[ECOLOG-L] REGISTRATION IS OPEN: Midwest Ecology & Evolution Conference

[J Davis]

Registration and abstract submission are open for the 2014 Midwest Ecology & 
Evolution 
Conference, hosted by the University of Dayton.

To register, visit: http://meec2014.wordpress.com/registration/

Conference details:
- March 1-2, 2014
- University of Dayton: Dayton, OH
- The Midwest Ecology and Evolution Conference (MEEC) is an annual migratory 
conference that is 
student hosted and attended from institutions located in the Midwestern United 
States.  The  
conference supplies an outstanding opportunity for graduate and undergraduate 
students to 
showcase their research, network with students and faculty from surrounding 
institutions, and make 
connections with potential graduate or post-doctoral advisors.  MEEC provides a 
low pressure, safe 
environment for young scientists to explore new ideas, practice their delivery 
of scientific findings, 
and present at a regional conference.

For more details, visit our website and "like" MEEC on Facebook!
Website: http://meec2014.wordpress.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MEEC.conference
Contact us: meec2...@gmail.com

[ECOLOG-L] Assistant/Associate Professor of Wildlife Biology

[Julie Blanchong]

Tenure-track Assistant/Associate Professor position in Wildlife Biology 

The Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management (NREM,
www.nrem.iastate.edu) at Iowa State University seeks to fill a 9-month
tenure-track Assistant/Associate Professor position in Wildlife Biology. The
appointment is expected to be approximately 60% research, 30% teaching, and
10% outreach. The department is seeking a faculty member whose research
agenda is focused on characterizing impacts of environmental factors (e.g.,
climate change, toxins, pathogens) on gene expression, epigenetics,
genomics, endocrinology, immunology, and/or physiology of wildlife. The
successful candidate will be expected to supervise an independent research
program that will attract extramural funding. Teaching responsibilities will
contribute to the existing Animal Ecology undergraduate curriculum. The
candidate will also have the opportunity to develop a course in her/his area
of expertise. The candidate will advise undergraduate students in the Animal
Ecology major. Service to the university, profession, and society is
expected of this position. 

Apply by February 15, 2014 to ensure full consideration.

Please direct questions to Dr. Julie Blanchong, search committee chair, at
515-294-9699 or by email (jul...@iastate.edu).

For the full announcement and to apply go to http://www.iastatejobs.com and
search for vacancy # 131322.

Iowa State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.

[ECOLOG-L] Avian Point Count Research Assistants (4) and Student Field Workers (4), New England

[Brian Rolek]

Student field workers and research assistants (total of 8 positions) are
needed for a project with USGS Maine Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research
Unit at the University of Maine to study birds in Spruce-Fir Forests
throughout New England and their response to forest management. 

Description: The selected applicants will conduct avian point count surveys
and forested vegetation surveys. Bird surveys will take place early each
morning and data will be entered each afternoon. Duties also may include
territory plotting, vegetation sampling. This study will focus primarily on
birds in softwood dominated forests, but field research will be conducted in
the working forest landscape and include mixed forest stands as well. Please
send a CV or resume with a cover letter detailing interest in the position,
relevant experience, and the contact information for at least 3 references
as a single document to the email indicated below. Include in the subject
line: “Assistant application”. 
Compensation: Employees will be provided housing near study areas in Maine,
New Hampshire, and Vermont, a vehicle for fieldwork use, and a wage ranging
$7.60-11 per hour depending on experience and completion of an undergraduate
degree. Work-study students are encouraged to apply. More experienced
applicants may be asked to take leadership roles and supervise a less
experienced technician and will receive compensative pay. Please indicate
interest in your cover letter. Research sites are remote, and numerous
outdoor recreational opportunities are located nearby such as hiking,
fishing, canoeing, kayaking, and moose watching. 

Qualifications: The ability to identify forest birds of New England by both
sight and sound is essential. Applicants must have the ability to hear high
pitched bird songs/calls, be tolerant of biting insects including black
flies and mosquitoes, and be able to work alone and in teams. Experience
with multi-species point count surveys for birds, vegetation surveys, data
entry in Microsoft Excel and Access, and territory plotting are preferred.
Enrollment or completion of a college degree in biology, wildlife, zoology,
or related field also preferred. A valid U.S. driver’s license and a
demonstrated record of safe driving (subject to documentation and approval
by University of Maine) are required. Safety training requirements including
CPR, first aid, driving safety, fieldwork safety, and others will be
addressed during the first week of employment. Enthusiasm for working in
rugged but beautiful field sites is essential.  

Contact: Brian Rolek
Contact email: brian.ro...@maine.edu
Start date: 10 May 2014
End date: 31 August 2014
Application deadline: 12 January 2014

[ECOLOG-L] Ph.D. Position - Biodiversity and habitat offsets for freshwater fishes

[Mark Poesch]

Biodiversity and habitat offsets for freshwater fishes

Enthusiastic, team oriented, and self-motivated students are encouraged to 
apply for a Ph.D. position to work on biodiversity offsets strategies for 
freshwater fisheries.  Students will be under the supervision of Dr. Mark 
Poesch and will have the opportunity to develop novel research on freshwater 
fishes, and interact with team members and industry partners.

