[ECOLOG-L] new public forum: Transparency in EcoEvo

[Tim Parker]

Announcing a new public forum devoted to fostering transparency in ecology
and evolution.

This forum is an email list called Transparency in EcoEvo. If you’re
interested, please subscribe (see info at the bottom of this message).

If you’re not sure what we mean by transparency, read on. A core principle
of science is that we make progress as a field when we are transparent
about our methods and the results we derived from those methods.
Unfortunately, we do not always share sufficient details of our methods,
nor do we always sufficiently share the outcomes of our research.  However,
there is a growing movement to promote transparency in ecology and
evolution and in other disciplines, and a number of recent publications
have called attention to this (see below for some examples). We hope the
Transparency in EcoEvo email list will foster continued discussion of ideas
related to transparency.

Some recent calls for improved transparency in ecology and evolution:

Mislan, K. A. S., J. M. Heer, E. P. White. 2016. Elevating the status of
code in ecology. Trends in Ecology and Evolution. 31: 711-719.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tree.2015.11.006

Tools for Transparency in Ecology and Evolution (TTEE)-
https://osf.io/g65cb/wiki/home/ (product of a workshop on this topic in
November 2015)

Parker, T. H., W. Forstmeier, J. Koricheva, F. Fidler, J. D. Hadfield, Y.
E. Chee, C. D. Kelly, J, Gurevitch, S. Nakagawa. 2016. Transparency in
ecology and evolution: real problems, real solutions. Trends in Ecology and
Evolution. 31: 711-719. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tree.2016.07.002

Senior Editors. 2016. Ecology Letters, and Transparency and Openness
Promotion (TOP) guidelines. Ecology Letters. 19:725.
http://dx.doi.org/10./ele.12611

Parker, T. H., E. Main, S. Nakagawa, J. Gurevitch, F. Jarrad, M. Burgman
2016. Promoting transparency in conservation science. Conservation Biology.
http://dx.doi.org/10./cobi.12760..

***To subscribe to the list, go to this website:
https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/transparency_in_ecoevo/join


The above link should work with non-Gmail email accounts, but if not, you
can create a Google account and use the list with your original email
address (https://support.google.com/groups/answer/1067205?hl=en#join).

If you have questions, feel free to email me 
directly.

Thanks!
Tim Parker

[ECOLOG-L] Science communication working in Washington DC

[Shane M Hanlon]

The Sharing Science program with the American Geophysical Union is 
hosting a FREE science communication working on Monday, 31 October from 
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at AGU headquarters in Washington DC. 

Learn how to communicate your science clearly and concisely in a way 
that will resonate for any audience at this hands-on American 
Geophysical Union (AGU) communications workshop hosted at AGU 
headquarters in DC.

At this interactive workshop, you will learn how to communicate science 
to people in your community, policy makers, and the media, in a 
relevant, engaging, and memorable way. You will learn how to identify 
the right group for you to reach out to, how to create an effective 
message about your research/work, and how to tailor your presentation 
for a specific audience. You will also learn active listening skills, 
have the chance to practice public speaking, and receive feedback from 
communication experts and your peers.

This workshop is designed for scientists who want to learn how to more 
effectively communicate their research/work, as opposed to policy 
professionals, outreach specialists, journalists, or other professional 
communicators.

Scientists from all disciplines and of all communications-experience 
levels are welcome. This workshop is free and lunch will be provided. 
Advance sign-up is required and registration is on a first-come, first-
served basis.

More info on the workshop and how to register can be found here: 
https://sharingscience.agu.org/dc2016_workshop

[ECOLOG-L] Research Assistant at Morton Arboretum- Full Time

[Chuck Cannon]

Research Assistant (RA) Level 1 Job advertisement- Conservation 
Biology/Genetics Project
I seek an applicant with at minimum a Bachelor’s degree in Ecology, Genetics, 
Evolutionary Biology, Botany, Mathematical Biology, or similar biological 
field, and at minimum one year experience with laboratory work, especially in 
a molecular genetics lab.  A Master’s degree is advantageous.  It is strongly 
desirable for the applicant to have familiarity and experience (with limited 
supervision, i.e. not just in a class laboratory exercise) in PCR, DNA 
extraction, DNA analysis, primer design and optimization, gel 
electrophoresis, and repetitive pipetting.  It is advantageous if the 
applicant has experience analyzing DNA fragment or sequence data, using 
statistical analysis, computer coding, and/or managing a database (e.g. 
Access).  It is also advantageous for the applicant to have some experience 
in field ecology or other outdoor experience.  Full details on skill sets are 
listed below.  The one year+ experience could constitute an Honor’s thesis, 
Master’s thesis, research internships during undergraduate studies, or 
employment or volunteer work after graduating.  This is an ideal job for a 
Masters-trained early career scientist or undergraduate with strong post-
graduate experience.

The Research Assistant will be supervised by the Tree Conservation Biologist 
(Sean Hoban).  Research assistants are involved in all aspects of research: 
the RA will participate in planning and executing laboratory and field work, 
utilize a variety of scientific instruments, assist with lab management, 
organize supplies, train and oversee volunteers, attend and contribute to lab 
group discussions, organize data and perform analysis, and discuss results. 
There is opportunity to collaborate on papers, present research at national 
meetings, and work with international collaborators. The ideal candidate 
seeks professional development as a scientist and is interested in reading 
current scientific literature and being intellectually engaged.  This RA will 
focus on the following tasks: cataloging samples, extracting DNA, sequencing/ 
genotyping, planning field expeditions, analyzing results, and testing/ 
optimizing protocols for a funded grant proposal in ex situ conservation 
genetics.  The position is funded at least 18 months; if further grant 
support is obtained the term may be extended.

The RA should be prepared for sometimes tedious and repetitive tasks such as 
labeling samples, cleaning equipment, manuscript editing, repeated measuring, 
inventorying lab supplies, and repeated pipetting.  Work may take place in 
all weather conditions, in laboratories, or in standard office conditions. 

The RA must be well organized, enthusiastic, able to work (after training) 
without constant supervision, able to quickly learn new skills, have very 
strong attention to detail and meticulous lab notebook keeping, show capacity 
to work both independently and collaboratively, be strongly self-motivated, 
communicate clearly, cooperate in a congenial manner with supervisors and co-
workers, and solve problems.  The successful applicant will have a strong 
background including coursework and research in plant sciences, evolutionary 
biology, and/or molecular biology with both lab and field experience.  The 
applicant should demonstrate curiosity and enthusiasm.
Review of applications will begin immediately. The position will start in 
January.  Preferred experience may include the following (at least two 
categories preferred).  Please note your experience in these activities in 
your application letter and be prepared to explain them in a future 
interview.  APPLY HERE.

Planning lab activities and keeping detailed lab notebook
Experience in a molecular lab- PCR, qRT-PCR, dilutions, gel electrophoresis, 
DNA/RNA extraction, DNA/RNA sequencing, labeling/organizing samples, trouble-
shooting and/or optimizing lab protocols

Experience in the field or greenhouse- planning field trips or expeditions, 
hiking, camping, logistics, field sampling (biotic or abiotic- soil, plants, 
insects, forest measurements), seed collection, plant propagation, plant 
identification, trait measurement, data collecting and organizing
Statistics/ mathematics- Organizing data in a statistical program (SAS, JMP, 
STATA, R, etc.) or database program (ACCESS, SQL, etc.), basic statistical 
analysis, theoretical ecology or genetics
Computer programming/ informatics- advanced statistical models, dynamic 
biological models, writing and troubleshooting code 
Report writing- literature search, meta-analysis, writing reports

If you have questions please contact Sean Hoban (sho...@mortonarb.org or 630-
719-2419).  Note that this description is more detailed than that on the 
Morton Arboretum website.

[ECOLOG-L] Position Announcement: Wildlife Biologist/Project Manager, Various field locations

[Vickie DeNicola]

Wildlife Biologist/Project Manager

White Buffalo Inc.

Full-Time Position

(Posted 10/23/2016)

About the Organization

White Buffalo Inc. (WBI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization focused on
the conservation of native species and ecosystems.  We conduct, sponsor and
support scientific research and educational efforts to improve the
management of natural resources for the purpose of conservation.  Our
approach is unique, in that we generate funding for conservation research
by providing management alternatives in non-traditional settings.  We have
spent the last two decades committed to improving both the techniques and
technology of ungulate management, leading to safer, more humane and
efficient practices.  We believe in sharing our findings with fellow
professionals and others passionate about ecosystem management.

Purpose of the Role

White Buffalo Inc. is seeking a senior Wildlife Biologist/Project Manager
to serve as a field-based project manager for ungulate population
management and research programs.  This position will play a key role in
pursuing White Buffalo’s mission by providing support in both the planning
and field implementation of population control and eradication projects.
White Buffalo focuses on both lethal and nonlethal control of native and
non-native ungulates, with additional opportunities for research on a
variety of species.

