[ECOLOG-L] CREW LEADER (1) AND RESEARCH ASSISTANTS (5) NEEDED FOR FOREST POLLINATOR STUDY IN OREGON COAST RANGE
CREW LEADER (1) AND RESEARCH ASSISTANTS (5) NEEDED FOR FOREST POLLINATOR STUDY with a large-scale study led by Dr. Jim Rivers (http://people.forestry.oregonstate.edu/jim-rivers/) and Dr. Sara Galbraith in the College of Forestry at Oregon State University. The objective of this research is to assess how native pollinator communities within managed forests are influenced by stand age and management intensity. Field work will take place in the rugged and scenic Coast Range of western Oregon and will involve physically demanding work in challenging conditions (heat, cold, rain, sun, steep slopes, loose rock, logging slash, hazardous plants), working long days, including some weekends, and navigating alone through difficult forest terrain. Primary duties of crew members will consist of collecting insects through a variety of techniques (netting, traps) in managed forest stands, conducting pollination experiments, quantifying floral resources and nesting habitat, and curating insect specimens in the lab. Crew members are likely to assist with related research project conducted in crop fields as time allows. Crew leader position runs April 23-August 31, 2018; research assistant positions run May 7-August 31, 2018; there is the potential for flexibility on start and end dates. Pay rate is $2500-$2700/month for crew leader and $2200-$2400/month for research assistants, depending on previous research experience. Free housing will be provided as well as free project-related transportation. Qualifications: Applicants should have a B.S. degree in entomology, animal ecology or a related field and with a minimum of 2 years of field experience for research assistants (2 season-long field positions = 2 years of field experience) and 3 years of field experience for crew leader. Preference will be given to candidates who are proficient with capture and identification of insects, have previous experience sampling wild pollinator communities in forest or agricultural settings, and who are familiar with Oregon flora. Successful applicants will be self- motivated, have a strong work ethic, be able to carry heavy gear (30+ lbs) on steep slopes, be able to work harmoniously in a group living situation, have a valid driver’s license and clean driving record, be able to maintain a positive disposition under challenging field conditions, and have a proven track record of working in a safe, efficient, and cooperative manner in a team setting. Crew leader applicants should have these qualities as well as strong and demonstrated leadership skills, and experience making decisions and communicating effectively in a field setting under challenging conditions. To apply: Applicants should create a single PDF or MS-Word file that contains (1) a cover letter addressing the candidate’s qualifications as they relate to the specific duties described in the position description; (2) a full-length CV or resume; and (3) the names and contact information (email, telephone) of three referees who may be contacted; this document should be emailed to oregonbeec...@gmail.com with “Bee Crew Position 2018” in the subject line. Positions will be filled as qualified applications are received.
[ECOLOG-L] Postdoctoral Research Associate, Ecology
Job Title: Postdoctoral Research Associate, Ecology Job ID: 45995 OFFICE LOCATION : Fort Collins, Colorado, USA A LITTLE ABOUT US: The Nature Conservancy is a global conservation organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Guided by science, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that nature and people can thrive together. One of our core values is our commitment to diversity. Therefore, we are committed to a globally diverse and culturally competent workforce. Working in 72 countries, we use a collaborative approach that engages local communities, governments, the private sector, and other partners. To learn more, visit www.nature.org or follow @nature_press on Twitter. The Nature Conservancy offers competitive compensation, 401k or savings-plan matching for eligible employees, excellent benefits, flexible work policies and a collaborative work environment. We also provide professional development opportunities and promote from within. As a result, you will find a culture that supports and inspires conservation achievement and personal development, both within the workplace and beyond. YOUR POSITION WITH TNC: The Nature Conservancy’s Global Land’s Program is recruiting a Postdoctoral Research Associate to work with an interdisciplinary team to study the environmental effects of the changing fraction of animal-sourced food (notably meat and dairy) in global diets. The project seeks to understand the factors that influence the amount of meat and dairy we eat, and the consequences for population health. It will also explore the varying environmental consequences of different types of livestock production, which will be the main focus of this Post-doctoral position. An important goal of the project is to assess the effectiveness of different interventions and that will include developing models on the effects of different policies and providing tools for policy makers working in health, agriculture and the environment. Primary project partners include Oxford University’s Martin Programme on the Future of Food, the Wellcome Trust Our Planet Our Health Programme and The Nature Conservancy. Click here for more information. