[ECOLOG-L] M.S. Assistantship - Wild turkey survival in the Ozark and Ouachita Mountains
The School of Forest Resources at the University of Arkansas at Monticello is seeking applicants for a M.S. Assistantship available beginning January 5, 2015 (Position #: 2014-010). The assistantship is half time and carries an annual stipend of $15,000 plus tuition. Project: During 2011 Arkansas implemented a state‐wide no‐jake harvest policy to increase recruitment of jakes into the 2‐year old age class. The purpose of this project is to compare survival rates of juvenile and adult male wild turkeys in the Ozark and Ouachita Mountains in Arkansas using GPS satellite telemetry. The applicant will be involved in capturing, marking, and attaching GPS satellite transmitters on turkeys during winter. The successful applicant will be expected to master a variety of analytical tools used to model survival and recruitment including but not limited to Program MARK, R, and SAS. The GA will be expected to collect field data in rugged terrain during winter and/or summer months. Remote housing for winter and summer field work will be provided. The project has up to 3 years of support. Requirements: Applicants must have a B.S. in wildlife management, natural resources, or a related field. Applicants must have a 2.7 overall undergraduate GPA or 3.0 GPA in the last 60 semester hours of undergraduate coursework and satisfactory GRE scores. A GPA above 3.2 and GRE scores above 60th percentile in quantitative and verbal are preferred. Competitive candidates will be expected to have previous field work experience related to the project, or another area of wildlife studies. Applicants must be able to endure strenuous field work and all weather conditions. Applicants must have a valid U.S. driver’s license and a driving record with no major violations. Overnight travel and extended periods of fieldwork will be required. Location and Facilities: The School of Forest Resources is located in Monticello, Arkansas in the southeastern portion of the state. The Arkansas Forest Resources Center is also headquartered here, and is administered by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. The Arkansas Forest Resources Center is the research and extension arm for forest‐based programs within the State. Additionally, the USFS Arkansas Forestry Sciences Lab is located at the School. The School and Center maintain several state‐of‐the‐art laboratories (hydrology, soil, quantitative analysis, silviculture, wildlife ecology management) available for graduate research and education. Application Additional Information: Graduate program and application information can be found at http://www.afrc.uamont.edu/sfr/. Applicants must be admitted to the University of Arkansas at Monticello and apply to the School of Forest Resources before they can be considered for an assistantship. Applicants must submit all GRE scores, official transcripts, a statement of interests, and three letters of recommendation. Please indicate the position number above on all application materials and inquires. For additional information, please contact: Dr. Douglas C. Osborne, Assistant Professor UAM School of Forest Resources, P.O. Box 3468, Monticello, AR 71656‐3468 Email: osbo...@uamont.edumailto:osbo...@uamont.edu The position is available until a qualified applicant is selected.
[ECOLOG-L] Crowdfunding - Women in Science
I am writing to share a new funding resource for women in science. Instrumentl is a San Francisco Bay Area startup that specializes in crowdfunding - think Kickstarter for women scientistss. However, unlike Kickstarter, which is totally independent, the Instrumentl team helps you craft language and build your page. They also make social media announcements on the your behalf. But the very best part is - you get to keep all your funds even if you don't reach your goal. This is very different from Kickstarter's all or nothing approach. To see an example of the layout and language, my campaign is live right now at: www.instrumentl.com/denaemmerson If you have any questions about the process please feel free to email me at dcem...@sfsu.edu Dena Emmerson Lab of Avian Parasitology Department of Biology San Francisco State University
[ECOLOG-L] PhD Ad- University of Tasmania
Potential PhD project at the University of Tasmania, Australia Applications are currently being received for a 2015 commencement For more information please contact Prof Elissa Cameron (elissa.came...@utas.edu.au) /or Assoc Prof Erik Wapstra (erik.waps...@utas.edu.au) at the School of Biological Sciences, University of Tasmania. The study of parental effects is a fundamental area in evolutionary ecology, but is characterised by poor integration of proximate causation and ultimate explanation. Parents influence the development of their young through both genetic and non-genetic effects, with sex allocation one maternal effect that can have profound implications for fitness. In mammals, the glucose hypothesis has been postulated to link the adaptive hypotheses of sex ratio adjustment and unify other proposed mechanisms. This PhD project will investigate the role of glucose as a unifying mechanism in sex allocation theory and the practical applications of skewing sex ratios for conservation purposes in mammals.