Necessary Attributes for Position

One of the most important aspects of WBI projects is the ability to foster
and maintain strong relationships with a diverse array of project
stakeholders. Thus, a demonstrated ability to work effectively with
partners, provide clear and frequent communication to partners, and support
productive and positive partner meetings and relationships is critical.
Attention to detail and the ability to track multiple tasks simultaneously
without sacrificing quality also is essential.

This position may require extended travel to remote field locations and a
willingness to live and work in sometimes rustic conditions with few
amenities. The position requires a strong commitment to White Buffalo’s
mission, impeccable integrity and a keen sense of humor. The ability to be
a positive member of a highly motivated team in the face of demanding field
conditions and long hours is critical. This position is field-based in
various locations for 4-8 months out of the year (September - April). The
candidate will work limited hours during the off-season.

Responsibilities

The Wildlife Biologist/Project Manager will lead/supervise a team of 2 - 6
biologists, veterinarians and technicians on projects throughout the United
States and overseas and also will have direct field work responsibilities.
This position is responsible for the successful planning and implementation
of projects, which includes developing and maintaining partnerships,
progressing existing projects, identifying new project opportunities,
executing field operations and writing required project documentation like
final reports. The Project Manager will be responsible for maintaining an
effective and productive team. This position requires extensive travel for
4-8 months/year with limited time off during the primary field season
(i.e., September – April). The majority of projects will be located within
the United States, with a smaller number of international projects
occurring each year.  Frequent night work and a variable schedule depending
on weather and seasonal conditions is the norm.

Required Qualifications


   -

   M.S. or Ph.D. in Wildlife Biology or related field required.
   -

   3 to 5 years experience in successfully managing complex conservation
   projects involving multiple partners and stakeholders.
   -

   Candidates MUST have extensive experience hunting and/or safely using
   firearms.  Please do not apply if you lack firearm experience.
   -

   Able to maintain a professional attitude at all times while working with
   WBI staff and members of other organizations who may have varying missions,
   opinions, and personalities.
   -

   Applicants must be physically fit, maintaining an ability to perform
   efficiently under physically demanding conditions, including walking
   variable terrain while carrying a backpack as well as safely climbing trees
   and working from tree stands.
   -

   Able to live harmoniously in small groups, in remote field camps.
   -

   Excellent interpersonal skills, intellectual curiosity, approachability,
   and willingness to listen to internal and external constituents and learn
   from their best ideas.
   -

   Excellent organizational skills, ability to work independently and as
   part of a team, ability to solve problems with limited supervision, pay
   extreme attention to details, and the ability to prioritize and meet
   deadlines.
   -

   Experience clearly demonstrating proficiency in data analysis and
   technical writing.


   -

   Willingness and ability to spend significant time in the field away from
 

[ECOLOG-L] Research and Funding Opportunities at Huron Mountain Field Station, northern MI

[Kerry Woods]

The Huron Mountain Wildlife Foundation invites *proposals for field-based
resear**ch** in all areas of natural science* focused on the landscape and
ecosystems of the Lake Superior basin, particularly the Huron Mountains of
Michigan Upper Peninsula.

 The Field Station offers access to a 10,000 ha private natural area,
including extensive old-growth forests, diverse aquatic systems, and a
variety of other habitats.  The Foundation offers *small grants* and
provides housing and facilities free of charge at the Ives Lake Field
Station near Big Bay, MI.

The Foundation is particularly interested in 'seed' projects that might
lead to successful proposals to major funding agencies; long-term studies;
and projects that make particular use of the ‘reference ecosystem’ values
of the study area.  HMWF also supports taxonomic documentation and is
particularly interested in projects addressing poorly studied groups (see
website, below, for current biodiversity inventory).

 The Foundation’s website, at www.hmwf.org, provides information about
facilities and past and present research projects.  Guidelines for research
proposals may be found under the 'for researchers' tab.

Proposals for the 2017 field season should be submitted by 1 Feb, 2017.
This deadline is strict if funding is requested; later proposals not
requesting funding may be entertained depending on availability of
facilities.

Address inquiries to Kerry Woods, Director of Research for HMWF at
kwo...@bennington.edu



-- 
Kerry D. Woods
Bennington College, Natural Sciences
Dir. of Research, Huron Mt. Wildlife Found.
www.hmwf.org
faculty.bennington.edu/~kwoods
kwo...@bennington.edu

[ECOLOG-L] PhD Assistantships - Forest Physiological Ecology, U. of Utah

[Dave Bowling]

PhD Research Assistantships 
Physiological Ecology of Western US Mountain Forests
University of Utah, Dept. of Biology, Salt Lake City, Utah  

We are seeking PhD students to work with an interdisciplinary team studying
forest physiology and forest carbon and water cycling in mountains of the
western U.S.  Current projects are focused on biological and physical
factors influencing photosynthesis and transpiration of mountain forests in
the context of climate change and drought.  The students will have the
opportunity to learn and use a wide variety of techniques, including
measurement of leaf traits and gas exchange, plant water transport, forest
environmental and flux measurement methods, and isotope ratio mass
spectrometry, and to work collaboratively with scientists using
satellite-based remote sensing observations and Earth system models.  The
students will be trained in analytical field and laboratory instrumentation
and research techniques, experimental design, data analysis, computer
programming, ecological modeling and scientific writing.  These positions
include up to 5 years of financial support in the form of research and
teaching assistantships, and will involve field work in Utah, Colorado, and
other western states.  

Requirements: 1) a bachelor’s or master’s degree and research experience in
a field of Earth system science (ecology, geology, physics, chemistry,
geography, etc.), 2) innate curiosity about the natural world and how it
works, 3) interest in learning and applying cutting-edge analytical
techniques to study ecology, and 4) strong motivation and ability to work
both independently and collaboratively.  Experience with plant physiological
ecology or environmental instrumentation are highly desired.  The students
will be based in the research groups of Dr. Bill Anderegg and/or Dr. Dave
Bowling at the University of Utah (http://www.utah.edu) in Salt Lake City. 
More information about our Graduate Program in Ecology, Evolution, and
Organismal Biology is available at
http://www.biology.utah.edu/graduate/index.php, and about our research
groups at http://wrlanderegg.com/ and http://biologylabs.utah.edu/bowling.
The University of Utah is ranked among the top research institutions in the
nation and is home to more than 30,000 students and 18,000 employees.  Salt
Lake City is a sunny Western city with outstanding cultural and outdoor
recreational opportunities, including “the greatest snow on earth!” 
Deadline to apply is January 3, 2017.  Opportunities to work on other
projects are also available.  If you’re interested, please contact either 

Dr. Bill Anderegg, ander...@utah.edu
Dr. Dave Bowling, david.bowl...@utah.edu
Dept. of Biology
University of Utah

[ECOLOG-L] JOB: Native Plant Common Gardens Coordinator for BLM in Las Vegas, NV

[Amy Gladding]

http://crcareers.thegreatbasininstitute.org/careers/careers.aspx?rf=ECOLOG=2016-RAP-122

The Great Basin Institute (GBI) is working cooperatively with the Bureau of
Land Management Southern Nevada District Office to coordinate the Common
Gardens Research Sites. In order to do so, GBI is recruiting to hire a
Research Associate (RA) to serve as the Native Plant Common Gardens
Coordinator. Coordinator responsibilities will include but are not limited
to:

· Coordinating and implementing field trials of locally adapted
native plant species;

· Coordinate planting and harvesting at common gardens, including;

o   Scouting and identifying populations of target native plant species
suitable for the program;

o   Monitoring the phenology of target plant populations to identify
optimal seed collection times;

o   Coordinating and actively conducting native seed collection and
completing data forms in accordance with the established protocol;

o   GPS mapping populations of plants and other features;

· Recording data electronically and on paper data forms, entering
and editing data related to restoration activities;

· Maintaining and organizing accurate records of field collection
activities;

· Coordinating the collection and proper processing of herbarium
vouchers;

· Reporting accomplishments and providing recommendations for
program improvements, priorities, and future projects;

· Managing complex databases, conducting quality assurance/control
and ensuring field technicians are adhering to established field collection
and safety protocols;

· Assist with recruitment of seasonal AmeriCorps interns;

· Providing day-to-day oversight of AmeriCorps interns;

· Assisting with the coordination of volunteer seed collection;

· Assisting with BLM efforts to coordinate and communicate with
internal and external stakeholders;

· Serving as a liaison between and with both GBI and BLM staff, and
making sure that all administrative paperwork are completed and submitted
on time and correctly;

· Providing support to other botany related projects; and

· Ensuring GBI and BLM equipment are maintained and treated
properly.



*Compensation and Timeline**:*

· Rate of Pay: $21.00/hour

· Full time, 40 hours per week

· Paid Health Insurance (medical, dental, and prescription),
holidays and personal leave

· Timeline: October/November 2016 to November 2017; possibility of
extension based on performance and available funding







*Location**:*

The coordinator will be based out of the BLM Southern Nevada District
office, which is located in northwest Las Vegas, NV. The Southern Nevada
District Office manages more than three million acres of Mojave Desert in
Clark and Nye counties. The scenery varies from dramatically colorful
geologic landforms and largely unspoiled panoramic vistas of Red Rock
Canyon National Conservation Area to remote and rugged wild landscapes of
Gold Butte Back Country Byway. Recreation opportunities abound and viewing
sites for desert plants and animals are easily accessible.



