[ECOLOG-L] Two Chairs in Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Stirling
Two Chairs in Biological and Environmental Sciences University of Stirling: School of Natural Sciences The School of Natural Sciences invites applications for two full time Professorial/Reader positions within Biological and Environmental Sciences (http://www.sbes.stir.ac.uk/). This interdisciplinary division operates from the molecular to the global scale to address key questions focused on the relationships between society and the environment. Our findings are used to inform policy makers and practitioners in conservation, environmental regulation, planning and management. Building on our internationally leading research in Conservation and Environmental Protection, we seek applications in the area of Environmental Change and Biological Conservation. Candidates are expected to be outstanding, internationally renowned leaders within their field of research. Successful candidates will have proven track records of research leadership with demonstrable skills in building research groups, obtaining grant funding nationally and internationally, and a substantive record of publications in high impact journals. Strategically these appointments will augment Stirlings reputation as the leading institution for Conservation Biology and Environmental Protection in Scotland and will further strengthen its ranking in these fields across the UK and internationally. Chair in Environmental Change We seek applications in the broad area of environmental change. Applicants specialising on the impacts of environmental change on natural biogeochemical cycles within terrestrial or aquatic environments are especially welcome. Chair in Conservation Biology Applications are invited from within the interdisciplinary fields of conservation biology, and its interactions with biology, molecular biology, evolutionary ecology, human activity and environmental policy. For full details see: http://www.stir.ac.uk/about/jobs/list/ For informal discussion, please contact either Professor Ian Simpson (Head of School), +44 1786 467850, i.a.simp...@stir.ac.uk. or Dr Andrew Tyler (Head of Biological and Environmental Sciences), +44 1786 467838, a.n.ty...@stir.ac.uk. The closing date for receipt of applications for these two positions is 10th January 2013. Interviews will be held on 20th February 2013. Please apply on-line. If you are unable to make an online application please contact Emma Louden in HR: emma.lou...@stir.ac.uk
[ECOLOG-L] PhD Studentship available: Negative Density Dependence
PhD Studentship available at the University of Stirling "The extent and magnitude of negative density dependence among tropical rainforest trees" In addition to harboring two-thirds of terrestrial biodiversity and half of terrestrial carbon, tropical forests provide a substantial fraction of global ecosystem services, including the provision of timber, fuel, oxygen and climate regulation. As anthropogenic threats to tropical forests continue to mount, there is increasing need for ecosystem management that can strike a balance between guarding against species extinctions and sustainably providing ecosystem services. Effective management, in turn, requires the ability to predict the dynamics of ecological communities into the future, even into potentially novel environmental conditions. Species diversity and coexistence are stabilized by an inverse relationship between population density and per-capita performance, measured as the vital rates of growth, survival recruitment and reproduction. As such, negative density dependence (NDD) has been a long-standing focus of ecological research. Many studies have quantified the magnitude of NDD at single ontogenetic stages. Even so, there is no synoptic understanding of the importance of NDD across the life-cycle of any tropical tree. The objective of this project is to determine the extent and magnitude of NDD for a representative set of neotropical rain-forest trees. The successful applicant will determine the degree to which each vital rate is affected by population density, and at which ontogenetic stages. Achieving this objective is key for predicting community dynamics, given the potent diversity-stabilizing effect of negative density dependence. The successful applicant will combine existing data on the vital rates of tropical rain forest trees with supplemental experimental and observational data. These data will be used to model each vital rate as a function of ontogeny and population density. As such, the ideal candidate will have skills (or interest) in both field-based ecology and statistical analysis. The project will be supervised by C. E. Timothy Paine, and will involve close collaboration with project partners in the UK and French Guiana. Depending on the applicants skills and interests, the project may include extended periods of field-based research in the forests of French Guiana (South America). To apply, please send 1) a cover letter, 2) a curriculum vitae, 3) a copy of University grades, and 4) contact details for two academic referees as a single .pdf document to C. E. Timothy Paine (c.e.t.pa...@stir.ac.uk) by February 1, 2013. The entry qualification is a First Class or Upper Second Class Honors degree and/or a relevant Masters degree in a biological or an environmental science (or equivalent qualifications gained outside the UK). Given the short duration of the PhD programs in the UK (3 years), preference will be given to applicants with previous research experience or a MSc degree. Experience in ecological fieldwork or statistical analysis, and fluency in French, would be assets. Your cover letter should clearly set out your suitability and motivation for this PhD, making reference to your past experience and achievements. Please email me if you have further questions about the studentship. Funding Note: The studentship is part of a competitive NERC-quota PhD studentship awarded to the Biological and Environmental Sciences department of the University of Stirling. The top candidate will be put forward for a final round of internal selection against candidates from other labs in the Department. The studentship will cover tuition fees and provide a stipend for UK/EU students. Overseas students are invited to apply, but must independently obtain financial support for all non-UK fees.