[ECOLOG-L] postdoc position in mathematical/statistical biology education
Postdoctoral Position in Mathematical Biology Education A postdoctoral position is available in partnership with the Quantitative Undergraduate Biology Education and Synthesis (QUBES) project (www.qubeshub.org ), with investigators at the University of Pittsburgh, North Carolina State University, Radford University, the College of William and Mary, Roanoke College, Unity College, and the BioQUEST Curriculum Consortium (http://bioquest.org ). Project: In brief, the project aims to facilitate greater penetration of quantitatively rigorous curriculum and experiences in undergraduate biology programs across the country. As part of the larger project, QUBES will develop and support Faculty Mentoring Networks that partner small groups of faculty who wish to incorporate more quantitative approaches in their teaching with a mentor who has expertise and experience doing just that. The focal idea is to provide support, guidance, and faculty development during the implementation and assessment of curricular change rather than just before. Read more about the Faculty Mentoring Networks and the larger project here: www.qubeshub.org . Position: The new postdoctoral research position, funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation, will be involved in curriculum development, faculty development, web communications, and assessment as part of the QUBES Faculty Mentoring Networks. The position will include teaching responsibilities in the Department of Biology at Radford University, providing opportunities for implementing and assessing innovative curriculum first-hand. The work will be supervised most directly by Dr. Jeremy M. Wojdak at Radford University, but will include close interactions with the Project Director, Dr. Sam Donovan at the University of Pittsburgh, and Dr. Kristin Jenkins, the Executive Director of BioQUEST. Qualifications/ Requirements: Applicants must have a Ph.D. in the biological sciences or a related field, preferably including experience/expertise in biological mathematics or statistics. Preference will be given to applicants that have demonstrated a strong interest in undergraduate STEM education. Indications of interest in STEM education include participation in professional development programs (e.g., FIRST IV, HHMI Teaching Fellows program, or participation in CIRTL, or coursework in education/pedagogy), experience with outreach (e.g., GK12 project, directing REU program or summer program for high school students), or publications on undergraduate education projects. We desire applications with strong verbal and written communication skills, good social and organizational skills, and a robust work ethic. Familiarity with statistics (R or equivalent) and the analysis of educational or program assessment data is desirable, as is experience working with diverse faculty and student populations. Benefits and Opportunities: This is an excellent opportunity for a recent Ph.D. with career interests in science education by the nature of the mentoring network project, the postdoctoral researcher will have frequent opportunities to connect and interact with a wide swath of faculty interested in quantitative biology education across the country. This position will allow the postdoctoral researcher to gain meaningful teaching experience and robust professional development as an instructor. The project team has a wealth of experience in STEM education pedagogy, scientific publishing, and grant writing, and training in these areas will be available. Salary will be $42,000 per year, and includes Radford Universitys competitive benefit package. Funding for this position is available for four years. The candidate will initially be hired for one year, with annual extensions possible, contingent on performance. Grant funding will provide support for travel to conferences and project team meetings. Radford University is a comprehensive, midsize public university nestled in the New River Valley along the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Radford provides a diversity of outstanding undergraduate and graduate academic programs for approximately 10,000 students. Renowned for teaching excellence and a focus on strong faculty/student bonds, the innovative use of technology in the learning environment and a vibrant student life on a beautiful campus, Radford University offers many opportunities to engage both faculty and students in teaching, research, and public service as scholars and citizens. Our faculty is proud of our students and their accomplishments. We seek new colleagues who will work to promote their development and help them pursue their aspirations as well as contribute to our versatile and collegial intellectual community. Additional information about the university can be found at http://www.radford.edu. The surrounding region affords a diversity of cultural and
[ECOLOG-L] PhD Assistantship in Applied Forest Ecology at the University of Vermont
