[ECOLOG-L] Course on Agent-Based Models, Barcelona, October 3-7

[Soledad De Esteban Trivigno]

Dear colleagues,

Registration is open for the course "INTRODUCTION TO AGENT BASED MODELS IN
ECOLOGY USING NETLOGO", October 3rd-7th, 2016.

GRANTS: Thanks to the donations of former participants, this year there is a
place for free at the course for PhD students. If you want to apply please send
an e-mail to gra...@transmittingscience.org including: 1- Full name and country,
2- Short project (maximum 300 words), 3- Letter of your advisor stating if you
have any grant to develop your PhD. Deadline: March 31st. Please include the
name of the course in the subject line.

Instructors: Dr. Jürgen Groeneveld (Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research
– UFZ, Germany), Dr. Alexander Singer (Helmholtz Centre for Environmental
Research – UFZ, Germany) and Dr. Nina Schwarz (Helmholtz Centre for
Environmental Research – UFZ, Germany).

Site: Els Hostalets de Pierola, Barcelona, Spain.

Agent-Based Models (ABM), or Individual Based Models, are one of a class of
computational models for simulating the actions and interactions of autonomous
agents (both individual or collective entities such as organizations or groups)
with a view to assessing their effects on the system as a whole.

In this course, the principles of individual based modelling will be presented.
Instructors will introduce participants to NetLogo, a development environment
and a domain specific computer language for individual based modelling.

In lectures, instructors will explain techniques to develop, analyse, test and
document individual based simulation models. Hands on session will familiarise
participants with the concepts: In small groups they will develop, implement and
analyse an individual based model to answer an ecological question.

Questions will be suggested by the instructors and will comprise applied (e.g.
sustainable forestry) and theoretical topics. Every group will present their
project and their experiences at the end of the course in a short presentation.
After the course the participants will be able to implement and analyse simple
models in NetLogo.

More info: http://www.transmittingscience.org/courses/eco/system-bio-ecology/

Organized by: Transmitting Science, the Institut Català de Paleontologia M.C.
and the Centre de Restauració i Interpretació Paleontologic.

With best regards

Soledad De Esteban-Trivigno, PhD.
Scientific Director
Transmitting Science
www.transmittingscience.org

[ECOLOG-L] Wildlife Handling Program - Peru

[Ben Lybarger]

Field Projects International is offering a training program targeting
students with an interest in wildlife handling or veterinary science. This
program will train students to participate in an annual capture and release
program on tamarins (small Neotropical primates) in southeastern Peru, and
is part of an ongoing long-term tamarin monitoring project begun in 2009.

At the end of this program, students will be able to:

- Identify all materials used in an animal field processing kit
- Collect swabs of secretions and genetic materials from the primates
- Determine sex and appropriate age of individuals by morphological
characters for two primate species
- Appropriately handle wild primates under time constraints
- Record TPRs at regular intervals (temperature, pulse and respiration)
- Manipulate a weighing scale to accurately record the body mass of subjects
- Collect biological samples
- Store and process biological samples analyses of endocrinology,
parasitology and reproductive physiology

START DATE: June 7, 2016 (Minimum commitment 5 weeks)

WHERE: The Los Amigos Biological Field Station in Southeastern Peru

APPLICATION DEADLINE: April 17, 2016

LEARN MORE: https://fieldprojects.org/research/wildlife-handling/

[ECOLOG-L] Summer 2016 Marine Mammal Research Internship

[Victoria Howard]

*Summer 2016 Marine Mammal Research Internship*

The IMMS Research Internship Program is designed as a way for students
interested in a career in marine science to gain valuable research
experience in a real-world setting. Interns will participate with multiple
projects involving bottlenose dolphins, sea turtles and diamondback
terrapins. As an intern, you will be trained in all aspects of dolphin
photo-id research, sea turtle satellite tracking, and other current
research projects at IMMS. Interns will also participate in other
operations at IMMS including stranding response, education, and animal
care. Our goal is to give Interns a well-rounded experience in a variety of
areas while providing expert training and experience in marine science
research.

Interns must:

   - Commit to a minimum of at least 12 weeks. The internship can be
   extended depending on work performance.
   - Be available to work Mon-Fri and must be available for all boat trips.
   Some field days may fall on the weekends.
   - Have strong sense of responsibility, work ethic, attention to detail,
   and ability to admit mistakes.
   - Produce high quality research efforts and exhibit strong interpersonal
   skills.
   - *Principle Duties include*: data entry, searching and cataloging
   journal articles, learning all research protocols, cropping and sorting
   photo-id fin images, learning to use photo-id programs such as Darwin (fin
   matching software), and FinBase (Microsoft Access), boat based field
   research (21’ and 31’ boats), and learn how to use ArcGIS
   - *Secondary Duties involve*: Assisting with animal care staff,
   attending marine mammal necropsies, responding to marine mammal and sea
   turtle strandings, and assisting with educational tours.
   - *Field days: *Interns must be able to spend many hours on the water
   and on shore in sometimes extreme seasonal conditions. Seasonal
   temperatures range from over 100 °F in summer to 30 °F in winter. Field
   days typically exceed eight hours and occur at least two or three times a
   week.

Applicants must be 18 or older and must have a genuine interest in marine
research. Applicants should be actively pursuing a college degree or be a
recent graduate in oceanography, marine science/biology, biology, or a
related field. Previous research experience in any capacity is a plus.
Applicants must be able and willing to fulfill all duties outlined for this
Internship Program. This is an unpaid position and Interns are responsible
for their own housing and transportation. Once accepted, IMMS staff will be
able to assist Interns in suggesting suitable housing options and locations.

*Deadline to Apply for the Summer Session (5/2/16 - 7/22/16 and 6/6/16 -
8/26/16) is March 1, 2016*

*Please visit **http://imms.org/internship.php*
* for application and full details*

[ECOLOG-L] 5 Days Until Feb 15 Application Deadline for Grad Student and Post-doc Summer Course: Assimilating Long-term Data into Ecosystem Models

[Jody Peters]

Course offered by the PaleoEcological Observatory Network (PaLEON)

Course Dates: August 13-20, 2016

Application Deadline: February 15, 2016. Selected candidates will be 
announced by March 15, 2016.

Course Description: Estimating the impact of global change processes 
like land-use and climate on terrestrial ecosystems requires an 
integration of long-term data and ecosystem models. This course will 
provide 20 graduate students and postdocs with intensive training in the 
emerging tools that allow us to:
1.Estimate the signal and uncertainty in historical and paleoecological 
data
2.Assimilate both signal and uncertainty into the current suite of 
terrestrial ecosystem models

The course has a hands-on, integrated curriculum emphasizing the 
data/model process from design through data collection, analysis and 
back to design. We will collect tree-rings and sedimentary data (e.g., 
pollen, charcoal, and macrofossils). Analysis of these data will take 
place in a Bayesian mode of inference addressing uncertainty in age-
models, calibration of proxy data, and integration of diverse historical 
data. After an introduction to inference from ecosystem models in 
traditional "forward" mode, participants will integrate ecological 
parameters estimated from their data sets into these ecosystem models 
using formal Bayesian data assimilation.

