[ECOLOG-L] Job Opportunity: Restoration Field Technician

[Fatima Kamal]

Please follow this link to apply directly through our online portal:

http://crcareers.thegreatbasininstitute.org/careers/Careers.aspx?rf=ECOLOG=2017-RAP-017

The Great Basin Institute is working cooperatively with the Bureau of
Land Management Southern Nevada District Office to bring on one
Restoration Field Technician.  The restoration field technician will be
responsible for implementing spring and riparian restoration projects,
and performing office and field activities related to spring and
riparian area management, restoration, and monitoring. The technician
will also participate in the implementation of landscape scale upland
habitat restoration projects.

The associate will work under the direction of the BLM Las Vegas
Restoration Program Manager and will engage in tasks including:

•Field monitoring using basic equipment and standard techniques for
measuring vegetation response, hydrological condition and other
ecological indicators;
•Independently conduct field work in the Mojave Desert;
•Drive through rugged terrain using 4WD vehicles or UTV’s;
•Conduct work in the field throughout all seasons;
•Data processing, including GIS work;
•Gather data, and prepare and submit reports;
•Coordinate with volunteer groups, and oversee restoration work with
volunteer teams and Nevada Conservation Corps teams  to restore riparian
and upland wildlife habitat;
•Repair fences, barriers, gates, and signs using construction tools such
as post hole diggers, shovels, digging bars, a generator, electric
drills and other hand tools;
•Treat exotic plants with mechanical techniques such as pulling, and
coordinate herbicide treatments by certified applicators;
•Support the planning, designing, and logistics for restoration
projects;
•Work with a variety of specialists from different agencies in order to
assist with the completion of projects;
•Other restoration activities will be assigned as needed; and
•Participate in GBI and BLM training opportunities.

Location:
The technician 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 the recently designated Gold Butte National Monument. Recreation
opportunities abound and viewing sites for desert plants and animals are
easily accessible.

Compensation:
•Rate of Pay: $15.00/hour
•Health and Dental benefits

Timeline:
•March 2017 for a 1 year duration; potential for extension pending
available funding and positive performance review
•Full time, 40 hours per week; overtime and/or weekend hours may be
required occasionally

Qualifications:
Required Qualifications-
•Bachelor’s Degree in Physical or Ecological Sciences (such as
Environmental Science, Ecology, Hydrology, Rangeland Management or
related subject);
•Experience conducting ecological field work, preferably related to
botany;
•Experience in data collection;
•Coursework in plant restoration, botany,  or range science (transcripts
may be requested);
•Experience conducting plant surveys using various monitoring protocols,
such as standard rangeland monitoring protocols, photo plots, and site
observations;
•Experience with data entry and analysis;
•Experience with technical writing and/or producing written
project/monitoring summary reports;
•Experience working with hand-held GPS equipment for navigation and data
collection;
•Experience working with GIS software; and
•Experience with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access)
•Valid, state-issued driver’s license and clean driving record;
experience operating 4WD trucks on paved and unpaved roads;
•Ability to work independently, self-direct and self-motivate;
•Good organizational skills and ability to multitask;
•Willingness and ability to carry a backpack water sprayer (up to 35
pounds), lift up to 50 pounds, and to perform physical labor, including
but not limited to, manual removal of non-native vegetation, and
planting of native vegetation; and
•Ability to communicate effectively with team members, agency staff, and
a diverse public;
•Willingness to spend multiple days camping in the field;
•Willingness to sometimes work irregular hours (e.g., early mornings,
late nights);
•Ability to work in harsh and rapidly changing environments, work in all
types of weather conditions and traverse uneven terrain;
•Willingness to complete chain saw and UTV training; and
•Successful applicant(s) must complete a Department of Interior (DOI)
Background Investigation (BI) or submit paperwork to BLM human resources
indicating an active and fully adjudicated BI has already been completed
prior to beginning position.