Biodiversity and habitat offsets remain an important component for 
mitigating anthropogenic impacts to aquatic systems. In Canada, Fisheries 
Protection Provisions in the 2012 revisions to the Fisheries Act (s 6.1) 
have deemed habitat and biodiversity offsets as a key component of Canada’s 
fisheries regulation. When habitat that is deemed vital for commercial, 
recreational or Aboriginal (CRA) fisheries, is destroyed; 
habitat/biodiversity offsets are required to ensure No Net Loss in fisheries 
productivity. It is unclear as of yet which offsetting strategies will 
provide sustainability and ongoing productivity of CRA fisheries. This 
project will look at developing offsetting strategies In Alberta’s oil sands 
region. This area produces 70% of Canada’s crude oil, and ranks third, after 
Saudi Arabia and Venezuela, in terms of proven global crude oil reserves. 
This project will look at comparing current offsetting strategies and 
determining best practices and new approaches for fisheries productivity.

Candidates must have an undergraduate and graduate degree (M.Sc.) in 
Biology, Ecology, Zoology, Evolutionary Biology, or a related field, with 
high overall GPA (especially in related courses). Modelling and field 
experience is considered an asset. Candidates interested in this position 
should send an email to Dr. Mark Poesch (poesch(at)ualberta.ca) with cover 
letter identifying research interests, CV, transcripts (unofficial 
accepted), and a writing sample; as well as the names of three references. 
To ensure full consideration, please forward your application material 
before January 31, 2014.

The University of Alberta is consistently rated as one of the top 5 
universities in Canada, and one of the top 100 universities worldwide. 
Located in Alberta’s capital city, Edmonton (population of 1.2 million 
people), the University of Alberta provides a dynamic mixture of a large 
research intensive university, urban culture and recreation. More than 
39,000 students from across Canada and 144 other countries participate in 
nearly 400 programs and 18 faculties.

Contact Information:
Dr. Mark Poesch 
Assistant Professor, Conservation Ecology
University of Alberta, Department of Renewable Resources
751 General Services Building, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2H1
Ph: 780-492-4827   Email: Poesch(at)ualberta.ca 
URL: www.markpoesch.com

[ECOLOG-L] UCLA/La Kretz Workshop in Conservation Genomics

[David Inouye]

UCLA/La Kretz Workshop in Conservation Genomics, 22-27 March, 2014

Conservation biology and genetics have had a long 
and intimate relationship, and constitute one of 
the key applications of evolutionary analysis to 
real-world biological problems. The impacts of 
population genetics, phylogenetics and 
phylogeography have been particularly striking 
for conservation biology, and have helped solve 
some of the most pressing problems in biological conservation.


As the field of landscape-based 
genetics continues to grow and mature, the 
increasing availability of genomic-level data, 
analytical models and methods stand to make 
profound new contributions to our ability to 
identify and protect at-risk populations and 
recover those that are most endangered. However, 
genomic level analyses also carry a heavy 
burden­data sets are enormous and often require 
diverse computational approaches for assembly, quality control and analysis.


This annual workshop provides a 
comfortable, informal training environment for a 
small group of motivated graduate students to 
explore how conservation problems can best be 
addressed with genomic-level data. Our goal is to 
provide hands-on experience on the efficient 
collection, troubleshooting, and analysis of 
large, genome-level data sets for 
conservation-relevant problems. One of the 
highlights of our workshop is active 
participation from members of several US 
government agencies who are at the forefront of 
endangered species protection and management, 
providing a forum for exploring the most relevant 
aspects of conservation genomics to managers.


The UCLA/La Kretz workshop is held at the La 
Kretz Field Station and the Stunt Ranch Reserve, 
both located a few miles apart in the heart of 
the Santa Monica Mountains. Only 30 miles from 
UCLA (and LAX airport), but nestled in the 
relatively undeveloped 160,000 acre Santa Monica 
Mountains National Recreation Area, these two 
venues provide an ideal location to bring 
exciting new developments in genomic science and 
pressing needs in conservation and management together in a single workshop.


Our current instructor list, drawn from UCLA, UC 
Davis, and UC Berkeley includes:


Mike Alfaro
Gideon Bradburd
Brant Faircloth
Evan McCartney-Melstad
Kirk Lohmueller
Mark Phuong
Brad Shaffer
Victoria Sork
Phil Spinks
Ian Wang
Bob Wayne


Participants from USGS, USFWS, and the US National Park Service


Topics covered include:

Traditional conservation genetics

Next generation platforms: the best tool for the job

Data management pipelines:

Quality Control

Data storage

Data organization

Data analysis:

SNPs

Sequences

Exploring very large data sets

Functional genomic data

Genomic data and GIS

Conservation phylogenomics

Prerequisites

Available housing limits course 
enrollment to ~15 students. Preference is given 
to doctoral candidates who are in the early to 
middle stages of their thesis research, and who 
have completed sufficient prerequisites (through 
previous coursework or research experience) to 
have some familiarity with using a command line 
interface or programming languages (i.e. Perl, 
python etc.). Postdocs and faculty are welcome to 
apply, but our first priority is to graduate student applicants. [BS1]


Admission and Fees

Students will be admitted based on 
academic qualifications and appropriateness of 
research interests. The course fee is $400. This 
includes food and lodging at the La Kretz Field 
Station, transportation to and from UCLA to the 
venue, and any incidental fees for the duration 
of the course (arriving March 22, departing March 27).


Application Forms and Information

Visit the La Kretz Center for 
California Conservation Science website for 
additional information and to download an application form:


http://www.environment.ucla.edu/media/files/2014-La-Kretz-Conservation-Genomics-Application-0h-etl.docx

Application Deadline

Applications are due by January 17, 
2014. Please send a completed application form 
and one letter of recommendation from your major 
advisor. Students will be notified via e-mail by 
January 24, 2014 of acceptance.


