[ECOLOG-L] Full time job announcement: Research Technician in Environmental Science

[Jason Dobkowski]

University of Michigan
Research Technician in Environmental Science
We are seeking a laboratory and field technician to assist in research projects 
involving environmental and ecological science, including field collection of 
environmental samples, the chemical analysis of samples in the laboratory, the 
computer entry of data, and the statistical or graphical analysis of data. A 
suitable candidate should possess a Bachelor's degree in a natural science 
discipline such as chemistry, biology, or environmental sciences, plus the 
ability to translate, adapt and apply this knowledge. Candidates should have 
lab experience in detailed, high-quality biogeochemical analyses of samples, 
and must show evidence of skill in computer data entry and analysis including 
graphics. In addition, desired qualifications include experience in field 
collection of environmental samples in remote areas under difficult conditions, 
and experience in operating and coordinating sample collection and analysis 
with minimum supervision. The position requires moderately strenuous field work 
in the Arctic during summer (hiking with full packs over tundra). Experience in 
photochemistry, aquatic ecology, microbiology, or with the following laboratory 
instruments is a plus: Dissolved Inorganic Carbon analyzer, Total Organic 
Carbon analyzer, nutrient autoanalyzer, Carbon-Hydrogen-Nitrogen (CHN) 
analyzer, spectrometer, fluorometer, gas and liquid chromatography.

Interested applicants can apply at the University of Michigan 
(http://www.umich.edu/~jobs/), job posting # 165700. You must include a resume 
and cover letter describing your qualifications and experience and including 
three names for letters of reference. The University of Michigan is an equal 
opportunity employer.

[ECOLOG-L] Graduate Student Positions Available in the Rohr Lab of Ecology and Public Health

[Jason Rohr]

Dr. Jason Rohr is looking to recruit graduate students into his laboratory of 
Ecology and Public Health.  His laboratory studies interactions among 
infectious diseases of humans and wildlife, pollution, food production, climate 
change, and fundamental and applied ecology.  More specifically, he is 
currently studying interactions among human schistosomiasis (neglected tropical 
disease), food and water access, agrochemicals, and climate in the laboratory 
and Western Africa; interactions among pollution, climate change, and 
infectious diseases of amphibians (e.g. chytrid fungus, ranavirus, trematodes, 
and nematodes) and their contributions to amphibian population declines; the 
benefits of mass drug administration to control the major helminths of humans; 
the role of pesticides in birth defects, childhood cancers, and declines of 
stream biodiversity and ecosystem functions; pollution-microbiome-disease 
interactions; biodiversity-disease relationships; and fundamental and applied 
freshwater ecology.  Please see his lab website for more details 
http://shell.cas.usf.edu/rohrlab/.  Please also consult Rohr’s Prospective 
Graduate Student link: http://shell.cas.usf.edu/rohrlab/prospgradstudents.html.

The Rohr Lab will be moving to the University of Notre Dame’s Department of 
Biological Sciences (https://biology.nd.edu/) this summer, so please submit 
application materials through the University of Notre Dame 
(https://gradconnect.nd.edu/apply/) by the Dec. 1, 2018 deadline.  Please send 
questions to Jason Rohr at jasonr...@gmail.com or call 813-974-0156.

Dr. Rohr is aware that this advertisement is only two weeks before the 
application deadline.  If you do not have time to chat with Dr. Rohr before the 
Dec. 1 deadline, please apply and arrange for a video chat after the 
application is submitted.  Thank you. 

[ECOLOG-L] Ecohydrology and Marine Biology tenure track positions at University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa

[Jason Pienaar]

Assistant Professor Positions in Ecohydrology and Marine Biology

The Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Alabama invites 
applications for two full-time (9-month) tenure-track faculty positions at the 
rank of Assistant Professor in Ecohydrology and Marine Biology to begin August 
2019.

For the Ecohydrology position, the successful applicant will establish an 
extramurally funded and internationally recognized research program centered on 
interactions and feedbacks between ecological and hydrological processes at any 
point in the water cycle. Applicants should employ integrative, multi-scale 
approaches that combine field-based data and modeling to characterize 
relationships between the water cycle, regional climate, and the dynamics of 
terrestrial and/or aquatic ecosystems, while remaining 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 hydrologically coupled processes at 
scales ranging from individual plants to entire regions, especially in the 
context of global environmental change. The successful candidate will be 
encouraged to leverage Alabama’s unique and diverse habitats and water 
resources to support an innovative research program, and to forge 
collaborations with the 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. 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.

The Marine Biology position will be based at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab (DISL; 
www.disl.org) on the Alabama Coast near Mobile. DISL offers excellent research 
facilities and support. We seek a highly innovative and collaborative scientist 
with a strong academic background in Marine Biology. The successful candidate 
is expected to establish an active, independent research program and attract 
extramural funding while also mentoring and teaching undergraduate and graduate 
students. Candidates whose research addresses problems facing marine systems 
such as coral bleaching and disease, ocean acidification, eutrophication, and 
other anthropogenic impacts are especially encouraged to apply. Applicants 
should have demonstrated experience using modern analytical techniques to 
address fundamental questions in their area of research. The successful 
candidate will be a highly motivated individual with the ability to interact 
with other faculty members in the Department of Biological Sciences and at the 
DISL and who demonstrates a strong record of publishing in peer-reviewed 
journals. Teaching responsibilities will include an undergraduate course in 
Marine Biology, as well as specialized undergraduate and graduate courses in 
the successful candidate’s area of expertise. 

Candidates for both positions must have a Ph.D. in the Biological Sciences or a 
related field and postdoctoral (or equivalent job) experience. Evidence of 
significant intellectual contributions to their respective fields and a 
demonstrated commitment to teaching at both the undergraduate and graduate 
levels are also required. The successful applicants will be expected to 
establish extramurally funded and relevant research programs. A complete 
application includes (1) an application letter; (2) CV; (3) statement of 
research interests and goals; (4) statement of teaching interests and 
philosophy; and (5) a list of at least four references (including contact 
information). Letters of reference will be requested by the search committee as 
appropriate. To apply, go to https://facultyjobs.ua.edu, complete the online 
application (Job #0811716 for the Ecohydrology position; Job #0811719 for the 
Marine Biology position), and upload all requested documents. Questions about 
the Ecohydrology position may be addressed to Dr. Jon Benstead 
(jbenst...@ua.edu; 205-348-9034) and for the Marine Biology position to Dr. 
Julie Olson (jol...@ua.edu; 205-348-2633). Consideration of applications will 
begin December 15, 2018 and will continue until the positions are filled. Prior 
to hiring, the final candidates will be required to pass a pre-employment 
background investigation. The anticipated start date is August 16, 2019. 
Additional information about the Department of Biological Sciences and these 
positions can be found on our website at http://bsc.ua.edu. Applications from 
women and members of under-represented groups in Biology are especially 
encouraged. The University of Alabama is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access 
Employer and actively seeks diversity among its employees.

[ECOLOG-L] graduate assistantships in soil science, forest resources, or ecology

[Jason Kaye]

Three PhD assistantships available in Critical Zone Science at Penn State in 
forest ecology, hydrology, or soil science.  Students will take part in a new 
graduate training program that examines forest management from a Critical Zone 
perspective. Students will conduct basic research at the Susquehanna-Shale 
Hills Critical Zone Observatory (http://criticalzone.org/shale-hills/), while 
also developing a Critical Zone forest management plan that they share with 
stakeholders. Advisors in the program are Jason Kaye, Jon Duncan, and Margot 
Kaye.  Students can matriculate into the Forest Resources, Soil Science, or 
Ecology graduate programs.

[ECOLOG-L] Penn State Graduate Degree Program in Ecology - assistantships available

[Jason Kaye]

Ecology graduate assistantships are available at Penn State for Fall 2019. 
Faculty have funding to recruit in the following areas and others:  
paleoecology, ecosystem ecology, ecohydrology, pollinator conservation, forest 
dynamics, disease ecology, coral biology, animal behavior, theoretical biology, 
landscape ecology, and wildlife populations.  Learn more about faculty, 
admissions, and our free pre-application at: 
www.huck.psu.edu/graduate-programs/ecology or contact Jason Kaye 
(jp...@psu.edu), the program chair, directly.

[ECOLOG-L] Post-Doctoral Research Associate: Hydrologic Modeling and Water Quality

[Jason Hubbart]

Overview/Job Description: 
The WVU Institute of Water Security and Science (IWSS) is seeking to fill the 
position of Post-Doctoral Research Associate of Hydrologic Modeling and Water 
Quality. This is a non-tenure track, full time (1.0fte) position with full 
benefits. The incumbent will calibrate and validate a watershed scale 
hydrological model in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, and/or other regional 
watersheds to estimate land use practice mediated hydrology and water quality. 
Given the integrating nature of hydrologic and climate sciences, the incumbent 
must consider various natural (e.g. climate change) and anthropogenic (e.g. 
land use/land cover change) contributing factors, and address varied, exigent 
ramifications of water resource quality (e.g. human health, aquatic ecosystem 
health, ecosystem degradation) and quantity (e.g. availability, access, 
sustainability). Therefore, this candidate will also develop cooperative 
research partnerships with academic, industry, and regulatory institutions at 
local, state, and regional scales as necessary to generate exemplary, 
world-class research and scholarship. As broadly defined, the position may 
require service and outreach and include integration of natural science and 
socioeconomic data to improve understanding and decision-making at a variety of 
spatial and organizational scales. West Virginia University is the state’s 
flagship research-one institution, and is among the top universities in the 
nation, with demonstrated excellence in teaching and research. Recognizing the 
vital role of water to the world and state, the WVU Institute of Water Security 
and Science coordinates and promotes research in various areas related to water 
security, floods, droughts, stewardship, energy, resource management, 
innovations, policy, human health, land-use practices, sustainability, and 
other emergent areas. 

Position Requirements: 
The successful applicant must demonstrate experience in hydrology, hydroclimate 
modeling, and water sciences (including any laboratory instrumentation 
experience). The applicant must possess strong writing skills, and the ability 
to communicate technical information to scientific and lay communities, alike. 
Demonstrated grant writing experience is a plus. The successful applicant must 
hold the degree of Ph.D. at the time of hire. 

Duties & Responsibilities:
Responsibilities are functional in nature, and performed under limited 
supervision. Specific tasks include, but are not limited to:
1)  Field work as needed to maintain field instrumentation, collect and 
post-process observed data.
2)  Create and maintain existing and data mined project databases.
3)  Attend meetings as needed with project partners.
4)  Attend research conferences and read scientific literature to keep 
abreast of technological advances and current research findings, and identify 
and assist with acquisition of funding from public, private, and federal 
sources. Write research proposals, papers, and abstracts.
5)  Conduct literature reviews as needed to meet research goals.
6)  Perform laboratory and field experiment activities according to 
protocol.
7)  Oversee research facilities and personnel
a.  Assure compliance with research protocols and safety requirements.
b.  Oversee and direct undergraduate and graduate researchers in the 
completion of experiments as needed.
c.  Maintain lab equipment; keep accurate inventory of lab assets; monitor 
and assure proper use and conditions of lab equipment.
8)  Write and present research/study status reports for review and use of 
the Principal Investigator.
9)  Prepare results of experimental findings for presentation to colleagues 
and the sponsor; at professional/technical conferences; and/or, for publication 
in scientific journals, as directed.

To apply: Upload a transcript (including indication of earned Ph.D.), 
curriculum vitae, cover letter (including research interests and goals) and the 
names and contact information of three references. 

Apply Here: 
https://wvu.taleo.net/careersection/wvu_research/jobdetail.ftl?job=10259&tz=GMT-04%3A00

For additional information, contact Dr. Jason Hubbart at  
jason.hubb...@mail.wvu.edu. IWSS website: http://www.iwss.wvu.edu.

[ECOLOG-L] Identifying functional taxonomic groups in 16S metagenomic datasets

[Jason Andras]

Hello, 

I'm wondering if anyone can suggest an analytical approach or tool for 
identifying 
functional taxonomic groups in 16S metagenomic data, after the OTUs have been 
identified. For example, is there a method for surveying the OTU table for 
prokaryotic taxa 
that are known denitrifiers, or methanotrophs, or methanogens, etc.? 
The search part of this task is easy. The more challenging part has been 
identifying the 
appropriate taxa to search for. So alternatively, if anyone can suggest where I 
might find 
(semi) comprehensive lists of known functional groups of prokaryotic taxa, that 
would also 
be helpful.

Thanks,
Jason

[ECOLOG-L] Tenure Track Assistant Professor: Hydrogeoscience

[Jason Hubbart]

Hydrogeoscientist – Dept. of Geology and Geography
Job No. 09825 @ https://careers.wvu.edu

The West Virginia University Department of Geology & Geography invites 
applications for a tenure-track position in geology at the Assistant 
Professor level starting in August 2019. A Ph.D. or equivalent degree in 
Geoscience or a broadly related field is required at the time of 
appointment. We seek applications from individuals with interests in basic 
and applied aspects of water science. The successful applicant will possess 
demonstrable expertise applicable to competitively funded research 
problems. Relevant specialties might include physical hydrogeology; fluid 
flow modeling; hyporheic or vadose zone processes; groundwater-surface 
water interaction; flow in fractured media; hydrogeology of energy-related 
activities; groundwater supply and sustainability; contaminant transport; 
watershed dynamics; ecohydrology; or karst hydrogeology.

Candidates will be evaluated based on their potential to establish a 
vigorous externally funded research program, publish scholarly work, mentor 
graduate students, and to teach at the undergraduate and graduate levels, 
including a junior-senior level physical hydrogeology course.

Research on fresh water resources is a strategic focus at WVU, as 
demonstrated by a newly established interdisciplinary Institute of Water 
Security and Science (https://iwss.wvu.edu/), a National Science Foundation 
funded multi-state Appalachian Freshwater Initiative 
(https://iwss.wvu.edu/projects/appalachian-freshwater-initiative), and many 
other water focus areas located in WVU colleges and centers.

WVU (http://www.wvu.edu) is a comprehensive land-grant university that 
enrolls 29,000 students. It is classified as “highest research activity” by 
the Carnegie Foundation. WVU is located in Morgantown 
(https://www.morgantownwv.gov/), ranked as a most preferred small city in 
America. The immediate region has a diverse population of about 200,000 
residents. The community lies within a high technology corridor that 
includes several federal research facilities, as well as resource-based 
industries. The city is readily accessible to Pittsburgh and Washington, DC.

To apply for this position, visit https://careers.wvu.edu, navigate to the 
position title listed above, and submit, (1) a single PDF file including a 
statement of research interests, a statement of teaching philosophy, and a 
current curriculum vitae; (2) a list of names and e-mail addresses for at 
least three individuals who can provide prompt letters of recommendation; 
and (3) pdf files of up to four publications.

Review of applications will commence on December 3, 2018 and continue until 
the position is filled. For additional information, please see 
http://pages.geo.wvu.edu/hydrogeo or contact search chair Steve Kite at 
steve.k...@mail.wvu.edu. WVU is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer and 
welcomes applications from all qualified individuals, including minorities, 
females, individuals with disabilities, and veterans.

[ECOLOG-L] Trying to find a species description

[Jason Hernandez]

I have been trying to find Schaus' original 1920 description of the Crambid 
moth, Herpetogramma antillalis. I have not had success with Google Scholar; 
narrowing my search to that author and a nearby range of dates brings up a 
number of his moth papers, but not the one containing that description. 
Searching by genus brings up nothing on that particular species either. Does 
anyone know where I can find this?

[ECOLOG-L] Problem with transformed data.

[Jason Hernandez]

I am working on some data based on a ratio from MacArthur and Wilson's Theory 
of Island Biogeography. If I take area of the source population as a constant, 
since all islands under consideration were colonized from the same source; and 
I take the taxon-specific variables as constants also, because I am comparing 
different islands' inherent probability of colonization by any given taxon, 
that leaves me with:
 (perpendicular diameter * e^-distance)/(2*pi*distance)
The problem: when I use the raw data, I get infinitesimally small numbers, e.g. 
one island's calculation resulted in 1.24504e-315, and approximately half the 
islands ended up with zero. That cannot be right, because all the islands have 
been colonized by at least some species. So, going through Gotelli and Ellison, 
_A Primer of Ecological Statistics_, it appears I need to log transform the 
data. This seems to work; the same island above now has a colonization 
probability of 0.0178. But Gotelli and Ellison then go on to say that a result 
obtained from log transformed data should be back transformed in the final 
presentation. This gives a result of 1.0418. This cannot be, because there is 
no such thing as a probability >1. I cannot figure out where I went wrong.
Jason Hernandez

Re: [ECOLOG-L] Those Rare Success Stories

[Jason Hernandez]

Malcolm McCallum's reply was certainly thorough. But in response to his initial 
question, what do you mean by success, I should clarify. In my OP, I referred 
to unpaid, or even pay-to-play internships and positions in the tropics. What I 
meant by success, in that context, was: moving on from unpaid to paid, but 
still working in the tropics.
We have examples like Goodall, Fossey, and Galdikas, who made entire careers 
out of primatology research and conservation. They were backed by the Leakey 
Institute, and appeared to have been set on that path right from the time they 
were graduate students. Conversely, we have countless eager young people who 
would like to do something like that, but cannot break the barrier of unpaid 
work, so they end up "settling" (for lack of a better term) for conservation 
careers in their own countries. "Mitigating" wetlands for a strip mall 
developer can be a viable career; but would it be a satisfying one for someone 
who dreamed of saving rainforests?
I appreciated the analysis from the Ecuador nonprofit. I knew immediately what 
organization that was, because I did one of those internships with them under 
their prior management. It was just as the new manager said: I paid to goof off 
in the forest and do a lackluster project. I appreciated his detailed story of 
how he got where he was. I also appreciated his candor in admitting that 
privilege was a factor.
I am 45 years old. In the course of my adult life, I have switched careers 
several times, usually by necessity. Sometimes the reasons are clear and I can 
see my fault in them; other times, I still do not understand what happened. At 
this point, at 45 with an M.S., I have accepted that an academic or research 
career is not open to me. At this point, my goal is to get together enough 
resources to spend my retirement years in the tropics, doing ecology research 
in a small way that someone without an institutional lab can do. But I know 
that there are young people in school right now with the same dream I once had, 
and I posted that OP largely on their behalf.
Thank you to everyone who replied.
Jason HernandezEast Carolina alumnus

[ECOLOG-L] Those rare success stories...

[Jason Hernandez]

Now that the academic year has ended, the big wave of seasonal field jobs has 
abated, as have the inevitable posts by graduating students hoping to find one. 
And I have to admit, I have gotten a little jaded. I put myself in the shoes of 
one of those young people...
...Tropical rainforests have had a lot of exposure for many years now, it is no 
surprise when a young person is inspired to pursue a career in conservation, 
with hopes of making a difference in the tropics. But as you search for 
opportunities, what do you find? Every opportunity in a tropical environment is 
a volunteer position or an unpaid internship. Some cover your expenses; some 
expect you to cover your own airfare; some even charge you a fee. But, you 
rationalize, it's an investment in your future; you will gain a new skill set 
and valuable experience for your resume, make contacts in the conservation 
world for your network.. So you take the unpaid job. You have a wonderful 
experience, you learn a lot. But then you begin to notice that every season, it 
is the same. Every position in the tropics is unpaid. If you were an 
organization with limited resources, why would you pay someone when there is a 
steady stream of idealistic young people eager to work for free? As the young 
person, how many of these unpaid jobs can you afford before you have to give up 
and go mitigate wetlands for a strip mall developer, or count dead bats on a 
wind farm?
It can't possibly be that way for everyone. I am interested in the stories of 
young people who succeeded in pursuing this dream sustainably. How did you make 
it happen?
Jason Hernandez

[ECOLOG-L] AIS Inc. is Hiring

[Jason Dean]

AIS was just awarded a 5 year contract for fisheries observer work in the 
Northeast (North Carolina to Maine).  We are looking for qualified fisheries 
observers.  More info can be found on our website: 
www.aisobservers.com<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.aisobservers.com&d=DwMFAg&c=pZJPUDQ3SB9JplYbifm4nt2lEVG5pWx2KikqINpWlZM&r=o_ljaKw1739Y26K5g-P-PsM6ZWbombkoeLylqcUefCo&m=Ser_2ZX5FZyHgHoRJCY8hZwA6p67UQadfKSjP1o5RKw&s=gTtb4DGeg7wHyvc6xvs-UjgqgCPsZsrYBAxm7Ig0oyw&e=>
 and the following hyperlink: 
http://aisobservers.com/employment/<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__aisobservers.com_employment_&d=DwMFAg&c=pZJPUDQ3SB9JplYbifm4nt2lEVG5pWx2KikqINpWlZM&r=o_ljaKw1739Y26K5g-P-PsM6ZWbombkoeLylqcUefCo&m=Ser_2ZX5FZyHgHoRJCY8hZwA6p67UQadfKSjP1o5RKw&s=XxVl0Bz0wF1n6Ytx_n3e0xZbyYqJx9fjuPHv9H76X84&e=>



Jason Dean
Assistant Project Manager
A.I.S., Inc
14 Barnabas Road
Marion, MA 02738
774-392-2267
www.aisobservers.com<http://www.aisobservers.com/>

[ECOLOG-L] PhD position: Beneficial insects in organic farms

[Jason Gibbs]

GRADUATE STUDENT POSITION (PHD): Beneficial insects and ecosystem 
services in agricultural landscapes

A PhD level position is available in the Department of Entomology, 
University of Manitoba. Students with interests in beneficial insects, 
landscape ecology, and/or ecosystem services are encouraged to apply. 
The successful applicant will lead a project studying the effects of 
flowering cover crops and/or perennial flowering habitat on beneficial 
insects, pollination and biological control in organic farming systems.

