[ECOLOG-L] Plant Ecology field/lab volunteer position with USGS, Hawaii

[Stephanie Yelenik]

Plant Ecology field/lab volunteer position with USGS, Hawaii.   This 
volunteer position starts April 1, 2016 and lasts 6 months with the 
possibility of extension; housing and per diem are provided. We are 
looking for a motivated and independent intern with field/lab experience 
to work on a project in mid-elevation mesic forest on Hawaii Island 
relating to invasive plants, native birds, and ecosystem restoration. In 
particular, the work focuses on how plant-soil interactions and bird 
dispersal of native seed affect native understory regeneration in Acacia 
koa reforestation projects, therefore previous experience with 
plant/soil sampling and labwork is desirable. Field responsibilities 
include: collecting plant survey data, maintaining and collecting 
seedrain traps, outplanting experimental plants, collecting plant foliar 
and litter samples, soil coring. Field sites are in Hakalau Forest 
National Wildlife Refuge at 5000-7000 ft elevation and may be cold and 
wet OR hot and dry depending on time of year. Must be able to work 
outdoors in all weather conditions, hike over rough terrain long 
distances carrying field gear, navigate using GPS/compass, and drive a 
4x4 automatic vehicle on unpaved roads. Lab responsibilities include: 
grinding plant material, soil sieving, soil extractions, data entry, 
processing seed rain samples, processing bird fecal samples for seed. 
Compensation is $1040/month per diem and housing is provided in Hawaii 
Volcanoes National Park, or at Hakalau depending on field schedule; 
transportation provided to and from work and to Hilo for supplies. 
Airfare is only provided from Oahu to Hilo.  To apply, please send AS A 
SINGLE DOCUMENT 1. brief cover letter highlighting relevant experience 
and why you are interested in the position, 2. resume, and 3. name, 
address, phone number, and email address of at least 3 references to Dr. 
Stephanie Yelenik, USGS Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center, 
syele...@usgs.gov. Applications will be considered as they are received 
to fill the position quickly. For more information on the research 
please see:

[ECOLOG-L] NEON Work With Data Institute -- Remote Sensing

[Megan Jones]

Colleagues -

Are you interested in working with Remote Sensing data to address science

questions? Please consider applying for the 2016 NEON WorkWithData

Institute!


The Institute will take place June 19-25 2016 at NEON Headquarters in

Boulder, CO. More information about the event and the application process

is on our NEON website:


http://www.neonscience.org/learn-experience/work-with-data-institute?utm_source=listserve_medium=socialmedia_campaign=summer-institute16


High level goal: To teach skills and foundational knowledge for graduate

students and early career scientists working with heterogeneous

spatio-temporal data to address ecological questions. This year¹s data

theme will be remote sensing of vegetation with a focus on both data

provided by the NEON remote sensing platform - (AOP), other remote sensing

data including Landsat and associated related ground data collected by

NEON (e.g. vegetation structure, cover, etc). We will also integrate a

theme of reproducible scientific workflows.


The cost of the course is $900 which includes both a week of instruction

AND housing in Boulder (University of Colorado - Boulder dorms).

Applications are due March 28, 2016.


Feel free to repost and share this announcement with others who would

benefit from the Institute.


Megan




--

Megan A. Jones

Staff Scientist / Science Educator

Education

mjones01 @ neoninc.org

720.921.2618

National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON)

Boulder, Colorado

--

For tutorials and resources on working with spatio-temporal data, visit

http://www.neondataskills.org

[ECOLOG-L] Tomorrow! Webinar on Student Presentations led by Summer Institute Course Coordinators!

[Elizabeth Tran]

Please join us TOMORROW, Tuesday, March 1st at 2:00 pm ET
for the next National Water Center Summer Institute informational webinar:
Student Presentations led by Summer Institute Course Coordinators


National Water Center Innovators Program - Summer Institute of 2016

CUAHSI is now soliciting applications from students who wish to participate in 
the 2016 National Water Center (NWC) Summer Institute. The Summer Institute 
will take place at the University of Alabama and NOAA's National Water Center 
from June 6 - July 20, 2016. Student research fellows will collaborate 
intensively for seven weeks to work on projects designed to contribute to the 
NWC goals of enhancing water-related products and decision-support services 
across the country.

