[ECOLOG-L] Job Announcement - TNC/USFWS Internship Opportunity for Post Master's or PhD Student

[Sara D]

Dear Ecologers:

Please see the enclosed information about an exciting internship opportunity
available in North Carolina for a Master's or PhD student that has graduated
within the  last three years.

The Nature Conservancy 
North Carolina Sandhills ORISE Internship Announcement

The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is seeking candidates for one Oak Ridge
Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) internship stationed in the
Conservation Center of the Sandhills located in Southern Pines, North
Carolina.  This position works with TNC and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service to accomplish the mission of the North Carolina Sandhills
Conservation Partnership (Partnership).  More information on the Partnership
can be found on the following website: http://www.ncscp.org/.  Eligible
candidates will have graduated from an ecology, conservation biology,
natural resources, or wildlife related graduate program within three years
of the hiring date.  The appointment is for one year but may be renewed for
up to three years.  Information on the ORISE program can be found on the
following website: http://www.orau.org/maryland/participants/default.htm. 


The NC Sandhills TNC ORISE intern’s primary duties are to advance the
wildlife and habitat conservation mission of the Partnership through
conservation planning and research, grant and project management, and data
analysis:

* Provide technical GIS support for the Partnership.  Conduct complex GIS
analyses to support conservation reserve design, land protection priorities,
and special projects such as the Green Growth Toolbox.  Maintain updates and
data records for the existing GIS database.

* Support coordination of the Partnership by working directly with the
Partnership Coordinator to facilitate meetings, participate on working
groups, attend partner activities, and communicate with the public about the
role of the Partnership.

* Conduct literature review and other research to inform actions of the
Partnership.  Compile, synthesize, and communicate scientific or other
information via oral and written presentations at meetings and other events. 

* Assist TNC staff with prescribed burning and other land restoration
activities including collecting native groundcover seed and sowing native
grass seed in prepared areas.   

* Assist USFWS staff in monitoring red-cockaded woodpeckers, which may
include the following field work; updating activity status of RCW cavity
trees, banding nestlings and/or adult RCWs, monitoring fledglings, and using
a spotting scope to identify individuals.  

Required Knowledge and Skills:  

1. Master of Science or higher degree preferred in ecology, conservation
biology, natural resources, or wildlife biology.
2. Familiarity with advanced principles of GIS and spatial modeling.
3. Experience using ESRI software including ArcMap and other associated
products. 
4. Ability to successfully work with a diverse suite of partners.
5. Excellent oral and written communication skills.
6. Familiarity with conservation planning approaches and/or willingness to
learn.
7. Certified in Wildland Firefighting and Prescribed Burning (S130/190,
L180, I100) and/or willingness to participate in training.
8. Proficiency in computer database management using Microsoft Access and/or
willingness to learn.

For further information, please contact Peter Campbell, USFWS, Sandhills
Sub-Office at (910) 695-3323.  To apply, please email a resume and cover
letter to pete_campb...@fws.gov.

[ECOLOG-L] Sustainability Science Postdoctoral Positions Available - UMaine

[Kim Raymond]

Sustainable Solutions Initiative Postdoctoral Fellows Program

The University of Maine is conducting a search for Sustainability Science 
Postdoctoral Fellows.  The successful candidates will join Maine's 
Sustainability Solutions Initiative (SSI) funded in part by a 5-year, $20 
million NSF EPSCoR grant. SSI
includes a team of 50+ faculty and 25 doctoral students from a range of 
disciplines and multiple academic institutions statewide. SSI's innovative 
research program integrates coupled natural and human systems modeling, 
stakeholder engagement, and
solutions-oriented research activities. Organized under a theme of landscape 
change, SSI supports multiple research projects focused on urbanization, forest 
ecosystem management, and climate/energy challenges. Collectively, these 
projects speak to
various sustainability science challenges and present a unique opportunity to 
advance the field of sustainability science. A major thrust of SSI is to 
produce a new generation of scientists who are equipped to work across 
disciplinary boundaries and
adept at collaborative, problem-solving work that spans research and practice. 
SSI is recruiting a cohort of Postdoctoral Fellows with tentative start dates 
ranging from Oct. 2011 to April 2012. These initial appointments will be for a 
one-year
duration with an opportunity for renewal.
Responsibilities: We seek postdoctoral fellows who can align themselves with 
one or more ongoing research teams and are willing to assume broad research 
responsibilities. The postdoctoral fellows will be expected to participate in 
ongoing team
projects and SSI-wide research activities; core research responsibilities will 
include planning and completion of research tasks, preparation of manuscripts 
for publication in collaboration with SSI researchers, and presentation of 
research findings
at public and professional meetings. Fellows will also have the opportunity to 
contribute to the development and implementation of SSI curricula and mentoring 
programs for graduate and undergraduate students. 