The successful applicant will have a strong background in entomology, 
plant science, and/or agroecology. The student will work closely with a 
team of entomologists and plant scientists at the University of 
Manitoba. Primary supervision will be in the Gibbs and Costamagna Labs 
in the Department of Entomology. The Gibbs Lab’s research focus is in 
wild bee ecology and systematics and the Costamagna Lab has expertise in 
landscape ecology and predator-prey interactions.

QUALIFICATIONS. Masters’ degree  in Entomology, Ecology, or related 
field. Direct entry from a Bachelor’s will be considered for students of 
exceptional academic ability and experience in field ecology, 
agriculture, insect identification, flowering plants, and/or GIS. Valid 
driver’s license is required.

ANTICIPATED START DATE: January, 2019

TO APPLY: Applicants should send a letter of interest, curriculum vitae 
and contact information for three references to:

Dr. Jason Gibbs, jason.gi...@umanitoba.ca

Please put ‘BENEFICIAL INSECTS POSITION’ in the subject line.

The University of Manitoba is strongly committed to equity and diversity 
within its community and especially welcomes applications from women, 
racialized persons/persons of colour, Indigenous peoples, persons with 
disabilities, persons of all sexual orientations and genders, and others 
who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas. All 
qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens 
and permanent residents will be given priority.

[ECOLOG-L] Botanical Surveys of Restricted Islands?

[Jason Hernandez]

I have nearly completed a biogeography project in Puget Sound, however, two 
large islands in the region are not open to public access: McNeil Island and 
Squaxin Island. I know, however, that much of McNeil Island is set aside as the 
Puget Sound Wildlife Area, and that uninhabited Squaxin Island has (or had in 
the past) timber harvest leases. For these reasons, I thought perhaps they had 
been botanically surveyed, but Google Scholar searches using keywords "McNeil 
Island" and "Squaxin Island" do not bring up anything of the sort. Is anyone 
aware of data sets or technical reports on the botany of either of these 
islands?Jason Hernandez

[ECOLOG-L] Graduate Research Assistant (MS or PHD): Hydrology, Water Quality, Ecohydrology

[Jason Hubbart]

The Interdisciplinary Hydrology Laboratory (http://www.forh2o.net/) at West 
Virginia University has an opening for a graduate research assistant (GRA) 
at the MS, or PHD level. West Virginia University is the state’s flagship 
research-one institution, and is among the top universities in the nation, 
with demonstrated excellence in teaching and research. Start date is 
immediate or when position is filled. The incumbent will investigate 
surface water flow and ecological, geochemical regimes in a mixed-land-use 
watershed of the Appalachian region of the United States. Duties will 
include field and lab work including stream flow estimations, monitoring, 
equipment maintenance and the collection- processing- and analyses of data, 
and / or modeling of chemical and nutrient transport and transformation 
processes. 

Applicants must possess bachelors (for MS application) and master’s (for 
PHD application) degrees completed in environmental sciences, hydrology, 
water chemistry, water resources, or a closely related field. Successful 
applicants will work collaboratively and independently, must have a valid 
US driver's license and automobile. To apply, please forward by email the 
following documents (unofficial documents for initial application are 
acceptable; incomplete applications will not be reviewed): transcript, 
curriculum vitae, recent GRE scores, recent TOEFL/IELTS scores 
(international students), cover letter (including academic, research and 
professional goals and interests), and the names and contact information of 
three references to: Dr. Jason Hubbart, 4121 Agricultural Sciences 
Building, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA; Tel No. 
(304) 293-2472; Fax: (304) 293-2960; Email: jason.hubb...@mail.wvu.edu.

[ECOLOG-L] postdoctoral position comparative cryptobiosis

[Jason Pienaar]

The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa 
A postdoctoral research position in the field of evolutionary biology is
available in the laboratory of Dr. Jason Pienaar in the Department of
Biological Sciences at the University of Alabama
(https://bsc.ua.edu/profiles/jason-pienaar/)
This position will entail developing communities of tardigrades, nematodes,
and rotifers typically associated with bryophytes into an experimental
microcosm for studying cryptobiosis (the ability to suspend metabolic
activity and enact morphological and physiological changes to survive
complete desiccation). The applicant will in addition interact with the
laboratory of Dr. Janna Fierst (https://bsc.ua.edu/profiles/janna-fierst/)
to decipher the genomics and transcriptomics underlying cryptobiosis. 
This position is available for a highly enthusiastic postdoctoral research
associate whose primary career interest is to develop expertise in
integrative approaches to addressing mechanistic and evolutionary questions
of the evolution of enigmatic traits such as cryptobiosis. Depending on
academic experience, the primary responsibilities of the post doc could be
any combination of: genomic and transcriptomic assembly and analyses;
molecular phylogeny development; development of culture techniques to
establish lab populations and managing field collections and/or;
experimental induction of cryptobiotic states and data collection for
phylogenetic comparative method analyses. Other duties will consist of
gathering and managing preliminary data from the field, participating in
experimental design, aiding in grant writing, collaborating with
undergraduate, graduate students and other faculty as appropriate and
outreach. The expectation is that findings will be published in peer
reviewed journals and presented at relevant conferences. 
 Applicants with diverse research backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
Candidates must have received a Ph.D. in a relevant field by the start date.
Funding is available for 2 years with annual renewal dependent on
performance evaluation, and will include a competitive salary, full
benefits, and conference travel allowance. The University of Alabama offers
a range of professional development opportunities. Application review will
begin July 1st, 2018 and will continue until the position is filled.  Start
date is negotiable, but the successful applicant should preferably be able
to start in the Fall 2018 or Spring 2019 semester.
Applicants interested in the position should contact Dr. Jason Pienaar
(jpien...@ua.edu)
Applicants must apply by submitting an application to the Fall 2018
Biological Sciences Departmental postdoctoral pool at facultyjobs.ua.edu
(requisition number 0811250): http://facultyjobs.ua.edu/postings/42653
 Materials should include:
1. Cover letter stating your application for the “Comparative cryptobiosis”
position, a brief description of research accomplishments and interests, and
career goals.
2. The names and contact information for 3 references.
3. Curriculum vitae.
4. Two representative publications.
About the University of Alabama:
The University of Alabama is the flagship campus of the University System of
Alabama, with an enrollment of over 35,000 students. The University is
committed to achieving excellence as one of the country's primary centers of
research and education. It is located in the vibrant college town of
Tuscaloosa, AL, which boasts many cultural and athletic activities.  The
campus also benefits from the close proximity to the Birmingham metropolitan
community.
The University of Alabama is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity
Employer.  Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.

[ECOLOG-L] Aquatic GIS training workshop

[Jason Knouft]

GIS Applications in Aquatic Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Workshop

An NSF supported three day aquatic GIS training workshop will be offered 
at Saint Louis University on June 13-15, 2018.  A general goal of this 
workshop is to train and establish an interactive group of researchers 
and educators applying GIS techniques in freshwater systems.  Applicants 
with all levels of GIS experience are welcome; however, the workshop 
will be presented for aquatic biologists with little to no background in 
GIS techniques.

The tentative schedule of topics includes: 1) basic acquisition and 
manipulation of GIS data, 2) GIS data sources for freshwater research, 
3) quantification of environmental attributes of species’ habitat use at 
multiple spatial scales, 4) species distribution modeling, and 5) 
application of hydrologic data to studies of freshwater systems.  The 
majority of the training will be conducted using ArcGIS.  Computer space 
will be provided for each attendee.

The workshop is open to Faculty, Research Scientists, Postdoctoral 
Researchers, and Graduate Students conducting research in freshwater 
systems.  There is no cost for the workshop; however, participants are 
responsible for a course book, meals, travel, and lodging.  Details are 
available at http://knouftlab.weebly.com/aquatic-gis-workshop.html . 
This is the eighth offering of this workshop.

To apply, please email a statement of application including a brief 
description of your research interests (maximum 1 page) and a C.V. to 
Dr. Jason Knouft at aquatic...@slu.edu by April 18, 2018.  GIS 
experience is not a prerequisite for the workshop.

[ECOLOG-L] Ph.D. Graduate Research Assistant: Biogeochemistry

[Jason Hubbart]

Ph.D. Graduate Research Assistant: Biogeochemistry
 
The Interdisciplinary Hydrology Laboratory (http://www.forh2o.net/) at West 
Virginia University has an opening for a Ph.D. graduate research assistant 
(GRA). West Virginia University is the state’s flagship research-one 
institution, and is among the top universities in the nation, with 
demonstrated excellence in teaching and research. Start date is June 1, 
2018 (negotiable). The incumbent will investigate surface water flow and 
biogeochemical regimes in a mixed-land-use watershed of the Appalachian 
region of the United States (https://iwss.wvu.edu/projects/west-run-
watershed). Research outcomes will advance scientific understanding of 
hydro-biogeochemical processes and mixed land-management practices in 
complex mountainous terrain. Duties may include various aspects of field 
and lab work including stream flow estimations, monitoring, equipment 
maintenance and the collection- processing- and analyses of data, and 
modeling of chemical and nutrient transport and transformation processes. 
An exceptional dissertation and multiple publications are expected.

Applicants must possess bachelors and master’s degrees completed in 
environmental sciences, hydrology, water chemistry, water resources, or a 
closely related field. Successful applicants will work collaboratively and 
independently, must have a valid US driver's license and automobile. To 
apply, please forward by email the following documents (unofficial 
documents for initial application are acceptable; incomplete applications 
will not be reviewed): transcript, curriculum vitae, recent GRE scores, 
recent TOEFL/IELTS scores (international students), cover letter (including 
academic, research and professional goals and interests), and the names and 
contact information of three references to: Dr. Jason Hubbart, 4121 
Agricultural Sciences Building, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 
26506, USA; Tel No. (304) 293-2472; Fax: (304) 293-2960; Email: 
jason.hubb...@mail.wvu.edu.

[ECOLOG-L] Remote Sensing of Environmental Change - Assistant/Associate Professor (Tier 2 Canada Research Chair)

[Jason Venkiteswaran]

Remote Sensing of Environmental Change - Assistant/Associate Professor (Tier 2 
Canada Research Chair)

Wilfrid Laurier University

The Department of Geography & Environmental Studies (GES) at Wilfrid Laurier 
University invites applications for a Tier II Canada Research Chair (CRC) in 
Remote Sensing of Environmental Change subject to budgetary and CRC approval. 
This is a full-time, tenure-track position at the rank of Assistant or 
Associate Professor to begin as soon as the CRC approval is received. Laurier 
is a leader in cold regions research with broad, multidisciplinary expertise in 
this area.

The successful candidate will have demonstrated potential to develop an 
externally funded, world-class research program in an area related to remote 
sensing and/or GIScience of environmental change in cold regions. The 
successful candidate will have the ability to apply cutting-edge, high 
resolution remote sensing and GIS methods and technologies to advance 
scientific and public understanding of environmental change. The candidate 
should also possess the necessary technical background to develop new analytic 
tools and methodologies. Additionally, the candidate should have experience 
collaborating in interdisciplinary environmental research and be expected to 
engage with both natural and social scientists to maximize research impact, 
policy development, and knowledge mobilization.

The candidate is expected to have demonstrated teaching proficiency, and be 
able to significantly complement the teaching strengths of the GES department 
in geomatics and environmental science.  The candidate will also be strongly 
committed to mentorship and supervision of senior undergraduate students and 
graduate students as part of the Waterloo-Laurier Graduate Program in Geography.

The CRC will be expected to actively participate in the recently launched 
Canada First Research Excellence Fund program: Global Water Futures: Solutions 
to Water Threats in an Era of Global Change. This program will provide 
exceptional opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration and provide 
direct support to the CRC. The CRC will also have the opportunity to use the 
shared analytical laboratory facilities at the Centre for Cold Regions Water 
Science (CCRWS), a research facility containing extensive equipment for field- 
and lab-based in hydrology, biogeochemistry, molecular biology, computer 
modelling and aquatic testing. The CRC will also have access to Laurier’s 
Changing Arctic Network living laboratories infrastructure throughout the 
Northwest Territories.

Laurier is a global leader in Cold Regions Research with broad, 
multi-disciplinary expertise throughout the institution. The Department of GES 
is in the Faculty of Arts, and is committed to building collaborative 
interdisciplinary research partnerships to address complex and diverse issues.

The Department offers undergraduate degrees in Environmental Studies (BA), 
Geography (BA & BSc), Geography and Geomatics (BSc), collaborates with the 
Faculty of Science in offering Applied Water Science (BSc) and Environmental 
Science (BSc), and is home to one of North America’s largest graduate Geography 
programs offering MSc, MA, MES and PhD degrees.  The department actively 
participates in CCRWS, the Laurier Institute for Water Science (LIWS), and the 
Balsillie School for International Affairs.

Tier II CRC’s are intended for exceptional emerging scholars who were granted 
their PhD less than 10 years prior at the time of nomination.  Applicants who 
are more than 10 years from having earned their highest degree (and where 
career breaks exist including maternity, parental or extended sick leave, 
clinical training, etc.) may have their eligibility for a CRC Tier II assessed 
through the program’s Tier II Justification Process. Please contact Dr. Ildiko 
de Boer, Acting Manager, Office of Research Services (ideb...@wlu.ca) with any 
questions about the Tier II justification process.

Applicants should have a PhD in Geography, Environmental Science, Earth 
Science, or a related field. Applicants should send a cover letter outlining 
their research and teaching interest, a curriculum vitae, teaching dossier, 
digital copies of up to five recent papers, and contact details for three 
referees to:

Dr. Sean Doherty, Chair
Department of Geography & Environmental Studies
Wilfrid Laurier University
Waterloo, Ontario
N2L 3C5

ggesh...@wlu.ca

Submission of a single PDF file via email is preferred.  Applications will be 
reviewed starting on April 9, 2018. Only those applicants selected for an 
interview will be required to participate in the preparation of a CRC 
nomination package for submission in October 2018.

Wilfrid Laurier University is committed to employment equity and values 
diversity. Laurier welcomes applications from candidates who identify as 
Indigenous, racialized, having disabilities, and a person of any sexual 
identities and gender identities. All quali

[ECOLOG-L] Synopsis of responses: is this a viable idea

[Jason Hernandez]

Okay, one of my respondents requested a synopsis of responses to my question 
about whether being an R consultant is a viable idea. The responses were mixed. 
One said that people overseas do this, another that grad student had put 
themselves through school in this way by being written into grants; but another 
expressed doubt that an ecologist could make a living doing it. One general 
trend of replies was that it would not be as much of a time saver for the 
client as I think, because the client would have to spend time thoroughly 
explaining the project to the analyst, to ensure the right tests wre done on 
the right data. On the other hand, there was a suggestion that perhaps it would 
work in industry rather than academia; that I should look into the kinds of 
statistics being done there.

Honestly, the reason I was interested in self employment was because my 
experience in the job market is of getting rejection emails that say there were 
more than 50 applicants for one position. Self employment sometimes feels like 
my only prospect for employment. And the reason online employment appeals is 
that it would let me use development gaps; i.e. survive by serving clients in 
high paying countries, while residing in a low cost-of-living country. The 
suggestion that I should conduct a marketing survey using one of those online 
survey engines was a useful one, and that is my next step.

Thank you to all who replied.

Jason Hernandez

[ECOLOG-L] Job Posting - Summer Research Assistant, Northern Alaska

[Jason Dobkowski]

Summer 2018  –  Research Job Opportunity in Northern Alaska

We are seeking undergraduates or college graduates interested in environmental 
research 
to understand ecosystem function in soils, streams, and lakes, and how arctic 
tundra will 
respond to climate change.  

Job Description:  Paid research assistants will collect and analyze field 
samples at 
sites located in the foothills of the Brooks Range in Northern Alaska. Job 
duties include 
sample collection, field measurements, and lab analyses at the Toolik Lake 
Field station.  
Fieldwork involves hiking in remote areas while carrying heavy packs of field 
equipment.  
Additional  responsibilities include chemical analyses and data processing.  
This 
position offers an excellent opportunity to gain research experience in ecology 
and 
environmental science, and meet outstanding research scientists from around the 
world. 
Room and board are provided.  This position is associated with the National 
Science 
Foundation Arctic Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) program. 

To apply: Please send 1. your resume, 2. a 1-page description of your 
background (include 
relevant course work, field experience, academic and career goals), 3. the 
names of and 
contact information of  3 references to: Dr. George Kling, g...@umich.edu.  
Experience in 
ecology, chemistry, and microbiology is desirable.  Employment will be 
approximately June 
10 - August 30, 2018.  

Additional information about the Arctic Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) 
project is 
available at http://arc-lter.ecosystems.mbl.edu/   and information about Toolik 
Field 
Station is available at http://toolik.alaska.edu/  
We will begin reviewing applications on 1 March 2018 and continue until all 
positions are 
filled.

[ECOLOG-L] Inquiry: Is this a viable idea?

[Jason Hernandez]

Dear Ecologgers:

I have been considering a self-employment idea,but before I put in the time and 
money, I want to feel out whether it could be a viable one.

I recall, as a grad student, the university faculty seemed to be running in 
five directions at once. My advisor once commented that 24 hours in a day would 
not even be enough if he could be awake for all of them. So it occurs to me 
that if some of what they have to do could be outsourced, there could be a 
demand for that. (That is the premise behind teaching assistantships, is it 
not?)

So I was thinking, if I were to become an expert in R, and perhaps SAS, I could 
offer my services running statistical tests. Send me the data,and specify what 
tests you need run, and I would do the R or SAS programming and send back the 
test results. On the other hand, I can foresee the possibility that this would 
be considered to important a task to outsource. So I am asking the ECOLOG 
community: do you think there would be a demand for this service,or should I 
turn my thinking elsewhere?

Thank you.

Jason Hernandez

[ECOLOG-L] MSc and PhD Opportunities: Metal Mobility in the Permafrost and Organic-Carbon-Rich Landscapes of the Northwest Territories

[Jason Venkiteswaran]

MSc and PhD Opportunities: Metal Mobility in the Permafrost and 
Organic-Carbon-Rich Landscapes of the Northwest Territories

SAMMS (Sub-Arctic Metal Mobility Study) seeks multiple graduate students (MSc 
and/or PhD) to research the presence and fate of mining related metals in the 
Northwest Territories, Canada, and to develop predictions of the fate and 
toxicity of these metals under climate change regimes.

Successful applicants will work in a co-supervised environment. SAMMS is led by 
Prof. Brent Wolfe and Prof. Jason Venkiteswaran (Wilfrid Laurier University, 
Waterloo, Canada). See below for the complete research team. 

Opportunities to work at multiple universities are available and encouraged.

Start dates: January 1, 2018, May 1, 2018, and September 1, 2018.

# Project Summary

The legacy of metal pollution from mining in the Northwest Territories, Canada, 
extends beyond the immediate mining sites due to atmospheric emissions and 
subsequent deposition and transport. However, its extent is poorly known. The 
fate and toxicity of these mining-source metals depends strongly on their 
transport via dissolved organic matter (DOM). Climate change, especially in 
subarctic regions where substantial organic matter has accumulated over time, 
will accelerate both rates of organic matter decomposition and consequently the 
mass and chemistry of DOM entering freshwater systems during the next few 
decades. These changes have important implications for surface water quality 
with respect to long-term ecosystem health and human consumption of drinking 
water.

Field campaigns will focus on catchments and lakes near Yellowknife, Northwest 
Territories, and include laboratory experiments and modelling approaches to 
evaluate the stores of metals in catchments, wetlands, and lake sediments as a 
baseline to understand the future fate and toxicity of metals under permafrost 
thaw and climate change regimes. 

Graduate student research projects will examine (1) terrestrial stores of 
historical metal deposition and transport to aquatic ecosystems, (2) DOM 
quantity and quality, metal binding, and toxicology, (3) modelling of DOM 
quantity and quality in cold regions, (4) metal depositional history, pathways, 
and processes in lake sediments, (5) paleo-ecotoxicology and ecosystem 
structure, and (6) climate change effects including permafrost thaw.

Graduate students will benefit from working with a multi-university and 
multidisciplinary research team and will interact with partner organizations 
and Indigenous communities.

# Eligibility

Students will perform applied lab and field research, and require quantitative 
abilities, a hearty appetite for northern field work, and possess strong verbal 
and writing skills.

Applicants should send their applications including areas of research interest 
in a cover letter, with CV, unofficial transcripts, and contact information of 
three references as a single PDF file to Prof. Jason Venkiteswaran, 
jvenkiteswa...@wlu.ca.

SAMMS is funded by the Global Water Futures program, gwf.usask.ca.

[ECOLOG-L] PhDs in savanna C cycling

[West, Jason B]

As part of a major new funded project, I am seeking at least two new PhD 
students to do research in savanna ecosystems. The projects will focus on 
vegetation-mediated carbon cycle processes and how they respond to 
anthropogenically-modified drivers like fire and herbivory. The research will 
encompass a range of spatiotemporal scales from short-term, organ-level 
processes, to long-term, global-scale processes. I co-direct the Stable 
Isotopes for Biosphere Research Laboratory (http://sibs.tamu.edu) and part of 
the work will use isotope ratios to study underlying processes. This includes 
individual compounds in plants and soils, the isotopic composition of gas 
fluxes, and other components of these fascinating ecosystems. Depending on the 
specific project, other ecophysiological or biogeochemical approaches will be 
used. Funding is secured initially for three years and is expected to continue 
into the foreseeable future since it's based on a permanent endowment. PhD 
fellowships guarantee funding for four years. This is an exciting opportunity 
to join a new and growing multi-disciplinary effort. Students may enroll in the 
Department of Ecosystem Science and Management program (http://essm.tamu.edu) 
or the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology interdisciplinary program 
(http://eeb.tamu.edu) at Texas A&M University. If this seems like something you 
might be interested in, please send your CV and a brief description of why you 
think this could be a good fit for you to Dr. Jason West at: 
jbw...@tamu.edu<mailto:jbw...@tamu.edu>. Questions are also welcome by email.