*Qualifications**:*

· Bachelor’s degree with coursework and field experience related to
biology, botany, plant science, or related field;

· Experience identifying plants using taxonomic keys or familiarity
with Mojave Desert plants;

· Experience using hand-held GPS equipment for data collection and
navigation;

· Ability to read and navigate using topographic maps and a compass;

· Understanding and/or experience using ArcView GIS software;

· Experience with supervising groups of individuals including
crews, volunteers, etc;

· Willingness and ability to work in harsh, ever-changing desert
conditions, including extreme temperatures, independently or as part of a
team;

· Willingness to camp in remote, undeveloped sites for multiple
days;

· Ability to bend and stoop for long periods of time while
collecting seed;

· Ability to communicate effectively, both written and orally, with
a diverse audience;

· Valid, state-issued driver’s license and familiarity driving 4WD
vehicles on- and off-road;

· Experience operating All Terrain Vehicles (ATV) on difficult
terrain; and

· Ability to pass a National Sex Offender Public Registry (NSOPR)
and federal criminal background checks; and

· Successful applicant(s) must also complete a Department of
Interior (DOI) Background Investigation (BI); applicants already in
possession of a fully adjudicated DOI BI should highlight this in their
cover letter.



*How to Apply**:*

Please follow this link to apply directly through our online portal:
http://crcareers.thegreatbasininstitute.org/careers/careers.aspx?rf=ECOLOG=2016-RAP-122



We conform to all the laws, statutes, and regulations concerning equal
employment opportunities and 

[ECOLOG-L] Entomology, Primatology, and Vertebrate Biology Field Courses

[Ben Lybarger]

Enrollment for all three of Field Projects International’s winter 
courses ends November 18th, or once classes are filled. The deadline to 
apply for a scholarship to attend is October 31st.

As a non-profit organization focused on science education, Field 
Projects International is committed to providing field biology training 
and ecological literacy to students of all backgrounds.

-

Course 1: VERTEBRATE FIELD BIOLOGY

Dates: December 27th, 2016 – January 8th, 2017

This course explores vertebrate field biology by offering participants 
their choice of two out of three elective modules: primatology, 
herpetology, and ornithology. Within each module, experts from the 
corresponding field of study will lead daily activities that explore 
natural history, research methodologies, and ongoing conservation 
issues. Evenings will include lectures and discussions of scientific 
articles. 

Examples of Activities:

- Forest navigation and orienteering on and off trail
- Maintaining field notebooks
- Deploying and monitoring motion-sensing camera traps
- Mist netting and bird censusing
- Primate follows and behavioral sampling
- Field identification and conservation strategies for reptiles and 
amphibians
- Operating radio telemetry equipment
- Safely ascending emergent trees

Location: This course will be held at the Los Amigos Biological Station 
in Peru. 

Cost: $2000 (includes hostel stay on first and last nights, round-trip 
travel to the field station from arrival city, a bed in the field 
station’s bunkhouse, and all meals while at the field station)

Learn more and enroll:
https://fieldprojects.org/participate/courses-2/vertebrate-biology

Scholarship information: 
https://fieldprojects.org/participate/courses-2/scholarships

-

Course 2: PRIMATES AND PREDATORS

Dates: December 28th, 2016 – January 10th, 2017

This is a unique course in tropical biology with special focus on 
primate and carnivore interaction, conservation strategies, and research 
methodologies. Participants will learn to identify, track, habituate, 
and collect non-invasive samples from elusive primate species, while 
also exploring the intersection between predators and prey by looking at 
carnivore hunting practices, predator avoidance behaviors in primates, 
and software simulations of predator-prey dynamics. Guided hands-on 
activities during the day train participants in a variety of skills, 
including: scat and hair snare monitoring, tree climbing, radio 
telemetry, camera trapping, plant identification, primate tracking, and 
behavioral sampling techniques. In the evenings, these exercises are 
supplemented with brief lectures and discussions of scientific 
literature related to the fields of herpetology, ornithology, 
entomology, and botany. 

Location: Fringe Ford in the Western Ghats of India. 
 
Cost: $2250 (includes hostel stay on first and last nights, round-trip 
travel to the field station from arrival city, a bed at the station, and 
all meals while at the field station)

Learn more and enroll:
https://fieldprojects.org/participate/courses-2/primates-and-predators

Scholarship information: 
https://fieldprojects.org/participate/courses-2/scholarships

-

Course 3: TROPICAL ENTOMOLOGY

Dates: December 27th, 2016 – January 8th, 2017

This course offers advanced training in the Peruvian Amazon for those 
interested in insect diversity, form, and ecological function, as well 
as field techniques that facilitate entomological research and 
conservation in the tropics. The course covers groups ranging from 
butterflies to beetles, bees, and aquatic insects, among others. 
Students will be introduced to an astonishing array of terrestrial and 
aquatic habitats that shelter a greater diversity of plant and animal 
species than anywhere else on the planet. Above all, participants learn 
by doing: we will spend most of our time studying actual insects in the 
field, from the tops of towering tropical trees to the bottom of oxbow 
lakes. 

Where: Los Amigos Biological Station in Southeastern Peru 

Cost: $2000 (includes hostel stay on first and last nights, round-trip 
travel to the field station from arrival city, a bed in the field 
station’s bunkhouse, and all meals while at the field station)

Learn more and enroll:
https://fieldprojects.org/participate/courses-2/tropical-entomology

Scholarship information: 
https://fieldprojects.org/participate/courses-2/scholarships

Re: [ECOLOG-L] Should Calculus Be Required of All Ecology/Biology Majors?

[Andrew Wright]

Hi Malcolm and all,

That is a specific problem of the US-based system - and a problem that
needs to be dealt with. Perhaps some classes should be mandatory, but not
count to your final grade...? The entire first year of my British undergrad
was considered to be foundation and didn't count to my final mark. You had
to pass everything to progress, but the grades didn't contribute to your
final mark.

Otherwise, the system is basically saying 'we shouldn't teach students hard
stuff, because it will hurt their grades'. I am not sure that this is a
good philosophy over the long-term.

Cheers,

Andrew


--
Andrew Wright, Ph.D.

VaquitaAreBrowncoats: Where Sci-Fi meets Science, the Cosmos meets
Conservation and Firefly meets Flipper. Shiny
https://www.facebook.com/vaquitaarebrowncoats.

"We don't have to save the world. The world is big enough to look after
itself. What we have to be concerned about is whether or not the world we
live in will be capable of sustaining us in it." Douglas Adams

GNU Terry Pratchett

On 24 October 2016 at 04:41, Malcolm McCallum <
malcolm.mccallum.ta...@gmail.com> wrote:

> The biggest problem for students in the life sciences is grades, PERIOD!!!
>
> If you have a 3.8 in the sciences and never took calculus, you can get in
> grad school, and at worse they will ask you to take it then.  If you have a
> 2.6 gpa and took calculus, and earned an A, you are still going to face a
> formidable challenge entering grad school, becoming employed, etc.
>
> The biggest challenge for students in science is undoubtedly science GPA.
> It is not grades in a specific course, which courses they take, or even if
> they major in a specific area of the life sciences.  Its grades grades
> grades.  Should they matter?  Yes to a degree.  But, whether they should or
> not, THEY DO MATTER...PERIOD.
>
> Want to send a message to students?  Put a minimum GPA on the major, but
> don't restrict courses to students in the major.
> If people are worried about the exceptional student who has extraordinary
> challenges leading to absurdly unique circumstances, provide an avenue for
> a waiver.
>
> IF students know they better get a 3.0 gpa or their career in biology is
> over, the ones who can will, and the ones who can't won't matter.
>
> That would be the single biggest improvement, so long as faculty did not
> drop standards in order to ensure students "stay in the major."
>
> Adding more classes to a major in which most States are mandating a 120 hr
> BS is simply not helpful.  Especially when a histotechnologist DOES NOT
> need calculus, a wildlife biologist MIGHT need calc (and certification
> requires it last I saw!), even if a pure ecologist WILL need it.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On Sun, Oct 23, 2016 at 2:08 AM, Jane Shevtsov  wrote:
>
>> For the last four years, I have been working on a new Math for Life
>> Scientists course at UCLA that our life sciences majors can take (along
>> with a stats course) instead of the usual Calculus for Life Sciences
>> sequence. This course dives right into dynamical modeling, with students
>> learning how to write basic differential equation models on the first day,
>> before we do any calculus, treating X' as just a piece of notation. (Most
>> of our students took calculus in high school but this is not a requirement
>> and we cover the essential concepts of calculus, which most students who
>> took AP Calculus have very little understanding of.) During the two-course
>> sequence, we teach the core concepts of calculus, including multivariable,
>> and linear algebra, but our main focus is on making, simulating and
>> analyzing differential equation models, including many ecological ones.
>> Topics covered include state space, vector fields, trajectories, equilibria
>> and stability (both graphical and linear), nullclines, bifurcations,
>> oscillations and limit cycles, chaos and multivariable optimization, with
>> models from ecology, physiology, and other subject areas including
>> chemistry and physics. There's also a weekly computer lab that uses the
>> free, Python-based program SageMath, so our students also learn basic
>> programming.
>>
>> Student response has been tremendous, to the point where our main
>> challenge now is keeping up with demand. (If you might be interested in
>> teaching this course, please email me off-llist.) We've had many students
>> seek out opportunities to learn more about modeling, get into research that
>> uses it, ask for ways to stay involved with the course after finishing it
>> (we started an undergraduate learning assistant program for the computer
>> labs based on a combination of need and student enthusiasm) and request
>> that a third quarter be added to the sequence. (This would probably cover
>> stochastic and spatial models.) Basically, we're teaching nonlinear
>> dynamics to biology freshmen and they love it. Some combination of this
>> kind of modeling course and statistics would serve most students much
>> 