Desired Qualifications-
•Experience conducting and/or overseeing restoration projects;
•Experience using small engines 

[ECOLOG-L] NSF/USGS grad student opportunity in peatland ecology and molecular biology

[Mark Waldrop]

Hello,
The USGS, in connection with the NSF Graduate Research Intern Program (GRIP) 
and the NSF Graduate 
Student Preparedness program (GSP) opportunity, has opportunities for current 
NSF funded graduate 
students to spend up to 12 months with the USGS working on research.
See opportunities here:
https://powellcenter.usgs.gov/national-science-foundation-graduate-research-internship-program-
grip

In addition, if there are any NSF funded graduate students out there interested 
in applying DNA based 
techniques to understand peatland vegetation history in Alaska, please send me 
an email at 
mwald...@usgs.gov.

Thank you,
Mark

[ECOLOG-L] acoustic ecology of galagos plus 'almost famous animals' of Asia and beyond

[Erik Hoffner]

In the new episode of the Mongabay Newscast editor Glenn Scherer talks
about the 2-yr series "Almost Famous Animals" like bearcats, Hong Kong
frogs, and storks that deserve conservation awareness and funding, plus we
play the calls of a new genus (and a new species) of galago, aka bush
babies ~

https://news.mongabay.com/2017/03/audio-meet-the-almost-famous-animals-that-deserve-more-conservation-recognition/

Please listen, share with your teams or students, and subscribe via Stitcher
, TuneIn
, iTunes

, Google Play
, or
RSS .

You will love the 'advertising call' of the newly discovered Angolan dwarf
galago, listen for that near the end of the show!

Erik

--

See my latest writing and photojournalism projects here


*tw: @erikhoffner *

[ECOLOG-L] Job Posting: Seasonal Aquatic Biologist I

[Joy Trahan-Liptak]

*Applications will be accepted through
MassCareers https://massanf.taleo.net/careersection/ex/jobsearch.ftl
 - search for Job
Number 170001CF. *

*Seasonal Aquatic Biologist I* *-* *(170001CF)*

*Description*



Position: Aquatic Biologist I

Start Date: May 14, 2017

End Date: October 28, 2017



About the Department of Conservation and Recreation: The Department of
Conservation and Recreation manages one of the largest and most diverse
state parks systems in the nation and protects and enhances natural
resources and outdoor recreational opportunities throughout Massachusetts.
DCR is a dynamic agency, and is one of the largest park systems in the
nation. The DCR system includes over 450,000 acres of parks, forests, water
supply protection lands, beaches, lakes, ponds, playgrounds, swimming
pools, golf courses, skating rinks, trails and parkways.



The Department of Conservation and Recreation Division of Water Supply
Protection seeks qualified applicants for the positions of seasonal Aquatic
Biologist I.



*Duties:*

Under the direction of the Environmental Quality Group supervisor or
designees, the successful applicants will:


   - Participate in field surveys of Wachusett Reservoir by using water
   quality probes, obtaining water quality and phytoplankton samples,
   delivering samples to the analytical laboratory, and processing biological
   samples.
   - Participate in invasive aquatic plant management activities by
   scouting for new invasive plants, counting invasive plant fragments,
   mapping invasive plant beds, and recording plant species occurrence in the
   Wachusett Reservoir and watershed ponds.
   - Assist in compiling and entering environmental monitoring data into
   electronic databases.
   -  Participate in laboratory analysis of water quality samples for
   characteristics like color and turbidity.
   - Participate in the sampling and analysis of algae and
   macroinvertebrate populations and their habitat for the purpose of
   assessing potential impacts to drinking water quality.
   - Assist with data analysis preparatory to writing reports on monitoring
   studies.
   - Perform other related duties as required.

While not required, small boat operation and canoe paddling experience is
advantageous as is identification of freshwater aquatic macrophytes.



*Qualifications*



*This requisition will remain open until filled; however, first
consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first
14 days.*



MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Applicants must have at least (A) two years of full-time, or equivalent
part-time, professional, para-professional or technical experience in
marine biology or fisheries management work, or (B) any equivalent
combination of the required experience and the substitutions below.