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: The Postdoctoral Research Associate will integrate land use and economic models to evaluate how different economic drivers affect land conversion, and related outcomes for biodiversity and ecosystem services. Statistically model the relationship between increasing animal based diets and global biodiversity metrics to determine where and under what circumstances changes in diet affects biodiversity and ecosystem function at a global scale. Within select geographic regions, examine the trade-offs and thresholds in the provision of agricultural production and biodiversity using spatial optimizations techniques. Within this scope, opportunities exist to develop and explore novel research questions of interest. The Postdoctoral Research Associate will be a full-time employee of The Nature Conservancy. This is a grant funded position for one year, with the potential to extend to four years. He/she will be supervised by Joseph Kiesecker, Lead Scientist, and will interact closely with faculty at Oxford University (Project Directors Professors Charles Godfray & Susan Jebb), and TNC staff on the Global Lands Program as well as other TNC field based staff. RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE: • Develop landscape-scale models to understand how different national or local land use policies affect biodiversity and other ecosystem services. • Spatially map responses of biodiversity and other ecosystem services under alternative policy scenarios. • Integrate detailed spatially-explicit models of agricultural production, biodiversity, and other ecosystem services to construct production possibility or efficiency frontiers that will allow the assessment of efficient combinations of agricultural land and natural habitat. • Disseminate research by publishing in peer-reviewed science journals, producing funder reports, presenting at national and/or international conferences, and communicating findings within conservation and academic communities. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: • A Ph.D. in Ecology, Environmental Science, Geography, or related fields and 1 year work experience. • Demonstration of robust analytic and spatial skills. Strong background in statistical analysis software (R, Matlab, SAS). Programming background is strongly desired. • Familiarity with land use and land cover modelling and projecting future land use and land cover change also strongly desired. • Background in resource and landscape ecology and economics (preferred). • Familiarity with spatial optimization techniques, and landscape pattern analysis. •
[ECOLOG-L] Algal Biotechnology - Research Associate
The University of Connecticut seeks applications for a part time (83%) Research Associate II in the lab of Professor Charles Yarish within the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, and is part of a large ARPA-E grant to develop open-ocean grown sugar kelp (Saccharina latissima). Saccharina latissima is a cosmopolitan large multicellular brown alga or kelp. The project will explore the population structure of New England sugar kelp, its genome and take advantage of its biphasic life cycle to select for desirable traits by Mendelian genetic techniques as well as using innovative genomic selection methodologies. In research for this project, the Research Associate will collaborate with scientists at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, Northeast Fisheries Science Aquaculture Labs, National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA), Cornell University’s Plant Breeding Labs, Incheon National University, University of Alaska and the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology. This position will be responsible for the overall kelp-breeding program in association with PI and a post-doctoral associate and will communicate and write reports. This position will oversee the isolation and maintenance of the kelp cultures at UConn from populations throughout New England; and work with colleagues at Cornell University in the implementation and design of the breeding program at two farm sites in southern New England. Additional duties include collecting all breeding data, running ecophysiological and genetic analyses, maintaining the kelp cultures in the laboratory with post-doctoral associate, working with Cornell scientists to identify a reference population, and estimating important population genetic parameters of the New England sugar kelp. Anticipated Division of Time: Isolation and maintenance of kelp cultures for experimental and breeding program design and data analysis: 60% Communication and coordination with collaborators: 20% Preparation of quarterly reports to ARPA-E: 10% Training of lab members and collaborators in kelp algal cultivation, ecophysiology and population genetics: 10% Minimum Qualifications: 1. An earned Ph.D. in Botany, Biology, or a closely related field. 2. Expertise in marine phycology with experience or interest in the isolation, cultivation, and ecophysiology of macroalgae, especially kelp. 3. 3-5 years postdoctoral experience. Preferred Qualifications: 1. Proven scientific writing ability and communication skills. Appointment Terms: This is a part time (83%), annually renewable position with an expected duration of three years contingent upon funding and performance. The anticipated start date is January 1, 2018 To apply, upload a cover letter, resume and contact information for three professional references to https://hr.uconn.edu/jobs/, indicating search number 2018277. Employment will be contingent upon the successful completion of a pre- employment criminal background check. This job posting is scheduled to be removed at 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on December 21, 2017.