[ECOLOG-L] Behavioral Ecology of African Mammals Study Abroad Course

[Eli Strauss]

Hi all,

The annual Michigan State University study abroad course Behavioral Ecology
of African Mammals (BEAM) runs May 12 – June 1, 2017 in Kenya, East Africa.
This course provides students with the opportunity to do hands-on research
in the fields of animal behavior, ecology, and evolutionary biology by
directly observing and collecting data on species ranging from elephants
and grass rats to lions and hyenas. *The course is open to undergraduate
students from any university. *

*If you or your students are interested, please email straus46 [at] msu.edu
 for more information. *Interested students are encouraged
to attend one of our upcoming information meetings, which are
scheduled for Tuesday
November 1 from 6-7pm and Wednesday November 9 from 6:30-7:30pm in Natural
Sciences 203C*.* Students from other institutions can attend remotely via
Skype or another related platform.

The course website can be found at:
*http://www.holekamplab.org/study-abroad-beam.html
*

Course description:

This program, offered through the College of Natural Sciences, focuses on
the behavior of African mammals and the ecological variables that shape
their behavior. Students begin by identifying and becoming familiar with
resident mammals during twice-daily game drives, during which safari
vehicles are used as mobile classrooms. They then move on to making
detailed observations of individual animals and groups and monitoring their
interactions. Ultimately, students use a variety of techniques for data
collection to test hypotheses suggesting explanations for particular types
of observed behaviors. During daily lectures, invited talks, and
student-led discussions, students apply the scientific method to the study
of behavioral ecology, the effect of human populations on the behavior of
wild animals, and conservation of Africa's fauna. The course focuses on the
African mammals inhabiting four of Africa's most spectacular game-viewing
areas. The curriculum is designed to exploit the extraordinary richness and
diversity of each park's mammalian fauna, keeping in mind the ease with
which animals can be observed.

Students also have the opportunity to experience traditional Maasai culture
and learn first-hand about its relationship with the Kenyan landscape.

Thanks,
Eli

[ECOLOG-L] crowdfunding turtle conservation genomics

[Nathan Byer]

Hello colleagues:

This was shared several weeks ago, but just wanted to send out a last call
for your support. Please share or donate if you can - we will name a turtle
after you!

My colleagues and I recently launched a crowdfunding effort for a turtle
conservation genomics study (available here:
https://experiment.com/turtle-climate-change-genes). As next-generation
sequencing technologies become more affordable, we can now begin to answer
challenging ecological questions about the role of adaptive genetic
variation in shaping species' responses to environmental change. With that
in mind, our goal is to use next-generation sequencing to quantify adaptive
genetic variation in two species of turtles in Wisconsin (the Blanding's
Turtle and Snapping Turtle).

This work could have real conservation implications for these two species,
and can be accomplished fairly inexpensively. However, we first need to
raise the funds necessary to do this work, which can be challenging as
funding sources become more scarce.

We feel that crowdfunding could really bridge this gap, and have raised 37%
of our funding goal in a few weeks. However, we only have seven days left,
and could use your help getting this project funded!

If you can, we would appreciate your support for this work. If you are
unable to donate, sharing helps too - so please consider spreading the word
about this effort! Again, you can find the project page here:
https://experiment.com/turtle-climate-change-genes.

All the best,

-Nathan Byer

[ECOLOG-L] Hiring for Science Communicator

[Alexandra Fries]

We are hiring a Science Communicator and Science Communication Intern for
our Cambridge or Annapolis locations to work as part of the Integration and
Application Network. Please share to interested colleagues.

Science Communicator: http://www.umces.edu/job/science-communicator

Science Communication Intern: http://www.umces.edu/
job/science-communication-intern

Thank you,
Alexandra

[ECOLOG-L] Position Announcement: Water Quality Monitoring Program Manager, Richmond, VA

[Jenny McGarvey]

The Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, a regional non-profit organization 
based in Annapolis, Maryland with offices in Virginia and Pennsylvania, 
seeks an enthusiastic and creative person to implement and manage the 
Alliance’s Water Quality Monitoring programs and related projects in 
Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, and DC. This 
position may be housed in VA or MD. 

This position works with citizen scientists, nonprofit organizations, 
community associations, as well as local, state, and federal government 
partners. The Water Quality Program Manager will be responsible for 
conducting water quality monitoring trainings for volunteers, 
maintaining chemical water monitoring equipment and supplies; 
maintaining databases of volunteer data; & maintaining citizen 
monitoring networks and contracts. This position will also work with the 
State Director to manage the development of Chesapeake Monitoring 
Cooperative, requiring coordination of partner organizations in multiple 
states to collaboratively build the infrastructure of a Chesapeake Bay  
watershed-wide volunteer monitoring program. The ideal candidate will 
have familiarity with water quality monitoring protocols, data 
collection, QA/QC, and reporting methods, as well as project and
grant management skills. The position will work with the project 
grantor, the Chesapeake Bay Program, to meet their goals for the 
project. Familiarity with the Chesapeake Bay Program mission, structure, 
and goals is beneficial to this work. The successful candidate must also 
enjoy working with the public, be comfortable giving presentations, 
trainings, and speaking publicly, and be comfortable working 
independently, as well as part of a collaborative team. The position 
requires experience and excellence in project management and 
organization skills to manage budgets, submit grant reports on time, and 
ensure the project deliverables are completed on time and within their 
allocated budget. Being highly organized and a self-starter are 
necessary skills. 

To learn more about the position, visit: 
https://allianceforthebay.org/2016/10/job-description-water-quality-
program-manager/

Closing date: Open Until Filled

[ECOLOG-L] research internships at Archbold Biological Station, Florida

[Menges, Eric]

Research Internships in Plant Ecology, Archbold Biological Station, Florida
Beginning March 2017 and thereafter; running 8 months. Applications due Nov. 28.
Ideal for Students with Undergraduate Degrees Contemplating Graduate School

Includes independent research project. Provides Stipend, Room and Board.

Internships available at Archbold Biological Station in south-central Florida 
in the Plant Ecology Program. Interns will work in the plant ecology laboratory 
of Dr. Eric Menges, which emphasizes conservation biology, plant demography, 
restoration ecology, fire ecology, landscape ecology, and fire management. We 
study many rare species of endemic vascular plants in endangered Florida scrub 
and related communities. Active fire management provides outstanding 
opportunities for short-term comparative studies in fire ecology. Our long-term 
(as long as 28-year) datasets on dozens of scrub plants gives context to 
short-term, focused, field projects. A large-scale experimental restoration 
provides a useful context for restoration ecology projects.  Additional 
information can be found at the Archbold website:  
http://www.archbold-station.org/ or the plant ecology program website: 
http://www.archbold-station.org/html/research/plant/plant.html

Interns live on site and receive a room, breakfasts and lunches, a meal 
allowance, and a weekly stipend of $100. They work 20 hours per week as 
research assistants and the remainder on an independent research project. 
Internships run for 8 months (can sometimes be extended) and offer an 
opportunity for experience in every aspect of scientific research, from project 
choice and experimental design to oral and written presentations. Our 
internships are ideal preparation for graduate research in ecology.

Archbold Biological Station is active in research, conservation, and education. 
Our facilities include a 5000 ha preserve, an outstanding regional library and 
a GIS lab running ArcINFO. We have a staff of about 50 with many visiting 
scientists, an active seminar program, and a relaxed biological station 
atmosphere.

To apply for an internship in the plant ecology lab, please provide the 
following: a cover letter stating research interests, a resume or CV, and a 
summary of grades. Arrange for two letters of recommendation to be sent to us 
via email. Materials should be sent by November 28, 2016.

EMAIL APPLICATIONS ONLY! Send to Eric Menges at 
emen...@archbold-station.org

Archbold is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications
from members of underrepresented groups

[ECOLOG-L] PhD position available in Invasive Plant Ecology

[Jacob Barney]

Ph.D. Graduate Research Assistantship – Invasive Plant Ecology

The Invasive Plant Ecology Lab at Virginia Tech (http://weedeco.ppws.vt.edu) 
seeks to fill a Ph.D. position focused on broad aspects of invasive plant 
ecology. The student’s research will utilize the weedy invader Johnsongrass 
(Sorghum halepense)—one of the world’s worst weeds and invader of natural 
areas—but the scope of possible projects is broad and open to the interests of 
the student. The research will build on a growing body of work from our 
interdisciplinary team of scientists from several universities.