Substitutions:



I. A Bachelor’s or higher degree with a major in marine, fisheries, or
wildlife biology; fisheries or wildlife management, marine science or
oceanography may be substituted for the required experience on the basis of
two years of education for one year of experience.*



*Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the
proportion of the requirements actually completed.



SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Based on assignment, possession of a current and
valid Massachusetts Class D Motor Vehicle Operator's license.



*An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.  Females, minorities,
veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.*



*Official Title:* Aquatic Biologist I

*Primary Location:* United States-Massachusetts-West Boylston-180 Beaman St

*Job:* Science

*Agency:* Department of Conservation & Recreation

*Schedule:* Full-time

*Shift:* Day

*Job Posting:* Mar 8, 2017, 8:46:53 AM

*Number of Openings:* 1

*Salary:*   1,845.56 Biweekly

*If you have Diversity, Affirmative Action or Equal Employment Opportunity
questions or need a Reasonable Accommodation, please contact Diversity
Officer / ADA Coordinator:* Evanice Torres - 617-626-1161

[ECOLOG-L] MS research assistantship -- Rangeland Soil Ecology

[Caley Gasch]

Position Description
A graduate research assistantship (Masters level) is available in the
Department of Soil Science, School of Natural Resource Sciences at North
Dakota State University. The student will focus on soil ecology, nutrient
cycling, and aboveground-belowground relationships in a rangeland system,
and in response to vegetation treatments (such as fire and livestock
grazing). The research will be conducted at the Central Grasslands Research
and Extension Center (CGREC) in Streeter, ND, but the position will be based
at the NDSU campus in Fargo, ND. The project will integrate with
interdisciplinary projects at CGREC examining vegetation ecology, livestock
production, wildlife and pollinator habitat, and fire behavior.

Qualifications
Qualified applicants will have a strong academic record in the natural
sciences, excellent written and oral communication skills, the ability to
work in a team and independently, and the ability to spend substantial time
at CGREC. The most competitive applicants will have prior experience with
research and data analysis, preferably in the areas of soil, plant, or
rangeland ecology.

To apply
Submit one document (word or PDF) that includes 1) a cover letter explaining
your background, qualifications, and why you are interested in the position,
2) curriculum vitae, 3) transcripts (unofficial), and 4) contact information
for three professional references to caley.ga...@ndsu.edu. Incomplete
applications will not be considered. Screening will begin immediately

Salary: $17,000 annually, plus full tuition waiver
Location: Fargo, ND (NDSU main campus) and Streeter, ND (CGREC,
https://www.ag.ndsu.edu/CentralGrasslandsREC)
Contact: Caley Gasch, Assistant Professor of Soil Health, Department of Soil
Science https://www.ndsu.edu/soils/personnel/faculty/dr_caley_gasch/
caley.ga...@ndsu.edu

[ECOLOG-L] MS Student

[Ivan Hiltpold]

Dr. Ivan Hiltpold is recruiting a MS student to join his new lab group 
(http://canr.udel.edu/faculty/ivan-hiltpold/) in the Department of Entomology 
and Wildlife Ecology 
(http://canr.udel.edu/enwc/), Univ. of Delaware, Newark, DE). The lab group 
takes multidisciplinary 
approaches to document on multitrophic interactions in the rhizosphere. The 
topics of interest 
include chemically meditated interaction between insect herbivores, roots and 
entomopathogenic 
nematodes, above-belowground interactions, crop domestication (effect on plant 
defense and 
architecture), impact of root architecture on upper trophic levels, or 
development of innovative tools 
in sustainable pest control. Hiltpold’s lab, together with the shared 
facilities at UD, offers up-to-date 
instruments and technologies to undertake world-class research.