Field Assistants - Peruvian Amazon
Needed: Two assistants for projects evaluating the ecological mechanisms of plant species coexistence Location: Cocha Cashu Biological Station, Manu National Park, Peru Description: I take an experimental approach to understand the relative importance of various mechanisms that maintain the plant species diversity in a tropical rainforest. I primarily work with seeds and seedlings, as they crucially influence the distribution and abundance of adult trees, but are much more amenable to manipulation. The projects include: the effects of mammals, resource availability, and seed dispersal on seedling recruitment, and the strength of competition among seedlings. The ideal candidate would have the following attributes: a strong interest in tropical ecology or botany, field research experience, acceptance of remote, rustic conditions, proficiency in Spanish, and intellectual and financial independence. Responsibilities may include: Censusing seedlings, taking canopy photos, establishing new competition experiments, monitoring plant phenology, problem solving Availability: January - March 2006 Compensation: Assistants will be responsable for costs of transportation to and from the station, as well as station fees. A stipend may be available, commensurate with experience. Further information: See the Cocha Cashu website (http://www.duke.edu/~manu), and my personal website (www.biology.lsu.edu/labpages/harmslab/tim) If you're interested, email me your CV and contact information for three references! cheers- tim
[ECOLOG-L] Field Research Assistant wanted
Research Assistant Wanted A research assistant is required to assist with research on tree community dynamics in tropical Peru. The project examines seedling communities in lowland rainforest at the Cocha Cashu Biological Station of Manu National Park. A student or recent graduate would suit this position as there will be free time to develop your own project. The station provides access to pristine, undisturbed tropical forest, with intact fauna and flora, so opportunities for interesting research projects are great and you will be surrounded by researchers at all career stages. Main Duties • Research assistant required for 3 months from July to September 2016. • You will be spraying seedling plots spread throughout the forest every 10 days and monitoring the condition of wire mesh exclosures, these need to be mended if they are damaged. Time between these treatments is your own to develop your own work. Requirements • Previous fieldwork experience desirable, particularly experience working at remote sites. • You will be walking long distances every day in hot, humid conditions, so applicants must be fit, self-motivated, and tolerant to biting insects. • Work is to be carried out without supervision so you must be confident and responsible working alone in the field. • Some knowledge of Spanish would be beneficial but is not required. Accommodation, Transport and Costs Accommodation will be camping on tent platforms in the forest, the field station has an office with electricity, showers and food and drinking water. For more information about the field station visit http://cochacashu.sandiegozooglobal.org. Station fees, including food, accommodation and transport in the park are covered, but you will need to arrange your own transport to Cuzco, Peru. To Apply To apply please send a CV and covering letter, detailing your interest and suitability for the position, to k.j.hazelw...@stir.ac.uk. Please do not reply to me.
[ECOLOG-L] PhD studentship: "Trait-mediated coexistence among tropical rain forest trees"
PhD Studentship available at the University of Stirling "Trait-mediated coexistence among tropical rain forest trees" I seek a PhD student to study trait-mediated coexistence in tropical rain forest trees. The successful applicant will leverage long-term observational data on tropical seedling and/or tree communities with further experimentation and/or modeling. Depending on the interests of the applicant, the project may include field research in French Guiana or Peru. The entry qualification is a First Class or Upper Second Class Honors degree and/or a relevant Masters degree in a biological or an environmental science (or equivalent qualifications gained outside the UK). The ideal candidate will have experience in field-based ecology and statistical analysis. Given the short duration of UK PhD programs (3 years), preference will be given to applicants with previous research experience or a MSc degree. Applicants should email me (c.e.t.pa...@stir.ac.uk) a cover letter, a statement of academic interest, a curriculum vitae, a university transcript, and contact information for three academic referees as a single pdf document by February 15, 2014. Your statement of academic interest should set out your motivation and outline the research questions you would seek to answer in this PhD. Please email me if you have further questions about the studentship. The top candidate will be called for an interview at Stirling on March 26th 2014. The successful applicant must start on (or before) 1st October 2014. Funding Note: The studentship is part of a competitive NERC-quota PhD studentship awarded to Biological and Environmental Sciences at the University of Stirling. The top candidate will be put forward for a final round of internal selection against candidates from other labs in the Department. The studentship will cover tuition fees and provide a stipend for UK/EU students. Overseas students may apply, but must independently obtain financial support for all non-UK fees.
