[ECOLOG-L] Course: Mixed modelling (with intro MCMC)
We would like to announce the following stats course; Course: Introduction to MCMC, Linear mixed effects models and GLMM with R When: 20-24 January, 2014 Where: Bangor University, UK Info: http://www.highstat.com/statscourse.htm Flyer: http://www.highstat.com/Courses/Flyer2014_02Bangor.pdf Kind regards, Alain -- Dr. Alain F. Zuur First author of: 1. Analysing Ecological Data (2007) 2. Mixed effects models and extensions in ecology with R (2009) 3. A Beginner's Guide to R (2009) 4. Zero Inflated Models and GLMM with R (2012) 5. A Beginner's Guide to GAM (2012) 6. A Beginner's Guide to GLM and GLMM (2013) Highland Statistics Ltd. 6 Laverock road UK - AB41 6FN Newburgh Tel: 0044 1358 788177 Email: highs...@highstat.com URL: www.highstat.com URL: www.brodgar.com
[ECOLOG-L] Graduate program in plant biology and conservation at Northwestern University
PLANT BIOLOGY AND CONSERVATION The Graduate Program in Plant Biology and Conservation is a collaboration between Northwestern University (NU) and the Chicago Botanic Garden (CBG). Both MS and PhD degrees are offered. This year a new internship-based MS program in land management and conservation is being offered. The programs offer a unique opportunity to study ecology, evolution, and environmental issues at the interface of basic and applied plant science. Students apply to the program through Northwestern University and take their courses at both NU and CBG with faculty from both institutions. The Plant Conservation and Science Center at CBG is a tremendous resource for students, and the Chicago region provides an excellent community at the forefront of research in conservation and sustainability. Faculty research areas include: Climate Change Conservation Genetics Crop Evolution and Diversity Invasion Biology Paleobotany, Paleoecology, and Paleoclimate Phylogenomics Plant Animal Interactions Plant Demography Plant Reproductive Ecology Plant and Fungal Systematics and Evolution Restoration Ecology Soil Ecology and Fungal Diversity To learn more, contact the program director, Nyree Zerega (nzer...@chicagobotanic.org) or visit our websites: Graduate Program: http://www.plantbiology.northwestern.edu/ Plant Science Center: http://www.chicagobotanic.org/research/labs.php?expanddiv=plant_conservation Application deadlines: PhD: December 31, 2013 MS (thesis-based): February 15, 2014 MS (internship-based): Applications will be reviewed beginning February 15 and review will continue through April 30, 2014. Admissions are on a rolling basis.
[ECOLOG-L] Grad Student Opportunities in Global Change Ecology and Stable Isotope Biogeochemistry
The Yang Lab (https://sib.illinois.edu/yang) in Global Change Ecology and Stable Isotope Biogeochemistry in the Departments of Plant Biology and Geology at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign seeks creative and motivated graduate students to join the lab in Summer/Fall 2014. We explore how human activities are changing how natural and managed ecosystems function and how ecosystem responses to global change can feedback to drive or slow future global change. We are particularly interested in the controls on greenhouse gas emissions, the effects of nitrogen deposition on ecosystem nitrogen retention and loss, the effects of plant community composition shifts on ecosystem nitrogen and carbon dynamics, and the coupling of biogeochemical cycles beyond carbon and nitrogen. Students will be encouraged to develop their own research related to these themes. Potential local field sites include SoyFACE, the Energy Biosciences Institute Energy Farm, the Woody Perennial Polyculture research site, the Bondville Ameriflux site, and the Upper Sangamon Basin which is part of the Intensively Managed Landscapes Critical Zone Observatory. Prospective students are also encouraged to consider applying for the IGERT program in Vertically Integrated Training with Genomics (http://www.igb.illinois.edu/vintg/igert), which provides the opportunity to develop research at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama. There are multiple opportunities to join the lab to pursue a Masters or Ph.D. degree: (1) Department of Plant Biology (http://www.life.illinois.edu/plantbio/index.html) Deadline January 1 (2) Department of Geology (http://www.geology.illinois.edu/) Deadline January 15 (3) Program in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology (http://sib.illinois.edu/peec/) Deadline January 1 If you are interested in joining the lab, please email Dr. Wendy Yang at ya...@illinois.edu. Please include a brief statement of your research interests and your CV. ~~~ Wendy H. Yang, Ph.D. Assistant Professor Departments of Plant Biology and Geology University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign 265 Morrill Hall 505 S Goodwin Ave Urbana, IL 61801 Lab/Office: 639 Morrill Hall Office phone: 217-244-2614
[ECOLOG-L] Graduate Student Opportunities in Evolutionary Biology at Arizona State University