Current work in the lab is centered on the western corn rootworm as an insect 
model. In this context, 
the successful applicant will have the opportunity to look at the influence of 
Silicon accumulation in 
corn roots on the rhizopheric community. The student will undertake metabolic, 
phenotypic, 
behavioral and ecological analyzes and experiments to unravel how does corn use 
this key element in 
defenses against insect herbivores. Elements on above-belowground interactions 
and sustainability 
of the approach will be added depending on the progresses of the project.

Salary
A competitive salary (~$24,000 + health benefit) and tuition package will be 
offered to the successful 
applicant.

General Information
The Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology within the College of 
Agriculture and Natural 
Resources has 13 faculty, 1 extension specialist, and 15 affiliated faculty.  
Additional world-class 
faculty and professionals in other departments within the College provide 
excellent opportunities for 
interdisciplinary collaboration.  Research facilities include two research 
farms (over 200 acres each) 
and excellent greenhouse and laboratory facilities (see 
http://canr.udel.edu/enwc/). The University of 
Delaware is a Land Grant, Sea Grant, Space Grant, and Carnegie Research 
University.  The University 
of Delaware is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages applications from 
minority group 
members and women.

Successful applicant will have to enroll to the Univ. of Delaware Graduate 
School. 

Application Instructions
To apply, please email Dr. Hiltpold (hiltp...@udel.edu) a cover letter 
describing your interests and 
experience, a CV, contact details of 3 professional references, unofficial 
transcripts, and (unofficial) 
GPA and GRE/TOEFL scores. Contact Dr. Hiltpold for more information. 

Application deadline: March 31 2017
Expected starting period: Summer semester.

[ECOLOG-L] REU: Carbon cycling in alpine ponds of Colorado

[Amanda DelVecchia]

*Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Opportunity*: Carbon cycling
in alpine ponds of Colorado

Dr. Scott Wissinger and Dr. Amanda DelVecchia

Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory

Allegheny College



We are seeking a highly motivated undergraduate student to conduct a
10-week research project investigating patterns in CO2 saturation and
efflux across alpine ponds in Gothic, Colorado (
http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/u
nitedstates/colorado/placesweprotect/mexican-cut-preserve.xml).  The
project involves rigorous field sampling, measurement of headspace samples
on a gas chromatograph and/or LiCor, and collection of routine hydrologic
measurements.  Student should have taken basic biology and chemistry
classes and should be in good academic standing.  An interest in ecology
and/or hydrology is preferred.  Experience with both field and lab
techniques is also preferable, but not necessary.



Sampling requires hiking with equipment to 12,000 feet in elevation in
variable weather conditions – thus student should be comfortable in
wilderness conditions and in excellent physical condition.  The student
should also be comfortable living in a relatively remote setting.



Position includes room, board, and stipend from the beginning of June to
mid August.  The student will be housed at Rocky Mountain Biological
Laboratory (www.rmbl.org) and will be enrolled in RMBL’s REU program, where
the student will be able to participate in routine meetings and a symposium
at the end of summer.  The student will also be part of a large team of
aquatic ecologists including professors, postdocs, graduate students,
undergraduate research assistants, and other REU students.


To apply, please send a CV, academic transcript, and 1 page statement of
interest to adelvecc...@allegheny.edu.

-- 
Amanda Gay DelVecchia, PhD
NSF Postdoctoral Scholar
Allegheny College
Rocky Mountain Biological Station

[ECOLOG-L] University of Toledo Director of the Lake Erie Center

[Jonathan Bossenbroek]

The University of Toledo seeks a Director for the Lake Erie Center. The 
Lake Erie Center (LEC) is a 30,000 ft2 research facility on the shore of 
Lake Erie, 25 minutes from main campus.  Facilities include: wet-lab with 
flow-through lake and city water, an instrumentation laboratory, 25ft and 
28ft research vessels plus smaller trailered boats, lake-deployed sensors, 
offices for faculty and students, classrooms, a library, a public lobby 
and support facilities (http://www.utoledo.edu/nsm/lec/).  The LEC’s 
mission is to serve as a nexus for interdisciplinary and collaborative 
research and education on aquatic ecosystems and the linkages among land-
use practices, water quality, habitat, economics, natural resources, and 
sustainability.  Much of the current research at the LEC addresses 
questions in natural resource management and conservation including causes 
and responses to harmful algal blooms, nutrient transport, fisheries 
ecology, and invasive species.  We seek a Director who will build 
initiatives that complement and strengthen research programs and expand 
the university’s position as a leader in water research with a focus on 
Lake Erie and the Great Lakes. 