Participating Faculty: Mike Dietze (Boston University); Steve Jackson 
(U.S. Geological Survey and University of Arizona); Jason McLachlan 
(University of Notre Dame); Chris Paciorek (University of California 
Berkeley); Jack Williams (University of Wisconsin)

Location: University of Notre Dame Environmental Research Center, Land 
O'Lakes, WI, USA.

Fees: This workshop is funded by a grant from the National Science 
Foundation. Room, board and the course are free to participants. You 
must provide your own means of transportation to Chicago, Illinois or 
Madison, Wisconsin. 

Application: We are seeking students with interests and backgrounds in 
paleoecology, terrestrial ecosystem modeling, and/or statistics.  Send a 
CV, a statement detailing why you want to take the course and how you 
anticipate it helping your research, and arrange to have a letter sent 
from your major advisor supporting your application. 

Apply to: Jody Peters at peters...@nd.edu

More details about PalEON and the course can be found at 
http://www.paleonproject.org/

[ECOLOG-L] 2016 fellowship applications due next Wed., Feb. 17

[NAS Gulf Research Program]

Dear Colleagues,

Applications for the Gulf Research Program's 2016 Early-Career Research 
Fellowships and Science Policy Fellowships are due next Wednesday, February 17 
at 11:59pm ET. Visit the fellowships 
webpage to review eligibility 
requirements, watch applicant tutorials, and access the online application 
system.

To receive notifications about future Gulf Research Program funding 
opportunities, sign up for email 
updates.

Regards,
The Gulf Research Program

[ECOLOG-L] MS Student Position to study temporary Wetland Ecology/Evolution at the University of Akron

[Mitchell,Randall J]

MS STUDENT POSITION with TA support at the University of Akron for student to 
study ecology/evolution of organisms in temporary wetlands with Dr. Stephen 
Weeks and Dr. Randy Mitchell.  TA accompanied with $14,550 nine month stipend 
and full tuition remission.   Applications and further information are 
available at http://www.uakron.edu/biology/academics/ms-program/index.dot

[http://www.uakron.edu/biology/includes/images/biology_poly.png]

Master's degree in biology : The University of 
Akron
www.uakron.edu
DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGY Master's of biology. The Biology Department Program at 
the University of Akron invites applications for Master's program in Biology, 
and PhD ...


.

The University of Akron is a state university located in the heart 
of Akron, Ohio, next to the scenic Cuyahoga Valley National Park (CVNP). The 
Biology Department emphasizes collaborative and integrative research, including 
a PhD program in Integrated Bioscience. Facilities include a live animal 
research center, 400 acre field station, and greenhouse. We have excellent 
relations with the CVNP and local metroparks, which provide access to over 
40,000 acres of potential field sites within 40 miles.  Our graduate students 
have been successful in finding employment in their specialties, including work 
as professors, consultants, field technicians, government agents (e.g., EPA, 
department of natural resources), park naturalists, and many others.

The Department has a strong program in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. Areas 
of interest for graduate research include: life history evolution, mating 
systems, aquatic ecology, pollination biology, wetland ecology, conservation 
biology, physiological ecology, isotope ecology, behavioral evolution, spider 
biology, and evolutionary biomechanics.



Akron is a great place to live, with a high quality of life. There are abundant 
natural amenities, including nearby metroparks and the CVNP, and ready access 
to many diverse cultural events in Akron and nearby Cleveland, including 
sports, several symphony orchestras, excellent museums, and the Blossom outdoor 
auditorium.


For more information, contact Steve Weeks 
(s...@uakron.edu) and Randy Mitchell 
(r...@uakron.edu)

[ECOLOG-L] 2016 exploratory grants letters of intent due Wed., Feb. 17 at 5pm ET

[NAS Gulf Research Program]

Dear Colleagues,

Letters of intent for the Gulf Research Program's 2016 exploratory grants 
competition are due on Wednesday, February 17 at 5pm ET. Visit the exploratory 
grants webpage to 
review opportunity details, access the online application system, and propose 
innovative work on

*Scenario planning to advance safety culture and minimize risk in 
offshore oil and gas operations, or

*Informing coastal community planning and response to environmental 
change in regions with offshore oil and gas operations.
Applicants must submit a letter of intent to be eligible for this opportunity. 
Full proposals are due on Wednesday, April 13 at 5pm ET.

Sincerely,
The Gulf Research Program

[ECOLOG-L] Employment Opportunities: Crew Leads for Vegetation and Habitat Monitoring in various Great Basin locations

[Amy Gladding]

https://www.thegreatbasininstitute.org/jobs/


The vegetation/habitat monitoring program at GBI serves as an excellent
professional development opportunity for burgeoning natural resource
professionals. This program is a component of our well-established Research
Associate Program
,
which focuses on conservation and management of natural and cultural
resources in the Intermountain West. As an element of our
vegetation/habitat monitoring program, participants will implement the
Bureau of Land Management’s national Assessment, Inventory, and Monitoring
(AIM) strategy, which is targeted at collecting standardized inventory and
monitoring data at multiple scales across the Western BLM districts with
the purpose of informing multiple-use management. In accordance with this
strategy and through a partnership with the BLM, GBI’s vegetation
monitoring program is dedicated to providing college graduates and emerging
professionals with hands-on survey, inventory, monitoring, and reporting
experience in natural resource management.



This video  highlights the BLM’s AIM strategy
for landscape-scale data capture across the western states.



*Description:*

In cooperation with the BLM, GBI is recruiting Field Leads to work
cooperatively with BLM Resource Managers and GBI Vegetation Monitoring
Field Technicians. Each Field Lead will coordinate a field crew (one Lead
and two Technicians) to characterize vegetation using the Assessment,
Inventory and Monitoring (AIM) protocol, Describing/ Interpreting
Indicators of Rangeland Health (D/IIRH) and/or the Habitat Assessment
Framework (HAF) protocol for which training will be provided by the Jornada
Experimental Range and BLM. These protocols vary by location. Duties
include following established field protocols to conduct vegetation
sampling and field data collection on new and existing monitoring sites
throughout the West.



Field work includes maintaining safety awareness and practices, navigating
off-trail to sampling sites, establishing sampling plots and transects,
identifying and describing soil horizons, collecting vegetation data
(including species inventory, forb frequency, sagebrush shape, foliar
cover, canopy gap, and herbaceous and woody heights), making qualitative
range assessments, and taking photo-points. During these periods of field
work, camping will be required. Additional duties include coordinating
field logistics, scheduling, entering data into and managing an
Access-based database, employing extensive QA/QC data checks, and
reporting. Field data will be used by BLM Natural Resource Specialists to
inform decisions regarding range management and other land management
issues of the area.



