scales positively with the number of resources at high supply, which opposes nearly 80 years of ecological theory and numerous observations in spatially simpler systems, such as grasslands and phytoplankton. The second theory builds on over 20 years of extensive oceanographic research, showing that iron limits phytoplankton growth in 40% of the world's ocean. This theory suggests that iron limitation is not restricted to oceans but reduces algal biodiversity in streams as well. In testing these ideas, manipulations of nutrient and light resources will take place in a controlled environment and the results will be analyzed statistically. A Master's degree in phycology, stream ecology or biogeochemistry is required. Knowledge in statistics is highly desirable. To apply, please e-mail a cover letter, a CV, copies of transcripts and GRE scores, and contact information for three professional references to: Dr. Sophia Passy, Department of Biology, University of Texas at Arlington, Box 19498, Arlington, Texas 76019-0498, USA. phone: (817)-272-2415, e-mail: sophia.passy@uta.edu. Posted: 10/11/10.
University of Texas Arlington: New Graduate Opportunities in Ecology and Evolution at UT Arlington. The Department of Biology is pleased to announce newly enhanced Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) positions for Ph.D. students beginning as early as January 2011. These positions offer highly competitive stipends plus full tuition benefits during the long semesters, and are guaranteed for five years assuming satisfactory academic and job performance and research progress. Most students will spend part of their time supported as GTAs and part of their time supported as Graduate Research Assistants (GRAs) on faculty grants. Research in the department centers on three areas: Genome Biology, Ecology and Evolution, and Microbiology and Molecular Biology. Our Ecology and Evolution faculty and their research interests include: Dr. Jon Campbell: herpetology Dr. Paul Chippindale: evolution, molecular systematics Dr. Tom Chrzanowski: aquatic microbial ecology Dr. Jeff Demuth: speciation genetics Dr. Dan Formanowicz: behavioral ecology, entomology Dr. Laura Gough: plant ecology Dr. Jim Grover: aquatic ecology, theoretical ecology Dr. Laura Mydlarz: marine biology Dr. Sophia Passy: macroecology, environmental and experimental stream ecology Dr. Eric Smith: systematics, biogeography, herpetology. We have a thriving graduate program with approximately 45 Ph.D. students and 40 M.S. students. For more information, please see: http://www.uta.edu/biology/graduate/ or contact Dr. Laura Gough, Graduate Advisor (gough@uta.edu or 817-272-2871). Posted: 9/13/10.
University of Toledo: Biogeochemistry - Soil Microbial Ecology. A position for a PhD student in the Department of Environmental Sciences is available to work on a project evaluating plant-soil-microbial interactions in arctic tundra ecosystems. The research goals include: 1) Varying the length and timing of the growing season in the field by advancing snow melt and warming the ecosystem; 2) Establishing the fine scale seasonal time-courses of soil N availability, plant N content, leaf expansion, root growth and rhizodeposition, ecosystem respiration, microbial biomass and enzyme activity; and 3) Conducting lab experiments to determine the extent to which microbial activity is limited by temperature, and C and N availability at different times in the growing season. The researcher hired for this position will work toward the completion of these project goals, and will have the opportunity to conduct his/her own original research associated with this project. These responsibilities will require the student to spend approximately three months at Toolik Field Station in northern Alaska from approximately May 15 – August 15. Experience studying soil/plant ecology, nitrogen biogeochemistry, soil nutrient dynamics and/or soil microbial ecology, and a demonstrated track record of publishing research results are preferred. This position will remain open until filled. Interested applicants should send a cover letter, CV, and list of references to: Michael Weintraub, michael.weintraub@utoledo.edu. More information. Posted: 9/28/10.
University of Toronto Mississauga: Two Ph.D. positions in Evolution and Ecology, Fall 2011, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Graduate Program, Department of Biology in the lab of Marc Johnson . Our lab will be moving to University of Toronto Mississauga (Canada) in July 2011 and we are looking to take on two Ph.D. students to start in fall 2011. Ph.D. students in our lab have the ability to work on a wide range of problems at the intersection of evolution and ecology. Some of the ongoing projects include: the evolutionary consequences of sex, micro- and macroevolution of plant defense, the causes and consequences of coevolution, the ecological consequences of genetic diversity and evolution, and the effects of climate change on plant-herbivore interactions. Students will have the ability to learn a wide range of techniques and skills in their projects, including lab and field work, molecular biology, phylogenetics, insect/plant rearing, chemistry, stats, theory, etc. Also, students can work within existing projects or develop new systems and questions. If you interested in applying to work in the lab and would like more information please visit the lab web page and write to me at marc_johnson@ncsu.edu. Posted: 9/23/10.
University of Tübingen: Five Ph.D. positions in Evolution and Ecology are available within a multidisciplinary graduate school coordinated by the interdepartmental Evolution and Ecology Forum Tübingen. The positions are available for an initial period of two years, starting between October 1st, 2010 and March 1st, 2011. A third year will be granted after an evaluation of the progress made in the first two years. The programme is entitled 'Morphological variability of organisms under environmental stress' and bridges between disciplines and across spatial and temporal scales. The overarching question deals with the evolution and ecological consequences of morphological variability under environmental stress, with special emphasis on the symmetry of organisms. The project includes also a coordinated teaching programme. The focus of the five subprojects is as follows: 1) Morphological variability and symmetry of foraminiferal shells in response to rapid environmental change Contact: Prof. Dr. Michal Kucera; Micropaleontology; Dept. of Geosciences michal.kucera@uni-tuebingen.de 2) Systematic deviation from bilateral symmetry in modern and fossil clypeasteroid sea urchins Contact: Prof. Dr. James Nebelsick; Invertebrate Paleontology & Paleoclimatology; Dept.of Geosciences, nebelsick@uni-tuebingen.de 3) Morphological variability and symmetry in plants in response to subtle and steep environmental gradients Contact: Prof. Dr. Katja Tielbörger; Plant Ecology; Dept. of Biology katja.tielboerger@uni-tuebingen.de 4) The role of stress proteins in determining morphological variability in snails under temperature stress Contact: Prof. Dr. Heinz-R. Köhler; Animal Ecophysiology; Dept. of Biology heinz-r.koehler@uni-tuebingen.de 5) Molecular analysis of factors determining fluctuating asymmetry in flowers Contact: Prof. Dr. Klaus Harter; Plant Physiology; Dept. of Biology klaus.harter@zmbp.uni-tuebingen.de Questions regarding the specific subprojects should be addressed to the respective contact person. Candidates should hold a Diploma or M.Sc. Degree in a relevant subject (e.g. Biology, Gecosciences). Candidates should send the following documents via Email to the respective contact person for each project (see above) by September 15, 2010 (project 2 only) and October 15, 2010 (other projects): 1) Statement of interest; 2) Curriculum Vitae; 3) Name & address (email) of two references. Posted: 8/23/10.
University of Utah: We seek motivated students for our graduate program in Ecology, Evolution and Organismal Biology (EEOB). Our program focuses on the dynamics of how organisms interact with their environment and encompasses physiology, functional morphology, behavior, evolutionary genomics, species-interactions, conservation, ecosystem processes, arid-land biology, tropical and mongane ecology. An in-depth understanding of these topics is critical given the changing nature of our planet. We have a vibrant group of faculty, post doctoral fellows, graduate students and undergraduates conducting research both locally and internationally. We encourage interested students to directly contact potential research advisors. All students in the program are guaranteed teaching or research assistantships that provide a competitive stipend, health benefits and a waiver of tuition and fees. More information about the EEOB program and application forms can be found at http://www.biology.utah.edu/. Posted: 12/9/10.
University of Utah: Forest Carbon Cycling in Response to Pine Beetle Infection, Dept. of Biology. A funded position is available for a PhD student to work with an interdisciplinary team studying forest-atmosphere carbon exchange at a coniferous forest in Colorado. The position is based in Utah, and will involve field work in Colorado at the Niwot Ridge AmeriFlux site. This is part of a long-term study involving several research groups. The current project is focused on how forest carbon cycling responds to natural and simulated mountain pine beetle infection over time. The graduate student will have the opportunity to learn and use a wide variety of ecological and analytical techniques, including forest-atmosphere flux measurement methods, tunable diode laser spectroscopy, and isotope ratio mass spectrometry. The project will involve field work in a beautiful mountain setting, combined with extensive training in analytical field and laboratory instrumentation, experimental design, data analysis, computer programming, ecological modeling, scientific writing, and teaching. Requirements: 1) a bachelor’s or master’s degree in a field of earth system science (ecology, geology, geography, physics, chemistry, etc.), 2) innate curiosity about the natural world and how it works, 3) interest in learning and applying cutting-edge analytical techniques, and 4) strong motivation and ability to work both independently and collaboratively. More information: Graduate Program in Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology | our research group. Deadline to apply is January 7, 2011. Opportunities to work on other projects are also available. If you’re interested, please contact Dr. Dave Bowling (david.bowling@utah.edu). Posted: 11/16/10.
University of Vermont: The Department of Plant Biology has graduate teaching fellowships available for well-qualified students interested in pursuing a Ph.D. degree. The current stipend for a Ph.D. student is $23k and includes a tuition waiver. The department has a deep history and current prominence in research on acid rain and climate change. Faculty in our department have broad interests that include ecological modeling, fire ecology, forest ecology, global climate change, ecology of invasive species, and theoretical ecology. The university is located near natural areas ideal for ecological research, including Lake Champlain and the Green Mountains in Vermont and the Adirondacks in New York. For more information about our faculty, department, or the university, please visit our website or contact members of our faculty directly. Posted: 4/18/11.
University of Vermont: Position available September 1, 2010. Recruiting for Ph.D or M.S. student to conduct research at the Vermont Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit. The Unit is affiliated with the Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources at the University of Vermont (UVM). Incumbent is expected to develop a dissertation/thesis topic within the framework of a project focused on developing methods for sampling stonecats. Applicants with knowledge of fisheries techniques, ability to problem-solve and think critically, experience with multiple fish and aquatic sampling gear, and excellence in scientific writing will be given priority. This study is funded by the Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife, the state cooperator in the Vermont Unit. One expected product of this research is the development of an effective survey design for sampling stonecats in streams and rivers. Student is expected to work collaboratively with advisor and state biologists. Yet, the student will be need to complete many tasks independently. Please see other expectations for Unit students. Applicants must meet UVM admission requirements. An assistantship stipend is available and out-of-state tuition is waived. To be considered, please send a CV, research interests, transcripts (3.0 or better recommended) and GRE scores (unofficial copies O.K. Verbal and Quantitative >1200 preferred), and names and contact information of two references to: Donna.Parrish@uvm.edu. Posted: 7/20/10.
University of Waterloo: Funding is available for two graduate positions. Position one: effects of variation in the abiotic environment on invasion and extinction risk. In particular, we would like the applicant to address the effects of autocorrelation in environmental signals (e.g. temperature), and to develop a model invertebrate system for laboratory experiments. The ideal candidate will combine experimental and mathematical approaches to produce powerful conclusions regarding invasion mechanisms and species dynamics. A background in either ecology or mathematics is required. Position two: investigation of plant morphology on microclimate conditions and insect population dynamics. Using a pea/pea aphid system, the successful applicant will develop equipment to measure microclimate at fine spatial scales, and resulting impacts on aphid populations. The ideal candidate will combine experimental and mathematical approaches to produce powerful conclusions regarding insect dynamics in crop systems. A background in either ecology or mathematics is required. Both: To be considered, candidates must be eligible for admission to the Biology graduate program. Candidates receive financial support through a combination of teaching and research stipend. Travel funds to attend scientific conferences are available. Contact: Dr. Kim Cuddington (kcuddingATuwaterlooDOT.ca). Posted: 3/18/11.
University of Waterloo: Funding is available for two graduate positions in the areas of extinction, invasion and ecosystem engineering. Position one: Investigation of the role of species modification of the abiotic environment (ecosystem engineering) on population and community dynamics. We are particularly interested in the effects on invasive and endangered species (e.g., Hine’s emerald dragonfly). Position two: Investigation of the effects of variation in the abiotic environment on invasion and extinction risk. In particular, we would like the applicant to address the effects of autocorrelation in environmental signals (e.g. temperature) using a model invertebrate system. Both research questions can be addressed using either purely theoretical or purely experimental techniques. However, the ideal candidates will combine both approaches to produce powerful conclusions regarding these mechanisms and species dynamics. A background in either ecology or mathematics is required. To be considered, candidates must be eligible for admission to the Biology graduate program. Stipend: Candidates receive financial support through a combination of teaching and research stipend for a total of $19686/annum. Travel funds to attend scientific conferences are available. Location: Waterloo, Ontario. Contact: Dr. Kim Cuddington (kcuddingATuwaterlooDOT.ca). Posted: 12/17/10.
University of Wisconsin-Madison: A PhD research assistantship is available to study long-term agricultural land use change in Eastern Europe with satellite remote sensing. Eastern Europe has undergone dramatic changes in land use and land cover over the last centuries, and especially since the collapse of socialism in 1990. In some regions, more than half of the agricultural land is out of production and succession to shrublands and forests is widespread. However, the magnitude and patterns of these changes varied widely among European Countries, and the question is why? Our project goal is to study long-term agricultural land use change in Central and Eastern Europe, a region that has experienced several major socio-economic transformations during the 19th and 20th centuries. We will use topographic maps dating as far back as the 1840s to quantify long term change, and we will analyze recent changes from Landsat satellite time series data. The project team includes land use scientists from Germany, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, and Switzerland, and builds on several prior projects on land use change in Eastern Europe and Russia. The position we are seeking to fill now will focus on the remote sensing portion of our project. This project will be housed in the SILVIS laboratory in the Department of Forest Ecology and Management. Current annual stipend levels are $20,400 per year before taxes, plus tuition remission and health care benefits. Financial support is provided by NASA and available for three years. A start date by September of 2011 at the latest is strongly preferred, but a later start date may be negotiable for exceptional candidates. Qualifications: A MS degree in geography, environmental science, forestry, wildlife ecology, or other related disciplines is required. Applicants with a BS degree will only be considered if substantial relevant experience can be shown. A solid working knowledge of remote sensing, GIS, and statistics is required. Good English writing and verbal communication skills, as well as the ability to work in a team, are essential. Knowledge of a Slavic language and familiarity with Eastern Europe is a plus. Applications received before March 15th 2011 are guaranteed consideration. The position to open to both US citizen and international candidates. Interested applicants are asked to e-mail the documents listed below to our Student Services Coordinator Sara Rodock (rodock@wisc.edu) (in ONE PDF file please). Please specify in your letter when you would be available to start. - Cover letter outlining research interests, academic and professional backgrounds - Resume/CV - Copies of transcripts (unofficial copies acceptable at this point) - GRE scores if available - Reprints if available - Names and contact addresses of three references. Volker Radeloff (radeloff@wisc.edu). Posted: 2/17/11.
University of Wisconsin-Madison: Graduate Research Assistantship – Ecological change in Pine Barrens. A 50% time graduate research assistantship is available beginning in June or July 2011. The work involves carefully resurveying pine barrens sites first surveyed by J.T. Curtis and students more than 50 years ago to assess ecological changes. We will also collect plants for genetic analyses and measure functional traits. The successful candidate should be skilled in field plant taxonomy and vegetation sampling and have strong quantitative skills. MS level preferred. The assistantship supplies a monthly stipend, tuition and benefits for up to 2-3 years, perhaps in combination with a Teaching Assistantship. A valid driver’s license is required. Interested persons should contact Dr. Don Waller, Univ. WI-Madison, Dept. of Botany (dmwaller at wisc.edu; 263-2042), Dr. Tom Givnish (givnish at wisc.edu, 265-5718), or Sarah Johnson (sejohnson7 at wisc.edu; 265-2191). Posted: 1/20/11.
University of Wisconsin-Madison: Graduate Research Assistant (PhD) Position: Site and Landscape Impacts on ecosystems of bioenergy plantations in Lake States Forest Openings. The Forest Landscape Ecology Lab has an opening for a PhD grad RA on a new project focused on the greenhouse gas fluxes and carbon dynamics of potential broad establishment of woody biomass plantations in open lands within the matrix of the northern forested region of the U.S. Lake States (N Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan). The project focus in our lab will be GIS analysis, and site and regional modeling using a spatial, ecosystem process model. Other project components are at Mich State U for site level measurements, and U of MN for life cycle analysis. Close collaboration is expected among the groups. The position may be available for fall 2011 or later. Salary is approximately $21k per year, with excellent health insurance, plus full tuition remission. Qualifications: M.S. Biology, Forestry, or related field preferred. Student is expected to have strong interests in ecology, forestry, soils and biogeochemistry, as well as GIS, spatial analysis, and modeling. Applicants should be able to work independently, but also cooperatively with other researchers in the lab and on the project. To apply please send the following items in a single PDF file and assembled in this order: a full cv, letter of interests, unofficial transcripts, and names and contacts of three professional references. Send to Sara Rodock (rodock@wisc.edu), Student Services Coordinator. Evaluation will begin in April, but remain open until filled. Questions regarding the position should be addressed to Professor David Mladenoff, djmladen@wisc.edu. Posted: 12/21/10, revised: 4/18/11.
University of Wisconsin-Madison: We are seeking a motivated student to work on a USDA/NIFA funded project to study landscape ecology of natural enemy-pest-energy crop interactions. The project involves an interdisciplinary team combining entomology, crop physiology and modeling, and remote sensing aimed at understanding how land-use changes influence crop yield via the effects on insect-natural enemy interactions. To be considered, you must have a background in biology/ecology, interest in landscape ecology, ecosystem services, arthropods and biofuels. Strong quantitative and communication skills are preferred. To apply, please send your application materials in a single PDF file (with your last name as the filename) containing: (1) CV/resume, (2) statement of interest, (3) Names of 3 references, (4) copy of transcripts, (5) self reported GRE and GPA, to Claudio Gratton (Department of Entomology), cgratton@wisc.edu by January 30, 2011. This position could start as early as Summer 2011. Posted: 12/14/10.
University of Wisconsin-Madison: PhD Opportunity in Adaptive governance of a social-ecological system: water, land use and climate change in an urbanizing agricultural region. One PhD position is available with the Rissman research group as part of a new five-year project funded by the National Science Foundation's Water Sustainability and Climate (WSC) program. The geographic setting for this project is the Yahara Watershed, an urbanizing agricultural watershed in southern Wisconsin, containing the city of Madison. Here and elsewhere, human needs for freshwater are growing as changes in climate, landscapes, the built environment and institutions alter water flows and quality in sometimes unpredictable ways. These changes affect ecosystem services related to freshwater, such as flows of freshwater for domestic, agricultural, industrial, recreational and other uses; regulation of floods; water quality; and aspects of human health. To strengthen conceptual frameworks and improve predictive capacity, our interdisciplinary project will integrate biophysical and social-economic aspects of regional water systems. The overarching question of our work is: How will ecosystem services related to freshwater vary and how can they be sustained in regional watersheds as climate, land use and land cover, land management, the built environment and human demands change? As a part of this overarching question, we ask: How can regional governance systems for water and land use be made more resilient and adaptive to meet diverse human needs? In what ways are regional human-environment systems resilient and in what ways are they vulnerable to potential changes in climate and freshwaters? These positions will focus on regional governance; adaptive management and decision making under uncertainty; spatial analysis and geovisualization; and the historical development of policy, politics, science and conservation interventions. Applicants should have a prior degree in natural resources, geography, political science, planning, environmental policy, or related field. Previous research experience, social science background, and experience with coupled social and environmental systems are preferred. Experience with a combination of qualitative and quantitative research methods are desired. Experience with ArcGIS, spatial analysis, and geovisualization desired but not required. Strong GPA, GRE scores, and oral and written communication skills are required. Applicants bringing diverse backgrounds and perspectives to the research program are encouraged to apply. The PhD position will start Fall, 2011. Review of applications will begin December 20, 2010 and continue until an applicant is selected. Prospective PhD students should refer to the webpage for further information on applying to the UW-Madison. To apply, email to Dr. Adena Rissman (arrissman@wisc.edu) the following in a single PDF document: cover letter, CV with undergraduate/graduate GPA and GRE scores, and unofficial undergraduate/graduate transcripts. Posted: 12/13/10.