[ECOLOG-L] Opening for an M.S. graduate student at the Institute of Arctic Biology, University of Alaska Fairbanks

[Jason Downing]

The Institute of Arctic Biology, University of Alaska Fairbanks has an
opening for an M.S. graduate student to work with Roger Ruess and Donie
Bret-Harte on an NSF-funded project on shrub feedbacks to C and N cycling
along a boreal-arctic transect in northern Alaska.  A widespread shift from
tundra to deciduous shrub-dominated vegetation appears to be underway in
northern Alaska, which could have profound implications for C balance and
biogeochemical cycling. Because much of the Earth’s soil C is stored in
arctic and boreal regions, changes in the C budgets of these biomes may
feedback strongly to global climate. Biogeochemical C and N cycles are
linked tightly in boreal and arctic ecosystems, and plant production is
strongly N-limited; therefore, N-fixing shrubs affect soil C through their
effects on near-surface soil N, via both SOM turnover and N inputs. The
graduate student will focus on the effects of the growth and ecophysiology
of Siberian alder on biogeochemical cycling across topo-edaphic sequences
along a latitudinal transect from the boreal forest (BNZ LTER) to arctic
tundra (ARC LTER). The student will be expected to develop their own
research questions within the overall framework of the project, and will
have the opportunity to interact with PIs and other graduate students
working on project.  Because research sites are distributed between
Fairbanks and areas north of the Toolik Field Station (see
http://toolik.alaska.edu/), the graduate student will be conducting research
and camping in very rugged/remote terrain.  The student will be supported
through a combination of research assistantships and teaching
assistantships, and expected to begin fieldwork in the summer of 2018, and
coursework in the fall of 2018.  For more information, please contact Roger
Ruess (rwru...@alaska.edu) or Syndonia Bret-Harte (msbretha...@alaska.edu).
 You must also apply for graduate study to the Department of Biology and
Wildlife at University of Alaska Fairbanks (see
https://www.bw.uaf.edu/graduates/index.php for application requirements);
the deadline for applications is January 15, 2018.

[ECOLOG-L] MS Assistantship: Designing a Mixed-Mode Survey for Collecting Deer Hunter Harvest Data in North Dakota

[Boulanger, Jason]

MS Assistantship: Designing a Mixed-Mode Survey for Collecting Deer Hunter 
Harvest Data in North Dakota

Website: http://arts-sciences.und.edu/biology/

Stipend: Approximately $22,000 per year plus tuition waiver

A graduate research assistantship (MS) in wildlife harvest management is 
available at the University of North Dakota (UND) in Grand Forks through 
support from the North Dakota Game and Fish Department (NDGF). The 
highly-motivated student will work closely with NDGF and UND project staff to 
design a mixed-mode survey for collecting deer hunter harvest data in North 
Dakota to help inform wildlife harvest management decisions. The objective of 
this study is to evaluate strategies for supplementing existing mailed deer 
harvest surveys with electronic versions for various segments of deer harvest 
in North Dakota (i.e., rifle, archery, youth, and gratis).

This position will be based within the Department of Biology at UND. The 
successful applicant will be admitted to the MS program in the Biology 
Department and be part of the Boulanger 
(http://arts-sciences.und.edu/biology/faculty/jay-boulanger.cfm) and Newman 
(http://arts-sciences.und.edu/biology/faculty/robert-newman.cfm) Labs.

Minimum qualifications:
BS degree in wildlife, natural resources, biology or related discipline, with 
GPA of 3.0 or higher
GRE scores are required
Excellent oral and written communication skills
Ability and willingness to work independently and with project teams
Candidates should have an interest in, and understanding of, big game 
management and culture

To apply:
Please send an electronic application via email in PDF format (preferably a 
single document) consisting of 1) a cover letter clearly articulating your 
background, experience, research and education interests, and career goals; 2) 
C.V.; 3) transcripts and GPA for undergraduate program (can be unofficial); 4) 
GRE scores (taken within 5 years; can be unofficial); and 5) name, current 
position, phone number, email address, institutional affiliation, and research 
area of three references to Dr. Jay Boulanger 
(jason.boulan...@und.edu) with the words 
“Hunter harvest MS student application” in the subject line. The successful 
applicant will be asked to apply for admission to the Biology Department MS 
program at UND through the UND School of Graduate Studies 
(http://graduateschool.und.edu/future-students/apply.cfm). Deadline for 
graduate applications for Fall admissions is Feb. 15. Direct questions 
regarding that process to Dr. Robert Newman (robert.new...@und.edu).

The start date is August 2018. Expected project funding and duration is 2 
years. Review of applicants will begin immediately and continue until a 
suitable candidate is found.

[ECOLOG-L] Postdoctoral Position – Watershed Modeling (Climate Change)

[Jason Knouft]

Postdoctoral Research Associate – Watershed Hydrologic Modeling 

A postdoctoral position in watershed hydrologic modeling is available in 
the lab of Dr. Jason Knouft in the Department of Biology at Saint Louis 
University. This two-year NSF-funded position focuses on developing 
contemporary and future climate change-based estimates of streamflow and 
water temperature in watersheds across the United States and Canada.  
The overall goal of the project is to develop the ‘HydroClim’ dataset, 
which will be integrated with biodiversity data to provide a widely 
available resource for researchers and water resource managers to 
investigate the potential impacts of climate change on freshwater 
resources and biodiversity. The successful candidate will be expected to 
develop GIS-based Soil & Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) hydrologic models 
on high-performance parallel computing systems. In addition to having 
experience with SWAT, applicants should have experience with programming 
languages such as R, Matlab, or Python as well as working in Linux. The 
postdoc will also be encouraged to develop independent lines of research 
and will have the opportunity to collaborate with biologists, 
hydrologists, and informatics specialists at Saint Louis University, 
Indiana University, and Tulane University. Additional information is 
available at http://knouftlab.weebly.com/ and http://www.hydroclim.org/ 

A Ph.D. in a related research field is required by the starting date of 
employment and experience with the SWAT model is preferred. The position 
is available for two years contingent upon satisfactory annual reviews.  
The earliest start date is January 1, 2018; however, a later start date 
through June 1, 2018 is negotiable. Applications must include a cover 
letter with a statement of research experience and interests, curriculum 
vitae, and contact information for three references. Please send 
versions of these files to Dr. Jason Knouft at jason.kno...@slu.edu.  
Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the 
position is filled. 

[ECOLOG-L] Postdoctoral Research Associate-Fire Frequency and Soil Carbon Dynamics in the Boreal Forest

[Jason Vogel]

The Forest Ecosystem Science laboratory at the University of Florida seeks a 
postdoctoral research associate to work on an NSF-funded project examining 
how increased fire frequency in Alaskan boreal forests affects vegetation 
dynamics and ecosystem carbon cycling. The postdoctoral researcher will lead 
efforts to estimate soil CO2 efflux, linking these estimates to changes in 
vegetation and soil thaw created by repeat burning.  The researcher will 
join a multidisciplinary (remote sensing, modeling of ecosystem process and 
permafrost dynamics) team, with collaborators at multiple institutions 
(Portland State, Universities of Alaska and Idaho). The postdoctoral 
research associate will assist in connecting field observations of soil and 
vegetation C dyamics to the ecosystem process model LANDIS-II. 

Interested candidates should feel comfortable working in remote locations 
with a team of colleagues, and there will be some strenuous fieldwork. The 
researcher will spend the majority of the 2018 and 2019 summer in Alaska, 
and winters at the University of Florida in Gainesville.  Ideal candidates 
would be available at some point in the spring of 2018, preferably in 
January. The candidate will have a PhD in biology, soil science, ecology, 
forestry, or environmental science. The position is available for 2-3 years, 
with the 3rd year contingent on satisfactory progress toward project goals. 
   
Gainesville is a bike friendly community, with many outdoor recreational 
opportunities, and is ~1.5 hours from the Gulf and Atlantic coastlines. More 
information on the home department, The School of Forest Resources and 
Conservation can be found at sfrc.ufl.edu. The researcher will be mentored 
by Dr. Jason Vogel (https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Jason_Vogel5), and 
will join a growing and diverse lab group. Email jvo...@ufl.edu for more 
information or call at (979) 846-0879.
   
To apply for this position, visit: http://explore.jobs.ufl.edu/cw/en-
us/job/503515/postdoctoral-research-associate.

[ECOLOG-L] Postdoc Penn State Agroecology

[Jason Kaye]

Post-doctoral Research Associate - The Pennsylvania State University Job 
Number “73805”
Post-doctoral position to coordinate and conduct research and extension 
activities in a multidisciplinary project on approaches to reducing tillage 
in an organic, cover crop-based feed grain production system in the Mid-
Atlantic region.  Duties of the  post-doctoral research associate will 
include: assist in making key decisions regarding research farm operations 
and scientific field sampling on research plots; laboratory analysis of 
field-collected samples;  computer data entry and analysis;  manage and 
mentor undergraduate and graduate assistants; coordinate project management 
among project participants and farm managers;  lead and contribute to 
technical writing of reports, extension materials, and peer-reviewed 
publications; and participate in planning and conduct of project-related 
extension and outreach activities for diverse stakeholders. This position 
requires a recent PhD in Agronomy, Agroecology, Weed Science, Entomology, 
or related field that has equipped the applicant with the necessary 
knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties and responsibilities 
of the position. Experience with organic production of agronomic crops and 
graduate student mentoring is desirable.  
To apply, please send a letter of application, resume, and contact 
information for three references to Dr. Mary Barbercheck, Department of 
Entomology, 501Ag Sciences & Industries Bldg., University Park, PA 16802 or 
via e-mail at: me...@psu.edu. For more information about the position 
please contact Dr. Barbercheck or Dr. Bill Curran, w...@psu.edu,  Dr. Armen 
Kemanian, Dept. of Plant Sciences at kx...@psu.edu, or Dr. Jason Kaye at 
jp...@psu.edu, Environmental Sciences and Management. 

 Applicants must also apply for Job No. 73805  online at 
https://psu.jobs/job/73805.

Screening of applicants will begin September 1, 2017 and will continue 
until a suitable applicant has been identified.  
 
Penn State is committed to affirmative action, equal opportunity, and the 
diversity of its workforce.

[ECOLOG-L] Postdoctoral Research Associate – Watershed Hydrologic Modeling

[Jason Knouft]

Postdoctoral Research Associate – Watershed Hydrologic Modeling

The Department of Geography at Indiana University – Bloomington is 
seeking applicants for a postdoctoral position in watershed modeling in 
the lab of Dr. Darren Ficklin. The overall goal of the National Science 
Foundation funded project is to develop techniques that integrate 
citizen science-derived streamflow and stream temperature data with a 
Boyne River hydrologic model. Specifically, this research is designed to 
fully integrate citizen participation in the development of a real-time 
stream discharge, temperature, and aquatic species habitat modeling 
framework. Through the use of citizen-based observations of streamflow 
and stream temperature, this approach will demonstrate how citizen-
derived observations can contribute to forecasts of stream discharge, 
stream temperature, and identification of freshwater fish habitat.

The successful candidate will be expected to develop a GIS-based Soil & 
Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) hydrologic model on high-performance 
parallel computing systems. In addition to having experience with SWAT, 
applicants should have experience with Linux and programming languages 
such as R, Matlab, or Python and also be able to measure streamflow 
discharge in the field. The postdoc will also be encouraged to develop 
independent lines of research and will have the opportunity to 
collaborate with ecologists, hydrologists, and sustainability 
specialists at Indiana University, Saint Louis University, and the 
University at Buffalo. Additional information can be requested by 
emailing Dr. Darren Ficklin at dfick...@indiana.edu.

The position is available for 1.5 years. The earliest start date is 
November 15, 2017; however, a later start date is negotiable (but no 
later than January 1, 2018). All applications must be made online and 
include a cover letter with a statement of research experience and 
interests, curriculum vitae, and contact information for three 
references at:

https://indiana.peopleadmin.com/postings/4453

In addition, please send versions of these files to Dr. Darren Ficklin 
at dfick...@indiana.edu with the words “Watershed modeling position” in 
the subject line of the email. Review of applications will begin 
immediately and will continue until the position is filled. In order to 
be assured of full consideration, applicants should submit all 
application materials by October 1, 2017.

The College of Arts and Sciences is committed to building and supporting 
a diverse, inclusive, and equitable community of students and scholars. 
Indiana University is an equal employment and affirmative action 
employer and a provider of ADA services. All qualified applicants will 
receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ethnicity, 
color, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or identity, national 
origin, disability status or protected veteran status.

[ECOLOG-L] MSc and PhD Opportunities: Forecasting and Biogeochemistry of Bloom-Affected Lakes

[Jason Venkiteswaran]

FORMBLOOM (Forecasting Tools and Mitigation Options for Diverse Bloom-Affected 
Lakes) seeks 2–4 graduate students (MSc and/or PhD) to research the drivers of 
freshwater cyanobacterial blooms and develop tools for bloom prediction and 
mitigation.

Successful applicants will work in a co-supervised environment with Prof. Helen 
Baulch (School of Environment and Sustainability and Global Institute for Water 
Security, University of Saskatchewan), Prof. Sherry Schiff (Department of Earth 
and Environmental Sciences, University of Waterloo), and Prof. Jason 
Venkiteswaran (Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, Wilfrid 
Laurier University) and will enroll in the MSc or PhD program at one of those 
universities. Opportunities to work at multiple universities are available.

Start dates: September 1, 2017 and January 1, 2018.

Project Summary:

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) in lakes and reservoirs constitute a major threat 
to human health and, by extension, to the Canadian economy. HABs, especially 
those associated with cyanobacteria (cyano-HABs), have direct impacts on the 
safety of drinking water supplies by producing a variety of liver and nerve 
toxins in addition to causing taste and odour problems. Cyano-HABs have been 
increasing in recent years across Canada from Newfoundland to British Columbia. 
There is an urgent need to improve the science and to develop risk management 
tools for cyano-HABs.

Field campaigns in Buffalo Pound, Saskatchewan, Lake 227, Ontario, and 
Conestogo Lake, Ontario combined with laboratory experiments and modelling 
exercises will evaluate the contributions of nutrients, metals, and lake 
structure to the timing and severity of cyano-HABs. Carefully selected samples 
and datasets from other lakes and reservoirs across Canada (including the 
47-year dataset from IISD–ELA) will be incorporated into cyano-HAB forecasting 
and mitigation efforts.

Graduate student research projects will (1) examine nutrient and trace metal 
dynamics through bloom progression; (2) assess links between physical 
conditions, sediment-surface redox and cyano-HAB development; and (3) perform 
long-term data analysis with a focus on winter conditions and bloom severity.

Graduate students will benefit from working with a multi-university and 
multidisciplinary research team and will interact with partner organizations 
and ecosystem managers. Students will have opportunities to participate in 
enhanced training opportunities associated with the NSERC CREATE in Water 
Security, and the Global Water Futures program.

Eligibility:

Students will perform applied lab and field research, and require quantitative 
abilities, a hearty appetite for boat-based field work, and possess strong 
verbal and writing skills. Students with experience with sensor-based 
instrumentation are particularly welcomed.

Applicants should send their areas of research interest in a cover letter, with 
CV, unofficial transcripts, and contact information of three references as a 
single PDF file to Prof Jason Venkiteswaran, jvenkiteswa...@wlu.ca.

FORMBLOOM is funded by the Global Water Futures program, gwf.usask.ca.

[ECOLOG-L] Graduate Student Opportunities in Bloom Ecology and Biogeochemistry

[Jason Venkiteswaran]

Graduate Student Opportunities in Bloom Ecology and Biogeochemistry


As part of the Global Water Futures project FORMBLOOM: Forecasting Tools and 
Mitigation Options for Diverse Bloom-Affected Lakes:

 
We are seeking 2–4 graduate students (MSc and/or PhD) interested in research on 
the drivers of freshwater cyanobacterial blooms, and options for bloom 
prediction mitigation. This program links researchers at the University of 
Saskatchewan, Wilfrid Laurier University, IISD–Experimental Lakes Area, the 
University of Waterloo, York University and other university networks with 
industry, government and community partners. 
 
The successful graduate students will work across multiple ecosystems ranging 
from southern Ontario reservoirs, to a prairie drinking water supply and a 
long-term experimental lake. Students will perform applied lab and field 
research, and require good lab skills, quantitative abilities, and a hearty 
appetite for boat-based field work. Students with experience with sensor-based 
instrumentation are particularly welcomed. 
 
Project Summary:

 
Harmful algal blooms (HABs) in lakes and reservoirs constitute a major threat 
to human health and, by extension, to the Canadian economy. HABs, especially 
those associated with cyanobacteria (cyano-HABs), have direct impacts on the 
safety of drinking water supplies by producing a variety of liver and nerve 
toxins in addition to causing taste and odour problems. Cyano-HABs have been 
increasing in recent years across Canada from Newfoundland to British Columbia. 
There is an urgent need to improve the science and to develop risk management 
tools for cyano-HABs.
 
Opportunities:
--
 
Field campaigns in Buffalo Pound, Saskatchewan, Lake 227, Ontario, and 
Conestogo Lake, Ontario combined with laboratory experiments and modelling 
exercises will evaluate the contributions of nutrients, metals, and lake 
structure to the timing and severity of cyano-HABs. Carefully selected samples 
and datasets from other lakes and reservoirs across Canada (including the 
47-year dataset from IISD–ELA) will be incorporated into cyano-HAB forecasting 
and mitigation efforts.
 
Graduate student research projects will (1) examine nutrient and trace metal 
dynamics through bloom progression; (2) assess links between physical 
conditions, sediment-surface redox and cyano-HAB development; and (3) perform 
long-term data analysis with a focus on winter conditions and bloom severity.
 
Graduate students will benefit from working with a multi-university and 
multidisciplinary research team and will interact with partner organisations 
and ecosystem managers. Students will have opportunities to participate in 
enhanced training opportunities associated with the NSERC CREATE in Water 
Security, and the Global Water Futures program.
 
Interested Applicants:
--
 
Applicants should indicate their areas of research interest to the professors 
below:
 
Prof. Helen Baulch
School of Environment and Sustainability and Global Institute for Water Security
University of Saskatchewan
Saskatoon, SK 
helen.baulch at usask
 
Prof. Jason Venkiteswaran
Department of Geography and Environmental Studies
Wilfrid Laurier University
Waterloo, ON N2L 3C5
jvenkiteswaran at wlu.ca
 
Prof. Sherry Schiff
Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences
University of Waterloo
Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1
sschiff at uwaterloo.ca

[ECOLOG-L] Ph.D. Graduate Research Assistant: Hydrogeochemistry

[Jason Hubbart]

The Interdisciplinary Hydrology Laboratory (http://www.forh2o.net/) at West 
Virginia University invites applications for a Ph.D. graduate research 
assistant who will conduct research investigating surface water chemical 
characteristics and geology in mixed-land-use watersheds of the Appalachian 
region of the United States. West Virginia University is the state’s 
flagship research-one institution, and is among the top universities in the 
nation, with demonstrated excellence in teaching and research.

Start date will be fall semester (August 16th) 2017. Primary duties include 
water flow and water chemistry monitoring with additional responsibilities 
including field work, stream cross sections, instrument maintenance, data 
collection, processing, analyses and modeling, coursework, dissertation, 
and multiple publications.

Applicants must possess bachelors and master’s degrees completed in natural 
resources, ecology, environmental sciences, physical hydrology, water 
quality, or a closely related field. Experience in stream measurements, 
data processing, analysis and modeling, water quality monitoring and 
analysis, GIS, and strong verbal, written, and computational skills are 
highly desired. Successful applicants will work collaboratively and 
independently, conduct field work under variable weather conditions, and 
aid in installation and maintenance of instruments and monitoring sites. 
Applicants must possess a valid US driver's license and be able to lift and 
carry equipment and tools. 

To apply, please forward by email the following documents (unofficial 
documents for initial application are acceptable; incomplete applications 
will not be reviewed): transcript, curriculum vitae, recent GRE scores, 
recent TOEFL/IELTS scores (international students), cover letter (including 
academic, research and professional goals and interests), and the names and 
contact information of three references to: Dr. Jason Hubbart, 3109 
Agricultural Sciences Building, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 
26506, USA; Tel No. (304) 293-2472; Fax: (304) 293-2960; Email: 
jason.hubb...@mail.wvu.edu.

[ECOLOG-L] Assistant Professor Position (Non-Tenure Track) in GIS

[Jason Pither]

The Irving K. Barber School of Arts and Sciences at the University of British 
Columbia, 
Okanagan Campus, invites applications for a 12-month term appointment in 
Geographic 
Information Science (GIS) at the rank of Assistant Professor. The position is 
renewable 
for up to three years maximum, subject to performance review and budgetary 
approval. 
The position will be held in the Department of Earth, Environmental, and 
Geographic 
Sciences and is expected to start August 1, 2017. 

Applicants must hold a Ph.D. in Physical Geography, Earth Sciences, 
Environmental 
Sciences, or a related discipline. We are seeking candidates with expertise in 
geographic data science and data visualization who use advanced computational 
approaches to conduct fundamental or applied research in Earth and/or 
Environmental 
Sciences. Applicants must provide proof of commitment to publishing in 
high-quality 
peer-reviewed journals, demonstrate success in securing external research 
grants or 
evidence of ability to do so, and have experience teaching at the undergraduate 
level. 

The successful applicant will teach a maximum of three GIS courses per year, 
with 
responsibility for delivery of the laboratory component of courses, as 
appropriate. This 
individual will also be expected to assist with curriculum and program 
development, 
leading to expanded offerings in geospatial science, and will be encouraged and 
supported to develop a program of research, including co-supervision of 
graduate and 
B.Sc.(Hon.) students. 