Applications should be sent as PDFs, with your 
name in the title, via email to:


Phil Spinks
email: pqspi...@ucla.edu

  

[ECOLOG-L] Call for Proposals – John Wesley Powell Center

[David Inouye]

Call for Proposals – John Wesley Powell Center for Earth System
Science Analysis and Synthesis – Due April 30, 2014

The John Wesley Powell Center for Earth System Science Analysis and
Synthesis fosters innovative thinking in Earth system science through
collaborative synthesis activities.  This mission is driven by the growing
recognition that synthesis is critical to solving complex problems facing
Society.  We invite interdisciplinary Working Groups comprised of USGS
researchers and their national and international colleagues in academia and
government to submit proposals.  Working Groups collaborate to promote
understanding through analysis of existing data and information.  Groups
that submit successful proposals will receive computing and data management
support, funding for a Fellow, opportunities for meetings in Fort Collins,
CO, and between-meeting collaborative tools.  Proposals are invited for
projects that will begin on or after October 1, 2014.  Some proposals may
be jointly funded by USGS and the National Science Foundation/Directorate
for Geosciences/Earth Sciences (NSF/GEO/EAR).

Proposal Deadline: April 30, 2014

Instructions for proposal preparation and submission are available at:
http://powellcenter.usgs.gov
--
___
Jill S. Baron, 
Co-Director 
jill.ba...@colostate.edu

John Wesley Powell Center for Earth System Analysis and Synthesis
US Geological 
Surveyjill_ba...@usgs.gov

Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory ph 970-491-1968
Colorado State University   fx 970-491-1965
Fort Collins CO 80523-1499  cell 970-217-8949

http://powellcenter.usgs.gov
___

We do not err because truth is difficult to see. It is visible
at a glance. We err because this is more comfortable.
Alexander Solzhenitsyn (1918-2008)

[ECOLOG-L] Joan G. Ehrenfeld Award - Donations Needed!

[Myla Aronson]

In 2012, The Urban Ecosystem Section of the Ecological Society of America 
(ESA) established the Joan G. Ehrenfeld Award for best presentation by a 
student in Urban Ecology at the society's annual meeting. Dr. Ehrenfeld was 
a pioneer of urban ecology whose contributions helped shape our knowledge 
of urban ecosystems. Her work spanned many taxa and systems, ranging from 
invasive species dynamics, urban wetland ecology and ecosystem function, 
restoration ecology, to the socio-ecological linkages determining 
ecological function in urban watersheds.  She was a Fellow of the American 
Association for the Advancement of Science, and of the Society of Wetland 
Scientists. Her inspiring teaching reflected her broad interests, and she 
directed many undergraduates and graduate students into productive, ecology-
related careers. Her former students and postdocs are continuing her work 
around the globe

Your help is needed to fund this award. Our goal is to raise enough money 
to establish an endowment for the Joan G. Ehrenfeld Award as a permanent 
ESA award. This award currently has limited funding from a portion of the 
member dues from the Urban Ecosystem Ecology section and does not have 
funding to continue into the future. A permanent award in Joan’s honor will 
assure that her legacy of outstanding research and communication in urban 
ecology continues. 

With this award we honor Joan’s commitment to graduate-student education 
and the importance of communicating research findings to the scientific 
community and the public. By making a tax-deductible donation, you can 
ensure her legacy continues. 

We hope you will contribute to this award. Checks can be made out to 
the “Ecological Society of America” with “UEE-Joan G. Ehrenfeld Award” in 
the memo and sent to: 
Ecological Society of America
1990 M Street, Suite 700
Washington, DC 20036

The Ecological Society acknowledges all donations with a thank-you letter 
that outlines the tax exemptions. 

For more information, please feel free to contact Myla Aronson directly at 
myla.aron...@rutgers.edu or 848-932-4275. 


We sincerely thank you for your time and support,

Myla Aronson and David Ehrenfeld

[ECOLOG-L] PhD Position in modelling and landscape genomics at the Université de Montréal

[Patrick James]

The James Lab in Spatial Ecology at the UdeM is seeking a motivated PhD 
student to undertake a research project on simulation modelling of 
landscape genomic dynamics of the mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus 
ponderosae) outbreak system.


The successful candidate will be part of a new multi-institutional and 
multi-disciplinary national research network (TRIANet) whose goal is to 
examine the causes and consequences of further eastward spread of the 
current mountain pine beetle epidemic in western North America. More 
information on the TRIANet project can be found at: 
http://www.thetriaproject.ca/


I am specifically looking for a numerically-inclined student with a 
background in ecology and/or population genetics and experience and 
interest in simulation modelling, programming, and statistics. Strong 
verbal, written, and quantitative skills as well as an excellent 
academic record are required. Full funding is available to support the 
successful candidate for four years in addition to a limited travel 
budget. Expected start date is September 2014.


The Université de Montréal is a French language institution where 
graduate work may be undertaken in English or French. Applicants must 
meet the entrance requirements for the Université de Montréal, 
Département de sciences biologiques.


To apply: Please send: 1) a cover letter, 2) a current CV, 3) unofficial 
transcripts, and 4) contact information for three references to: 
patrick.ma.james**at**umontreal.ca. To ensure full consideration please 
forward your application materials before January 31st, 2014


Please note that only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
Preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents.