University of Wisconsin-Madison: Tropical Land Use and Sustainable Bioenergy. The Gibbs Lab group has funding for a Graduate Research Assistant starting Fall 2011 to conduct research on carbon emissions, tropical deforestation and bioenergy issues. Ideally, the student will focus on tropical land-use transitions in response to global economic drivers such as bioenergy mandates and demand-side pressures from Greenpeace and other NGOs. The research will likely involve a combination of GIS and database analysis along with statistical modeling. Questions include – What are the drivers of agricultural land-use change? Do bioenergy subsidies in the U.S., Europe and elsewhere influence rates of forest clearing? What role might the soy or oil palm moratoria play in mitigating causes and drivers of deforestation? How have tropical land-use patterns changed over the last three decades? What does this mean for carbon emissions? Preference will be given to students with work experience and / or time spent in the tropics. GIS and statistical training are ideal. Applicant must be accepted into the Department of Geography or the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies graduate program. Typically, graduate students in our research programs have undergraduate GPAs above 3.5, and GRE scores in the 80th percentile or higher. Benefits include stipend, tuition remission and eligibility to participate in the Graduate Student Health Insurance Program. To apply, please submit a cover letter detailing qualifications and research interests, CV, and email addresses of three references to Holly Gibbs hgibbs@stanford.edu. Candidates should also submit an application to the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies (Environment and Resources program preferred) and / or the Department of Geography (People and Environment program preferred). Posted: 12/7/10.
University of Wisconsin-Madison: The Laboratory of Dr. Johanne Brunet in the Department of Entomology is looking for a Master or PhD student to work on a project examining the impact of the landscape on gene flow by distinct insect pollinators. Interests in pollination biology and evolutionary biology are a must and previous research experience in these areas is highly desirable. Preferred starting date is June 2011 although applicants for September 2011 will also be considered. See also: JF Crow Institute for the Study of Evolution. For further information on the research contact Dr. Johanne Brunet at (jbrunet@wisc.edu, 608-265-3587). For further information on the application procedures contact Sara Rodock at rodock@wisc.edu or 608-262-9926. Interested applicants are asked to e-mail the Student Services Coordinator, Sara Rodock these documents (in one PDF file): -cover letter -resume/cv -unofficial transcripts -names and contact information for 3 references. Posted: 11/22/10.
University of Wisconsin-Madison: A PhD research assistantship is available using remote sensing to monitor land cover and land use change, and its effects on biodiversity in Russia. Russia has undergone dramatic changes in land use and land cover since the breakdown of the USSR in 1990. In some regions, more than half of the agricultural land is out of production and succession to shrublands and forests is widespread. This offers unique opportunities for biodiversity conservation. On the other hand, forest exports are rising, and harvesting rates especially in the temperate forests of European Russia may not be sustainable. In the project, we will monitor recent land cover changes with satellite imagery, and assess effects on biodiversity and protected areas. Specifically, we will focus on land use change surrounding protected areas in the Caucasus and Ural Mountains, and will relate the observed changes to biodiversity inventories, and wildlife habitat. This project will be housed in the SILVIS laboratory in the Department of Forest Ecology and Management. Stipend/Salary: Current annual stipend levels are $20k, plus tuition remission and health care benefits. Financial support is provided by NASA and available for three years. The position is available immediately, a start date in the Spring of 2011 is strongly preferred, but a later start date may be negotiable for exceptional candidates. Qualifications: A MS degree in geography, environmental science, forestry, wildlife ecology, or other related disciplines is required. Applicants with a BS degree may be considered if substantial relevant experience can be shown. A solid working knowledge of remote sensing, GIS, and statistics software is required. Good English writing and verbal communication skills, as well as the ability to work in a team, are essential. Knowledge of a Slavic language and familiarity with Russia is a plus. Applications received before Nov. 20th are guaranteed consideration. Interested applicants are asked to e-mail to our Student Services Coordinator Sara Rodock (rodock@wisc.edu) the documents listed below (in one PDF file). Please specify in your letter when you would be available to start. - Cover letter outlining research interests, academic and professional backgrounds - Resume/CV - Copies of transcripts (unofficial copies acceptable at this point) - GRE scores if available - Reprints if available - Names and contact addresses of three references. Posted: 11/11/10.
University of Wisconsin-Madison: Evolutionary Ecology of Plant-Herbivore Interactions. A Graduate Research Assistantship (M.S. - Ph.D. or Ph.D.) is available for work with the research groups of Rick Lindroth and Eric Kruger. Funded by a 5-year NSF grant, this research addresses genetic and environmental factors that influence aspen defense against mammalian herbivores. Applicants must be interested in investigating both the chemical and population genetics aspects of plant-herbivore interactions. Applicants should pursue admission to the graduate program in Zoology (Ecology), Forest and Wildlife Ecology, or Botany. 50% Research Assistantships currently provide a stipend of $20,400 (12 mo.), tuition waiver, and excellent medical/dental health plans. This position is available beginning in summer or fall of 2011. Interested candidates are asked to e-mail Graduate Student Services Coordinator Sara Rodock (rodock@wisc.edu) a single PDF file containing the following information: 1) cover letter outlining research interests, academic and professional backgrounds, 2) resume, 3) transcripts, 4) GRE scores, and 5) names and contact information for three references. Applications will be reviewed upon receipt, whereupon promising candidates will be requested to submit formal applications to a UW graduate program. Note that several programs have a Dec. 31 cutoff date. For further information, contact Dr. Rick Lindroth (lindroth@wisc.edu). Posted: 11/4/10.
University of Wisconsin-Madison: Multiple research positions are now available as part of a new five-year project funded by the National Science Foundation's Water Sustainability and Climate (WSC) program. The geographic setting for this project is the Yahara Watershed, an urbanizing agricultural watershed in southern Wisconsin, containing the city of Madison. Here and elsewhere, human needs for freshwater are growing as changes in climate, landscapes, the built environment and institutions alter water flows and quality in sometimes unpredictable ways. These changes affect ecosystem services related to freshwater, such as flows of freshwater for domestic, agricultural, industrial, recreational and other uses; regulation of floods; water quality; and aspects of human health. To strengthen conceptual frameworks and improve predictive capacity, our interdisciplinary project will integrate biophysical and social-economic aspects of regional water systems. The overarching question of our work is: How will ecosystem services related to freshwater vary and how can they be sustained in regional watersheds as climate, land use and land cover, land management, the built environment and human demands change? We are seeking to build a diverse, interdisciplinary team of scholars, including approximately six graduate research assistants working towards a Ph.D. degree, two postdoctoral scientists, two research specialists, and several undergraduate research scholars. Several research laboratories at UWM are involved: Dr. Chris Kucharik (Agronomy and The Nelson Institute Center for Sustainability and the Global Environment), Dr. Steve Loheide (Civil and Environmental Engineering), Dr. Adena Rissman (Forest and Wildlife Ecology), Dr. Steve Carpenter (Zoology and Center For Limnology), and Dr. Monica Turner (Zoology). For more information about the project and the full job ad, see: http://wsc.limnology.wisc.edu. Posted: 11/2/10.
University of Wisconsin-Madison: Graduate Research Assistantship, Influences of White-Tailed Deer on Wisconsin Forest Ecosystems. A minimum of two years of funding is available in the Dept. of Forest & Wildlife Ecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, to support graduate research, at the M.S. level, concerning the influences of white-tailed deer on northern Wisconsin forests. The graduate research assistant will join a team responsible for designing and implementing field assessments regarding the influences of deer population density on various aspects of forest ecosystem structure, composition and function. A majority of the fieldwork will take place in northern Wisconsin. The student will work closely with a team of UW-Madison, WDNR and USFS research scientists. Qualifications: Highly motivated individuals with superior academic credentials and strong communication skills are encouraged to apply. Well-developed interpersonal skills are essential. Candidates must be able to work independently as well as part of a collaborative research team. Stipend/benefits: A 50% Graduate Research Assistantship is available beginning in the fall or spring of 2010. The RA currently provides a stipend of at least $20,400 (12 mo.), tuition waiver, and excellent medical/dental health plans. To Apply: Please send an email including a cover letter and resume describing interests and academic qualifications by August 1st to: Sara Rodock, Student Services Coordinator (rodock@wisc.edu, 608-262-9926). Please note that the candidate who accepts the position will be required to complete the UW-Madison graduate school process before they can begin the position. Inquiries: Eric Kruger (elkruger@wisc.edu). Posted: 7/16/10.
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee: Two graduate assistantships at the Ph.D. level are available in the Berges and Sandgren Labs in Biological Sciences, beginning January 2012. Current research focuses on understanding cell death in phytoplankton (i.e. mortality not directly due to predators or sinking, but involving intrinsic processes) in the laboratory and the field, its causes, mechanisms and prevalence. It is envisioned that thesis projects will be developed around the central hypotheses that cell death is driven by environmental stresses (e.g. variations in light, nutrients, and temperature), and that the incidence of cell death differs among different phytoplankton species. Approaches that can be supported include: determining the environmental factors that correlate with dead cells in particular groups of phytoplankton in the field (using field experiments assessing cell death with cell-staining and flow cytometry and working across a variety of ecosystem ranging from local ponds, to the Northern Wisconsin Lakes Long Term Ecological Research site, to Lake Michigan), determining the susceptibility to, and mechanisms of cell death in different phytoplankton species in culture (using experimental manipulations, and assessing markers of different forms of cell death using flow cytometry), and incorporating environmentally-triggered cell death mechanisms into individual-based models of phytoplankton dynamics (parameterized based on laboratory data, and tested against observed dynamics in lake systems, in collaboration with colleagues at Northeastern University). Ideal applicants would hold a MS degree in an aquatic science, ecology, or a related field and possess strong quantitative skills, but those with a BS degree and strong research experience in a relevant area are also encouraged. The graduate assistantships cover stipends, tuition and health benefits. Current funding includes support for international conference attendance. Many opportunities are available for involvement in undergraduate teaching and mentoring. For more information and application details, please email Dr. John Berges (berges@uwm.edu). Screening of applications will begin on October 31st, 2011. Posted: 6/29/11.
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee: Graduate position (MS) in Landscape Genetics/Phylogeography in the lab of Dr. Emily Latch, Department of Biological Sciences. I am seeking a highly motivated and enthusiastic MS student interested in the evolution, conservation, and management of vertebrate populations to join my lab in fall 2011. Research in my lab employs molecular genetic tools and statistical genetic methods to address fundamental questions in vertebrate population genetics and evolutionary ecology. Many projects have an applied focus, helping to inform conservation and management programs. Members of the lab are encouraged to develop independent research within this scope. Current research in the lab includes molecular investigations of hybrid zone evolution, landscape genetic structure, population establishment following translocation, and characterization of mating systems. At this time, I am particularly interested in pursuing research projects involving island phylogeography of mule deer in Mexico or MHC variation in mule deer. Qualified candidates should have prior experience with DNA-based genetic analysis. Funding in the form of assistantships, research support, and travel grants are available for qualified candidates. Also visit: graduate studies in the Department of Biological Sciences. If you are interested, please send me an email including 1) a statement of research interests, 2) a brief overview of your previous academic and research experiences, and 3) how your interests might fit with the lab. Also please include a CV (with GPA and GRE scores). Qualified candidates will also have to apply to the UWM Graduate School. The review of applications will begin immediately and will remain open until the position is filled. Anticipated start date is August 2011. Posted: 11/11/10.
University of Wyoming: Graduate Assistantship: Sage Grouse Connectivity and Energy Development. I have a newly funded project to determine how energy-related management activities (oil/gas development and subsequent reclamation) influence distribution and functional connectivity of Sage Grouse in Wyoming. Isolated populations of Sage Grouse are unlikely to continue to persist over time. Evaluating reclamation and conservation priorities in relation to distribution and functional connectivity of Sage Grouse is a vital need. To address this need, the project will integrate models of Sage Grouse distribution and functional connectivity, then use this information create tools that help managers prioritize reclamation and conservation activities. This project will rely on both innovative niche models (distribution) and landscape genetic approaches (functional connectivity). The goals of this project are to provide science-based management tools and technology-transfer to support Sage Grouse mitigation actions (avoiding impacts and focusing reclamation efforts on high-value sites). I am recruiting a PhD student for this project starting in August 2011. The project includes a highly competitive 12-month stipend, tuition, fees, health insurance, and research funds. The selected student will be in the interdepartmental Program in Ecology (PiE). Prospective students with a background in ecology, natural resources, conservation biology, landscape ecology and/or population genetics are encouraged to apply. Evidence of robust quantitative/analytical skills (including spatial modeling), strong work ethic, passion for investigating scientific questions, ability to work under harsh field conditions and collaborative skills will all be vital for the success of potential candidates. Applications should be submitted by June 10th (early application is strongly encouraged as review of applications will begin immediately). Applicants should meet the following minimum requirements: MS degree or other evidence of independent research, total GRE of 1100, and undergraduate GPA of 3.3 (or MS degree). Applications should include: cover letter with statement of research interests, CV, transcripts, GRE scores, and contact information for three references. Please be sure to include any evidence GIS, statistical modeling and/or population genetic analysis skills. The packet can be sent as a pdf attachment to Dr. Melanie Murphy (melanie.murphy@uwyo.edu). Please contact me if you have any questions. Posted: 5/26/11.
University of Wyoming: A doctoral assistantship is available in the Dept of Renewable Resources to study restoration ecology and genetics of native plant species beginning August 2011. The available stipend will include tuition and fees as well as health care. Prospective students with a background in ecology and evolution, population genetics, and/or natural resources are encouraged to apply. Application deadline: February 25, 2011. Applicants should send a cover letter and copies of transcripts, GRE scores, resume and contact information for 3 references to: Kristina Hufford (khufford@uwyo.edu), Assistant Professor, Dept. of Renewable Resources, University of Wyoming, 1000 E. University Ave., Dept. 3354, Laramie, WY 82071. Office:(307) 766-5587. Application info. Posted: 1/27/11.
University of Wyoming: Graduate Assistantship available in Species Distribution and Functional Connectivity. My lab is interested in understanding fine-scale distribution and functional connectivity of species in the context of the complete ecological system and assessing alternative management scenarios. I will be taking at least one graduate student to study distribution, functional connectivity and landscape change in semi-arid ecosystems. Prospective students with a background in ecology, natural resources, and/or population genetics are encouraged to apply. Evidence of robust quantitative/analytical skills (including spatial modeling), strong work ethic, passion for investigating scientific questions, ability to work under harsh field conditions and collaborative skills will all be vital for the success of potential candidates. PhD students will have the opportunity to participate in the interdisciplinary Program in Ecology (PiE). I am accepting applications from prospective MS and PhD students to start a graduate program in August 2011. Preference will be given to students interested in a PhD program with a MS and/or other evidence of previous research experience. Applications should be submitted by Jan. 25, 2011 (early application is strongly encouraged as review of applications will begin immediately). Applications should include: cover letter with statement of research interests, CV, transcripts, and GRE scores. The packet can be sent as a pdf attachment to Dr. Melanie Murphy (melanie.murphy@uwyo.edu). In addition, please have three references send letters to the same e-mail address. Also follow the direction for applications to the PhD interdisciplinary Program in Ecology and Department of Renewable Resources. Posted: 1/7/11.
University of Wyoming: Ph.D. Student Assistantship. Seeking applications from motivated students interested in biogeochemical responses to climate change. This collaborative project investigates how plant-microbe interactions regulate soil carbon and nitrogen cycling within an ongoing, state-of-the-art, manipulative climate change experiment in grassland near Cheyenne, Wyoming, the Prairie Heating and CO2 Enrichment (PHACE) experiment. An important component of the experiment is the comparison of biogeochemical cycling between distinct native and disturbed grassland plant communities, including invasive species. The research will involve field, laboratory and growth chamber experiments applying molecular and compound-specific stable isotope methods. Prospective students with a background in biology, ecology or soil science, preferably with a MS degree and strong quantitative analytical skills, should apply by 15 December, 2010. 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 PhD program in Botany. Applications should include resume, unofficial transcripts and GRE scores, a letter describing your research interests, and 3 reference letters, and can be emailed as pdf attachments to Dr. Elise Pendall (pendall@uwyo.edu). Posted: 10/8/10, revised: 10/11/10.
University of Zurich: PhD Studentship in Community Ecology. Biodiversity faces many threats. Two of particular importance are reductions in the amount of suitable habitat and changes in environmental conditions. Predicting the consequences of these joint threats to biodiversity requires an understanding of effects across multiple levels of ecological organisation: individual, population, community, and ecosystem. Also required is an understanding of how effects at one level of organisation create knock-on effects at other levels of organisation. For example, how changes in individual behaviour translate into a change in population dynamics. Experiments with small laboratory-based aquatic communities provide an excellent tool with which to study effects of habitat availability and environmental change across levels of ecological organisation. Such communities allow long-term experiments with carefully constructed communities, containing few to many species, short to long food chains, and low to high trophic diversity. Long-term experiments (many generations of the dominant organisms) can be carried out during quite short experiments, and observations can be made across levels of ecological organisation. Mathematical models can be used to link observations across levels of organisation. The project will give the successful applicant an opportunity to perform unique experimental investigations that will advance knowledge about joint effects of habitat size and environmental change. The PhD will be jointly supervised by Prof. Owen Petchey (Sheffield address… will change to Zürich soon) and Dr. Dennis Hansen, and will be held in the Institute of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies at the University of Zürich, Switzerland. Funding is available for at least three years. Applicants must have a Masters Level Degree in Ecology or a closely related subject, and are asked to provide a CV, including the names and contact details of three academic referees, and a one page research proposal based on the general project description and relevant published literature. Informal enquiries should be made to o.petchey@sheffield.ac.uk or dmhansen@stanford.edu. Applications should be emailed as a single pdf-file directly to Owen Petchey before January 31st 2011. For more information: Life Sciences Zürich Graduate School | Faculty of Science. Posted: 12/20/10.
University of Zurich: The effects of disturbance and competition on plant communities. A Phd position is available from October 1st 2010 to investigate the roles of disturbance and competition in experimental communities of annual plants supervised by Dr. Lindsay Turnbull. The work will involve experiments, analysis and modeling and would suit someone who enjoys applying and testing ecological theory. The position includes full funding for a minimum of three years. A Master's degree is required in some related ecological subject. The University of Zurich is an excellent University set close to the center of the city of Zurich, Switzerland. The working language of the Science Faculty is English. You will join a department which includes people working on a whole variety of ecological and evolutionary problems, with whom you will be encouraged to interact. Please send me a CV (lindsay.turnbull@ieu.uzh.ch). Include your educational history and grades and the names of at least two referees. If you would like more details about the project, feel free to contact me on the same address. Posted: 9/27/10.
Utah State University: Ecological assessment of wetlands. A graduate research assistantship (GRA) is available to support a student interested in wetland vegetation ecology, species distribution modeling, and ecological assessments. The selected student will have the option to pursue a graduate degree in either Watershed Sciences or Ecology (www.usu.edu/ecology) and will work with an interdisciplinary team of aquatic ecologists from Michigan State University, Utah State University, Kenyon College, and the USEPA. Additional information regarding work in ecological assessment at USU is available at www.cnr.usu.edu/wmc. The GRA is available immediately and includes $20k/year in salary, health insurance and tuition. If interested, please send an email to chuck.hawkins@usu.edu. Include a current resume and a written description of your academic background, experience and career goals. Posted: 6/14/11.
Utah State University: PhD and MS graduate student research assistantships are available to study microbial communities responsible for nitrogen cycling processes in the root-zone of agricultural systems. Molecular, metagenomic and process approaches will be combined to examine microbial genes encoding key enzymes in nitrogen transformations. Degree programs available in Soil Science, Ecology or Biology, dependent upon student background and interests. Competitive assistantship with health benefits and tuition. For more information please contact Jeanette Norton (jeanette.norton@usu.edu) or John Stark (john.stark@usu.edu ). Posted: 4/5/11.
Utah State University: Two PhD fellowships: Forest Ecosystems and Management. The College of Natural Resources seeks to establish a small cohort of graduate students whose research will be linked under the theme “Managing for Resilience in Forested Ecosystems of the Intermountain West”. This program will use emerging research tools, common coursework, seminars and specific shared extension projects to provide the student fellows with skills and knowledge necessary for effective science-based input to management decisions about forested landscapes undergoing or threatened with large-scale change. Current topics related to management, adaptation and resiliency of forest ecosystems and their components in a changing climate will be emphasized. Research will address issues related to two focal areas: 1) Stand and clonal dynamics in aspen-associated forests of the Intermountain West, and 2) Ecology of native bark beetles (Dendroctonus spp) in forests of the Intermountain West. The student fellows will benefit from coordinated mentoring by an Advisory Board of faculty members who have active research programs in dynamic forested landscapes: Drs. Karen Mock, Jim Long, Ron Ryel, Mike Kuhns, and Zhao Ma from USU's College of Natural Resources, Dr. Barbara Bentz with the USFS Rocky Mountain Research Station, and Dr. Paul Rogers with the USU-affiliated Western Aspen Alliance. PhD fellowships will be $24k per year for 3 years (Fall 2011 through Spring 2014). Tuition waiver and student health insurance will be provided. Additional information, including application instructions and access to the full proposal. Posted: 2/1/11.