The Department offers B.Sc., M.Sc., and Ph.D. degrees in Earth and 
Environmental 
Sciences (EESC), and a B.Sc. in Freshwater Sciences (FWSC), and also 
contributes to a 
B.A. degree in Geography administered by the Department of Community, Culture 
and 
Global Studies. Graduate students may also enrol in the UBC Interdisciplinary 
Graduate 
Studies (IGS) program for M.A., M.Sc. or Ph.D. degrees, with supervision 
provided by 
faculty in the Department of Earth, Environmental and Geographic Sciences. 

UBC is one of the world's leading universities, and is consistently ranked in 
the top 40 
globally. The university has two autonomous campuses, one in Vancouver and one 
in 
Kelowna in the Okanagan Valley. The Okanagan campus has over 8,000 students in 
seven Faculties and is located in one of the most scenic regions in Canada, 
offering an 
intimate learning environment and excellent opportunities for regional, 
national, and 
international scholarly activities. 

The Irving K. Barber School of Arts and Sciences offers both discipline-based 
and 
interdisciplinary programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The 
collegial 
learning environment in the Faculty focuses on effective teaching, critical and 
creative 
scholarship, and the integration of scholarship and teaching. We are committed 
to an 
ethos of local involvement, global engagement, and intercultural awareness and 
we 
provide a positive, inclusive, and mutually supportive working and learning 
environment 
for all our students, faculty, and staff. 

More information about the Irving K. Barber School of Arts and Science is 
available at: 
http://www.ubc.ca/okanagan/ikbarberschool/welcome.html. 

For information about UBC resources and opportunities, please visit 
http://www.hr.ubc.ca/faculty-staff-resources/
 
Information about the surrounding community can be found at: 
http://www.hr.ubc.ca/workliferelocation/ 
Queries about the position should be directed to the Department Head, Dr. 
Edward 
Hornibrook (ed.hornibr...@ubc.ca). 

How to Apply 
To apply for this position, please visit the link: http://www.hr.ubc.ca/careers-
postings/faculty.php (Job Opening ID# 26387) 

Complete applications should include: 
i) a cover letter; 
ii) a curriculum vitae; 
iii) a 2-page research statement; 
iv) a 2-page statement of teaching philosophy; 
v) evidence of teaching effectiveness if available (e.g., recent teaching 
evaluations); 
and 
vi) the names of three referees who have agreed to submit letters of support 
when 
requested. Letters of support will be sought only for applicants who are 
short-listed 
for the position.  

All documents must be submitted in electronic PDF format as single continuous 
document. 

The deadline for applications is June 8, 2017. All appointments are subject to 
budgetary 
approval. 

UBC hires on the basis of merit and is committed to employment equity. All 
qualified 
persons are encouraged to apply. We especially welcome applications from 
members 
of visible minority groups, women, Aboriginal persons, persons with 
disabilities, 
persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, and others with 
the skills 
and knowledge to engage productively with diverse communities. Government 
regulations require that Canadians and permanent residents of Canada will be 
given 
priority.

[ECOLOG-L] Ph.D. Graduate Research Assistant: Investigating Hydrology, Pathogens and Suspended Sediment Relationships

[Jason Hubbart]

The Interdisciplinary Hydrology Laboratory (http://www.forh2o.net/) and the 
Institute of Water Security and Science (http://iwss.wvu.edu/) of West 
Virginia University in collaboration with the Divisions of Plant and Soil 
Sciences, and Forestry and Natural Resources in the Davis College of 
Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design, invite applications for a Ph.D. 
graduate research assistant who will conduct research investigating the 
relationships of hydrology, pathogens and suspended sediment. West Virginia 
University is the state’s flagship research-one institution, and is among 
the top universities in the nation, with demonstrated excellence in 
teaching and research.

Start date will be fall semester (August 16th) 2017. Primary duties include 
water flow and water quality monitoring with additional responsibilities 
including field work, stream cross sections, instrument maintenance, data 
collection, processing, analyses and modeling, coursework, dissertation, 
and multiple publications.

Applicants must possess bachelors and master’s degrees completed in natural 
resources, ecology, environmental sciences, physical hydrology, water 
quality, or a closely related field. Experience in stream measurements, 
data processing, analysis and modeling, water quality monitoring and 
analysis, GIS, and strong verbal, written, and computational skills are 
highly desired. Successful applicants will work collaboratively and 
independently, conduct field work under variable weather conditions, and 
aid in installation and maintenance of instruments and monitoring sites. 
Applicants must possess a valid US driver's license and be able to lift and 
carry equipment and tools. 

To apply, please forward by email the following documents (unofficial 
documents for initial application are acceptable; incomplete applications 
will not be reviewed): transcript, curriculum vitae, recent GRE scores, 
recent TOEFL/IELTS scores (international students), cover letter (including 
academic, research and professional goals and interests), and the names and 
contact information of three references to: Dr. Jason Hubbart, 3109 
Agricultural Sciences Building, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 
26506, USA; Tel No. (304) 293-2472; Fax: (304) 293-2960; Email: 
jason.hubb...@mail.wvu.edu.

[ECOLOG-L] REU Opportunity at UC Santa Barbara

[Jason Smith]

REU Opportunity at UC Santa Barbara this summer. For full consideration please 
apply by April 15, 
2017. 

A full time, three month REU internship is available as soon as May 2017. 
Successful applicants will 
assist the Santa Barbara Coastal Long Term Ecological Research project (SBC 
LTER, based at UC 
Santa Barbara’s Marine Science Institute) in its investigations of factors 
influencing the availability 
and utilization of various dissolved nitrogen species by macroalgae (and 
phytoplankton) in giant kelp 
forests off the coast of Santa Barbara, California. The project is an excellent 
opportunity to apply 
concepts of general chemistry and biology to answer fundamental questions about 
the functioning of 
important, sensitive coastal ecosystems.

Specific duties may include: (1) assisting with manipulative experiments (lab 
or field) focused on 
understanding the physiology of nitrogen use by giant kelp and phytoplankton; 
(2) determination of 
enzyme activities within macroalgal tissues; (3) laboratory processing of 
seawater samples obtained 
for analysis of chlorophyll, particulate organic matter, dissolved nutrients; 
(4) laboratory processing 
of kelp tissue samples in preparation for chemical and stable isotope analyses; 
(5) computer entry 
and quality assurance of project data; and (6) initial analysis and 
presentation of 
experimental/observational data.

REU Internship Requirements: (1) Enrollment in undergraduate coursework for 
Fall 2017; funding may 
not be awarded to students graduating this year; (2) Prior coursework in 
chemistry and biology 
(general is sufficient); (3) Strong interest in gaining experience in 
conducting scientific research; (4) 
Ability to adapt to a variable work schedule (long days, occasional weekends); 
(5) Comfortable 
spending long days working in the laboratory/field and with hazardous 
chemicals; (6) U.S. citizen; (7) 
GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Compensation: A $4500 stipend will be awarded to one full time program 
participant throughout the 
summer. Students will be responsible for paying federal taxes on this income.

To apply, please submit a CV detailing relevant classroom and work experience, 
a one page 
statement describing your research experience and interest in this position, an 
unofficial transcript, 
proof of Fall 2017 enrollment, and contact information for two professional 
references, who can 
speak your interests/experience, to Jason Smith (jmsm...@ucsb.ed). 

The application deadline is April 15, 2017.

[ECOLOG-L] Aquatic GIS training workshop

[Jason Knouft]

GIS Applications in Aquatic Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Workshop

An NSF supported three day aquatic GIS training workshop will be offered 
at Saint Louis University on June 14-16, 2017.  A general goal of this 
workshop is to train and establish an interactive group of researchers 
and educators applying GIS techniques in freshwater systems.  Applicants 
with all levels of GIS experience are welcome; however, the workshop 
will be presented for aquatic biologists with little to no background in 
GIS techniques.

The tentative schedule of topics includes: 1) basic acquisition and 
manipulation of GIS data, 2) GIS data sources for freshwater research, 
3) quantification of environmental attributes of species’ habitat use at 
multiple spatial scales, 4) species distribution modeling, and 5) 
application of hydrologic data to studies of freshwater systems.  The 
majority of the training will be conducted using ArcGIS.  Computer space 
will be provided for each attendee.

The workshop is open to Faculty, Research Scientists, Postdoctoral 
Researchers, and Graduate Students conducting research in freshwater 
systems.  There is no cost for the workshop; however, participants are 
responsible for a course book, meals, travel, and lodging.  Details are 
available at http://knouftlab.weebly.com/aquatic-gis-workshop.html

To apply, please email a statement of application including a brief 
description of your research interests (maximum 1 page) and a C.V. to 
Dr. Jason Knouft at aquatic...@slu.edu by March 24, 2017.  GIS 
experience is not a prerequisite for the workshop.

[ECOLOG-L] Biologist at IISD-ELA

[Jason Venkiteswaran]

This is a great opportunity.

Jason.

?-
Jason Venkiteswaran, PhD
Assistant Professor
Geography & Environmental Studies, Wilfrid Laurier University
https://wlu.ca/jvenkiteswaran



>From : Lee Hrenchuk 
Subject : job posting - Biologist at IISD-ELA

Hi!

We are hiring a Biologist at IISD-ELA to work on the lower food web.  Please 
see posting below and circulate to anyone who may be interested.

https://iisd.bamboohr.com/jobs/view.php?id=63

Thanks and hope you're well!

Lee


Lee Hrenchuk, MSc
Biologist
IISD Experimental Lakes Area
111 Lombard Ave, Suite 325, Winnipeg, MB, R3B 0T4
Mobile (year round): (204) 291-7644
IISD-ELA camp (May to October): (807) 226-5162 x220
IISD-ELA office (November to April): (204) 958-7700 x754
lhrenc...@iisd-ela.org<mailto:lhrenc...@iisd-ela.org>
www.iisd.org/ela<http://www.iisd.org/ela>
www.twitter.com/IISD_ELA<http://www.twitter.com/IISD_ELA>
www.instagram.com/iisd_ela<http://www.instagram.com/iisd_ela>

[ECOLOG-L] Tier II Canada Research Chair in Remote Sensing of Environmental Change in Cold Regions

[Jason Venkiteswaran]

Tier II Canada Research Chair in Remote Sensing of Environmental Change in Cold 
Regions

Wilfrid Laurier University

Location: Ontario
Date posted: 2017-02-15
Advertised until: 2017-03-17

The Department of Geography and Environmental Studies (GES) invites 
applications for a Tier II Canada Research Chair (CRC) in Remote Sensing of 
Environmental Change in Cold Regions subject to budgetary and CRC approval. 
This is a full-time, tenure-track position at the rank of Assistant or 
Associate Professor to begin as soon as the CRC approval is received. Laurier 
is a leader in cold regions research with broad, multidisciplinary expertise in 
this area.

The successful candidate will have demonstrated potential to develop an 
externally funded, world-class research program in an area related to remote 
sensing of environmental change in cold regions. The successful candidate will 
have the ability to apply cutting-edge, high resolution remote sensing methods 
and technologies to advance scientific and public understanding of 
environmental change. The candidate should also possess the necessary technical 
background to develop new analytic tools and methodologies. Additionally, the 
candidate should have experience collaborating in interdisciplinary 
environmental research and be expected to engage with both natural and social 
scientists to maximize research impact, policy development, and knowledge 
mobilization. 

The candidate is expected to have demonstrated teaching proficiency, and be 
able to significantly complement the teaching strengths of the GES department 
in geomatics and environmental science. The candidate will also be strongly 
committed to mentorship and supervision of senior undergraduate students and 
graduate students as part of the Waterloo-Laurier Graduate Program in Geography.

The CRC will be expected to actively participate in the recently launched 
Canada First Research Excellence Fund program: Global Water Futures: Solutions 
to Water Threats in an Era of Global Change. This program will provide 
exceptional opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration and provide 
direct support to the CRC. The CRC will also have the opportunity to use the 
shared analytical laboratory facilities at the Centre for Cold Regions Water 
Science (CCRWS), a research facility containing extensive equipment for field- 
and lab-based in hydrology, biogeochemistry, molecular biology, computer 
modelling and aquatic testing. The CRC will also have access to Laurier's 
Changing Arctic Network living laboratories infrastructure throughout the 
Northwest Territories.

Laurier is a global leader in Cold Regions Research with broad, 
multi-disciplinary expertise throughout the institution. The Department of GES 
is in the Faculty of Arts, and is committed to building collaborative 
interdisciplinary research partnerships to address complex and diverse issues. 
The Department offers undergraduate degrees in Environmental Studies (BA), 
Geography (BA & BSc), Geography and Geomatics (BSc), collaborates with the 
Faculty of Science in offering Applied Water Science (BSc) and Environmental 
Science (BSc), and is home to one of North America's largest graduate Geography 
programs offering MSc, MA, MES and PhD degrees. The department actively 
participates in CCRWS, the Laurier Institute for Water Science (LIWS), and the 
Balsillie School for International Affairs. 

Tier II CRC's are intended for exceptional emerging scholars who were granted 
their PhD less than 10 years prior at the time of nomination. Applicants who 
are more than 10 years from having earned their highest degree (and where 
career breaks exist including maternity, parental or extended sick leave, 
clinical training, etc.) may have their eligibility for a CRC Tier II assessed 
through the program's Tier II Justification Process. 

Applicants should have a PhD in Geography, Environmental Science, Earth 
Science, or a related field. Applicants should send a cover letter outlining 
their research and teaching interest, a curriculum vitae, teaching dossier, 
digital copies of up to five recent papers, and contact details for three 
referees to: 

Dr. Sean Doherty, Chair
Department of Geography & Environmental Studies
Wilfrid Laurier University
Waterloo, Ontario 
N2L 3C5
ggesh...@wlu.ca

Submission of a single PDF file via email is preferred. Applications will be 
reviewed starting on March 1, 2017. Only those applicants selected for an 
interview will be contacted. The successful candidate will be required to 
participate in the preparation of a CRC nomination package for submission in 
October 2017. 

Wilfrid Laurier University is committed to employment equity and values 
diversity. We welcome applications from qualified women and men, including 
persons of all genders and sexual orientations, persons with disabilities, 
Aboriginal persons, and persons of a visible minority. All qualified candidates 
are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and 

[ECOLOG-L] Summer Job - Field Research in Northern Alaska

[Jason Dobkowski]

Summer 2017  –  Research Job Opportunity in Northern Alaska

We are seeking undergraduates or college graduates interested in 
research to understand ecosystem function in soils, streams, and lakes, 
and how arctic tundra will respond to climate change.  

Job Description:  Paid research assistants will collect and analyze 
field samples at sites located in the foothills of the Brooks Range in 
Northern Alaska. Job duties include sample collection, field 
measurements, and lab analyses at the Toolik Lake Field station.  
Fieldwork involves hiking in remote areas while carrying heavy packs of 
field equipment.  Additional responsibilities include chemical analyses 
and data processing.  This position offers an excellent opportunity to 
gain research experience in ecology and meet outstanding research 
scientists from around the world. Room and board are provided.  This 
position is associated with the National Science Foundation Arctic Long 
Term Ecological Research (LTER) program. 

To apply: Please send 1. your resume, 2. a 1-page description of your 
background (include relevant course work, field experience, academic and 
career goals), 3. the names and contact information of  3 references to: 
Dr. George Kling, g...@umich.edu.  Experience in ecology, chemistry, and 
microbiology is desirable.  Employment will be approximately June 10 - 
August 30, 2017.  

Additional information about the Arctic Long Term Ecological Research 
(LTER) project is available at http://arc-lter.ecosystems.mbl.edu/   and 
information about Toolik Field Station is available at 
http://toolik.alaska.edu/  
We will begin reviewing applications on 1 February 2017 and continue 
until all positions are filled.

[ECOLOG-L] Graduate Assistantships Available

[Jason Harmon]

Two graduate research assistantships (MS or PhD) are available in the 
School of Natural Resource Sciences at North Dakota State University.  
Students will be part of an inter-disciplinary team looking at various 
aspects of managing soil salinity with cover crops in a corn-soybean 
rotation.  Soil salinity is a persistent problem in North Dakota and many 
agroecosystems, and we will evaluate cereal rye as a mitigation tool. 
Specifically, we will address how this management approach impacts the 
system’s plants, soil, and insects, and we want to add students with 
interest in one or more of these areas.

For more information including how to apply, please go to: 
https://www.ndsu.edu/snrs/assistantship/

[ECOLOG-L] GRADUATE STUDENT & POST DOC OPPORTUNITIES IN AQUATIC ECOLOGY & BIOGEOCHEMISTRY

[Jason Venkiteswaran]

GRADUATE STUDENT & POST DOC OPPORTUNITIES IN AQUATIC ECOLOGY & BIOGEOCHEMISTRY

We are seeking 2 to 3 graduate students (MSc and/or PhD) and a Postdoctoral 
Fellow (PDF) to participate in a collaborative investigation with IISD-ELA, 
University of Waterloo, Wilfrid Laurier University and York University of iron 
cycling in lakes and iron regulation of competition between cyanobacteria and 
eukaryotic phytoplankton. This is an opportunity to engage in laboratory and 
field studies in support of a project at the IISD-Experimental Lakes Area (ELA) 
in northwestern Ontario where background information on chemistry, biology and 
physics of lakes has been collected over the past 47 years. 

Project Summary:

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) in lakes and reservoirs constitute a major threat 
to human health and, by extension, to the Canadian economy. HABs, especially 
those associated with cyanobacteria (cyano-HABs), have direct impacts on the 
safety of drinking water supplies by producing a variety of liver and nerve 
toxins in addition to causing taste and odour problems. Cyano-HABs have been 
increasing in recent years across Canada from Newfoundland to British Columbia. 
There is an urgent need to improve the science and to manage risk with regard 
to cyano-HABs. Inputs of the main nutrients, P and N, have been the focus of 
much research and management efforts. Recently a new hypothesis centres on the 
importance of the availability of iron (Fe) in the form of Fe(II) as the key to 
formation of cyanobacterial blooms. Determining the source of Fe(II) available 
to cyanobacteria is, however, difficult. We have discovered that the natural 
stable isotopes of Fe hold great promise to decipher the source of Fe used by 
cyanobacteria. Our project will evaluate this novel isotopic tool for 
understanding Fe cycling in lakes and reservoirs at risk from cyano-HABs. 

Opportunities:

A series of field campaigns at the ELA, laboratory experiments and modelling 
exercises will evaluate the Fe cycling in boreal lakes and the use of natural 
stable Fe isotopes. Carefully selected samples from other lakes and reservoirs 
across Canada, collected by collaborating scientists, will also be analyzed to 
evaluate the potential for widespread application of this promising novel 
technique. Potential graduate student research projects will be (1) examine how 
nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) concentrations affect Fe fractionation in algal 
cultures (MSc) and (2) determine the seasonality of Fe, C and N stable isotope 
values in several lakes (MSc or PhD) concurrent with seasonal algal succession. 
(3) The postdoctoral fellow will apply comprehensive biogeochemical lake and 
sediment models to coupled cycling of C, N, P, Fe, S and O2 using historical 
and current ELA data.

Interested Applicants:

For further information: See either Lewis Molot or Sherry Schiff at the 
CCFFR-SCL conference in Montréal 5-8 January 2017 or send email to:

Prof. Lewis Molot
Faculty of Environmental Studies
York University
Toronto, ON M3J 1P3
lmo...@yorku.ca

Prof. Jason Venkiteswaran
Department of Geography and Environmental Studies
Wilfrid Laurier University
Waterloo, ON N2L 3C5
jvenkiteswa...@wlu.ca

Prof. Sherry Schiff
Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences
University of Waterloo
Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1
ssch...@uwaterloo.ca

Jason.

-----
Jason Venkiteswaran, PhD
Assistant Professor
Geography & Environmental Studies, Wilfrid Laurier University
https://wlu.ca/jvenkiteswaran

[ECOLOG-L] Internship - Ecological Restoration - Presidio Trust - Presidio of San Francisco

[Jason Lisenby]

This internship supports the Presidio Trust (NPS-Golden Gate National 
Recreation Area) Conservation, Stewardship and Research Department with an 
emphasis on vegetation management, monitoring, and leading volunteers in 
ecological restoration projects.

Length of Position: 10-12 month commitment

Schedule: 40 hours per week, Tuesday – Saturday or a Sunday – Thursday 
schedule with flexibility including occasional holidays and evenings

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Supports weekly volunteer programs and service projects for youth and adult 
groups 

Implements key components of restoration action plans including invasive 
plant control and native plant community revegetation 

Manages a Presidio stewardship site and maintains program tools, 
facilities, and equipment 

Conducts adaptive management and monitoring activities for plant and/or 
wildlife species and/or water habitats 

Assists in educating volunteers on the concepts of ecological restoration, 
biodiversity, invasive species, and conservation biology 

Provides general administrative support and conducts other duties as 
assigned 

Participates in Presidio Trust public events and programs 

BENEFITS
Stipend: $300 every two weeks

Transportation Benefit: $50 monthly parking permits for car owners or 
$50/month for non-car owners

Housing: Interns are provided a single occupancy (one person) room in 
dormitory-style housing in the Presidio with basic accommodations including 
a furnished private room, shared kitchen, and common areas. Interns must 
sign a housing contract, abide by the residential rules and contribute to 
the maintenance of the household. Interns must reside in the housing 
provided to be eligible for the internship. We cannot accept non-
residential interns.

QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of, and a desire to learn about natural history and ecology 
Proclivity for land stewardship and an enthusiasm for rigorous outdoors 
work in all types of site and weather conditions 

Good organizational skills and independent time management 

Enthusiasm for engaging with the community, including volunteers, community 
groups, middle and high school students 

Enjoy working with a diverse community of people of all ages 

Ability to work with a professional demeanor as part of a team 

Positive attitude 

Ability to work independently with minimal supervision 

Must be a US Citizen and be at least 21 years old. 