PhD Assistantship in Applied Forest Ecology at the University of Vermont Project: The University of Vermont, Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources is seeking a PhD-level graduate student to participate in a research project examining the long-term dynamics of montane spruce-fir forest ecosystems in the northeastern United States. The student will join a team of collaborators from the University of Vermont, University of Maine, and U.S. Forest Service to describe the developmental and growth dynamics and structural conditions of old-growth spruce-fir forests across northern New England and New York using dendrochronological and long-term plot records. The position is available for Summer 2015 and includes three guaranteed years of funding (stipend, tuition waiver, and health insurance). Qualifications: M.S. in forest ecology, forestry, silviculture, biology or a closely related field. Applicants should be able to work independently, but also cooperatively with other researchers in the lab and on the larger project. Applicants should also have a strong work ethic, demonstrated writing and quantitative capabilities, and a record of leadership. Application: Interested applicants should submit the following: letter of interest (including relevant research interests), names and contact information of three references, and CV to Dr. Anthony D’Amato (dam...@umn.edu). For more information on the graduate program and links to apply, please visit: http://www.uvm.edu/rsenr/?Page=graduate-application-process.html Contact: Dr. Anthony D’Amato (dam...@umn.edu, 978-756-6199) -- ** Anthony D'Amato Associate Professor Department of Forest Resources University of Minnesota 1530 Cleveland Ave. North St. Paul, MN 55108 Phone: (612) 625-3733 FAX:(612) 625-5212 E-mail: dam...@umn.edu Website: http://silviculture.forestry.umn.edu/
[ECOLOG-L] Caught with 55 turtles in pants? Just tip of turtle smuggling iceberg
Feds lift veil on international turtle smuggling ring Detroit — A Windsor man busted at the Detroit-Windsor tunnel with 51 live turtles in his pants is a serial smuggler who shipped thousands of reptiles to far-flung locales hidden in snow boots and cereal boxes, a federal prosecutor said Friday. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sara Woodward gave rare insight into a lucrative, international smuggling ring headed by Kai Xu that operated in at least three countries. She described an operation that peddled thousands of turtles, some endangered and worth $1,800 each, and relied on aliases and reptile couriers that Xu — aka Turtle Man — recruited through online forums and classified ads. Woodward lifted the veil Friday on an unusual criminal case that drew headlines a day earlier as far away as the United Kingdom while successfully arguing that Xu should be denied bond while awaiting trial on charges that could send him to prison for 10 years. Xu, 26, is a liar who kept smuggling after being arrested in early August after crossing into Canada with 51 turtles taped to his legs and hidden in his crotch, Woodward said. The scope of his smuggling ring, black market riches and his Canadian residency demands that he be held in the U.S. until trial, she argued. He is a full-time reptile smuggler, Woodward told U.S. Magistrate Judge Donald Scheer during a detention hearing in federal court. All of the evidence points to Mr. Xu directing others and doing it for a very considerable time and for an extreme amount of profit. The boyish-looking Xu, whose black bangs dangled over the tips of his glasses, sat quietly wearing an orange jailhouse jumper while Woodward spoke to the judge but started crying after his fiancee entered the courtroom. His leg chains and handcuffs made a tinkling sound as he tried to stifle tears. Late Friday afternoon, Scheer ordered the alleged turtle smuggler held without bond. He was poised to go home Friday until the prosecutor accused him of lying about enrolling as an engineering student at the University of Waterloo and continuing to smuggle turtles and tortoises despite an August arrest in Canada. There is no guarantee Xu would return to the U.S. to stand trial, Woodward argued. Not true, defense lawyer Timothy Debolski responded. The case relies on liars caught up in the investigation who are seeking leniency, he said. My client wants to put this behind him and have his day in court, Debolski told the judge. The prosecutor and a federal agent chronicled Xu's years-long involvement in the turtle smuggling trade that operated online. They also described the riches involved in mailing live turtles and tortoises to Asia, where certain species are facing extinction and coveted as pets or food. Inside the black market, Xu was known as Turtle Man, according to testimony. An online reptile seller known as Turtle Man used several aliases but one poster in 2012 said the seller's real name was Xu Kai and operated in the Waterloo area. Turtle Man received mixed reviews from buyers on the Canadian classified website Kijiji, according to posts on a second website, faunaclassifieds.com. Federal agents started investigating Xu in March after a confidential informant said the Windsor man was smuggling turtles. Agents soon learned that Xu had entered the U.S. about 30 times since January to retrieve shipments of turtles from growers and mail reptiles from Metro Detroit and Buffalo, New York, to Hong Kong, Alaska and beyond. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Special Agent Mona Iannelli detailed Xu's arrest earlier this week. It was the man's second arrest in as many months. On Wednesday Xu and a Canadian man, alleged reptile courier Lihua Lin, 30, were arrested after Lin tried to fly to Shanghai, China, with 970 turtles hidden in his luggage. While Chinese names generally are last name first, first name last, the two were referred to as Xu and Lin, repeatedly, in court Friday. Xu hired Lin after posting a help wanted ad seeking someone to sell cosmetics for $4,000 a month. The real job involved smuggling turtles, Iannelli testified. On Wednesday, Xu drove his alleged courier to Detroit Metropolitan Airport with two pieces of luggage. Agents inspected the bags and found almost 1,000 turtles — including 700 diamondback Terrapins and 16 kwangtung river turtles. The dark brown kwangtung turtles with stripes on its neck are worth up to $1,800 each in the U.S. — and are three times as valuable in China, Iannelli said. Are they on the verge of extinction in Asia? Woodward asked the agent. Yes, Iannelli said. The reptile shipment, packed in rubber snow boots and boxes of Kellogg's Corn Flakes, included wood turtles ($500 each), Blanding's turtles ($300), and albino red-eared sliders ($650), the agent said. In all, the turtle shipment was worth more than $30,000 on the black market, the agent agreed. Agents arrested Lin at the airport before he could board a plane to Shanghai. The Toronto-area man told
[ECOLOG-L] Earth Institute Postdoctoral Fellowship Program in Sustainable Development
Earth Institute Postdoctoral Fellowship Program in Sustainable Development The Earth Institute at Columbia University in New York, NY, seeks applications from innovative, doctoral candidates or recent Ph.D., M.D., J.D., or Sc.D. recipients interested in a broad range of issues in sustainable development. The Earth Institute Postdoctoral Fellowship program provides scholars with the opportunity to acquire and apply the cross-disciplinary expertise needed to address critical issues of sustainable development such as food security, energy systems, climate change impacts, poverty reduction, disease, and environmental degradation. Candidates who have developed cross-disciplinary approaches during their graduate studies will find numerous, unique opportunities to engage in programs at the leading edge of sustainable development research. Candidates must complete the online application and submit a proposal for research that would contribute to global, sustainable development. Candidates may suggest contributing to or expanding on existing Earth Institute programs or developing new projects that integrate the breadth of expertise of the Earth Institute. The deadline to submit an application is October 31, 2014 for fellowships starting in the fall of 2015. Fellowships are a 24-month appointment. For more information about the program or to apply for a fellowship, please visit www.earth.columbia.edu/fellowshttp://www.earth.columbia.edu/fellows or email fell...@ei.columbia.edumailto:fell...@ei.columbia.edu. The program is open to U.S. and non-U.S. citizens. All doctoral requirements must be fulfilled and the degree awarded within 5 years before the start of the fellowship. Stop-the-clock exceptions will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Columbia University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer. Minorities and women are encouraged to apply.
[ECOLOG-L] PhD position, Community Ecology, Ernest Lab, U. FLorida
PH.D STUDENT OPENING IN COMMUNITY ECOLOGY The Ernest Lab at the University of Florida has an opening for a Ph.D student in the area of Community Ecology to start fall 2015. The student will be supported as a graduate research assistant as part of an NSF-funded project at a long-term research site (portalproject.weecology.org) in southeastern Arizona to study regime shifts (rapid shifts in ecosystem structure and function). This position will participate in data collection efforts in Arizona on rodents and plants. The Ernest lab is interested in general questions about the processes that structure communities, with a particular focus on understanding how ecological communities change through time. Students are free to develop their own research projects depending on their interests. The Ernest Lab is currently at Utah State University, but is moving to the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation at the University of Florida starting summer 2015. More information about the lab is available at: http://ernestlab.weecology.org and http://jabberwocky.weecology.org/2014/09/29/ernest-lab-ph-d-opening-at-university-of-florida/ Interested students should contact Dr. Morgan Ernest (morgan.ern...@usu.edu) by Nov 15th, 2014 with their CV, GRE scores, and a brief statement of research interests.