Utah State University: Peter Adler is seeking 1 PhD student to study how species interactions mediate climate change impacts in semi-arid plant communities. The research, which is designed to test theory about the factors that determine the strength of indirect effects of climate change, relies on a combination of long-term observational data, statistical and mathematical models, and new precipitation manipulation and species removal experiments. The graduate student will work on a team with Adler, a post-doc, and undergraduate research assistants. The project also includes an outreach and education component that aims to improve communication between researchers and government land managers. To apply, send a cover letter, CV, and contact information for 3 references to peter.adler@usu.edu. Posted: 11/18/10, revised: 1/31/11.
Utah State University: MS Graduate Research Assistantship in Bee Biodiversity/Community Ecology. Biology Department & USDA-ARS Bee Biology and Systematics Laboratory, Logan Utah. Availability: Spring 2011. Qualifications: B.S. degree in Biology, Entomology, Zoology, or related discipline. A strong background with ecology or insect taxonomy is highly desirable. Candidates must meet academic requirements of the Graduate School and the Biology Department. The student will be expected to work independently and collaboratively in the field and lab. Research will focus on the bee community in a complex Mediterranean ecosystem. The research site, Pinnacles National Monument, California, has a rich bee fauna with over 400 bee species currently documented. Research will be based on extensive fieldwork, in cooperation with National Park Service, and will include a biodiversity survey and inventory of the native bees. Data gathering will address habitat selection, floral host preferences, and phenology. Options for emphasis in the graduate research include community ecology, biodiversity, and plant-pollinator networks. Contact: Dr. Edward Evans, Biology Department, Utah State University, Logan UT 84322-5305, 435.797.2552, ted.evans@usu.edu or Dr. Terry Griswold, USDA ARS Bee Biology & Systematics Laboratory, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322-5310, 435.797.2526, terry.griswold@ars.usda.gov. Posted: 10/11/10.
Villanova University: Interactions between fire, herbivory and climate change (MS). Villanova University invites applications for a Masters student interested in Forest and Ecosystem Ecology. Pending acceptance, funding is available for one year (plus summer funding) with other support available for a second year. The interested student will work closely with Villanova faculty and Forest Service scientists to examine the interactions between fire, herbivory, and climate change in forests. This project will allow for flexibility in a thesis topic. Preferred start date would be January 2011. Interested students should contact Samantha Chapman at Samantha.chapman@villanova.edu. Posted: 11/11/10.
Virginia Tech: Pending receipt of funding, an M.S. or Ph.D. position is available in the Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation at Virginia Tech with fieldwork on Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. As part of a research team the student will focus on the conservation and management of Reticulated Flatwoods Salamanders and other amphibians that occur within mesic pine flatwoods ecosystem of the Florida panhandle. Specifically, there will be an opportunity to develop research questions within the framework of a replicated field experiment that is examining the effects on the amphibian community of midstory woody vegetation removal from wetlands. Additionally, there will be an opportunity to develop questions related to terrestrial movements and upland habitat use of adult flatwoods salamanders. Qualifications: For M.S.: applicants should have a B.S. degree in Wildlife Science, Conservation Biology or a closely related discipline and competitive GPA and GRE scores. For Ph.D.: applicants should have a B.S. and an M.S. in Wildlife Science, Conservation Biology or a closely related discipline, and a record of peer-reviewed publication or other scholarly productivity. Salary: M.S.: ~$18k/year + tuition waiver + student health benefits / Ph.D: ~$21k/year + tuition waiver + student health benefits. Please send a cover letter and CV (including GRE scores and GPA) to Dr. Thomas Gorman, gormant@vt.edu and Dr. Carola Haas, cahaas@vt.edu. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled, however for full consideration please have materials submitted by June 27. The preferred start date is late August. Posted: 6/15/11.
Virginia Tech: Ph.D. Graduate Assistantship in Rhizosphere Microbial Ecology. A PhD project is available to an ambitious student interested in studying the interactions and associations between plants and soil microbial communities in the root-zone. Students with expertise (or exposure) to microbial molecular methods (PCR, pyrosequencing, cloning) and analysis are strongly encouraged to apply. The 12-month stipend is ~$22k/year, and student tuition will be remunerated by grant dollars. Applications received by July 1, 2011 will be guaranteed full consideration, with a starting date soon thereafter. The ideal candidate should have a degree in ecology, microbiology, agronomy, soil science, horticulture or related field. Applicants may complete the domestic or international VT Graduate School application form. All materials should be provided to the VT 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 Horticulture (markwill@vt.edu). I welcome student enquiries about the position via email. Posted: 5/4/11.
Virginia Tech: Our Executive Masters of Natural Resources (XMNR) program in Leadership for Sustainability is currently accepting applications for the next cohort to begin in January 2012. The XMNR program is offered through the College of Natural Resources and Environment in the National Capital Region, located in Falls Church, VA. Designed to accommodate the needs and constraints of working professionals, the XMNR is an accelerated, non-residential degree program that meets one weekend per month for 18-months. The curriculum was developed to equip students with critical thinking, communication, and creative problem solving skills for working across sectors, disciplines, and cultures to address the complex issues involved in building a more sustainable society and future. All aspects of the program — including coursework, guest lecturers, group projects, the international residency, and capstone projects — are designed to bring about institutional and policy change as well as personal and cultural transformation. To learn more, visit the website linked. Enrollment for the next session beginning in January 2012 is underway and is already half full. The cohort would certainly benefit from more ecological perspectives, so please pass this along to anyone you think might be interested. Contact Courtney Kimmel (cekimmel@vt.edu) with any questions. Posted: 5/3/11.
Virginia Tech: PhD Assistantship in Darter Ecology and Conservation. Responsibilities: Work with advisor to design and conduct studies to advance ecological understanding and conservation effectiveness germane to Virginia stream fishes, especially darters (Percidae). Assist advisor and other graduate students in ongoing field studies of darter population ecology and conservation. Conduct data analyses, write reports, and prepare scientific manuscripts related to the studies mentioned above. Complete relevant coursework. Qualifications: MS in stream fish ecology or related discipline, with landscape and conservation perspectives; working knowledge of streams, fishes, and their population ecology in the eastern US; demonstrated ability to work independently and publish research findings in scientific journals; strong writing, speaking, and statistical skills. Salary: $20,500-22,000/year plus tuition. Starting date: May 2011. Contact: Send letter of interest, resume, GRE scores, and 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. Selected applicants will need to apply formally to the Virginia Tech Graduate School before acceptance. Posted: 12/17/10.
Virginia Tech: PhD Assistantship in Mapping Ecosystem Services. This position is part of a multidisciplinary effort to examine how regulating services (RS) enhance resilience of aquatic ecosystems. Candidate will help a) estimate current capacity of and demand for RS in and near US Department of Defense lands, b) foreceast effects of future changes in land use, climate, and sea level on capacity of and demand for RS, and c) develop new methods for evaluating additional ecosystem services. Work will focus on sediment/nutrient regulation and flood/drought modulation. 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 ability to work independently and publish research findings in scientific journals; strong writing, speaking, GIS and statistical skills; experience managing and analyzing large geo-spatial datasets and in watershed modeling (e.g. SWAT). Salary: $20,500-22,000/yr plus tuition. Starting date: 1 June 2011. 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. Selected applicants will need to apply formally to the Virginia Tech Graduate School before acceptance. Posted: 12/17/10.
Virginia Tech: Graduate Research Assistantship in Forest Soil Carbon Dynamics and Gas Fluxes. The Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation is seeking applicants for a USDA-funded graduate research assistantship (MS or PhD) expected to begin in the summer or fall of 2011. Research will focus on understanding the temporal and spatial variability in soil CO2 efflux in a novel bioenergy production system where traditional loblolly pine silviculture is intercropped with switchgrass as a cellulosic feedstock. Additional research will center on partitioning autotrophic/heterotrophic soil respiration, characterizing the fluxes of other greenhouse gasses (N2O, CH4), investigating soil organic matter stability, and using stable isotope (13C) techniques to understand the fate and fluxes of switchgrass-derived C. This research is part of a large collaborative effort between Weyerhaeuser, NC State University, Virginia Tech and the US Forest Service that will allow the student a great opportunity to establish contacts with a diverse group of scientists. Research assistantships include a full tuition waiver, benefits, and a competitive annual stipend including summer support (~$19-21k). For more information on the graduate program please visit the department's website, linked above. Interested students should contact: Dr. Brian D. Strahm, Assistant Professor of Forest Soils and Ecology, Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation, 228 Cheatham Hall (0324), Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061. 540-231-8627, brian.strahm@vt.edu. Posted: 12/17/10.
Virginia Tech: Four M.S. and Ph.D. Assistantships in Forestry beginning in August 2011. The graduate programs will be housed within the Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation. The successful candidates will conduct research in the areas of climate change or biomass/bioenergy. For those candidates interested in climate change, we seek applicants for dendrochronology (under the mentorship of Dr. Carolyn Copenheaver) and remote sensing/modeling (under the mentorship of Dr. Val Thomas). For candidates with a primary focus on biomass/bioenergy, assistantships are available in forest economics (under the mentorship of Dr. Jay Sullivan) and forest operations and business (under the mentorship of Dr. Chad Bolding). The graduate assistantships are funded by a USDA National Needs Fellowship Grant and therefore candidates must be citizens of the United States and either first generation college students (neither parent has a college degree), women, or minorities. Interested candidates with a background in environmental science, forestry, geography, natural resources, wood anatomy or biology are encouraged to apply and candidates with forestry experience from other disciplines are also welcome. The assistantships include stipends ($18,500/12 month appointment for M.S. students and $24,500/12 month appointment for Ph.D. students), research and conference travel support, tuition waivers, and a student health insurance subsidy. Candidates should send a brief statement of interest and qualifications to the faculty mentor for the area of interest (email is preferred). Offer of assistantship will be contingent upon acceptance to the Graduate School at Virginia Tech (application information). Climate Change: Dendrochronology - Dr. Carolyn Copenheaver: ccopenhe@vt.edu, Remote Sensing/Modeling - Dr. Val Thomas: thomasv@vt.edu; Biomass/Bioenergy: Forest Economics - Dr. Jay Sullivan: jsulliv@vt.edu, Forest Operations and Business - Dr. Chad Bolding: bolding@vt.edu. Posted: 11/22/10.
Virginia Tech: A PhD graduate research assistantship is available beginning January 2011 for a project supported by the NSF at the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest in New Hampshire. The study focuses on feedbacks between hydrology, soil characteristics, and catchment biogeochemistry and is aimed at explaining patterns of stream water chemistry at the headwater catchment scale. We are recruiting a student to work on geospatial modeling of soils, terrain attributes, and hydrology for the prediction of stream chemistry. Students will work with faculty at Virginia Tech, as well as with federal and other university scientists involved in the project. A strong background in hydrology, forest soils, and/or geospatial analyses is highly desired. An M.S. degree in Hydrology, Soil Science, Ecology, Geology, or related field is required. The student will enroll in the interdisciplinary Geospatial and Environmental Analysis program. Additional support will be provided by the Virginia Water Resources Research Center. Virginia Tech has a strong program in Forest Soils and Hydrology with excellent analytical facilities and laboratory space. Six faculty and over 15 graduate students are actively involved in the Forest Soils and Hydrology programs. Strong supporting programs in Crop and Soil Environmental Sciences, Civil and Environmental Engineering, and Biological Systems Engineering exist at Virginia Tech. PhD assistantships will start at approximately $20k per year. For students on assistantship, tuition is covered and health services and student health insurance plans are available. Graduate research assistants are actively involved in the departmental teaching program. Applicants should be US citizens or permanent residents. Interested students should contact: Dr. Kevin McGuire, Research Assistant Professor of Forest Hydrology, Virginia Water Resources Research Center & Dept. of Forest Resources & Environmental Conservation, 210B Cheatham Hall (0444), Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061. Tel: 540-231-6017; Fax: 540-231-6673, kevin.mcguire@vt.edu. Posted: 11/12/10.
Virginia Tech: Two Ph.D. graduate research assistantships are available at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Blacksburg. A first project goal is to assess the physiological changes within eastern hemlock trees as they decline from colonization and attack by the non-native invasive hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA). A second goal will be to determine how the physiological status of the trees change upon remediation treatments and subsequent recovery. A third goal is to assess how the declining health of the tree impacts the availability and quality of nutrients and water resources for HWA as reflected in the insect's fitness, fecundity, and physiology. One assistantship is available for work focused on the physiology of the eastern hemlock and will be directed by Dr. John Seiler (Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation). A second assistantship will focus on the pest insect's physiology in relation to changing host conditions and will be directed by Drs. Scott Salom and Don Mullins (Department of Entomology). Each will provide a unique opportunity to work with both forestry and entomology faculty. This project is supported by the USDA Forest Service. Eastern hemlock, Tsuga canadensis, are damaged by the feeding activities of the non-native HWA, Adelges tsugae (Hemiptera: Adelgidae). HWA nymphs feed on the parenchyma cells in the xylem rays. Tree health deteriorates due the depletion of photosynthates, which then inhibits shoot growth and causes bud mortality, twig dieback, foliage discoloration and premature defoliation. The broad goal will be to characterize the physiological attributes of tree decline, so that managers may be able to consider site or stand amelioration actions that would prevent newly infested trees from declining so quickly. Findings could also contribute to a better understanding of factors critical in host resistance. For assistantship one, An M.S. degree in forestry, plant physiology, ecophysiology, or related field is required. Previous experience with whole-plant physiological measurements is desired. For Assistantship two, an M.S. degree in biology, plant sciences or related field is preferred. The Dept. of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation (FREC) has excellent ecophysiology laboratories and strong programs in all aspects of forestry. Strong supporting programs in Entomology, Crop and Soil Environmental Science, Horticulture, Botany, and Chemistry exist at VT. Ph.D. assistantships in the Departments of FREC and Entomology provide a very competitive stipend. Additionally, tuition is waived for students on assistantship. Graduate research assistants are actively involved in the departmental teaching program. Interested students should contact either: Dr. John Seiler (jseiler@vt.edu, 540-231-5461) OR Dr. Scott Salom (salom@vt.edu, 540-231-2794). Posted: 10/11/10, revised: 11/22/10.
Virginia Tech: Physiology and Drought Tolerance of Endophyte-Infected Switchgrass. A Ph.D. graduate research assistantship is available through the Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University at Blacksburg (VT), in collaboration with the Institute for Sustainable and Renewable Resources (ISRR) at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research in Danville, Virginia. The study will investigate endophyte-infected switchgrass physiological processes related to plant performance by measuring plant photosynthesis rate, water use efficiency, drought tolerance, and carbon sequestration following bacterial inoculation of switchgrass plants in both greenhouse and field settings. The work will be co-directed by Drs. John Seiler (Virginia Tech) and Chuansheng Mei (ISRR) and will provide a unique opportunity to work at both the whole- plant physiology and molecular levels and with an interdisciplinary team of scientists. This project is supported by the Department of Energy/USDA-Plant Feedstock Genomics for Bioenergy program. Switchgrass is one of the most promising feedstock crops in the overall sustainable bioenergy vision of the U.S. It is stress-tolerant and can grow on marginal lands; however, its yields can vary from site to site and from year to year. The utilization of naturally-occurring beneficial bacterial endophytes with switchgrass represents a practical and feasible way to develop a low-input and sustainable feedstock production system. The ultimate goal of the larger research project is to understand the molecular and physiological mechanisms by which the bacterial endophyte promotes switchgrass growth. An M.S. degree in plant physiology, ecophysiology, or related field is required. Previous experience with whole-plant physiological measurements is desired. The Department has excellent ecophysiology laboratories and strong programs in all aspects of forestry, including forest soils, watersheds and wetlands, and remote sensing and geospatial analysis. The Institute for Sustainable and Renewable Resources is a state-of-the-art facility jointly affiliated with the Departments of Horticulture and Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation at VT. The Institute has brought together expertise in plant tissue culture, plant molecular biology, genomics, molecular breeding, and information technology to facilitate the development of novel ornamental, crop, and forestry plant varieties. Strong supporting programs in Crop and Soil Environmental Science, Horticulture, Botany, and Chemistry exist at VT. Ph.D. assistantships in the Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation at Virginia Tech start at approximately $21k per year. Tuition is waived for students on assistantship. Graduate research assistants are actively involved in the departmental teaching program. Interested students should contact: Dr. John Seiler, jseiler@vt.edu, OR Dr. Chuansheng Mei, chuansheng.mei@ialr.org. Posted: 10/8/10, revised: 11/22/10.
Virginia Tech: The Invasive Plant Ecology Lab is looking for a highly motivated PhD student to work in the area of invasiveness of biofuel crops in the Department of Plant Pathology, Physiology, and Weed Science. The student will conduct field, greenhouse, and laboratory research to evaluate the invasive potential of several leading bioenergy crops in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic US. The student will have the option to choose among various components of a large multi-disciplinary program to serve as their dissertation project, but will be expected to assist with other related aspects of the larger project. Topics could include comparisons of population dynamics, propagule biology, dispersal dynamics, or autecology of proposed bioenergy crops (Miscanthus, switchgrass, Arundo, etc) with known invasive and non-invasive taxa, modeling of potentially susceptible habitat of each bioenergy crop with field validation, and ecoregional variation in invasive potential of bioenergy crops. PhD assistantships will start at approximately $20k per year. For students on assistantship, tuition is covered and health services and student health insurance plans are available. Graduate research assistants are actively involved in the departmental teaching program. Interested students should look at the Invasive Plant Ecology Lab website as well as the PPWS website for application information. Qualifications: B.S. in Weed Science, Invasive Plant Ecology, Plant Ecology, Agronomy, or closely allied field, with excellent grades (GPA >3.0), test scores (GRE >1000) and references. M.S. in related discipline and field experience preferred. Strong written and oral communication skills preferred. Computer modeling experience preferred, but not required. Willingness to work in the field close to Blacksburg, as well as field sites both in Virginia and other states required. Application: Interested students should send a CV, one-page letter of application, transcripts, GRE scores, and three letters of reference to Dr. Jacob Barney (jnbarney@vt.edu). The position will begin in the spring of 2011 unless the successful candidate is not available until the summer. Posted: 9/23/10.
Virginia Tech: A Ph.D. Assistantship is immediately available in the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences to study Piping Plover ecology and habitat use on the U.S. Atlantic and Gulf Coasts. This Ph.D. project will partially involve studies of Piping Plover ecology and habitat use in relation to the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill, but it will also involve studies of other factors limiting the Atlantic Coast breeding population of Piping Plovers on both their breeding and wintering grounds. This person will work collaboratively with a large team from Virginia Tech to capture, band, and resight wintering Piping Plovers in oiled- and un-oiled areas on the U.S. Gulf Coast and Atlantic Coast, but will also work to develop a study on factors limiting Piping Plovers breeding in Virginia and Maryland. This project will be a cooperative effort between Virginia Tech, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and other federal, state, and local authorities. A research assistantship (stipend + tuition) at a competitive level will be provided, but depends on annual renewal of funding. Duties: Complete study design in consultation with major professor (Sarah Karpanty) and other project primary investigators (Jim Fraser, Jon Cohen, Dan Catlin, Joy Felio); collect behavioral and ecological data to test hypotheses and fit models; supervise technicians; operate trucks, boats, and ATVs; coordinate multiple federal, state and local agencies and other researchers; analyze data, write reports and publish research results in refereed journals with advisor. Fieldwork involves long hot days, early mornings and nights. Incumbent will live at a field site for a portion of each year with technicians in housing provided by Virginia Tech. This will be an excellent project for someone wishing to make a research contribution to basic science and, simultaneously, to the design of threatened species conservation strategies. Position is subject to receipt of funding annually. Desired start date is August 10, 2010 but is negotiable. Qualifications: B.S. and M.S. in Wildlife Science, Ecology, Conservation Biology or closely allied field, with excellent grades, test scores, and references. Candidates must demonstrate ongoing or completed efforts to publish peer-reviewed papers from M.S. thesis along with a continuing commitment to scientific publication. Previous coursework or experience with population and/or behavioral ecology and statistics required. Previous field experience required, preferably (but not necessarily) with birds. A strong desire and demonstrated ability to work as part of a team is required. To apply: email C.V., 1 page letter of application, degree titles 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 and possibly on-site interview, to send transcripts, and to apply to the Virginia Tech graduate school. Send information to Sarah Karpanty (karpanty@vt.edu). Please note ‘Ph.D. Piping Plover Application’ in subject line of application email. Candidate selection will begin immediately and will continue until position is filled. POsted: 7/29/10.