Graduate Student Opportunities in Evolutionary Biology at Arizona State University The School of Life Sciences (SoLS) at Arizona State University (https://sols.asu.edu/) is recruiting outstanding graduate student applicants in Evolutionary Biology. Located in the Valley of the Sun in Tempe, Arizona, SoLS houses a broad group of more than 100 faculty and 250 graduate students engaged in cutting-edge research across the spectrum of biological sciences. As one of the top research institutions in the country, we offer diverse opportunities for graduate training – largely tailored to a student's individual interests and background. Evolutionary Biology is a growing interdisciplinary graduate degree program that offers Ph.D.-level training in the historical, conceptual, empirical, and quantitative aspects of biological evolution. The program is supported by a diverse faculty affiliated with numerous science units across the university (see https://sols.asu.edu/graduate-studies/degrees/evolutionary-biology/faculty). It provides bridges between temporal and spatial scales, allows integration of information and patterns across levels of organization, and informs the theoretical foundations of subfields ranging from population genetics to systematics to ecosystem ecology. Student training opportunities range from unit-based programs such as those in the School of Life Sciences and the School of Human Evolution and Social Change (https://shesc.asu.edu/), to collaborations with major ASU research institutes and centers including the Institute for Human Origins (http://iho.asu.edu/), the Center for Social Dynamics and Complexity (https://csdc.asu.edu/), the International Institute for Species Exploration (http://species.asu.edu/), the Center for Biology and Society (https://cbs.asu.edu/), and the Center for Evolutionary Medicine and Informatics (http://www.biodesign.asu.edu/research/research-centers). School of Life Sciences Ph.D. students receive a minimum of five years guaranteed funding through research and teaching fellowships. The application deadline for entry in the Fall semester of 2014 is December 15, 2013. Information about how to apply is available at https://sols.asu.edu/graduate-studies/degrees/evolutionary-biology/process. We strongly encourage prospective candidates to explore the breadth of our research activities on-line and contact specific faculty members prior to submitting an application. General questions regarding the Ph.D. program in Evolutionary Biology may be addressed to Drs. Michael Rosenberg (m...@asu.edu) or Nico Franz (nico.fr...@asu.edu). Submitted by Nico Franz http://taxonbytes.org/
[ECOLOG-L] Call for contributions: Take the Biodiversity Challenge
A few months ago, Sharon Baruch-Mordo posted a provocative challenge (http://bit.ly/12mfSPs) on BioDiverse Perspectives (www.BioDV.com), a student run blog that writes about biodiversity research. She called it the biodiversity challenge and offered it as an opportunity to engage the public - an opportunity to speak to non-scientists about our work and to convince them that they should care about it. Heres the challenge (posted in full here: http://bit.ly/1ae9UBG): Write a 500-word essay for a newspaper or magazine about the importance of your research in the context of biodiversity and conservation. Your target audience is the general public and your goal is to be educational and convincing. Next week, well be posting submissions to the biodiversity challenge at BioDiverse Perspectives, and we challenge you to join in. You can upload it on the website at www.biodiverseperspectives.com/contribute or email it to us at i...@biodiverseperspectives.com. We will publish them all next week, in full, as we receive them, unedited in all their glory. Thanks, and I look forward to reading your contributions! Fletcher Halliday Editor-in-chief: BioDiverse Perspectives PhD Student: UNC Chapel Hill www.BioDV.com
[ECOLOG-L] Job: Trout Unlimited - Fisheries Data Specialist
Title: Fisheries Data Specialist (11 month term) Reports To: Fisheries Scientist Dept: Science FLSA: Exempt About Trout Unlimited Today, Trout Unlimited is a national organization with more than 150,000 volunteers organized into about 400 chapters nationwide. This dedicated grassroots army is matched by a respected staff of organizers, lawyers, policy experts and scientists, who work out of more than 30 offices. Our mission is to conserve, protect and restore North America's cold-water fisheries and their watersheds. Position Summary Trout Unlimiteds science team anticipates hiring a Fisheries Data Specialist to be based in Boise, ID, as part of a NASA-funded project to develop broad-scale population and genetic models of population viability in trout. The person hired for this position will be responsible for assembling, managing, and analyzing fish abundance and genetics data, as well as assembling and manipulating spatial datasets using a geographic information system (GIS). Occasional travel to adjacent states to work with collaborators may be required. There may be limited opportunities for field work on related projects, but 95% of work time will be spent in an office. This is an 11-month term position with the possibility of a one-year renewal. Salary is $35,000 per year plus health benefits (Medical, Dental and Vision). Duties and Responsibilities Assemble and organize database of fish collections Calculate fish abundances from count data Assemble and organize a database of fish movement barriers Use a geographic