[ECOLOG-L] Postdoctoral Position: Ecosystem Services of Restoration
Postdoctoral Position in Ecosystem Services of Restoration to work on project entitled “Liko Na Pilina: Developing Novel Ecosystems that Enhance Carbon Storage, Native Biodiversity, and Human Mobility in Lowland Hawaiian Forests” A postdoctoral research position is available for an individual interested in melding plant functional trait theory, restoration planning, ecosystem services, and computer modeling. The experimental study already underway tests four different treatment combinations (species mixtures) for tropical lowland wet forest restoration based on species’ functional traits. Management efforts to return to pre-historic states have not been effective and the current experiment involves a mix of native and non-native species. The goal of the postdoctoral position is to apply functional ecology and ecosystem service concepts, including modeling, to determine the efficacy of the treatments in providing ecosystem services, especially carbon storage and invasion resistance. Strong computer skills a must as the position involves developing and programming two computer models: 1) a model to help managers determine appropriate species for restoration using information about species’ functional traits, and 2) applying biodiversity and ecosystem-level data being collected on tree growth, litterfall, soils, and regeneration into quantitative ecosystem service assessments. The position will be based at the USDA Forest Service, Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry office in Hilo Hawaii. The successful candidate will work closely with project investigators Dr. Rebecca Ostertag, University of Hawaii at Hilo, Dr. Susan Cordell, USDAFS, PSW-Institute of Pacific Islands, Forestry, and Dr. Peter Vitousek, Stanford University. In addition the candidate will supervise and/or mentor field technicians, graduate and undergraduate research assistants, as needed. Responsibilities will include conceiving and implementing the ecosystem services assessment, which will yield publications, databases, and models; and organizing a workshop for model end-users. Development of additional areas of interest that conform with the scope of the research project will be encouraged. Funding is available for approximately 2 years, depending on start date. A Ph.D. in Ecology, Forestry, Ecological Economics, or equivalent is required. Technical skills desired include: Strong quantitative skills in multivariate statistics, computing, and GIS, expertise in data management and databases; and an intimate understanding of ecosystem services theory and practice, and an ability to apply information towards plant functional trait theory and restoration. Postdoc will assist with field work when needed so good physical stamina for extended hours of field work under hot and sunny (or cool and rainy) conditions is a must. This postdoc position is part of a multi-year Department of Defense, Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program-funded research grant. A lay-person summary of the project can be found at https://sites.google.com/site/laurawarmanecology/likonapilina. Additional information and application materials will be forwarded upon request. Review of applications has began and is ongoing (Start date can be as early as mid-Nov 2014). Interested candidates should contact Dr. Susan Cordell, (808-854-2628), scordel...@fs.fed.us or Dr. Rebecca Ostertag, (808-932-7573), oster...@hawaii.edu
[ECOLOG-L] 2015 ESA Annual Meeting: Proposals for Ignite, Workshops, Special Sessions, Field Trips Due Nov. 20
Call for Proposals: Ignite ESA, Workshops, Special Sessions, Field Trips 100th Annual Meeting of the Ecological Society of America Baltimore, Maryland August 9-14, 2015 http://esa.org/baltimore/ Deadline for Submission: November 20, 2014. Only complete proposals submitted by 5:00 PM Eastern Time (2:00 PM Pacific) will be considered. Ecological Science at the Frontier: Celebrating ESA's Centennial We invite proposals for Ignite ESA Sessions, Workshops, Special Sessions, and Field Trips for ESA's 100th Annual Meeting. Join us in beautiful historic Baltimore next summer to celebrate ESA's first century and usher in the next. ESA currently stands at a boundary between 100 successful years for the Society and an uncharted future for the planet. Appropriately, the Centennial meeting will support both retrospective and prospective sessions. Proposals examining historical topics and the history of ecology are encouraged, as well as proposals from early career ecologists and students that shine a light on the future of ecological science. Although session proposals related to the meeting's