Virginia Tech: Two PhD graduate research assistantships are available beginning January 2011 (or sooner) for projects supported by the NSF at the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest in New Hampshire. The study focuses on feedbacks between hydrology, soil characteristics, and catchment biogeochemistry and is aimed at explaining the spatial and temporal variation in stream water chemistry at the headwater catchment scale. The project will have an intensive field component that will require extensive travel. Students will work with faculty at Virginia Tech, as well as with federal and other university scientists involved in the project. A strong background in hydrology, forest soils, and/or geospatial analyses is highly desired. An M.S. degree in Hydrology, Soil Science, Ecology or related field is required. The student may enroll in the Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation or in the interdisciplinary Geospatial and Environmental Analysis program in the College of Natural Resources and Environment at Virginia Tech. Additional support will be provided by the Virginia Water Resources Research Center. Virginia Tech has a strong program in Forest Soils and Hydrology with excellent analytical facilities and laboratory space. Six faculty and over 15 graduate students are actively involved in the Forest Soils and Hydrology programs. Strong supporting programs in Crop and Soil Environmental Sciences, Civil and Environmental Engineering, and Biological Systems Engineering exist at Virginia Tech. PhD assistantships will start at approximately $20k per year. For students on assistantship, tuition is covered and health services and student health insurance plans are available. Graduate research assistants are actively involved in the departmental teaching program. Interested students should contact: Dr. Kevin McGuire, Research Assistant Professor of Forest Hydrology, Virginia Water Resources Research Center & Dept. of Forest Resources & Environmental Conservation, 210B Cheatham Hall (0444), Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061. Tel: 540-231-6017; Fax: 540-231-6673, kevin.mcguire@vt.edu. Posted: 7/8/10.
Vrije Universiteit Brussel: The Faculty of Sciences and Bio-engineering sciences, and in particular the Department of Biology, has a vacancy for a full-time Teaching Assistant (Marine Biology) (Bijzonder Assisterend Academisch Personeel, BAAP). Starting date: 01/Feb/2011. The initial appointment is for two years, but can be renewed twice for a total of 6 years. We are inviting applications of outstanding young scientists in the field of marine biology. Applicants are expected to teach courses in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd bachelor and to conduct PhD research on molecular genetics and/or ecology of marine fauna. The first four years are a scholarship of 1860 Euro/month (net), the last two years are a position as Academic Assistant. Requirements: A completed MSc in Marine Biology or a relevant field is required. The candidate has experience in teaching, is able to motivate students, and has excellent knowledge of Dutch and English. Ability of teaching in Dutch is a prerequisite. More information (in Dutch). For further information please contact: Prof. Dr. Marc KOCHZIUS, Marine Biology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, B-1050 Brussel, Tel: +32 (0)2 629 34 06, marc.kochzius@vub.ac.be. Please submit your application together with a curriculum vitae not later than 07.Jan.2011 to: Prof. Dr. Ludwig TRIEST, Algemene Plantkunde en Natuurbeheer (APNA) (Plant Science and Nature Management), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, B-1050 Brussel, Tel: +32 (0)2 629 34 21, Fax: +32 (0)2 629 34 13, ltriest@vub.ac.be. Posted: 12/20/10.
Wake Forest University: Ph.D. position in Dr. William Conner's lab, Department of Biology. Position is available starting summer or fall 2011. The successful student will participate in an NSF-funded project investigating the behavioral ecology of acoustic aposematic and mimetic signaling of tiger moths defending against insectivorous bats. Investigations include infrared videography and 3-D reconstruction of bat-moth interactions recorded under field conditions, and ultrasonic recording and analysis of acoustic signals of both bats and moths. Field research will be conducted in North Carolina and southeastern Arizona. Full funding for research is available through a National Science Foundation grant. Four years of teaching assistantships are guaranteed. Desired qualifications: • Demonstrated aptitude for technological and quantitative skills such as videography and 3D reconstruction, acoustic recording and analysis, computer programming, etc. • Experience conducting field research with bats or other animals • Master’s degree in biology or related field, or undergraduate degree with substantial research experience. Contact: Dr. William Conner, conner@wfu.edu. 336-682-0441. A formal application can be made online through the Wake Forest Graduate School, and is due no later than Jan. 15th, 2011. Posted: 12/8/10.
Washington State University: IGERT PhD Fellowships for N cycling research and policy. Nitrogen Systems: Policy-oriented Integrated Research and Education (NSPIRE). Interdisciplinary research focused on nitrogen cycle processes in the environment integrated with experiential learning of public policy. Up to 5 PhD research assistantships will be available to join a collaborative team working on understanding environmental aspects of the nitrogen cycle and putting that information into context for policy development. With funding from the National Science Foundation’s Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship program (IGERT), the individual fellows will pursue disciplinary research important for the overall theme, and work together to identify and address interdisciplinary issues critical for development of effective public policy related to environmental nitrogen. Research Topics (regional modeling, measurements and analyses) • Hydrological N transport and fate, • Crop N use and soil N cycling, • N dynamics in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, • Atmospheric N transport and fate, • Biosphere/atmosphere interactions, • Subsurface N fate and transport, • Animal systems and nitrogen dynamics, • Climate and land use change impacts. Benefits of the Program • Full graduate support including two years of NSPIRE support with $30,000/year stipend • Integrated graduate curriculum • Paid policy internship for 3 months with a US or International organization Applicants are encouraged to apply to one of the following colleges within Washington State University: College of Agricultural, Human and Natural Resources, the College of Engineering and Architecture, or the College of Sciences. Eligibility: Applicants must be a U.S. Citizen or permanent resident. Successful applicants must be entering or within their first year of a PhD program at Washington State University and join the program in the fall of 2011. Deadline for receipt of applications is mid January 2011. For more information, visit NSPIRE. Posted: 11/2/10.
Washington State University Puyallup: PhD Assistantship Urban Stormwater Runoff/Soil Science/Microbiology, available as part of an ongoing Low Impact Development (LID) project intended to improve stormwater management. The LID project is located at the WSU Puyallup Research and Extension Center in the metropolitan Seattle/Tacoma area, and the successful candidate would conduct field work at that location. The individual must have an interest in pursuing doctoral research that addresses the transport, fate and treatment of pollutants in urban stormwater. Current research is conducted as a collaborative, multi-disciplinary team focusing on the use of bioretention to reduce and treat stormwater pollutants that include: nitrogen, phosphorus, dissolved solids, metals, bacteria, viruses and hydrocarbons. The selected PhD candidate will conduct research on microbial mediation of contaminants in waste water and the potential of these pollutants to be immobilized via in situ bioretention systems. Research will focus on the use of nitrification-denitrification pathways to treat nitrogen, degradation of hydrocarbon wastes and the influence of plant communities on microbial community structure and/or function. Position includes a research stipend, tuition waiver and insurance. Start date Fall semester (August) 2011 or Spring (January) 2012. Please provide a statement of research interest, resume, and transcripts via email or mail to: Dr. Ann-Marie Fortuna, Assistant Professor of Soil Biology, Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, 291D Johnson Hall, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-6420, Phone: (509)335-3644 Email: afortuna@wsu.edu; or Dr Eric Miltner, Associate Turfgrass Research Agronomist, Washington State University Puyallup Research and Extension Center, 2606 W Pioneer, Puyallup, WA 98371-4998 Phone: 253-445-4594 Email: miltner@wsu.edu. Posted: 4/5/11.
Washington State University Vancouver: A PhD opportunity is available for a student to join the Schultz lab to investigate the ecology of Taylor’s checkerspot, a federal candidate butterfly in Oregon and Washington. The position is part of a new grant funded by SERDP (Strategic Environmental Research and Defense Program) to investigate source-sink dynamics of at-risk butterflies and includes collaborators at Harvard, Duke and University of North Carolina. The position will involve investigation of basic life history attributes of Taylor’s checkerspot, as well as experimental investigation of effects of key habitat management tools. Experimental work will involve field and lab-based studies to assess impacts of grass-specific herbicides on butterfly demography and behavior. PhD students are admitted through the Environmental Science Program at WSU Vancouver. 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. Washington State University Vancouver is a new and rapidly growing campus in the WSU system located in Vancouver, Washington just north of Portland, Oregon. Students benefit from outstanding faculty, world-class research, state-of-the-art facilities and small class sizes. For more information, see Science Programs. 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. Interested students should send a CV/resume and a letter describing past research experience and future research interests to Cheryl Schultz, schultzc@vancouver.wsu.edu or call 360-546-9525 for more information. Graduate applications receive priority consideration if received by January 10, 2011 for Fall 2011 admission. Initial field work for the project begins in March 2011. We anticipate hiring the student as an assistant for the 2011 field season. I encourage all interested students to get in touch to learn more about the program and research in our lab. Posted: 11/12/10.
Wayne State University: The Steiner lab is currently recruiting graduate students (M.S. or Ph.D.) interested in studying aquatic ecology. Research in the Steiner lab lies at the interface of population and community ecology. Current projects take place at the Kellogg Biological Station (http://www.kbs.msu.edu)and focus on the interactive effects of environmental perturbations and dispersal on the structure and dynamics of zooplankton populations. Students will be expected to develop independent research projects in an area of aquatic ecology or evolutionary ecology of their choosing. Financial support is available in the form of teaching assistantships and research assistantships. Qualifications include: a record of academic achievement as an undergraduate; previous research experience in ecology or evolutionary ecology; the ability to work independently; a strong/genuine desire to conduct ecological research in freshwater systems. Wayne State is an urban university located in exciting midtown Detroit. Those interested should email Chris Steiner(csteiner@wayne.edu) with a copy of their CV (including GPA and GRE scores) and a brief description of their prior research experience and research interests in graduate school. Posted: 1/7/11.
Wayne State University: The Department of Biological Sciences at Wayne State (Detroit, Michigan) is accepting applications from persons seeking graduate student admission (M.S. or Ph.D.) for Fall 2011. Biological Sciences is a multi-disciplinary department and includes expertise in ecology, evolution, and evolutionary development (in addition to molecular, neuro-, and cellular biology). Faculty research areas within the ecology and evolution core include: global climate change, landscape and disturbance ecology in forested systems, population and community ecology in terrestrial and aquatic systems, aquatic toxicology, molecular evolution and the origin of morphological diversity in plants and insects. All Ph.D. students within the department receive guaranteed support in the form of teaching assistantships, research assistantships or fellowships. For more information on the department, graduate program and admissions procedure, please see the department link above or contact Rose Priest (email: rpriest@wayne.edu). Posted: 11/11/10.
West Virginia University: Positions are available for PhD or Masters students who are interested in investigating how acid deposition affects the nutrient dynamics and productivity of deciduous forests in central Appalachia. Students will have the opportunity to conduct research at the Fernow Experimental Forest and contribute to long-term research at this location. Student research will involve field work in the beautiful mountains of West Virginia along with extensive training in the use of analytical instrumentation, experimental design, data analysis, computer modeling, communication skills, and teaching. More about the long-term research at the Fernow. Summer support is available for five years from a recent NSF-funded grant and this would supplement the compensation received during the academic year as a teaching assistant in the Department of Biology at West Virginia University. Information about the graduate program in biology, and how to apply, is available at: www.as.wvu.edu/biology/graduate/programs.htm. A successful applicant should: 1) have a bachelor’s or master’s degree in a relevant field of study (ecology, geography, geology, biology, etc.); 2) a strong interest in ecosystem ecology and issues related to environmental change; 3) a willingness learn techniques used to analyze the chemical composition of soil, water, and plant samples; 4) an interest in learning computer modeling and incorporating it into their research; and 5) strong writing skills and a commitment to the effective communication of science to technical and non-technical audiences. To learn more about these opportunities, please contact: Dr. William Peterjohn (bpj@wvu.edu, 304-293-5201 x 31510). Posted: 12/3/10.
Western Kentucky University: Two graduate assistantships (M.S.) are available beginning in June, 2011 to work in South Africa on applied behavioral ecology of African buffalo and bushpigs, in the context of human-wildlife conflict.These two positions are grant-funded and include a stipend, partial tuition waiver, housing while in South Africa, and a food allowance while in South Africa. Both positions will begin during summer, 2010, with the field season extending through most of the remaining calendar year. Successful graduate students in this program *must*: have a Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline (you cannot be admitted as a graduate student without your undergraduate degree), have acceptable GRE scores and GPA (WKU's minimum for Biology is 1050 v+q), have a valid U.S. passport, provide excellent references, have no health issues that would interfere with months of fieldwork away from medical facilities, be in good physical condition (strenuous hiking, lifting of heavy weights may be required), possess a valid U.S. driver's license, have the ability to work alone or in small teams, pass a criminal background check (required by the state of Kentucky), be tobacco-free for field work. We prefer applicants that: have demonstrated successful international experience, can work with minimal supervision, embrace cultural experiences, can drive manual transmission, 4X4 vehicles, have experience with ATVs and off-road motorcycles, enjoy messing about with electronics, and have excellent written and verbal communications skills in standard English. Before making formal application to Western Kentucky University, potential applicants should directly contact either Michael.Stokes@wku.edu or Bruce.Schulte@wku.edu. To learn more about our program, please visit WKU Biology. Posted: 3/7/11.
Western Washington University: I am seeking a M.S. student to work on a landscape genetics project that will deal with cougars in Washington State. The project will examine a variety of issues including: 1. Natural and anthropogenic factors influencing gene flow 2. Quantify spatial variation in genetic diversity and inbreeding 3. Genetic structure of the statewide population. The project will involve close collaboration with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and will involve the use of genetic samples that have already been obtained for several hundred animals. The focus of the thesis project will be on analysis and modeling with minimal fieldwork. One year of TA support and a tuition waiver is available, with the second year likely. Information regarding past and ongoing projects by my other graduate students is available here: http://faculty.wwu.edu/wallin/research.htm Deadline for submitting an application to our graduate program is Feb. 1. However, interested students should first send an email outlining their background and research interests and a resume to: David O. Wallin, Professor, Department of Environmental Sciences, Huxley College of the Environment, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA 98225-9181. email: david.wallin@wwu.edu. Posted: 1/7/11.
Western Washington University: Seeking a Master of Science student for the Department of Environmental Sciences in Huxley College at WWU. Research will focus on the ecology of arbuscular mycorrhizae in natural, disturbed and restored systems. One year of funding is available via TA-ship and tuition waiver, with second year likely. Research projects will be developed with student. Possible foci are: the interactions between ectomycorrhizae and arbuscular mycorrhizae (AM) in recruitment and establishment of forest seedlings, the role of AM in plant invasions, and the effects of AM on host plants across stress gradients of pH and temperature. Interested students should email a brief statement of their research interests ASAP along with a resume to: Rebecca Bunn (rebecca.bunn@wwu.edu). Deadline to apply to graduate school is February 1, 2011. Posted: 12/20/10.
Wichita State University: A self-motivated candidate is sought to pursue an MS degree in plant-insect interactions. The successful candidate will participate in integrative research that will yield valuable discoveries regarding insect herbivore guild structure, weed biocontrol agents, and life history strategies. The research examines insect herbivore and thistle interactions using long-term data sets and field research. Success of this research will have broad application to seasonal phenology and competition, invasive species, and climate change. The ideal student for this position is self-motivated, works well independently, has a strong commitment to ecology and entomology, and a desire to learn a range of tools/techniques/methods in plant ecology, entomology and statistics. Proficiency in oral and written English required. The student will develop a thesis project that uses long-term ecological data as well as active field research. Applicants should have a B.S. in biology or entomology. The successful applicant will receive a Graduate Student Teaching Assistantship, stipend, full tuition remission, and partial health benefits. Deadline for applications is 1 February 2011, but early applications are encouraged. The assistantship will begin in fall 2011. Interested applicants should email CV, transcript, test scores, and a letter describing your research interests to Dr. Leland Russell (Leland.Russell@wichita.edu). The Department of Biological Sciences includes core facilities in environmental biology, imaging and bioinformatics, and maintains an animal care facility and greenhouse. Previous graduate students have gone on to Ph.D. programs at major research institutions or have found employment with state or federal natural resource management agencies. See also: graduate school at WSU For additional information, contact: Dr. Leland Russell (Leland.Russell@wichita.edu) OR Dr. Mary Liz Jameson (maryliz.jameson@gmail.com). Posted: 11/15/10.
Wright State University: seeking a Ph.D. student to join the Cipollini Lab studying the chemical ecology of plant resistance to herbivores and pathogens, and the chemical ecology of invasive plants. Funding is available through a combination of graduate research and teaching assistantships, and the student may start as early as Fall quarter 2011 (September 2011). While the focus of the dissertation research is negotiable, research is currently underway on the interactions of invasive plants with native insects, pathogenic and mutualistic microbes, and competing plants, the mechanistic basis of ash tree resistance to the Emerald Ash Borer, and the general evolutionary ecology of plant defenses. Additional collaborations exist in the areas of plant population genetics, ecological biochemistry, and conservation ecology. Interest in these and related topics is preferred. The student will be enrolled in Wright State’s Interdisciplinary Environmental Sciences Ph.D. Program. Application requirements include: Bachelors degree in Biology, Ecology, Entomology, Plant Sciences, or related field; GRE scores within the last 5 y; minimum IBT TOEFL score of 100 and ability to pass a verbal English test (foreign students only). Preferred qualifications include: Masters degree or equivalent experience; a strong background in plant sciences/ecology, with interest and/or experience in field and laboratory research; good communication skills. The current stipend is ~$23k on a 12 month basis. See Environmental Sciences Ph.D. program for further information, including program requirements, application procedures and stipends. Please contact Don Cipollini (don.cipollini@wright.edu) for more information about projects in the lab and the program prior to submitting an application. Posted: 6/13/11.
Wright State University: The Environmental Sciences Ph.D. program invites applicants for Fall 2011 admission. The program provides courses, research opportunities and training to students to better understand and solve complex environmental problems, such as those caused by anthropogenic pollutants, increased greenhouse gas emissions, invasive species, habitat fragmentation and loss of biodiversity, that can affect both human and ecosystem health. Our students receive training in preparation for careers in academia, state and federal agencies, industry, and non-profit organizations. Through a rigorous core curriculum and dissertation research, our interdisciplinary program is designed to broadly expose students to both traditional and emerging areas of environmental sciences, and offers the ability to focus on research in a more defined area. Our program includes faculty in the departments of Biological Sciences, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Chemistry, Physics, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pharmacology and Toxicology, and Mathematics and Statistics. The program offers competitive stipends for graduate students ($22,660 for Fall 2010) along with a waiver of tuition costs for full-time students. Applicants are also eligible for consideration to receive a prestigious Yellow Springs Instruments (YSI) Fellowship for the first year in the program, awarded to highly qualified students enrolling for Fall 2011. Applicants are encouraged to contact program faculty in their areas of interest prior to completing the application. To apply online and to read more about our program and its curriculum, research, faculty and student profiles, please visit our main program website, linked above. Questions about our program may be directed to our program office: Ms. Cathy Kempf (937-775-3273, director.envsci@wright.edu). Posted: 11/16/10.
WSL/University of Bern/University of Uppsala: Three PhD positions in Plant Ecology, Evolutionary Ecology and Ecological Genetics. We are seeking three PhD students for a new SNF-funded project about the adaptation of the long-lived alpine shrub Salix herbacea to different altitudes and habitats, and its ecological and evolutionary responses to climate change. The project is a collaboration between the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL in Davos, the Universities of Basel, Bern and Fribourg (all in Switzerland), and the University of Uppsala in Sweden. The project consists of three sub-projects that are tightly linked through common field surveys and transplant experiments. The field sites are in the Swiss Alps near Davos. Position 1: Plant Ecology, Davos. This project will examine how temperature, microclimate, snow conditions and competition affect the growth, demography and physiology of S. herbacea. The student will be supervised by Christian Rixen and Sonja Wipf (Davos) and Günter Hoch (Basel). Position 2: Evolutionary Ecology, Bern. This project will examine the heritability of plant traits, natural selection in different habitats, and the potential evolutionary responses of S. herbacea to climate change. It will also study the role of biotic interactions in constraining plant adaptation. The student will be supervised by Mark van Kleunen and Oliver Bossdorf (Bern). Position 3: Ecological Genetics, Uppsala. This subproject will examine variation, selection and adaptation in S. herbacea at the molecular level. It will use population genomic approaches to study associations between molecular markers/candidate genes, ecologically important plant traits and habitat factors. The student will be supervised by Sophie Karrenberg (Uppsala) and Christian Lexer (Fribourg). For more information about the projects, research groups and places of work, please visit the websites, or contact the three subproject leaders, using the email addresses below. All positions require a MSc degree (or equivalent), fluency in English, a driver’s licence, and the ability to work in an Alpine environment, sometimes independently and sometimes in a team. Previous experience with ecological field work/experiments and statistical skills are generally a plus. Position 3 requires experience with genetic lab work and analysis of genetic data. The durations of the positions are 3 years for PhD positions 1 & 2, and 4 years for PhD position 3. Applicants should send a letter of application, explaining your motivation, research interests and relevant experience as well as a CV and contact details of at least two references, to rixen@slf.ch (position 1), vkleunen@ips.unibe.ch (position 2) or sophie.karrenberg@ebc.uu.se (position 3). The application deadline is 15 September 2010. Starting date for the positions will be 1 January 2011, or shortly thereafter. Posted: 8/17/10.