--
Patrick M. A. James
Professeur Adjoint / Assistant Professor
Département de sciences biologiques
Université de Montréal
C.P. 6128, succursale Centre-ville
Montréal, QC H3C 3J7 CANADA

w1. https://sites.google.com/site/patrickmajames/
w2. http://www.cef-cfr.ca/index.php?n=Membres.PatrickJames
w3. http://qcbs.ca/members/main-researchers/?profile=115

[ECOLOG-L] TT Faculty position in Microbial Ecology

[Kirsten Hofmockel]

The Department of Ecology, Evolution and Organismal Biology at Iowa State 
University invites 
applications for a tenure-track position at the Assistant Professor level in 
Microbial Ecology and 
Evolution to begin fall 2014. We seek a creative individual investigating 
microbial communities and 
microbiomes. Possible research areas may include: ecology and evolution of 
microbial communities; 
interactions of microbiomes with host phenotypes, and their change over time; 
mechanisms 
underlying the evolution and dynamics of microbiomes; and meta- and functional 
genomics, 
metabolomics, or metagenome evolution of microbial communities.

Successful candidates will establish a vibrant, extramurally funded research 
program and will skillfully 
contribute to undergraduate and graduate education, including courses in their 
area(s) of expertise.

Application instructions can be found at 
www.iastatejobs.com/applicants/Central?quickFind=84626. 
Applicants should submit a cover letter, CV, a research/vision statement that 
includes how their 
current or future research is relevant to healthy living (e.g., disease, 
pollution, ecosystem services) a 
statement of teaching interests, and up to three reprints. Review of 
applications is ongoing until 
February 1, 2014. Submission of three confidential letters of recommendation 
should be arranged as 
per instructions in the on-line application system. Please address questions 
about the position to 
microbio...@iastate.edu. Iowa State University values diversity and is an 
AA/EEO employer with an 
NSF ADVANCE program.

[ECOLOG-L] UK PhD on jellyfish trophic ecology (including interactions with fish)

[Chris Harrod]

Folks
We have a 4 year PhD position going for suitably qualified students on the 
trophic ecology of jellyfish and their interactions with fish as part of the 
London NERC Doctoral Training Programme. 
http://london-nerc-dtp.org/2013/11/27/887/

Co supervised by myself, Jon Houghton (Queen's University, Belfast), and Jon 
Grey, the project aims to improve our understanding of the ecological role of 
jellyfish in marine ecosystems in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.

Background: Jellyfish are increasingly seen as negative components of marine 
ecosystems, but relatively little is known about them, e.g. their trophic 
ecology. For instance, they are often considered as a single functional group 
feeding on the same prey throughout their life history, a view which has 
recently been challenged. Consequently, seasonal or ontogenetic shifts in diet, 
intra-specific differences in prey types or intra-guild predation is currently 
typically ignored or downplayed, e.g. in ecosystem and fishery models. Using 
stable isotope and gut content analysis, the proposed study will examine and 
contrast the trophic ecology of jellyfish communities from Britain and Northern 
Chile and examine their interactions with sympatric fish communities. 
Furthermore, this information will inform marine biologists, modellers and 
policy makers allowing them to improve fishery and ecosystem models.


***Unfortunately, in this case funding is only available for students that are 
either UK nationals or EU nationals that have resided in the UK for the past 3 
years. However, I knew plenty of Brits and Euros who use the Ecolog-L list, and 
if you are one and are looking for a PhD or know of a suitable candidate, 
please see http://london-nerc-dtp.org/how-to-apply/ for applications details 
and requirements***

The application deadline is 9.00am Monday 17th February 2014.

See 
http://london-nerc-dtp.org/2013/12/05/phd-projects-queen-mary-university-of-london/
 for more projects.


><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
Dr Chris Harrod*
Senior Lecturer in Fish & Aquatic Ecology,
School of Biological and Chemical Sciences
Queen Mary University of London
1.31 Fogg Building
Mile End Road, London, E1 4NS, UK

Email: c.har...@qmul.ac.uk
Twitter: @chris_harrod
UK Mobile: +44 (0) 797 741 9314
UK Office:  +44 (0) 207 882 3045
http://webspace.qmul.ac.uk/charrod/


*Chile address
Instituto de Ciencias Naturales Alexander Von Humboldt,
Universidad de Antofagasta,
Avenida Angamos 601, Antofagasta, Chile

*Chile Mobile: +56 9 7399 7792
*Chile Office: +56 55 637400
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><

[ECOLOG-L] Forestry contact person / Facilitator in Mexico

[Sidhanand Kukrety]

Dear All,

A group of forest officers from India are looking for a contact
person/facilitator in Mexico to organize/facilitate an exposure trip from
16th Jan to 25th Jan, 2014. The group is looking for a person who would
preferably be working with academia / federal government / reputed NGO and
will have idea of Forestry/community forestry in Mexico. If desired, some
honorarium /compensation can be arranged for the services offered. I shall
be happy if the group can throw some suggestions and contact details. If
anyone in the group has enough experience about Mexico, he/she is welcome
to contact me or Mr. Satyendra Singh at satyendra96...@gmail.com directly.

Thanks in advance!!

