Project description: I am a graduate student working on the community ecology of mutualistic ant-plant interactions. I am currently looking for a field assistant to help in determining the structure of species interactions between ants and extrafloral nectar (nectar secreted outside of flowers, generally not associated with pollination) bearing plants. There is a long history of food web studies examining the structure of predator-prey interactions, with only very recent interest in mutualistic species interactions.
Location: Southwestern United States (AZ and/or TX) Position description: The majority of work will be in the field, during the day and night (but mostly at night when ants are most active). Lab work will include a small amount of sample processing, and data entry. Field work will include quantifying interactions among ants and extrafloral nectar bearing plants at the community level, and measuring variables that may relate to species interaction structure. Field assistant tasks may include, but are not limited to: recording abundance of ants on plants, measuring plant and ant traits, conducting pitfall trapping of ants, and data entry. A field assistant side project is possible, but I would stress side projects related to ant-plant interactions at the population or community scale, especially related to the main project, but other ideas can be discussed. Applicants should be in good physical condition as field work often occurs under the hot desert sun, with moderate amounts of hiking around while collecting data. Applicants should be willing to work long hours each day, but there will be scheduled time off. Work weeks will vary, and will range from ~30-70 hrs/week, depending on research needs. The field season will run from approximately late April to late July. Housing and food will be provided at no cost. In addition, I hope to provide a small stipend, depending on funding availability. To apply: Email a one page letter of interest to the email address below, and contact information for two references, and a CV or resume. Indicate in the letter of interest what dates you can work. Application deadline: review of applications begins immediately, and will continue until position is filled. Contact: Scott Chamberlain Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Rice University, MS-170 6100 Main Street Houston, TX 77005 707.889.3263 email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