Yale University: The laboratories of Thomas Near and Walter Jetz in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology are seeking to recruit a Ph.D. student to develop research questions integrating species geographic distributions and phylogenetic relationships. One particular opportunity concerns North American freshwater fishes. Clades for which multi-gene time calibrated phylogenies are available or in development include darters (Percidae), sunfishes and black basses (Centrarchidae), minnows (Cyprinidae), and bullhead catfishes (Ictaluridae). Other opportunities include work on select terrestrial vertebrate systems at continental to global scale or on macroevolutionary patterns in ray-finned fishes. Applications for the 2011-2012 academic year are due 15 December 2010. Go to the website http://www.eeb.yale.edu/grad/ for details on the application procedure. Persons interested in applying for this particular set of projects should contact Thomas Near (thomas.near@yale.edu) and/or Walter Jetz (walter.jetz@yale.edu ). Posted: 11/29/10.
Assistantships and Fellowships | Fellowship Program Links | Short Courses
Assistantships and Fellowships | Fellowship Program Links | Short Courses
Climate Change Course in Spain: The Estación Biológica de Doñana (Sevilla, Spain) invites applications for its second international course on climate change entitled ‘Ecological Consequences of Climate Change: Integrating Research Approaches’ taking place from 26 September to 7 October 2011 in the heart of Doñana National Park. The course is open to students at the early postdoc, PhD and Master/advanced Diploma levels who are involved in global-change research. Its aim is to provide a synthetic overview upon different research perspectives ranging from paleoecology to population genetics, ecophysiology and bioclimatic modeling. The course will include lectures and practical exercises provided by an international panel of high-profile researchers, as well as field trips within the National Park. Invited teachers: Miguel Araújo, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, Madrid, Spain; José S. Carrión, Universidad de Murcia, Spain; Keith Bildstein, Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, Pennsylvania, USA; Isabelle Chuine, CNRS-CEFE, Montpellier, France; Arndt Hampe, UMR1202 BIOGECO, Cestas, France; Georg Hoffmann, IMAU, Universiteit Utrecht, The Netherlands; Fernando Valladares, Centro de Ciencias Medioambientales, Madrid, Spain. Organizers: Juan José Negro and Arndt Hampe. The course language will be English. Support from the Gas Natural Chair ‘Biodiversity Conservation under Climate Change’ enables us to limit registration fees to 100 Euros and to cover all costs for transportation between Sevilla and Doñana National Park, accommodation and meals during the 2-weeks course. Applicants should provide a brief CV (max. two pages) as well as a statement (max. 500 words) about their research interests/current projects and why they would like to attend to the course. Application deadline is 30 June. Please send applications in a single pdf file and any related questions to Begoña Arrizabalaga (bego@ebd.csic.es). Posted: 6/14/11.
Field Course In Neotropical Herpetology: June 15-July 10, Bocas del Toro Biological Station, Boca del Drago, Isla Colon, Republic of Panama. The biological station is located on a beach facing the Caribbean Sea. Coral reef and seagrass ecosystems lie out in front of the station and lowland tropical rain forests lie directly behind. This juxtaposition of the two most biologically diverse ecosystems provides tremendous opportunities for education and research. See: http://www.itec-edu.org/herpetology2.html for details. Posted: 5/31/11.
Dive GIS summer course: 31 July - 10 August in Crotone at the Capo Rizzuto Marine Protected Area. The enrollment deadline is extended to the 8th of June. Seats are still available. Dive GIS course is for you if you wish to: 1. Learn state of the art GIS and Remote Sensing methodologies used for marine applications 2. Learn to use the ArcGIS software 3. Become a certified diver 4. Collect scientific data in the field and underwater 5. Identify marine flora and fauna 6. Be passionate about the marine environment and the conservation of its resources 7. Network and socialize in an international environment The course, organized by Mappamondo GIS in collaboration with the MPA, represents a unique training initiative that offers the chance to learn Geographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing methodologies while becoming a certified SCUBA diver. Participants learn to use state of the art technologies and to combine them with passion oriented sport and field activities in the context of marine environment management and science. The challenging objective of the organizer is to provide the bases for a multi-skill career. For further information about the course and online registration for the 2011 edition please visit www.mappamondogis.it/divegis.htm. Posted: 5/25/11.
Data Analysis II: Ecological Modeling using R: (CSP4210) July 25-29, 2011, National Conservation Training Center (NCTC) Shepherdstown, WV. The purpose of this course is to build a suite of tools for the purpose of modeling biological and environmental data. To achieve effective conservation planning or evaluation of management actions, it is becoming increasingly important to monitor and model wildlife populations and the habitats/environments in which they live. We begin the course discussing simple linear regression with independent observations. Then progress into the use of multiple linear regression, generalized linear models (Logistic, Poisson, and Negative Binomial regression) for modeling presence/absence and count data, trend analysis via linear and generalized linear mixed models, and mean separation techniques. Other topics include variable selection and screening, and model comparison techniques using AIC, BIC and cross-validation. Emphasis is placed upon model development and interpretation as it relates to informing management decisions, understanding model assumptions and critical evaluation of competing models. The general approach is a topic presentation by an instructor, followed by an instructor-led computer exercise, followed by an “independent” class computer exercise applying the concepts learned on biological data using R. Consequently, the purpose of this course is to enhance the scientific and analytical capacity of participants. Participants are encouraged to discuss data in which they are currently engaged with. Although this interaction is encouraged, the purpose of the course is not of a ‘consulting’ nature. Instructor: Dr. Timothy J. Robinson (University of Wyoming). The course is designed for individuals who are competent in basic biology and are interested in strengthening their ability to utilize statistical tools in research, management, and decision-making. Participants in this course should have working knowledge of topics taught in Data Analysis I (CSP4200). Applicants that have not taken Data Analysis I must contact the course leader for approval. Course Length: 4 ½ days/36 hours. The objectives of this course are to (1) develop skills for analyzing multiple linear regression, variable selection, handling of multicollinearity, data transformation, and outlier diagnostics; (2) develop skills to use logistic regression as a means of modeling presence-absence data; (3) interpret results of statistical procedures; and (4) provide participants the necessary background to be successful in Data Analysis IIIA: Species Distribution Modeling using R. Cost: There is no tuition fee for FWS, NPS, and BLM personnel. Tuition is $1150 for non-FWS participants. Register online at DOI Learn. Non-DOI employees should contact Barbara Evans at 304-876-7451 or (barbara_evans@fws.gov). Questions: Please contact Dr. Joe W. Witt (joe_witt@fws.gov) or So Lan Ching (solan_ching@fws.gov), Division of Conservation Science and Policy, at 304/876-7447 or 304/876-7771. Posted: 5/25/11.
Online Ecology and Plant Courses: University of Illinois Summer courses in the University of Illinois online M.S. programs begin soon, and non-degree seeking students are welcome! The M.S. programs in Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences and Crop Sciences include a variety of courses likely to be of interest to people on this list. The online courses in these programs include online class meetings via Elluminate so that students engage in real time with the faculty member and each other. This summer, we are offering: * NRES 472 Environmental Psychology taught by Dr. Joanne Vining (4 credit hours) Mondays 6:30-9:45 pm from June 6th to August 15th * NRES 499 Ecology of Urban Wildlife taught by Dr. Mike Ward (3 credit hours) Thursdays 6:30-9:45 pm from May 26th to June 30th * HORT 499 Children and Nature taught by Dr. Andrea Taylor (2 credit hours) Tuesdays 7:00-8:30 pm from June 14th to August 2nd * HORT 442 Plant Nutrition taught by Dr. Margaret Norton (4 credit hours) Thursdays 6:30-8:30 pm from May 26th to July 14th * CPSC 499 Organic Chemistry for Plant Sciences taught by Dr. Don Briskin (4 credit hours) Tuesdays 6:30-9:45 pm from May 17th to July 19th (There has been one meeting of this class, so immediate enrollment is advised.) * AGED 545 Research Methods and Design taught by Dr. James Anderson (3 credit hours) Thursdays 7:00-8:45 pm from June 16th to August 11th Tuition and fees for these courses are $389 per credit hour for graduate credit and $354 per credit hour for undergraduate credit. Non-degree seeking students can register here. Posted: 5/20/11.
Plant Breeding for Drought Tolerance: Moisture deficits loom as one of the greatest challenges to future crop production, both in rainfed and irrigated agriculture. Enhancing the genetic tolerance of crops to drought stress, together with improved agronomic practices, is considered an essential strategy for addressing these deficits. To respond to the need for more plant scientists trained in developing drought tolerant cultivars, Colorado State University and University of Nebraska-Lincoln will offer a one-credit online course in Plant Breeding for Drought Tolerance Sept. 26 to Oct. 28, 2011. The course is targeted to graduate students in the plant sciences, as well as to professionals in the public and private sectors. It will provide one transferable graduate-level credit. The course will focus on plant breeding strategies and practices directed toward improving plant performance under drought stress. Concepts for this intensive, one-credit graduate level course include: * Understanding the target environment * Determining which phenotypic traits to use in selection practices * Understanding transgenic approaches and quantitative trait locus analysis for improving drought tolerance * Learning from successful examples of improving drought tolerance in a variety of crops * Integrating techniques learned in the course into a breeding or research program strategy. The 5-week curriculum is divided into 15 lessons. Each lesson’s content will be delivered via a voice-over PowerPoint presentation, a video, a relevant reading assignment, or combinations of these media. Some lessons will require student participation in an online discussion or completion of a homework assignment. The 15 lessons will be followed by a proctored final exam. Throughout the course students will work on creating a portfolio of documents describing an analysis and breeding strategy for a specific crop and environment. The course will be given in English. Prerequisites: Participants should have a solid understanding of genetics, plant breeding, and basic plant physiology. Prior to the beginning of the course, students will review online material on these topics to provide a common background in breeding and physiology concepts. Program Costs and Requirements: The cost of student tuition is approximately $550 (amount to be finalized in June 2011). Word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software (e.g., Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) is required, as is Adobe Reader (available for free online). Students are required to have access to a computer and Internet access that meet the general CSU recommendations. Partial funding for the course is provided by a grant from the USDA-AFRI Plant Breeding and Education program. More information and applications are available online at http://www.droughtadaptation.org/onlinecourse.html. Interested students are encouraged to visit the course website for more details, or send an email to the Program Assistant, Annie Heiliger, at Annie.Heiliger@ColoState.edu with questions. Posted: 5/19/11.
Indonesia: Environmental and Ecological Education Field School: September 6th to November 16th, 2011. From volcano geology to highland agriculture studies to coral reef ecology, students can look forward to a range of coursework about the environment. With the current trends in sustainable development, the main objective of this field school will be to develop students' environmental perspectives through hands on field work in an international setting. Also, the program introduces methods for promoting environmental and ecological thinking across all grade levels and all subject areas. This program is designed for students who are interested in pursuing a career in education (PDP), specifically exploring the environment in relation to international education. Partnered with Sam Ratulangi University ( UNSRAT), located in the Manado region, students will be studying near an epicenter of marine biodiversity. Application deadline: June 15th, 2011. More information. For any additional questions please email cormond@sfu.ca. Posted: 5/18/11.
Environmental Information Management: The University of New Mexico and DataONE are sponsoring a three week course, May 23 - June 10. It's 6 credit hours, and has three components. The Environmental Information Management Institute is currently offering a series of three courses (INFO 530, INFO 532, and INFO 533) which will provide MS and PhD students and professionals with the conceptual and practical hands-on training that will allow them to effectively design, manage, analyze, visualize, and preserve data and information. Participants completing the three-week Training Institute, 23 May-10 June, will be at a significant competitive advantage as they pursue further academic and professional efforts. They will gain invaluable experience with all aspects of the data life cycle, from managing data files and creating databases and web portals through state-of-the-art analysis and visualization techniques, as well as managing, analyzing, and visualizing geospatial data. The cost has purposely been kept low to meet the needs of both in-state and out-of-state graduate students and professionals. We still have a few slots available and encourage you to register ASAP. Posted: 5/13/11.
Climate Change Field Course in Arizona: BIO571: Field Biology: Class Number 1717, Field Education in Climate Change at Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ. Learn about climate change impacts in scenic Northern Arizona: 1)Conduct novel scientific research along C. Hart Merriam’s elevation gradient. 2) Interact with land managers who are working on climate change issues. 3) Learn to present scientific information to a broad range of audiences. When: June 6-24, 2011…REGISTER NOW! Location: This course will meet on-line starting June 6, 2011. Students will stay at the Merriam-Powell Research Station, in Flagstaff, Arizona for one week, June 13-19. The week at the field station will be followed by another week of on-line coursework. Details: This course is designed for advanced undergraduates who are interested in pursuing careers in science, technology, or science education; graduate students who are beginning their degree program; and K-12 teachers seeking graduate credit. You will examine how science and technology can be used to understand and mitigate the impacts of climate change on natural ecosystems. Your research will focus on climate change impacts at sites ranging from mixed conifer vegetation on the San Francisco Peaks to desert habitat at Wupatki National Monument. The use of GPS and long-term weather data will be used to examine the responses of plants and animals to climate change. You must stay on site and be a full-time participant. Housing, in a bunkroom, and food during the field station stay are provided. Stipends are available to offset tuition for the class. To apply for the stipend, or get more details, please e-mail a resume and letter of interest to: Dr. Amy Whipple Amy.Whipple@nau.edu. Posted: 5/5/11.
Ecology of Animal Migration: International PhD-student course Centre for Animal Movement Research, Lund University, 18 - 28 October 2011. Animals move across different spatial and temporal scales either as part of their daily life or as part of seasonal migrations to exploit resources in the environment. Well known examples are the global scale seasonal migrations in birds, sea turtles, fish and mammals, such as whales and wildebeests. Also movements at smaller scales occur, such as the vertical movements in plankton, the dispersal in soil collembolans and movements of pollinating insects. But what are the ecological causes and evolutionary consequences of animal movements? During this two-week course you will get insight in a number of different methods and approaches to study the migration of birds, insects, fish, amphibians and mammals, ranging from experimental studies in the laboratory to tracking long-distance migration in wild animals. Lectures will be given by international authorities in the field as well as by researchers in the CAnMove Group at Lund University covering the following areas: * Locomotion * Bird Ringing * Migration & Dispersal * Orientation & Navigation * Ecophysiology * Genetics of Migration * Migration & Population Ecology * Evolution & Patterns of Migration * Migration & Conservation * Ecophysiology * Modelling Migration. In addition to lectures, there will be time for own projects, an excursion to the bird migration station at Falsterbo, demonstrations of bird ringing and orientation experiments as well as tracking and radar techniques and a tour to the wind tunnel. During the time of the course we will also have literature seminars, and you will have ample opportunities for discussion and further gain experience in presenting your research to fellow students. Application deadline 31 August 2011. Maximum enrollment 40 persons. The course fee: 3000 SEK. Find the program and online application at: http://canmove.lu.se/node/537. Posted: 5/4/11.
Sonoran Desert Field Course Summer 2011. A few spots still available, in case you know any students (grad or undergrad) interested ... *Ecology & Natural History of the Sonoran Desert and Upper Gulf of California* TO LEARN MORE: http://kebonine.faculty.arizona.edu/courses 3 weeks: 16 May – 04 June. ECOL 463 or 563, Honors Credit Available. Posted: 5/3/11.
Wetland Delineation Classes: Two new wetland delineation classes have been scheduled for this spring at The Swamp School. These classes include training on the new Regional Supplements as well as the 1987 Manual. May 2-6, 2011 Sweet Briar College, Virginia. June 20-24, 2011 Aquascapes, Doylestown, Pennsylvania. More information about these classes can be found at http://swampschool.org/ or call 1-877-479-2673. Thanks, Marc Seelinger, The Swamp School. Posted: 4/11/11.
Primate Behavior and Ecology Course, Costa Rica: June 9th – July 9th, 2011. This month-long course is designed to teach undergraduate and graduate students the basic skills necessary to study primate behavior in the wild. Throughout this course you will learn techniques in ecological and behavioral data collection and complete an independent study on one of three primate species native to the area (Ateles geoffroyi, the black handed spider monkey; Cebus capucinus, the white-faced capuchin; Alouatta palliata, the mantled howler monkey).While our course cost may be a bit higher than some similar field courses we take pride in the fact that our students have the advantage of doing work in two forests, learn Spanish, take a few fun field trips and help educate local students. More details. Posted: 4/5/11.
Aquatic GIS Training Workshop: GIS Applications in Aquatic Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. An NSF supported three day aquatic GIS training workshop will be offered at Saint Louis University on June 22-24, 2011 and August 17-19, 2011. A general goal of this workshop is to train and establish an interactive group of researchers and educators applying GIS techniques in aquatic systems. Applicants with all levels of GIS experience are welcome; however, the workshop will be presented for aquatic biologists with little to no background in GIS techniques. The tentative schedule of topics includes: 1) basic acquisition and manipulation of GIS data, 2) GIS data sources for aquatic research, 3) quantification of species’ habitat use at multiple spatial scales, 4) species distribution modeling, and 5) development and application of hydrologic data to studies of aquatic systems. More details on the specific schedule will be provided in the near future. The majority of the training will be conducted using ArcGIS 10.0; however, other software options will be presented. Computer space will be provided for each attendee. The workshop is open to Faculty, Research Scientists, Postdoctoral Researchers, and Graduate Students conducting research in aquatic systems. There is no cost for the workshop; however, participants will be responsible for meals, travel, and lodging. Details and updates. To apply, please email a statement of application including a description of your research interests (maximum 1 page) and a CV to Dr. Jason Knouft at aquaticgis@slu.edu. Review of applications will begin on April 30, 2011. GIS experience is not a prerequisite for the workshop. A total of 20 spots are available for each workshop. Please indicate the dates you would like to attend (June 22-24 or August 17-19). If you are available for both dates (one or the other), please indicate this in your application. Posted: 4/4/11.
Distance sampling workshops: August/September 2011, University of St. Andrews. The Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling (CREEM) is hosting two linked workshops in the summer of 2011 in our purpose-built facilities at the University of St Andrews, Scotland. The aim of these workshops is to train participants in the latest methods for design and analysis of distance sampling surveys, including line and point transects. The workshops are taught by leading researchers in the field, using industry-standard software. The first workshop (30 August - 2 September) will run at an introductory level, and will focus on "conventional" distance sampling methods, as described in the standard reference book "Introduction to Distance Sampling." The workshop will be a blend of theory and practice and participants will learn how to use the program "Distance." Participants will gain a solid grounding in both survey design and methods of analysis for distance sampling surveys. Note this year we have moved the 'automated survey design' topic out of the advanced workshop into the introductory workshop. The advanced distance sampling workshop (5-7 September) will include advanced treatment of: incorporating covariates in detection function modelling, analyses in which detectability on the transect line is not assumed to be perfect (the so-called g(0) problem) and spatial (or density surface) modelling. The aim of this workshop is to bring participants up to date with the latest developments in distance sampling methods and software. It is also an opportunity for those actively engaged in the design, analysis and execution of distance sampling surveys to discuss common issues and problems, and set future research directions. The workshop will be a combination of lectures and computer sessions, with considerable time for discussion. For both workshops, participants are encouraged to bring their own data sets, and can expect to do some preliminary analyses with their data. Computer sessions take place in our modern computer classroom (attached to the seminar room); participants can use our computers or bring their own laptops. Additional details. Posted: 4/4/11.
