[ECOLOG-L] Postdoc: biodiversity, Germany

[David Inouye]

Science jobs from Biodiversity and Climate Research Center: job description

The Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (BiK-F) has been founded by
the Senckenberg Gesellschaft fuer Naturforschung, the Goethe-University
Frankfurt am Main, and additional partners. It is funded by the Federal
State of Hesse through its Initiative for the Development of Scientific
and Economic Excellence (LOEWE). The mission of the Centre is to carry
out internationally outstanding research on the interactions of
biodiversity and climate change at the organism level. The Project Area
E “Data and Modelling” invites applications for the position of a

Post-doc position „spatial & temporal patterns of biodiversity“
Project E2.2, Ref. [#E25]

The successful applicant will investigate spatial and temporal patterns
of biodiversity. He or she will either (a) explore community dynamics,
in particular looking at how they vary in space, or (b) develop
multi-species niche models, for use in predicting future distributions
of species.
The applicant should hold an earned Ph.D. in statistical ecology or a
related field, and have a strong background in either statistical
modelling and/or ecology. He or she is expected to engage in other
projects in the project area and within BiK-F and experience in
statistical consulting will be a further asset. A solid publication
record, good written and oral communication skills in English, the
willingness to write research funding proposals and to learn at least
basic German are required.
The Research Centre BiK-F advocates gender equality. Women are therefore
strongly encouraged to apply. Equally qualified severely handicapped
applicants will be given preference.
The contract shall start as soon as possible and will be restricted to
12 months. Salary and benefits are according to a public service
position in Germany (TV-H E13). The duty station will be Frankfurt am
Main, Germany. The employer is the SENCKENBERG GESELLSCHAFT FUER
NATURFORSCHUNG.
Please send your application by e-mail attachment, mentioning the
reference of this position (#E25) and including a letter, outlining your
suitability for the post, a detailed CV, contact details of two
referees, a copy of your relevant publications and copies of your exams
before March 22nd to: Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. V. Mosbrugger, Scientific
Coordinator Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre, Senckenberganlage
25, D-60325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany, e-mail:
recruit...@senckenberg.de.
For enquiries about the position and the contract conditions please
write to Prof. Dr. B. Stribrny (e-mail:
bernhard.strib...@senckenberg.de) and for scientific enquiries to Dr.
R.B. O’Hara (e-mail: boh...@senckenberg.de)

(also here:
)


Bob O'Hara

Tel: +49 69 798 40216 (in Germany)
Mobile: +49 1515 888 5440
WWW: http://www.bik-f.de/root/index.php?page_id=219
Blog: http://blogs.nature.com/boboh/
Journal of Negative Results - EEB: www.jnr-eeb.org 

[ECOLOG-L] Postdoc in management of biological systems under climate change

[Jason Dzurisin]

Postdoc in management of biological systems under climate change

An interdisciplinary global change research group at the University of Notre
Dame seeks to fill a postdoctoral research position for an applied ecologist
with computation and/or quantitative skills. The postdoc will join a
multi-investigator team that studies strategies for managing biological
systems under climate change (“adaptation”). Possible research projects are
numerous within the area of geographic simulation modeling and model
development to capture adaptation scenarios. The postdoc will be advised by
Jessica Hellmann with regular consultation from Nitesh Chawla (computer
science) and Jason McLachlan (biology). Opportunities abound for
collaboration on adaptation policy as other members of the research team
include a law professor and political scientist. The postdoc will help
mentor grad students in computer science and undergraduates from diverse
fields. An ability to write interdisciplinary publications and grants is
strongly desired.

Position can begin immediately, but start date is negotiable.  The selected
candidate will receive an initial one-year appointment, but the position is
currently funded for 18 months. Salary is competitive and commensurate with
experience.

Applications should be emailed to Jessica Hellmann (hellman...@nd.edu),
containing a cover letter, resume, sample publications, and the names of
three referees. Review of applications will commence April 15, 2010 and
continue until the position is filled.  Inquiries should be directed via
email to Jessica Hellmann.