theme are encouraged, any timely and coherent subject of broad interest to ecologists will be considered. We also welcome proposals that explore interdisciplinary connections with areas of social and natural science outside of ecology or that relate to ecological education at any level. All proposals will be peer reviewed using criteria described in the proposal calls. Ignite ESA Sessions (http://esa.org/baltimore/sessions/ignite/) Ignite ESA is intended to stimulate the exchange of new and exciting ideas in a short time period. Sessions consist of 6-10 5-minute talks which address a common theme and are presented in the Ignite style: 20 slides that advance automatically every 15 seconds. Workshops (http://esa.org/baltimore/sessions/workshops/) Workshops are sessions intended to convey specific knowledge or skills. Workshops are frequently more interactive and informal than sessions within the formal scientific program, and often involve hands-on training. They are not intended for the presentation of research papers. Special Sessions (http://esa.org/baltimore/sessions/special-sessions/) Special sessions complement the formal scientific program, providing an opportunity for presentations or extended dialogue beyond what is usually possible in the regular scientific sessions. These sessions do not conform to any single structure. They are not intended for the presentation of formal research papers. Field Trips (http://esa.org/baltimore/sessions/field-trips/) Field trips offer attendees an opportunity to visit ecologically significant locations such as conservation areas, restoration projects, research sites, local communities, and cultural landmarks. Full day and overnight trips are held over the preceding weekend. Shorter trips can be held during the week. If you have any questions, please contact the Program Chair, Carol Brewer, at brewer.ca...@gmail.com or the Program Coordinator, Jennifer Riem, at jenni...@esa.org.
[ECOLOG-L] CALL FOR APPLICATIONS – James Duke Ethnobotan ical Fellowship
The James Duke Ethonobotanical Fellowship aims to increase opportunities for research in the Andean and Amazonian regions of Peru. This research fellowship opportunity is open to graduate students (masters and doctoral level) from any institution with a demonstrated interest in undertaking ethnobotanical research in the Peruvian Andes/Amazon. Proposed research projects must have a strong link to ethnobotany and biodiversity conservation. Participation from collaborators in Peru in proposed research is encouraged. Research fellowship grantees will be selected on a competitive basis and notifications will be made to successful applicants by December 1, 2014. All research activity and related fellowship funds must be spent by December 31, 2015. Funds may not be used for lobbying, salary, overhead or administrative costs. Recipients of the fellowship will be eligible to apply for future funds to help support the costs of presenting results at meetings/conferences. All application materials must be submitted in a single PDF file by November 1, 2014 to: Dr. Roger W. Mustalish, President ACEER Foundation rmustal...@aceerfoundation.org Please direct any questions to Dr. Mustalish. Your application materials must include: • Brief letter of Intent, explaining your interest and links to the Peruvian Andes and Amazon regions • CV (4 page maximum) • Research proposal (see below for guidelines) • Budget (maximum $1000) • Two recommendation letters (one from your major adviser and one from another professional familiar with your research). Research Proposal Guidelines: Please include all of the following information in your proposal. Cover Sheet 1. Contact Information • Name • Address • Phone • Email • University • School / Department / Academic Program 2. Proposal information • Title of research proposal • Location(s) where research is to be conducted • Name and contact information of major professor • Names and information for any co-investigators • Names and institutional contacts of any other collaborators in Peru • Dates of research Research Project Description 1. Summary (maximum 100 words) 2. Background (maximum 350 words) 3. Objectives (maximum 200 words) 4. Description of Study area(s) (maximum 200 words; may also include a separate map if needed) 5. Methods (maximum 300 words) 6. Expected results and outcomes (maximum 200 words) 7. Literature Cited Budget Please provide a budget breakdown indicating items to be supported by funds from this fellowship vs. by other funding sources (please indicate the source of other funds). The maximum amount of this research fellowship is $1000 US Dollars. For more information, please visit: http://www.aceer.org/?p=727