We seek a Director who has substantial professional achievement and 
national standing in research relevant to the LEC mission.  Applicants 
from diverse disciplines will be considered.  While candidates with 
experience in Great Lakes issues are sought, exceptional candidates with 
experience working in other aquatic ecosystems are invited to apply.  A 
successful candidate will be at a senior level and have both the 
experience and desire to provide leadership on water or water ecosystems 
research with faculty, staff, and students across UT, and to develop 
external partnerships with other universities, agencies, and other 
organizations to address the challenges of the Great Lakes.  Possible 
approaches include: 1) developing mechanisms for LEC researchers to 
provide local governments and natural resource agencies with information 
that supports policy and decision making; 2) working with educators and 
agencies to meaningfully transfer LEC and UT research findings to the 
public (students and adults) and conversely, to engage the public in the 
work of the LEC; 3) developing large externally funded programs led at the 
Center that bring in expertise from other universities to address critical 
problems.  

Therefore, a successful candidate would need to demonstrate the ability to 
lead programmatic grant proposals, and to build relationships with local, 
regional, and federal agencies and organizations.  The Director would also 
have oversight (in collaboration with resident faculty) of the LEC budget, 
facility, staff and advisory boards. 

Required qualifications include: 1) a minimum of 10 years of post-graduate 
experience working on issues relevant to the mission of the Center; 2) an 
advanced degree in in any area of Environmental Science or related 
discipline, or substantial administrative experience with an agency or 
organization working on issues relevant to the Great Lakes  3) 
demonstrated experience in leading interdisciplinary collaborations; 4) 
evidence of successful administrative activity; 5) documented familiarity 
with the Great Lakes ecosystem or other large managed ecosystem; and 6) 
evidence of national standing as an expert on issues central to the 
mission of the Center such as significant publications, grants, or high 
profile agency or institute positions.

While this is expected to be primarily an administrative position, there 
also could be an opportunity for a concurrent appointment as tenured 
faculty in an appropriate academic department, depending on the 
candidate’s educational, professional background and career goals. For a 
tenured faculty position, a Ph.D. or J.D. degree is required with 
professional and scholarly achievements sufficient to be tenured and hold 
the rank of Professor.

The University of Toledo is the third largest public university in Ohio. 
It is a Carnegie classified doctoral university of higher research 
activity, and is a comprehensive state institution with an enrollment of 
approximately 23,000 students spread across 14 colleges and two attractive 
suburban campuses. Associated with the LEC is the UT Water Quality Task 
Force, an interdisciplinary group of more than 25 researchers across seven 
colleges working to address Lake Erie water quality issues. 

Situated in the heart of the Midwest, Toledo, Ohio is a convergence of 
highways, railways and waterways that have long made Toledo a 
transportation hub.  Located at the intersection of I-75 and I-80/90, the 
two busiest highways in the country, Toledo is where things get built.  
Smart things like solar panels and biotech. Iconic things like Jeep® brand 
SUVs and Libbey glass; home to several corporate entities – Owens Corning, 
Owens Illinois, Dana Corporation, Jeep and First Solar.  Strengths in 
bioscience, 

[ECOLOG-L] Final Call for Student Entries - Short Video Contest - Smithsonian Earth Optimism

[Smithsonian Earth Optimism]

TWO MINUTE VIDEO COMPETITION FOR STUDENTS - SMITHSONIAN EARTH OPTIMISM 

FINAL CALL for ENTRIES!