Websites:

Hellmann Lab – http://www.nd.edu/~hellmann/

Chawla Lab – http://www.nd.edu/~nchawla

McLachlan Lab – http://biology.nd.edu/people/faculty/mclachlan

[ECOLOG-L] Postdoc: National Research Council, with EPA and WSU

[David Inouye]

National Research Council Post-doctoral position with the US
Environmental Protection Agency and Washington State University,
Vancouver
Application period is February 1-May 1, 2010

Modeling surface water N loading and removal for the nation: Foundation
for ecosystem services assessment

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Ecosystem Services Research
Program seeks an individual to contribute to an ongoing, multi-year
effort to characterize N-related ecosystem services and human impacts on
these services within the US.  In the continental US, inputs of reactive
nitrogen (N) to the terrestrial biosphere have increased by nearly
five-fold over natural background rates due to activities associated
with transportation, and food, fiber, and energy production.  A number
of recent modeling efforts (e.g. SPARROW, NEWS, and others) have focused
on linking anthropogenic N enrichment with N loading to surface
freshwaters and the coastal zone at regional and global scales.  Yet,
much work remains to be done comparing and interpreting output from
existing regional and national scale models as well as enhancing the
spatial and temporal resolution of these models to increase their
utility to managers and policy-makers.  It is expected that the
postdoctoral fellow in this position will work closely with Dr. John
Harrison (Washington State University -Vancouver) to implement spatially
explicit models of aquatic N loading, thereby enhancing understanding of
sources, patterns, and controls of N inputs to surface fresh waters and
the coastal zone, as well as the potential impacts of these inputs on
ecosystem services.  It is anticipated that this effort will be
coordinated with complementary efforts to estimate N inputs, outputs,
and removal within many ecosystem types within the US, including
wetlands, riparian areas, and river networks (headwater streams,
perennial streams, and large rivers).  Qualifications: a Ph.D. degree in
biogeochemistry, biogeochemical modeling, limnology, marine or estuarine
ecology, or related field.  The primary work location will be the
Freshwater Ecology Branch of the Western Ecology Division (WED) located
in Corvallis, Oregon.  The Associate will work with scientists across
EPA as part of a national program examining the impacts of nitrogen
within EPA’s Ecosystem Services Research Program.

For more information on the position see:
http://nrc58.nas.edu/RAPLab10/Opportunity/Opportunity.aspx?LabCode=22&ROPCD=220209&RONum=B7165

For information on the NRC program and application deadlines see
http://sites.nationalacademies.org/pga/rap/

For information on how to apply see:
http://nrc58.nas.edu/RAPLab10/Opportunity/Program.aspx?LabCode=22&ReturnURL=%2fRAPLab10%2fOpportunity%2fPrograms.aspx%3fLabCode%3d22

Please pass this information to people you know who might be interested
in the position.  Application period opens Feb 1, and closing date is
May 1, 2010.

For more information please contact Jana Compton, compton.j...@epa.gov
541-754-4620


Jana Compton,  Ecologist
US Environmental Protection Agency
NHEERL  -  Western Ecology Division
200 SW 35th St.
Corvallis, OR   97333

phone 541-754-4620
fax541-754-4799
compton.j...@epa.gov
http://www.epa.gov/wed/pages/staff/compton.htm
http://www.forestry.oregonstate.edu/cof/fs/people/faculty/compton.php

Ecosystem Services Research Program - Nitrogen Project
http://www.epa.gov/wed/pages/research/nitrogen/index.html

[ECOLOG-L] Job Announcement: Summer Botany/Ecology Field Technicians

[Isabel Ashton]

Job Announcement
GREAT SAND DUNES NATIONAL PARK AND PRESERVE, COLORADO 
Summer Botany/Ecology Field Technicians 

Employment Dates: mid-June through September 2010, dates are flexible 
Application Deadline: April 30, 2010 

The position advertised is for two (2) full-time field technicians to assist
a Colorado State University researcher in data collection on a large
National Park Service project. The project involves installation of
equipment and initial data collection for long-term wetland monitoring in
Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. We will be collecting data such
as community composition of both vascular and nonvascular plant species,
soil, herbivory and water chemistry. 