Ecological Effects of Climate Change Graduate Short Course, University Of Maine October 2-6, 2011 in Acadia National Park (Maine, USA). Ecological Effects of Climate Change This short course is focused on a series of topics designed to illustrate some of the major effects that climate change has on the structure and function of terrestrial, freshwater, and marine ecosystems. Lectures and discussion will be facilitated by several instructors, and will include the following topics: • Influence of physical and chemical climate on terrestrial biogeochemistry (Dr. Ivan Fernandez) • Sea level rise & loss of tidal marsh habitat (Dr. Joe Kelley) • Effects of climate on bird population viability (Dr. Brian Olsen) • Lakes as sentinels of climate change (Dr. Jasmine Saros) • Effects of El Nino Southern Oscillation on Peruvian ecosystems (Dr. Fei Chai) • Climate impacts on fish and whales in the North Atlantic (Dr. Andrew Pershing) • Phenological responses and their consequences (Dr. Abe Miller-Rushing) • Paleoperspective on climate-driven vegetation changes (Dr. George Jacobson). The course will take place during the peak of fall colors in Acadia National Park, Maine, USA. The course fee is $495, which includes double-occupancy lodging, all meals & coffee breaks, and a mid-course field trip in the park. Participants must arrange their own travel to Acadia; plan to arrive Oct 1 and depart Oct 7. This course is open to graduate students from any institution, as well as professionals in any related field. Application forms and information on a limited number of financial awards are available at http://www.climatechange.umaine.edu/. Space is limited, so apply early. Application Deadline: August 1, 2011. Six $200 awards are available based on need; financial aid requests will be processed on a rolling basis and awarded no later than June 1, 2011. Tuition credit hours are available at an additional fee. Interested students should contact jasmine.saros@maine.edu for further details, or with any questions about this course. Posted: 4/4/11.
Environmental Studies Summer Courses: Au Sable Institute of Environmental Studies offers field-based, university-level courses in environmental studies and environmental science at campuses in the Great Lakes region (Mancelona, MI), Pacific Northwest (Whidbey Island, WA), and India with transferable credits to more than 50 colleges and universities. ASI also provides a framework and services for sustainable community-building and environmental education and restoration programs for children and adults in the northwest lower Michigan region. See http://www.ausable.org/ for more information. Posted: 3/29/11.
Intro Conservation GIS Course: The Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute is offering the following course: An Introduction to the use of ArcGIS in Conservation and Wildlife Management May 16-20. Increasingly, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing – the mapping of features using imagery acquired either from an aircraft or a satellite - have become important tools for decision-making and the applied management of natural resources. Many federal agencies and NGO's rely on GIS and satellite data for their work and are starting to produce their own spatial databases. However, there are few training opportunities for wildlife managers to learn the application of GIS in everyday management situations. We are offering a course for wildlife managers that will provide hands-on experience for the collection of data, GIS analysis of the data, and map-making using the latest ESRI (ArcGIS) and ERDAS software. This one-week course will provide conservation professionals with a working knowledge of the application of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing to the monitoring and management of wildlife and forest vegetation. Exercises in establishing locations with a Global Positioning System (GPS), data input into a GIS, and spatial analysis techniques for GIS will provide hands-on and real world experience during the course. Based on examples about habitat selection in songbirds and white-tailed deer, course participants will learn how to: * Collect GIS data in the field using survey techniques and GPS * Differentially correct GPS data * Input GPS data into GIS * Input field data into GIS * Use GIS for management of large data sets from multiple sources * Design and perform analysis using GIS data and spatial analysis techniques * Integrate data with ancillary data, such as satellite imagery, aerial photography, and State Agency databases. Visit the link above for more information. Note: An Advanced Course is offered during the following week, May 23-27. For more information on any of our other courses please see: Conservation GIS training. Posted: 3/24/11.
Darling Marine Center Summer Courses: The University of Maine's marine lab, the Darling Marine Center, is offering the following undergraduate and graduate courses this summer: Life Histories & Functional Morphology of Commercially Important Marine Invertebrates of Maine, May 11-27. Estuarine Oceanography, May 11-27. MATLAB for Marine Sciences, May 31 - June 10. Natural Science Illustration, June 13-17. Calibration and Validation for Ocean Color Remote Sensing, July 11-29. For course descriptions and additional detail see http://www.dmc.maine.edu/coursesUM.html. Posted: 3/23/11.
Non-Invasive Genetic Techniques in Wildlife Conservation: Graduate and Professional Course, May 22-27, 2011, Smithsonian-Mason Global Conservation Studies Program at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Front Royal, VA, USA. This course is an introduction for graduate students and professionals to the applications, benefits, and drawbacks of non-invasive genetic techniques to wildlife conservation. The course will concentrate on the use of non-invasive techniques to answer questions in animal behavior, population biology, and population management, with a particular focus on the conservation of mammalian populations. Participants gain hands-on experience relating to all stages of a research project utilizing modern non-invasive methods by working with expert researchers through a combination of field, laboratory and computer-based modules. Visit http://conservationtraining.si.edu for details and to apply Deadline: April 8th. Additional Upcoming Courses: • May 3-13, 2011: Effective Conservation Leadership (Application deadline March 25th!) Cultivating leadership, communication, and teamwork approaches and applying them to diverse conservation situations. • June 6-17, 2011: Adaptive Management for Conservation Success (New Course!) Build your capacity in team-based design, planning, implementation, and monitoring of real conservation projects. Posted: 3/18/11.
Natural History Workshops: The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Field Station conducts a series of Natural History Workshops. These workshops offer an opportunity to study focused topics at college-level instruction under the guidance of noted authorities. We offer two-day and week-long workshops, and housing and meals are available at the Station. Enrollment is limited to 20, the atmosphere is informal and instruction is individualized. Workshops may be taken for graduate or undergraduate credit by enrolling in UWM, Topics in Field Biology. Fees vary. Please visit our website for more information. Posted: 3/18/11.
Bat Course in Peru: I am writing to introduce you to a Bat Course, which will be held at the Jenaro Herrera Research Center in Loreto, Peru on January 14-24, 2012. The center is considered one of the most important biodiversity hotspots of the Amazon. The course is open to all of the scientific community who are interested in bats. It represents a unique opportunity to improve knowledge in their ecology, conservation and taxonomy. Course instructors have a broad background in different field research techniques used to study bats and include Dr. Burton Lim, Fiona Reid, MsC., Dr. Valeria Tavares, Dr. Paul Velazco, Dr. Rodrigo Medellin, Dr. Elisabeth Kalko and Dr. Marco Tschapka. The course will be delivered in English and Spanish. Interested students and researchers should visit the course website. Posted: 3/18/11.
University of Oklahoma Biological Station Summer Courses: The University of Oklahoma Biological Station (UOBS) is pleased to announce its 2011 summer course offerings for advanced undergraduates and graduate students. Session I: May 21 – June 4 -Field Herpetology -Forensic Entomology -Molecular Techniques for Field Biology -Wildlife Conservation. Session II: July 29 – August 12 -Field Mammalogy -Forensic Botany -Plant-Insect Interactions -Introduction to Stream Ecology. For information on how to apply, deadlines, costs, housing, and other information see http://www.ou.edu/uobs/summersession.html Scholarships are available! For questions and additional information contact Gail Barnes (gbarnes@ou.edu, [405] 325-5391). Posted: 3/18/11.
Radiocarbon in Ecology and Earth System Science: July 11-16, 2011, University of California, Irvine. This course will expose students and postdocs to the uses of radiocarbon in ecology and earth system science, especially in relation to ecosystem and global carbon cycling. The course design is modeled after the stable isotope class at the University of Utah. There will be morning lectures on the theory of radiocarbon by various instructors, followed by laboratory experience with processing and analyzing samples using Accelerator Mass Spectrometry technology in the afternoon. We seek participants with broad interests in ecology and earth system science who are planning on, or are currently, using radiocarbon techniques as part of their research, and wish to expand their understanding of this important and useful tool. The application form for the class can be downloaded from http://biology.ufl.edu/radiocarbon/. Please email the completed application to Ted Schuur (tschuur@ufl.edu). Students will be responsible for their own transportation costs to and from UCI, and for their own food and lodging costs in on-campus shared apartments. Housing reservations will be handled by the course organizers. In addition, there is a lab fee of $500. You can find additional information about course logistics and an overview on the website. Course Organizers:Ted Schuur (tschuur@ufl.edu), Susan Trumbore (setrumbo@uci.edu), Ellen Druffel. Posted: 3/17/11.
Marine Biology summer courses in Maine: The Shoals Marine Laboratory, Appledore Island, Maine is now accepting summer registrations from undergraduates, graduate students, teachers, and high school students. Our 2011 offerings include: Field and Experimental Oceanography, Marine Conservation, Research in Marine Biology, Whales, Seals and Sharks: Marine Vertebrates of the Gulf of Maine, Underwater Research, Field Wildlife Forensics, Marine Environmental Science, Field Animal Behavior, Sharks! See the complete list of courses. Courses carry Cornell University and UNH credit (each course is 3 credits and 2 weeks) and offer the chance to study marine science in the field, on and around an island 7 miles from the Maine/New Hampshire shore. Shoals is home to seabird and seal colonies. SML has an active program in sustainability Easy online registration. Scholarships still available. Posted: 3/7/11.
Conservation field course in Brazil's Atlantic Forest: University of Colorado-Boulder Study Abroad Programs is offering a conservation biology field course in Brazil this May. The course "Conservation Biology & Practice in Brazil’s Atlantic Forest" is held in a 'conservation crisis' setting - the Atlantic Forest of eastern Brazil. This ecoregion is a highly threatened center of faunal and floral biodiversity. Because much of the forest is in human-dominated landscapes, successful conservation practice can only occur jointly with efforts to alleviate socioeconomic issues. In two and a half weeks, the course offers students hands-on experience through on-going conservation programs that couple biological understanding with practice. The course is based out of the educational facilities of one of Brazil's largest environmental non-governmental organizations. On a four-day fieldtrip to the coast, participants will visit and learn about conservation in practice in the 1000-km long Serra do Mar Biodiversity Corridor. The course is designed for upper-division undergraduate and graduate students in disciplines pertinent to conservation. Application deadline is 15 March 11. For more information, please see: http://studyabroad.colorado.edu/?go=BrazilGS, or email: studyabr@colorado.edu. Posted: 3/7/11.
Radiocarbon in Ecology and Earth System Science: We will be offering the upcoming isotope short course this summer: July 11-16, 2011 University of California, Irvine. This course will expose students and postdocs to the uses of radiocarbon in ecology and earth system science, especially in relation to ecosystem and global carbon cycling. The course design is modeled after the stable isotope class at the University of Utah. There will be morning lectures on the theory of radiocarbon by various instructors, followed by laboratory experience with processing and analyzing samples using Accelerator Mass Spectrometry technology in the afternoon. We seek participants with broad interests in ecology and earth system science who are planning on, or are currently, using radiocarbon techniques as part of their research, and wish to expand their understanding of this important and useful tool. The application form for the class can be downloaded from http://biology.ufl.edu/radiocarbon/. Please email the completed application to Ted Schuur (tschuur@ufl.edu). Students will be responsible for their own transportation costs to and from UCI, and for their own food and lodging costs in on-campus shared apartments. Housing reservations will be handled by the course organizers. In addition, there is a lab fee of $500. You can find additional information about course logistics and an overview on the website. Course Organizers: Ted Schuur, Susan Trumbore (setrumbo@uci.edu), and Ellen Druffel (edruffel@uci.edu). Posted: 3/7/11.
Global Fellowships In Marine Conservation: Duke University Marine Lab (Summer Term II) Fellowships for international students will fully cover travel expenses, room and board, and tuition for two courses, your required course BIOLOGY 109/ENVIRON 109/ENVIRON 209 Conservation Biology and Policy and an elective course of your choice to subject to availability. The courses begin on July 11 and ends on August 12, 2011. Eligibility: The Global Fellowships are available to any international applicant with a good working knowledge of English who has an interest and qualifications in marine conservation biology. The course requires some background in marine science and political science. Usually Global Fellows have a BA or BS degree in hand. Application: There is no separate fellowship application form. Intent to apply for a fellowship should be made known on the summer course enrollment form. Required Credentials In addition to the enrollment form, each Global Fellowship applicant is required to submit the following credentials: * A brief essay - please limit this to one page - describing the applicant’s education, research, and work experience background please note a Curriculum Vitae does not take the place of this essay; * A brief statement of purpose - please limit this to one page - i.e., describing the applicant's reason for taking the course, how the applicant will be able to apply the training in his/her home country, the applicant's future goals; * A letter of recommendation from academic faculty or employer addressed to Dr. Larry Crowder. We do not offer guidelines about the information to be included in your reference letter. These letters typically include how the referee knows you, his/her opinions of your work together in the past, and thoughts about whether he/she feels you'd be well suited to this program. * A Complete Curriculum Vitae * A copy of your transcript is preferred. It may be an unofficial version. The transcript can be emailed to drpease1@duke.edu or faxed to (252) 504-7638 or scanned and emailed to the attention of Debbie Pease. A non-certified translation of the transcript is fine. If sending a transcript is impossible, then please send a copy of your degree. If a traditional transcript is available, documentation certifying your courses, grades and official notes taken in each course during university studies in addition to a copy of your diploma will be required. All credentials are to be posted to: The Duke University Marine Lab, Attention: Debbie Pease, 135 Duke Marine Lab Rd, Beaufort NC 28516, USA; or faxed to 252-504-7638 to the attention of Debbie Pease; or scanned and sent in MS Word or pdf format as an email attachment to drpease1@duke.edu. No other format will be accepted. Deadline: Applications and credentials must be received no later than 31 March 2011. Posted: 3/7/11.
Course in plant functional traits, Quebec: A limited number of places are available for MSc or PhD students in the following intensive one-week course, sponsored by the Center for Forest Studies, Quebec, at the beautiful Mont St-Hilaire field station of McGill University, just outside of Montreal. Species traits : a functional approach to biodiversity, from organisms to ecosystems, April 25-28, 2011, Mont St. Hilaire. This intensive four-day course brings together internationally recognized experts for a series of seminars, discussions and demonstrations. Objectives of the course: 1) Presentation of concepts and theory related to functional plant traits; 2) Analysis of traits at organismal, community and ecosystem levels (including relationship to ecosystem function and ecosystem services); 3) Demonstrate the application of concepts in the context of global change and land use change; 4) Presentation of trait data banks and their correct use. Invited professors: Peter Reich, University of Minnesota Eric Garnier, Centre d'écologie fonctionnelle et évolutive, Montpellier, France Local CFR professors: Martin Lechowicz, McGill University Bill Shipley, University of Sherbrooke Christian Messier, Université de Québec à Montréal Isabelle Aubin, Natural Resources Canada Alison Munson, Université Laval, Costs are approximately $350 US for students, which includes food and accommodation for the four days. Please contact Alison Munson at alison.munson@sbf.ulaval.ca for more information or to express your interest. Posted: 2/25/11.
Numerical Analyses of Biological and Environmental Data Short Course: We have a few remaining places on our two-week course, which this year runs 9th - 20th May at University College London. Details of the course content If you have any further questions about the course and content, please email me. The majority of the practical elements of the course are taught using R, so represents an excellent opportunity to learn both data analysis skills and how to apply them in a powerful, free, opensource software package. If you would like to register a place on the course, see the link above or contact the course co-ordinator: Fiona Mannion at ecrc-admin@geog.ucl.ac.uk. Posted: 2/24/11.
Primate Conservation Field School in Tanzania: TREE Field Studies is happy to announce our new Primate Conservation Field School in Tanzania for Summer 2011. This course will be run in collaboration with The University of Iowa Study Abroad Program. This course will focus on the issues facing the conservation of primates in disturbed and threatened habitats, including an examination of the complex problems arising between primate habitats and neighboring human settlements, as well as deforestation and hunting. Students will observe numerous primate species including yellow baboons, Sykes monkeys, black and white colobus, as well as the endangered Sanje mangabey and Iringa red colobus, which are found only here in the Udzungwa Mountains of Tanzania. Throughout the course, students will learn techniques to observe wild primates and collect ecological and behavioral data, as well as basic conservation biology theory. As community interaction and involvement is key to primate conservation, we believe it is important to attempt a basic understanding of local languages. As such, Swahili language classes will be held throughout the field course and student participation is required. In addition, a portion of the student participant fees will be used to allow the participation of two local Tanzanian students with interest in primate conservation in this field course. While the majority of the course will be spent in the Udzungwa Mountains National Park and surrounding villages, short trips will also be planned to Mikumi National Park and Stone Town, Zanzibar. For more information or if you have any interest in participating in this course, please email us at treefieldstudies@gmail.com or check out our website at http://treefieldstudies.wordpress.com. Posted: 2/22/11.
Summer field courses in Tropical Wetlands Ecology and Tropical Rainforest and Canopy Ecology: May 15-June 9, Bocas del Toro Biological Station, Boca del Drago, Isla Colon, Republic of Panama. The biological station is located on a beach facing the Caribbean Sea. Coral reef and seagrass ecosystems lie out in front of the station and lowland tropical rain forests lie directly behind. This juxtaposition of the two most biologically diverse ecosystems provides tremendous opportunities for education and research. See http://www.itec-edu.org/ for details. Posted: 2/22/11.
Summer Tree-Ring Studies: The Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research (LTRR) is offering short summer courses in dendrochronology, including studies in dendroclimatology, dendroecology, and dendroarchaeology. Classes will convene May 16 – June 3rd, 2011 on the campus of the University of Arizona in Tucson. More details. Posted: 2/21/11.
Plants, People, Medicine, and the Ecosystem: Neotropical Ethnobotany Field Course in Nicaragua, Dr. Mark Merlin & Laura Shiels, MS Botany (WeissL@hawaii.edu), July 22-August 16, 2011. Here are some details about this safe, fun, interesting, exhilarating learning and research opportunity in an ethnobiologists’s and outdoor adventurer’s paradise: * Location: Maderas Field Station, Ometepe Island, Nicaragua(an enchanting 276 km2 island located inside of Lake Nicaragua dominated by two majestic forested volcanoes, inhabited by incredible wildlife, and full of fun outdoor adventure activities) * Undergraduate and graduate college credit can be arranged * Gain real hands-on ethnobotany experience interviewing local people about the plants they use and interact with under the guidance of professional ethnobotanists * Learn about plants, people, herbal medicine and the ecosystem hands-on from multidisciplinary perspectives * Hike lush volcanoes, swim in gorgeous waterfall-fed streams and beautiful beaches, kayak, bike, interact with monkeys, birds, and other enchanting wildlife * Course Instructors: Dr. Mark Merlin, Professor of Botany, University of Hawai`i (merlin@hawaii.edu), Laura Shiels, MS Botany, Herbalist, Ethnobotanist, and Instructor University of Hawai’i (herbalmagik@yahoo.com) More information and a full course description. Posted: 2/18/11.
Mountain Lake Biological Station Summer Field Course: MLBS (University of Virginia) is pleased to announce its summer program of field-based undergraduate and graduate-level credit courses offered by nationally recruited instructors, and its NSF REU undergraduate research internship program, now in its 19th year. Work at MLBS focuses on field-based ecology, evolution, physiology, and behavior. Learn more about the programs or complete an on-line application. Go to MLBS.org and click on Summer Courses. Eric Nagy, Associate Director Mountain Lake Biological Station, enagy[at]virginia.edu 434-243-4989. Posted: 2/4/11.
Highlands Biological Station Summer Courses And Workshops: The Highlands Biological Station, an inter-institutional research center of the University of North Carolina, is offering its 2011 series of summer courses and workshops that can be taken for undergraduate OR graduate credit toward your academic program. The following list of field-based courses and workshops are focused on the diversity of organisms in the region with special emphasis on identification and collection techniques as well as principles of evolution, ecology and conservation. Scholarships, Grants-in-aid of research for graduate students, and summer internships also available. Highlands, North Carolina, is located in the southern Blue Ridge Mountains, at an average elevation about 3,800 feet, and situated near the Nantahala National Forest, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Cherokee Indian Reservation, Appalachian Trail, and the Blue Ridge Parkway. For more information and to apply, visit http://www.wcu.edu/hbs/currentyrcourses.htm, email hbs@email.wcu.edu or call 828-526-2602. Posted: 2/2/11.