Must possess a valid State driver's license 

WHY APPLY

Gain professional development in a team setting 

Learn valuable skills in ecological restoration, conservation, and 
community engagement 

Develop leadership and public speaking skills 

Great opportunity to live in a national park and work with staff and 
volunteers from diverse backgrounds who share a common interest in engaging 
the public and preserving the natural and cultural history of the Presidio

TO APPLY
Interested candidates should send a cover letter, resume and contact 
information (including full name, title, phone number and email address) 
for at least two references by email to interns @ presidiotrust.gov. PDF 
format is preferred but Microsoft Word versions are acceptable.

Learn about all available internships with the Presidio Trust here: 
http://www.presidio.gov/volunteer/internships

[ECOLOG-L] Coordinator, Global Threats to Forest Health

[Jason Vogel]

Please the distribute the position description below. 

Interested candidates can learn more here: 
http://explore.jobs.ufl.edu/cw/en-us/job/499253/coordinator-global-
threats-to-forest-health
 

Coordinator, Global Threats to Forest Health

Program coordination and development: Work closely with a team of 
UF/IFAS faculty and staff to develop an internationally-recognized 
research and outreach program on global threats to forest health, and 
coordinate programmatic efforts in that area. Significant efforts may 
include planning, promoting, and organizing international meetings; 
coordinating research and outreach workshops to stakeholders; 
facilitating stakeholder requests for and managing data; supervising 
other staff; and generally facilitating the multi-disciplinary efforts 
of UF students, staff, faculty, and others to collect and analyze forest 
health-related data, and deliver findings to diverse stakeholder groups.

Communications: Aggressively generating, delivering, and actively 
managing communications (e.g., websites, social media, press releases) 
between UF/IFAS faculty and staff and stakeholders on issues related to 
global threats to forests.

Coordinating proposals for extramural funding: Work closely with UF/IFAS 
faculty and staff to identify and secure extramural funding to support a 
robust, well-funded, internationally-recognized research and outreach 
program on global threats to forest health.

Other duties as assigned: Other duties will be assigned based on the 
needs of the unit and in consultation with UF/IFAS faculty and staff 
working in the area of global threats to forest health.

A bachelor's degree in a field broadly related to natural resources 
management and three years of relevant experience or an equivalent 
combination of education and experience; Experience with and strong 
skills in project management or data curation; Experience with 
contemporary communication technology; Excellent verbal and written 
communication skills that can be used to target diverse audiences; An 
ability to create and strategically deliver outreach or research 
communication products; Ability and desire to coordinate as well as work 
effectively within interdisciplinary teams; An ability to coordinate and 
facilitate procurement of extramural funding. 

Graduate degree in a field broadly related to natural resources 
management is strongly preferred, PhD is preferred; Formal training and 
experience (>3 years) with human dimensions of natural resources; 
Experience working on research or outreach programs related to forest 
health; Fluency in a second language; Experience collaborating with 
research faculty.

Re: [ECOLOG-L] Introducing Cool Beans Research

[Jason Hernandez]

Looks like a valuable project. We may hope similar principles will soon also be 
applied to shade grown cacao. 

One thing I have noticed, though, that puts a bit of a damper on my enthusiasm 
for bird friendly coffee: in the countries where it is grown, the local people 
mostly drink Nescafe. I think that any solution to that problem will be more 
economic than scientific. Still, I acknowledge the good in having the shade 
grown option for those of us privileged to choose it; that is better than it 
not existing at all. 

Jason Hernandez 
Tropical Permaculturist


Date:    Thu, 13 Oct 2016 21:33:48 -0400
From:    =?windows-1252?Q?Heather_Kostick?= 
Subject: Introducing Cool Beans Research

Cool Beans Research is a non-profit research group aimed at putting the 
bird-friendliness back in bird-friendly coffee. Our small but mighty team 
currently consists of Dr. Doug Tallamy (University of Delaware), Heather 
Kostick (Prospective PhD Student at Univ. of Del., and current Masters 
candidate at Penn), and Brad Powell (webmaster extraordinaire).

We're looking to raise awareness and funds for our research!

52% of US citizens are coffee drinkers, and 17% of US citizens are birders - if 
you fit into either (or both!) of those categories, then this research should 
interested you! Help Cool Beans Research be at the forefront of bird-friendly, 
shade-grown coffee research.


Website: http://coolbeansresearch.org/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CoolBeansResearch/=20


Non-profit purpose: To learn which shade tree species used by coffee=20
growers throughout Central and South America actually produce the=20
insects required to sustain wintering and local birds within coffee=20
farms. This information is essential for coffee growers to increase the=20=

conservation effectiveness of their farms. If all trees produced insects=20=

in equal abundance and diversity, this would be unnecessary, but there=20=

are huge differences in how well trees produce the insects birds require=20=

(Tallamy & Shropshire 2009, Burghardt et al 2010). Non-native trees=20=

support fewer insects than natives because local insects have not=20
adapted to the novel phytochemical defenses of introduced trees. Yet=20
even native trees differ widely in their ability to produce insects used=20=

by birds. Using common-garden experiments and bird foraging surveys on=20=

cooperator farms in Central and South America, we will evaluate for the=20=

first time the bird friendliness of regionally favorite shade tree=20
species. We have studies currently under way on four farms in Nicaragua=20=

and Colombia for this purpose.

Thank you for your time!

[ECOLOG-L] Postdoctoral position - watershed modeling, climate and land use change

[Jason Knouft]

Postdoctoral position - watershed modeling, climate and land use change 

Applications are being accepted for a postdoctoral position in watershed 
hydrologic modeling in the lab of Dr. Jason Knouft in the Center for 
Sustainability and Department of Biology at Saint Louis University.  
This position focuses on developing watershed hydrologic models that 
produce estimates of streamflow, nutrients, and water temperature in the 
Meramec watershed in Missouri based on climate and land use change 
scenarios. These estimates will be used to assess the impacts of various 
management practices on water quantity and quality as well as 
biodiversity throughout the watershed. The successful candidate will be 
expected to develop GIS-based Soil & Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) and 
MIKE-SHE/MIKE-11 hydrologic models. The postdoc will also be encouraged 
to develop independent lines of research and will have the opportunity 
to collaborate with biologists, hydrologists, and remote sensing 
specialists at Saint Louis University and the University of Illinois. 
Additional information on the lab is available at 
http://knouftlab.weebly.com/.  A PhD in a related research field is 
required by the starting date of employment and experience with either 
the SWAT or MIKE models is preferred, but not required. The position is 
available for two years contingent upon satisfactory annual reviews. The 
earliest start date is August 1, 2016; however, a later start date is 
possible.

All applications must include a cover letter with a statement of 
research experience and interests, curriculum vitae, and contact 
information for three references. Please send these files to Dr. Jason 
Knouft at jkno...@slu.edu. Review of applications will begin immediately 
and continue until the position is filled.  Saint Louis University is an 
Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer (AA/EOE), and encourages 
nominations of and applications from women and minorities.

[ECOLOG-L] M.S. GRA Position Announcement

[Jason Hubbart]

M.S. Graduate Research Assistant: Improving Quantitative Understanding of 
Water Resource Regimes and Water Quality in the Appalachian Region
 
The Interdisciplinary Hydrology Laboratory of West Virginia University and 
the Divisions of Plant and Soil Sciences, and Forestry and Natural 
Resources in Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design, 
invite applications for a graduate research assistant (GRA) to conduct 
research investigating hydrology and water quality. West Virginia 
University is the state’s flagship research-one institution, and is among 
the top universities in the nation, with demonstrated excellence in 
teaching and research.

This position remains open until filled. Primary duties include water flow 
and water quality monitoring. Other duties include (but are not limited to) 
various field work, stream cross sections, instrument maintenance, aquatic 
physical habitat assessment, data collection, processing, and analyses, 
coursework and publication. The production of an exemplary thesis is 
expected.

Applicants must possess a bachelor’s degree completed in natural resources, 
ecology, environmental sciences, physical hydrology, water quality, or a 
closely related field. Experience in stream measurements, data processing, 
analysis and modeling, water quality monitoring and analysis, soil physics, 
GIS, and computer programming are a plus. Strong verbal, written, and 
computational skills are mandatory. Successful applicants will work 
collaboratively and independently, conduct field work under variable 
weather conditions, and aid in installation and maintenance of instruments 
and monitoring sites. Applicants must possess a valid US driver's license 
and be able to lift and carry equipment and tools. 

If interested in applying, please forward by email the following documents 
(incomplete applications will not be reviewed): transcript, curriculum 
vitae, recent GRE scores, recent TOEFL/IELTS scores (international 
students), cover letter (including academic, research and professional 
goals and interests), and the names and contact information of three 
references to: Dr. Jason Hubbart, Divisions of Plant and Soil Sciences, and 
Forestry and Natural Resources, 1098 Agricultural Sciences Building, West 
Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA; Tel No. (304) 293-2472; 
Fax: (304) 293-2960; Email: jason.hubb...@mail.wvu.edu. Lab Website: 
http://www.forh20.net/   

[ECOLOG-L] Tenure track position in Environmental Studies

[Jason Venkiteswaran]

Laurier invites applications from First Nations, Métis and Inuit candidates to 
fill a tenure-track Environmental Studies position http://goo.gl/nzWd2t

Wilfrid Laurier University - In keeping with its ongoing commitment to 
diversity, equity and inclusion, and to address the underrepresentation of 
Aboriginal faculty at the University, Wilfrid Laurier University invites 
applications from First Nations, Métis and Inuit candidates to fill a 
tenure-track faculty appointment at the rank of Assistant Professor in the 
Department of Geography & Environmental Studies (Waterloo campus) commencing 
July 1, 2016, subject to budgetary approval. The candidate will have expertise 
in environmental management and governance from a perspective that includes 
indigenous and western knowledge, approaches and methods. The candidate will 
teach existing courses on introductory environmental studies, environmental 
impact assessment, and natural resource management that employ a western 
approach, incorporate traditional ecological knowledge into such courses, and 
will be expected to develop new courses that apply indigenous knowledge, 
approaches, and methods to environmental management. Successful candidates will 
have strong links to Indigenous communities. It is expected that the successful 
candidate will develop or continue to develop a well-funded internationally 
recognized research program in their field and provide opportunities for 
graduate students. 

Jason.

-----
Jason Venkiteswaran, PhD
Assistant Professor
Geography & Environmental Studies, Wilfrid Laurier University
http://is.gd/jasonv

Re: [ECOLOG-L] Learning R -- summary of replies.

[Jason Hernandez]

Someone requested that I share a summary of replies to my earlier query about 
useful books for learning R, after finishing _R for Dummies_. Here it is: 

R. Ben Bolker's "Ecological Models and Data in R" was recommended as a basic 
ecology-oriented one.
Bivand's "Applied Spatial Data Analysis with R" is more spatially oriented, as 
is the more recent Brunsdon's "An Introduction to R for Spatial Analysis and 
Mapping".
A masters' stats class used "getting started with R, An introduction for 
biologists", by Beckerman and Petchey.
Another educator recommended the R for Ecologists website at Montana State 
University: http://ecology.msu.montana.edu/labdsv/R/labs/R_ecology.html. 
Another online resource is the R Inferno. Another is "R for Starters," by Ole 
Forsberg: http://www.rfs.kvasaheim.com/
"How to be a Quantitative Ecologist" by Jason Matthiopoulos was another 
recommendation. Also "Community Ecology: Analytical Methods using R and Excel" 
by Mark Gardener. "Biostatistical Design and Analyses Using R" by Murray Logan.
At least two users suggested Zuur, A., Ieno, E. N., Walker,N., Saveliev, A. A., 
and Smith, G. M., 2009. "Mixed effects models andextensions in ecology with R," 
especially for mixed effects models including time series, glms, and analysis 
of overdispersed and zero inflated data.
Now I just need to decide which one to go with. No way can I afford all the 
books, so it looks like I'll be starting with the online resources.
Jason Hernandez

[ECOLOG-L] Graduate Research Asistantship Announcement

[Jason Hubbart]

Ph.D. Graduate Research Assistant: Measuring and Modeling Hydrology and 
Water Quality in a Contemporary Multiple-Land-Use Watershed
 
The Interdisciplinary Hydrology Laboratory of West Virginia University and 
the Divisions of Plant and Soil Sciences, and Forestry and Natural 
Resources in Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design, 
are pleased to announce availability of a graduate research assistant (GRA) 
to conduct independent research investigating hydrology and water quality 
in a dynamic, multi-land-use, urbanizing watershed of the eastern U.S. West 
Virginia University is the state’s flagship research-one institution, and 
is among the top universities in the nation, with demonstrated excellence 
in teaching and research.

This four year position (annually renewable) begins in the summer or fall 
of 2016. Primary duties include water sampling and water quality 
measurements at each of at least five permanent hydroclimate monitoring 
sites (paired-nested-scale experimental watershed study design). Other 
duties include (but are not limited to) a variety of field work, stream 
cross sections, maintenance, physical habitat assessment, data collection, 
processing, and analyses, publications, and undergraduate technician 
supervision. Analysis and synthesis of a range of hydroclimate data 
resulting in the production of an exemplary dissertation is expected.

Applicants must possess a master’s degree and have completed at least one 
degree in natural resources, ecology, environmental sciences, physical 
hydrology, water quality, or a closely related field. Experience in stream 
measurements, data processing, analysis and modeling, water quality 
monitoring and analysis, soil physics, GIS, and computer programming are a 
plus. Strong verbal, written, and computational skills are mandatory. 
Successful applicants will be required to work collaboratively and 
independently, conduct field work under variable weather conditions, and 
aid in installation and maintenance of instruments and monitoring sites. 
Applicants must possess a valid US driver's license and be able to lift and 
carry equipment and tools. 

If interested in applying, please forward by email the following documents: 
transcript, curriculum vitae, recent GRE scores, recent TOEFL scores 
(international students), cover letter (including academic, research and 
professional goals and interests), and the names and contact information of 
three references to: Dr. Jason Hubbart, Institute of Water Security and 
Science, Division of Plant and Soil Sciences, 1098 Agricultural Sciences 
Building, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA; Tel No. 
(304) 293-2472; Fax: (304) 293-2960; Email: jason.hubb...@mail.wvu.edu. Lab 
Website: http://www.forh20.net/   

[ECOLOG-L] Job: UNB.Plant.EvolutionaryEcologist.Deadline.May20

[Jason Addison]

Plant Evolutionary Ecology


The University of New Brunswick, Department of Biology (Fredericton) invites 
applications for a tenure 
track position in Plant Evolutionary Ecology at the rank of Assistant 
Professor. We seek candidates 
asking questions in evolutionary ecology, broadly defined, including ecological 
genetics.  Examples of 
research interests include (but are not limited to) 
plant-insect/microbial/fungal interactions, mating 
system evolution, stable isotopes in plant-based food webs, or invasive 
species.  We welcome 
applications from candidates who could build research collaborations within and 
outside the 
Department.  The Department of Biology houses the Connell Memorial Herbarium, 
Microscopy and 
Microanalysis Facility, Stable Isotopes in Nature Laboratory, a 
climate-controlled greenhouse, and has 
access to the Atlantic Computational Excellence Network (ACEnet).  Potential 
opportunities for external 
collaborations in Fredericton include UNB’s Faculty of Forestry and 
Environmental Management, the 
Canadian Rivers Institute, the Canadian Forest Service’s Atlantic Forestry 
Centre, and Agriculture and 
Agri-Foods Canada’s Fredericton Research and Development Centre. 

The successful candidate will contribute to teaching of plant-related modules 
in our 1st and 2nd-year 
core, and contribute to upper-level courses as appropriate.
 
Qualifications: The successful candidate must hold a PhD in a relevant 
discipline and a minimum of 1 
year postdoctoral experience.  Candidates should demonstrate a record of, or 
potential for, excellence in 
teaching and in research.
 
This position will begin in September 2016 or as mutually negotiated. 
Application packages should be 
received by May 20, 2016 and include a current CV, a statement of research 
interests, a statement of 
teaching philosophy, samples of up to three research publications, and a cover 
letter outlining reasons 
for seeking the position and listing names and contact information for three 
references.

Applications should be sent to:
Dept. of Biology, UNB
10 Bailey Drive,
Fredericton, NB E3B 5A3
c/o: Melanie Lawson

This position is subject to budgetary approval.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply: however, Canadians and 
permanent residents will be 
given priority. Applicants should indicate current citizenship status. The 
University of New Brunswick is 
committed to the principle of employment equity.

[ECOLOG-L] Learning R

[Jason Hernandez]

Dear ecologgers:
I have been working my way through _R for Dummies_, by Andrie de Vries and 
Joris Meys. My question is, of all the books out there on R coding, which is 
the best one for the next level after R for Dummies, from an ecologist's 
perspective?
Jason Hernandez

[ECOLOG-L] Aquatic GIS Training Workshop Announcement

[Jason Knouft]

GIS Applications in Aquatic Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Workshop

An NSF supported three day aquatic GIS training workshop will be offered 
at Saint Louis University on August 17-19, 2016.  A general goal of this 
workshop is to train and establish an interactive group of researchers 
and educators applying GIS techniques in aquatic systems.  Applicants 
with all levels of GIS experience are welcome; however, the workshop 
will be presented for aquatic biologists with little to no background in 
GIS techniques.

The tentative schedule of topics includes: 1) basic acquisition and 
manipulation of GIS data, 2) GIS data sources for aquatic research, 3) 
quantification of environmental attributes of species’ habitat use at 
multiple spatial scales, 4) species distribution modeling, and 5) 
application of hydrologic data to studies of aquatic systems.  The 
majority of the training will be conducted using ArcGIS.  Computer space 
will be provided for each attendee.

The workshop is open to Faculty, Research Scientists, Postdoctoral 
Researchers, and Graduate Students conducting research in aquatic 
systems.  There is no cost for the workshop; however, participants are 
responsible for a course book, meals, travel, and lodging.  Details and 
updates will be available at http://knouftlab.weebly.com/aquatic-gis-
workshop.html

To apply, please email a statement of application including a brief 
description of your research interests (maximum 1 page) and a C.V. to 
Dr. Jason Knouft at aquatic...@slu.edu by May 20, 2016.  GIS experience 
is not a prerequisite for the workshop.

[ECOLOG-L] Postdoc position - watershed modeling, climate change, informatics

[Jason Knouft]

Postdoctoral position - watershed modeling, climate change, informatics

Applications are being accepted for a postdoctoral position in watershed 
hydrologic modeling in the lab of Dr. Jason Knouft in the Department of 
Biology at Saint Louis University.  This NSF-funded position focuses on 
developing contemporary and future climate change-based estimates of 
streamflow and water temperature in watersheds across the United States 
and Canada. The overall goal of the project is to develop the 
‘HydroClim’ dataset, which will be integrated with biodiversity data to 
provide a widely available resource for researchers and water resource 
managers to investigate the potential impacts of climate change on 
freshwater resources and biodiversity. The successful candidate will be 
expected to develop GIS-based Soil & Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) 
hydrologic models on high-performance parallel computing systems. In 
addition to having experience with SWAT, applicants should have 
experience with programming languages such as R, Matlab, or Python. The 
postdoc will also be encouraged to develop independent lines of research 
and will have the opportunity to collaborate with biologists, 
hydrologists, and informatics specialists at Saint Louis University, 
Indiana University, and Tulane University. Additional information is 
available at http://knouftlab.weebly.com/.  A PhD in a related research 
field is required by the starting date of employment and experience with 
the SWAT model is preferred. The position is available for two years 
contingent upon satisfactory annual reviews. The earliest start date is 
July 1, 2016; however, a later start date is possible.

All applications must include a cover letter with a statement of 
research experience and interests, curriculum vitae, and contact 
information for three references. Please send these files to Dr. Jason 
Knouft at jkno...@slu.edu. Review of applications will begin immediately 
and continue until the position is filled.  Saint Louis University is an 
Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer (AA/EOE), and encourages 
nominations of and applications from women and minorities.

[ECOLOG-L] Insect keys?

[Jason Hernandez]

I have a number of insect specimens I have been trying to identify. Borror et 
al 1989 has been useful in getting to family, but I would like to identify them 
to genus (and dare I hope, species?). I have not had much success on JSTOR or 
Google Scholar, so I am hoping the ECOLOG community can direct me to keys for 
the following taxa: 
Typhlocybine leafhoppers,Aphids, 
Woolly aphids, 
Phylloxerids,Drospohilid flies, 
Chrysomelid beetles. 
These specimens were collected in the Puget Sound basin of Washington, but 
broader regional keys should be useful, too. Can anyone help? 

Jason Hernandez

[ECOLOG-L] Faculty Position: Plant Evolutionary Ecologist University of New Brunswick Fredericton

[Jason Addison]

The University of New Brunswick, Department of Biology (Fredericton) invites 
applications for a 
tenure track position in Plant Evolutionary Ecology at the rank of Assistant 
Professor. We seek 
candidates asking questions in evolutionary ecology, broadly defined, including 
ecological 
genetics.  Examples of research interests include (but are not limited to) 
plant-
insect/microbial/fungal interactions, mating system evolution, stable isotopes 
in plant-based 
food webs, or invasive species.  We welcome applications from candidates who 
could build 
research collaborations within and outside the Department.  The Department of 
Biology houses 
the Connell Memorial Herbarium, Microscopy and Microanalysis Facility, Stable 
Isotopes in 
Nature Laboratory, a climate-controlled greenhouse, and has access to the 
Atlantic 
Computational Excellence Network (ACEnet).  Potential opportunities for 
external collaborations 
in Fredericton include UNB’s Faculty of Forestry and Environmental Management, 
the Canadian 
Rivers Institute, the Canadian Forest Service’s Atlantic Forestry Centre, and 
Agriculture and Agri-
Foods Canada’s Fredericton Research and Development Centre. 