RESPONSIBILITIES: Duties include installing ground water wells, soil and
water sampling, equipment maintenance, vegetation data collection and GPS
navigation. The bulk of the work will be performed in the backcountry of
Great Sand Dunes National Park in variable climatic conditions. Work will
include frequent and extensive hiking on and off trail, carrying of heavy
field equipment, and tent camping in backcountry locations. 

QUALIFICATIONS: Candidates must possess a four-year degree or currently be
enrolled at a college or university pursuing a degree in biology, plant
ecology, natural resource management, botany, forestry, or similar field. In
addition to the basic education requirements, higher levels of education, or
a recognized level of education achievement such as class standing, may also
qualify you for this position. Applicants with a Master’s degree or two year
graduate level education in subjects such as botany, plant anatomy or
morphology, cytology, histology, genetics, taxonomy or systematics,
algology, mycology or ethnobotany are highly desirable. Candidates must be
in good physical condition, capable of long hikes in rugged terrain at high
altitudes and in desert landscapes while carrying a loaded backpack. Trips
into the backcountry may last up to seven days and will involve hiking both
on and off trail. Candidates should also be prepared for some strenuous
physical labor including digging and well installation. Adverse weather
conditions such as extreme temperatures, rain, and electrical storms may be
encountered on a regular basis. Ability to work, hike, camp and maintain a
positive attitude in these conditions is essential. Familiarity with
backcountry travel, wilderness safety and first aid training are beneficial.
Experience with relevant fieldwork and plant identification skills is
desirable, but not necessary. A valid driver’s license and safe driving
record are required. 

SALARY: Technicians will receive $1,500/month (or commensurate with
experience for highly qualified candidates) plus housing in Great Sand Dunes
National Park and Preserve. The technician will be employed through Colorado
State University

APPLICATION PROCESS: Email a resume and 1 page cover letter in MS Word (as
attachments), including three references with telephone numbers and email
addresses, to the contact information below. Please indicate availability.
 
CONTACT: 
Jennifer Jones 
PO Box 117 
Minturn, CO 81645 
Email: jrai...@lamar.colostate.edu 

[ECOLOG-L] Climate Change Education Workshops Summer 2010

[Sarah Brylinsky]

*Cooling the Liberal Arts Curriculum: Climate Change Workshops*
*Dickinson College, PA
Summer 2010*
*Application Deadline: April 23rd, 2010*

The Center for Environmental and Sustainability Education at Dickinson
College invites applications from faculty and teaching staff to participate
in two programs for interdisciplinary teaching about climate change.

*Changing Planet Faculty Study Group
*A learning community to support interdisciplinary teaching about Earth
science and human dimensions of climate change. Members of the study group
will participate in a four-day workshop to that will take place July 19-22
on the Dickinson College campus in Carlisle, PA and other activities over
the 2010-2011 academic year. The program is appropriate for arts and
humanities, social science and natural science faculty members.

*Climate Modeling and Data Applications Workshop*
A workshop is being offered August 9-12 at Dickinson College to provide
training in the use of EdGCM, a software package developed at Columbia
University and NASA/GISS that integrates a computer climate model with a
user interface that simplifies setting up, running, and analyzing climate
model experiments. The climate model is a real research tool that is used by
NASA scientists - but has been used successfully by undergraduate teachers
and students. No mathematical modeling, computer modeling, or GIS skills
needed, just comfort working with spreadsheets.

*Applications: *Further details and application forms can be downloaded from
http://www.dickinson.edu/academics/distinctive-opportunities/environmental-and-sustainability-education/content/Climate-Education/.
The application deadline is April 23, 2010.  Questions can be sent to
bryli...@dickinson.edu or sustainabil...@dickinson.edu.