Sidhanand Kukrety

[ECOLOG-L] Chair Search Biology

[Delong, Michael D]

Biology Department Chairperson
WINONA STATE UNIVERSITY
Winona, Minnesota

WSU invites you to join our Community of Learners as the Chairperson of the 
Biology Department.  This position is a probationary/tenure-track appointment 
starting August 2014.  Rank and salary are commensurate with qualifications and 
experience.  Duties associated with this position include:  1) serving as 
Department Chair following official appointment in accordance with Article 20 
of the IFO bargaining agreement 
(http://ifo.org/contract-benefits/contract/view-by-article-11-13); includes 
duties as described within the IFO agreement; 2) teaching introductory biology 
courses and upper division courses in area of expertise; 3) maintaining an 
active research program; 4) providing service to the department, university, 
and community; and 5) advising of undergraduate students.

If you possess a Ph.D. in Biology or related field and have experience in the 
following areas:  1) undergraduate and/or graduate research; 2) acquiring 
extramural grant support; and 3) managing personnel, we encourage you to apply.

For a complete position description and information on applying for this 
position, please go to http://agency.governmentjobs.com/winona/default.cfm.  
Review of applications begins January 13, 2014.  Position available pending 
budgetary approval.

All questions for this position should be addressed to 
j...@winona.edu.

A member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System.  An equal 
opportunity educator and employer.  Women, minorities and individuals with 
disabilities are encouraged to apply.

[ECOLOG-L] NSF Funded Ph.D. Assistantship on Everglades Biogeochemistry

[Gregory Starr]

A Ph.D. Graduate Assistantship in the Department of Biological Sciences at the 
University of Alabama 
is available immediately for a highly motivated student to work on a large 
interdisciplinary project 
studying carbon dynamics in Everglades freshwater marshes. This NSF funded 
project focuses on 
developing an understanding of CO2, CH4, H2O and energy dynamics in these 
marshes as hydrology 
is changed by restoration activities. The student will have the opportunity to 
interact with scientists 
from the University of Alabama, Florida International University, FCE LTER, 
U.S. Park Service and NEON 
Inc. Applicants for this position should have a strong understanding of 
photosynthetic equipment, 
eddy covariance techniques and data loggers. In addition, applicants should 
have strong analytical 
and quantitative skills and advanced knowledge of SAS and/or R programming. 
Applicants with 
previous research experiences and a Masters degree in biogeochemistry, 
ecophysiology, or 
atmospheric sciences would be favored for the position. This is a fully funded 
assistantship that 
includes: stipend, health insurance, and tuitions waiver. 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 (gst...@ua.edu or 205-348-0556).

[ECOLOG-L] Postdoctoral Position Water Sustainability and Climate Social Science, UW Madison

[Adena Rissman]

Please forward widely.

 

Postdoctoral Research Opportunity

 

Adaptive governance: water, land use and climate change 

in an urbanizing agricultural region

 

A two-year postdoctoral researcher position is available with the Water
Sustainability and Climate (WSC) research group at the University of
Wisconsin-Madison as part of a five-year project funded by the National
Science Foundation. The position requires strong social science training and
ability to couple social research with ecological and hydrologic sciences.
The researcher will have the opportunity to work with an excellent
interdisciplinary research group (wsc.limnology.wisc.edu).

 

This position will investigate the processes of environmental governance
that shape human-environment interactions in the Yahara Watershed of
southern Wisconsin. The WSC project features an integrated model and
scenario development process to compare alternative futures for the
watershed. Postdoctoral research:

1) First, the postdoctoral researcher will analyze governance processes
and decision-making under uncertainty in the context of climatic,
environmental, and social change. This research will examine decision-making
processes with past and modeled future ecological conditions in the Yahara
Watershed. The researcher will examine the role of governance in scenarios
and identify how modeled future nonstationarity in water, land use,
agriculture, and climate may challenge existing governance regimes. The
researcher will also compare theories of change. 

2) Second, the researcher will examine stakeholder engagement with the
scenarios. We are interested in knowing whether engagement with scenarios by
local stakeholders can alter perceptions and decision horizons and expand a
space for creative thinking. The scenarios are provocative, plausible,
place-based stories with contrasting social and biophysical conditions
through year 2070.

3) (optional) Depending on the applicant's skillset, there may be an
opportunity to continue developing a spatial dataset of policy interventions
in the watershed to understand the role of different organizations
(municipal, county, state, and federal agencies and nonprofit organizations)
deploying different tools (acquisitions, regulations, incentives, etc.) to
improve water quality.

 

The postdoc will work closely with an interdisciplinary team spanning
social, ecological, and hydrologic scientists. The project involves six
faculty, two full-time staff members, and numerous graduate and
undergraduate students. 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? 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 position will also benefit from connections with the North Temperate
Lakes - Long Term Ecological Research site and network.

Applicants should have strong social science training with a prior degree in
human dimensions of natural resources, geography, political science,
planning, environmental policy, or related field.  Background in water
quality and quantity, agriculture, and/or land use change required. Previous
social science research experience and ability to conduct interdisciplinary
research are required. Experience with mixed qualitative and quantitative
research methods is desired; ArcGIS and spatial analysis is desired but
optional. Strong GPA, GRE scores, and oral and written communication skills
are required. Applicants bringing diverse personal and professional
backgrounds to the research program are encouraged to apply. The position
will be co-supervised by Drs. Adena Rissman and Chris Kucharik.

The 2-year Postdoctoral Research position will begin in Summer 2014. Review
of applications will begin January 13, 2014 and continue until an applicant
is selected.

 

To apply, email to D

[ECOLOG-L] Position Available: Research Assistant (Palaeoecology) - University of Melbourne, Australia

[David Inouye]

Position Available: Research Assistant 
(Palaeoecology) - University of Melbourne, Australia


Time commitment: 0.6FTE for 3 years.