On Tuesday, March 1st, Summer Institute Course Coordinators will lead a 
lightning talk webinar where last year's Summer Institute students will provide 
an overview of the projects they worked on and their Summer Institute 
experiences. Presentations include:


* Hydrologic Evaluation

1.  Peirong Lin (University of Texas at Austin): Spatio-Temporal Evaluation 
of Evapotranspiration and Streamflow in the NFIE Modeling Framework

2.  Tim Lahmers (University of Arizona): Analysis of WRF-Hydro Simulations 
of the 2008 Iowa Floods: Effects and Sensitivity of Model Structure and 
Precipitation Forcing

* River Bathymetry and Hydraulics

3.  Xing Zheng (University of Texas at Austin): River Geometry Information 
Interoperability for Large Scale Hydraulic Modeling

* Flood Inundation Mapping

4.  Caleb Buahin (Utah State University): Probabilistic Flood Inundation 
Forecasting Using Rating Curve Libraries

* Web Service and Software Development

5.  Nathan Swain (Brigham Young University): Web Applications for Flood 
Response with Tethys Platform

6.  Zhu Liu (Purdue University): Development of GIS GUI for running 
LISFLOOD-FP model

Questions will be taken after the presentation. This is the next in a series of 
informational webinars which will be hosted over the next few weeks to provide 
additional information on the Summer Institute, examples of Summer Institute 
projects, and an overview of the tools and resources available to participants 
during the Summer Institute.

Webinars are free and open to the public. Webinars will be recorded and posted 
to the CUAHSI website for later viewing.

For additional Summer Institute information (including student application 
instructions), and to view recorded webinars, please visit 
https://www.cuahsi.org/summerinstitute

To connect to the webinar:

1. Point your browser to http://cuahsi.adobeconnect.com/summerinstitute/
2. Log in as a guest
3. You will be prompted with audio connection information upon entering the 
meeting room



Upcoming Webinars:

Monday, March 7th at 3:00 pm ET
WRF Hydro and the National Water Model
Dave Gochis, UCAR



Questions? Contact com...@cuahsi.org

[ECOLOG-L] Post-doc position available USDA ARS Invasive Plant Research Laboratory

[Ellen Lake]

The USDA-ARS Invasive Plant Research Laboratory in Fort Lauderdale, 
Florida is currently seeking a post-doctoral associate for a project 
involving the implementation and evaluation of classical biological 
control agents targeting Old World climbing fern, Lygodium microphyllum, 
in the greater Everglades ecosystem.

BACKGROUND
Old World climbing fern, Lygodium microphyllum, was introduced to 
Florida for horticultural use and was first reported as naturalized in 
1965. It is now widespread in wetland and mesic habitats in south and 
central Florida. Lygodium microphyllum invades both disturbed and 
ecologically sensitive areas, degrading habitats and reducing ecosystem 
services. The vine has indeterminate rachis growth and can climb 20 
meters or more into trees or extend horizontally and often forms dense 
monocultures. It produces incredible numbers of windborne spores that 
can be self-compatible. Lygodium microphyllum also forms a persistent 
rhizome, which is difficult to kill using traditional techniques such as 
herbicide or prescribed burns, resulting in re-growth post-treatment. 

Two biological control agents are currently available for release 
against L. microphyllum in Florida: the moth Neomusotima conspurcatalis 
(Lepidoptera: Crambidae) and the leaf-rolling mite Floracarus perrepae 
(Acariformes: Eriophyidae). Both have a widespread but patchy 
distribution throughout the expanding range of L. microphyllum in 
Florida.

OBJECTIVE
The objective is to establish viable populations of N. conspurcatalis 
and F. perrepae on Old World climbing fern in southern Florida as part 
of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP). To this end, 
the post-doctoral associate will manage the mass rearing, release, 
evaluation, and monitoring of these agents. The ultimate goal is to 
increase suppression of Old World climbing fern throughout the CERP 
area. 

