[ECOLOG-L] Job: Molecular Biology Lab Technician, Hilo, Hawaii

[Scott Geib]

Aloha! The University of Hawaii, Manoa and USDA-ARS Pacific Basin 
Agricultural Research Center have funding for a highly experienced 
technician in the area of population genetics/phylogenomics/molecular 
systematics. This position is currently posted at the University of 
Hawaii, 0078996T and closes on October 31st, 2017 
(http://workatuh.hawaii.edu/Jobs/NAdvert/27762/4598809/1/postdate/desc).
  This research project is focused on analyzing populations of tephritid 
fruit fly species using genome-wide analysis techniques towards marker 
discovery and developing assays for determination of source populations. 
The duties include but are not limited to: high throughput extraction of 
DNA/RNA; generation of NGS libraries (DNA, RNAseq, ddRAD, etc) for 
Illumina, single molecule (e.g. PacBio/Nanopore), and linked-read (e.g. 
10x Genomics) sequencing; and traditional genotyping (e.g. TaqMan 
assays) etc. A strong background in wetlab techniques in population 
genetics and phylogenetics or genomics is required, including high-
throughput sequencing library preparation. Additional tasks may include 
assisting in microinjections for functional genomic studies 
(CRISPR/RNAi), assisting in maintenance of fruit fly colonies and 
performing experimental crosses, laboratory maintenance, etc. Knowledge 
of linux/unix, scripting, and light programming in some language is 
preferred but not required. We have in-house automated laboratory 
equipment for nucleic acid extraction and library prep as well as HPC 
computing resources and a very active research program. Salary starts at 
~$42,000/yr with benefits, hired through the University of Hawaii at 
Manoa, and the job will be stationed at the USDA-ARS Pacific Basin 
Agricultural Research Center in Hilo, Hawaii (on the Big Island of 
Hawaii). Appointment is for 1 year, with extension annually, based on 
performance and funding.  Currently, at least 2 years of funding is 
available. Master’s degree or undergraduate with extensive experience is 
required. 
To learn more about our research program, you can view: 
https://youtu.be/dU2kFhI6bYI
If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Scott Geib at 
scott.g...@ars.usda.gov.  To apply, complete and submit an application 
package following instruction at 
http://workatuh.hawaii.edu/Jobs/NAdvert/27762/4598809/1/postdate/desc 
before the October 31st closing date

[ECOLOG-L] Can tech drive conservation? recording of 9/27 Commonwealth Club event

[Erik Hoffner]

Last month I mentioned on this email list a live program Mongabay.com was
hosting in the Bay Area, several folks said they'd like to see it:

On September 27, 2017, Mongabay hosted a program at the Commonwealth Club
of California in San Francisco about new ways advanced technology is aiding
conservation efforts worldwide, from remote sensing to drones, camera traps
and AI. Moderated by Mongabay Founder and CEO, Rhett Butler, the panel
featured Topher White, Founder and CEO of Rainforest Connection, the
Director of Global Forest Watch, Crystal Davis, and Virgil Zetterlind,
Director of Protected Seas and Chief Technology Officer for Conserve.IO.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uO1BTYtU2GI

For more articles and features on this topic, please visit Mongabay's
technology in conservation news site, WildTech, www.wildtech.mongabay.com.

Best,

Erik

--

See my latest writing and photojournalism projects here


*tw: @erikhoffner *

[ECOLOG-L] Response summary to: "Publication options for low-income scientists"

[Laura Heiker]

I recently posted to ask for advice about how to publish in respectable 
peer-reviewed journals with little to no funding for publication costs.  
I am very appreciative of everyone’s responses and would like to pass on 
this summary.

Note: Journal lists below are not comprehensive, and I can’t speak to 
journal quality.

1)Open access vs. traditional publishing – Many journals do not charge 
for traditional publications (for which readers have to subscribe or pay 
a fee to view the whole article).  However, there are typically costs 
for color figures, translation, and making an article open access.  (The 
last is where the real expense to the author comes in.) 

Some traditional journals allow authors to post the accepted (pre-print) 
version of their manuscript on a personal website, including 
ResearchGate, or in a repository like PubMed Central.  However, you 
should check the publisher’s self-archive policy as there may be an 
embargo on such postings.  (The Wiley family of journals, for example, 
requires 12 months for science journals and a posted disclaimer.)