*Locations and Tentative Timelines:*

Please refer to our website for the latest details on each position:



*Susanville, CA: *11 April - 9 Sep 2016 (22 weeks)

*Boise, ID: *4 April - 30 Sep 2016 (26 weeks)*

*Marsing, ID: *4 April - 30 Sep 2016 (26 weeks)*

*Burley, ID:  *4 April – 28 October 2016 (30 weeks)*

*Shoshone, ID:  *4 April – 28 October 2016 (30 weeks)*

*Pocatello, ID: *4 April - 30 Sep 2016 (26 weeks)*

*Salmon, ID:* 9 June – 26 July 2016 (7 weeks)

*Wenatchee, WA*: 4 April - 5 Aug 2016 (18 weeks)

*Lakeview, OR:* 4 April - 30 Sep 2016 (26 weeks)*

*Vale, OR:* 4 April - 30 Sep 2016 (26 weeks)*

*Burns, OR:* 4 April - 30 Sep 2016 (26 weeks)*

*Kanab and Escalante, UT:* TBD May-July*

*Lander, WY:* 9 May – 23 September*

*Rawlins, WY: *9 May – 23 September*



*Duration of position is contingent upon funding



*Compensation:*

   - $1,360 bi-weekly salary
   - $15.00 Camping per diem
   - $75/week housing stipend



*Qualifications:*

*Technical requirements:*

   - Leadership experience;
   - Bachelor’s Degree in Life Sciences, such as: Botany, Wildlife Biology,
   Range Ecology, Natural Resources Management, Environmental Resources or
   related subject;
   - Coursework in plant taxonomy and/or systematics (transcripts may be
   requested);
   - Experience identifying plants in the field and using a dichotomous
   key;
   - Familiarity with native and invasive plants of the sampling area and
   associated natural resource issues preferred;
   - Experience in describing and identifying soil horizons;
   - Experience conducting plant surveys using various monitoring
   protocols, including standard rangeland monitoring protocols, photo plots,
   and site observations;
   - Experience with data entry and management;
   - Experience with technical writing and/or producing written project
   summary reports;
   - Ability to read, interpret and navigate using topographic maps;
   - Experience navigating and collecting coordinates with hand-held GPS
   units;
   - Experience creating maps and performing basic functions with GIS
   software (ArcMap); and
   - Experience with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access).



*Additional requirements:*

   - Valid, 

[ECOLOG-L] Bayesian statistics for ecologists & wildlife biologists (Jun 1-3)

[Jeff Hatfield]

BAYESIAN WORKSHOP
For Ecologists and Wildlife Biologists
 
Texas State University, San Marcos, TX
JUNE 1-3, 2016
Instructors
Dr. William A. Link
USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, USA
Dr. Richard J. Barker
University of Otago, New Zealand
 
Cost: Students - $299.00, Non-students - $499.00
Dorms available: $45/night, Linen charge $70 (optional)
Registration web page and link to tentative outline of topics 
http://www.txstate.edu/continuinged/Events/Bayesian-Workshop.html
Questions: Dr. Butch Weckerly f...@txstate.edu, Dr. Jeff Hatfield 
jhatfi...@usgs.gov
 
 
William Link received his Ph.D from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst in 
1986. After a 
year on the faculty of Towson University, Link was hired as Mathematical 
Statistician at the 
Patuxent Wildlife Research Center (PWRC) in Laurel, Maryland, where he has 
collaborated on 
analyses of count surveys, demographic analyses, mark-recapture, contaminant 
studies and 
many other aspects of wildlife statistics. In the mid-1990s, he dabbled with 
Bayesian methods, 
and became hooked.
 
After early experience as a fish and game officer in New Zealand, Richard 
Barker spent a year 
at PWRC. Link and Barker’s early acquaintance led to a collaboration that is in 
its third decade, 
with important contributions as early advocates of Bayesian methods for 
wildlife statistics. Their 
recent work has focused on Bayesian multimodel inference, and lead to a book 
“Bayesian 
inference, with ecological applications” published in 2010. After Barker’s 
stint at PWRC, he 
returned to New Zealand, earning his Ph.D at Massey University. Barker is now 
Professor and 
Chair of Statistics at the University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand.
 
Workshop participants will receive a free copy of Link and Barker’s book.

[ECOLOG-L] Employment Opportunity: Land Health Assessment District Lead for BLM in Ely, NV

[Amy Gladding]

https://www.thegreatbasininstitute.org/job/land-health-assessment-district-lead-ely-nv/

The Great Basin Institute, in cooperation with the Nevada Bureau of Land
Management (BLM) is recruiting an experienced ecologist to work as a
District Lead on a three-person interdisciplinary field team. The overall
objective of each team is to perform land health assessments through the
inventory and monitoring of public range lands and riparian systems within
the Ely BLM district. Biotic, hydrologic, and soil qualitative indicators
are used in conjunction with quantitative data to inform conservation
planning and adaptive management decisions.

Duties:
General field duties include implementing standardized assessment and
monitoring protocols (Assessment, Inventory, and Monitoring [AIM] Strategy,
and Interpreting Indicators for Range Health [IIRH]), walking long
distances over uneven terrain, recording GPS points, collection of photos
at monitoring sites, backcountry navigation, and data organization. The
District Lead will also coordinate with the Land Health Assessment Program
Coordinator, the Data Specialist, and the BLM Technical Adviser for project
planning, field protocol and data QA/QC, team deployment and supervision,
equipment organization and maintenance. This is a supervisory position,
thus the successful applicant must have strong communication skills (both
verbal and written) and exhibit strong leadership and organizational
skills, and safety awareness. Office tasks include reporting on a quarterly
basis, generating sampling site locations using a randomized selection
process in ArcGIS, database management, data processing and QA/QC,
post-processing GPS points, utilizing geoprocessing tools in GIS to create
and edit polygons as well as point and line data, creating queries in an
Access database and creating reports with GIS maps, pictures, and concise
field notes. This position requires advanced GIS skills in ArcGIS 10.x and
related mapping software and will play a vital role in facilitating the
effective and efficient collection of monitoring data. This position will
require regular travel and camping during the field season in order to
ensure that all transects are successfully completed during the field
season and may require long hours including early mornings and weekends.

Location:
This position is based out of the Ely, Nevada BLM district office. Terrain
is typical of the Great Basin High Desert with wide, long valleys bordered
by mountain ranges. Field conditions include hot, arid days with high
exposure to the sun, as well as cold, damp winter weather. Resources of the
region include threatened and/or endangered species habitat, big game
habitat, Wilderness Study Areas, active grazing allotments, abandoned mine
lands, historic and prehistoric cultural sites, and wild horse management
areas.

Contract length: Upon availability until 18 November, 2016. Potential for
extension, pending positive performance review and available funding.