Native Bee Identification, Ecology, Research and Monitoring: Course Dates: April 11-15, 2011. Location: National Conservation Training Center, Shepherdstown, WV. Leaders: Rob Jean, Alana Taylor, Sam Droege Length: 5 days/36 hours. The primary goal of this course is to provide participants the tools necessary to identify bees to species. To do that instructor ratios will be kept at 1 instructor to 8 participants. We will assume that students ALREADY have access to microscopes at their lab or home, will have read up on the basic literature on bee genera we have provided, and will have already PRACTICED keying out bees to the genus level. We will emphasize learning to use online guides, how to identify tricky characters within groups such as Osmia, Lasioglossum, Andrena, Nomada and will be showing these characters to the class on projecting microscopes. A large collection of Eastern North American bees will be available for your use; surplus specimens will be available free for your personal collection. In conjunction with learning identification skills there will be lectures on bee natural history, monitoring, and research techniques. We will be going out in the field throughout the week to set traps and net bees so that participants can see the entire spectrum of field to microscope work. We encourage participants to be bring a net, pins, and collection boxes and we will provide you with traps and processing equipment. You are also encouraged to bring your own specimens with you and we can help with identification, as time permits. You will need to bring a laptop, but microscopes and lights will be provided. Who Should Attend: Federal, state, county and municipal agencies, private consulting firms, citizen volunteers, neighborhood associations, environmental organizations, and teachers, performing native pollinator assessments or monitoring programs; with a desire to improve their identification skills. To register, email Sam Droege (sdroege@usgs.gov). Tuition is waived for the first 5 FWS employees to register; for the remainder tuition is $250 U.S. Food is available at the training center and lodging is available in nearby Shepherdstown and the surrounding area. Questions: Please contact Sam Droege. Note: You will not find this in the NCTC course catalog as is it considered a special event rather than a USFWS course. Signing up is made only by contacting Sam Droege and payments will be made to the Polistes Foundation at the time of the course. Posted: 2/2/11.
Summer Graduate Program in Mathematical Ecology and Evolution: co-sponsored by NIMBioS, will be held July 25 - August 5, 2011, at the Mathematical Biosciences Institute (MBI) at Ohio State University in Columbus, OH. Summer school topics will include infectious disease, resource management, invasive species and evolution biology. Graduate students from the mathematical, physical and life sciences are encouraged to apply. Dates: July 25 - August 5, 2011. Location: Mathematical Biosciences Institute at OSU, Columbus, OH. Co-sponsors: NIMBioS, MBI, and Centre for Applied Mathematics in Bioscience and Medicine (CAMBAM). Application Deadline: March 15, 2011. More information and online application form. Posted: 2/1/11.
Enhancing Linkages between Mathematics and Ecology: ELME is a summer educational program at Michigan State Unviersity's Kellogg Biological Station devoted to Enhancing Linkages between Mathematics and Ecology. ELME 2011 will focus on evolutionary ecology, particularly game theory and Adaptive Dynamics (Geritz et al. 1998). In this hands-on three-week course, students will learn the basics of Adaptive Dynamics and apply their knowledge to independent modeling projects using the computer program Mathematica. Dates: June 6-24, 2011. Hours: Mon-Fri 9-5. Instructors: Stefan Geritz (University of Helsinki) & Christopher Klausmeier (Michigan State University). Target audience: 12-18 graduate students and postdocs; exceptional undergraduates will be considered. Prerequisites: At least one semester experience in theoretical ecology/evolution. Previous exposure to AD and Mathematica useful but not required. Format: A mixture of lecture, guided computer labs, and independent/team projects. To apply, email elme2011@kbs.msu.edu the following: - your CV - a statement of research interests and why you'd benefit from the course - a statement of relevant educational/research experience, including related coursework - the name of a reference who you've asked to email a letter of support. Deadline for applications: March 15, 2011. Financial support to cover room and board and help defray transportation costs is available. Let us know if this is not necessary. Academic credit, if desired, is available at appropriate MSU rates. Let us know if this is desired. For more info see http://www.kbs.msu.edu/education/elme or email elme2011@kbs.msu.edu. Posted: 1/31/11.
Conservation and Restoration Genetics: The Organization for Tropical Studies (OTS) will present a graduate level specialty course May 21-June 5, 2011. This is an intensive, 16-day course aimed at providing ecologists, biologists, geneticists, and students from similar disciplines with an overview of conservation genetics and related issues. Course topics include: measurement of genetic diversity, phylogeography, gene flow, mating systems and effective population size estimates, and habitat fragmentation and restoration. We will also discuss the cost-effectiveness of different approaches and the integration of theory with experimental and field based data. Course faculty will include Drs. Jim Hamrick, University of Georgia; Paul Leberg, University of Louisiana, Lafayette; and Eric Fuchs, University of Costa Rica. Local experts will present invited lectures on conservation issues in Costa Rica. The course will be located on the campus of the OTS field station at Las Cruces, near the town of San Vito in southern Costa Rica. The Las Cruces station is located within the Wilson Botanical Garden at approximately 1300m (4000ft), and is surrounded by a highly fragmented premontane wet forest. Tuition is $1500 for applicants from OTS consortium institutions, and $2000 for non- consortium applicants. A grant from the American Genetics Association will provide partial scholarships which will be based on academic merit and proven financial needs. The deadline for priority consideration is February 10, 2011. For further information, contact Barbara Lewis (barbara.lewis@ots.ac.cr [registration]), or Jim Hamrick (hamrick@plantbio.uga.edu [course content]), or see the OTS website. Posted: 1/27/11.
Coastal Herpetology: The Gulf Coast Research Laboratory in Ocean Springs, Mississippi is pleased to offer a new course - Coastal Herpetology - from May 16-27, 2011. The coastal plain of the Southeast boasts an outstanding diversity of amphibians and reptiles, making the region an excellent place to study these often reclusive and elusive creatures. This course will provide students with an introduction to herpetology through lectures and associated readings, discussions of original research papers, and a class project. Topics covered will include the ecology, evolution, life history, diversity, behavior, and conservation of amphibians and reptiles. There will also be many field excursions highlighting the methods and techniques for capturing and studying amphibians and reptiles. Be prepared to get wet and muddy since we will be exploring the marshes, pine woods, bayous, and other habitats as we search for and learn about the amphibians and reptiles of the northern coast of the Gulf of Mexico. Three semester hours of credit is available through the University of Southern Mississippi or one of many affiliated universities. Applications will be accepted through May 2, 2011. For more information, visit us at www.usm.edu/gcrl or contact the instructor, Dr. Matthew Chatfield, at mattchat@tulane.edu. Posted: 1/27/11.
Conservation Training Courses: Smithsonian-Mason Global Conservation Studies Program, Front Royal, VA For more information, visit http://conservationtraining.si.edu or e-mail SCBItraining@si.edu. Spatial Ecology, Geospatial Analysis, & Remote Sensing March 14-25, 2011 **Deadline for registration: January 28** Learn to use GIS tools to address conservation research problems, quantifying effects of human-induced global change on wildlife and biodiversity. Hands-on lab exercises (e.g. land cover mapping; home range analysis; modeling habitat selection; mapping species distributions) use remote sensing data and SCBI field surveys to monitor global changes, assess impacts on wildlife, and develop mitigating strategies. Species Monitoring & Conservation: Terrestrial Mammals April 18-29, 2011 Explore current techniques in assessment and monitoring of wild mammal populations, including bats. Participants learn principles of study design; current field assessment methods; data analysis techniques including MARK and DISTANCE software; application of monitoring data to decision-making and population management; and collection and preparation of museum voucher specimens. Effective Conservation Leadership May 3-13, 2011 What makes for a successful conservation leader? Conservation professionals need to know more than science to lead effectively. Employing real-life environmental and conservation case studies, this course addresses key conservation leadership skills, including cross-cultural learning, team-building and support, project management, applied conservation ethics, effective communication, and conflict resolution. Non-Invasive Genetic Techniques in Wildlife Conservation May 22-27, 2011 Learn how new developments in non-invasive genetics allow biologists and managers to answer questions in animal behavior, population biology and population management. Course participants will work through directed research projects, from study design through field data collection, sampling protocols, and DNA extraction and amplification, to analysis of microsatellite and sequence data. Adaptive Management for Conservation Success June 6-17, 2011 Working in teams on a real conservation project, participants practice conceptualizing projects, formulating objectives and providing evidence of conservation results. The course builds skills in designing, planning and implementing effective projects, in providing clear evidence of measurable conservation impact, and in use of Miradi adaptive management software. More information on the Applied Conservation Science Graduate Certificate | Applied Conservation Science Professional Certificate. Posted: 1/27/11.
Hancock Biological Station Summer Courses: The following courses will be offered in a 5-week session beginning June 1st, 2011. Students may take 2 courses within the session. Except for Ecology, classes are limited to 10 students. A field station experience is one that will last a lifetime. BIO 330 PRINCIPLES OF ECOLOGY BIO 506/606 ADVANCED FIELD BIOLOGY BIO 564/664 ENTOMOLOGY BIO 553/663 FIELD BOTANY BIO 586/686 LIMNOLOGY BIO 573/673 ORNITHOLOGY BIO 587/687 CONSERVATION BIOLOGY BIO 491 - 494 UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH TOPICS BIO 691 - 694 GRADUATE TOPICS IN BIOLOGY Further information on enrollment, class schedules, and scholarships go to the Station website - be sure to watch our video! Posted: 1/24/11.
Mongolia Summer Field Course: The Zoological Society of London's Mongolia-based Steppe Forward Programme (SFP) is looking for students to join Mongolian biology undergraduates on their 2011 field course. The field course will be held in Mongolia’s unique rolling steppe grasslands, in the vicinity of Hustai National Park – famous for its Przewalski’s horse re-introduction program. The dates for the course are still to be finalized, but will be in August 2011 for approximately two weeks. The field course will be taught by conservation practitioners and researchers from the Zoological Society of London, with input from faculty staff of the National University of Mongolia and park rangers. This course will provide an amazing opportunity to learn more about Mongolian biodiversity and conservation issues, as well as ecological fieldwork skills and tools, alongside local researchers and students through a series of classes and labs. Students will experience the traditional Mongolian nomadic lifestyle -camping in tents and eating Mongolian food, with meat purchased from local herders. For more details about the course and SFP’s conservation activities in Mongolia please visit our Mongolia page and click on ‘2011 Summer Field Course in Mongolia’. Posted: 1/21/11.
Data exploration, regression, GLM & GAM: There are a 5 remaining places available on this course from Highland Statistics. Where: Coimbra, Portugal. When: 7 - 11 February 2011. Price: 650 Euros. For further information, see: http://www.highstat.com/statscourse.htm Kind regards, Alain Zuur. Posted: 1/18/11.
Kellogg Biological Station Summer Courses: •Plant Systematics •Ecology/Ecology Lab •Algal Biology •Field Ecology and Evolution •Biomonitoring of Streams and Rivers •Modeling Soil-Plant Processes •Eminent Ecologist Seminar Series. Visit http://www.kbs.msu.edu/education/summer-courses for dates and details. Most KBS classes have only 12 students! KBS summer courses provide students with a unique opportunity to get hands-on field and research experience. Students in residence at KBS become part of a community where they can develop new skills, explore career options, interact with graduate students and faculty from Michigan State University and elsewhere, and form friendships that will last a lifetime. Scholarships are available to all students! Scholarship deadline is MARCH 1, 2011. The deadline for the scholarship applications is -before- summer registration begins in late March! If you are awarded a scholarship for enrollment in an undergraduate course, we will hold a seat for you in the class via enrollment over-ride. Posted: 1/18/11.
Microbial Metagenomics: June 5th - June 18th, 2011, Michigan State University. Learn state-of-the-art genomic methods to identify relationships between the structure and function of microbial communities. A major goal of this course is to provide hands-on experience with some of the molecular and computational tools that can be used to study relationships between microbial communities and ecosystem functions. However, our vision for the course is to go beyond simply learning these techniques. You will apply them in an ongoing study of the effects of land use on the production of greenhouse gases, and hopefully develop ideas for their use in your own research. Morning lectures will discuss microbial and ecological principles underlying experiments that you will conduct during the afternoons. The laboratory sessions will include purification of DNA from soil for 454 pyrosequencing, quantitative PCR and assays for enzymatic activities. You will analyze sequence data with a suite of contemporary programs to measure community diversity, and use multivariate analyses to relate these structures to ecosystem function. Drs. Thomas Schmidt, Clegg Waldron and Jay Lennon of Michigan State University will teach this course. It is an intensive 2-week experience modeled after the internationally acclaimed MBL Microbial Diversity Course that Dr. Schmidt previously directed. Experiments will focus on links between denitrification genes and the production of N2O at the nearby Kellogg Biological Station Long Term Ecological Research Site. Who can attend? This course is for advanced undergraduates, graduate students, and faculty. It can be taken as a three-credit course (MMG 490 or MMG 890, Section 432). What do I need to know in advance? We encourage diversity of backgrounds. The primary pre-requisite is a keen interest in adding molecular methods to your research. Familiarity with basic laboratory methods such as use of a pipetman and agarose gel electrophoresis is helpful. Where will it be held? Lectures and laboratory sessions will be held on the main campus of Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan, USA. Single-room accommodation is available on campus. When do I apply? Application is open until March 14th, 2011 at the site below. Additional information and application forms are available at: http://www.mmg.msu.edu/. Posted: 1/14/11, revised: 2/21/11.
The Bee Course is a workshop offered for conservation biologists, pollination ecologists and other biologists who want to gain greater knowledge of the systematics and biology of bees. The course objectives are presented in the course announcement, which can be clicked on below. Also available is the application form for the 2011 course, which will be held at the Southwestern Research Station, Portal, Arizona, from August 22 to September 1, 2011. You can read details, register etc. at: http://research.amnh.org/iz/beecourse/. Posted: 1/13/11.
The Lepidopteran Course: Southwestern Research Station (SWRS), Portal, Arizona, 14-22 August 2011. Organizers: P.D. Hulce (Southwestern Research Station) dhulce@amh.org; Richard Zweifel and Jim Miller (American Museum of Natural History); Bruce Walsh and Ray Nagle (Univ. of Arizona), Lee Dyer (Univ. of Nevada, Reno), and others TBA. The SWRS is pleased to offer our third annual workshop of The Lepidopteran Course. The course is designed for students, amateur naturalists, conservation biologists, wildlife managers, and other biologists who have an interest in learning more about butterfly and moth taxonomy. It will emphasize taxonomy, ecology, and field identification of lepidopterans in southeastern Arizona. Lectures will include background information on the biology of animals and their importance in pollination biology. Field trips will provide participants with collecting, sampling, and observation techniques and lab work will provide instruction on specimen identification, preparation, and labeling. To apply, see the full announcement and application form is available on the course web site. For logistics or information about the SWRS you can contact: THE LEPIDOPTERAN COURSE, Attention: Tresa Glore, Southwestern Research Station, P.O. Box 16553, Portal, AZ 85632. tglore@amnh.org; 520-558-2396 Deadline: 14 June 2011. If accepted into the course, fees are due BY 1 July 2011. Posted: 1/12/11.
Ecology and Conservation of Neotropical Rivers Course: The Organization for Tropical Studies and the Global Water for Sustainability Program. This two-week course is oriented towards graduate students and early career conservation scientists from both U.S. and Latin American institutions with interest in applied research on current conservation issues for Neotropical rivers. The course will be held at La Selva Biological Station, with field trips to the surrounding Sarapiquí River basin. This region offers opportunity to observe diverse river types and aquatic biota along elevational and longitudinal riverine gradients. Additionally, as in many parts of the tropics, rivers in the Sarapiquí basin are increasingly being altered as a consequence of human activities. Course Content: Through a series of lectures, discussions, and hands-on field exploration, students will gain greater understanding of some of the factors that pose particular challenges to conservation of tropical rivers. These include: hydrologic alterations, land use, water pollution, species introductions, and climate change. During the course, students will design and conduct short research projects that specifically examine the effects of these factors on tropical river ecosystems. Additionally, we will analyze applications of monitoring and management tools—such as environmental flow assessments and indices of river ecosystem integrity—in the tropics. We will also discuss ways to translate scientific research into guidelines for conservation and management of tropical rivers. When And Where: La Selva Biological Station, Costa Rica. Course dates: May 8 – 22, 2011. Arrive May 7, depart May 23, 2011. The course is limited to 25 students. We anticipate that half will come from Latin American institutions and half from U.S. institutions. All participants should be fluent in either Spanish or English, and should have a good working knowledge of the other language. Tuition $2,100 OTS consortium applicants $2,700 Non-member applicants (tuition covers all expenses as related to the course: instruction, accomodations, meals, local travel and equipment in Costa Rica). Partial need-based scholarships may be available to OTS consortium and Latin American applicants. Application Deadline February 1, 2011 for priority admission, followed by rolling admission until fully enrolled. Faculty: Elizabeth P. Anderson Florida International University, Miami; Andrea C. Encalada Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Ecuador; Mary C. Freeman USGS and University of Georgia; Catherine M. Pringle University of Georgia. For registration contact Barbara Lewis (barbara.lewis@ots.ac.cr). For course content contact Elizabeth Anderson (elizabeth.anderson@fiu.edu) Posted: 1/7/11.
Conservation Biology in the Bahamas: North Carolina State University is offering a two-week study abroad program July 8-23, 2011. The six credit hour program is directed by Drs. Brian Langerhans and Nils Peterson, and is open to students from any university or college. The program is aimed toward upper-level undergraduate students and is comprised of two courses: BIO 495 Ecological and Evolutionary Dimensions of Conservation Biology in the Bahamas, and FW 495 Human Dimensions of Conservation Biology in the Bahamas. The program is centered on Andros Island - a large and sparsely populated Caribbean island - and focuses on three critical aquatic habitats: coral reefs, tidal creeks, and blue holes. Andros offers an ideal opportunity for students to explore biodiversity and conservation, with the world’s third largest coral reef system, over 100 shallow, oligotrophic tidal creeks, and over 300 unique water-filled caves called blue holes. Further, students can experience first-hand the impacts of human activities on natural ecosystems, as they will conduct field work in both heavily impacted localities, as well as remote, pristine environments. The courses cover both science and policy, emphasizing hands-on research as a large component of the program. Through a combination of field trips, classroom and laboratory work, guest speakers, and group research projects, students will: 1) learn fundamental concepts regarding ecological and evolutionary processes operating within the three primary aquatic ecosystems in the Bahamas, 2) evaluate the importance, procedures, and scientific foundations for conservation and management initiatives in the Bahamas, and 3) learn field-based research methods and techniques. Apply online at http://studyabroad.ncsu.edu by February 11, 2011. Find further information about the program at http://gambusia.zo.ncsu.edu/teaching.html. Note that the program is limited to 20 students. Posted: 1/7/11.
Statistics for Ecology and Conservation Biology: February 7-18, 2011, Smithsonian-Mason Global Conservation Studies Program at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Front Royal, VA, USA. Statistics for Ecology and Conservation Biology provides an in-depth introduction to state-of-the-art advanced analysis techniques for ecological research and conservation. Through lectures, discussions, and extensive hands-on computer lab exercises this 10-day intensive residential session reviews basic design issues and statistical methods needed for ecological research, emphasizing real-world analysis and how to deal with the limitations of real datasets. We focus on increasing participants' knowledge of statistical methods and their underlying assumptions, and on how to disseminate and clearly explain statistical results. Participants gain a comprehensive understanding of regression models, including mixed models, generalized linear models, generalized linear mixed models, and generalized additive models, and learn how to implement these statistical tools and techniques in R and other current statistical software. Improving their understanding of statistical methods, participants gain facility in choosing among flexible approaches, checking model assumptions, and interpreting results. They learn how to enhance their general problem-solving capabilities, hone their skills in explaining model results and analysis outcomes (including attached uncertainties) to other researchers and managers, and learn how to prepare high-quality graphics using R. Participants also learn about applied conservation monitoring and analysis techniques such as distance sampling, niche and species distribution modeling, and spatial analysis, and improve their skills at critical evaluation of research reported in the scientific literature. Basic knowledge of and prior experience with statistical analysis is required for course participation. The course fee is $2,500, which includes instruction, course manual, and all course meals, lodging, and transport to/from Washington-Dulles International Airport (IAD). All other travel costs, the course textbook, and incidental expenses are the participant's responsibility. Participants earn Continuing Education Units; graduate course credit (3) is available for qualified applicants through George Mason University (total fee: $2750 in-state (VA), $3500 out-of-state). Applications due by January 3, 2011. Smithsonian-Mason Global Conservation Studies Program course participants engage in dynamic learning communities, build lifelong professional networks, and connect with valuable conservation resources. Visit http://conservationtraining.si.edu or contact SCBItraining@si.edu for more information. Posted: 12/21/10.
Dive GIS summer course: The first early-bird registration deadline for the Dive GIS 2011 course is approaching. Enroll by December 31st 2010 and be entitled to a major fee reduction. The course organized by Mappamondo GIS in collaboration with Capo Rizzuto Marine Protected Area, represents a unique training initiative that offers the chance to learn Geographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing methodologies while becoming a certified SCUBA diver in the context of marine environment management and science. Participants are introduced to the underwater world through PADI Open Water Diver and specialty courses, and to GIS through leading ESRI authorized classes. The skills gained are put into practice on a real case study concerning marine habitat mapping from remotely sensed images and finding associations among biotic and abiotic components using GIS. Marine fauna and flora, habitat and GIS data are collected in the field while SCUBA diving or snorkeling. The course is at its 6th edition! It will be held from the 31st of July to the 10th of August 2011 in the Capo Rizzuto Marine Protected Area, Crotone -Italy. Dive GIS course is for you if you wish to: 1. Learn state of the art GIS and Remote Sensing methodologies used for marine applications 2. Learn to use the ArcGIS software 3. Become a certified diver 4. Collect scientific data in the field and underwater 5. Identify marine flora and fauna 6. Be passionate about the marine environment and the conservation of its resources 7. Network and socialize in an international environment. More information, photos and reviews from previous editions and online registration at www.mappamondogis.it/divegis.htm.Posted: 12/10/10.