Salary: $55,823 - $61,138 AUD p.a. (pro rata) plus 9.25% superannuation

The Palaeoenvironmental Research Team at the 
University of Melbourne is seeking a research 
assistant to work in our Palaeoecology 
Laboratory. The Research Assistant will be 
employed to work on an ARC funded project: “The 
evolution of the El Niño-Southern-Oscillation in 
southeast Australia”. This project will use 
multi-proxy lake sediment analyses to reconstruct 
environmental changes over the Late Pleistocene and Holocene.


The Research Assistant will assist in day to day 
management and running of the laboratory work 
component of the project which will involve: 
processing and counting pollen and charcoal, 
measurement of N and C, stable isotope analysis, 
diatom preparation, general administrative tasks 
associated with the project and other tasks 
associated with the project. The role will also 
include some field work at times where there is a 
peak demand for field work within the project, 
which will be performed under routine 
supervision. The Research Assistant is expected 
to perform the work in a timely manner to enable 
the project to reach its project milestone targets.


For more information:

http://jobs.unimelb.edu.au/jobDetails.asp?sJobIDs=881606&lPayScaleID=1136&lWorkTypeID=1088&lLocationID=&lCategoryID=&stp=AW&sLanguage=en



Cheers,

Michael.

Dr Michael-Shawn Fletcher

Department of Resource Management and Geography
The University of Melbourne
221 Bouverie Street, Parkville VIC 3010, Australia
p. +61 3 90353048 | e. m...@unimelb.edu.au

http://michaelsresearch.wordpress.com/ | 
http://melbournegeography.com/ 
| http://www.msf-photograph.com/

[ECOLOG-L] Job Announcements to be posted.

[Ryan Kleinert]

SHOREBIRD CONSERVATION INTERNSHIP
Three interns are needed to work as part of the Piping Plover recovery 
project with the USFWS in Rhode Island.  This project monitors federally 
protected Piping Plovers and State protected Least Terns during the nesting 
season. American Oystercatchers which is classified as a Species of High 
Concern and federally protected Roseate Terns will also be monitored.  
Surveys will occur on federal, state, and private property in southern Rhode 
Island. The majority of the work for this position(s) will take place 
outdoors.  Duties include erecting nest exclosures, posting and signing 
nesting habitat, educating the public, monitoring shorebird pairs and 
chicks, and recording data.  Applicants must be in good physical shape and 
able to hike long distances on sand with heavy loads.  Work will include 
weekends and holidays.  Previous birding experience and a valid US driver's 
license are required. Must be a team player, have a positive attitude, and 
be willing to work on other projects within the biological program. 

 Position extends from April 14 - August 8, 2013 (some flexibility for the 
start and end date exists).  Salary $215/week + possibility of housing.  
Send letter of interest, resume, and contact information for 3 references to 
Ryan Kleinert, 50 Bend Road, Charlestown, RI 02813 OR email materials to 
ryan_klein...@fws.gov.  Application deadline is February 1.

GENERAL BIOLOGICAL INTERNSHIP
Rhode Island’s coastal habitat currently faces a number of threats including 
aggressive exotic invasive plant species.  Interns will carry out control of 
invasive plants threatening important coastal shrub-scrub and salt-marsh 
habitat.  Control methods include hand-pulling, herbicide application, 
cutting and digging with hand tools, and working with volunteers.  Duties 
also include rare plant monitoring, bat acoustic monitoring, and Piping 
Plover and Least Tern monitoring and protection. Applicants must possess 
excellent field botany skills, and have the ability to work outdoors in all 
types of weather conditions, especially heat and humidity, endure biting 
insects, and to work well with others.  Additionally, applicants must be in 
good physical shape, be able to hike long distances while carrying 
equipment, and possess a valid driver’s license. 

Two positions available from May 19 to August 22.  Compensation $215/wk plus 
possibility of housing.  Send letter of interest, resume and contact 
information for 3 references to Nick Ernst, 50 Bend Road, Charlestown, RI 
02813 OR email materials to nick_er...@fws.gov.  Application deadline is 
February 1.

SALT MARSH INTERNSHIP
New England salt marshes provide critical habitat for a number of plant and 
animal species, many of high conservation value.  Interns will assist the 
Rhode Island National Wildlife Refuge Complex in monitoring salt-marsh 
breeding birds and overall salt-marsh ecological integrity.  
Responsibilities include marsh bird surveys, Saltmarsh Sparrow mist-netting 
and banding, nest searching and monitoring, as well as nekton and vegetation 
surveys.  Experience with mist-netting songbirds, kayaking, eastern songbird 
identification and ornithology preferred.  Applicants must possess the 
ability to work outdoors in all types of weather conditions, especially heat 
and humidity; to endure biting insects; to work well with others; and be in 
good physical shape and able to hike over uneven terrain while carrying 
equipment.  Applicants also must possess a valid driver’s license and be 
willing to assist with other refuge projects such as invasive plant 
eradication and Piping Plover monitoring.

Two positions available from May 12 to August 15.   Compensation $215/wk 
plus possible housing.  Send letter of interest, resume and contact 
information for 3 references to Rhonda Smith, 50 Bend Road, Charlestown, RI 
02813 OR email materials to rhonda_sm...@fws.gov.  Application deadline is 
February 1.