The successful candidate will contribute to teaching of plant-related modules 
in our 1st and 2nd-
year core, and contribute to upper-level courses as appropriate.
 
Qualifications: The successful candidate must hold a PhD in a relevant 
discipline and a minimum 
of 1 year postdoctoral experience.  Candidates should demonstrate a record of, 
or potential for, 
excellence in teaching and in research.
 
This position will begin in September 2016 or as mutually negotiated. 
Application packages 
should be received by May 20, 2016 and include a current CV, a statement of 
teaching 
philosophy, samples of up to three research publications, and a cover letter 
outlining reasons for 
seeking the position and listing names and contact information for three 
references.

Applications should be sent to:
Dept. of Biology, UNB
PO Box 4400
Fredericton, NB E3B 5A3
c/o: Melanie Lawson

This position is subject to budgetary approval.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply: however, Canadians and 
permanent residents 
will be given priority. Applicants should indicate current citizenship status. 
The University of New 
Brunswick is committed to the principle of employment equity.

[ECOLOG-L] Faculty Position: Plant Evolutionary Ecologist UNewBrunswickFredericton - CORRECTION

[Jason Addison]

The University of New Brunswick, Department of Biology (Fredericton) invites 
applications for a 
tenure track position in Plant Evolutionary Ecology at the rank of Assistant 
Professor. We seek 
candidates asking questions in evolutionary ecology, broadly defined, including 
ecological 
genetics.  Examples of research interests include (but are not limited to) 
plant-
insect/microbial/fungal interactions, mating system evolution, stable isotopes 
in plant-based 
food webs, or invasive species.  We welcome applications from candidates who 
could build 
research collaborations within and outside the Department.  The Department of 
Biology houses 
the Connell Memorial Herbarium, Microscopy and Microanalysis Facility, Stable 
Isotopes in 
Nature Laboratory, a climate-controlled greenhouse, and has access to the 
Atlantic 
Computational Excellence Network (ACEnet).  Potential opportunities for 
external collaborations 
in Fredericton include UNB’s Faculty of Forestry and Environmental Management, 
the Canadian 
Rivers Institute, the Canadian Forest Service’s Atlantic Forestry Centre, and 
Agriculture and Agri-
Foods Canada’s Fredericton Research and Development Centre. 

The successful candidate will contribute to teaching of plant-related modules 
in our 1st and 2nd-
year core, and contribute to upper-level courses as appropriate.
 
Qualifications: The successful candidate must hold a PhD in a relevant 
discipline and a minimum 
of 1 year postdoctoral experience.  Candidates should demonstrate a record of, 
or potential for, 
excellence in teaching and in research.
 
This position will begin in September 2016 or as mutually negotiated. 
Application packages 
should be received by May 20, 2016 and include a current CV, a statement of 
research interests, 
a statement of teaching philosophy, samples of up to three research 
publications, and a cover 
letter outlining reasons for seeking the position and listing names and contact 
information for 
three references.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and 
permanent residents 
will be given priority. Applicants should indicate current citizenship status.
Applications should be sent to:
Dept. of Biology, UNB
PO Box 4400
Fredericton, NB E3B 5A3
c/o: Melanie Lawson

This position is subject to budgetary approval.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply: however, Canadians and 
permanent residents 
will be given priority. Applicants should indicate current citizenship status. 
The University of New 
Brunswick is committed to the principle of employment equity.

[ECOLOG-L] Off topic: Post glacial Puget Sound

[Jason Hernandez]

This is more a geology question than ecology, but: Can anyone direct me to 
sources that examine whether any of the Puget Sound Islands have been connected 
to the mainland since last glaciation? This is relevant to an ecological 
question I am investigating. 

Jason Hernandez

[ECOLOG-L] Job Posting - Summer Field Assistant

[Jason Dobkowski]

Summer 2016  –  Research Job Opportunity in Northern Alaska

We are seeking undergraduates or college graduates interested in 
research to understand ecosystem functions in soils, streams, and lakes, 
and how arctic tundra will respond to climate change.  

Job Description:  Paid research assistants will collect and analyze 
field samples at sites located in the foothills of the Brooks Range in 
Northern Alaska. Job duties include sample collection, field 
measurements, and lab analyses.  Fieldwork involves hiking in remote 
areas while carrying heavy packs of field equipment.  Additional 
responsibilities may include data processing, and running experiments at 
the Toolik Lake Field station.  This position offers an excellent 
opportunity to gain research experience in ecology and meet outstanding 
research scientists from around the world. Room and board are provided.  
This position is associated with the National Science Foundation Arctic 
Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) program. 

If interested, please provide a resume and a 1-page description of your 
background (include relevant course work, field experience), goals, and 
names of references to Dr. George Kling, g...@umich.edu or by fax 734-
763-0544.  Experience in ecology, chemistry, and microbiology is 
desirable.  Fieldwork runs from approximately June 10 - August 30, 2016.  

Additional information about the job is found at 
http://umich.edu/~gwk/Research_Opportunities_Toolik.pdf  and 
http://www.earth.lsa.umich.edu/rmcory/research.html and Arctic Long Term 
Ecological Research (LTER) project information is available at 
http://ecosystems.mbl.edu/ARC/  and information about Toolik Field 
Station is available at http://www.uaf.edu/toolik/ 

[ECOLOG-L] Hydrological modelling — ILRI MSc Research Fellowship

[Sircely, Jason (ILRI)]

Hydrological modelling — ILRI MSc Research Fellowship

The International Livestock Research Institute (www.ilri.org) is offering an
MSc Research Fellowship focused on hydrological modelling aspects of a
larger project.

Please find the full job description and application portal at:
http://ilri.simplicant.com/jobs/20309

[ECOLOG-L] Job: Summer REU at Fordham University - Louis Calder Center

[Jason Munshi-South]

REU at Fordham University- Summer 2016

An NSF-funded REU to study Y-chromosome diversity and sex-biased
dispersal in wild brown rats (Rattus norvegicus) is available in the
Munshi-South Lab at Fordham University. Our lab is currently
investigating rat ecology and evolution at scales ranging from landscape 
genetics of
individual cities to global patterns of diversity. Development of
resources for investigating Y-chromosome diversity will support many of
these studies. The REU student will work with the lab to
bioinformatically identify Y-chromosome SNPs, design SNPtype assays,
extract DNA, genotype samples, and analyze data. There may also be 
opportunities for field 
work.

We seek applicants interested in bioinformatics, ecological genetics, 
evolutionary biology,
and related disciplines.  Applicants must have taken a college-level
genetics course.  This REU will require attention to detail,
reliability, independence, and critical thinking.

This position is based at Fordham Universitys field station, the Louis
Calder Center, in Armonk, NY. The Calder Center is located approximately
25 miles north of New York City in a protected woodland area. Housing
will be provided at the Calder Center for the duration of the REU (May
23  Aug 12, 2016). Additionally, the student will receive a $6,000
stipend. The selected student will participate in professional
development activities through the Calder Centers REU program, including
presentation of results at a research colloquium at the end of the
summer.

To apply, please send a one page personal statement about your
scientific interests and how this REU will support your professional
goals, unofficial transcripts including a list of Spring 2016 courses,
and names of two professional references (including title, address,
phone number, and email address) as a single pdf (with your last name in
the file name) to Dr. Jason Munshi-South (jmunshiso...@fordham.edu).
Applications are due March 4th, 2016.

[ECOLOG-L] Program Assistant Project TRUE - Wildlife Conservation Society

[Jason Aloisio]

Dear EcoLog,

Project TRUE – Teens Researching Urban Ecology is a collaborative program
between the Wildlife Conservation Society and Fordham University funded by
the National Science Foundation.

For more information about the Project TRUE see the following web-sites:
http://bronxzoo.com/teens/project-true/
www.wcsurbanecology.wordpress.com
Twitter and Instagram - @TRUEcologyNYC

We are recruiting a Program Assistant. You may contact the Program
Coordinator, Jason Aloisio - jaloi...@wcs.org, if you have any questions.
 

Job Title   Program Assistant Project TRUE
LocationBronx Zoo
Job TypePart-Time
Department  BZ-EDUCATION

Job Description - Wildlife Conservation Society

Department: Education
Title: Program Assistant Project TRUE
Employment Type: Part-Time
Status: Non-Exempt
Grade Level: Hourly
Pay Range: $20 per hour
Reports To: Program Coordinator, Project TRUE
Hours: 25 hours per week (Mid-February to Mid-October)

Position Summary
The Program Assistant plays a support role in planning and implementing the
various work components of the initiative, working closely with the project
TRUE administration team, high school students, and mentors.

Responsibilities
Responsibilities may include but are not limited to:

• Manage the high school recruitment and hiring process for Project TRUE.
• Maintain student database.
• Work with Program Coordinator to prepare all materials and supplies for
Project TRUE research, training, and education sessions.
• Provide weekly support in the summer to all Project TRUE research teams.
This includes advising on research process, conducting teen team building
and training sessions, and assisting in field work throughout the city.
• Support the Program Coordination by conducting college prep workshops and
supporting high school students in the application process.
• Co-lead Project TRUE high school enrichment sessions throughout the
spring, summer and fall.
• Assist in planning and implementation of all public share-out events
including poster sessions, zoo events, and conferences.
• Travel throughout the city is required for this position.
• Performs all related tasks and duties as required.
• Contributes to, enlarges and upholds the Society's policies toward the
Equal Employment Opportunities for women, minorities, veterans, the
handicapped and other protected groups.
Qualification Requirements  

Qualifications

• A minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in biology, ecology, environmental
science or education
• Knowledge of MS Office Suite, project management, and customer service
experience is required
•  Experience working with teens preferred.
• Knowledge of field research required.
• Organized, able to work independently and as a part of a team
• Strong communication skills
• A valid driver’s license and an ability to drive in NYC to the various
zoos is required

[ECOLOG-L] Finding lab space

[Jason Hernandez]

Hello, Ecologgers:
I am one of those untouchable unaffiliated -- i.e. I am neither a current 
student nor employee of any institution equipped with a lab. But I still do 
science to the best of my ability given that constraint. My current project 
concerns identifying small insect specimens, and I have found my hand lens 
inadequate to the job. But dissecting scopes, even on eBay, are quite expensive 
for someone like me who lacks grant money and so must pay out of my own funds. 
Is there any way to gain temporary access to an established lab with its own 
dissecting scopes, if not for free, then for less money than buying my own 
scope would be? Thank you.
Jason Hernandez

[ECOLOG-L] 2015 AGU Fall Meeting Session on Stream Hydrology, Stream Temperature, Quality, and Aquatic Habitats Under Climatic Variability and Change

[Jason Knouft]

We invite submissions for the following session that will be convened at 
the 2015 American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting in San Francisco 
(http://fallmeeting.agu.org/2015/).  

The abstract submission site for the meeting is now open.  Please pass 
along this announcement to anyone that might be interested in 
participating in this session.

Session Title: Stream Hydrology, Stream Temperature, Water Quality, and 
Aquatic Habitats Under Climatic Variability and Change

Session ID#: 7975

Session Description:
Changes in temperature and precipitation are expected to have dramatic 
effects on the hydrologic characteristics of freshwater systems, 
resulting in an increased frequency of droughts and/or floods, as well 
as impacting stream temperature, water quality, nutrient transport, 
ecosystem function, and the physical structure of aquatic habitats.  To 
better predict hydrologic responses and to prepare for managing water 
resources in a changing environment, it is critical to understand the 
linkages between climate, stream flow, water temperature and quality, 
and biological systems. This session will examine the impacts of 
historical or projected climate variability and change on the 
hydrologic, physical, and biological aspects of lotic systems. We 
welcome observational and modeling studies that examine the interactions 
of hydrology and relevant physical and chemical processes at all spatial 
and temporal scales.

Please feel free to contact the conveners with any questions:
Dr. Darren Ficklin, Indiana University, dfick...@indiana.edu
Dr. Jason Knouft, Saint Louis University, jkno...@slu.edu
Dr. Iris Stewart, Santa Clara University, istewartf...@scu.edu

Re: [ECOLOG-L] Article about unpaid internships

[Jason Hernandez]

But Abad, the point was about the people who *are* sufficiently privileged to 
take those kinds of positions, and that historically, those people were mainly 
white and male. I didn't see those comments as gratuitous at all. That is what 
that system gave us.
Jason Hernandez


Date:    Tue, 2 Jun 2015 12:23:32 +
From:    Abad Boiy 
Subject: Article about unpaid internships

I initially read this blog post about unpaid internships with great  
interest and much support.  But then I came to the gratuitous racist  
statements about 'white guys', e.g.,

'Times have changed, we don't just need well off white guys anymore,  
and that is what that system gave us.'

My questions is what does a person's race have to do with any of this?  
  Nothing.  There are lots of underprivileged people who would never  
be able to take an unpaid internship and who happened to have been  
born white and male.

It is wrong and unjust to disparage an entire race and gender of  
people regardless of whether is a white male or black female or Native  
American...

Every human being has the right to be treated with respect and  
dignity, regardless of their race and gender.  Is that asking too much?

AB

[ECOLOG-L] Article about unpaid internships

[Jason Hernandez]

With graduation season fast approaching, or, for some institutions, already 
past, it is time to bring attention to an issue about which I feel as 
passionately as this author: https://aurielfournier.github.io/unpaid-intern/
Jason HernandezM.S. East Carolina 2010
 

Re: [ECOLOG-L] Graduate School Advice

[Jason Hernandez]

I have no argument with Stacy Rosenbaum's advice. By all means, if you can come 
up with your own project and propose it, do so. However, I approached it a bit 
differently. (Disclaimer: I have an M.S., not a Ph.D.) I chose a lab that was 
doing a variety of work in line with my interests; then, when the professor 
mentioned that there were a few projects he'd been wanting to get to but hadn't 
had the opportunity, I asked him to tell me about them. I ended up doing one of 
them. No, it wasn't an idea I would have come up with myself; but it was one 
that captured my interest, and I got on board wholeheartedly, and I learned a 
lot about what makes an interesting question and how to answer it, that I would 
not necessarily have learned from the kinds of questions I ordinarily thought 
to ask.
Then, too, we all know the reality is that after grad school, we will go into 
the job market, and spend a period of time working on other people's projects. 
None of us will ever go straight from grad student to PI. It will be to your 
advantage to be willing and able to devote your time and efforts to a project 
you did not develop, and turn out quality work under that condition.
Jason Hernandez


Date:    Fri, 29 May 2015 03:27:01 +
From:    "Rosenbaum, Stacy" 
Subject: Re: Graduate School Advice

Hi Emily,

I am about one year post PhD. I approached a few professors with a project =
idea in mind. A couple said "This is interesting but my lab isn't the right=
 place to do it," and one (who became my advisor) expressed admiration for =
the initiative that I took in coming up with my own ideas. In my experience=
, the people who go to grad school and just wait for their advisor to hand =
them a project come out worse prepared than those who enthusiastically purs=
ue their own questions/interests. They might learn the technical, writing, =
etc. skills needed to complete a research project, but they haven't been th=
rough the important (and more nuanced) process of coming up with an interes=
ting, testable question, and wrestling with how best to answer it. No advis=
or that you would actually want to work with would think less of you for ap=
proaching them with an idea. On the contrary, it's a pretty good indicator =
that you're likely to be a successful graduate student.=20

There has been a lot of good advice shared here about talking to everyone a=
nd anyone. The more information gathering you do, the more likely you are t=
o find a program and advisor who is a good fit. The entire process of gradu=
ate school is not a one-size-fits-all endeavor. One of the most valuable th=
ings I gained from the experience was learning how to take responsibility f=
or my own learning, mistakes and all.=20

Would I do it again? In a heartbeat. Even if you don't end up staying in ac=
ademia, it's worthwhile. Note that despite his declaration that grad school=
 is a waste of time, Dr. Dossey signs his name followed by PhD and field. S=
omebody who truly didn't think graduate school had any value would not cont=
inue to profess the academic qualifications it afforded him.=20

Cheers,=20

Stacy Rosenbaum
Behavioral Endocrinology Postdoctoral Fellow
Davee Center for Epidemiology and Endocrinology
Lincoln Park Zoo
Ph: 312-742-2250
srosenb...@lpzoo.org



On May 28, 2015, at 5:10 AM, Robert Pettit 
 wrote:

> Emily,
>=20
> As someone who just wrapped up a graduate degree program and has watched =
all the joy and sorrow that can bring (to me and my classmates) I would say=
 you need to know where to strike the balance between sticking to your guns=
 and being adaptable. Maybe your dream professor will string you along and =
the funding won=92t work correctly, that is hardly a unique experience. But=
 hopefully if that occurs you will have been talking to a few other pretty =
good professors, one of whom will have space for you in their lab. Basicall=
y don=92t put all your eggs in one basket and make sure you are talking to =
absolutely everyone, you never know what the person next to you at the conf=
erence is thinking about.=20
>=20

[ECOLOG-L] Seagrass Ecosystem Research Lab seeks Lab Manager

[Jason Howard]

Wanted: Lab and field operations manager to work in the Seagrass Ecosystems
Research Laboratory at Florida International University in Miami.

We're looking for a lab manger with boating, diving, and laboratory
chemical analysis skills for our lab that concentrates on carbon and
nutrient cycling in shallow coastal marine ecosystems and the ecology of
seagrass ecosystems. This is a full-time, grant-funded position with full
benefits, at a rate of $35k/yr. Minimum qualifications: Master’s degree in
marine science or related discipline; or a bachelor’s degree in and
appropriate specialization and one year of experience. Specialized college
coursework may substitute at an equivalent rate for the required
experience. Experience with boating, scientific diving, and laboratory
analysis of carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus content of environmental
samples will be a big plus. Criminal background check will be a condition
of employment.


Interested parties, please contact Jim Fourqurean at jim.fourqur...@fiu.edu.
Further information about our lab can be found at http://seagrass.fiu.edu.

[ECOLOG-L] PhD position in Forest Ecology

[Jason Vogel]

We seek a PhD student to study the phenotypic characteristics that
correspond to drought resistance in loblolly pine.  The student will be
part of the Department of Ecosystem Science and Management at Texas A&M
University (essm.tamu.edu) and will begin in the Fall of 2015.  The student
will use both laboratory manipulations of clonal material and field trials
in managed ecosystems to characterize the response of pine physiology and
phenotypic traits to drought conditions.  Different approaches to
characterizing tree response to drought are available to the student, including
a range of tools for the quantification of physiological processes (e.g.,
gas exchange, laser and IRMS approaches to stable isotopes, and others).
The student will be affiliated with the USDA funded “Pine Integrated
Network: Education, Mitigation, and Adaptation project (PINEMAP)” (
pinemap.org). A background in botany, forestry, ecology, biology,
environmental science, or soil science is preferred.  Three years of
funding are available that includes a tuition waiver and health benefits.
Please contact Jason G. Vogel (jason_vo...@tamu.edu) or Jason B. West (
jbw...@tamu.edu) with a curriculum vitae and statement of purpose.  A final
application will require GRE scores, letters of recommendation, and
transcripts.

-- 
Jason G. Vogel

Assistant Professor
Texas A&M University
Department of Ecosystem Science and Management
2138 TAMU
College Station, TX 77843

phone: (979) 845-5580
office: 218E Kleberg

[ECOLOG-L] Postdoc opportunity

[Jason West]

Postdoctoral research associate
Soil trace gas isofluxes

We seek a creative, highly motivated postdoctoral associate to develop 
independent research efforts focused on the isotopic composition of trace gas 
fluxes from soils. This is a unique opportunity with flexible objectives that 
allow the researcher to pursue project(s) of shared interest. The postdoctoral 
researcher would be affiliated with the Stable Isotopes for Biosphere Science 
laboratory in a renovated space and have access to a range of stable isotope 
tools (http://sibs.tamu.edu). She or he would work with highly collaborative 
group of faculty and other researchers associated with the SIBS laboratory. 
Successful candidates will have experience in soil trace gas fluxes or trace 
gas isotope geochemistry and an interest in N or C biogeochemistry. Familiarity 
with N2O isotopomers in particular would be an advantage. Candidates must hold 
a PhD by the start of the position. Salary will be commensurate with experience 
and includes a competitive benefits package. Funding is initially available to 
support two years of work. Texas A&M University is a vibrant academic community 
in the city of College Station - a friendly, affordable city with easy access 
to Austin, Houston, and a convenient local commercial airport. To apply, 
navigate to the Texas A&M job application website (https://greatjobs.tamu.edu) 
and search for NOV number: 07962. Applicants should submit all materials online 
since applications sent outside of the online system cannot be considered. 
General inquiries or questions about the position may be sent to Jason West 
(jbw...@tamu.edu) or Tom Boutton (bout...@tamu.edu). 

[ECOLOG-L] Job - Biological Field Technician UMCES Appalachian Laboratory, Frostburg, MD

[Jason Cessna]

The University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science Appalachian
Laboratory seeks a Biological Field Technician who will join a field
sampling crew to collect biological, chemical, and physical data for stream
assessment throughout the state of Maryland using Maryland Biological Stream
Survey (MBSS) protocols and participate in other field data collection as
assigned. This is a contractual position to begin Feb 25th, 2015 and
continue to early September 2015, or later, depending on available work.

Primary duties include: collecting and processing biological and chemical
samples, conducting backpack electrofishing, and identifying captured
organisms to species. Only candidates with previous field sampling
experience will be considered for this position and candidates must be able
to pass a fish identification certification examination. This position
requires frequent work outdoors while traversing rough terrain with packs
weighing up to 50lbs. Traveling long distances, overnight stays, irregular
work schedules, and long hours will be required. Expected work weeks
generally range from 35-55 hours per week, but will vary based on stream
conditions and available work. 