THEME: Conservation Success
DEADLINE: March 10, 11:59 PM Eastern Time US

AWARDS: Winners will receive free travel, lodging, and registration to the 
Smithsonian’s inaugural 
Earth Optimism Summit in Washington DC, April 21-23! Grand Prize winner also 
receives $1000 from 
American University Center for Environmental Filmmaking.

Over 150 speakers and 1200 thought leaders, scientists, artists, 
environmentalists, and civic and 
business leaders will gather for three days to share stories of conservation 
successes and discuss 
solutions. From how to tackle species extinction to inspiring communities to 
take action or securing 
the future of food, we’ll explore how people around the world are making 
positive change for the 
planet. Join us!

Complete information on competition rules, guidelines and submission 
instructions can be found at 
the Earth Optimism Website   http://earthoptimism.si.edu/blogs/news

[ECOLOG-L] post-doctoral position-biogeochemistry-nitrogen cycling-ecology of biological N fixation

[Laurie E. Drinkwater]

Post-doctoral position-Cornell University

The postdoctoral position is with an interdisciplinary project titled Creating 
the Cover Crops that Organic Farmers Need: Delivering Regionally Adapted 
Varieties across America.  We are in the midst of conducting screening trials 
comparing populations of winter annual legumes commonly used as green manures 
in order to select breeding material with traits identified by organic farmers 
as priorities. We are evaluating biomass production, N content and biological N 
fixation (BNF) across legume species, cultivars, and populations in three 
distinct environments. We will address three key questions: 1) How does BNF 
vary across legume species, cultivars and populations? 2) Are BNF rates linked 
to plant characteristics commonly used by breeders (i.e. vigor, flowering time, 
biomass) to assess legume performance? 3) How do environment x genetic 
interactions influence BNF rates and how do they differ across legume species, 
cultivars and populations? We will also conduct greenhouse experiments to 
further development of 15N natural abundance methodology. The post-doc will be 
based in the Drinkwater lab and will work with the project team, collaborating 
closely with other team members based in Ithaca and supporting the screening 
and breeding research that is underway in other locations (including North 
Carolina, Maryland, Minnesota, Texas, Iowa and Washington). This is a two-year 
position with the possibility of an extension depending on our ability to 
secure future grant funding.

Applications: Please submit CV and cover letter stating interest and experience 
relevant to the project, as well as contact information for three references to 
Professor Laurie Drinkwater le...@cornell.edu.  
Applications will be reviewed as they are received until the position is filled.
The link to the full job description is provided below:
https://apps.hr.cornell.edu/recruiting/facultyview.cfm?posting_id=_Post-Doctoral-Associate_WDR-00010159

[ECOLOG-L] COTE Summer School "Weak signals and emerging issues in ecological transition"

[Mission LabEx COTE]

Dear All, 

The COTE Cluster of Excellence organises its fifth Summer School on “Weak 
signals and emerging issues in ecological transition”. The course will take 
place in Bordeaux, FRANCE, from 03-07 July 2017. Registration deadline is 09 
April 2017. 

The Summer School's conferences, field trips and round tables are excellent 
opportunities for PhD students to engage into highly interactive exchanges with 
experts on integrative ecology! 

The ecological transitions are not straightforward paths where well-known 
problems have to be addressed. Climate-induced ecological changes as well as 
changes in consumption patterns have led to emerging issues. They may often 
manifest before full development as weak signals, remaining largely ignored by 
scientists and managers due to specific path-dependency metrological choices 
(involving different spatial and temporal scales) but revealing important 
trends. Moreover, it is often difficult to distinguish them statistically from 
ambient noise, or from random fluctuations of well-known signals. The 
scientific expertise of such emerging issues requires new diagnostic tools. 
Whistleblowers are the social actors involved in raising awareness of emerging 
issues to push them to the fore of the collective action. 

To apply, please register on the Summer School website before 09 April 2017: 
http://cotesummerschool.u-bordeaux.fr/en/. Registration terms, programme 
updates and information on our speakers are also available on the website. For 
more information about COTE: http://cote.labex.u-bordeaux.fr/en/. 