[ECOLOG-L] Shorebird Conservation Internship

[Ryan Kleinert]

SHOREBIRD CONSERVATION INTERNSHIP

Three interns are needed to work as part of the Piping Plover recovery 
project with the USFWS in Rhode Island.  This project monitors federally 
protected Piping Plovers and State protected Least Terns during the nesting 
season. American Oystercatchers which is classified as a Species of High 
Concern and federally protected Roseate Terns will also be monitored.  
Surveys will occur on federal, state, and private property in southern Rhode 
Island. The majority of the work for this position(s) will take place 
outdoors.  Duties include erecting nest exclosures, posting and signing 
nesting habitat, educating the public, monitoring shorebird pairs and 
chicks, and recording data.  Applicants must be in good physical shape and 
able to hike long distances on sand with heavy loads.  Work will include 
weekends and holidays.  Previous birding experience and a valid US driver's 
license are required. Must be a team player, have a positive attitude, and 
be willing to work on other projects within the biological program. 

 Position extends from April 14 - August 8, 2013 (some flexibility for the 
start and end date exists).  Salary $215/week + possibility of housing.  
Send letter of interest, resume, and contact information for 3 references to 
Ryan Kleinert, 50 Bend Road, Charlestown, RI 02813 OR email materials to 
ryan_klein...@fws.gov.  Application deadline is February 1.

[ECOLOG-L] NERC-funded PhD Studentship in the United Kingdom open for competitive applications

[STEPHENS P.A.]

Eligibility: UK and European Union applicants only (for details see: 
www.nerc.ac.uk/funding/application/studentships/)

This PhD studentship supported by the Natural Environment Research Council, UK 
(NERC)-IAPETUS Doctoral Training Partnership is now open for applications from 
interested candidates. Candidates will be competitively assessed across all 
IAPETUS DTP projects (http://www.iapetus.ac.uk ) and 
will need to meet NERC minimum eligibility requirements 
(seehttp://www.nerc.ac.uk/funding/available/postgrad/eligibility.asp ). 
Successful projects are anticipated to start from Oct 2014. The studentship 
includes tuition fees, monthly stipend, and research funds depending on 
eligibility. Please contact Luc Bussière 
(luc.bussi...@stir.ac.uk) for more information 
about applying.

Consequences of life history variation for demographic and phenological 
responses to environmental change
http://www.iapetus.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/IAP_13_82-STI-Bussiere.pdf

Supervisors: Luc Bussière (University of Stirling), Philip Stephens (University 
of Durham), Mario Vallejo-Marin (University of Stirling)

Although shifts in phenology (the timings of recurrent biological phenomena) 
are among the clearest and best-supported consequences of climate change, both 
the factors predicting phenological shifts and the community consequences of 
such transitions remain far from clear. Life history traits (which affect 
age-specific probabilities of survival and reproduction) should play a central 
role in phenological evolution, but we need research that explores their 
possible contributions to interspecific diversity in the timing, duration and 
rate of progression of developmental stages. Assessing the likely consequences 
of phenological shifts for communities further requires empirical assessments 
of how shifts in phenology affect the fitness of interacting symbionts, and 
modelled simulations that explore the demographics of participants under 
alternate climate change scenarios.

This PhD project will assess whether phenological shifts predictably differ 
among species characterized by contrasting life histories, and the consequences 
of such shifts for the fitness of symbionts. We focus on two groups with 
extraordinary variation in life history traits (hoverflies and dance flies) who 
provide a valuable pollination service to symbiotic flowering plants (flies are 
the main pollinators of many plants including members of the family 
Brassicaceae). Many hoverfly adults feed mainly on pollen and nectar (hence 
their value as pollinators), but their larvae have tremendously diverse habits, 
ranging from filter feeders living within rotting vegetation through to 
predaceous forms that devour other insects. These differences in larval diet 
could change the sensitivity of species to phenological cues, or alter adult 
requirements for pollen feeding. Dance flies are also important pollinators 
(especially in some habitats like the high arctic), and are known for unusual 
variation in sexual behaviour, including both classical sex-roles and sex-role 
reversed species. These differences in mating systems have strong implications 
for the timing and duration of adult activity.

The PhD project will have three main parts, each dedicated to an important aim:

Part 1: The candidate will use long-term historical data (from museums, 
recording schemes, and the Rothamsted Insect Survey) to assess covariance 
between life history traits and phenology across species of hoverflies and 
dance flies. The candidate will learn to apply advanced statistical models 
(using likelihood-based parameter exploration and model selection) to summarize 
phenologies, and ask whether and how life history traits affect parameters in 
these best-fit equations.

Part 2: We will measure the consequences of variation in life history and 
phenology for pollination efficiency and seed set using field work on 
experimental arrays of radishes (Brassicaceae: Raphanus sativus). Flies are 
frequent and important pollinators, and radishes are self-incompatible 
(obligate outcrossers), often showing highly variable seed set. In consecutive 
field seasons, we will experimentally manipulate radish phenology and regress 
seed set on observations of pollinator phenology and abundance.

Part 3: Using parameters describing the phenology of fly species, including 
transitions in phenology over time (from part 1), we will simulate changes in 
the temporal structure of community composition under different climate change 
scenarios. We will also assess the consequences of such change for the fitness 
of populations having varying floral phenologies and sensitivities to 
pollinator identity (based on observations of seed set in part 2).

