[ECOLOG-L] Job: Scientific data manager, NOAA Polar Ecosystems Program, Seattle, WA

[Paul Conn]

The Polar Ecosystems Program at the Marine Mammal Laboratory of NOAA's
Alaska Fisheries Science Center is recruiting for a full-time permanent
scientific data manager:

https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/421276600/

The position will require designing and managing database systems for
ecological data on marine mammals, particularly aerial photographic 
survey data and satellite telemetry data on movements and behavior of 
seals. Desired skills include designing enterprise databases, e.g., 
Oracle or Postgres, and programming in R, Python, etc., to automate 
various aspects of data flow.  

The position is open to U.S. citizens and nationals. It will be filled
under the "Operations Research Analyst" job series, and located in 
Seattle, WA. The deadline for applications is 16 May 2016.

The Polar Ecosystems Program conducts research and monitoring on 
pinnipeds in arctic and sub-arctic ecosystems. The research projects 
focus primarily on abundance, trends, distribution, and foraging 
behavior of harbor, bearded, ringed, spotted, and ribbon seals in 
Alaska. The primary objectives of the program are to support management 
and assessment of population status under the Marine Mammal Protection 
Act, and to gain a better understanding of the factors responsible for 
the dynamics of populations and their roles in the ecosystem.

[ECOLOG-L] Fully funded PhD position in Tropical Forest Ecology and Conservation – Starting date: Fall, 2016.

[Eben Broadbent]

Fully funded PhD position in Tropical Forest Ecology and Conservation – 
Starting date: Fall, 2016.

The Spatial Ecology and Conservation (SPEC) Lab in the School of Forest 
Resources and Conservation (SFRC) at the University of Florida is seeking 
applicants for a fully funded 4-year PhD position in tropical forest ecology 
and conservation, with a strong geospatial focus, starting Fall, 2016. The 
stipend will be 22,000$ per year (12-month position), with all tuition covered.

We seek a student who will investigate human-forest-wildlife interactions in 
high biodiversity areas, in particular proximate or within protected areas, 
using cutting-edge geospatial approaches, including unmanned aerial vehicles 
(UAS) multi-spectral and LiDAR or high-resolution satellite or aircraft-borne 
sensors and/or modelling. The project should include: (a) a holistic approach 
to quantify biodiversity using multiple methods and linkages among wildlife and 
forest ecology and sustainability, with (b) a socio-economic analyses and 
outreach efforts, including workshops, involving local smallholders and 
communities, to further our understanding of biodiversity conservation, 
sustainability and the role of local communities in conservation efforts in 
these regions. Although our current emphasis is on the Neotropics, including 
Costa Rica, Peru, Bolivia, and/or Brazil, we would consider proposed projects 
in other study areas if applicants are well experienced in those systems, this 
would enable unique research/outreach opportunities, and a strong case is made.

We are seeking applicants with: (a) experience in fieldwork in challenging 
high-biodiversity tropical environments, (b) the ability to communicate 
effectively in their study areas native language, (c) experience in the 
multiple methods described above or excited and capable of learning new 
approaches, (d) minimum combined GRE score of 305, TOEFL IBT score of 105 (for 
international students), and GPA of 3.5, and (e) a master’s degree in a related 
field or equivalent level of academic or professional experience. Minimum 
expectations for a successful applicant are: (a) submit 1 paper per year to a 
quality peer-reviewed journal, (b) identify and apply each year to multiple 
external fellowships and research funding sources, (c) present and participate 
in international and regional conferences, and (d) that the student will spend 
all summer semesters conducting PhD relevant field work at their study location.

For questions, please contact Dr. Eben Broadbent at 
e...@ufl.edu, who will serve as the main academic advisor 
for this position. Research will also be a close collaboration with Dr. Almeyda 
Zambrano. It is expected that academic activities, including research and field 
work, will be conducted in very close collaboration with the advisor and 
committee members. Please see our lab website at: http://speclab.org  for more 
information on our general research, teaching and outreach activities. To 
apply, please email in PDF format your: CV, unofficial transcripts, GRE scores, 
TOEFL scores if appropriate, list of references (3-5), and 2-3 page statement 
of a proposed project, including (a) how it addresses the objectives described 
above, and (b) how you are qualified to accomplish this work. Relevant maps and 
figures would be appreciated. Applications submitted prior to June 1st, 2016, 
will receive full consideration, but we will continue reviewing applications 
after that point until the position is filled.