The successful candidate will be fully funded (tuition and stipend) for up to 
48 months (Ph.D.) on a graduate research assistantship.  Field and laboratory 
research expenses are covered for the next 4 years through external federal 
grants and support from the University.

Virginia Tech is in Blacksburg, VA, a college town in an idyllic mountain 
setting and is the #1 ranked college/university in the U.S. for quality of life 
(Princeton Review, 8/2016).

Qualifications

Applicants should have a strong interest and a prior degree in biology, 
ecology, modeling

or related discipline, an MS in a related field is desired but not required.  
Applicants should have extensive past research experience, an outstanding 
academic record and GRE scores, and evidence of strong writing and quantitative 
skills. Ph.D. applicants will also be encouraged to apply to be a Fellow in the 
Interfaces of Global Change Interdisciplinary Graduate Program 
(http://www.globalchange.vt.edu/igc/), which provides additional training on 
the role of science in society, science-policy, and science communication.

Start date for the assistantship is negotiable, ranging from May to August 
10th, 2017.  Applications will be reviewed as they are received.

To apply, please email a single PDF file to Dr. Jacob Barney (jnbar...@vt.edu) 
containing (1) a cover letter outlining your research interests, career goals, 
relevant experience, and preferred start date; (2) your CV; (3) 
undergraduate/graduate transcripts and GRE scores; and (4) full contact 
information for at least 3 professional references.  The subject line of the 
email should read: Invasive Plant Ecology Graduate Position.


Jacob Barney, PhD
Associate Professor 
Invasive Plant Ecology
Department of Plant Pathology, Physiology, and Weed Science
Virginia Tech
435 Old Glade Rd (0330)
Blacksburg, VA 24061
540.231.6323
jnbar...@vt.edu
http://weedeco.ppws.vt.edu
@jnbarney

Re: [ECOLOG-L] should calculus be required of all ecology/biology majors

[Corbin, Jeffrey]

Hello all - Apologies if this has already been mentioned - I can't say I've
read EVERY post in this thread - but I think that an Intro to Computer
Science/Programming class can be as useful as Calculus or more so for many
biology majors. It builds good logical thinking and is much more likely to
be of practical use before and after graduation.

-Jeff

On Mon, Oct 24, 2016 at 11:40 AM, Michael Marchetti <
michaelpmarche...@gmail.com> wrote:

> Hello Folks
> Very interesting topic and I appreciate all the diverse opinions and
> perspectives.
>
> I wanted to suggest that there is a larger issues at play here that is
> intimately tied to the question at hand, namely the fact that a majority of
> incoming biology students do not have good training in what has been called
> quantitative reasoning and data literacy.  I have found in my own
> experience, that students entering college are often lacking in both
> quantitative skills and data literacy.  These deficiencies create large
> barriers to teaching across the sciences, and I spend substantial portions
> of class and lab time addressing basic and sometimes fairly remedial
> quantitative skills.
>
> I also think that the science of ecology is a potentially great place to
> teach some of this material.  It is not that the subject of Ecology can be
> made more quantitative by incorporating experimental details, mathematical
> models or statistics; it is instead that Ecology is inherently quantitative
> by its very nature.  At the same time, the entire world is rapidly becoming
> more quantitative, so that an understanding of data and quantitative methods
> helps students navigate increasingly complex news cycles and job markets.  I
> think we have a wonderful educational opportunity to incorporate
> quantitative reasoning and data literacy within the ecology curriculum.
>
> as to whether they should also be required to take calculus and stats, im
> emphatically in the yes column.  the more math the better, if only to try
> and address the severe deficit in their educational background.
>
> cheers
> Michael Marchetti
> Fletcher Jones Professor of Ecology
> St Marys College of California
>
> --
> Michael Marchetti
>
> I've known rivers
> Ancient, dusky rivers.
> My soul has grown deep like the rivers
>  -Langston Hughes
>
>


-- 



Jeffrey D. Corbin

Associate Professor

Department of Biological Sciences

Union College

Schenectady, NY 12308

(518) 388-6097

http://jeffcorbin.org

@jeff_d_corbin

[ECOLOG-L] FRIENDLY REMINDER: This Friday is the deadline to submit nominations for the Alison Haskell Award for Excellence in Herpetofaunal Conservation

[Williams, Jennifer]

It's that time of year again! PARC is seeking nominations for the Alison
Haskell Award for Excellence in Herpetofaunal Conservation.

This award is *not* for an individual who has already received a lot of
recognition for his/her work. Instead, we're seeking nominations for a
person who has made substantive contributions to herpetofaunal
conservation, but whose work has not yet received the recognition or
celebration it merits.

Read here for more information about Alison Haskell, PARC's first National
Federal Coordinator, and to learn why this award was created to honor her:
http://parcplace.org/parcplace/news-a-events/haskell-award.html.

You will also find the nomination form and the details on the award
criteria.

Nominations must be submitted by FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2016.

Jen Williams, Ph.D.

Federal Coordinator for Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation
(PARC)
1201 Oakridge Dr., Suite 200
Fort Collins, CO 80525
Phone: 352-568-5903 (cell) or 970-267-2159
Fax: 970-225-3585

The mission of PARC is to conserve amphibians, reptiles and their habitats
as integral parts of our ecosystem and culture through proactive and
coordinated public-private partnerships.  To learn more, visit
​​
parcplace.org

[ECOLOG-L] Ecology Field Courses at Notre Dame (UNDERC)

[Michael J. Cramer]

The University of Notre Dame Environmental Research Center (UNDERC) 
offers two Field Ecology and Environmental Science Programs for the 
summer of 2016.
 
Hands on field work … Paid tuition and housing… Travel between Notre 
Dame campus and the site… 3 credits/summer…and get paid $3,500/summer 
for UNDERC-East, $4,000/summer for UNDERC-West!!
 
Applications due November 11th!
 
UNDERC-East:  (May 22 – July 28) Spend the summer studying northwoods 
ecology 
and conducting your own research in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula 
where UNDERC encompasses more than 8000 acres with abundant wildlife, 
and includes lakes, streams, wetlands, and forests that have been 
protected for nearly a century.  Course modules include vertebrate 
ecology, invertebrate ecology, aquatic ecology and forest ecology
 
UNDERC-West:  (June 3 – August 11): Explore more than a million acres on 
the Flathead Reservation with abundant wildlife, grasslands, montane 
forests, streams and lakes.  Course modules like those at UNDERC-East 
include grassland/wildlife ecology, montane forest ecology, and an 
environmental history/Native American ecology module.  Each student 
conducts an independent research project in collaboration with a faculty 
advisor that is more advanced given the skills learned at UNDERC-East.  
(Pre-requisite - UNDERC-East).
 
These programs promote understanding of field environmental biology and 
how field research is conducted through 9 – 10 weeks in the field.  
Applications are accepted from students who will be completing at least 
their sophomore year at a 4-year college or university. Acceptance is 
based on past academic performance and a statement of purpose.  
Preference is given to students pursuing a career in environmental 
sciences.
Four openings are reserved for students of Native American heritage and 
four openings are reserved for students from Puerto Rico. 
 
Additional information and applications are available online 
(underc.nd.edu) or from Dr. Michael Cramer, UNDERC-East Assistant 
Director (mcra...@nd.edu) or Dr. David Flagel, UNDERC-West Assistant 
Director (dfla...@nd.edu).  Application deadline is Friday, November 11, 
2016 and notification of acceptance will be provided by Monday, December 
12, 2016.

[ECOLOG-L] should calculus be required of all ecology/biology majors

[Michael Marchetti]

Hello Folks Very interesting topic and I appreciate all the diverse 
opinions and perspectives. I wanted to suggest that there is a larger 
issues at play here that is intimately tied to the question at hand, 
namely the fact that a majority of incoming biology students do not have 
good training in what has been called quantitative reasoning and data 
literacy. I have found in my own experience, that students entering 
college are often lacking in both quantitative skills and data literacy. 
These deficiencies create large barriers to teaching across the 
sciences, and I spend substantial portions of class and lab time 
addressing basic and sometimes fairly remedial quantitative skills. I 
also think that the science of ecology is a potentially great place to 
teach some of this material. It is not that the subject of Ecology can 
be made more quantitative by incorporating experimental details, 
mathematical models or statistics; it is instead that Ecology is 
inherently quantitative by its very nature. At the same time, the entire 
world is rapidly becoming more quantitative, so that an understanding of 
data and quantitative methods helps students navigate increasingly 
complex news cycles and job markets. I think we have a wonderful 
educational opportunity to incorporate quantitative reasoning and data 
literacy within the ecology curriculum. as to whether they should also 
be required to take calculus and stats, im emphatically in the yes 
column. the more math the better, if only to try and address the severe 
deficit in their educational background. cheers Michael Marchetti 
Fletcher Jones Professor of Ecology St Marys College of California


--
Michael Marchetti

I've known rivers
Ancient, dusky rivers.
My soul has grown deep like the rivers
 -Langston Hughes

[ECOLOG-L] Second Call: SWS Multicultural Mentoring Program

[Vanessa Lougheed]

The Society of Wetland Scientists (SWS) Multicultural Mentoring Program 
(SWaMMP) announces the availability of undergraduate student awards for 
travel to attend the SWS annual meeting in San Juan, PR from June 5-8, 
2017. In order to meet our goal of increasing diversity in wetland 
science fields, the Society brings the students to our national meeting 
and matches them with mentors for the duration of the meeting. 