Application procedure

To apply, contact Dr. Bussiere 
(luc.bussi...@stir.ac.uk) ASAP to indicate your 
interest and obtain further inst

[ECOLOG-L] Salt Marsh Internship

[Ryan Kleinert]

SALT MARSH INTERNSHIP 

New England salt marshes provide critical habitat for a number of plant and 
animal species, many of high conservation value.  Interns will assist the 
Rhode Island National Wildlife Refuge Complex in monitoring salt-marsh 
breeding birds and overall salt-marsh ecological integrity.  
Responsibilities include marsh bird surveys, Saltmarsh Sparrow mist-netting 
and banding, nest searching and monitoring, as well as nekton and vegetation 
surveys.  Experience with mist-netting songbirds, kayaking, eastern songbird 
identification and ornithology preferred.  Applicants must possess the 
ability to work outdoors in all types of weather conditions, especially heat 
and humidity; to endure biting insects; to work well with others; and be in 
good physical shape and able to hike over uneven terrain while carrying 
equipment.  Applicants also must possess a valid driver’s license and be 
willing to assist with other refuge projects such as invasive plant 
eradication and Piping Plover monitoring.

Two positions available from May 12 to August 15.   Compensation $215/wk 
plus possible housing.  Send letter of interest, resume and contact 
information for 3 references to Rhonda Smith, 50 Bend Road, Charlestown, RI 
02813 OR email materials to rhonda_sm...@fws.gov.  Application deadline is 
February 1.

[ECOLOG-L] General Biological Internship

[Ryan Kleinert]

GENERAL BIOLOGICAL INTERNSHIP

Rhode Island’s coastal habitat currently faces a number of threats including 
aggressive exotic invasive plant species.  Interns will carry out control of 
invasive plants threatening important coastal shrub-scrub and salt-marsh 
habitat.  Control methods include hand-pulling, herbicide application, 
cutting and digging with hand tools, and working with volunteers.  Duties 
also include rare plant monitoring, bat acoustic monitoring, and Piping 
Plover and Least Tern monitoring and protection. Applicants must possess 
excellent field botany skills, and have the ability to work outdoors in all 
types of weather conditions, especially heat and humidity, endure biting 
insects, and to work well with others.  Additionally, applicants must be in 
good physical shape, be able to hike long distances while carrying 
equipment, and possess a valid driver’s license. 

Two positions available from May 19 to August 22.  Compensation $215/wk plus 
possibility of housing.  Send letter of interest, resume and contact 
information for 3 references to Nick Ernst, 50 Bend Road, Charlestown, RI 
02813 OR email materials to nick_er...@fws.gov.  Application deadline is 
February 1.

[ECOLOG-L] M.S. Position in Desert Plant Ecology

[Susan Schwinning]

The student will join an ongoing project examining the distribution of
blackbrush – Coleogyne ramosissima along elevation gradients in the Mojave
Desert of California. This collaborative project is funded in part by USGS
and comes with the possibility of a paid summer internship with the Las
Vegas USGS field office, as well as research and teaching scholarship
support during the academic term. The project aims to develop improved
understanding of the climatic, edaphic and ecological constraints of this
important vegetation type to predict its response to climate change.  The
student will gain experience in ecophysiological field methods, including
meteorological instrumentation, photosynthesis measurements and stable
isotope analysis of water.  The student must be able to work under strenuous
outdoor conditions and spend a significant amount of time at the field site
near the Nevada/California border. Interested individuals should send a
cover letter outlining experience and research interests, curriculum vitae,
unofficial copies of university transcripts, GRE scores and contact
information for three references to Dr. Susan Schwinning, Biology
Department, 601 University Drive, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX
78666. Inquiries by phone or email are welcome. More information about my
lab and the Biology Department can be obtained at
www.susan-schwinning.net/Lab/ and the Biology Department’s webpage at
www.bio.txstate.edu.

[ECOLOG-L] Ph.D. Position in Vegetation Modeling at Texas State University

[Susan Schwinning]

I am seeking a Ph.D. graduate student to work on the representation of
drought mortality in dynamic global vegetation models. The successful
applicant is expected to work initially with the Sheffield Dynamic Global
Vegetation Model to simulate episodes of tree mortality in the southern U.S.
(New Mexico and Texas).  Additionally, students are encouraged to design
additional observational, experimental theoretical projects related to tree
mortality. Prior experience in mathematical modeling and GIS is preferred
but not required.  However, successful applicants should have demonstrated
analytical proficiency, interest and course work in plant science or
ecology.  The position is initially supported by a graduate teaching
assistantship. Interested individuals should send a cover letter outlining
experience and research interests, curriculum vitae, unofficial copies of
university transcripts and GRE scores, and contact information for three
references to Dr. Susan Schwinning, Biology Department, 601 University
Drive, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX 78666. The college application
deadline is January 15, 2014. Inquiries by phone or email are welcome. 

[ECOLOG-L] M.S. Positions in Ecological Modeling

[Susan Schwinning]

I seek students with an interest in ecological modeling to work on
fundamental questions linking biodiversity and ecosystem function.  Prior
experience in programming or mathematical modeling is preferred but not
required. However, successful applicants should have demonstrated analytical
proficiency.  Students are encouraged to design experiments or protocols for
the analysis of existing data to test model predictions. Interested
individuals should send a cover letter outlining experience and research
interests, curriculum vitae, unofficial copies of university transcripts,
GRE scores and contact information for three references to Dr. Susan
Schwinning, Biology Department, 601 University Drive, Texas State
University, San Marcos, TX 78666. Inquiries by phone or email are welcome.
More information about my lab and the Biology Department can be obtained at
www.susan-schwinning.net/Lab/ and the Biology Department’s webpage at
www.bio.txstate.edu.