We would appreciate if you could forward this announcement to potentially 
interested applicants. 
For any questions, please contact us at: mission-labexc...@u-bordeaux.fr 

Best regards, 
COTE Cluster of Excellence Managers Team

[ECOLOG-L] Postdoctoral Researcher: Penn State Sustainable Dairy Cropping Systems

[John Tooker]

Postdoctoral Researcher: Sustainable Dairy Cropping Systems, The Pennsylvania 
State 
University, University Park, PA.  We seek a postdoctoral research associate to 
join a multi-
disciplinary team of Penn State and USDA-ARS scientists studying sustainable 
dairy forage 
and feed production systems at University Park, PA. Since 2010, we have been 
investigating a range of cropping system aspects including: agronomics; 
nutrient 
management; weed, slug, and insect control; soil and water quality; and 
economics with 
the goals of optimizing farm productivity while conserving nutrients, soil, 
energy, and off-
farm inputs, and minimizing pest populations and greenhouse gas emissions. For 
a project 
description, see: http://plantscience.psu.edu/research/areas/crop-ecology-and-
management/cropping-systems The postdoctoral researcher will be actively 
engaged in 
most aspects of the research and will coordinate daily research activities, 
data 
management, and multi-criteria systems analysis in conjunction with the project 
management team. He/she will also have the opportunity to lead research on a 
specific 
aspect of the funded project. The initial appointment will be for one year, 
with the 
opportunity for renewal. Applicants must have completed a Ph.D. in agronomy, 
agroecology, plant or ecosystem science, soil science, weed science, 
entomology, or 
related fields. Applicants must submit a cover letter,C.V., transcripts, a 
statement of 
research interests, and list of references.  Review of applications will begin 
March 27, 2017 
and continue until a suitable candidate has been identified. For further 
information contact 
Dr. Heather Karsten, Dept. of Plant Science, h...@psu.edu.  Apply online at 
https://psu.jobs/job/69587

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS: For more about safety at Penn State, and to 
review the Annual Security Report which contains information about crime 
statistics and 
other safety and security matters, please go to  
http://www.police.psu.edu/clery/, which 
will also provide you with detail on how to request a hard copy of the Annual 
Security 
Report.

Penn State is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, and is 
committed to 
providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard 
to race, 
color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national 
origin, disability or 
protected veteran status.

[ECOLOG-L] GSA 2017 Topical Session (T51): Integrating paleo and neontological approaches to macroevolution

[Paul Harnik]

Dear All,

We are convening a topical session entitled “Biodiversity dynamics in the
face of environmental change: Integrating paleontological and neontological
approaches to macroevolution” at the 2017 Geological Society of America
conference. The conference will be held 22-25 October in Seattle,
Washington. Our session (T51) will focus on how environmental changes have
shaped Earth’s biodiversity through geologic time and how these
macroevolutionary relationships might be used to understand the responses of
extant species to current and projected environmental conditions. Invited
speakers include Samantha Price (University of California, Davis), Andy
Purvis (Natural History Museum London), and Jens-Christian Svenning (Aarhus
University). 

If you have a current project that fits the scope of our session we hope
that you will consider submitting an abstract for consideration. Abstract
submission will be open around April 1st, 2017 and close on August 1. We are
keenly interested in putting together a slate of talks that span a diversity
of disciplinary approaches and including presenters from neontological
backgrounds who are interested in incorporating paleontological perspectives
into their research. For more information about the conference:
https://www.geosociety.org/GSA/Events/Annual_Meeting/GSA/Events/gsa2017.aspx. 

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us and if you
know others who might be interested please consider forwarding this
announcement to them.