Summer Soil Institute: Addressing Environmental Challenges with Current and Emerging Techniques. What: A summer course for graduate students, professionals, faculty, and K-12 teachers. When: June 12-25, 2011. Where: Colorado State University, Fort Collins. The summer soil institute provides a unique opportunity to gain a fundamental and applied understanding of soil biology, chemistry, and physics with world-renowned faculty. Students will gain hands-on experience with lab and field techniques and will gain an enhanced appreciation for the importance of managing our soil resources sustainably. The course will be limited to a maximum of 25 students. Applications will be reviewed starting March 12. A limited number of scholarships will be available to meritorious applicants based on financial need. For more information and to apply, please visit Web: http://soilinstitute.nrel.colostate.edu/. Posted: 11/23/10.
Boreal Forest Ecology: First announcement: PhD Course on ‘Functioning of Boreal Forest Ecosystems’, June 4-10 2011. This course will provide a comprehensive coverage on topics relevant to the functioning of boreal forest ecosystems, including linkages between aboveground and belowground subsystems, nutrient cycling, role of mycorrhizae, ecosystem effects of herbivores, and the role of major disturbances (notably fire). It will be run along similar lines to a course that we have run on this topic in June 2004, 2007 and 2009. Language: The course will be conducted in English Location: The course is to be held in Arvidsjaur, approximately 300 km NW of Umeå, Sweden, which is in the heart of the northern boreal forest zone and also proximal to the Scandes mountain ranges near the Norwegian border. Participants: This course is open to all PhD students who have an interest in boreal ecosystems. We will limit the course to 25 participants, and will select applicants on the basis of merit and relevance of their research if the number of applicants exceeds the number of positions available. Course format: The course will consist of a mixture of lectures, student presentations, discussion groups, and field trips and field instruction. Students will be expected to be prepared in advance for participation in discussions. Course credits (relevant for European participants only): 7.5 ECTS. Costings: Students are responsible for covering their own transport to and from Umeå. All costs including food, travel and lodging for the course duration will covered by SLU. Course organization: The course will be run by the Department of Forest Ecology and Management, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Umeå, Sweden. Course instructors: The course will be taught by 8 ecologists who each have been actively involved in research on various aspects of northern ecosystems. These instructors are: Professor Marie-Charlotte Nilsson (SLU, Umeå), Professor David Wardle (SLU, Umeå), Professor Richard Bardgett (University of Lancaster, UK), Professor Heikki Setälä (University of Helsinki, Finland), Dr. Anders Dahlberg (SLU, Uppsala), Professor Mats Nilsson (SLU Umeå), Dr. Paul Kardol (SLU, Umeå) and Dr Michael Gundale (SLU, Umeå). Expressions of interest: Please prepare a brief CV and a statement of 200 words or less outlining your PhD research topic and why you think the course would be beneficial to you, as a single Word file with your surname as the file name. This information, and any enquiries, should be sent to Dr. Paul Kardol by e-mail (paul.kardol@seksko.slu.se) no later than January 15 2011. Posted: 11/17/10.
Multivariate Statistical Analysis Techniques for Ecological Data using R: (FIS4400) Course Dates: January 10-14, 2011 Location: NCTC, Shepherdstown, WV. This course covers a variety of descriptive and inferential multivariate statistical methods that are useful for analyzing biological data. Participants will be using program R (R Foundation for Statistical Computing, free software) to analyze ecological data and apply the various multivariate procedures in a computer lab setting. Several case studies of multivariate techniques applied to field data are discussed. Objectives: Identify the basic concepts of matrix algebra, eigenvalues, eigenvectors, and multivariate normality. Demonstrate methods for displaying relationships and position (principal components analysis, factor analysis, biplot displays, correspondence analysis, multidimensional scaling, and cluster analysis). Perform procedures for group separation (MANOVA, canonical variate analysis, discriminant analysis, logistic regression). Describe techniques for determining relationships between sets of variables (canonical correlation analysis and canonical correspondence analysis); and analyze repeated measures. Instructor: Eric Smith, Department Chair, Statistics Department, Virginia Tech. Who Should Attend: Biologist and researchers who are involved in monitoring or studies associated multi-variable data? Course Length: 4 and ½ days/36 hours. Prerequisites: No specific pre-requisites, but it is assumed that you have taken one or more courses in statistics. Classroom: G24 Computer Lab (National Conservation Training Center (NCTC). Cost: There is no tuition fee for FWS, NPS, and BLM personnel. Tuition is $1050 for other participants. How to Apply: Register on-line at https://doilearn.doi.gov/. Non-DOI employees should download the application form at http://training.fws.gov/learn/courses.htm Closing date for applications: November 15, 2010. Questions: Please contact Joe W. Witt (joe_witt@fws.gov) or So Lan Ching (solan_ching@fws.gov), Branch of Conservation Science and Policy, at 304/876-7447 or 304/876-7771. Posted: 11/12/10.
Field Course in Coral Reef Ecology:: December 20th 2010 - January 9th 2011, Bocas del Toro, Panama. Tuition: $1650. Tuition fee includes all room and board, local transportation and a three-day field trip to the Boquete cloud forest on Panama’s mainland. Registration Deadline: November 20, 2010. Details: http://www.itec-edu.org/coral6.html Posted: 11/12/10.
Study Abroad in Namibia: The Fisheries, Wildlife & Conservation Biology program in conjunction with the Study Abroad Office at North Carolina State University offers a three week study abroad program to Namibia (south western Africa) from May 15 to June 04, 2011. Namibia is one of Africa’s most stable and safest countries to travel to with a good infrastructure and a well developed tourism industry. This is a unique opportunity for students to explore and experience Africa while studying and gaining valuable knowledge about African wildlife-, savanna- and desert ecology, park management, conservation, ecotourism and ecological sampling techniques. Students will visit various ecosystems, conduct field work, participate in discussions and field lectures, track desert elephants, enjoy game drives and bushwalks. The highlights of this trip are the Namib Desert, Damaraland, Etosha National Park and the Cheetah Conservation Fund. The program will be directed by Dr Dörgeloh, a wildlife ecologist with extensive knowledge and many years experience in southern Africa. The program is open to students from any university or college. Online applications are available through the NCSU Study Abroad Office. For further information about the program please visit http://cnr.ncsu.edu/fer/fishwild/fwstudab.html or contact the program director. Please note that there are a limited number of seats available (max 15). The deadline for applications is Dec. 10, 2010.
Introduction to statistical modelling: 25-28 January 2011. The Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling (CREEM) at the University of St. Andrews will be running a 4 day `Statistical Modelling’ workshop to introduce basic statistical modelling techniques. The workshop will cover Linear Models and Generalized Linear Models to help participants analyse continuous, presence/absence and count data. The course will be heavily data-based and presented using a marine mammal case study and workshop practicals will be based around an impact assessment analysis. The R software package will be used for workshop-based practicals but no prior experience with the R package is assumed. See Introduction to statistical modelling for details.
Smithsonian-Mason Global Conservation Studies Program: 2011 Graduate/Professional Training Courses, Smithsonian-Mason Global Conservation Studies Program, Front Royal, VA For more information, visit http://conservationtraining.si.edu or e-mail SCBItraining@si.edu. Conservation Conflict Resolution January 10-19, 2011 Designed and led by the Human-Wildlife Conflict Collaboration (HWCC), this course teaches proven skills, strategies and processes for effectively addressing conservation-related conflict. By analyzing conflicts to determine root causes and facilitate appropriate resolution processes, we foster trust among stakeholders and ensure sustainable solutions. Statistics for Ecology and Conservation Biology February 7-18, 2011 Gain in-depth knowledge of analysis techniques for cutting-edge ecological research, employing R, including: classical regression models; mixed models; generalized linear models; generalized additive models; and conservation-specific approaches, e.g. distance sampling and species distribution modeling. The course emphasizes real-world analysis and how to deal with the limitations of real datasets. Spatial Ecology, Geospatial Analysis & Remote Sensing March 14-25, 2011 Learn to use GIS tools to address conservation research problems, quantifying effects of human-induced global change on wildlife and biodiversity. Hands-on lab exercises (e.g. land cover mapping; home range analysis; modeling habitat selection; mapping species distributions) use remote sensing data and SCBI field surveys to monitor global changes, assess impacts on wildlife, and develop mitigating strategies. Species Monitoring & Conservation: Terrestrial Mammals April 18-29, 2011 Explore current techniques in assessment and monitoring of wild mammal populations, including bats. Participants learn principles of study design; current field assessment methods; data analysis techniques including MARK and DISTANCE software; application of monitoring data to decision-making and population management; and collection and preparation of museum voucher specimens. Effective Conservation Leadership May 3-13, 2011 What makes for a successful conservation leader? Conservation professionals need to know more than science to lead effectively. Employing real-life environmental and conservation case studies, this course addresses key conservation leadership skills, including cross-cultural learning, team-building and support, project management, applied conservation ethics, effective communication, and conflict resolution. For information on the Applied Conservation Science Graduate Certificate see: mccs.gmu.edu/courses/. Posted: 11/11/10.
Ecology and Physiology of Plants in Winter: Registration is now open for the 2011 Winter Workshop at the UWM Field Station: Ecology and Physiology of Plants in Winter: Surviving the Big Chill. January 7 & 8, 2011 (Friday & Saturday). Instructor: Dr. James Reinartz. Our workshops offer a unique opportunity to explore focused topics in natural history under the guidance of noted authorities. This workshop presents college-level instruction and is designed to accommodate participants with a broad range of experience. Enrollment is limited to 20, providing an informal atmosphere and individualized instruction. Also available for one college credit. Please visit http://www4.uwm.edu/fieldstation/workshops/ for a full description of the course, fee information, and a Registration Form. Please contact the Field Station for more information, or if you would like a registration form mailed to you. University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Field Station, 3095 Blue Goose Road, Saukville, WI 53080, Phone: 262 675-6844, Fax: 262 675-0337, email: fieldstn@uwm.edu. Posted: 10/15/10.
Environmental Palaeoecology and Aquatic Ecology: We would like to draw your attention to the 2010/2011 short-course programme in Environmental Palaeoecology and Aquatic Ecology being offered by the Environmental Change Research Centre, University College London. Registration is now open and the courses available include: 10th- 14th January 2011 - Ostracod Analysis, 24th- 28th January 2011 - Palynology, 7th- 11th February 2011 - Introduction to Diatom Analysis, 14th- 18th February 2011 - Stable Isotopes and Environmental Change, 21st- 25th February 2011 - Chironomids: Water Quality and Climate Change, 9th-20th May 2011 - Numerical Analyses of Biological and Environmental Data. For full details, dates and an application form for the courses please visit http://www.ecrc.ucl.ac.uk/shortcourses or contact the course co-ordinator Fiona Mannion (ecrc-admin@geog.ucl.ac.uk). Posted: 10/13/10.
Analysis of Capture-Recapture Data: Two workshops on the held in St Andrews, Scotland (early registration 10 August). Workshop 1: Analysis of Capture-recapture Data Workshop - 6-7th September 2010. Workshop 2: Bayesian Analysis of Capture-recapture Data Workshop - 8-10th September 2010. For further information, including a complete draft schedule for each workshop, registration information and contact details, see http://creem2.st-andrews.ac.uk/workshops.aspx and associated links. Enquiries should be addressed to Rhona Rodger (rhona@mcs.st-and.ac.uk). Posted: 7/20/10.
Modeling Patterns and Dynamics of Species Occurrence Workshop: Instructor: Darryl I. MacKenzie, Proteus Wildlife Research Consultants, Location: USGS Fort Collins Science Center, Fort Collins, CO. Dates: 27 - 30 September 2010, Indicative Cost (to be confirmed): US$700 ($600 for registered students). The presence or absence of a species across a set of landscape units is a fundamental concept widely used in ecology (e.g., species range or distribution, epidemiology, habitat modeling, resource selection probability functions, as a monitoring metric, metapopulation studies, biodiversity and species co-occurrence). An important sampling issue, however, is that a species may not always be detected when present at a landscape unit. This will result in "false absences" causing parameter estimates to be biased if unaccounted for, possibly leading to misleading results and conclusions, even with moderate levels of imperfect detection. This workshop will cover many of the latest methods for modeling patterns and dynamics of species occurrence in a landscape while accounting for the imperfect detection of the species. Participants will be introduced to available software through worked examples, and there will be special emphasis on aspects of study design. While primarily aimed at the beginner and intermediate level, more experienced researchers will also benefit from attending. For more details visit http://www.proteus.co.nz/workshops.html. Posted: 7/7/10.
Experimental Design and Ecological Statistics: August 17-27, 2010, Smithsonian-Mason Conservation Program, At the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Front Royal, VA, USA. Experimental Design and Ecological Statistics provides an overview of quantitative methods for ecological research and conservation. During the 10-day intensive residential session, we review study design, statistical methods used in modern ecological research, and how best to pose research questions. Participants learn about general and flexible statistical methods, including generalized linear models and generalized linear mixed models, as well as applied monitoring tools such as distance sampling, analysis of genetic data, niche and species distribution modeling and spatial analysis. Lab exercises throughout the course allow students to practice implementing these techniques in R and other freely available statistical software packages. Participants learn how to choose appropriate analyses for different research questions, and about the assumptions underlying each model. Through a combination of lectures and hands-on exercises participants learn how to: design their own studies, explore their data, perform a range of analyses, understand fitted models, and clearly explain their results. By the end of the course, participants will be able to conduct sophisticated statistical analyses and critically evaluate current research literature. Participants should have previously completed basic statistics coursework or have some previous experience with statistics. The course fee is $2,500, which includes instruction and course materials as well as all meals, lodging, and transport to/from Washington-Dulles International Airport (IAD). All other travel costs and incidental expenses are the participant's responsibility. Course participants earn Continuing Education Units, or, for qualified applicants, graduate course credits are available through George Mason University at additional cost (and upon completion of further course requirements). Visit www.conservationtraining.si.edu or contact zootraining@si.edu for more information. Posted: 7/7/10.
Natural History Workshops: The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Field Station conducts a series of Natural History Workshops. These workshops offer an opportunity to study focused topics at college-level instruction under the guidance of noted authorities. We offer two-day and week-long workshops, and housing and meals are available at the Station. Enrollment is limited to 20, the atmosphere is informal and instruction is individualized. Workshops may be taken for graduate or undergraduate credit by enrolling in UWM, Topics in Field Biology. Fees vary. Please visit http://www4.uwm.edu/fieldstation/workshops/ for full descriptions of each course, fee information, and a downloadable Registration Form. Posted: 4/7/10.
Spatial Ecology, Geospatial Analysis, and Remote Sensing for Conservation: New Graduate and Professional Course: July 19-30, 2010 Smithsonian-Mason Global Conservation Studies Programs at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (formerly CRC), Front Royal, Virginia, USA. Our world is changing rapidly. Environmental changes occur over areas so large and time spans so long they often escape human perception, sometimes with catastrophic consequences. Geospatial analysis techniques have radically transformed our ability to detect, monitor, map, and model these changes. Advances in spatial ecology allow us to analyze these data to develop both ecological theory and conservation applications. Taught by SCBI researchers, this hands-on, 10-day intensive course is designed for anyone seeking expertise in using geospatial technologies to monitor biological systems and quantify the effects of human-induced global changes on wildlife and biodiversity conservation. Assigned their own SCBI desktop computer for all lab exercises, participants learn to use ArcMap, Spatial Analyst, ERDAS Imagine, and other programs. By the course’s end, participants will: · Perform basic geospatial analysis; · Conduct remote sensing analysis and use satellite data to make land cover and habitat maps; · Collect GIS data in the field using statistical sampling and GPS; · Conduct a basic land cover change assessment using satellite imagery; · Link species presence/absence or abundance data in a GIS; · Compare existing techniques for modeling species habitat, niche selection, and distribution; · Apply advanced spatial analysis techniques to real-world conservation and ecology problems, with case examples based on Smithsonian research. The $2,500 course fee includes instruction, lab use fees, and course materials, plus ground transportation to/from Washington-Dulles International Airport (IAD) and daily local transport between lab/restaurants. We provide a free daily shuttle between the Quality Inn in Front Royal and the lab on course days; please contact us for the SCBI-Quality Inn group code to receive a reduced room rate of $60 per night plus 11% tax (includes breakfast); participants should budget about $25 per day for meals. Participants earn Continuing Education Units, or, graduate credits are available through Mason for qualified applicants, at additional cost (and after completing further course requirements). Visit www.conservationtraining.si.edu or contact zootraining@si.edu for more information.
Flux Measurements and Advanced Modeling: Deadline for application extended to April 15, 2010. Between July 19-30, 2010 we will convene the 3rd Annual Summer Course in Flux Measurements and Advanced Modeling at the University of Colorado Mountain Research Station, near Boulder, Colorado. The two week course includes lectures and hands-on problem-solving sessions on topics including CO2, H2O and energy exchange from leaf-to-landscape, and model-data assimilation approaches for predicting exchanges across broad spatial and temporal scales. Topics include assimilating remotely-sensed data into models, eddy flux observations, Penman-Monteith modeling of surface fluxes and conductances, assimilation of flux observations into ecosystem process models, use of stable isotope observations in modeling leaf-to-ecosystem processes, biochemical modeling of photosynthesis and stomatal conductance using the Farquhar et al. models and the ‘Ball-Berry’ approach. Guest teachers include Ray Leuning, Dennis Baldocchi, Dave Bowling, Russ Monson, Dan Yakir, Dave Moore, Marcy Litvak, Kiona Ogle, Tristan Quaife, Paul Stoy, Dave Schimel, Andrew Richardson, John Zobitz, Carl Bernacchi, as well as Larry Jacobsen and Ed Swiatek from Campbell Scientific, and Shannon Loriaux and Pat Morgan from LiCor. For a schedule of topics and more information see: fluxcourse. Cost is $2,500 in fees (covers all room, meals and other expenses at the Mountain Station), and you are responsible for the cost of your travel to Boulder. To apply, please send your CV, a short paragraph explaining how you see the course contributing to your research and professional development, and a letter of support from one of your advisors, to Russell.Monson@colorado.edu. Posted: 3/23/10.
Dive GIS summer course: The 5th edition of the course will be held from the 28th of July to the 7th of August in Crotone at the Capo Rizzuto Marine Protected Area. Early bird enrollment at a reduced price is only open until March 31st! Dive GIS course is for you if you wish to: 1.Learn state of the art GIS and Remote Sensing methodologies used for marine applications 2.Learn to use the ArcGIS software 3.Become a certified diver 4.Collect scientific data in the field and underwater 5.Identify marine flora and fauna 6.Be passionate about the marine environment and the conservation of its resources 7.Network and socialize in an international environment. The course, organized by Mappamondo GIS in collaboration with the MPA, represents a unique training initiative that offers the chance to learn Geographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing methodologies while becoming a certified SCUBA diver. Participants learn to use state of the art technologies and to combine them with passion oriented sport and field activities in the context of marine environment management and science. The challenging objective of the organizer is to provide the bases for a multi-skill career. Participants are introduced to the underwater world through PADI Open Water Diver and specialty courses, to the digital cartography and imaging world through classes based on training material from ESRI, the world-leader in the GIS field, and to real case study applications of Geographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing tools for marine scientists. The course involves computer lab and field sessions and it is well suited for people novice to both GIS and diving, as well as for people that have already some knowledge and skills in both fields but that wish to gain an additional experience. During the course, the participants work on a real case study concerning the mapping of marine habitats using on-screen visual interpretation, supervised and unsupervised classification of satellite images and aerial photos. This allows identifying and quantifying vulnerable areas with high environmental value. Students also learn to identify marine flora and fauna, to collect scientific data about their distribution and to use handheld GIS and GPS units. Biodiversity and species distribution data are entered in the GIS to study their correlation with the habitat and other biotic and abiotic environmental parameters. For further information about the course and online registration for the 2010 edition visit www.mappamondogis.it/divegis.htm or email to info@mappamondogis.com. Posted: 3/16/10.
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