[ECOLOG-L] Research Assistant Professor_Ecological Genetics_Binghamton Univ. SUNY
Ecological Genetics Research Assistant Professor – Binghamton University The Freshman Research Immersion (FRI) program at Binghamton University will hire a Research Assistant Professor, to begin August 13, 2018. This full-time position is for a three-year duration and candidates must have graduate degree before starting. This is a 10 month non-tenure track faculty position, with additional extra service commitment for two-summer weeks. This position is for Ecological Genetics (open to Ph.D.’s with appropriate ecological genetics background). FRI Ecological Genetics is a new program in which a Research Assistant Professor guides freshmen and sophomores in innovative research that advances the field of ecological genetics. The Research Assistant Professor shapes the research theme. For example, past FRI cohorts have employed sophisticated techniques under the guidance of the Research Assistant Professor conducting research in that stream’s area. Essentially, this position will entail teaching large numbers of college students (~30 per cohort) how to conduct authentic research and, in doing so, will help students develop the professional skills desired by graduate schools and employers. Within that process and working with a faculty advisory team, the Research Assistant Professor maintains and/or expands his/her research program. The Research Assistant Professor reports to the FRI Director, and also works closely with the faculty sponsoring-team of this research stream. Overall, FRI provides an excellent training program for new PhDs and, thus, is an exceptional transition that positions the Research Assistant Professors for a wider array of future STEM positions (from full range of higher education institutions to STEM education research). Information about the FRI program and the faculty team for this research stream: http://binghamton.edu/freshman-research-immersion/streams/current-research-streams/index.html Responsibilities: • Oversee daily research activities of the research stream • Work with a faculty team to design and implement course materials for the research stream (e.g., lab manual, lab protocols, YouTube for procedures, and so forth) • Coordinate with faculty team to plan and deliver mini-lectures for the research stream courses • Oversee the operation of the research stream laboratory (e.g., with undergraduate peer mentors) • Help FRI students with their projects • Serve as a mentor to the FRI students • Facilitate formative and summative assessments of the research stream and FRI students • Participate in a weekly FRI training and preparatory session • Assist with administrative work of the FRI program (e.g., tracking student progress and completion in the FRI) • Co-teach FRI Research Methods Seminar (course delivered in flipped mode) with other FRI staff • Additional summer responsibilities may be contracted for extra payment (e.g., conducting NSF-REU-type program, working on grant research) Requirements: Strong candidates must have: • Graduate degree in a discipline that matches the research stream goals • Minimum of two years of experience as a teaching assistant in higher education • Ability to train undergraduate researchers and evaluate their work • Ability to train, evaluate and supervise graduate teaching assistants and undergraduate peer mentor assistants • Ability to manage a research laboratory • Effective communication skills • Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite and web access software • Ability to manage multiple projects and timelines simultaneously with a high degree of accuracy and efficiency • Ability to work both autonomously and collaboratively • Strong professional, organizational and interpersonal skills • Ability to speak, write and communicate in an articulate and successful manner • Ability to problem solve, prioritize, and manage multiple tasks • Ability to analyze and organize information and materials for a variety of research projects Please submit as separate documents: 1.Cover letter (1 page maximum) telling us why you are interested in the position, why you feel you are qualified, and your contact information 2.Curriculum vita 3.Contact information for three references, then letters of recommendation will be requested upon application submission via http://binghamton.interviewexchange.com 4.Your philosophy of teaching undergraduates how to conduct research (250-500 words) Review of applications begins February 1st 2018 and continues until the position is filled. Electronic applications are required; please submit your application materials to: Interview Exchange via Binghamton University. https://binghamton.interviewexchange.com/jobofferdetails.jsp?JOBID=93105 You may add additional files/documents after uploading your curriculum vita. After you fill out your contact information, you will be directed to the upload page. Please login to check/edit your profile or to upload additional documents: http://binghamton.interviewexchange.com/login.jsp