Some useful background readings are available for download at the link below. 
This folder will be updated as I identify readings of interest to this position 
until the position is filled: 
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/7oxl6eggrn17990/AACksAT2m8SYkcUn5wijf3CHa?dl=0

Best wishes,
Eben

~~
Eben N. Broadbent, Ph.D., Assistant Professor
Spatial Ecology and Conservation Lab | speclab.org
School of Forest Resources and Conservation | University of Florida
Geomatics, 303 Reed Lab | Gainesville, FL 32611
e...@ufl.edu | Cell: 650-204-1051
inogo.stanford.edu | inogo.info

[ECOLOG-L] 2 Professional Assistant Professor Postions at Texas A - Corpus Christi

[Lee Smee]

The College of Science and Engineering at Texas A University – Corpus
Christi invites applications for two (2) full-time, Professional Assistant
Professor positions in Biology and Human Anatomy & Physiology to begin in
August 2015. Although these are non-tenure track positions, promotion is
possible within the Professional line. In addition to teaching introductory
level courses, these hires will participate in the University’s First-Year
Learning Community program, and may have opportunities to teach other
courses in their areas of expertise.

For additional information and to apply visit:

https://islanderjobs.tamucc.edu

A completed application will include:
1. A letter of application addressing qualifications listed below including
a statement of teaching philosophy and interests, 
2. A curriculum vitae, 
3. Three professional references including name, address, title, telephone
number, and email addresses, and
4. Copies of transcripts of graduate coursework.

The application deadline is June 1, 2016.

[ECOLOG-L] Postdoctoral position - intertidal ecology

[Gilman, Sarah]

A postdoctoral research fellow position in intertidal ecology is available in 
the laboratory of Dr. Sarah Gilman at the W.M. Keck Science Department of 
Claremont McKenna, Pitzer and Scripps Colleges, Claremont, CA.  The postdoc 
will join an NSF-funded project to explore the relative importance of 
physiological stress and energy limitation on the upper vertical limit of the 
intertidal barnacle, Balanus glandula.

The postdoc will participate in all aspect of the project, including, 1) 
laboratory-based respirometry and feeding experiments, 2) energy budget 
modeling, and 3) intertidal field experiments.  (S)he will also actively mentor 
undergraduate researchers.  Additional responsibilities include laboratory 
management and the written and oral communication of research results. The 
project will include travel to field sites in California and Washington.

The postdoc will also have the opportunity to explore the culture of a 
teaching-focused institution, and will be involved in teaching one or more 
undergraduate courses, with mentoring from the PI.

The successful applicant will have completed a PhD degree in ecology, marine 
biology, or a related field prior to the start date. (S)he will have prior 
experience with at least two of the three central research areas listed above.  
A good publication record, strong organizational and communication skills, and 
a demonstrated ability to work independently are required.

The intended start date for this position is September 2016  The duration is 
for up to three years. Salary and benefits are competitive.

The full job description can be found online at 
https://webapps.cmc.edu/jobs/staff/staff_opening_detail.php?PostingID=2149

To apply, please submit:  a cover letter that explains your fit to the research 
position, your interest in teaching, and your potential start date; a CV; and 
the names of two references.  Please use the online application form at the 
above link.  Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until 
the position is filled.

For more information, contact Sarah Gilman, 
sgil...@kecksci.claremont.edu

-
Sarah Gilman, Ph.D.

W.M. Keck Science Department, of
Claremont McKenna, Pitzer, and Scripps Colleges
925 N. Mills Avenue
Claremont, CA 91711

http://faculty.jsd.claremont.edu/sgilman
sgil...@kecksci.claremont.edu
909-607-0715

[ECOLOG-L] Summer undergrad position in fruit crop entomology U of Wisc

[Alina Avanesyan]

Summer/Fall Student Hourly for the Guédot Lab UW Entomology

Position Description:
- 40 hrs/week ($10/hr) during the summer (June-August)
- Possibility to continue into fall (fewer hours/week or for class
credit)

Must be self-directed and highly motivated. Will work both independently
and as part of a research team with Dr. Christelle Guédot and research
technicians.

Laboratory & fieldwork projects include:
- Invasive fruit pest biology (i.e. spotted wing drosophila)
- Pollinators in fruit crops
- Landscape and ecological effects on fruit crop pests and pollinators

Position Requirements:
- Ability to commit to a full summer beginning June 1st or ASAP.
- Interest in entomology and agriculture.
- Clean driving record and ability to drive an automatic van.
- Flexibility in daily schedule as fieldwork may require early
mornings/late afternoons/weekends.
- Ability to do physically demanding and repetitive tasks.
- Ability to communicate effectively with lab-mates & farm workers.

Please contact Janet van Zoeren (ja...@vanzoeren.com)
with a résumé & brief statement of interest.

[ECOLOG-L] advice for dealing with ants in dry pitfall traps

[Tania Bird]

Hi ecologists,

We conduct regular surveys using pitfall traps for both reptiles and for
arthropods in sandy habitats.  We prefer to use dry traps (i.e. live traps)
for various reasons but we have an issue with ants attacking other species
that fall in the trap.
I am aware of chemicals such as Opigal that kill arthropods without harming
the reptiles. I would be glad to hear more about your experience with this
product in pitfall traps- is it really effective and does it not affect
other taxa other than arthropods?- is it a substance that can be used in
natural environments or it is a toxin that wont degrade etc etc?