Sarah Brylinsky
Sustainability Education Coordinator
Center for Environmental and Sustainability Education
Dickinson College Carlisle, PA 17013
Tel: 717.245.1117
bryli...@dickinson.edu
http://www.dickinson.edu/departments/cese
-
"Ecology is permanent economy." - Sunderlal Bahuguna, Gandhian activist and
philosopher

[ECOLOG-L] Early Registrations ends 3/22: Great Basin/Mojave Desert Climate Change Workshop

[Sean Finn]

REGISTER AT: http://www.wr.usgs.gov/workshops/registration.html

Great Basin / Mojave Desert Climate Change Workshop
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Geological Survey, the 
National Park Service, and the Environmental Protection Agency, in 
collaboration with several other agencies and organizations, are 
sponsoring a workshop focusing on natural resource research, adaptation, 
and mitigation needs related to climate change in the Great Basin and 
Mojave Desert. The workshop, will be held April 20-22, 2010 at the 
University of Nevada-Las Vegas, and will examine how climate change is 
affecting natural resources in deserts of the western U.S., as well as the 
land, water, and species management and research needs that are essential 
to address in the coming decade. 

Workshop objectives include: 
o   Increase understanding of climate change processes and their 
effects on the physical systems and biota of the Great Basin and Mojave 
Desert 
o   Provide the "best available" scientific information for adapting 
to change 
o   Examine research and management needs 
o   Evaluate management constraints and determine potential solutions 
o   Develop effective research and management collaborations for 
addressing climate change into the future

The workshop offers a valuable opportunity for scientists and natural 
resource managers to gather for a discussion of their information needs 
and opportunities.  The poster session will be a highlight of the 
workshop.  Please consider presenting your research results and project 
information in this forum. 
For more information, please visit http://www.wr.usgs.gov/workshops/
Sean P. Finn
Ecologist
USGS Forest & Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center
Great Basin Integrated Landscape Monitoring
NBII Great Basin Information Project
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
http://www.usgs.gov/features/greatbasin/index.html
http://greatbasin.nbii.gov
http://sagemap.wr.usgs.gov
208.426.2697

[ECOLOG-L] Timber Sale Prep & Timber Stand Improvement Crew Member

[Bridget Walden]

Description:
The Great Basin Institute, in cooperation with the U.S. Forest Service Lake
Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU), is recruiting up to seven (7)
AmeriCorps members to serve as part of LTBMU’s Vegetation Management Program
Timber Sale Prep Crew or Timber Stand Improvement Crew. Crew Members will
perform regular and recurring procedural and technical tasks such as
preparing maps and providing data for contract preparation, performing
standardized timber cruising, and assisting in stand exam data collection
work. Data are gathered from a variety of sources such as instrument
readings (e.g.: Relaskop, diameter tape, compass, prism, clinometers,
personal data recorders, and GPS data collecting devices), direct
measurements (e.g.: limiting distances, tree diameter, tree height, species
identification, timber stand typing, estimations of defect and quality, and
determining ground fuel loading), field tests, observations, and on-site
inspections during the field season. As well, crew members will select and
mark individual trees for harvest using well defined marking guidelines and
silvicultural prescriptions, inspection of fuels reduction and tree planting
contracts, as well as well as identify stream zones. Training provided on
tree species identification, GPS data collection, tree marking, and other
project-specific tasks. Typical work schedule is Monday – Thursday, 7:00
a.m. to 5:30 p.m. 

Timeline:  
•   May 10, 2010 to November 24, 2010

Compensation:  
•   Living Allowance = $10,600 - $12,190
•   AmeriCorps Education Award* = $2,362.50 
•   student loan deferment and paid interest accrual* 
•   Housing options available

Location:
The Timber Sales Crew will be based out of the USFS worksite at Meyers, CA,
approximately 10 minutes from South Lake Tahoe. Project work will take place
throughout the Lake Tahoe Basin. The duty station for the Timber Stand
Improvement Crew will be Incline Village, NV.