Journals with free traditional publishing (but charges for open access):
•   British Ecological Society family of journals
•   Some Springer journals
•   Animal Conservation
•   Archives of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry
•   Biological Conservation
•   Canadian Journal of Zoology 
•   Ecography
•   Journal of Zoology
•   Oikos

2)  Free open access journals:
•   Current Zoology (free for non-commercial until 2020)
•   Herpetological Conservation and Biology
•   Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management
•   Journal of Political Ecology
•   Neotropical Biodiversity
•   Riparian Ecology and Management

3)  Journals that offer fee waivers/grants: 
•   Ecological Society of America family of journals
•   PLoS family of journals 
•   Some Springer journals

4)  Request to the editor for waived/lowered fees – It may be 
worthwhile to contact the editor of a journal ahead of time or in your 
cover letter to ask if they offer waivers or reduced fees.  They may 
offer this but not publicly state it until after you submit.  Authors 
from developing countries, sole authors, and low-income authors often 
qualify.

5)  Professional societies – If you are a member of a professional 
society that publishes journals, you may be able to publish in theirs at 
a reduced cost, particularly if you are a current student or recent 
grad.

6)  Possible funding from former institution – Your major advisor 
may be able to apply for departmental funds that you otherwise would not 
have access to.  (At my university, faculty can apply for one open 
access grant per year, for a maximum of $2,000.  If there are multiple 
students publishing from the same lab, the advisor has to choose.)  You 
may also ask your department head or graduate dean.

7)  Possible funding from co-authors – It may be helpful to ask co-
authors if they can contribute to publishing costs.  Sometimes costs can 
differ for each co-author on a paper, depending on their institution.  
(Someone at an R1 institution may have a higher cost than someone from a 
smaller school.)  Some funders, including government agencies, may have 
requirements to publish open access but also opportunities to apply for 
internal funding.

[ECOLOG-L] Webinar - Darwin Core Hour: Kurator Web - for Cleaner Biodiversity Data - Tuesday Oct 24th @ 11 AM EDT 12 PM ART, 3 PM UTC, 5 PM CEST

[Deborah Paul]

Yes! It's almost Darwin Core Hour Time.

If you have field-based research data, if you use scientific collections 
data in your ecological research, policy, or conservation work, join us 
to learn more about Kurator Web 
(http://kurator.acis.ufl.edu/kurator-web/), including a live demo. Find 
out how you can use this suite of tools to enhance your collections and 
research datasets.


When: Tuesday Oct 24th @ 11 AM EDT, 12 PM ART, 3 PM UTC, 5 PM CEST
Where: http://idigbio.adobeconnect.com/room
Presenter: John Wieczorek Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard 
University; VertNet

Title: Darwin Core Hour: Kurator Web - for Cleaner Biodiversity Data

MORE details: 
https://www.idigbio.org/content/darwin-core-hour-kurator-web-cleaner-biodiversity-data


Abstract: When we think about biodiversity data and its use, we often 
immediately wonder about the data quality and how to improve it. The 
Kurator project is one of the initiatives addressing this issue, and 
aims at building data quality control and enhancement tools that can be 
readily used by people with different technical skill levels. One such 
tool is the Kurator Web application. This tool allows users to execute 
web-based data quality improvement workflows on biodiversity data, 
especially on data shared using Darwin Core terms, without the need for 
programming expertise. In this webinar we will demonstrate the use of 
Kurator Web to run pre-existing data quality workflows, some of which 
include: aligning datasets with Darwin Core terms, comparing unique 
values in datasets with controlled vocabularies, and providing 
suggestions for improvements for existing data. Finally, we will provide 
some context on how these tools can integrate with broader workflows and 
some perspective on the future of biodiversity data quality.


More (about) Darwin Core Hours: https://github.com/tdwg/dwc-qa/wiki/Webinars

From the entire DwC Hour Team - See you next Tuesday,
Deb Paul, et al
(and yes, please excuse the cross-postings - we don't want anyone to miss!)
LINK to how to get the most out of Adobe Connect 
https://www.idigbio.org/wiki/index.php/Web_Conferencing


--
-- Upcoming iDigBio Events https://www.idigbio.org/calendar
-- Deborah Paul, iDigBio Digitization and Workforce Training Specialist
iDigBio -- Steering Committee Member, SPNHC Liaison and Member-At-Large, 
SYNTHESYS3 Representative
Institute for Digital Information, 234 LSB
Florida State University
Tallahassee, Florida 32306
850-644-6366

[ECOLOG-L] Coastal and Marine Science Faculty in Physical and Chemical Oceanography at LUMCON

[Brian Roberts]

The Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium for Research and Education 
(LUMCON) seeks to hire at least one new Assistant Professor in the second 
phase of a multi-year faculty expansion. Candidates should have strong field-
based research programs with notable research achievements, demonstration of 
or potential for funded research, and a commitment to education and outreach. 
Our research vessel fleet and proximity to the coast facilitate the use of a 
broad mix of traditional and innovative instruments and observational 
techniques to make measurements in many settings, from open-ocean to coastal 
regions. Specifically, we are looking to hire a physical oceanographer and/or 
chemical oceanographer.