Preferred Skills and Experience:
Ability to identify the fishes, crayfishes, reptiles, and amphibians of
Maryland to species. Coursework in ichthyology, herpetology, hydrology, and
stream ecology. Experience in stream geomorphology assessment. Familiarity
with backpack electrofishing, GPS units, benthic macro-invertebrate
sampling, and map and compass navigation. Ability to adhere to sampling
protocols and accurately record data. Possession of a valid driver’s license
and acceptable driving record. Ability to work well with others and treat
other crew members and members of the public with respect. Ability to work
independently and efficiently to complete assigned tasks.

This is an hourly contingent status position with a starting rate of $13.00
per hour.

The University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science is an Equal
Opportunity, Affirmative Action employer. Individuals with disabilities,
veterans, women, and minorities are encouraged to apply.

To apply, please send cover letter and resume by January 21st to:
(electronic submissions preferred)

Jason Cessna
UMCES Appalachian Laboratory
301 Braddock Road.
Frostburg, MD 21532
jces...@umces.edu

[ECOLOG-L] Ideas for undergrad exercises in molecular ecology data analysis?

[Jason Andras]

Hello Ecologgers,

I'm developing data analysis exercises for an undergraduate course I'll be 
teaching on molecular 
ecology, and I'm interested in any ideas or materials you might be willing to 
share. These exercises 
are intended to give students experience with some basic analyses of various 
kinds of molecular 
genetic data.  I'd like to use real sequence and/or genotype data from 
interesting/important 
studies that have already been published.  I'm imagining framing the biological 
question(s) and 
helping the students explore the data before reading the paper, and then 
reading the paper as a 
class to see how the students' results and interpretations compare to those 
presented in the paper. 
I don't expect the students will have had much prior exposure to molecular 
data, so the dataset(s) 
should be relatively simple (not too large or messy), and the results should be 
clear and easy to 
interpret. I'm thinking of using MEGA to explore sequencing data, and any 
number of population 
genetic programs (e.g, Genepop, Arlequin, Genodive, Genalex, Structure) to 
explore genotyping 
data.  If you have developed or implemented such exercises in the past, or if 
you have ideas on 
how they might be most effectively designed, or if you have or know of datasets 
that might work 
well, your feedback would be much appreciated.

Please send any replies directly to me, and I will summarize any useful 
information I receive and 
post it back to the list.

Thanks,
Jason Andras
jp...@cornell.edu

[ECOLOG-L] JOB POSTING - Laboratory Technician

[Jason Dobkowski]

Research Technician in Ecology and Environmental Science

This position (up to one year appointment) is to assist in research 
projects involving ecological and environmental science, including the 
chemical analysis of samples in the laboratory, the computer entry of 
data, and the statistical or graphical analysis of data. A suitable 
candidate should possess a Bachelor's degree in a natural science 
discipline such as biology, chemistry, or environmental sciences, plus 
the ability to translate, adapt and apply this knowledge. Candidates 
should have lab experience in detailed, high-quality biogeochemical 
analyses of samples, and must show evidence of skill in computer data 
entry and analysis including graphics. In addition, desired 
qualifications include experience in field collection of environmental 
samples in remote areas under difficult conditions, and experience in 
operating and coordinating in research collection and analysis program 
with minimum supervision. The position requires moderately strenuous 
field work in the Arctic during summer (hiking with full packs over 
tundra). Experience in aquatic ecology or with the following laboratory 
instruments is a plus: Total Organic Carbon analyzer, nutrient 
autoanalyzer, Carbon-Hydrogen-Nitrogen analyzer, gas chromatography, 
etc.

Interested applicants can apply at the University of Michigan 
(http://www.umich.edu/~jobs/), job posting # 102856.  You must include a 
resume and cover letter describing your qualifications and experience. 
The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity employer.  

[ECOLOG-L] Ecosystem Ecology Graduate Assistantships at Penn State

[Jason Kaye]

I am recruiting 2 students to begin in the fall of 2015 - one in sustainable
agriculture and one in forest biogeochemistry. Students with an M.S. in soil
science, ecology, geoscience, or environmental science are especially
encouraged to apply.  Applicants with a B.S. and exceptional qualifications
will also be considered.  Interested applicants should contact Dr. Jason
Kaye (jpk12 at psu dot edu). Students may apply to the Graduate Program in
Soil Science (http://ecosystems.psu.edu/graduateprograms/soil-science) or
the Inter-College Graduate Degree Program in Ecology
(http://www.huck.psu.edu/education/ecology).  Either of these degrees can be
combined with the Biogeochemistry Dual Title Degree program
(http://www.biogeochemistry.psu.edu/).  First priority will be given to
applications completed by January 1, 2015.

Re: [ECOLOG-L] Seabird ID Book Recommendations?

[Jason Hernandez]

As Midway is part of the same archipelago that includes Hawaii, it is included 
in _A Field Guide to Birds of Hawaii and the Tropical Pacific_ by H. Douglas 
Pratt.  It covers seabirds and landbirds of the entire Pacific.


Date:    Sat, 11 Oct 2014 21:05:53 -0400From:    
=?ISO-8859-1?Q?Wieteke_Holthuijzen?= 
Subject: Seabird ID Book Recommendations?

Hello fellow Eco-loggers!

I am preparing for a 4-month stint as a wildlife biology volunteer on=20
Midway Island in the Pacific Ocean and I was wondering if you have any=20=

recommendations on seabird identification guides. Your help is much=20
appreciated!

Thank you!


~ Wieteke Holthuijzen

[ECOLOG-L] PhD in forest carbon cycling and global change

[Jason Vogel]

We seek a PhD student who will assist in developing a model of the
disintegration and decay of standing dead trees. The student will be a
member of the Department of Ecosystem Science and Management at Texas A&M
University working with Drs. Jason Vogel, Georgianne Moore, and Sorin
Popescu. The student will primarily be responsible for building a model of
wood decay and integrating its mass loss estimates with measurements of
branch senescence and tree fall. Tree disintegration will be estimated in
collaboration with a Postdoctoral associate who will be using LiDAR images,
both ground based and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) platforms, to estimate
changes in dead tree structure.  Individuals interested in ecosystem carbon
cycling, remote sensing, or forest ecology are encouraged to apply.
Applicants should be comfortable working in field conditions and doing
fairly strenuous work. Funds for a generous stipend and tuition are
available for three years. Preference will be given to students with a
prior MSc in a related field, or applicable experience in a related topic.
Candidates available to start in the spring, summer, or fall of 2015 will
be considered. Interested individuals should send a cover letter,
curriculum vitae, and university transcripts to Dr. Jason G. Vogel (
jason_vo...@tamu.edu), Dr. Georgianne Moore (gwmo...@tamu.edu) or Dr. Sorin
Popescu (s-pope...@tamu.edu).

[ECOLOG-L] Post-Doctoral Research Associate

[Jason Hubbart]

Applications are being sought for a post-doctoral research associate (PRA) 
who will investigate land-use impacts on stream response to precipitation 
and runoff, and sediment transport and loading in a mixed land-use 
watershed of the central US. The incumbent will use a multi-year data set 
from a nested-scale experimental watershed study to improve quantitative 
understanding and model predictive confidence of land-use impacts on flow 
and suspended sediment regimes. 

Applicants should have a PhD in a relevant discipline such as hydrology, 
physical geography or civil engineering. Knowledge of geographical 
information systems, non-point source water quality models and / or process 
based watershed hydrology models, field instrumentation and statistical 
techniques for data acquisition and analysis are essential. The successful 
applicant will be expected to publish research findings in the 
international peer reviewed literature and participate in a 
multidisciplinary research group. There may also be expectations of 
teaching, guest lecturing, and peripheral research activities.

Applicants must have strong verbal, written, and computational skills. 
Successful applicants will be required to work collaboratively and 
independently, and conduct field work under variable weather conditions. 
Applicants must possess a valid US driver's license and be able to lift and 
carry equipment and tools. This is a fully funded position, renewable 
annually, for up to 4-years. When applying, please forward by email the 
following documents: transcript, curriculum vitae showing graduation date
(s), GRE scores, TOEFL scores (international applicants), cover letter 
(including academic, research, and professional goals and interests), and 
the names and contact information of three references to Dr. Jason Hubbart, 
School of Natural Resources Water Resources Program, University of 
Missouri, 203-Q ABNR Bldg, Columbia, MO 65211, USA; Tel No. (573) 884-7732; 
Fax: (573) 882-1979; Email: hubba...@missouri.edu. Website: 
http://web.missouri.edu/~hubbartj/

[ECOLOG-L] PhD student: Using LiDAR to estimate tree disintegration and decay

[Jason Vogel]

We seek a PhD student for a NASA funded project who will estimate the
disintegration and decay of standing dead trees using LiDAR. The student
will be in the Department of Ecosystem Science and Management at Texas A&M
University working with Drs. Sorin Popescu, Georgianne Moore, and Jason
Vogel. The student will collaborate with a post-doctoral scientist to
collect LiDAR images using both a ground based and an unmanned aerial
vehicle (UAV) platform, and then the PhD student will model how these
images relate to changes in a dead tree’s three dimensional structure and
aboveground mass. Individuals interested in remote sensing, forest ecology,
ecosystem carbon cycling, or ecological modeling are encouraged to apply.
Applicants should be comfortable working in field conditions and doing
fairly strenuous work. Funds for a generous stipend and tuition are
available for three years. Preference will be given to students with a
prior MSc in a related field, or applicable experience in a related topic.
Candidates available to start in the spring, summer, or fall of 2015 will
be considered. Interested individuals should send a cover letter,
curriculum vitae, and university transcripts to Dr. Jason G. Vogel (
jason_vo...@tamu.edu), Dr. Georgianne Moore (gwmo...@tamu.edu) or Dr. Sorin
Popescu (s-pope...@tamu.edu).

[ECOLOG-L] Postdoc in soil trace gas isotopes

[Jason West]

We seek a creative, highly motivated postdoctoral scholar to study the major 
controls on soil N2O fluxes and develop improved stable isotope tools for this 
work. The postdoc will have a unique and exciting opportunity to work in a wide 
range of systems where biogeochemical research is ongoing, including mesquite 
savannas, pine forests, intensively managed agricultural systems, and the 
semi-arid Caatinga forests in Brazil. The postdoctoral scholar will be 
affiliated with the Stable Isotopes for Biosphere Science laboratory 
(http://sibs.tamu.edu) and will join a highly collaborative group of 
researchers at Texas A&M University. Interacting faculty include Jason West, 
Tom Boutton, Frank Hons, Jason Vogel, and Brad Wilcox, along with Jed Sparks at 
Cornell University, and other collaborators affiliated with the PINEMAP project 
(http://pinemap.org). Successful candidates will have experience in soil trace 
gas fluxes or trace gas isotope geochemistry and an interest in N 
biogeochemistry. Familiarity with N2O isotopomers in particular will be a 
significant advantage, as will prior publications on related aspects of N 
biogeochemistry. Candidates must hold a PhD by the start of the position. 
Salary will be commensurate with experience and includes a competitive benefits 
package. Funding is initially available to support two years of work. Texas A&M 
University is a vibrant academic community in the city of College Station - a 
friendly, affordable city with easy access to Austin, Houston, and a convenient 
local commercial airport. To apply, navigate to the A&M job application website 
(https://greatjobs.tamu.edu) and search for NOV number: 07962. Applicants 
should submit all materials online since applications sent outside of the 
online system cannot be considered. General inquiries or questions about the 
position may be sent to Jason West (jbw...@tamu.edu).

[ECOLOG-L] A Celebration of Kevin Rice: Plant Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Symposium: 5 September 2014

[Jason Sexton]

Dear Colleagues

On 5 September 2014 a 1-day research symposium will take place on the UC
Davis campus.

This symposium celebrates the career and research themes of Dr. Kevin Rice
(retiring in 2014 from UC Davis) by highlighting innovative scientific
approaches to answer fundamental questions and solve practical problems in
conservation biology, restoration ecology, and invasion biology.  Speakers
represent diverse study systems to explore the evolutionary ecology of
natural plant populations, and will present results that will inform future
efforts to study adaptation and conserve native communities.

Please join us.

DATE: 5 September 2014
LOCATION: UC Davis

REGISTRATION: http://ucanr.edu/survey/survey.cfm?surveynumber=3D13084

This symposium is free of charge.

SPEAKERS

Sally Aitken
Spencer Barrett
Nancy Emery
Elizabeth Leger
Richard Mack
John McKay
Kevin Rice
Annie Schmitt
Jason Sexton
Sharon Strauss
Sonia Sultan

MORE INFO: https://sites.google.com/site/bigscience2014/home

[ECOLOG-L] 2014 AGU Fall Meeting Session on Hydrologic, Water Quality, and Ecological Responses to Climatic Variability and Change at the Watershed Scale

[Jason Knouft]

We invite submissions for the following session that will be convened at the 
2014 American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting in San Francisco 
(http://fallmeeting.agu.org/2014/).  The abstract submission site for the 
meeting is now open.  Please pass along this announcement to anyone that 
might be interested in participating in this session.

Session Title: Hydrologic, Water Quality, and Ecological Responses to 
Climatic Variability and Change at the Watershed Scale 

Session ID#: 1927

Session Description:
Predicted changes in temperature and precipitation are expected to have 
dramatic effects on the hydrologic characteristics of freshwater systems, 
impacting water quality, ecosystem function, nutrient transport, and species 
that are adapted to physical characteristics of aquatic habitats.  To better 
understand hydrologic responses and to prepare for managing water resources 
in a changing environment, it is critical to understand and predict the 
linkages between climate, stream flow, water quality (water temperature, 
sediment concentration, etc.), and biological systems.  To this end, this 
session welcomes observational or modeling studies that explore the 
relationships between current and future climate and physical and biological 
processes at the watershed scale.

Please feel free to contact the conveners with any questions:
Dr. Jason Knouft, Saint Louis University, jkno...@slu.edu
Dr. Darren Ficklin, Indiana University, dfick...@indiana.edu
Dr. Iris Stewart, Santa Clara University, istewartf...@scu.edu

[ECOLOG-L] Position Announcement: Assistant Professor / Range Scientist North Dakota State University

[Jason Harmon]

North Dakota State University is seeking applicants for an Assistant Professor 
/ Range Scientist in the School of Natural Resource Sciences. Job 
responsibilities for the Range Scientist include developing a regionally and 
nationally recognized research program in rangeland ecology, restoration 
ecology, ecosystem management and habitat management; and collaboratively 
acquire extramural funding to support the research program; and teach one 
undergraduate course in sampling techniques and develop one graduate level 
research design course in range/natural resource management. For a full 
listing of the responsibilities and qualifications, and to apply, visit 
http://jobs.ndsu.edu/postings/4731. Screening of applications will begin on 
July 15, 2014, but applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate 
pool is established. NDSU is an AA/EEO employer. Women and traditionally 
underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply.

Re: [ECOLOG-L] Plant Ecology Websites for the PNW

[Jason Hernandez]

Unfortunately, for the great majority of plant species, the kind of data you 
seek has never been compiled.  To take just the example I know best, the genus 
Achlys: after extensive searches on JSTOR, Google Scholar, and the stacks of an 
academic library, I still have zero information on its seed ecology or 
establishment rates (or indeed any aspect of its reproductive biology).  For 
ecology, I have had to content myself with gleaning forest vegetation surveys 
for the ones that name it in a table of plants found in a given forest type or 
vegetation association, and have found only one or two brief references to 
herbivory.  This, for a common, widespread plant that has been well-studied by 
phytochemists interested in its secondary metabolites.

Jason Hernandez



Date:    Thu, 12 Jun 2014 17:56:51 -0400
From:    =?windows-1252?Q?Natalie_Scott?= 
Subject: Plant Ecology Websites for the PNW

Hello fellow ecologers,

I was wondering if anyone had any website suggestions for looking up
information on native plants in the Pacific Northwest. I am working on a
native plant guide for my job and am having a hard time finding informati=
on
on subjects like: ecology, seed ecology, establishment rates,herbivory an=
d
propogation techniques. I don't really have access to good libraries wher=
e I
am and my databases results (using things like Web of Science) are not
coming up with much.

Here are some websites I have been using:
Fire Effects Plant Database (for all plants):=20
(http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/)

Silvics Manual of North America (for trees):
(http://www.na.fs.fed.us/spfo/pubs/silvics_manual/table_of_contents.htm)

Burke Museum of Natural History Plant Database:
(http://biology.burke.washington.edu/herbarium/imagecollection.php)

Any suggestions?=20

--

[ECOLOG-L] Request for lab exercises for course on symbiosis

[Jason]

Hello Ecologgers,

I am developing a lab component for an undergraduate course on the ecology and 
evolutionary 
biology of symbiotic interactions, spanning the range from mutualism to 
parasitism, and I'm looking 
for ideas.  I would be interested in anything from simple observational 
exercises (i.e. seeing a 
symbiosis in action) to more manipulative experimental exercises that span 
multiple lab sessions, or 
even an entire semester.  The course focuses primarily on interactions between 
microbes and 
animals/plants, but the labs need not be limited to such systems.  I would 
welcome well developed 
exercises, off-the-cuff ideas, and everything in between.

Please reply off-list, and thanks for your assistance.

-Jason
jp...@cornell.edu

[ECOLOG-L] Postdoc Agroecology Penn State

[Jason Kaye]

We are seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Agroecology at the
Pennsylvania State University. This position is part of a dynamic team of
scientists assessing the ecosystem service benefits of cover cropping and
the degree to which those benefits can be enhanced with multi-species
mixtures.  The individual in this position would deepen our team’s capacity
to understand plant-soil-insect interactions or some subset of these
interactions (e.g. plant-soil, plant-insect, soil-insect).  Two areas of
particular interest are: 1) field research in ecosystem ecology and/or 2)
synthetic analyses of previously collected soil, plant, and insect data. 
The postdoc will be encouraged to pursue their own research nested in our
larger study, and help lead the data synthesis.  In addition, mentoring and
participation in grant writing will occur.  Our team has a strong track
record of placing sustainable agriculture postdocs in tenure track faculty
positions throughout the country.  The supervisor for this position will be
Jason Kaye (jpk12 at psu dot edu) in the Department of Ecosystem Science and
Management, and key collaborators are David Mortensen (Plant Sciences), and
Mary Barbercheck (Entomology). Feel free to contact us to discuss the position.

Required qualifications include: (1) Ph.D. at the time of application in
Ecology, Biogeochemistry, Plant Science, Agronomy, Entomology, Soil Science
or a closely related discipline, (2) excellent writing skills and documented
ability to serve as lead author in publishing papers, (3) strong
quantitative ecology skills.  Apply online to job # 51480 at
http://psu.jobs/Search/Opportunities.html

[ECOLOG-L] Postdoctoral Associates in Sustainability of Food and Bioenergy Systems at the University of Minnesota

[Jason Hill]

http://z.umn.edu/hillpostdoc

Postdoctoral Associates in Sustainability of Food and Bioenergy Systems

University of Minnesota
Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering
College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences
College of Science and Engineering

Description: Two postdoctoral associate positions are now available in the 
Department of 
Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering at the University of Minnesota. Topics 
for research 
projects concern the sustainability of food and bioenergy systems. 
Responsibilities include 
conducting collaborative research, written and oral communication of results, 
and preparation of 
grant reporting materials. Positions are funded by grants from the United 
States Department of 
Energy (DOE), the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the 
University of Minnesota’s 
Initiative for Renewable Energy and the Environment (IREE), Institute on the 
Environment (IonE), 
and the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS). 
Review of 
applications will begin immediately.

Required Qualifications: Applicants must have a Ph.D. in industrial ecology, 
agricultural or 
environmental sciences, economics, engineering, or a related field. Strong oral 
and written 
communication skills are essential, as are the ability and desire to work in an 
interdisciplinary team 
setting and to travel. Proficiency in statistical analysis is also required. 
Competency in life cycle 
modeling, MATLAB, ArcGIS, Adobe Illustrator, and computer programming are 
desired.

Salary and Benefits: Compensation will be commensurate with experience and 
qualifications. 
Appointments are for one year with renewals possible for a second and third 
year, depending on 
performance and availability of funding.

Application: Applicants must submit their application materials online at 
https://employment.umn.edu/ Requisition Number 191599. Applications should 
include a current 
curriculum vitae with undergraduate and graduate GPA and GRE scores, unofficial 
undergraduate 
and graduate transcripts, a letter of interest detailing research experience, 
and the names and 
contact information for three professional references. Any offer of employment 
is contingent upon 
the successful completion of a background check.

Contact: Prof. Jason Hill 

The University of Minnesota is committed to policy that all persons shall have 
equal access to its 
programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, 
religion, national origin, 
sex, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, 
or sexual orientation.

[ECOLOG-L] 2 Ph.D. Graduate Research Assistantships: Climate Variability and Forest Carbon Sequestration Processes

[Jason Hubbart]

Two Ph.D. Graduate Research Assistants (GRA) are sought to investigate 
climate variability and forest carbon sequestration processes in central 
Missouri. Students will utilize distributed data from a long-term AmeriFlux 
site and a scale-nested experimental watershed study to investigate spatial 
and temporal climate variability and carbon flux and storage above and 
below ground as a function of forest density along a wildland to urban 
forest gradient. Climate variability will be investigated using the 
experimental watershed study design including a series of all-weather 
sensors and radar. Carbon storage will be quantified by sampling and 
analyzing mass and C concentrations of major C pools. C fluxes will be 
quantified by measuring photosynthetic and respiration rates of vegetation 
and soil. The study provides a distinct opportunity to conduct 
interdisciplinary research on the role of localized climate variability on 
forest carbon sequestration.