Rate of Pay: $1,400 biweekly salary


Benefits:
• Health insurance
• Paid personal leave
• Field per diem

Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree in one of the major natural sciences – applicants with
advanced degrees preferred;
• Applicant must be able to demonstrate strong leadership skills;
• Applicant must possess strong plant identification skills; those with
additional soil identification experience will be given preference;
• Applicants should possess relevant or related field experience –
knowledge of and/or experience in high desert and Great Basin ecology
preferred;
• Understanding of basic principles related to botany, soil science,
wildlife biology, geology, and/or hydrology;
• Ability to navigate and set a bearing using a compass and to read a
topographical map;
• Ability to collect, QA/QC, and post-process data using handheld GPS unit
and computer tablet;
• Possess a clear understanding of GIS theory and applications, including
experience with ArcGIS 10.x to create maps, manipulate and analyze data,
and generate reports;
• Ability to communicate effectively, both written and orally, with a
diverse audience;
• Physically fit to work outdoors, carry personal and field equipment, and
withstand working and camping in inclement weather during late winter,
spring, and summer in northern Nevada;
• Experience in best practices for field safety and awareness of low impact
principles for living and working in the backcountry;
• Possess a clean, valid, state-issued driver’s license and the ability to
operate a 4WD vehicle on and off paved roads; and
• Meet requirements of federal agency security background checks (i.e., FBI
criminal and National Sex Offender Public Registry, Department of Interior
Security Screening).

How to Apply:
Qualified and interested applicants should forward a cover letter, their
résumé, and a list of three professional references to RA Recruitment at
rarecruitm...@thegreatbasininstitute.org. Please write, “LHA Ely Lead” in
the email 

[ECOLOG-L] Research Assistant: Buck Island Sea Turtle Research Program

[Code, Tessa]

*Buck Island Sea Turtle Research Program Research Assistant Vacancy
Announcement 2016*


Buck Island Reef National Monument (BIRNM), located on the island of St.
Croix, US Virgin Islands, is seeking applicants for the position of Sea
Turtle Research Assistant (intern) to conduct sea turtle research and
monitoring. This will be the 29th year of the Buck Island Sea Turtle
Research Program (BISTRP), a long-term monitoring, research, and
conservation project supported by the National Park Service (NPS), Buck
Island Reef National Monument. BIRNM is a nesting beach for hawksbill
(Eretmochelys imbricata), green (Chelonia mydas), leatherback (Dermochelys
coriacea), and loggerhead (Caretta caretta) sea turtles.

This project will be up to 12 weeks in duration beginning in mid-July 2016
(applicants must state availability in their cover letter) and are expected
to stay the length of the project upon selection. This is a highly
competitive project that is physically and mentally intense, aimed at
individuals who want to make ecology/resource management their career.
Access to the island is by boat only, where there are minimal facilities.
Ability to navigate rugged terrain, work in adverse weather conditions, and
amongst biting insects and poisonous and spiny plants is essential. Shifts
last up to 12 hours and require interns to work effectively on a nocturnal
schedule. Interns must work equally effectively as a team and individually.

Interns will provide assistance to the NPS staff in the collection and
processing of field data. A mixture of methods will be used: night duty and
day patrols. Night duty focuses on working with animals during the laying
process. During this time, all nesting turtles will be encountered;
biometric data will be collected on turtles, physical data will be
collected on nest locations, and animals will be tagged (inconel and PIT).
Imperiled nests will be relocated to mitigate risk and increase hatch
success. Nests will be excavated to determine hatch success. Night work
will last in shifts up to 12 hours and will be labor intensive. Day patrols
will require accurate assessment of the previous night’s nesting activities
from tracks left in the sand alone. Nests that hatch will be excavated to
estimate hatching success and beach productivity. Throughout the project
interns will be required to perform data entry and equipment maintenance.

Interns are also responsible for weekly daytime monitoring of beaches at
The Buccaneer Hotel, their residence, recording activities using GPS.
Interns will also conduct outreach to hotel guests and will write a report
at season’s end summarizing turtle nesting activities at The Buccaneer
Hotel. In addition to BISTRP objectives, interns will provide assistance to
NPS staff and collaborators with a hawksbill hatchling genetics project and
aid in hatchling sampling and data collection. Interns may also participate
in the deployment of acoustic and satellite tags as part of directed
research to assess sea turtle movement. In addition, interns may have the
opportunity to conduct snorkel surveys for foraging sea turtles and/or
assist in sea turtle stranding response incidents.

Interns will receive two meals/day and lodging from The Buccaneer Hotel at
no cost to the interns. A small weekly stipend will be allotted to each
intern ($100), and travel costs will be covered by the NPS. Interns need to
seriously consider their finances before applying to these openings; it
will not be possible to work locally while conducting intern duties.

 Qualifications Required* - Must:*

·  Communicate effectively in English, orally and in writing

·  *Have biology training/background*

·  Collect data and maintain records precisely according to standardized
protocol

·  Enter and analyze data (written and computer database format)

·  *Be in excellent physical shape*

·  Be able to persevere under stressful conditions

·  Work outdoors, day and night in isolated conditions, and in adverse
weather.

·  Walk in the sand up to 10 kilometers/night; climb rocks; stoop, kneel
and stand on soft substrate and in cramped conditions.

·  *Have a strong work ethic*

·  Be able to work all night and on weekends

·  Be able to lift and move heavy objects

·  Operate communications equipment properly (cell phone, hand-held VHS
radio, marine radio)

·  Be able to swim; crew a boat in open water conditions

·  *Have a valid US driver’s license*


To apply, send a cover letter stating your interest in and qualifications
for the project, a resume or CV summarizing your experience, and contact
information for three references to the email address below. The
document(s) you submit should include your last name and document type in
the file name. Email is preferred, but postal mail/fax is accepted.* Deadline
for application: 1 March 2016, no applicants will be considered after this
date.*  If selected for interview you will be contacted by March 18th, *please
do not make follow up inquiries.*

[ECOLOG-L] PhD Position Available in Entomology at MSU

[Peter White]

PhD Position Available in Entomology at MSU

The White lab at Michigan State University (www.pjtwhite.org)  is seeking a 
motivated PhD student interested in investigating the impact of 
urbanization and landscape change on insect populations, primarily the 
Lepidoptera. There is considerable latitude in research focus, which may 
include aspects of (A) landscape genetics, (B) Lepidoptera phylogenetics, (C) 
citizen science initiatives, particularly in the K-14 education 
sphere, and/or (D) invasive species ecology.

This PhD position is fully funded through a graduate teaching assistantship in 
the school year, and with possible bridge-funding in the summer. 

The position starts in the Fall 2016 semester.

Qualifications:
- Applicants should have a solid background in entomology and/or ecology
- Applicants must have strong writing skills and possess proficiency in English 
(both written and spoken) and a valid driving license.
- Applicants should have a strong grasp of standard ecological statistical 
analyses.
- Experience or strong interest in teaching and science education is desirable.
- Experience working with undergraduates is desirable.


Application Process:
- Interested applicants should follow the instructions found on the MSU 
entomology website here:
http://www.ent.msu.edu/students/graduate_studies/phd
- In addition, interested applicants should send the following materials to the 
lab PI, Peter White (pwh...@msu.edu):
 (i) an updated CV, (ii) a writing sample, and (iii) a personal statement 
describing the applicant's area of research interest.