[ECOLOG-L] PhD position in insect-parasitoid interactions and global change
The Prior lab at Binghamton University (SUNY (http://www.priorecologylab.com) is seeking a Ph.D. student to work on a project examining how altered species interactions facilitates the success of an invasive gall-forming insect in the Pacific Northwest. We work in an excellent, tractable study system in which we can make comparisons of species interactions (host plants, parasitoid enemies, other gall-formers) between the invasive gall-formers native and introduced range. We work out in the beautiful Pacific Northwest (PNW), spending time on Vancouver Island, British Columbia and in Washington State. The lab is seeking a highly-motivated student who is interested in global change ecology, species interactions, plant-insect interactions, experimental ecology, and importantly who is excited about asking ecological questions and conducting research in the field. Students with a BS or MS in Biology (or other relevant discipline), with field experience, research experience, experience with statistics, proven writing and communication skills, and who are self-motivated and independent will be the most competitive. Other desirable qualifications include having additional skills such as experience with genetic techniques, nutrient and chemical analysis, GIS/spatial statistics, or plant and insect taxonomy. The student will be based at Binghamton University (State University of New York), in Binghamton, NY and will travel to the PNW for fieldwork. The student will be in the Biological Sciences Department, and be a part of the EEB (Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior) group (https://www.binghamton.edu/biology/). BU is located in the Southern Tier of NY and is one of the four major University Centers in the SUNY system. Applications are due on January 15th. If you are interested in the position, please contact me first - Kirsten Prior (kpr...@binghamton.edu)
[ECOLOG-L] Summer field assistant position: Invasion ecology and plant-insect interactions in Vancouver Island, BC
The Prior Lab at Binghamton University SUNY (priorecologylab.com) is seeking to hire a summer field assistant for the spring and summer of 2017. The assistant will work collaboratively as a part of a team on a project examining how host plants and parasitoids influence the invasion of a phytophagous insect (a gall-forming wasp). The work will be located at multiple field sites in southern Vancouver Island, British Columbia and in Washington State (around Olympia). The assistant will live with the field team in provided housing on Vancouver Island, BC and will camp for several days at a time while working in Washington State. Duties will involve daily travel to and from field sites, establishing and maintaining field experiments, collecting, sorting and rearing insects, conducting surveys of trees and insects, and data entry and processing. Given the nature of conducting time-sensitive observations and experiments in the field, the work schedule will be flexible, and work hours will depend on when tasks need to be completed and on weather conditions. The candidate should like to spend time outdoors, be able to hike for long distances in hilly terrain, be able to spend long hours in the field and be willing to camp for several nights at a time. Qualifications: 1) A Bachelors degree (or working towards) in biology, ecology & evolution, entomology, or a related field. 2) Previous field research experience (experience working remotely at a field site or station is a plus, but not a requirement). 3) Have an interest in ecology & evolution or entomology. 4) Be highly responsible, flexible, dedicated, and motivated. 5) Be able to work well as a part of a team and to live and work well with others. 6) Be willing and able to work long irregular hours outside in remote conditions. 7) Be able to hike long distances and in hilly terrain. 8) Must have a drivers license and a passport. Accommodations will be provided in a shared residence on southern Vancouver Island. A field vehicle will also be provided. Ideal work dates from May 1st July 31st. A monthly stipend (amount depending on experience) will be provided. To apply send a cover letter explaining why you are interested in the position and listing your relevant qualifications, a CV or resume, and the names and contact information (email and phone number) for three references. Review of the position will begin immediately, and please apply before March 1st for full consideration. Please email application to Kirsten Prior (kpr...@binghamton.edu) with Application for field assistant position in the subject line.