Qualifications: A Ph.D. with specialization in biological or earth sciences, 
communication, engineering, mathematics, natural resource management, public 
policy, social sciences or a closely related technical or scientific discipline 
is required by
the time of appointment. Preference will be given to candidates with experience 
working on interdisciplinary research teams.

Applications: Candidates must demonstrate the capacity to support their 
research programs, produce high-quality scholarship and publications, and 
advance the SSI research program. Applications must include all of the 
following materials for
consideration: (1) a written statement (2-3 pages) that summarizes both the 
candidate's research goals and interests in sustainability science and the 
candidate's capacity and plan for completing the Fellowship responsibilities; 
(2) curriculum
vitae; (3) undergraduate and graduate transcripts; (4) a sample of research 
(e.g., peer-reviewed publications); and (5) names and contact information of 
four professional references. Please send materials in PDF form to 
carol.ha...@umit.maine.edu or
in hard copy form to Carol Hamel, Senator George J. Mitchell Center, 5710 
Norman Smith Hall, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469. Review of applications 
will begin August 31, 2011.  

For more details on SSI, visit the project website at: 
http://www.umaine.edu/sustainabilitysolutions/

The University of Maine is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer 
committed to maintaining an intellectually and culturally diverse faculty and 
staff.

[ECOLOG-L] Non-parametric statistics

[Alan Griffith (agriffit)]

Hello all,

I have been searching for some advice on appropriate non-parametric statistics 
for the analysis of a dependent variable that fails normality and homogeneity 
assumptions under both sqrt and ln transformations.

First I will describe the dataset.  The data are from a field sample.  I have 4 
years of data from the same set of ecological populations.  The number of 
populations varies year to year.  The number of individuals sampled in a 
population may have varied within and among years.

Here is a description of the model I would like to implement.  Let’s say the 
Dependent Variable is # seeds eaten / plant.  So, I want to implement 
individual plant nested within population (i.e.  a mixed model with population 
identifier as random variable or SUBJECT(PopID)).  YEAR is a categorical 
independent variable, Population Size is one continuous independent variable.  
Total # Seeds produced / plant is another continuous independent variable.  I 
would also like to test interactions.

As I said before, I was not successful in transforming my dependent variable 
using my standard choices (ln and sqrt).  I had found references to using rank 
transformed data in an ANOVA / ANCOVA model, but this was rejected by a 
reviewer.  I am familiar with simple nonparametric tests like Kruskal-Wallis, 
but I do not see how to preserve the complex model with such tests.

My first hope is to find a method, generally accepted by ecologists, that is 
easily implemented in SPSS.  If this is not possible, I can explore more 
complicated analyses with the help of my campus math / stats consultant.

Thanks for you advice.

|   /  \   |  Alan B. Griffith, PhD
\  \  ̗  ̖  /  /   Associate Professor
  \  \( )/  /Department of Biological Sciences
   \ (   ) /  University of Mary Washington
/(   )\   (540) 654-1422
  / / ( ) \ \ agrif...@umw.edu
/  |  ¦¦  |  \
|  |

[ECOLOG-L] GeoWeb 3d Application for Geo-visualization

[Clara B. Jones]

http://www.geoweb3d.com/products/desktop/overview/



-- 
Clara B. Jones
Associate, Community Conservation, Inc.
URL: http://www.communityconservation.org/who.htm
E-mail: foucaul...@gmail.com
Blog: http://vertebratesocialbehavior.blogspot.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/cbjones1943

"Neither 'Origin of Species' nor the Price Equation was dashed off by a
party animal."

[ECOLOG-L] Position Available: Project Administration Manager, Gulf Research Initiative

[Leigh Zimmermann]

Please post to the listserve. Thank you!


 

Project
Administration Manager, Gulf Research Initiative

The Consortium for Ocean
Leadership is pleased to announce the search for a Project Administration 
Manager,
Gulf Research Initiative (GRI). This is a regular, full-time, exempt position.
The position will report to the Vice President and Director, Research and
Education Programs.