Best wishes,

Shan Huang (Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre,
shan.hu...@senckenberg.de)
Paul Harnik (Franklin & Marshall College, paul.har...@fandm.edu)
Lee Hsiang Liow (Natural History Museum & Centre for Ecological and
Evolutionary Synthesis, University of Oslo, l.h.l...@ibv.uio.no)

[ECOLOG-L] on the March:the need for narrative

[David Duffy]

[image: Photo Credit: Rockaway Youth on Banner by Flickr.com user Light
Brigading]
A MESSAGE FOR SCIENTISTS (AND EVERYONE) ON EARTH DAY: "NARRATIVE IS
LEADERSHIP"

Randy Olson / March 7, 2017


This Earth Day scientists will receive attention like never before (and
they deserve it), but if they’re smart they’ll turn to great leaders like
Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther King, Jr. as models for how to engage the
public. Both of them had what scientists tend to lack — narrative intuition.

In one major Washington DC Earth Day event, the Earth Optimism Summit
 (where I’ll be speaking) scientists will be
the main attraction. Across town at the March for Science
, scientists will literally be on parade.
It will be a big day, but if they want to make an impact they will need to
“deliver a message.” To do that they need to understand the power of
narrative which underpins messaging.

Let me show you how narrative works using two of the greatest speeches in
American history. I’ll analyze them with the ABT narrative template I
developed and presented in my 2015 book *Houston, We Have A Narrative
*. It’s
the centerpiece of my Story Circles Narrative Training
 program I now run with a range of
government agencies (including National Park Service, NASA, USDA, USFWS and
USGS) and corporations. You won’t find it in any humanities textbooks. The
closest thing is my friend Jerry Graff’s million-selling handbook for
argumentation, *They Say, I Say
.*

First, the template. The ABT consists of three words (and, but, therefore).
These words embody the three fundamental forces of narrative (agreement,
contradiction, consequence). It’s a tool that provides the structure for
boiling down content to its narrative core by filling in the blanks of,
“_ AND _ BUT _ THEREFORE _.”

The ABT gives you a narrative statement that is both concise and compelling
— not boring or confusing. If you look at the Gettysburg Address, famous
for its brevity, you see it’s a perfect ABT of three paragraphs.
[image: Photo Courtesy of Randy Olson]THE GETTYSBURG ADDRESS.  It’s only
three paragraphs with perfect ABT structure.

For Martin Luther King, Jr’s “I Have A Dream” speech his first paragraph is
ABT, plain and simple. He even has the words “but” and “so” (which is the
more common word of consequence than “therefore”).


[image: Photo Courtesy of Randy Olson]MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR’S “I HAVE A
DREAM” SPEECH.  The opening paragraph is an ABT.

So why is this relevant to scientists? Because if they want to accomplish
anything meaningful, they need a clear message, which means narrative. In
fact, narrative is what “branding” is in the business world. It all comes
down to the same basic dynamics — “Coke AND Pepsi are great, BUT 7 Up is
better, THEREFORE you need to drink it.”
THE MARCH FOR SCIENCE

On April 22 large numbers of scientists will walk the streets of Washington
DC and demand … what? What will they demand? What is their message? What is
their motto? What is their slogan? What is their slugline (the short
statement of their demands)?

Let’s have a look at their website .  In
their banner is the title of the event, “The March for Science,” but
nothing more.

The fact is the march was announced over two months ago, but still there
doesn’t seem to be a simple message. This is a problem, because when you
fail to speak up for yourself simply and loudly, others will speak for you.
This is exactly what has happened for the Science March.

On January 31 a scientist from South Carolina wrote an editorial in the *New
York Time*s titled, “A Scientists March on Washington is a Bad Idea
.”
This was followed by *Vox *calling the idea “awkward

,” *BuzzFeed* saying scientists were “arguing”
over
it, and *Science* Magazine offering unsolicited advice
.


For all of these media pronouncements there has been no clear idea of what
the scientists want (i.e. the message — and maybe all they really want is
to be respected, in which case they might draw their message from the motto
of the nation’s largest science organization, American Association for the
Advancement of Science, which is “Serving society”). Looking at the four
paragraphs of text on the March for Science website
 you see very little narrative structure.
Instead of starting with words of agreement (such as “We all