Specific questions about the position can be directed to Peter White 
(pwh...@msu.edu)

Specific questions on the graduate application process should be directed to 
Heather Lenartson-Kluge (lenar...@msu.edu)


**All application materials must be received no later than March 1, 2016**

[ECOLOG-L] Employment Opportunities: Vegetation and Habitat Monitoring Crews in various Great Basin locations

[Amy Gladding]

The vegetation/habitat monitoring program at GBI serves as an excellent
professional development opportunity for burgeoning natural resource
professionals. This program is a component of our well-established Research
Associate Program
,
which focuses on conservation and management of natural and cultural
resources in the Intermountain West. As an element of our
vegetation/habitat monitoring program, participants will implement the
Bureau of Land Management’s national Assessment, Inventory, and Monitoring
(AIM) strategy, which is targeted at collecting standardized inventory and
monitoring data at multiple scales across the Western BLM districts with
the purpose of informing multiple-use management. In accordance with this
strategy and through a partnership with the BLM, GBI’s vegetation
monitoring program is dedicated to providing college graduates and emerging
professionals with hands-on survey, inventory, monitoring, and reporting
experience in natural resource management.



This video  highlights the BLM’s AIM strategy
for landscape-scale data capture across the western states.



*Description:*

In cooperation with the BLM, GBI is recruiting Field Technicians to work
cooperatively with BLM Resource Managers and GBI Vegetation Monitoring
Field Leads. Each field crew (one Lead and two Technicians) will
characterize vegetation using the Assessment, Inventory and Monitoring
(AIM) protocol, Describing/ Interpreting Indicators of Rangeland Health
(D/IIRH) and/or the Habitat Assessment Framework (HAF) protocol for which
training will be provided by the Jornada Experimental Range and BLM. These
protocols vary by location. Duties include following established field
protocols to conduct vegetation sampling and field data collection on new
and existing monitoring sites throughout the West.



Field work includes maintaining safety awareness and practices, navigating
off-trail to sampling sites, establishing sampling plots and transects,
identifying and describing soil horizons, collecting vegetation data
(including species inventory, forb frequency, sagebrush shape, foliar
cover, canopy gap, and herbaceous and woody heights), making qualitative
range assessments, and taking photo-points. During these periods of field
work, camping will be required. Additional duties include entering data
into an Access-based database, employing QA/QC techniques, and aiding with
field logistics. Field data will be used by BLM Natural Resource
Specialists to inform decisions regarding range management and other land
management issues of the area.



*Locations and Tentative Timelines:*

Please refer to our website for the latest details on each position:



*Susanville, CA: *18 April - 26 Aug 2016 (19 weeks)

*Boise, ID: *11 April - 2 Sep 2016 (21 weeks)*

*Marsing, ID: *11 April - 2 Sep 2016 (21 weeks)*

*Burley, ID:  *11 April – 30 September 2016 (25 weeks)*

*Shoshone, ID:  *11 April – 30 September 2016 (25 weeks)*

*Pocatello, ID: *11 April - 2 Sep 2016 (21 weeks)*

*Salmon, ID:* 13 June – 22 July 2016 (6 weeks)

*Wenatchee, WA*: 11 April - 15 Jul 2016 (14 weeks)

*Lakeview, OR:* 11 April - 2 Sep 2016 (26 weeks)*

*Vale, OR:* 11 April - 2 Sep 2016 (26 weeks)*

*Burns, OR:* 11 April - 2 Sep 2016 (26 weeks)*

*Kanab and Escalante, UT:* TBD May-July*

*Lander, WY:* 16 May to 2 September (16 weeks)

*Rawlins, WY: *16 May to 2 September (16 weeks)



*Duration of position is contingent upon funding



*Compensation:*

   - $15.00/hour
   - $15.00 Camping per diem
   - $75/week housing stipend



*Qualifications:*

*Technical requirements:*

   - Bachelor’s Degree in Life Sciences, such as: Botany, Wildlife Biology,
   Range Ecology, Natural Resources Management, Environmental Resources or
   related subject;
   - Coursework in plant taxonomy and/or systematics (transcripts may be
   requested);
   - Experience identifying plants in the field and using a dichotomous
   key;
   - Familiarity with native and invasive plants of the sampling area and
   associated natural resource issues preferred;
   - Experience in describing and identifying soil horizons;
   - Experience conducting plant surveys using various monitoring
   protocols, including standard rangeland monitoring protocols, photo plots,
   and site observations;
   - Experience with data entry and management;
   - Ability to read, interpret and navigate using topographic maps;
   - Experience navigating and collecting coordinates with hand-held GPS
   units;
   - Experience creating maps and performing basic functions with GIS
   software (ArcMap); and
   - Experience with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access).



*Additional requirements:*

   - Valid, state-issued driver’s license and clean driving record;
   - Ability to complete a Department of Interior (DOI) Background
   Investigation (BI) and submit paperwork to BLM human resources prior to
   beginning position 

[ECOLOG-L] Student Conference on Conservation Science - New York 2016

[CBC-AMNH (biodivers...@amnh.org)]

Save the Date! The 2016 Student Conference on Conservation Science-New York 
will be held
at the American Museum of Natural History, October 20-22, 2016.

SCCS-NY provides opportunities for emerging scientists to present their work 
and make
contacts to help them launch their careers. We welcome perspectives on issues 
related to
conservation, from the natural or social sciences - or their intersection.

For more information and to download a flyer to post and share with your 
colleagues and
students, please visit our event website:
www.amnh.org/sccsny

[ECOLOG-L] Restoration Scientist: Merrimack River Watershed Council

[Allison H. Roy]

The Merrimack River Watershed Council in Lawrence, MA is hiring a part-
time Restoration Scientist. To apply send a resume and 3 references to
Dr. Caroly Shumway, Executive Director, at . If
you have any questions about the position, please email Dr. Shumway or
Josh Chase  or call 978.655.4742.


POSITION SUMMARY, RESTORATION SCIENTIST
The Merrimack River watershed is ranked the most threatened in the
country due to loss of private forested lands from increasing
developmental pressures, according to the US Forest Service; and as a
result, is ranked 4th in the country for impacts to water quality and
7th for impacts to species at risk. The Merrimack River Watershed
Council is working with partners to restore river buffers in NH and MA,
as part of two grants (US Forest Service and National Fish and Wildlife
Foundation); this project is designed to address the problem through
both restoration and protection of riparian lands (both private and
municipal).