APPROACH
The post-doctoral research associate will supervise mass rearing of the 
agents and collaborate with the principle investigator in developing a 
release and monitoring study design. The successful candidate will also 
develop contacts and interact with cooperators and land managers from 
various agencies, participate in a field-based evaluation of impacts, 
and will be responsible for data collection, data analysis, and 
dissemination and publication of results. The post-doctoral associate 
will also participate in other related research activities as directed. 

POSITION DETAILS
The successful candidate must be a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident 
seeking citizenship recently awarded a Ph.D. in entomology, ecology or 
related field. This position is a GS-11 temporary 2 year appointment, 
depending on funding, that can be renewed once, with the total 
appointment not to exceed 4 years. The position is available 
immediately. No relocation expenses will be paid. Send CV, transcripts, 
and contact information for three references to ellen.l...@ars.usda.gov 
by 5:00 PM EST March 11, 2016.

[ECOLOG-L] Employment Opportunity: Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Outreach Interns at Lake Mead, NV

[Amy Gladding]

https://www.thegreatbasininstitute.org/job/aquatic-invasive-species-ais-outreach-interns/

Member will provide national service at Lake Mead National Recreation Area,
a host site for the Nevada Conservation Corps AmeriCorps Program.

Position Summary:
Working collaboratively with Lake Mead National Recreation Area (LMNRA),
the Great Basin Institute is recruiting interns to learn about and
participate on multiple projects including resource management and
education at LMNRA. During the main boating season (April-September), the
intern will educate the boating public about aquatic invasive species (AIS)
and water safety, as well as gain skills and knowledge of natural and
cultural resources in the LMNRA.

This position is assigned to the Lake Mead National Recreation Area
(Boulder City and Kathrine Landing). This position will be performing a
variety of duties including (1) facilitating visitor contacts to create
understanding of park resources, aquatic invasive species, and boater
safety and responsibility; (2) collecting data on water quality (e.g.,
water sampling); and (3) encourage visitors behavior to uphold the mission
of the National Park Service.


Primary Responsibilities:
Essential tasks and duties
• Staffs launch ramps and is responsible for educating visitors regarding
the requirements both state and federal requirements for boater safety and
the reasons for the regulations.
• Advise visitors concerning aquatic invasive species (AIS), water safety,
resource protection, and proper use of facilities. Record visitor use
patterns and their effect on the resources. Performs launch ramp, marina,
and beach roves informing boater of AIS and educates on the prevention of
the spread of AIS to other bodies of water.  Informs law enforcement of
non-compliant boaters.
• Professionally interacts with a variety of people including the visiting
public, park colleagues, and staff from park partner and permittee
organizations.  Clearly and effectively communicates information related to
AIS to the people/groups listed above.  Uses tact and diplomacy to handle
contentious situations.
• Educates and informs visitors about the significance of the resources of
the park, about the laws, rules, regulations relating to the protection of
resources from AIS, and about operations of the park and safe use of the
resources.  Preserves the natural and cultural resources of the park by
preventing the degradation, deterioration, and destruction of the
ecosystems, scenery, wildlife, historical structures and artifacts through
implementation of the park’s invasive species program.
• Informs visitors about park facilities and resources.  Provides visitors
with information concerning points of interest, travel routes, historical
and natural features and park activities.  Provides answers to recurring
and nonrecurring visitor questions concerning the park area.  Learns park
resources by reviewing maps, park research materials, and other documents
previously prepared by park rangers and other professionals.
• Duties are performed on or off site at locations designated by the park
(e.g., visitor center, community events, marinas, and launch ramps).
• Informs visitors about park flora and the life habits and behavior of
park fauna, with emphasis on behavior that may be potentially dangerous to
visitors.   As assigned, performs resource management tasks and duties
supporting the mission of the park.
• Performs work safely by adhering to all established safety procedures.