Undergraduate students from groups underrepresented in the sciences are 
encouraged to apply for this exciting opportunity. We will cover all 
travel expenses associated with the meeting. Participants must be 
citizens or permanent residents of the United States or its possessions. 
Spring 2017 graduates are eligible. Participants are selected based on 
academic promise, interest in exploring a career in the natural 
sciences, potential for serving as a mentor, and demonstrated commitment 
to increasing opportunities for underrepresented students.

Additional information is available from Dr. Vanessa Lougheed, 
University of Texas at El Paso (vlough...@utep.edu) and on the program’s 
web page (http://www.sws.org/Awards-and-Grants/sws-undergraduate-
mentoring-program-swammp.html). Application deadline is November 4, 
2016.

[ECOLOG-L] Ph.D. opportunity, U CONN

[David Inouye]

Graduate student position in ecology or evolution


Mark Urban’s lab in the ecology and evolutionary biology department at 
the University of Connecticut is looking for Ph.D. candidates to begin 
Fall 2017 application period. We address questions at the interface of 
ecology and evolution with a focus on understanding the creation and 
maintenance of biodiversity and resilience of natural systems to 
disturbances such as climate change. Current projects include whole-pond 
manipulations of amphibian communities, understanding the effects of 
climate change on Arctic fish, eco-evolutionary dynamics in aquatic 
microcosms, the genomics of adaptation, and improving predicted 
extinction risks from climate change. We are looking for independent 
thinkers who will complement our research team. See our website for more 
information: http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/people/urban/



Come join a highly collaborative lab group situated in a top EEB 
program. The UConn EEB Department offers a highly collaborative 
environment at a leading public research university that is committed to 
fostering a diverse and inclusive academic community. More information 
about the Department can be found at http://www.eeb.uconn.edu. The 
University of Connecticut (UConn) is in the midst of a transformational 
period of growth supported by the $1.7B Next Generation Connecticut 
(http://nextgenct.uconn.edu/) and the $1B Bioscience Connecticut 
(http://biosciencect.uchc.edu/) investments.



Candidates should have an excellent GPA (>3.5), above average GRE 
scores, and applicable research experience. Preference is given to 
students with proven research records, published scientific articles, 
external funding, Master’s degree, or substantial research experience 
(e.g., as a research technician). Applications from groups historically 
underrepresented in STEM fields are encouraged to apply. A number of 
University scholarships are available to top candidates. To apply, first 
send Mark Urban (mark.ur...@uconn.edu) a cover letter detailing your 
research interests and experience as well as a resume or curriculum 
vita. Include current GPA and GRE scores. After reviewing applicants, I 
will select a shortlist of candidates to apply more formally to our 
graduate program.

[ECOLOG-L] Environmental Education Internship in New Mexico

[Fiana Shapiro]

Job Title: Environmental Education Intern, Sandia Mountain Natural 
History Center

Supervisor and Title: Paul Mauermann, SMNHC Manager

Summary: The Sandia Mountain Natural History Center is an Environmental 
Education Center owned by Albuquerque Public Schools and run by the New 
Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science. Each year the SMNHC teaches 
about 17,000 students, teachers and parents about the interconnectedness 
of nature through a series of fun, exciting and educational programs.  For more 
information on the SMNHC and its programs please visit our 
website at nmnaturalhistory.org/smnhc or find us on Facebook.

Duties: Lead 3-4 hour environmental education programs/hikes for 20-30 
5th grade students at a time, at the SMNHC and occasionally across New 
Mexico (travel expenses provided); assist full time staff with field 
research, trail maintenance and other projects as assigned. 

Qualifications Required: Bachelors Degree in Environmental Studies, 
Education, Biology, Ecology or other applicable area.

Conditions of Employment: Must live on site. Desire to work with youth 
in the outdoors, ability to do physical labor and hikes at elevations of 
7,000+ feet, Authorization of a Albuquerque Public Schools criminal 
background check and satisfactory result.

Start Date/Hours per Week/Length of Internship: 14 paid weeks between 
February 13th and May 19th. 35 hours per week.

Compensation & Benefits:
$330 a week ($9.43 per hour)
Free housing (fully furnished cottage) bordering the Cibola National 
Forest & Sandia Mountain Wilderness (great trail access).
Utilities provided.
Rural, remote setting in Cedar Crest, New Mexico. 20 minutes from 
Albuquerque. 
35 hour work week 
Gain great teaching experience, including NMMNHS training and continuing 
education
Beautiful work environment
Free admission to NMMNHS & programs 

Application Procedure:  Apply by November 11th.  Please send a one-page 
cover letter, resume, and names and phone numbers and/or email addresses 
of three references to:
Paul Mauermann
New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science
1801 Mountain Road NW
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87104
paul.mauerm...@state.nm.us
Phone:  505.281-5259

[ECOLOG-L] M.S. Conservation Biology Project/North Carolina State University

[Alexander Krings]

Highly competitive, field-oriented students wishing to commence master's
level study in conservation biology in Fall 2017 may be interested in the
following opportunity at North Carolina State University.  I am looking for
a student to work on US Fish & Wildlife Service-funded at-risk species
surveys of Nuphar sagittifolia (Nymphaeaceae) and Ludwigia ravenii
(Onagraceae).  The project entails mapping known and potential localities
using GIS, conducting weekly monitoring and exploratory surveys during the
growing season, as well as undertaking basic studies on the species, such
as pollination biology or population genetics (this latter component to be
determined based on the student’s major interest).  Kayaking/canoeing
experience is desirable, as is a background in GIS.  Support is available
for a graduate student stipend to support field work, as well as a
technician, and mileage.  In addition, students must be able to
successfully compete for a department-wide teaching assistantship (this
provides a stipend, health care, and tuition remission for two years).
Ideally, a student would begin work on the project in May/June 2017, prior
to entry into the graduate program in August 2017.  Applications to the
graduate program are due January 15, 2017.

If interested, please email Dr. Alexander Krings (alexander_kri...@ncsu.edu)
in advance of the deadline with the following information: (1) a brief
personal statement describing your professional goals and how you see the
proposed project fitting into these plans, (2) an unofficial transcript,
and (3) a cv.

Brief background: The Department of Plant and Microbial Biology has become
a major graduate training center of agency and consultancy botanist in
North Carolina, successfully placing students in such varied organizations
as private environmental consulting firms, the Florida Natural Areas
Inventory, the Nature Conservancy, the NC Natural Heritage Program, the NC
Plant Conservation Program, the NC Botanical Garden, the Tennessee Valley
Authority, and the US Army Corps of Engineers.

More information on the Department of Plant and Microbial Biology can be
found here: https://pmb.cals.ncsu.edu/

More information on the Graduate School can be found here:
http://www.ncsu.edu/grad/


-- 
___
Alexander Krings, Ph.D., F.L.S.
Assistant Professor & Director of the Vascular Plant Herbarium

Guide to the littoral zone vascular flora of Carolina bay lakes
http://bdj.pensoft.net/articles.php?id=7964

Guide to the vascular flora of Howell Woods
http://shop.brit.org/products/howell

Guide the the vascular flora of the savannas and flatwoods of Shaken Creek
Preserve and vicinity
http://bdj.pensoft.net/articles.php?id=1099

Department of Plant & Microbial Biology
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, NC 27695-7612
Tel:919.515.2700
Fax:919.515.3436
http://herbarium.ncsu.edu


Please note: All electronic mail messages in connection with State business
which are sent to or received by this account are subject to the NC Public
Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties.

[ECOLOG-L] Gund Institute Research Assistantships available at University of Vermont

[David Inouye]

*Gund Institute Research Assistantships available at University of Vermont*

* POSITION:*The Gund Institute at the 
University of Vermont (UVM) is recruiting exceptional PhD students for 
Fall 2017 as part of a competitive Graduate Research Assistantship 
program. Students will have considerable latitude and assistance in 
developing the direction of their work, but it should focus broadly 
within our research themes : 
Ecological Economics, Nature’s Benefits, Healthy Landscapes and 
Seascapes, and Climate Change. Students will be advised or co-advised by 
one of our _Gund Institute Fellows. 
_


 The Gund Institute is an interdisciplinary research center, where more 
than 50 faculty, post-docs, and graduate students collaborate widely to 
understand the interactions among ecological, social, and economic 
systems. Consistent with the mission of the Institute, we seek students 
interested in both advancing research frontiers and addressing concrete 
environmental issues.