* AmeriCorps Education Award may be used for past, present or future
education experiences, including payment of qualifying federal student loans.

Qualifications:
o   College degree or coursework in a natural resource program including
dendrology, forest ecology, forest management or related field; 
o   Experience conducting forestry field work (e.g.: stand exams, timber
cruising, boundary marking, etc.);
o   Knowledge of general forestry measurement techniques (e.g.: DBH, species
identification) and tools (e.g.: clinometers, compass, GPS units);
o   Experience and ability to work around and/or operate power equipment,
including chain saws, desirable;
o   Prior experience cutting/felling trees, desirable;
o   Knowledge of western forestry, including management principles, 
ecosystems
and tree species;
o   Ability to complete moderate physical project work;
o   Clean, driving record and valid state-issued driver’s license. Applicant
should be comfortable driving in heavy traffic, on narrow mountain roads on-
and off-road;
o   Ability to work productively as part of a team to accomplish mutual 
goals
and communicate effectively;
o   Ability to work in harsh and rapidly changing environments, work in all
types of weather conditions, traverse uneven terrain, and otherwise maintain
good physical condition; and
o   Meet AmeriCorps eligibility requirements: (1) U.S. citizenship or legal
resident alien status, and (2) eligible to receive an AmeriCorps Education
Award (limit of two in a lifetime, regardless of award amount).

For a complete position description please visit our website at
www.TheGreatBasinInstitute.org.

How to Apply:
Qualified and interested applicants should forward a cover letter, their
résumé, and a list of three professional references to Bridget Walden, at
bwal...@thegreatbasininstitute.org.please include where you found this
position posted. 

This program is available to all, without regard to race, color, national
origin, disability, age, sex, sexual orientation, political affiliation, or
religion. Persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. 

[ECOLOG-L] Summer NSF REU opportunity at UNC-Charlotte

[Sarah Haas]

POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT: 
March 15, 2010

POSITION: 
Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Summer Internship

LOCATION: 
Center for Applied GIS (CAGIS), Department of Geography & Earth Sciences, 
University of North Carolina-Charlotte (http://gis.uncc.edu/); fieldwork 
conducted in Sonoma County, California

OVERVIEW OF NSF-REU PROGRAM:
The National Science Foundation seeks to increase research training for 
undergraduate students through mentored research experiences. These 
opportunities seek to involve students in the process of scientific 
investigation and further their research skills.

RESEARCH DESCRIPTION:
We seek one undergraduate to participate in a landscape-scale field study to 
better understand scale-dependent effects of host density and species 
diversity on the severity of sudden oak death, a forest disease caused by 
the invasive plant pathogen Phytophthora ramorum. Epidemiological theory 
predicts that host density and species diversity affect disease dynamics of 
infectious diseases, yet few studies have tested these predictions in plant 
communities and/or examined scale-dependent effects of these processes in 
heterogeneous, natural ecosystems. Thus, this research project will provide 
the student the opportunity to gain experience working on a frontier of 
ecological knowledge, and acquire valuable interdisciplinary experience by 
interacting with landscape ecologists, plant pathologists, and natural 
resource managers. Under the supervision of Dr. Ross Meentemeyer and Ph.D. 
student Sarah Haas, the undergraduate will learn to: 1) collect ecological 
data on plant pathogens using advanced GPS survey technologies, 2) integrate 
field and spatial data in a GIS framework, and 3) use multivariate spatial 
statistical procedures for analysis. 

LOCATION AND TIMING:
The position is full time for 3 months over summer 2010; start and end dates 
are approximately May 15 – August 15, subject to the student’s academic 
schedule. The first three weeks will consist of field work in forests in 
Sonoma County, California. The remaining time will be spent conducting 
laboratory processing and data analysis at the Center for Applied GIS 
(CAGIS) at the UNC-Charlotte Meentemeyer Lab in Charlotte, NC 
(http://gis.uncc.edu/). 