Related Responsibilities:
• Participate in trainings provided by Lake Mead NRA staff
• Professionally represent Lake Mead NRA in the community
• Meet with Host Site Supervisor on a weekly basis
• Participate in community service days organized by NCC Program
• Participate in regular AmeriCorps team meetings

Required Skills or Qualifications:
• Dedication to the position and the AmeriCorps Service Contract;
• Motivated, self-starter who is detail oriented;
• Flexibility to handle competing and changing priorities;
• Ability to communicate effectively with a diverse public in a variety of
forums;
• Ability to speak English and Spanish conversationally, desirable but not
required;
• Some college education, desirable but not required;
• Ability to work in harsh and rapidly changing environments;
• Possess clean, valid, state-issued driver’s license;
• Willing to learn about general knowledge of LMNRA operations, the
National Park Service mission, and the relationship of the park’s use and
management program.
• Willing to learn about aquatic species threats, biology, transport and
abatement.
• Willing to learn about the various laws, agency policies, rules, and
regulations which apply to the protection of park resources and specific
knowledge of the Federal, Park, and State laws pertaining to the transport
of invasive species.
• Willing to learn about the natural and cultural resources of the park,
(e.g., vegetation, wildlife communities, water resources, historic

[ECOLOG-L] Immediate Hires Needed for Vegetation and Habitat Monitoring Crews for the BLM in Western Locations!

[Amy Gladding]

https://www.thegreatbasininstitute.org/admin/wp-admin/admin.php?page=wpjb-job

Field Leads and Technicians needed as soon as April 4th. Specific details
and timelines for all locations can be found on our website listed above.

*LEADS*
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)*
Owyhee: 4 April - 26 Aug 2016 (20 weeks)*
Bruneau, ID: 4 April - 19 Aug 2016 (19 weeks)*
Marsing, ID: 4 April - 30 Sep 2016 (26 weeks)*
Burley, ID:  4 April – 7 October 2016 (26 weeks)*
Shoshone, ID:  4 April – 7 October 2016 (26 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:
o $1,360 bi-weekly salary
o $15.00 Camping per diem
o $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 

[ECOLOG-L] Irving Woodlands Professorship in Forestry

[Peter Nelson]

*POSITION DESCRIPTION *

*Irving Woodlands Professorship in Forestry *

*University of Maine at Fort Kent *

*Starting Date: July 2016 *

*Ending Date: Renewed annually. Continuation contingent upon funding
availability and successful annual performance *

*PURPOSE *

The Irving Woodlands Professorship is an endowed position that will support
the A) technical forestry education needs of the University of Maine at
Fort Kent (UMFK) and the forest industry, and B) research and monitoring of
outcome-based forest management in Maine. The position is funded by a
generous donation from Irving Woodlands, a major Canadian-based wood
products company with extensive land-holdings and mills in Maine.

This is a full-time, 12-month, fixed-length, non-tenure track position that
will be located at the UMFK campus in Fort Kent, Maine. Responsibilities of
the position will be 50% teaching and 50% research. The position will be
renewable annually based on upon successful annual performance and funding
availability. Funding provided by the endowment has the potential to
support this position for five to ten years. Irving Woodlands also has
reserved the right to provide additional funding above and beyond the
original endowment to support the continued mission of the Irving Woodlands
Professorship.

*ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES *

*Teaching *

Teaching responsibilities will be under the direction of the UMFK Applied
Forest Management Program faculty on the UMFK campus. The Applied Forest
Management program at UMFK is a five-semester, Associate of Science degree
program with an emphasis on technical forestry education. The successful
applicant will be expected to teach 12 credit hours per academic year in
support of the program, including an introductory course in computer
applications, GPS, and surveying, or other courses as assigned. The
individual also will be expected to develop and teach courses in geospatial
technologies that support multiple disciplines on campus, as well as for
professionals working in the forestry industry. Other forestry courses may
be considered based on the candidate’s expertise and interest.

*Research *

Research responsibilities will focus on supporting the mission of and be
coordinated with the Cooperative Forestry Research Unit (CFRU) at the
University of Maine in Orono, ME. The CFRU is a forest industry /
university research cooperative representing over 8 million acres of
Maine’s northern forest (https://umaine.edu/cfru/). Research in this
position will focus on remote sensing and other geospatial technologies
that support outcome-based forest management and the long-term monitoring
of forest

sustainability, including landscape-scale water quality, wildlife habitat,
and biodiversity. Other approved research projects may be developed with
the CFRU based on the candidate’s expertise and interest.