**

*OFFER:* Students will receive three years of funding to be spent over 
four years. These funds cover an annual stipend of $27,000, tuition, and 
UVM’s student health insurance. Students will work with home departments 
to augment this support with Teaching Assistantships or additional grants.


**

*QUALIFICATIONS: *

·Student must be starting year 1 of a PhD program

·Competitive GPA and GRE scores

·If applicable, minimum TOEFL score of 100 or IELTS score of 7.0

·Preference given to applicants who have not previously studied at UVM, 
and who already have a Master’s degree, but all qualified candidates 
will be considered.


*APPLICATION*: Interested candidates should:

1.Contact potential advisors directly to discuss your interests.

2.Apply to the appropriate UVM college or school by its deadline 
(deadlines vary among schools).  Indicate in your statement of purpose 
that you are applying for a Gund Institute Research Assistantship.


3.Complete the separate Gund Institute Research Assistantship 
Application by February 1, 2017.


Applications from women and people from diverse racial, ethnic, and 
cultural backgrounds are encouraged.


*ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT: *The only comprehensive university in 
the state and Vermont's land-grant institution, UVM enrolls 13,000 
students, including more than 10,000 undergraduates and close to 1,500 
graduate students, and combines faculty-student relationships typically 
found in a liberal arts college with the scholarship and resources of a 
major research institution. It is home to seven undergraduate schools 
and colleges, an honors college, graduate college, medical school, and 
divisions of extension and continuing education. The campus spans 
Burlington's highest ridgeline overlooking Lake Champlain, between the 
Adirondack and Green mountains, and is surrounded by the small, 
historical city of Burlington, perennially voted one of America's best 
places to live.


*Jeannine Valcour*

Research Coordinator

The Gund Institute

University of Vermont


Tel: 802.656.7786  I Email: jeannine.valc...@uvm.edu 



Website: uvm.edu/giee 
Facebook 
 | Twitter 

[ECOLOG-L] PhD positions in invasion ecology/species interactions_Prior lab at Binghamton University

[Kirsten Prior]

Graduate student positions in species interactions and invasion ecology 

The Prior lab (http://www.priorecologylab.com) at Binghamton University (SUNY) 
conducts research 
on community ecology, antagonistic and mutualistic interactions (especially 
with insects and plants), 
environmental change (primarily invasive species), and conservation. I am 
seeking PhD students to 
join the lab. Students will be based at Binghamton University in NY, with 
opportunities to travel to 
field sites in the Pacific Northwest or Southern Ontario. BU also houses a 
600-acre Nature Preserve 
that provides excellent opportunities to conduct research locally 
(https://www.binghamton.edu/nature-preserve/). I am looking for students to 
start in August 2017, 
but there is also potential to start earlier in the lab as a paid technician 
(Spring/summer 2017).

Qualified students with a BS or MS in Biology with background and interests in 
the ecology and 
evolution of species interactions, community ecology, and environmental change 
are encouraged to 
apply. I am seeking highly motivated students, who are excited about asking 
ecological questions and 
conducting research in the field. Research in my lab has a strong basis in 
experimental field ecology, 
but I am interested in students that want to integrate complementary approaches 
to address 
research questions. Students with substantial field experience that have worked 
as a part of a field 
team, are proficient in statistics, have proven scientific writing and 
communication skills, and are 
self-motived and independent will be the most competitive. Desirable 
qualifications also include 
experience with nutrient and chemical analysis, population genetics, modeling, 
identifying plants and 
insects, insect behavioral assays, or GIS/spatial statistics.   

Please see my website (http://www.priorecologylab.com) for a description of 
ongoing research 
projects in the lab, and for the type of research that we conduct. I am 
especially interested in 
students who want to work on projects related to: 1) the role of tri-trophic 
interactions (host plant 
susceptibility and parasitoids) in facilitating the success of an invasive 
insect (field work in the 
Pacific Northwest); 2) parasitoid community assembly on novel/introduced insect 
hosts along 
invasion fronts (also in the PNW and other locations); 3) how traits of 
seed-dispersing ants (including 
an invasive ant) influence forest plant communities (fieldwork local and/or in 
southern Ontario at 
Koffler Scientific Reserve - http://ksr.utoronto.ca). There is also the 
potential to develop other project 
ideas related to species interactions and invasion ecology. 

The student will initially be supported by a teaching assistantship (tuition 
waived) through the 
Department or Biological Sciences at Binghamton University (SUNY) and be a part 
of the EEB 
(Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior) group. BU is located in the beautiful 
Southern Tier and is one of 
the four University Centers in the SUNY system. BU is a nationally ranked, 
premier public university 
with approximately 13,500 undergraduates and 3,500 graduate students. The 
department has an 
active group of EEB faculty and graduate students 
(https://www.binghamton.edu/biology/). 

Please send a cover letter stating why you would like the position and that 
highlights your 
qualifications and relevant skills. Also send a CV, GPA, GRE scores, and PDF 
reprints (if any) to Dr. 
Kirsten Prior (kpr...@binghamton.edu). Please put “Graduate Assistantship” in 
the subject line of the 
email. Please contact me by November 30th. Qualified applicants will be invited 
to send in a formal 
application by January 15th to the Graduate School 
(https://www.binghamton.edu/grad-school/).

[ECOLOG-L] Graduate research assistantship, Microbial ecology (NC State)

[Holly Menninger]

Graduate Research Assistantship (M.S. or Ph.D) -- Dept of Applied Ecology,
NC State Univ
Microbial ecology of caviar and fish eggs

A research assistantship is available to support an exceptional,
highly-motivated student who has an inquiring mind and is in pursuit of a
M.S. degree or Ph.D. in Zoology, Functional Genomics, or any other relevant
graduate research degree program. The successful candidate will work in a
molecular biology research laboratory and may conduct field studies on fish
reproduction and spawning. The project is an exciting one that bridges food
science, basic ecology, and fisheries science. The research focus goal is,
in part, to understand the microbial communities that live in preserved
sturgeon roes (caviars) and also, more generally, to understand the
microbes that live on fishes and how they might be transferred to the eggs
once they are laid. The successful candidate will spearhead laboratory
research experiments including metagenomics, microbial culture, and fish
rearing in recirculating aquaculture systems and work among a large group
of scientists interested in topics as diverse as beer ecology, deep
learning algorithms, ant nest microbiomes, and the biodiversity of belly
buttons.

The position could start as soon as January or August 2017. This is a
two-year position for M.S. students with a possible one-year extension
depending on funding and performance. The time frame will be longer for
Ph.D. students and will allow for adequate time to complete the degree
requirements.

Questions should be directed to Dr. Benjamin Reading(bjrea...@unity.ncsu.edu
)

More information and how to apply:
http://robdunnlab.com/the-microbial-ecology-of-caviar-and-fish-eggs/

[ECOLOG-L] Graduate Assistantship: Field Insect Ecology and Public Outreach

[Lori Spears]

Utah State University – Biology seeks a highly motivated student to study 
ecology and behavior of a highly invasive insect pest, brown marmorated 
stink bug, in Utah’s urban-agricultural landscapes, beginning August 2017. 
Specifically, the project will focus on determining the phenology (timing 
and development) of brown marmorated stink bug life stages (eggs, nymphs, 
and adults), and comparing efficacy of traps and pheromone lures for 
adults in fruit and adjacent crops. Participation in public outreach 
activities is expected. 

The graduate research assistantship includes an annual stipend, tuition 
waiver, and student health insurance. Required qualifications include a 
Bachelor’s degree in biology, entomology, ecology, horticulture, or 
closely related discipline. To apply, please submit a 1-page cover letter 
describing research interests and career goals, a current CV, unofficial 
academic transcript and GRE test scores, and the name and full contact 
information for three references to Drs. Diane Alston 
(diane.als...@usu.edu) and Lori Spears (lori.spe...@usu.edu). Review of 
applications will begin December 1, 2016 and continue until the position 
is filled.

[ECOLOG-L] Shanghai Jiao Tong U Recruiting Event at UMD 10-26

[Ji Li]

Dear all

Shanghai Jiao Tong University Vice President Zhen Huang is leading a
delegation visiting DC, and will have a recruiting event at UMD campus on
10-26-2016. 

When10-26-2016 18:00—20:00
WhereStamp Student Union, Charles Carroll Room A 2203K, 
University of Maryland, College Park, 20742

Light meals will be served. 

Shanghai Jiao Tong University contacts:
E-maill...@sjtu.edu.cngaochuany...@sjtu.edu.cn

Regards, and happy Friday!