The Restoration Scientist coordinates and executes field and office
activities related to riparian restoration of native riparian
trees/shrubs, and supervises small teams of student interns, and/or
volunteers. The Restoration Scientist will work with MRWC staff,
partners, and volunteers to ground-truth the best sites for riparian
restoration or protection, design the plans for planting,
purchase planting supplies and coordinate efforts at each site,
including preparing the site for installation, contacting contractors,
and arranging logistics for staff and volunteers. S/he schedules field
days, monitors a variety of physical and biological parameters on
multiple simultaneous projects, is responsible for and maintains all
equipment and supplies, and records and enters data (including GIS
data). As part of the restoration work, the Restoration Scientist
will need to assist in manual labor activities, including moving heavy
materials over uneven and muddy ground. In addition, the Restoration
Scientist will assist with outreach to communities and landowners. The
work will also include the organization and analysis of scientific data
for this and other MRWC projects, and may involve prioritization of
green infrastructure (LID) sites as well. Office work will be required
to organize and analyze data, coordinate planting and watering
activities of MRWC, partners, and volunteers, summarize scientific
literature, and arrange logistics of riparian restoration. Some weekend
and evening work may be required.

Term of position is 1 year, but may be extended, pending additional
grant funding. The position will be located in Lawrence, MA. The
position is for 20 hours of work per week at $20 per hour. Employees are
responsible for their own transportation to and from the office.


JOB DESCRIPTION: RESTORATION SCIENTIST
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
• BA/BS in a related field (botany, biology, forestry), and at least one
to two years of related
experience or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Experience working with or knowledge of riparian and forest trees and
shrubs
• Experience writing project reports for multiple audiences (scientific,
public, etc.)
• Experience planning, managing, supervising, and/or managing multiple
projects and
timeframes
• Knowledge of natural systems and environmental management techniques
• Knowledge of how to analyze, manipulate, and interpret data, including
statistics
• Database management skills including report production
• Ability to complete tasks independently with respect to timeline(s)
• Ability to manage and prioritize tasks from multiple sources
• Working knowledge of common software applications (e.g.; Word, Excel,
Web browsers,
Wordpress)
• Demonstrated ecological, organizational, and communication skills
• Ability to communicate clearly in English via written, spoken, and
graphical means
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
• Environmental fieldwork and/ or plant monitoring experience
• Riverine and landscape ecology experience
• Experience using a handheld GPS unit and ArcGIS software to collect
and manipulate spatial
data
• Knowledge of stormwater issues and solutions
• Experience planning and executing fieldwork
• Experience working with volunteers, landowners, nonprofits, and other
organizations
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
RESPONSIBILITY/OVERSIGHT
• Work affords significant opportunity to demonstrate leadership and to
exercise
judgment in coordination with the ED and/or Conservation Planner.
• Coordinate and execute field and office activities related to riparian
restoration of native
riparian trees/shrubs.
• Prepare and deliver presentations, develop informational materials,
and conduct other
targeted education and outreach to increase awareness of the status and
needs of riverine
ecosystems.
• Manage grants and contracts related to riparian restoration working
with the ED; write and
submit grant reports in close coordination with the ED.
• May supervise and train 

[ECOLOG-L] Seeking Seasonal Research Technicians: fire effects on soils, seedbanks and vegetation in the Moquah barrens area (Wisconsin)

[Jessica R. Miesel]

Seeking Seasonal Research Technicians: fire effects on soils, seedbanks and
vegetation in the Moquah barrens area (Wisconsin)

Position description: The Department of Forestry at Michigan State
University, in collaboration with the USDA Forest Service Northern Research
Station, is seeking three highly motivated seasonal research technicians
for Summer 2016 to assist with a project investigating soil heating
processes and the effects of soil heating on soil carbon, nutrients,
seedbanks and hardwood regeneration in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National
Forest. Two technicians will be key assistants in vegetation, soil and
fuels field measurements and sampling near Ashland, WI, and the third
technician will be responsible for maintaining a seed germination study
near Rhinelander, WI. However, all technicians will participate in field
and greenhouse responsibilities during periods of high activity. The
research technicians will be supervised by (and will work closely with) the
Project Manager (Dr. Paulo Pereira) and will be responsible for performing
all measurements and sampling related to the project. Opportunity will
exist for highly motivated personnel to pursue mentored independent
research related to the overall project goals. The abstract for the project
is available here:
http://www.firescience.gov/JFSP_advanced_search_results_detail.cfm?jdbid=%24%26J3%3CW%40%20%20%0A

Qualifications: The successful applicants will have the following
knowledge, skills and abilities: 1) previous field experience as a field
and/or research technician in one or more of the following areas: soil
sampling and/or analysis, ecological monitoring, vegetation identification
and measurement, fuel inventories, or similar; 2) strong organization and
communication skills; 3) demonstrated ability to work well independently
and in a team environment; 4) demonstrated commitment to completing work
with a high level of initiative, skill and professionalism; 5) a high
aptitude for outdoor physical activity; and 6) ability to operate field
vehicles and possession of a valid US driver’s license. We desire at least
one technician to have experience in plant identification in the upper Lake
States region.

Working conditions: These positions will be largely field-based or
greenhouse-based, although work in a sample processing lab will
occasionally be required. Field conditions may include exposure to
inclement weather, full sun, biting insects, and poison ivy.
Responsibilities will require walking over uneven terrain; lifting and
carrying field packs weighing up to 40 lb.; bending, squatting, kneeling,
sitting or standing for prolonged periods of time; operating measurement or
sampling equipment with a strong level of fine motor skills; and performing
repetitive tasks with a high level of precision and accuracy. A minor
component of work will include periodic assistance with brush piling and
removal for fuel manipulations (operating hand saws or brush cutters;
dragging and piling brush). Personal protective equipment necessary for
performing the position will be provided. Technicians will be responsible
for providing their own personal field gear (appropriate field clothing,
footwear, daypack, etc.).

Salary: Hourly wage commensurate with experience, for 40 hours/week between
approximately June 1, 2016 – August 29, 2016. We may be able to accommodate
earlier or later start & end dates with advance notification (please
specify any start/end date requests in your cover letter).

Location: The field positions will be based near Ashland, WI. The
greenhouse is located near Rhinelander, WI. Shared housing will be provided
during the field season. Occasional overnight travel may be required to
perform laboratory and greenhouse measurements in Grand Rapids, MN or
Rhinelander, WI.

To Apply: Applicants should email as a single PDF: 1) a letter of interest
detailing your qualifications for the position (specify field or greenhouse
preference) and the dates of your availability, 2) resume/CV with list of
relevant coursework, and 3) a list of three professional references with
contact information (institution, email address, phone number), to Dr.
Paulo Pereira at dasil...@msu.edu.  Please name your file as:
LastnameFirstname_Application_MMDD.

Application deadline: Applications will be considered on a rolling basis
beginning February 15, 2016 so we encourage you to apply as early as
possible!

For more information about the positions: Contact Dr. Paulo Pereira at
dasil...@msu.edu or Dr. Jessica Miesel at miese...@msu.edu.


-- 

*Jessica R. Miesel, PhD*Assistant Professor of Applied Forest Ecology and
Management
Department of Forestry
Michigan State University
480 Wilson Rd. Rm. 126
East Lansing, MI 48824-1222

Office location: Natural Resources 112
Office phone: 517-355-8239
Google voice (mobile): 920-341-3473

Email: miese...@msu.edu
Website: http://www.for.msu.edu/people/jessica_miesel

[ECOLOG-L] Position – Undergraduate Research Assistant: Forest Restoration and Fire Management

[Iris Allen]

Position – Undergraduate Research Assistant: Forest Restoration and Fire 
Management 

An undergraduate research assistant position is available in the 
Silviculture and Applied Forest Ecology laboratory in the Department of 
Forestry at Michigan State University (MSU). 