*KNOWLEDGE & SKILL QUALIFICATIONS *


 Master’s degree (PhD preferred) with at least one degree (B.S. or higher)
from a Society of American Foresters accredited forestry program.


 Strong expertise and demonstrated success in geospatial technologies
including GIS and remote sensing, especially LiDAR.


 Experience working in forest research and/or significant work experience
with geospatial technologies in forest management.


 Teaching experience in forestry and/or geospatial technology strongly
preferred.


 Practical forestry experience preferred in silviculture, forest
operations planning, or landscape management.


 Effective oral and written communication skills.


 Willingness and ability to work outdoors, in adverse weather conditions.


 Strong knowledge of field and laboratory safety procedures.


 Ability to travel normally requiring a valid driver’s license.


*SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES *

The employee may hire, supervise, and have formal authority of seasonal
students and temporary employees.

*WORK ENVIRONMENT *

The position is located at the University of Maine at Fort Kent. However
the employee will be expected to work out-of-doors at remote field
locations in Northern Maine, sometimes in rough terrain and adverse weather
conditions. Periodic travel to the University of Maine in Orono and to CFRU
research sites across northern Maine is anticipated. Duties also will
require lab work. Some overnight and weekend travel is expected.

*WORK SCHEDULE *

Work schedule will be variable based upon teaching schedule and research
demands. Work beyond regular hours (which may include nights and weekends)
will be necessary in order to meet the requirements of the position. The
employee will establish regular office hours on campus, especially during
semesters when teaching.
-- 
Peter R. Nelson, PhD
Assistant Professor
Biological Sciences and Environmental Studies
University of Maine - Fort Kent
23 University Dr., Fort Kent, ME, 04743

--- phone: 207.834.7683
--- email: peter.nel...@maine.edu
--- web: peterrnelson.weebly.com

[ECOLOG-L] 1 PhD IN ISOTOPIC ECOLOGY OF WILD HORSES ON SABLE ISLAND

[Philip McLoughlin]

PhD IN ISOTOPIC ECOLOGY OF WILD (FERAL) HORSES ON SABLE ISLAND   

Location: University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada AND/OR University of 
Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada (collaboration). Field work occurs on 
Sable Island, Nova Scotia, Canada.

Supervisors: Dr. Keith A. Hobson, University of Western Ontario, London, ON 
and Dr. Philip McLoughlin, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada. 

Salary: $2/year for a minimum of 3 years.

Start date: September 1st 2016 (preferred) or May 1st 2017.

APPLICATION DUE DATE: Applications will begin being reviewed April 1, 2016.

Project: We are looking to recruit a PhD student to contribute to our long- 
term individual-based study of feral horses on Sable Island (Nova Scotia, 
Canada) initiated in 2007. This project will focus on the evolutionary 
consequences of a strong gradient in habitat quality along the length of the 
island (horse density drops by half from west to east). The student will 
investigate sources of nutrition and drinking water to feral horses using 
naturally occurring stable isotope (d13C, d15N, d2H) tracers as well as more 
conventional methods. The student will spend up to 2 months on Sable Island 
each summer for fieldwork. Daily tasks, shared by the entire research team, 
will include walking censuses and photography of horses, collection of 
samples, laboratory work, identification of individuals from digital 
photographs, and database management. Students visiting Sable Island must work 
well in teams, deal well with life in a remote research station, be able to 
travel by small airplane, fishing trawler, helicopter, or frigate, and be 
reasonably fit as walking censuses require lots of hiking. Courses on first 
aid and driving All Terrain Vehicles will be provided prior to fieldwork. 

This position is fully funded for a minimum of 3 years (salary of $20
000/year) but the student will be expected to apply for internal scholarships 
(e.g., teaching assistant positions) and external scholarships (e.g. NSERC). 
While all applications are welcomed, preference will be given to Canadians who 
are competitive for an NSERC scholarship (GPA > 3.8) and international 
students who can secure a scholarship in their home country. Previous 
experience with using stable isotope methods in ecological research is an 
asset.