[ECOLOG-L] PhD positions in invasion ecology/species interactions_Prior lab at Binghamton University
Graduate student positions in species interactions and invasion ecology The Prior lab (http://www.priorecologylab.com) at Binghamton University (SUNY) conducts research on community ecology, antagonistic and mutualistic interactions (especially with insects and plants), environmental change (primarily invasive species), and conservation. I am seeking PhD students to join the lab. Students will be based at Binghamton University in NY, with opportunities to travel to field sites in the Pacific Northwest or Southern Ontario. BU also houses a 600-acre Nature Preserve that provides excellent opportunities to conduct research locally (https://www.binghamton.edu/nature-preserve/). I am looking for students to start in August 2017, but there is also potential to start earlier in the lab as a paid technician (Spring/summer 2017). Qualified students with a BS or MS in Biology with background and interests in the ecology and evolution of species interactions, community ecology, and environmental change are encouraged to apply. I am seeking highly motivated students, who are excited about asking ecological questions and conducting research in the field. Research in my lab has a strong basis in experimental field ecology, but I am interested in students that want to integrate complementary approaches to address research questions. Students with substantial field experience that have worked as a part of a field team, are proficient in statistics, have proven scientific writing and communication skills, and are self-motived and independent will be the most competitive. Desirable qualifications also include experience with nutrient and chemical analysis, population genetics, modeling, identifying plants and insects, insect behavioral assays, or GIS/spatial statistics. Please see my website (http://www.priorecologylab.com) for a description of ongoing research projects in the lab, and for the type of research that we conduct. I am especially interested in students who want to work on projects related to: 1) the role of tri-trophic interactions (host plant susceptibility and parasitoids) in facilitating the success of an invasive insect (field work in the Pacific Northwest); 2) parasitoid community assembly on novel/introduced insect hosts along invasion fronts (also in the PNW and other locations); 3) how traits of seed-dispersing ants (including an invasive ant) influence forest plant communities (fieldwork local and/or in southern Ontario at Koffler Scientific Reserve - http://ksr.utoronto.ca). There is also the potential to develop other project ideas related to species interactions and invasion ecology. The student will initially be supported by a teaching assistantship (tuition waived) through the Department or Biological Sciences at Binghamton University (SUNY) and be a part of the EEB (Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior) group. BU is located in the beautiful Southern Tier and is one of the four University Centers in the SUNY system. BU is a nationally ranked, premier public university with approximately 13,500 undergraduates and 3,500 graduate students. The department has an active group of EEB faculty and graduate students (https://www.binghamton.edu/biology/). Please send a cover letter stating why you would like the position and that highlights your qualifications and relevant skills. Also send a CV, GPA, GRE scores, and PDF reprints (if any) to Dr. Kirsten Prior (kpr...@binghamton.edu). Please put Graduate Assistantship in the subject line of the email. Please contact me by November 30th. Qualified applicants will be invited to send in a formal application by January 15th to the Graduate School (https://www.binghamton.edu/grad-school/).
[ECOLOG-L] SEASONAL FIELD ASSISTANT POSITION - INVASIVE SPECIES AND MYRMECOCHORY
We seek a field assistant from early May to late August (dates negotiable) to work on a project studying the consequences of invasions on seed dispersal by ants (i.e., myrmecochory). The assistant will be part of a research team that is investigating the effects of an invasive seed-dispersing ant, the European fire ant, Myrmica rubra, on native ant and plant communities, and the potential for co-introduced mutualists to facilitate species invasions. This position is affiliated with Dr. Megan Fredericksons lab at the University of Toronto (http://mutualism.ca), and the assistant will be working closely with Dr. Kirsten Prior, a postdoctoral associate in the lab (https://sites.google.com/site/kirstenmprior). Major responsibilities include: locating and collecting ant colonies, maintaining ant colonies, conducting surveys of myrmecochorous (ant-dispersed) plants and ants in the field, collecting seeds, conducting seed preference and dispersal trials in the field, setting up and monitoring a mesocosm experiment, and data input and management. The assistant may also assist with other related projects. The majority of time will be spent in the field. Desired qualifications include: 1) completion of or working towards a degree in ecology and evolution, biology, entomology or a related field, 2) strong interest in ecology, entomology, ant ecology, and/or field ecology, 3) hard-working, highly motivated, with attention to detail, 4) ability to work independently and as a part of a research team, 5) willingness to work outside for long periods sometimes in uncomfortable conditions (hot and buggy), 6) ability to deal with a flexible work schedule (i.e., work around weather conditions). 7) Previous experience working in the field or with plants and insects is preferred, but not required. Location/housing: work will largely be conducted at University of Torontos research station, the Koffler Scientific Reserve (http://ksr.utoronto.ca/) (~20 km from Newmarket and 60 km from Toronto, Ontario), but will also include some trips to sites in and around the greater Toronto area. Shared accommodations at KSR will be provided along with a modest stipend (~$1400/month) depending on qualifications and experience. Application requirements: please submit a cover letter briefly detailing relevant interest and experience, a CV, and a list of three references. Review of applications will begin on March 19th. Applications and inquires should be sent to Kirsten Prior at k.pr...@utoronto.ca.