[ECOLOG-L] PhD Opportunities at Oregon State University

[Stephen Good]

OPPORTUNITY 1:
The EcoHydro Engineering Group at Oregon State University 
(http://agsci.oregonstate.edu/ecohydro) directed by Dr. Stephen Good is 
currently recruiting 
PhD Students for a funded research examining plant hydraulic traits and soil 
moisture dynamics.  Support is available for highly motivated PhD students 
with strong backgrounds that span engineering, geosciences, ecology, computer 
science, mathematics, and similar fields.  Candidates with an M.S. degree 
and strong skills in programing or large data set analysis are sought.  
Interested candidates should contact Dr. Good and apply for Fall 2017 admission 
through the interdisciplinary Water Resources Graduate Program 
(http://oregonstate.edu/gradwater/) or the Biological and Ecological 
Engineering 
Department (http://bee.oregonstate.edu/programs/graduate) at Oregon State 
University. 

OPPORTUNITY 2:
Dr. Gerrad Jones will be starting a research group at Oregon State University 
in the Department of Biological and Ecological Engineering and is looking for 
a creative and highly motivated Ph.D. or M.S. student to start in the Fall of 
2017. The project will combine laboratory analyses, field work, and advanced 
data analytics in order to identify the unknown compounds driving estrogenicity 
in surface bodies of water. This is a highly interdisciplinary project, and the 
primary responsibility of the student will be to analyze the mass spectra of 
water samples collected throughout Oregon using machine learning tools. The 
candidate should be able to program in R (or some other programming language) 
and have a strong working knowledge of multivariate statistics. 
Preferably, the candidate would have experience with one or more of the 
following areas: mass spec analysis, ecotoxicology, ArcGIS, and be willing and 
capable of doing field work. Candidates should have an M.S. degree in an 
environmentally related field; however, all students with a background in math, 
statistics, science, or engineering who are creative, enthusiastic, and 
hardworking are highly encouraged to apply. For more information, please 
contact Dr. 
Jones directly (gerrad.jo...@eawag.ch), and for more information on his 
research interests, please read his profile at his current research group at 
Eawag 
(http://www.ieg.ethz.ch/group-members/postdocs.html). 

[ECOLOG-L] Public Comment Open for Withdrawl of the Largest Wildlife Refuge in the Contiguous U.S.

[Scott Abella]

NEPA public comment is currently open for a proposal by the U.S. military to
withdraw up to > 227,000 acres from the Desert National Wildlife Refuge. 
This refuge, established in 1936 partly through the efforts of President
Franklin D. Roosevelt, is the largest national wildlife refuge in the lower
48 states and contains several tracts of previously proposed wilderness. 
Further information is available on the Friends of Nevada Wilderness
website:  http://www.nevadawilderness.org/dnwr   
Please do not email me with questions, as I have no further information, am
not involved with the project, and am not doing interviews on this subject.
 I am simply making this information available to the broader ecology and
conservation community, as there may be little knowledge of this proposal
outside of southern Nevada.

Scott R. Abella
Assistant Professor, Restoration Ecology
School of Life Sciences
University of Nevada Las Vegas
4505 S. Maryland Parkway
Las Vegas, Nevada 89154-4004
scott.abe...@unlv.edu
**New book out titled Conserving America's National Parks!
Check out the description here:
https://sites.google.com/site/conservingnationalparks/
https://sites.google.com/site/scottrabella/

[ECOLOG-L] Graduate Assistantships

[Jake Kerby]

I am looking for two graduate students to begin in the Fall of 2017 to work on 
two recently 
funded projects in my laboratory at the University of South Dakota. 

The first is based on survey work on turtles in the Missouri River, 
specifically Lake Oahe from 
Pierre to the North Dakota border. This field work will serve as a basis likely 
for a PhD, but could 
also support a high level MS student.

The second project is part of a larger funded EPSCoR proposal examining 
amphibians along the 
Missouri River in the 59 mile stretch of the National Park Service, Missouri 
National Recreation 
River. This project will focus on water quality questions, but also examine 
disease dynamics in 
amphibian populations along this stretch. This funding is for four years of 
support and is suitable 
for a PhD student investigating the impacts of contaminants on amphibian 
disease.

Please contact me at jacob.ke...@usd.edu
http://www.usd.edu/faculty-and-staff/Jacob-Kerby

Also feel free to repost other boards or forward to suitable candidates.

[ECOLOG-L] PhD position in forest ecophysiology at Oregon State University

[Christopher Still]

PhD opportunity, College of Forestry, Oregon State University (OSU)

Research areas: Plant ecophysiology /Forest ecology/ Global change biology

The Department of Forest Ecosystems and Society will be filling one 
Ph.D. position to work on a project entitled, "Collaborative research: 
Blending ecology and evolution using emerging technologies to determine 
species distributions with a non-native pathogen in a rapidly changing 
climate." The position will start in either June or September 2017. This 
NSF-funded project is a multi-university collaboration examining the 
interacting evolutionary and ecological responses of southwestern white 
pine (Pinus strobiformis) to climate change and an invasive pathogen 
from local to regional scales.
The position will focus on leaf- and tree-scale ecophysiology 
measurements (gas exchange, along with thermal and chlorophyll 
fluorescence imaging) in conjunction with thermal, hyperspectral, and 
LiDAR measurements collected by UAVs. Preference will be given to 
applicants with prior ecophysiology and/or remote sensing experience.


Three years of research assistantship funding (stipend + health 
insurance) are available for this position; additional funding may be 
available through fellowships or teaching assistantships. Outstanding 
candidates may be nominated for OSU and College of Forestry Fellowships 
and Awards. Start date for the position is June 15, 2017 or September 
15, 2017.


The Department of Forest Ecosystems and Society brings together 
students, staff and faculty with interest and expertise in forest 
biology and social science to tackle some of the most pressing 
environmental challenges facing us today 
(http://fes.forestry.oregonstate.edu). Our faculty are world leaders in 
wide range of disciplines, including restoration ecology, forest social 
science, tree physiology, climate change and carbon dynamics, natural 
resource economics and policy, wilderness resource management, 
silviculture, wildlife ecology, and remote sensing. We also have living 
laboratories used for classes and research that include the 11,500 acre 
McDonald-Dunn Forest, just 20 minutes from campus, the H.J. Andrews 
Experimental Forest (http://andrewsforest.oregonstate.edu/) in the 
Cascade Mountains (a NSF Long-term Ecological Research site), and a wide 
variety of cooperating public and private forest lands. For more 
information about the Forest Ecosystems and Society graduate program, 
please visit: 
http://fes.forestry.oregonstate.edu/graduate-programs/forest-ecosystems-and-society-mf-ms-and-phd 



Interested candidates should send an application (a curriculum vitae, a 
description of research interests and experience, and contact 
information for 3 references) to Christopher Still 
(chris.st...@oregonstate.edu) by December 15, 2016.

[ECOLOG-L] PhD position in Theoretical Aquatic Ecology at IGB Berlin

[SUBSCRIBE ECOLOG-L Anonymous]

IGB invites applications for a

PhD Position in Theoretical Aquatic Ecology

https://karriere-igb.softgarden.io/job/609601/PhD-Position-in-Theoretical-Aquatic-Ecology

The PhD Student will develop community models to investigate the importance
of alternative pathways in aquatic communities for energy flow to higher
trophic levels dependent on environmental conditions and the influence of
food-web structure on dynamic properties. Based on the analysis of long-term
data, the project aims to identify major alternative energy pathways in
freshwater communities and to gain insight into how their relative
importance is influenced by a range of environmental factors. Special
emphasis is put on the interrelation between the microbial loop and grazing
food chain in different environmental scenarios, influenced by light, DOC
and nutrient availability.

For further information, please contact Sabine Wollrab (woll...@igb-berlin.de) 

Competitive applicants will hold an M.Sc. in biomathematics, biology,
mathematics or a related field. They have excellent modelling skills and a
keen interest in community ecology.

Funding for the position is available for three years. Salary is according
to the German Public Service (TVöD) (PhD student: 65% position). The
position will be based at IGB’s Department of Experimental Limnology on Lake
Stechlin, 80 km north of Berlin. 

In keeping with the institute’s policy on gender equity, female applicants
are particularly encouraged to apply. Disabled people with identical
qualifications will be favoured. 

Please upload your complete application (CV, motivation letter, statement of
research interests, copies of qualification documents, list of published or
submitted papers, contact details of 2 references) via IGB’s
online-job-market at http://www.igb-berlin.de/job-offers.html (button “Apply
online”). The position will remain open until filled. However, for full
consideration, applications should be received by 15 November 2016.

---
Leibniz-Institut für Gewässerökologie und Binnenfischerei (IGB)
Department of Experimental Limnology
Alte Fischerhütte 2, 16775 Stechlin, Germany

[ECOLOG-L] Job:: Restoration Project Manager

[David Inouye]

The Mobile Bay National Estuary Program in Alabama is seeking a 
Restoration Project Manager. Full details can be found on their website 
www.mobilebaynep.com  and a direct link to 
the announcement here 
http://www.mobilebaynep.com/images/uploads/library/LONGAD_Restoration_Project_Manager_2016.pdf 
. 

[ECOLOG-L] Job: Coastal Scientist

[David Inouye]

Here is the job announcement for the Coastal Scientist position: 
http://www.twdb.texas.gov/jobs/doc/16-68.pdf