To apply send an email titled SABLE ISLAND PHD 2016 by APRIL 1, 2016 to 
philip.mclough...@usask.ca and khobs...@uwo.ca (cc’d) including:

-   A short summary of research interests
-   A current CV
-   PDFs of undergraduate and graduate transcripts
-   The names and email addresses of 3 potential references

[ECOLOG-L] Mentors needed for Early Career Mentoring Program

[Sarah Supp]

Calling all mentors for ESA 2016! 

We are seeking established ecologists (loosely defined) who will be
attending ESA 2016 in Ft. Lauderdale and are interested in interacting
one-on-one with an early career mentee, to give guidance on career paths,
research, teaching, work-life, and/or networking, etc. Mentors may be from
any career area (e.g. academic research or teaching, government, non-profit,
policy, etc.). Signing up to be a mentor does not guarantee a commitment,
but rather enters you into a "Mentor Pool" from which the mentee applicants
will choose a mentor that best fits their specific needs (there will be more
mentors than mentees). Potential mentors will be notified in May or June if
they were selected and what the next steps are to participate. 

Mentors will be asked to make initial contact with their mentee prior to ESA
2016 (we will host a webinar to help facilitate), meet one-on-one with their
mentee at ESA for at least 1 hour, attend their mentee's oral presentation,
and be open to discussing career and research challenges (broadly),
including advice for their mentee's individual development plan. 

A broader goal is to establish new, longer-term connections or
collaborations among mentor-mentee networks and to engage in broader
discussions within ESA on the need for improved early career mentoring
during transitional career stages.


About the Program:
Conferences provide unique opportunities for participants to interact with
others in their field and expand their networks outside their primary
institution. However, opportunities for mentoring early career ecologists
are rarely structured to promote meaningful interactions between them and
more senior scientists. We leverage the annual ESA conference and its large
diverse network of ecologists to foster one-on-one mentoring experiences at
both formal and informal levels for early career ecologists. Our program
facilitates short-term targeted mentoring opportunities, but our goal is
that these interactions foster longer-term relationships and networking
among participants, as well as enhancing the visibility, participation, and
impact of the Early Career Section within ESA.
http://esa.org/earlycareer/early-career-mentoring/

Become a Potential Early Career Mentor, or Nominate Someone:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1sSbkrvJj8ZFHXJbqseqzVhJKQZ4my_oIZAt8LX-iM3o/viewform?edit_requested=true

You can also join the Mentor Pool by emailing earlycar...@esa.org with your
contact information, to nominate someone, or with any questions. 

[ECOLOG-L] Due MARCH 4: Applications for Early Career Mentoring Program, ESA 2016

[Sarah Supp]

The Early Career Mentoring Program - Applications DUE FRIDAY, MARCH 4

Are you an early career ecologist entering a transitional career stage? Do
you need access to different or new mentors to help you navigate career,
networking, work-life, or research challenges?

Conferences provide unique opportunities for participants to interact with
others in their field and expand their networks outside their primary
institution. However, opportunities for mentoring early career ecologists
are rarely structured to promote meaningful interactions between them and
more senior scientists. We leverage the annual ESA conference and its large
diverse network of ecologists to foster one-on-one mentoring experiences at
both formal and informal levels for early career ecologists. Our program
facilitates short-term targeted mentoring opportunities, but our goal is
that these interactions foster longer-term relationships and networking
among participants, as well as enhancing the visibility, participation, and
impact of the Early Career Section within ESA. Accepted mentees to the
program will receive $200 to defray meeting costs.

Learn more:
http://esa.org/earlycareer/early-career-mentoring/

Requirements to apply:
1. Be in final year of graduate program or no more than 3 years
post-graduate (in any position)
2. Have applied to given an oral presentation at ESA 2016 (any type;
research talk, ignite, workshop, etc.)
3. Be a member of or plan to join the Early Career Ecologist Section (see
below on how).