I was also wondering if any one has any knowledge of substances/pitfall
designs that deter or kill ants without harming beetles and other insect
species?

Thanks for your advice.

Tania

Tania Bird MSc
PhD Student: Long-term, multivariate analyses for coastal dune conservation
Dept. of Geography & Environmental Development,
Ben Gurion University, Beer Sheva
https://www.linkedin.com/in/taniabird

[ECOLOG-L] Fully funded PhD. Position: Linking soil microbes and crop productivity

[Eric Lamb]

A fully funded PhD. position with Dr. Eric Lamb in the Department of Plant
Sciences at the University of Saskatchewan is available examining the causal
links between rhizosphere bacterial and fungal communities and the
performance of crop cultivars. This project is supported by the Global
Institute for Food Security and the Canada First Research Excellence Fund.
This is a unique opportunity to join a large interdisciplinary project
spanning the fields of agronomy, microbial ecology, bioinformatics, and
statistical ecology. Variance in crop plant performance will be intensively
measured in large field experiments and soil microbial community structure
will be assessed using high-throughput next generation sequencing. 

A PhD. student with a strong statistical ability is needed to work with in
dynamic group including soil and plant ecologists, bioinformaticians,
agronomists, and computer scientists to understand how soil communities
drive crop productivity. You will focus on linking environmental variables
and soil microbial community structure to crop plant performance using
structural equation modeling and associated methods. Opportunities to expand
your work to plant-microbial datasets collected in native grassland systems
are also available. This project has an anticipated September 2016 start date.

For more information:

Eric Lamb: http://homepage.usask.ca/~egl388/
Global Institute for Food Security:
http://gifs.ca/researcharea/root-soil-microbial-interactions/

Requirements

A thesis based (research) MSc. degree (note an individual with a course
based MSc. in statistics may be considered, but would be required to begin
in an MSc. program with the option to transfer to a PhD. program after 1 year.

Graduate level experience and training in one of the following fields:
microbial ecology, bioinformatics, statistical ecology, or computer science.

Application Procedure

Apply via e-mail to Eric Lamb (eric.l...@usask.ca) with a package including:

1. Cover letter describing your background and research experience
2. an up-to-date CV
3. unofficial transcript(s)
4. an example of your writing (e.g. a paper, extract from a thesis, or class
project). 

[ECOLOG-L] Next Gen Careers in Environmental Biology SURVEY and WORKSHOP

[Teresa Mourad]

The Ecological Society of America (ESA) and the Society for Conservation 
Biology (SCB) is planning to create a new network of prospective employers, 
faculty and professional societies.

With support from the National Science Foundation, the Next Generation Careers 
- Innovation in Environmental Biology Education (NGC) incubator project will 
explore undergraduate college career progression in environmental biology, 
including fields such as but not limited to ecology, evolution, conservation, 
natural resource management and geographic systems.

The network seeks to identify what may be needed to effectively inspire, 
motivate and mentor students, as well as build new synergies across sectors to 
advance Next Generation Careers in Environmental Biology. Please visit 
www.esa.org/nextgencareers for more 
information.

The NGC project invites you to participate in two ways.

 1)  Survey of Undergraduate Faculty, Program Administrators and Career 
Preparation Professionals

Take the survey (about 15 -30 minutes): 
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NGC2016survey

This survey is to learn about programs preparing students for career tracks in 
environmental biology as well as the needs of faculty in this preparation. Who 
should take the survey: Faculty, department chairs, academic counselors, career 
preparation professionals, and others involved in undergraduate education are 
invited to participate. Faculty involved with mathematical biology are strongly 
encouraged to respond.

We especially seek your assistance to forward the survey to those at your 
institution who may have specific information on graduation numbers, career 
preparation activities and/or career decisions of students in your program/s.  
These may include department chairs, program administrators, and career 
services professionals.

Your response is important to us. All responses are anonymous and findings will 
be reported cumulatively.

If you have any questions about the survey, please contact Geri Unger 
gun...@conbio.org .



2) Apply to Participate in a Workshop ~ October 17-19, 2016  Baltimore, MD

Apply for the workshop: http://www.esa.org/nextgencareers/workshop

This workshop will bring 40 representatives from academia, private sector, 
government, and non-governmental organizations to identify potential resource 
needs, training courses, workforce development and alignment, and directions in 
environmental biology teaching. We welcome practitioners, undergraduate 
faculty, administrators, career counseling professionals and others who are 
committed to placing students in careers and graduate programs to apply.

If you have any questions about the workshop, please contact Teresa Mourad, 
ter...@esa.org

Thank you for your participation.



Teresa Mourad, PI

Director, Education and Diversity Programs

Ecological Society of America



Geri Unger, Co-PI

Executive Director

Society for Conservation Biology



--

Teresa Mourad
Director, Education and Diversity Programs
Ecological Society of America