The undergraduate research assistant will help complete field work for a 
forest restoration project conducted in the mixed-conifer forest of the 
Sierra Nevada region of northern California. The general objective of 
this project is to determine the effective intensity of mechanical 
thinning treatments to remove shade tolerant competitor tree species and 
thereby promote the productivity and health of ponderosa pine and sugar 
pine. The project will also help limit the risk of large-scale, stand- 
replacing crown fires in this forest region.  

Field work responsibilities will primarily involve examining post- 
treatment responses of ecophysiological variables (e.g., leaf water 
potential, stem sap flow, stable carbon isotopes, automatic 
dendrometers) and micro-environmental variables (e.g., soil moisture and 
light)

This position will be for about a 4-month period during the summer from 
May 2016 to August 2016. Work will be on average 40 hrs/week. The salary 
offered will depend on prior experience. 

Qualifications: All junior or senior students currently enrolled in an 
academic program related to forestry, biology, ecology, environmental 
sciences, or similarly related natural resource fields are encouraged to 
apply. Applicants should be highly self-motivated and possess a strong 
work ethic. A background or strong interest in conducting field-based 
research is desirable. A cumulative GPA greater than 3.0 in 
undergraduate coursework is preferable. Candidates must be willing and 
able to travel long distances, camp outdoors on occasion, do physically 
demanding work, and work in hot or otherwise uncomfortable conditions. 
Applicants must possess a valid driver’s license. 

Please submit a cover letter and resume, and contact information of two 
references. Applications will be considered immediately and continue 
until the position is filled. To ensure full consideration please submit 
material by March 4, 2016. For additional information or to submit 
application material, please contact Iris Allen (allen...@msu.edu).

[ECOLOG-L] Assistant Professor: Stream Fish Conservation Ecology, Colorado State University

[Kevin Crooks]

Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology Colorado State 
University Stream Fish Conservation Ecologist

POSITION DESCRIPTION

OVERVIEW: We seek candidates who can develop a locally and regionally 
relevant, internationally recognized research program addressing the 
complexities of sustaining stream fishes and their ecosystems. 
Candidates will also be expected to deliver excellent courses that 
expose undergraduate and graduate students to cutting-edge concepts and 
contemporary issues in aquatic conservation.

POSITION: Assistant Professor, stream fish conservation ecology

APPOINTMENT: Tenure track, 9-month academic faculty position

QUALIFICATIONS: 

Required: 1) An earned Ph.D. in fish ecology, stream ecology, 
ecohydrology, aquatic conservation biology or a related field by time of 
appointment.

Preferred: 1) Strong foundation in stream fish ecology, conservation 
and/or management, as evidenced by publications in high-quality, peer- 
reviewed journals; 2) Demonstrated ability or potential for developing a 
superior externally funded research program; 3) Demonstrated excellence 
and interest in teaching; 4) Expertise in ecological–hydrological 
interactions in stream ecosystems; 5) Ability to communicate scientific 
knowledge to practitioners, managers, policy makers and the public; and
6) Experience and interest in working on interdisciplinary teams and 
with natural resource agencies.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 1) Teach an undergraduate course in fish 
conservation (FW 400) and teach other undergraduate or graduate
course(s) in area of expertise; 2) Establish a nationally and 
internationally recognized program of externally funded research, 
including support for graduate students; 3) Mentor undergraduate and 
graduate students; 4) Collaborate with other members of the department, 
college, university and agency partners in research, teaching, and 
outreach; 5) Conduct service and outreach activities to various 
communities, including the university and the broader academic 
community, resource managers, various discipline-based professional 
organizations and the public.

SALARY AND FRINGE BENEFITS: Salary commensurate with qualifications and 
experience. Benefits include sick leave, health, life, dental, 
disability, and retirement.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE: Application materials include: 1) a letter of 
application that includes a statement of teaching philosophy and a 
statement of research interests, 2) curriculum vitae, 3) undergraduate 
and graduate transcripts, and 4) the names and contact information for 
four references. To apply and view a full position announcement please 
visit http://jobs.colostate.edu/postings/30679 by March 7th, 2016.

For questions contact: Dr. Brett Johnson, Search Committee Chair:
brett.john...@colostate.edu , 970-491-5002.

CSU is an EO/EA/AA employer and conducts background checks on all final 
candidates.

[ECOLOG-L] Deadline approaching: Individual-based modeling summer course

[Steve Railsback]

The Dresden University of Technology will conduct its 10th annual summer
school in agent/individual-based modeling, June 30 through July 10, 2016.
The application deadline is 19 February -- next week.

The instructors will be Uta Berger, Volker Grimm, and Steven Railsback. This
year the course will again be an ‘advanced’ class, designed for graduate
students and researchers who have already made some progress on an
agent-based model for a specific research problem—at least a written model
description and working draft software. The course will convey skills and
experience in the analysis and application of individual- and agent-based
modeling to scientific problems. Analysis includes debugging, parameter
fitting, sensitivity analysis, and robustness analysis. Model application
includes handling uncertainties in data, designing simulation experiments,
and statistical analysis of results. Guidance for publication success will
be provided by instructors who edit prominent modeling journals. The course
will include lectures, extensive hands-on exercises, and group projects to
be presented at the end of the course. Instruction will use NetLogo as a
modeling platform, and R and Excel for analysis and statistics; but
participants are welcome to use other platforms.

Additional information and the application form are at:
http://tu-dresden.de/forst/summerschool

[ECOLOG-L] Organization for Tropical Studies announces winners of the 7th Annual Student Paper Award

[Kimberly G. Smith]