1) Physical oceanographer-We invite scientists that address a wide range of 
fundamental problems in ocean and coastal sciences, as well as 
interdisciplinary research questions, using observations, modeling, theory, 
and laboratory experiments. We specifically seek individuals with expertise 
in: 1) air-sea interactions, 2) decadal-scale climate variability, 3) coastal 
dynamics and circulation, and/or 4) oceanic scale circulation with an 
emphasis on the Gulf of Mexico.

 2) Chemical oceanographer-We invite well-qualified chemical oceanographers 
as well as scientists from the broader fields of environmental or analytical 
chemistry to apply. We are interested in scientists that address a wide range 
of fundamental problems in ocean and coastal sciences, as well as 
interdisciplinary research questions, using observations, modeling, theory, 
and laboratory experiments. Specialties of interest include but are not 
limited to: 1) ocean acidification, 2) marine inorganic carbon chemistry, 3) 
carbon cycle-climate interactions.

The LUMCON DeFelice Marine Center (http://www.lumcon.edu), located at the 
upper end of Terrebonne Bay in the Mississippi River deltaic plain between 
the Atchafalaya and Mississippi rivers, is in close proximity to numerous 
habitats including extensive marshes, estuaries, rivers large and small, and 
the open Gulf of Mexico. The Center facilities include a seawater system, 
multiple wet labs, a racetrack flume, Doppler wind profiler, state-of-the art 
environmental chambers, extensive aquaculture facilities and toxicology lab, 
a marsh mesocosm facility under development, and a fleet of research vessels.  
In addition, LUMCON represents a consortium of universities and colleges 
across the State of Louisiana. Preference will be given to candidates who can 
clearly demonstrate a research program that maximizes the locality and 
research assets of the DeFelice Marine Center and the strengths of the 
consortium.

The position carries a 9-month salary. The initial appointment is for three 
years; following a review, the contract may be renewed for three more years. 
A six-year review similar to a tenure review is conducted for promotion to 
Associate Professor, but LUMCON is not a tenure-granting institution.
 
Submit electronic copies of 1) a letter of interest; 2) curriculum vita; 3) 
research statement; 4) education and outreach statement; 5) a statement of 
how your research program would use the location of LUMCON's DeFelice Marine 
Center and its assets, develop collaborations with faculty at both the Marine 
Center and at consortium member universities, and collaboratively utilize the 
resources of the consortium member universities; and 6) the name, 
affiliation, address, phone and email address of three references to 
h...@lumcon.edu with the subject LUMCON FACULTY HIRE. Specific questions about 
the positions can be directed to Dr. Craig R. McClain, Executive Director, 
cmccl...@lumcon.edu (985-851-2801). 
 
Review of applicants will begin November 15, 2017 and will continue until 
position is filled.
 
LUMCON is an AA/EO employer.

[ECOLOG-L] Two PhD Studentship Opportunities: Ecotoxicology and algal molecular biology of tropical reef systems

[Erdner, Deana L]

We are seeking motivated candidates to fill multiple graduate research 
assistant positions as part of an international research project: PIRE: 
Advancing Global Strategies and Understanding on the Origin of Ciguatera Fish 
Poisoning in Tropical Oceans. This project is an international collaborative 
effort that includes scientists from the U.S., Australia, Canada, the United 
Kingdom, Cuba, Hong Kong, and Norway. A summary of the project is below.

PhD Opportunities:
This NSF-funded project will provide Research Assistantships, including summer 
support, for Ph.D. students to take part in research on the chemical and 
biological diversity of the epiphyte communities that are the source of 
secondary metabolites that lead to ciguatera fish poisoning. In addition to 
research projects in their home laboratory, Ph.D. students will take part in 
international research exchange visits to collaborator laboratories, and 
mentoring of undergraduate interns. Opportunities are available in the 
following groups:

Dr. Alison Robertson, University of South Alabama & Dauphin Island Sea Lab

(http://www.disl.org/)

The successful student will work on questions that unravel the chemical 
diversity of benthic algal metabolites and their fate and metabolism in coral 
reef food webs. Students will perform sub-lethal (algal) exposures in select 
marine fish to assess the toxicokinetics and toxicodynamics of natural toxins 
using targeted and non-targeted metabolomics and proteomics based approaches. 
Preference will be given to students with a strong background and interest in 
biochemistry, molecular biology, chemistry, and chemical ecology. Lab skills in 
protein and/or small molecule extraction and analysis are highly desirable, 
though full training will be provided. Technical diving and boating experience 
(or willingness to obtain these skills) would be highly regarded.  An M.S. in a 
related field is strongly preferred. Exceptional applicants that do not have or 
expect an M.S. degree before Fall 2018 may be able to enroll in the M.S. 
program, with the opportunity to transition to the Ph.D. based on research 
acumen.