information system (GIS) to map data Assemble and organize fish genetics data Assist in data analysis Assist on related projects as needed Qualifications Bachelors of Science in a natural resources related field. Masters degree preferred. Experience in database development and management using Filemaker, Access, SQL, or other platforms. Experience in data manipulation and analysis, preferably in R. Experience with GIS. Knowledge of fish sampling techniques and methods of estimating population abundance preferred. Excellent attention to detail. Knowledge of population viability analysis, distribution modeling and population genetics is a plus. How to Apply Please send a letter of interest, resume, and 3 professional references(names, phone numbers, e-mail addresses, and relation to applicant). If possible, please combine all in one PDF and send by email with Fisheries Data Specialist in the subject line to: Dan Dauwalter, Fisheries Scientist, ddauwalter at tu.org. Review of applications will begin November 4th, 2013 and continue until a suitable candidate is found. TU is an Equal Employment Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer pursuant to Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistant Act. TU hires staff without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status or disability.
[ECOLOG-L] Instructional assistantship plus Research assistantship for MS on hormones and behavior in salamanders
Instructional assistantship plus Research assistantship for MS on hormones and behavior in salamanders Applications are being sought from students with grit and optimism that wish to pursue a Masters degree in Conservation and Population Biology. Students should also have both curiosity and zest about anthropogenic affects on behavior and hormones in salamanders. I have 3 months of summer funding to examine the effect of captive rearing on stress and reproductive hormones in Barton Springs salamanders, Eurycea sosorum. I am hoping for this project to jump start study questions about anthropogenic impacts on predator-prey interactions or other relevant behavioral and hormonal changes. You can read more about work in our lab and research interests here http://gabor.wp.txstate.edu/. The Department of Biology offers a strong environment for training students in conservation and evolutionary ecology. The Masters program in Conservation and Population Biology would be the best fit for such an applicant. For more information on the Population and Conservation Biology program see http://www.bio.txstate.edu/Graduate-Programs/pop-and-con-biology.html. For more information on admissions see http://www.bio.txstate.edu/Graduate-Programs/pop-and-con-biology/how-to-apply.html. Interested students should send an email with a statement of interest that includes a summary of why you are interested in working on this project, as well broadly discussing your research interests. Preference will be given to a student who can start Spring 2014. Please include a copy of your CV, relevant coursework, GRE, and any other relevant experience to Caitlin Gabor by email (gabor at txstate.edu). Reference letters for top candidates will be solicited at a later date. Applications will be reviewed as they come in. Applications to our Masters program are evaluated on a rolling basis so it is still possible to start January 2014.
[ECOLOG-L] Call for contributions: Take the Biodiversity Challenge
A few months ago, Sharon Baruch-Mordo posted a provocative challenge ( http://bit.ly/12mfSPs) on BioDiverse Perspectives (http://www.BioDV.com), a student run blog that writes about biodiversity research. She called it the biodiversity challenge and offered it as an opportunity to engage the public - an opportunity to speak to non-scientists about our work and to convince them that they should care about it. Here’s the challenge (posted in full here: http://bit.ly/1ae9UBG):** *Write a 500-word essay for a newspaper or magazine about the importance of your research in the context of biodiversity and conservation. Your target audience is the general public and your goal is to be educational and convincing. * Next week, we’ll be posting submissions to the biodiversity challenge at BioDiverse Perspectives, and we challenge you to join in. You can upload it on the website at www.biodiverseperspectives.com/contribute or email it to us at i...@biodiverseperspectives.com. We will publish them all next week, in full, as we receive them, unedited in all their glory. Thanks, and I look forward to reading your contributions! - Fletcher Halliday Editor-in-chief: BioDiverse Perspectives PhD Student: UNC Chapel Hill www.BioDV.com http://www.biodv.com/
[ECOLOG-L] Fisheries opportunities at UCSB