EXPECTATIONS AND QUALIFICATIONS:  
Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents and be currently 
enrolled as undergraduates; students who graduate in spring 2010 are 
eligible. Qualified students should have a strong academic background in 
ecology, biology, geography, forestry, plant pathology, or a related 
discipline. Preference will be given to students interested in pursuing a 
career in the sciences. For the field component of this research, students 
must be in good physical shape, be willing to work in remote field settings, 
and carry a heavy pack over rough/steep terrain for up to 8 hours a day (in 
potentially rainy weather). At the end of the summer, the student will make 
a poster presentation of their research that will be displayed within the 
Department of Geography & Earth Sciences at UNC-Charlotte. 

The stipend is $1800/month. Lodging and airfare will be provided for field 
work in CA. 

TO APPLY: Please send the following to Sarah Haas electronically or by mail: 
(1) a 1-2 page letter describing your qualifications, research interests, 
and career goals; (2) a copy of (unofficial) transcripts; and (3) the names 
and contact information of two references. Submission of a resume is 
encouraged. Students from underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply. 
Please write for clarifications or more information.  Review of applications 
will begin on April 12, 2010.

Sarah Haas
Center for Applied Geographic Information Science
9201 University City Blvd.
Charlotte, NC 28223
haaszool...@gmail.com

[ECOLOG-L] EcoTone: So you want to be a conservationist? Think of the community

[Katie Kline]

When we consider all the conservation challenges facing our world and society, 
we know that communicating effectively to the community is not only helpful but 
necessary. However, many inspiring projects in various conservation areas have 
failed to succeed-not because the scientific background was not there or 
because the financial resources were unavailable-but because the community's 
support was not entirely there. One of the elements to a successful 
conservation project is a strong connection to the community, especially during 
the early stages of project planning.

Read more and comment at 
http://www.esa.org/esablog/conservation/so-you-want-to-be-a-conservationist-think-of-the-community/.

[ECOLOG-L] Postdoctoral Associate for Amazon forest tree carbon metabolism experiment

[Thomas Shannon III]

Postdoctoral Associate for Amazon forest tree carbon metabolism experiment


Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry

Job Offer from the February 26th, 2010


Time frame

Two years with an anticipated start date of September 2010 (flexible)


Project description

The Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry is seeking a Postdoctoral
Researcher to assist in leading a large-scale ecophysiological experiment in
old-growth Amazon forests.

The manipulative experiment will explore changes in individual tree carbon
metabolism in response to competitive release following tree mortality
disturbance. The experiment will utilize a variety of measurements
associated with photosynthesis and respiration, plant carbon allocation,
carbohydrate storage, transpiration, and the isotopic fractionation of
carbon and oxygen.


Requirements

The position will require residing near the study site in the Amazon,
mentoring South American students, and language proficiency (or clear
ability to become proficient) in Portuguese and/or Spanish. Applicants must
have a Ph.D. in ecological or plant sciences, or a related discipline.

Highly motivated individuals with a strong background in plant physiology
and ecosystem ecology, and the potential for a strong publication record,
are encouraged to apply.


Payment

Salary follows the rules of the German public service or is granted as
scholarship on a case basis.


Application

Applicants should send an email with a cover letter, CV, statement of
research interests, and names and contact information for three referees, to
Dr. Susan Trumbore at trumb...@bgc-jena.mpg.de. Review of applications will
begin in May 2010.


The Max-Plank-Society seeks to increase the number of female scientists and
encourages them to apply.


The Max Planck Society is committed to employing more handicapped
individuals and especially encourages them to apply.


Contact

Max-Planck Institut für Biogeochemie
Dr. Susan Trumbore
Hans-Knöll-Str. 10
07745 Jena, Germany

E-mail: trumb...@bgc-jena.mpg.de