Interested candidates can apply through the graduate program in Marine Sciences 
at the University of South Alabama for a Fall 2018 or Spring 2018 starting date 
(http://www.usouthal.edu/colleges/artsandsci/marinesciences/).


Dr. Deana Erdner, University of Texas, Marine Science Institute

(http://sites.utexas.edu/erdnerlab/)

The successful applicant will focus on questions related to the biodiversity of 
macroalgal epiphyte communities and their function, using sequencing and 
transcriptomics to study community composition and gene expression, and how 
these relate to chemical diversity. Experience with DNA/RNA manipulation and 
sequence analysis is highly desirable. An M.S. in a related field is strongly 
preferred. Applicants that do not have or expect an M.S. degree before Fall 
2018 may be able to enroll in the M.S. program, with the opportunity to 
transition to the Ph.D. based on progress. Interested candidates can apply 
either though the graduate program in Marine Science 
(https://utmsi.utexas.edu/academics/graduate) or Plant Biology 
(https://cns.utexas.edu/plantbio-graduate-program).

Start date: June 2018 or Fall semester 2018

Application instructions:
Before submitting an official application, prospective students are strongly 
encouraged to contact Alison Robertson 
(arobert...@disl.org) or Deana 
Erdner (derd...@utexas.edu) to 
express their interest in this opportunity. Please use the email subject “PIRE 
PHD” and include (1) a short description of why you are interested in the 
project; (2) your CV with contact numbers for referees; and (3) academic 
transcripts and test scores.

Drs. Robertson and Erdner are committed to mentoring young scientists and 
developing a diverse marine science research community. Women and members of 
underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply. The Dauphin Island 
Sea Lab and the University of Texas are equal opportunity institutions.


Deana L Erdner
University of Texas
Marine Science Institute
750 Channel View Dr.
Port Aransas, TX 78373
(361)749-6719
derd...@utexas.edu

[ECOLOG-L] Ecohydrology Tenure-track Position at University of Alabama

[Cherry, Julia]

Ecohydrologist

The Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Alabama, 
Tuscaloosa invites applications for a full-time (9-month) tenure-track 
Assistant Professor position in Ecohydrology. The successful applicant 
will establish an extramurally funded and internationally recognized 
research program centered on the interactions and feedbacks between 
ecological and hydrological processes through any component of the water 
cycle. Applicants should employ integrative, multi-scale approaches that 
combine field-based work and modeling to characterize relationships 
between the water cycle, regional climate, and the dynamics of 
terrestrial and/or aquatic ecosystems, and must be committed to 
excellence in teaching and mentoring undergraduate and graduate 
students. We are particularly interested in applications from 
individuals with a strong foundation in biological and ecological 
sciences and a demonstrated record of research in improving our 
understanding of coupled processes at scales ranging from watersheds to 
regions and in the context of global environmental change. The 
successful candidate will be encouraged to leverage Alabama’s unique and 
diverse water resources to support an innovative research program, and 
to forge collaborations with the new NOAA National Water Center, which 
opened on the UA campus in 2014, and the diverse faculty at UA and 
Dauphin Island Sea Lab with interests in water-related research.

Applicants must have a Ph.D. and post-doctoral or equivalent experience. 
Evidence of significant intellectual contributions to the field and a 
demonstrated commitment to teaching in a biological sciences department 
at both the undergraduate and graduate levels are also required. 
Teaching responsibilities will include basic undergraduate courses in 
general biology or ecology, as well as specialized undergraduate and 
graduate courses in the successful candidate’s area of expertise.