Title: Fisheries Scientist Job Description: The Sustainable Fisheries Group (SFG) at the University of California, Santa Barbara seeks up to two fisheries scientists to explore innovative solutions to challenges in fisheries, marine resource management and conservation. The fisheries scientist(s) will be responsible for leading both theoretical work and applied analyses with partners related to diverse projects around the world including California, Latin America, the Indo- Pacific and the Caribbean. Qualifications: Masters or PhD in fisheries science, marine ecology or closely related field Strong background in fisheries science and excellent quantitative, statistical and modeling skills. 2-5 years experience developing models related to stock assessment, spatial fisheries management, fishery sustainability, and/or marine spatial planning. Innovative analytical problem solving skills with the ability to generate new ideas and solutions. Excellent oral and written communication skills, including ability to interface with partners and develop peer-reviewed scientific publications and presentations. Salary and Benefits: 100% time appointment for one year from start date, with strong possibility for additional year(s) of employment contingent upon performance and funding. Start date is negotiable but ideally would be at the end of 2013 or early 2014. Salary is competitive and commensurate with the applicants qualifications; full benefits package included. To Apply: Please submit letter of interest, CV, and contact information for 3 references, to https://recruit.ap.ucsb.edu/apply/JPF00264. Position will remain open until filled, but application review will commence on November 21, 2013. Title: Researcher/Coordinator Job Description: The Sustainable Fisheries Group (SFG) at the University of California, Santa Barbara seeks an outstanding researcher to support a partnership with the Waitt Institute focused on collaborations with local governments and communities to create comprehensive ocean zoning and fisheries management solutions that empower communities to restore their oceans to full productivity. The researcher will be responsible for leading economic analyses and biological assessments of marine resources, conducting literature reviews and synthesis in fisheries, ecology and natural resource economics, and running bioeconomic models and tradeoff analyses in order to provide scientific input to multi-use marine spatial planning initiatives. Qualifications: Masters or PhD in marine biology, ecology, natural resource economics, fishery science or related field Excellent quantitative, statistical and modeling skills including experience using models related to spatial fisheries management, stock assessment, fishery sustainability, and/or marine spatial planning Proficiency with R and/or Matlab required; familiarity with GIS preferred Experience conducting literature reviews, literature and data synthesis, and economic valuation of natural resources Excellent skills in oral and written communication and coordination, including ability to interface with partners, coordinate with part-time research assistants, and develop reports and presentations for diverse audiences. Interest in and experience writing peer-reviewed scientific publications is a plus. Willingness to travel internationally (most likely to the Caribbean) Salary and Benefits: 100% time appointment for one year from start date, with strong possibility for additional year(s) of employment contingent upon performance and funding. Start date is negotiable but ideally would be at the end of 2013 or in the first quarter of 2014. Salary is competitive and commensurate with the applicants qualifications; full benefits package included. To Apply: Please submit letter of interest, CV, and contact information for 3 references, to https://recruit.ap.ucsb.edu/apply/JPF00265. Position will remain open until filled, but application review will commence on November 24, 2013.
[ECOLOG-L] Pennsylvania State University- M.S. Graduate Assistantship
A research assistantship is available for a M.S. student interested in investigating greenhouse gas emissions and soil carbon dynamics within a sustainable dairy forage cropping system, beginning in the Spring or Fall 2014 semesters. The objective of the project is to determine if reduced nitrogen fertilizer additions, in response to innovative crop rotations and manure management, result in reduced greenhouse gas emissions and increased soil carbon sequestration. The research will primarily focus on field measurements and laboratory analysis. The student will work jointly with the Penn State University College of Agriculture Sciences and the USDA-Agricultural Research Service at University Park, PA. The assistantship is a half-time appointment with full tuition compensation. A description of the sustainable dairy forage cropping system project is available at: http://plantscience.psu.edu/research/areas/crop-ecology-and-management/cropping-systems Applications should have a BS in an agricultural, environmental, life, or physical science field. Interested applicants should contact Dr. Curtis Dell (curtis.d...@ars.usda.gov, 814-863-0984), Dr. Heather Karsten (h...@psu.edu, 814-863-3179), or Dr. Doug Beegle (d...@psu.edu, 814-863- 1016). Application materials for the Penn State graduate program in Soil Science or Agronomy are available at http://ecosystems.psu.edu/graduateprograms/soil-science/masters/procedures-for- admission and http://plantscience.psu.edu/graduateprograms/agronomy/masters/procedures-for- admission.
[ECOLOG-L] Garden Club of America pollinator fellowship
For a graduate student to study causes of pollinator decline. See http://pollinator.org/GCAfellowship.htm for more information. $4,000, deadline 1 February 2014.