How to apply:
Early Career applicants (advanced graduate students within 1 year of
graduating and recent post-graduates within 3 years of obtaining their
degree).
http://esa.org/earlycareer/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/2016-MentoringAnnouncement.pdf

If you would like to apply but are not currently a member of the Early
Career Section, please join us! http://esa.org/earlycareer/join-us/

[ECOLOG-L] Postdoc: USGS, ecosystem services modeling

[David Inouye]

The USGS Fort Collins Science Center is seeking a postdoctoral 
researcher in ecosystem services modeling. The researcher will 
collaborate with a large and diverse scientific team within and 
beyond USGS in modeling ecosystem services in the U.S. at national 
and subnational scales. The postdoc will work as part of the USGS 
Sustaining Environmental Capital (SEC) Initiative team. The goal of 
the SEC Initiative is to better enable managers to account for the 
benefits people receive from ecosystem services and provide guidance 
for using ecosystem service information in management decisions by 
developing, integrating, and enhancing decision tools and 
information. The envisioned SEC Initiative will have a physical 
presence (policy coordination and science efforts) and virtual 
(on-line) presence referred to as the SEC Dashboard. Research 
responsibilities will be associated with: applying ecosystem services 
mapping, modeling, and valuation approaches and tools at the local 
and regional scales; 2) use of natural capital accounting in natural 
resource management; and 3) integrating ecosystem services data and 
tools into the SEC Dashboard for use in public land management decision-making.



Work will primarily be conducted at the Fort Collins Science Center, 
Colorado. Qualifications: Must be a U.S. citizen within 5 years of 
receiving a PhD. Experience in GIS and biophysical modeling is 
required. Experience using ecosystem services tools such as ARIES, 
SolVES, and InVEST is desired and programming experience using R, 
Python, or Java is a plus. Compensation is approximately $76,000/year 
and funding is for up to two years. We seek a candidate able to 
relocate to Ft. Collins, Colorado and begin work as soon as possible.



Please contact Rudy Schuster 
(schust...@usgs.gov) or Ken Bagstad 
(kjbags...@usgs.gov) for more information.

[ECOLOG-L] PhD opportunity

[Charles Nock]

PhD opportunity in UAV remote sensing of forest canopy function:
The Chair of Geobotany at the University of Freiburg invites applications for a 
3-yr doctoral position 
focusing on tree diversity, canopy structure and forest ecosystem function. To 
date, next generation 
tools for canopy research that measure plant traits from a birds-eye-view 
perspective, such as near-
canopy Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) equipped with hyperspectral imaging, 
have predominantly 
focused on crop monocultures. Focusing on two decade-old tree diversity 
experiments in Germany, 
the candidate will aid in the development of novel methods of measuring key 
canopy traits, and the 
assessment of their potential role in diversity-productivity relationships. We 
are looking for a highly 
motivated and co-operative person with a strong background in forest ecology, 
geography, 
environmental science or remote sensing. Previous experience with raster data, 
hyperspectral 
datasets or UAVs would be an asset. The ideal candidate will have demonstrated 
his/her ability to 
successfully carry out relevant research, data analyses and communicate the 
results. Experience in 
publishing in scientific journals is desirable. The applicant should be able to 
independently plan and 
undertake field sampling. A sound statistical background with experience with R 
is desirable and a 
strong command of English is indispensable. For international candidates 
knowledge of German (or a 
willingness to learn) would be beneficial during fieldwork and it enhances the 
experience of living 
and working in Germany. Your application will consist of a letter of 
motivation, CV, academic 
transcripts (non-official copies are acceptable), and contact details of at 
least two academic 
references. Please send your application as a single PDF by email with the 
subject “PhD position in 
UAV remote sensing of forest canopy function” by March 31, 2016 to Dr. Charles 
Nock 
(charles.n...@biologie.uni-freiburg.de). Full details here: 
http://charlesnock.ca/wp-
content/uploads/2016/02/Doc-ad-remote-sensing-tree-diversity.pdf

[ECOLOG-L] Course R Without Fear: Applied R for Biologists, Sept 19-23, Barcelona.