Queries for additional details should be addressed to the chair of the 
search committee: Dr. Julia Cherry at cherr...@ua.edu. To apply, go to 
https://facultyjobs.ua.edu, complete the online application (Job 
#0810972), and upload: (1) a cover letter; (2) CV; (3) statement 
describing past research achievements and future goals; (4) statement of 
teaching interests and philosophy; and (5) a list of three to five 
references (including contact information). The search committee will 
request letters of reference as appropriate. Consideration of 
applications will begin 21 October 2017, and will continue until the 
position is filled. Prior to hiring, the final candidate will be 
required to pass a pre-employment background investigation. The start 
date is August 16, 2018. Additional information about the Department of 
Biological Sciences and this position can be found on our website at 
http://bsc.ua.edu. Applications from women and members of traditionally 
underrepresented groups in Biology are especially encouraged. The 
University of Alabama is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access Employer and 
actively seeks diversity among its employees.

The University of Alabama is an Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action 
Employer. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply. Electronic 
application can be made at: http://jobs.ua.edu.

[ECOLOG-L] Scientist letter: Forest protection, climate, bioenergy

[Sam Davis]

All - 

See below from my organization. We are looking for scientists to sign 
onto a letter on forest protection, climate, and industrial-scale 
biomass production in North Carolina. You can view and sign onto the 
letter here: http://bit.ly/2ilBvQR

Thanks,

Sam

--

While the industrial-scale biomass industry has emerged based on claims 
of carbon neutrality, evidence continues to build that burning trees for 
electricity releases more emissions than burning coal. Last year, for 
example, a group of scientists penned a letter to the Senate expressing 
their concern over an amendment that claimed forest biomass was carbon 
neutral. Additionally, investigations of the logging practices of wood 
pellet companies like Enviva have revealed that they source from 
ecologically important and sensitive ecosystems, like bottomland 
hardwood and wetland forests.

In this context, the international community is increasingly paying 
attention to North Carolina, which is home to three Enviva pellet mills 
and a proposed fourth facility. Though Governor Cooper has expressed his 
commitment to meet the goals of the Paris Climate Accord, he has yet to 
issue a statement or take decisive action on this issue. Prominent media 
sources and our work have exhibited time and time again that industrial-
scale biomass coming from Southern forests is bad for our climate, for 
our forest ecosystems, and for communities.

Urgency continues to mount as Enviva breaks ground on their proposed 
fourth facility in Hamlet, NC, and it is important for Governor Cooper 
to hear from experts in the fields of climate change, forests, wetlands, 
ecology, and energy.

The letter was written in coordination with Dr. Bill Moomaw, who co-
authored our report on forests and climate, The Great American Stand: US 
Forests and the Climate Emergency. Key takeaways and asks in the letter:

- Governor Cooper should integrate forest conservation and restoration 
into his agenda on climate action.

- The wood pellet industry is an urgent threat to North Carolina and 
Southern forests, and has emerged based on false claims of carbon 
neutrality.

- Governor Cooper should address the threat of the wood pellet industry 
by reconsidering policies--including sustainability criteria, 
permitting, and incentives--that facilitate the growth of the industry.

Please do forward this email to colleagues who would be interested in 
signing on as well.

Thank you for your leadership in your field, and please let me know if 
you have any questions about the letter. I can be reached by email or 
phone.

Kind regards,
Rachel Weber
(845) 825-6528
rac...@dogwoodalliance.org

[ECOLOG-L] Graduate student opportunity in forest ecology at Washington State University

[Hart, Sarah Jane]

The HART Lab in the School of the Environment at Washington State University 
has openings and support for 1-2 graduate students beginning in Fall 2018. 
Potential projects include the study of disturbance interactions, 
landscape-scale study of wildfire-vegetation feedbacks, and forest disturbance 
effects on ecosystem services (e.g. habitat quality, water supply).
The successful candidate will have a background in ecology, forestry, geography 
or a related field. Preferred qualifications also include a background in 
geospatial science, field ecology, and computer programming. Applicants should 
have excellent written and oral communication skills.
More information about graduate studies in WSU’s School of the Environment can 
be found at https://environment.wsu.edu/graduate-studies/.
Prospective students should send their CV, GPA, GRE scores (if available), and 
a cover letter that describes their interest in the position and relevant 
education and experience to Dr. Sarah Hart 
(sarah.j.h...@wsu.edu). Inquiries via email or 
phone (509-395-5870) are more than welcome!

[ECOLOG-L] Postdoctoral Position in Spatial Population Ecology

[Derek M Johnson]

We seek a highly motivated postdoctoral scientist to work on a
collaborative NSF-funded project to study range expansion in an iconic
invasive species. The successful applicant will investigate population
dynamics at an invasion front and integrate population dynamical data with
gene flow analyses. The goal of the study is to understand the multi-scale
patterns and underlying processes of range expansion by the European gypsy
moth across the natural and human landscape in the eastern United States.