 

The Project Administration Manager manages
Ocean Leadership-coordinated research programs and related activities in
support of the Gulf Research Initiative (GRI) and the Ocean Leadership
mission.  The GRI is a BP-supported
independent research program involving $500M over ten years to study the effect
of the Deepwater Horizon incident and the potential associated impact of this
and similar incidents on the environment and public health, as well as to
develop improved spill mitigation, oil detection, characterization, and 
remediation
technologies. The Gulf of Mexico Alliance (GOMA) is the administrative entity
for the GRI; the Research Board (designated by BP and GOMA) is the scientific
oversight for the GRI. Ocean Leadership is contracted by GOMA to review
proposals, issue grant agreements, monitor science activities, and perform
communications functions, among other tasks. The Project Administration Manager
is a member of the Ocean Leadership management team for this effort. 

 

Specifically,
this individual serves on the Ocean Leadership management team for the GRI, and
manages, in conjunction with the Ocean Leadership Department of Contracts and
Grants, the project’s administration effort, tracks Ocean Leadership GRI grants
and subawards, and supports the GRI awardees. Ocean Leadership shall distribute
funds to the Research Consortia and individual research investigators through
Grant Agreements.  Ocean Leadership will
serve as the GRI Grant Unit, enter into grant agreements with Research
Consortia and individuals, and perform all necessary verification processes and
financial reporting to fulfill requirements.

Additional
duties include providing occasional support for other Ocean Leadership research
programs and projects by representing Ocean Leadership research programs and 
projects,
as appropriate, at meetings with external organizations. 

 

Qualifications
include:  (1) Bachelor’s degree,
preferably in a scientific, technical, or policy related discipline and a
minimum of seven years of experience in marine/environmental policy or program
coordination of a scientific program (or equivalent science training and
management experience), including demonstration of strong program management
and financial management skills, 
Master’s degree in these fields is preferred, and may substitute for
equivalent years of experience; (2) Familiarity with ocean science, related
federal government agencies , industry and academia is preferred; (3) Advanced
budgeting, financial analysis and spreadsheet skills; (4) Experience managing
grants and writing project status reports and grant proposals. Familiarity with
NSF Financial and Administrative Terms and Conditions highly preferred; (5)
Knowledge and experience in grants budgeting and forecasting processes; (6)
Flexibility and ability to handle multiple tasks and prioritize appropriately
in a fast-paced environment; (7) Demonstrated ability as a critical thinker,
ability to identify issues and opportunities, provide solutions and reach
consensus with multiple stakeholders; (8) Excellent written and oral
communication skills, strong interpersonal skills, excellent organizational
skills and strong attention to detail are required; (9) Proven problem-solving
capabilities with the ability to exercise good, independent judgment on courses
of action and to exhibit a proactive approach to assigned projects; (10)
Demonstrated initiative, creativity and the ability to work well both
independently and as part of a team are a must. 
Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with internal
and external stakeholders, including executive staff, international scientists,
federal agency representatives, industrial representatives, and academic
institutions; (11) Demonstrated proficiency with all MS Office applications is
necessary.

 

To apply, please forward
cover letter, resume, salary requirement, and any other relevant
application materials to j...@oceanleadership.org with the
subject line, “PROJ-ADMIN-MGR-GRI”. Materials may also be mailed to Human
Resources, The Consortium for Ocean Leadership, 1201 New York Avenue, NW, 4th
Floor, Washington, DC 20005. 

 

The
Consortium for Ocean Leadership represents 95 of the leading public and private
ocean research education institutions, aquaria and industry with the mission to
advance ocean research, education and policy. Located in the heart of our
nation’s capital, Ocean Leadership offers a collegial work environment and
excellent benefits. To learn more about us and current vacancies in more detail,
please visit www.oceanleadershi

[ECOLOG-L] Request for job posting

[Chris Jeffrey]

*Job Title:* Social Science Geospatial Scientist
*Job Location*: Silver Spring, MD
*Start Date*: September 1, 2011
*Where To Apply*: https://jobs-consolidatedsafety.icims.com/jobs/1287/login
*
Job Description: *
?CCMA Biogeography Branch is seeking a person with academic training in 
human/social geography, sociology, anthropology, social-spatial 
statistics or similar discipline for a one-year, full-time contract 
position to support the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration's Center for Coastal Monitoring and Assessment (CCMA), 
Biogeography Branch. The successful candidate will work on a research 
project investigating community aspects of well-being associated with 
coastal ecosystem health and the provision of ecosystem services, as 
well as support other projects on a variety of topics within the 
Biogeography Branch. The position will have the following core 
responsibilities:


Provide GIS, statistical, and analytical support to projects in one or 
more of the following topical areas: human population well-being; human 
population demographics; land/ocean use; spatial dimensions of human 
use, values, and preferences for coastal and marine resources and 
ecosystems;

Evaluate spatial and tabular social science data and integrate into GIS;
Evaluate and statistically analyze social science data, and create GIS 
maps to visualize results;
Assist with preparation of reports and journal articles describing the 
results of analyses;
Work with data and web managers to integrate datasets, maps, and 
analytical products into dynamic websites and online mapping tools;

Assist with other project-related tasks and duties as needed.
*
?Required Qualifications:*
Master's degree in human/social geography, sociology, anthropology, 
social-spatial statistics, or similar discipline, or some combination of 
education and progressively responsible, relevant work experience 
equivalent to a Master's degree; Interest in the sociological aspects of 
coastal and ocean ecosystems, natural resource use and management, 
natural/industrial disasters, and/or public health;
Experience with GIS beyond academic training, including use of ArcGIS to 
conduct analysis and produce maps;
Experience cleaning, preparing, analyzing, and interpreting social 
science data using appropriate statistical techniques, individually or 
as a part of a research team, using SPSS, SAS, or R and spatial 
statistics packages;
Experience drafting metadata or otherwise documenting procedures used in 
GIS, social science research, and data analysis;

Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing;
Attention to detail with outstanding organizational and time-management 
skills;
Ability to work efficiently and effectively with minimal supervision, as 
well as part of a research team.


*Preferred Qualifications:*
Experience with the spatial modeling of human well-being and/or human 
use, values, and preferences related to natural resources;
Experience conducting spatial analysis and mapping using existing, 
secondary datasets, such as the American Community Survey and decennial 
Census.


*Where To Apply*:
please visit: https://jobs-consolidatedsafety.icims.com/jobs/1287/login

--
Chris Jeffrey (CJ)

***
Christopher F.G. Jeffrey, Ph.D
Marine Biologist / Spatial Ecologist
NOAA National Ocean Service
NCCOS | CCMA | Biogeography Branch
1305 East-West Hwy, SSMC-4, N/SCI-1, #9213
Silver Spring, MD 20910-3281

301.713.3028 x-134 (Tel)
301.713.4384 (Fax)
http://ccma.nos.noaa.gov/about/biogeography/

Project Manager, CSS-Dynamac
www.css-dynamac.com

***

[ECOLOG-L] Director, Oklahoma Water Survey

[Vaughn, Caryn C.]

The University of Oklahoma (www.ou.edu) invites nominations 
and applications for the position of Director of the Oklahoma Water Survey. The 
recently established Oklahoma Water Survey will conduct research on the 
occurrence, status and availability of water resources within the State of 
Oklahoma. It will serve as a focal point for organized research in water 
resources and its wise use and management. Its mission is to serve the 
University research community, and act as a catalyst to the wide and deep 
expertise in education, research and outreach in water issues. Moreover, the 
Oklahoma Water Survey will work with federal, state and tribal governments, 
organizations, businesses, communities and citizens who have interests in 
Oklahoma’s water resources.

The Director of the Oklahoma Water Survey will be a recognized leader in the 
study and management of water resources such as those found in Oklahoma. Among 
the required selection criteria are the following:
• Outstanding research and/or managerial record in one or more aspects of water 
resources
• Vision to recognize the opportunity for the Oklahoma Water Survey and to 
translate that vision into an effective research organization
• Ability to lead this developing organization toward recognized national 
stature
• Demonstration of success establishing and maintaining effective 
organizational structure and functions
• Ability to lead large water-related projects with partners
• Successful experience in obtaining human and financial resources from 
multiple sources
• Record of working collaboratively with a wide variety of colleagues and 
constituencies
• Understanding of Oklahoma or regional water issues

Successful applicants will have an advanced degree in a water-related topic, 
such as science, engineering, law, business or management, with at least five 
years of leadership experience. Preferred credentials include a terminal 
degree, success in leading water-related technical organizations or projects, 
the ability to obtain and manage human and financial resources for significant 
multi-dimensional water-related work, and an established national stature in 
water-related activities.