This year's winner is Alejandro Rico-Guevara from the University of Connecticut 
for his paper "Bills as daggers? A test for sexually dimorphic weapons in a 
lekking hummingbird" published in Behavioral Ecology, a close collaboration 
with Marcelo Araya-Salas, a graduate student at New Mexico State University.  
He conducted this research while working with Margaret Rubega. This 
revolutionary work demonstrates that Long-billed Hermit males use their bills 
as weapons in territorial defenses and offers a new explanation for sexual 
dimorphism in bills of hummingbirds. This 4 year study combined behavioral 
observations in the field with territory mapping, mark-recapture, ontogenetic 
changes, detailed morphological analysis, and performance experiments. 
Fieldwork was carried out at La Selva Biological Station, Costa Rica, which is 
operated by the Organization for Tropical Studies.
Runner-up is María-José Endara from the University of Utah for her paper 
"Divergent evolution in antiherbivore defenses within species complexes at a 
single Amazonian site" published in Journal of Ecology. She was co-advised by 
Phyllis Coley and Thomas Kursar and is an alum of 2 OTS courses. Her research 
addressed a challenging and important question examining how insect herbivores 
may drive the maintenance and origin of tropical tree diversity. She conducted 
several years of fieldwork in a remote site in the Amazon, and coupled 
fieldwork with lab work, including UPLC-mass spectrometry analyses of secondary 
metabolites and sequencing DNA of herbivores to reconstruct a phylogeny.
Three papers received Honorable Mention. Timothy (Trevor) Caughlin from the 
University of Florida for his paper "Loss of animal seed dispersal increases 
extinction risk in a tropical tree species due to pervasive negative density 
dependence across life stages" published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B: 
Biological Sciences.  He worked with Douglas Levey, who is now at the National 
Science Foundation. Luke Owen Frishkoff from Stanford University for his paper 
"Loss of avian phylogenetic diversity in Neotropical agricultural systems" 
published in Science, while working with Gretchen C. Daily. Alison Ravenscraft 
also from Stanford University for her paper "Nutrient acquisition across a 
dietary shift: Fruit feeding butterflies crave amino acids, nectivores seek 
salt" published in Oecologia. She conducted her research with co-advisors Carol 
Boggs, now at the University of South Carolina, and Kabir Peay.
The Committee was Kimberly G. Smith, Chair, University of Arkansas; Elisabeth 
Arevalo, Providence College; Erin Kuprewicz, National Museum of Natural 
History; and Kyle Harms, Louisiana State University.  The Committee would like 
to thank all the students that submitted packets for consideration.  "This year 
we received the most nominations and the best nominations" said Smith.  
"Choosing the winner this year was a difficult task given the quality of the 
nominations."


Kimberly G. Smith
Distinguished Professor of Biological Sciences
Department of Biological Sciences
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR 72701
Phone:  479-575-6359  fax: 479-575-4010
Email:  kgsm...@uark.edu

[ECOLOG-L] Jobs in plant science at the University of Maine

[Jacquelyn Gill]

Dear colleagues, 

My department at the School of Biology and Ecology announces two positions in 
applied plant 
sciences at the assistant professor level: 

Applied Plant Physiology: https://umaine.hiretouch.com/job-details?
jobID=32427=assistant-professor-of-applied-plant-physiology

Plant Genetics: 
https://umaine.hiretouch.com/job-details?jobID=32424job=assistant-
professor-of-plant-genetics

I wanted to note that while both positions are intended to help contribute to 
crop systems in 
Maine (e.g., the physiologist will focus on applied research that will generate 
information that 
could be applied to the Maine lowbush blueberry industry), you need not have 
been working 
on such systems already to apply. 

Please feel free to reach out to me with questions. 

Best wishes, 

Jacquelyn

[ECOLOG-L] UCLA/La Kretz Workshop in Conservation Genomics, 20-24 March, 2016

[Mario Colon]

Conservation biology, genetics, and evolutionary biology have had a long and 
intimate 
relationship, and conservation constitutes one of the key applications of 
evolutionary 
analysis to real-world biological problems. The impacts of population and 
landscape 
genetics and gene expression studies have been particularly striking, and are 
helping to 
solve some of the most pressing problems in biological conservation.

As the field of conservation genetics continues to grow and mature, the 
availability of 
genome-scale data stand to make profound new contributions to our ability to 
identify and 
protect at-risk populations and recover those that are most endangered. 
However, 
genomic analyses also carry a heavy burden—data sets are enormous, often 
requiring 
diverse computational approaches for assembly, quality control and analysis.

The La Kretz annual workshop provides a comfortable, rigorous, but informal 
training 
environment for a small group of motivated graduate students to explore how 
conservation 
problems can best be addressed with genomic-level data. Our goal is to provide 
hands-on 
experience in the efficient collection, troubleshooting, and analysis of large 
data sets for 
conservation-relevant problems. One of the highlights of our workshop is active 
participation from members of several governmental agencies who are at the 
forefront of 
endangered species protection and management, providing a forum for exploring 
the most 
relevant aspects of conservation genomics to managers.

The UCLA/La Kretz workshop is held at the La Kretz Field Station 
(http://www.environment.ucla.edu/lakretz/fieldstation/) and Stunt Ranch Reserve 
(http://stuntranch.ucnrs.org) in the heart of the Santa Monica Mountains. Only 
30 miles 
from UCLA and the LAX airport, but nestled in the relatively undeveloped 
160,000 acre 
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, the Field Station/Stunt 
Reserve 
provides an ideal location to explore new developments in genomic science and 
pressing 
needs in conservation and management together in a single setting.

Our current instructor list, drawn from UCLA faculty and several other partner 
institutions, 
includes:

Ben Fitzpatrick (U. Tennessee Knoxville)

Kirk Lohmueller

Evan McCartney-Melstad

Gideon Bradburd (UC Berkeley)

Brad Shaffer

Victoria Sork

Bob Wayne

Ying Zhen

Bridgett vonHoldt


Agency partners represented include:
USGS

BLM

USFWS

CDFW


Topics covered include:

Overview of traditional conservation genetics

Next generation platforms: the best tool for the job

Data management pipelines:

Quality Control

Data storage

Data organization

Data types and analyses:

SNPs

Sequences

Exploring very large data sets

Functional genomic data

RNA-seq

Genomic data and GIS

Visualizing geographic structure and demographic history

Admixture, clines, and hybridization

Detecting adaptive variation

RNA-seq and the analysis of genes that matter


Prerequisites

Available housing limits course enrollment to ~20 students. Preference is given 
to doctoral 
candidates who are in the early to middle stages of their thesis research, and 
who have 
some familiarity with using a command line interface or programming languages 
(i.e. Perl, 
python etc.). Postdocs, faculty, and government researchers may also apply, but 
preference will be given to graduate students. We encourage applications from 
women, 
minorities, and individuals from under-represented demographics in the sciences.

Admission and Fees

Applicants will be admitted based on academic qualifications and 
appropriateness of 
research interests. The course fee is $425. This includes food and lodging at 
the La Kretz 
Field Station, as well as any incidental fees, for the duration of the course 
(arriving Sunday 
March 20, departing Friday March 25). In addition, course participants who 
would like to 
extend their stay at the field station for the remainder of the weekend may do 
so for no 
extra charge. For those opting to stay the weekend, departure time will be by 
5:00 pm on 
Sunday March 27.

This year, the workshop is co-sponsored by a UC Catalyst program grant that 
will provide 
some support for faculty and student support and staffing needs. University of 
California 
students may apply for partial support (up to $225) from the newly awarded 
Conservation 
Genomics Consortium ( https://sites.lifesci.ucla.edu/eeb-conservationgenomics/ 
) funded 
under the UC Catalyst program.

UCLA students are encouraged to take the La Kretz Workshop for graduate credit. 
Other 
UC students may also be able to take the course for credit.


Application Forms and Information

Visit the UCLA/La Kretz Center for California Conservation Science website for 
additional 
information and to download the application 
(http://www.environment.ucla.edu/lakretz/events/476)


Application Deadline:

Applications are due by February 15, 2016. Please send a completed application 
form and 
a short letter of