[Soledad De Esteban Trivigno]

Dear colleagues,

Registration is open for the workshop "R Without Fear: Applied R for Biologists
– 2nd edition", September 19th-23rd, 2016.

Instructor: Dr. Jordi Moya-Laraño (Estación Experimental de Zonas Áridas - CSIC,
Spain).

PLACE: Premises of Sabadell of the Institut Catalá de Paleontologia Miquel
Crusafont (Barcelona, Spain).

WEBPAGE: http://www.transmittingscience.org/courses/stats/applied-r-for-bio/

PROGRAM:

Introduction to R and its working environment
• Types of variables in R
• Vectors, matrices and data frames
• Self-made functions
• Working with loops and conditional statements
• How to merge data tables
• Search and substitute of data values within tables
• Complex summaries of data tables

Statistical analyses with some theoretical refreshing
• Statistical populations and samples through example
• Measures of central tendency and variability
• Precision, accuracy and bias
• Hypothesis testing: falsability, Type-I and Type-II errors and statistical
power
• Correlation and simple linear regression
• P-value vs effect magnitude
• Linear models: residuals, assumptions and interpretation
• Explained and unexplained variance in a linear model (coefficient of
determination)
• Introduction to R graphics with statistical examples
• The concept of partial effect: partial regression and correlation
• Additive vs. multiplicative effects: disentangling the effect of interactions
• General and Generalized Linear Models
• Choosing the “best” models via AIC


With best regards

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

[ECOLOG-L] Summer Botanist Positions

[Alejandro Royo]

Position: Biological Science Technician/Forestry Science Technician
Agency: University of Georgia in Collaboration with USDA Forest Service
Location: Irvine, PA
Job Category: Temporary/Seasonal Positions
Salary: $12.50/hour
Start & End Date: 5/23/2016-9/12/2016, some flexibility
Number of Vacancies: 2
Late Date to Apply: Open Until Filled, Applicant Review to Begin March, 
21rd 2016
Description: 
•   The position involves monitoring understory forest vegetation in 
both mature and harvested forest stands.  This work includes, but is not 
limited to counting and measuring woody stems, identifying understory plant 
species, calculating understory species abundance, collecting biomass 
samples and storing plant samples.
•   Work typically includes 10-hour days; 4 days a week. Work days 
include travel to sites as part of 10-hour work day. Travel times vary 
between 1-4 hours round trip, dependent on location.
•   This position is part of a collaborative research effort between 
the University of Georgia, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources 
(http://www.warnell.uga.edu/) and the USDA Forest Service NRS-02 Lab 
(http://www.nrs.fs.fed.us/units/sustainingforests/ ).
•   Housing is provided, however there is a minimal cost associated 
with Forest Service housing (approximately $4.60 per day, including 
utilities). Field housing is located in the Kane Experimental Forest 
(http://www.nrs.fs.fed.us/ef/locations/pa/kane/) and consists of two 
bedrooms with 1 and 2 sets of bunk beds, respectively, 2 full bathrooms, 
kitchen and common area.
•   A field vehicle will be provided for work, however having a car is 
recommended (housing remote from grocery stores, etc.). Starting and ending 
dates are somewhat flexible. Technicians will have experienced leadership 
early in the season, working with increasing independence as they gain 
experience.
Qualifications:
•   Minimum qualifications: Applicants must have a combination of 
training and experience required to perform the duties and responsibilities 
of the position. A high school diploma and valid driver’s license is 
required.
•   Preferred qualifications: Successful completion of a full 4-year 
course of study leading to a bachelor's degree related to Botany, Forestry, 
Ecology or Natural Resources Management. Exceptional knowledge in the 
identification of Northeastern trees and herbaceous plant communities is 
desired.
•   Physical Demands: Work can be strenuous at times; including 
carrying equipment up steep grades and navigating through remnant slash 
piles from timber harvest. 
•   Applicants must consent to a background check
•   Please send a resume with contact information of 3 references to 
the e-mail address below
Contact Person: Dave Kramer
Contact Phone: 717-873-9063
Contact email: dwkra...@uga.edu (Preferred Method of Contact)