We are particularly interested in candidates with experience in population
modeling and statistical analyses on spatiotemporal scales. Understanding
of forest insect ecology, experience with GIS, and/or experience with
Bayesian approaches are desirable but not required. Proficiency in the R
programming language is required. Applicants must have a PhD in biology,
ecology, environmental science, or a related area before the start date.
Applicants need to have demonstrated excellent writing skills and have a
proven ability to publish research in peer-review journals.


The position will be based in the Department of Biology at Virginia
Commonwealth University (VCU) in Richmond, VA. The successful applicant
will be based in the laboratory of Derek Johnson (www.vcuderekjohnson.com),
but will also work with collaborators Rodney Dyer (VCU), Patrick Tobin
(University of Washington), and Jeffrey Holland (Purdue University). The
appointment is for one year, but may be extended conditional on performance
and funding. Preferred start date is in January-April 2018. Later start
dates may be considered for the right candidate. Salary and benefits are
competitive. To apply or request more information, contact Derek Johnson (
dmjohn...@vcu.edu). Applicants are requested to submit the following via
email: 1) a cover letter that explains your fit to the position, the
particular skills and expertise you will bring to the project, and
preferred start dates, 2) a complete CV with publications (including
manuscript in submission), grants, and when you completed (or will
complete) your PhD, and 3) the names of three references. Applicants may
also send reprints or preprints (pdf format) of relevant publications and
manuscripts. Review of applications will begin in mid-November, 2017 and
continue until the position is filled.

Derek M. Johnson, Associate Professor
1000 W. Cary St.
Department of Biology
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VA 23284
www.vcuderekjohnson.com
(804)827-0274

[ECOLOG-L] PhD Opportunity: Coastal Wetland Biogeochemistry

[Lisa Chambers]

The Aquatic Biogeochemistry Lab at the University of Central Florida is seeking 
a PhD student to begin Su or Fa 2018 who is interested in studying the 
interactive impacts of sea level rise and urbanization on coastal wetland soil 
carbon dynamics.  A secondary interest or experience in the use of remote 
sensing for ecosystem evaluation is a plus.  Financial support will be provided 
through a combination of teaching and research assistantships.  The student 
must possess a M.S. degree in environmental science, biology, chemistry, or a 
related field by the start date and have a competitive GRE and GPA.  The ideal 
candidate would also have experience working in wetlands and/or coastal systems 
and strong analytical laboratory skills.

The Aquatic Biogeochemistry Lab is an energetic and passionate group of 
students (graduate and undergraduate) and staff (lab manager and postdoctoral 
scholar) under the mentorship of Dr. Lisa Chambers and housed within the UCF 
Biology Department.  We emphasize strong mentoring, collaborative learning, 
peer-reviewed publishing, and timely degree completion.  More information on 
our research foci and the application process can be found on our website: 
https://sciences.ucf.edu/biology/abl/.


Lisa G. Chambers, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Aquatic Biogeochemistry Lab
Department of Biology and
National Center for Integrated Coastal Research
University of Central Florida
http://biology.cos.ucf.edu/abl

[ECOLOG-L] Volunteer Resident Naturalist in Peru

[Gallice,Geoffrey R]

We are pleased to announce the position of Resident Naturalist, beginning March 
19, 2018. The successful applicant will be based at the ASA’s field site in 
Peru’s Madre de Dios Department.

POSITION: Resident Naturalist

LOCATION: Finca Las Piedras, Madre de Dios, Peru

POSITION DURATION: Minimum 6 months

SCHEDULE: 6 days/week, flexibility in scheduling required

START DATE: March 19, 2018

APPLICATION DEADLINE: December 1, 2017

MORE INFORMATION: 
https://www.sustainableamazon.org/work-with-us-resident-naturalist




JOB DESCRIPTION

Resident Naturalists (RNs) work closely with ASA academic faculty and staff to 
facilitate ongoing biological research and monitoring, sustainable tropical 
agriculture, and community engagement and education programs at Finca Las 
Piedras, in Peru’s Madre de Dios Department. RNs are part of the public face of 
the ASA’s programs in Peru, and are part of a dynamic team of researchers, 
conservation and development professionals, and students from around the world. 
In addition to assigned tasks, naturalists are encouraged to develop individual 
projects within their areas of interest, which may include anything from 
community service activities to biological or agricultural research.



DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES



Biological Research and Monitoring

The ASA maintains a number of research and monitoring projects aimed at 
biodiversity conservation in the southeastern Peruvian Amazon. These include 
mammal, bird, and insect inventories and population monitoring, plant 
phenology, and rain forest dynamics plots, among others. RNs assist project 
leaders in data collection and entry, experimental design and setup, etc., as 
needed. Naturalists will also have the opportunity to assist visiting 
researchers when required.