Applicants must possess a master’s degree and have completed at least one 
degree in hydrology, forest ecology, biology, atmospheric sciences, soil 
science, soil chemistry, biogeochemistry, or a related field. Experience in 
climate analysis, carbon cycling and measurement of carbon pools and fluxes 
is a plus. Strong verbal, written, and computational skills are essential. 
Successful applicants will be required to work collaboratively and 
independently, and conduct field work under variable weather conditions. 
Applicants must possess a valid US driver's license and be able to lift and 
carry equipment and tools. These are fully funded positions that will 
remain open until filled. 

When applying, please forward by email the following documents: transcript, 
curriculum vitae, recent GRE scores, recent TOEFL scores (international 
students only), cover letter (including academic, research and professional 
goals and interests), and the names and contact information of three 
references to Dr. Jason Hubbart, Water Resources Graduate Program, 
University of Missouri, 203-Q ABNR Bldg, Columbia, MO 65211, USA; Tel No. 
(573) 884-7732; Fax: (573) 882-1979; Email: hubba...@missouri.edu. Website: 
http://web.missouri.edu/~hubbartj/

Re: [ECOLOG-L] GIS Certification

[Jason Welborn]

Matthew,
 
Penn State offers a free online course through Coursera:
https://www.coursera.org/#course/maps
To earn a certificate there is a fee of $49.
 
The University of Arizona offers an online GIS Master's degree and a 
professional certificate:
http://geography.arizona.edu/gis-masters
 
These are two of the top geography departments in the nation - good luck! 
 
Jason Welborn
The Nature Conservancy



On Wednesday, March 26, 2014 10:54 AM, Ziga Malek  wrote:
  
Dear Matthew and Ted,

The Faculty of Geo-Information and Earth Observation (ITC) at the University of 
Twente, Enschede from the Netherlands offers a variety of GIS distance 
education courses, that finish in a certificate. I followed a course, receiving 
a Certificate in Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation. The prices 
vary, I believe they are around 1000 EUR (and more) if you are from a 
industrialized country. The courses are listed at http://www.itc.nl/CourseFinder

Otherwise, coursera offers some geospatial related course (free), where you can 
receive a certificate.  https://www.coursera.org/

Hope this helps.

Best,

Žiga Malek

-
Research Assistant
International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA)
Risk, Policy and Vulnerability Programme
Schlossplatz 1, 2361 Laxenburg, Austria

www.iiasa.ac.at
www.changes-itn.eu



On 26 Mar 2014, at 16:15, Matthew Brousil  wrote:

> Hi everyone,
> 
> I'm in a similar situation. I will be finishing undergrad this year with one 
> introductory GIS course completed, but would like more training. If anyone 
> can help I would also appreciate some suggestions on which online courses are 
> most worth the effort. 
> 
> Thanks. 
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
> 
>> On Mar 25, 2014, at 10:25 AM, Ted Turluck  wrote:
>> 
>> I'm interested in getting certified in GIS through an online program. There 
>> seem to be a lot of avenues towards certification.
>> 
>> Can anyone recommend one program over the others? Is there one that is more 
>> respected/legitimate?
>> 
>> I'm just trying to narrow down my search.
>> 
>> Thanks in advance.

[ECOLOG-L] Wildlife and Fisheries Techician positions?

[Rose, Jason]

Hello all! I am a wildlife and fisheries biologist with experience collecting 
fisheries data aboard commercial fishing vessels in the Bering sea and North 
Pacific as well as on freshwater waterways in wyoming and Ohio.  Additionally, 
I have experience conducting surveys for threatened and endangered species in 
the Mojave Desert. I am reaching out to you all to see if anyone is offering 
positions in any related fields as I will be moving to the Richmond,VA area in 
late April. Thank you so much for your time and I would be extremely grateful 
of any information you may have. -Jason Rose (jr937...@ohio.edu)

[ECOLOG-L] Job Announcement - Research Specialist: Missouri AmeriFlux, University of Missouri

[Jason Hubbart]

A Research Specialist is sought to provide primary technical support for 
the AmeriFlux eddy covariance flux tower site operated for over ten years 
by the University of Missouri in collaboration with Oak Ridge National 
Laboratory. The site is located at the 2260-acre Baskett Wildlife Research 
and Education Center (BWREC) near Columbia, MO. This is a full-time, 
benefit eligible position. The successful applicant will be responsible for 
monitoring, maintenance and operation of the tower and associated 
instruments in the tower footprint, including (but not limited to), data 
logging systems, data communications and computing equipment. Assistance in 
other aspects of ongoing research at the site is expected. The successful 
applicant should be familiar with operation and troubleshooting of 
meteorological and other environmental sensors, data logging and data 
communications equipment, and PC-based micro computing equipment running 
Windows operating systems. Some physical labor directed toward tower 
structural maintenance and site research is expected. It is anticipated 
that the incumbent will possess at least a B.S. (M.S. or Ph.D. is 
preferred) in a relevant discipline (e.g., environmental sciences, physical 
hydrology, climate monitoring, atmospheric science, ecosystem ecology or 
related field) and previous experience. Other position responsibilities 
include administrative, maintenance, and management activities including 
facilitating research and supervising seasonal staff, environmental health 
and safety, and educational opportunities for personnel associated with 
University, K-12, state and federal agencies, and other entities at the 
BWREC. For additional information please contact Dr. Jason Hubbart, 
hubba...@missouri.edu. Please apply online at: http://hrs.missouri.edu/find-
a-job/, Job ID: 12604.

[ECOLOG-L] G-test with zero values

[Jason Hernandez]

Some time ago, I inquired about ways to analyze percent cover data, and one of 
the suggestions was to test for heterogeneity.  The snag, however, is that this 
requires multiplying each cell value by its natural log.  My data set has a lot 
of zero values, which are important to keep; but of course there is no natural 
log of zero.  Is there a way to adjust the analysis to included these zero 
values?  i have not managed to find anything on this.

Jason Hernandez

[ECOLOG-L] Job: Ecosystems Research in Northern Alaska - Summer 2014

[Jason Dobkowski]

We are seeking undergraduates or college graduates interested in research to 
understand the ecosystem function in soils, streams, and lakes, and how 
arctic tundra will respond to climate change.  

Job Description:  Paid research assistants will collect and analyze field 
samples at sites located in the foothills of the Brooks Range in Northern 
Alaska. Job duties include sample collection, field measurements, and lab 
analyses.  Fieldwork involves hiking in remote areas while carrying heavy 
packs of field equipment.  Additional responsibilities include chemical 
analyses and data processing at the Toolik Lake Field station.  This 
position offers an excellent opportunity to gain research experience in 
ecology and meet outstanding research scientists from around the world. Room 
and board are provided.  This position is associated with the National 
Science Foundation Arctic Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) program. 

If interested, please provide a resume and a 1-page description of your 
background (include relevant course work, field experience), goals, and 
names of references to Dr. George Kling, g...@umich.edu or by fax 734-763-
0544.  Experience in ecology, chemistry, and microbiology is desirable.  
Fieldwork runs from approximately June 10 - August 30, 2014.  

Additional information about the Arctic Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) 
project is available at http://ecosystems.mbl.edu/ARC/  and information 
about Toolik Field Station is available at http://www.uaf.edu/toolik/ 

Re: [ECOLOG-L] Recent PhDs on Food Stamps - Overwhelmed with Replies

[Jason Hernandez]

I was one of those who responded offline to the original post.  Rather than 
tell my story again here, I offer further thoughts.

Steven Schwartz wrote (in part) <>

My answer: more than I ever thought I would.  But when my savings completely 
dry up, I have to pay the bills somehow, and if a job completely outside my 
chosen field finally presents itself, then the question becomes: which risk do 
I take?  Do I risk becoming trapped in that other career track, taking me away 
from my dream as my degree recedes into the past?  Or do I risk becoming a bum 
on the streets for love of a dream?  Because that is the reality some of us 
face.

Every day, I see announcements for really great experiences that are not only 
unpaid, but in many cases, require the intern to cover his/her own expenses.  I 
don't really care about upward mobility; but if I don't have the money, I 
cannot be a part of those opportunities, no matter how wonderful they may be in 
terms of the work being done.  Unfortunately, anyone interested particularly in 
tropical ecosystems will face this situation; I do not remember ever seeing an 
opening for a paid position in any project in a tropical country.  If students 
coming in knew this, how many would still pursue that path?  Who would do these 
internships, knowing that they essentially are preparing for a career as an 
intern?  The urgency of the situation in the tropics needs quality work, but 
economic realities tend to turn aspiring researchers away from those parts of 
the world.

Jason Hernandez
M.S., East Carolina University


--

Date:    Sun, 9 Feb 2014 22:40:15 -0500
From:    Steven Schwartz 
Subject: Re: Recent PhDs on Food Stamps - Overwhelmed with Replies

I=92ll add my two cents.  The scarcity of positions is absolutely =
nothing new.  In the 1980=92s it was not unusual for there to be 300-400 =
applicants or more for positions in any kind of organismal biology.  It =
was during that decade that doing a post-doc in ecology became the norm =
as a holding place for the emerging cohort.  I don=92t mean to plead a =
sad tale, but I was a post-doc at a major lab, published many papers, =
and later taught and taught before getting a tenure-track job after way =
too many years.  I stuck with it, through the tough times, when I =
perhaps should have recognized my giving-up-time.  I was financially =
insecure most of the time but that was price I was willing to pay to =
achieve my dream.  Perhaps the question ought to be how much one is =
willing to sacrifice with the knowledge that you may never achieve your =
dream.  This isn=92t fair and I, more than most, feel badly for all the =
young scientists who won=92t get what they so badly want.  And deserve.  =
But it just won=92t happen for any number of reasons which speak nothing =
of the quality of the candidates passed over.

As for the preponderance of adjunct or part-time faculty, one only has =
to look at the corporate model of governance at most colleges and =
universities to see where the real growth in higher education has been.  =
While the quality of education has been taking hits, the quality, =
quantity, and salaries of administrators has been growing enormously.  =
In real terms the salary of most faculty has not grown in perhaps 40 =
years.  I can=92t speak for administrators, but I am willing to bet that =
they make more than they did in 1970.   I make about the same in actual =
dollars (unadjusted for inflation) for teaching a course now as I did in =
1985.  And with no benefits and I have had my PhD since before many of =
the new cohort was born.  Unfair?  You bet.  Did anyone ever say that =
life was fair?  No.  But I can=92t imagine doing anything else so I take =
what I can get and march on.  Maybe there=92ll be a job next year=85.sort =
of like the Cubs and the World Series.

Steve Schwartz, PhD=

--

[ECOLOG-L] Re; Macquarie Island, cats, rabbits, and vegetation

[Jason Hernandez]

One thing was not clear: were the cats eradicated before, after, or 
concurrently with the rabbits?  Because if there are eradication efforts 
against rodents and rabbits, the presence or absence of cats could be a factor 
in the likelihood of success.


Date:    Thu, 23 Jan 2014 19:18:55 -1000
From:    David Duffy 
Subject: Macquarie Island, cats, rabbits and vegetation

--001a1132ec0098cff904f0b07ed6
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

Macquarie Island and eradication efforts have attracted media attention.
Below are two scientific papers that might provide useful perspective. Note
that the vegetation paper presents data only up to 2011 when rabbit
eradication began. Caution might be advised regarding media reports of
effects since then.--David Duffy

Robinson, S. A. and Copson, G. R. (2014), *Eradication of cats (Felis
catus) from subantarctic Macquarie Island.*Ecological Management &
Restoration, 15: 34=9640. doi: 10./emr.12073

*Keywords*: cage trap;cat;eradication;Felis catus;leg-hold trap;Macquarie
Island

*Summary*
The feral Cat (Felis catus) population on Macquarie Island was targeted for
eradication between 1996 and 2002, with 761 cats captured during this
period. After 22 years of cat control from 1974 integrated with control
programmes for other pests, effort intensified for 2 years before a
dedicated eradication programme began in 1998. The primary knock-down for
the eradication used cage trapping and shooting, with most surviving cats
captured with leg-hold traps. A total of 6298 field days and 216 574 trap
nights were recorded in this operation. Factors contributing to the success
of the programme included extensive planning, increased staff numbers at
critical times, better access to remote areas of the island, introduction
of leg-hold traps, sufficient operational funding and good collaboration
between government agencies operating on the island. The programme would
have benefited from earlier deployment of detector dogs and better
posteradication monitoring of a broader range of native species impacted by
cats. The successful eradication of cats from Macquarie Island, being the
second largest achieved to date, provides valuable experience for cat
eradication attempts on other large remote islands. This programme relied
on ground-based techniques with minimal use of poisons and provides
possible options for sites where broad-scale poisoning, or where aerial
distribution of poisons, cannot be used.
-
Whinam, J., Fitzgerald, N., Visoiu, M. and Copson, G. (2014), *Thirty years
of vegetation dynamics in response to a fluctuating rabbit population on
sub-Antarctic Macquarie Island.* Ecological Management & Restoration, 15:
41=9651. doi: 10./emr.12076

*Keywords:* conservation management;disturbance;ecosystem processes;island
management;pest animals;World Heritage Areas

*Summary*
Australia's sub-Antarctic Macquarie Island is presently undergoing one of
the most ambitious vertebrate pest eradication programmes ever undertaken.
The anticipated success of this programme will release the island's
tundra-like vegetation from well over a century of grazing and disturbance
from House Mouse (Mus musculus), Ship Rat (Rattus rattus) and most
significantly European Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus). This study describes
results from 30 years of vegetation quadrat monitoring (prior to the most
recent and comprehensive pest eradication programme) when lower level pest
animal control programmes were underway. Plant species were assigned to one
of five distinct functional plant groups: Indigenous short-lived
perennials, Introduced short-lived perennials, Indigenous perennials rarely
grazed by rabbits, Indigenous perennials occasionally grazed by rabbits and
Indigenous long-lived perennials heavily grazed by rabbits, with one
species, Agrostis magellanica, analysed as a sixth monospecific group.
Results from monthly rabbit counts were used to compare changes in
abundance of these six groups under different rabbit populations. It was
found that there were three distinct phases of rabbit activity during the
study period, indicated by (i) an initial very high count year in
1980=961981, followed by (ii) 20 years of low counts ending in 2001=962002
after which (iii) counts rose to medium/high until the commencement of the
eradication programme in 2010=962011. Vegetation composition and progressio=
n
were distinct for these three rabbit count phases. The first four of the
plant functional groups decreased under lower count periods and increased
in cover under higher rabbit count periods. Agrostis magellanica appears to
respond primarily to interspecies competition and is disadvantaged under
extended periods of low rabbit numbers. Indigenous long-lived perennials
heavily grazed by rabbits, which includes the large tussocks and megaherbs,
is inversely related to rabbit numbers. During the study period, there has
also been an overa

[ECOLOG-L] Postdoctoral Associate in Forest Ecosystem Science

[Jason Vogel]

A position for a post-doctoral associate is available at Texas A&M
University in the Forest Ecosystem Science Lab (vogellab.tamu.edu). The
associate will be part of the “*Pine Integrated Network: Education,
Mitigation, and Adaptation” project* or PINEMAP (www.pinemap.org), a
multi-institutional and interdisciplinary effort to understand the response
of managed southern pine forests to climate change and determine their
potential role in mitigating the accumulation of greenhouse gases. The
associate will have the opportunity to develop their own research
interests, interact with graduate and undergraduate students, and attend
national meetings to present research results. PINEMAP has over 50 primary
investigators who are working on topics ranging from tree genetics to
economics, giving the associate the opportunity to interact with a diverse
group of scientists.



The ideal candidate will have an interest in ecosystem and soil carbon
cycling and direct experience with field flux measurements of CO2 or trace
gases (N2O, CH4). Experience with laboratory analytical techniques such as
stable isotope or radiocarbon analyses or gas chromatography, is also
desired. The associate will lead field excursions during all seasons and is
expected to have excellent organizational and communication skills (both
oral and written). The planned start date is March 1, 2014 but there is
some flexibility around this date. The position is for two years, with the
second year contingent on satisfactory performance.  The salary range will
be $40,000 - $46,000 per year, with the amount dependent upon
qualifications. Please contact Dr. Jason G. Vogel (jason_vo...@tamu.edu) if
interested. Include a (1) cover letter describing your interest in this
position, relevant experience, and your preferred start date and (2) a CV.

[ECOLOG-L] Assistant Professor Physical Geography

[Jason Sibold]

Assistant Professor of PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY, Colorado State University. 
Nine-month, entry-level, 
tenure-track appointment with a 2-2 teaching load to begin August 15, 2014.  
Required 
Qualifications: Ph.D. in Geography at time of appointment; the ability to teach 
a broad range of 
courses from Introduction to Geography to upper- and graduate-level courses in 
the applicant’s 
area of specialization; the potential of a promising record of 
scholarship/research in climatology, 
geomorphology, hydrology, or biogeography. Preferred Qualifications: a research 
and teaching 
program in physical geography that has a human-environment or conservation 
component; the 
ability to contribute to geotechniques courses; the ability to include students 
in research; 
commitment to excellence in teaching. Candidates are expected to have the 
ability to advance the 
department’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. The position will be based 
in the Department 
of Anthropology, which currently includes two geographers. The Department 
offers a concentration 
and a minor in Geography and this position is part of a plan to further develop 
a geography 
program at Colorado State University, including a major in Geography in the 
near future. 
Anthropology faculty have the opportunity to participate in and advise graduate 
students in a 
number of graduate programs on campus including Atmospheric Sciences, the 
Graduate Degree 
Program in Ecology and Geosciences. Applications can be submitted via email or 
regular mail.  
Please send letter of interest, current curriculum vitae and a list of three 
references and their 
contact information to: Search Chair - Geography, Department of Anthropology, 
Colorado State 
University, 1787 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO  80523-1787. If submitting 
by email, please 
send applications to grant.pol...@colostate.edu. Applications will be accepted 
until the position is 
filled; review of applications will start on December 1, 2013. For a complete 
position description, 
visit the department web site at www.anthropology.colostate.edu and 
http://jobs.libarts.colostate.edu Questions about the position can be sent to 
Jason Sibold 
(jason.sib...@colostate.edu). CSU is an EO/EA/AA employer. Colorado State 
University conducts 
background checks on all final candidates.

Jason Sibold
Assistant Professor of Geography
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, CO
jason.sib...@colostate.edu

[ECOLOG-L] Grad Assistantships at Penn State

[Jason Kaye]

Three Graduate Research Assistantships are available at Penn State beginning 
Fall 2014 to study soil biogeochemistry, ecology, mapping, or hydrology in 
forests and agroecosystems associated with the Susquehanna/Shale Hills Critical 
Zone Observatory (http://www.czo.psu.edu/).  This NSF funded CZO includes a 
vibrant, interactive group of graduate students, postdocs, research support 
staff, and faculty from a range of disciplines including ecology, soil science, 
geochemistry, hydrology, and meteorology.  Successful applicants will be 
encouraged to take full advantage of this interdisciplinary team.  The CZO also 
includes substantial research infrastructure near Penn State, including an 
intensively instrumented watershed and new research watersheds where students 
will have the opportunity to design the next generation of Critical Zone 
science.  Students with an M.S. in soil science, ecology, geoscience, or 
environmental science are especially encouraged to apply.  Applicants with a 
B.S. and exceptional qualifications will also be considered.  Interested 
applicants should contact Dr. Jason Kaye (jpk12 at psu dot edu) for soil 
biogeochemistry, Dr. David Eissenstat (dme9 at psu dot edu) for soil ecology, 
and Dr. Henry Lin (hul3 at psu dot edu) for soil-landscape mapping or 
hillslope/watershed hydrology.  Students may apply to the Graduate Program in 
Soil Science (http://ecosystems.psu.edu/graduateprograms/soil-science) or the 
Inter-College Graduate Degree Program in Ecology 
(http://www.huck.psu.edu/education/ecology).  Either of these degrees can be 
combined with the Biogeochemistry Dual Title Degree program 
(http://www.biogeochemistry.psu.edu/).  Assistantships include up to 4 years of 
a competitive stipend, tuition waiver, and health benefits.  First priority 
will be given to applications completed by January 1, 2014.

[ECOLOG-L] Cultural Aspects of Natural Resources Management

[Jason L. Simms]

Hello all,

I am putting together a proposal for a Graduate Liberal Studies course on
cultural/social aspects of natural resources management, ideally with a
leaning towards water resources.  The audience for this course is broad -
the average age is 38, with a range from 22 to 70.  Also, there is no
expectation of a background in environmental studies (or similar), although
all students do have at least a baccalaureate degree, so I am looking for
approachable sources that would make a compelling survey of contemporary
human-nature interaction, with an eye towards resources.

So, if anyone has a syllabus (or perhaps sections therein) that could be
appropriate, or suggestions for readings, I would deeply appreciate it.  My
initial thought is to have them read a single monograph (or edited volume,
I suppose) supplemented with other readings throughout.  I am thinking of
having them read Ben Orlove's *Lines in the Water: Nature and Culture at
Lake Titicaca*, though other book suggestions are welcome.

Warmest regards,
Jason Simms

-- 
Jason L. Simms, Ph.D., M.P.H., CPH

[ECOLOG-L] Statistical Significance in Percent Cover

[Jason Hernandez]

 
   Dear Ecologgers:
 
I have a data set comparing percent cover in two types of habitat.  In both 
treatments, I set my protocol such that percentages sum to 100 in each sample, 
and then I took the averages and made pie charts to illustrate the difference.  
The visual difference between the two pie charts is striking: in one, a single 
cover class fills 95% of the pie, and there are only 5 cover classes all 
together; in the other, no one cover class is more than 45%, and there are 
eight cover classes.
 
My question: how should I structure these data in order to conduct meaningful 
statistical tests?  The sample size is (by design) the same in both treatments. 
 Thanks.
 
Jason Hernandez