[ECOLOG-L] Reminder: Costa Rica NSF-REU 2018
*REMINDER TO APPLY* for the 2018 Summer Costa Rica Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU)! Applications close on January 20, 2018. *ECOHYDROLOGY OF TROPICAL MONTANE FORESTS – DIVERSITY IN SCIENCE, INTERDISCIPLINARY BREADTH, AND GLOBAL AWARENESS* The 10-week summer program (May 29- August 3, 2018) includes 5 weeks at the Texas A Soltis Center for Education and Research (Costa Rica) and 5 weeks on the campus of Texas A University (College Station, Texas, USA) APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN! https://tamu.qualtrics.c om/jfe/form/SV_dcZlhp3nVWp1Tb7 *Purpose*: The goal of this NSF-sponsored REU is to provide undergraduate students with an opportunity to develop essential skills in designing, executing and disseminating original research that quantifies the hydrologic and biogeochemical fluxes in the watershed of a tropical montane cloud forest. Students will have an opportunity to work on field and laboratory research under the guidance of faculty mentors at the Soltis Center near San Isidro in central Costa Rica(http://soltiscentercostar ica.tamu.edu/). Past years of this REU program (2011-2013) resulted in several students enrolling in graduate school and publishing work from their research, in addition to gaining a rich cultural immersion and unique opportunity to conduct research in a tropical montane forest. *Eligibility*: Undergraduate students must be US citizens or permanent residents, be 18 years of age or older (on March 1, 2018), be currently enrolled in a major in the earth or environmental sciences, engineering, or a related field, have a minimum grade point average of 3.0, expect to graduate no earlier than December 2018, and be eligible to have a passport that is valid for 6 months past the REU summer. Additional details are located on the REU website. *Support*: Accepted students will received a $500 per week stipend for all 10 weeks and will have all travel and accommodation expenses covered. The program does not cover meals (on and off-campus) while in Texas or all off-campus expenses in Costa Rica, such as zip lining, adventure tours, white water rafting, etc. For more information about the REU selection process, program, and study area, please visit our website http://costaricareu.tamu.edu/. You are invited to view photos of previous Costa Rica REU programs here: https://www.flickr.com/people/tamucostaricareu/. For general inquiries and questions about our application, contact: tamu.costaricareu.app licat...@gmail.com or the program leaders, Dr. Georgianne Moore (Department of Ecosystem Science and Management) and Dr. Kelly Brumbelow (Civil Engineering).
[ECOLOG-L] Graduate Research Assistantship, Restoration Ecology, Colorado State University
Master of Science Degree Position: Graduate Department Program in Ecology at Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA. Advisor: Dr David Cooper Project Title: Examine methods for establishing vegetation on a constructed fen in Alberta’s oil sands region Start of term: May 2018 Project background: Northern Alberta contains the largest deposit of oil sands in the world and conventional open-pit mining used to access portions of the deposit removes large expanses of upland forests and peatland basins. After years of forest and open-water wetland reclamation, industry partners and restoration scientists have constructed the first self-sustaining reclamation fen and associated watershed (the Fen) on a mine near Fort McMurray, Alberta. This project is a collaboration between Colorado State University (CSU) and Waterloo University, involving fen ecology, hydrology, and geography. Funding has been granted from industry partners and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada. The overall research goal is to evaluate the Fen's design, compare it to regional natural fen systems, and develop a globally applicable strategy for similar peatland reclamation projects. A multi-factorial design was planted in 2013 to determine the most effective method to establish mosses and plants. After four years of evaluation, a second phase will be implemented in 2018 to further evaluate methods that were most successful during the first phase. A Master's position is now available, under the guidance of Dr. David Cooper at CSU. The candidate will help design and implement a field experiment to develop methods of introducing vegetation to the constructed fen. Topics of research could include; species selection, vegetation community dynamics, interactions between vascular plants and bryophytes, and/or plant responses to environmental gradients such as water level and salinity measures of planted species.. Candidate Profile: Highly motivated candidates should have a B.S. in Ecology, Botany, Environmental Sciences, or Wetland/Peatland Biology and be familiar with plant identification, vegetation surveying, wetland ecology, restoration concepts, and/or statistical analysis. How to apply and contact information: Please send your CV and a motivation letter to Dr. David J. Cooper, david.coo...@colostate.edu Website: http://warnercnr.colostate.edu/~davidc/David_Cooper/Home.html