Sustainable Tropical Agriculture

Activities at Finca Las Piedras include a variety of experiments in organic 
agriculture, the use of compost and biochar, and research into the sustainable 
harvest of Brazil nuts, among others. RNs will assist in these as needed.



Community Engagement and Education

Naturalists will also assist ASA faculty and staff in a number of ongoing 
programs both at Finca Las Piedras and in Monterrey and Planchon, the nearest 
local communities to the field site. Activities at Finca Las Piedras include 
volunteer and internship programs; in the communities RNs will assist in 
educational visits to schools, as well as a variety of outreach programs.



Social Media

Resident Naturalists contribute to outreach efforts on social media. 
Naturalists are required to create material for distribution across a variety 
of platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and regular blog posts.



General Duties

In addition to the duties mentioned above, Naturalists will contribute to 
day-to-day operations and basic facilities maintenance. General duties may 
include, but are not limited to: Daily weather station readings, 
Guide/interpret/translate guided natural history hikes, lead visits to local 
farms, group check-in and orientation, logistical support for academic programs.



REQUIREMENTS

  *   Minimum 6 month commitment required

  *   Minimum bachelor’s degree in natural or environmental sciences or related 
field

  *   Fluency in English (required)

  *   At least basic Spanish (preferred)

  *   Experience working/living abroad, especially in the tropics (preferred)

  *   Teaching experience (preferred)

  *   Enthusiasm and strong work ethic

  *   Flexibility in schedule and work environment

  *   Maturity/must live with and work well with others in close setting

  *   Excellent physical condition

  *   Traveler’s insurance (proof required upon acceptance)

  *   CPR/first aid certification (proof required upon acceptance)



TRAINING

Upon arrival at Finca Las Piedras, Resident Naturalists undergo an intensive, 
one-week training period. Naturalists are given an overview of current projects 
spanning the ASA’s three interrelated focal areas: biological research and 
monitoring, sustainable tropical agriculture, and community engagement and 
education, as well as the methodologies used for research and outreach work in 
these areas. Naturalists will also be trained informally throughout the 
duration of their term at Finca Las Piedras.



COMPENSATION

This is an unpaid position. However, all room and board is provided on-site at 
Finca Las Piedras, 7 days per week, for the duration of the appointment 
(although work is only required M-F; approximate value $1,000/month). 
Work-related local transportation, including pickup from the Puerto Maldonado 
airport (PEM) or bus terminal, is covered. Resident Naturalists are responsible 
for their international flight to Peru, including airfare, taxes, airport fees, 
flight insurance, etc.), and domestic air or land travel to Puerto Maldonado 
(bus or air).



HOW TO APPLY

The following are required to apply for this position:



  1.  A cover letter of interest, including end 

[ECOLOG-L] US-IALE 2018: Sponsored Student Travel Awards

[Jennifer Costanza]

Sponsored Student Travel Awards for 2018 US-IALE Conference

Up to ten (10) travel awards, valued at up to $700 each, have been made
available to support students to attend the 2018 US-IALE conference:

US-IALE 2018 Annual Meeting
Chicago, Illinois
April 8-12, 2018

Students interested in applying for a US-IALE student travel award may
review eligibility criteria and application instructions at:
http://chicago2018.usiale.org/us-iale-sponsored-student-travel-awards

All US-IALE sponsored student travel award applications are due to Jennifer
Costanza at usiale.travelaw...@gmail.com by December 18, 2017.

Sincerely,

US-IALE Awards Committee
Todd Lookingbill (Co-Chair, University of Richmond), Betty Kreakie
(Co-Chair, US Environmental Protection Agency), Peter August (University of
Rhode Island), Jennifer Costanza (North Carolina State University), Dan
Kashian (Wayne State University), Steven Walters (University of
Washington), Jingle Wu (Arizona State University)

-- 
Jennifer Costanza
Research Assistant Professor
Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources
North Carolina State University
3041 Cornwallis Road
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709
919-549-4055
jkcos...@ncsu.edu

[ECOLOG-L] Graduate positions: evolutionary ecology

[Adam Michael Siepielski]