Review of applications will begin August 1, 2011, and the search will continue 
until the position is filled. The preferred start date is January 1, 2012. 
Application materials and additional information about the position and 
expected credentials are found at 
http://jobs.ou.edu/applicants/Central?quickFind=71673.

[ECOLOG-L] Contacts in Madagascar?

[Aaron T. Dossey]

Hello,

I may be starting a collaboration soon with someone doing some 
expedition work in Madagascar.  They have volunteered to collect some 
insect defensive secretions and insect specimens for my work.  It might 
be good for us to have a contact person there (in a lab or institution?) 
who can help us with some of our considerations:


1) The supplies for this will be very simple and I can provide them: 
clean glass vials (I will certainly provide) and plastic tubes of 
ethanol (for the insect specimens).  Can they bring the ethanol with 
them or can we ship it there for them to pick up at their hotel, or 
should we find a biology or chemistry lab there who can give them some?


2) Once they have the samples and specimens, what is the best way for 
them to bring them back for study - should they ship them or put them in 
their checked baggage?  For the ethanol, I can have them drain it out 
and just leave the insect wet with it and a little tissue paper inside 
the plastic tubes, to avoid concerns of having to bring alcohol with them.


Any suggestions would be great, and if you or someone you know has a lab 
in Madagascar (Antanarivo ?) that would be even better!


Thanks!

--
Aaron T. Dossey, Ph.D.
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Re: [ECOLOG-L] Non-parametric statistics

[Michel, Nicole L]

Hi Alan et al.,

Generalized Linear Mixed Models (not to be confused with General Linear Mixed 
Models) are designed for exactly this sort of data.  The Generalized form lets 
you define the distribution to be whatever you want it to be.  With a count 
variable like this, you should start out with either a negbin or poisson 
distribution and a log link, and use AIC (or AICc, depending on your sample 
size) to choose the best-fitting model.  However, in recent analyses I ran 
using count data as dependent variables, I actually found a log distribution 
with either a log or identity (=normal) link to have the best fit.  FYI, if 
you're using a log link and/or distribution and have any '0' values, you will 
need to add 1 to each value prior to running the models to avoid the log(0) 
problem.

SPSS has the capability to run Generalized Linear Mixed Models, as do both SAS 
(Proc GLIMMIX) and R.

Best,
Nicole Michel

*
Nicole Michel
PhD Candidate
4060 Stern
Dept. of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
400 Boggs
Tulane University
New Orleans, LA 70118
Fax: 504-862-8706
*


From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news 
[ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU] on behalf of Alan Griffith (agriffit) 
[agrif...@umw.edu]
Sent: Thursday, July 14, 2011 9:39 AM
To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU
Subject: [ECOLOG-L] Non-parametric statistics

Hello all,

I have been searching for some advice on appropriate non-parametric statistics 
for the analysis of a dependent variable that fails normality and homogeneity 
assumptions under both sqrt and ln transformations.

First I will describe the dataset.  The data are from a field sample.  I have 4 
years of data from the same set of ecological populations.  The number of 
populations varies year to year.  The number of individuals sampled in a 
population may have varied within and among years.

Here is a description of the model I would like to implement.  Let’s say the 
Dependent Variable is # seeds eaten / plant.  So, I want to implement 
individual plant nested within population (i.e.  a mixed model with population 
identifier as random variable or SUBJECT(PopID)).  YEAR is a categorical 
independent variable, Population Size is one continuous independent variable.  
Total # Seeds produced / plant is another continuous independent variable.  I 
would also like to test interactions.

As I said before, I was not successful in transforming my dependent variable 
using my standard choices (ln and sqrt).  I had found references to using rank 
transformed data in an ANOVA / ANCOVA model, but this was rejected by a 
reviewer.  I am familiar with simple nonparametric tests like Kruskal-Wallis, 
but I do not see how to preserve the complex model with such tests.

My first hope is to find a method, generally accepted by ecologists, that is 
easily implemented in SPSS.  If this is not possible, I can explore more 
complicated analyses with the help of my campus math / stats consultant.

Thanks for you advice.

|   /  \   |  Alan B. Griffith, PhD
\  \  ̗  ̖  /  /   Associate Professor
  \  \( )/  /Department of Biological Sciences
   \ (   ) /  University of Mary Washington
/(   )\   (540) 654-1422
  / / ( ) \ \ agrif...@umw.edu
/  |  ¦¦  |  \
|  |