Graduate assistantships are available for Ph.D. positions in the Siepielski Lab 
https://asiepielski.wordpress.com in the Department of Biological Sciences and 
Program in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Arkansas main 
campus in Fayetteville, AR (http://biology.uark.edu). Our lab focuses on 
questions at the intersection of ecology and evolutionary biology. Current 
projects include examining spatial variation in the mechanisms that maintain 
species diversity in aquatic food webs, the contribution of adaptive evolution 
in shaping the demographic processes regulating populations, how species evolve 
in response to multiple-species interactions, and determining the major 
features characterizing natural selection in the wild. To explore these topics 
we use a combination of observational, experimental, meta-analytical, and 
theoretical approaches.
I am looking for students interested in developing their own project on themes 
broadly related to those listed above. Ideal applicants would have prior 
research experience in ecology and/or evolutionary biology, previous coursework 
in statistics, and a genuine passion to conduct research. Graduate research 
fellowships are available for highly competitive candidates. Please see 
http://graduate-recruitment.uark.edu/funding-degree/fellowships.php for 
additional information on graduate funding opportunities.
Prospective students should check out our lab website 
https://asiepielski.wordpress.com for additional information. If interested in 
joining our lab group, please contact me via email 
(amsie...@uark.edu). In your email, please include 
the following: 1) a brief description of your research interests, career goals, 
and why you think our lab would be a good fit for you, and 2) your CV.
Please note that the deadline for Fall 2018 admission into our program is 
January 15, 2018. All materials should be submitted well before then.
The University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, is a Tier I research university 
located in the Ozark Mountains. The faculty and graduate students at UARK are 
highly interactive and include an internationally known group of evolutionary 
biologists and ecologists. We are located in an ideal setting for field-based 
projects in aquatic systems (AR has more than 2,300 lakes and thousands of 
smaller ponds, and equally impressive numbers of rivers, streams and creeks). 
Fayetteville, located in northwest Arkansas, offers a high quality of living at 
a low cost, an excellent climate, and is a large enough city to offer diverse 
activities and amenities. Rock climbing, hiking, kayaking, canoeing, and 
mountain biking opportunities are in close proximity. Fayetteville is one of 
the top 5 places to live in the USA 
https://realestate.usnews.com/places/arkansas/fayetteville
Adam M. Siepielski
Assistant Professor
Department of Biological Sciences
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville AR, 72701
Ph: 1-479-575-6357
Web: https://asiepielski.wordpress.com

[ECOLOG-L] PhD opportunities in hydrology & biogeochemistry at Purdue University

[Sara McMillan]

Dr. Sara McMillan is seeking two PhD students to study drivers of 
biogeochemical processes related 
to changing climate and hydrologic regimes at Purdue University starting 
Summer/Fall 2018. Our 
research team focuses on integrating larger scale hydrologic patterns in 
human-modified landscapes 
with fundamental, process-based measurements of biogeochemical transformations. 
I anticipate that 
student research will focus on nitrogen and phosphorus biogeochemistry in two 
key areas (1) 
restored riverine floodplains and (2) agricultural fields with tile drainage 
and conservation practices. 
More information about the McMillan Lab can be found at 
http://saramcmillan.weebly.com/. 

Funding from the NSF and USDA will support students through two collaborative 
projects between 
USDA National Soil Erosion Research Lab (Dr. Mark Williams), US Geological 
Survey Hydrological-
Ecological Interactions Branch (Dr. Greg Noe), and Purdue University. Ability 
and willingness to work 
in both field and laboratory settings is vital. A strong quantitative 
background and familiarity with 
computer programming is beneficial. Students should also have excellent written 
and oral 
communication skills, and an enthusiasm for research. Students will join the 
Agricultural & Biological 
Engineering (ABE) Department (https://engineering.purdue.edu/ABE), which is 
recognized nationally 
and internationally for excellence in water resources research, education, and 
outreach, and has 
been consistently ranked as a top graduate program (#1-2 by US News and World 
Reports for the 
past 10 years). I also accept students through the Ecological Science and 
Engineering (ESE) Program 
(http://www.purdue.edu/gradschool/ese/), an interdisciplinary program focused 
on understanding 
complex processes that link human activity and ecological systems to more 
sustainably manage our 
natural resources. 

We are committed to a productive, diverse, and inclusive lab environment and 
encourage students 
from underrepresented groups to apply. In addition, Purdue University has 
several initiatives to help 
foster a welcoming environment for all (e.g. M@P – Mentoring at Purdue, Office 
of Diversity and 
Inclusion). For more information about program requirements, please visit the 
ABE and ESE websites.

Application deadline is December 1, 2017. Interested candidates are encouraged 
to contact me at 
mcm...@purdue.edu before the application deadline with any questions and to 
share information on 
their research experiences, interests, and motivations to pursue a PhD. I am 
also happy to consider 
exceptional masters students if that is the degree program that best fits the 
student’s future plans.