[ECOLOG-L] Postdoctoral research fellowship – Large-scale human effects on wildlife habitat: Boise State University

[Neil Carter]

Position Title:

Postdoctoral research fellowship – Large-scale human effects on wildlife 
habitat: Boise State University

Position description:

The successful applicant will synthesize large datasets in a geospatial 
modeling framework to quantify the effects of anthropogenic nightlight and 
noise on wildlife habitats across the continental US and network of 
National Parks. The spatial models will integrate remotely-sensed data, 
species trait data, wildlife occurrence records, and information on 
reproductive success to identify the wildlife species and habitat corridors 
that are most vulnerable to anthropogenic sensory stimuli. The project 
seeks to assess risk from sensory pollution on an ambitiously large number 
of mammal and bird species. In addition to the modeling and synthesis 
activities, the successful applicant will work closely with the National 
Park Service Natural Sounds and Night Skies Division to integrate products 
into the service’s decision making and information systems. 

Minimum qualifications: 

PhD (by start time of position) in Biology, Conservation, Ecology, 
Geography, or related field. Competitive applicants will have experience 
analyzing large datasets, developing and applying quantitative spatial 
models, computer programming and coding, and working in collaborative 
teams. Preference will be given to scholars with a proven publication 
record.

Where: 

The Carter lab at Boise State University. The successful applicant will 
also work closely with the labs of Dr. Jesse Barber (Boise State) and Dr. 
Clint Francis (California Polytechnic), as well as with the National Park 
Service Natural Sounds and Night Skies Division. 

Salary: 

Competitive postdoctoral salary and health insurance for 12 months. Second 
year contingent on performance and funding availability.

Start date: 

March 01, 2018 (negotiable)

Last date to apply:

December 8, 2017. Applications will be screened until the closing date, at 
which time letters of recommendation will be requested from those on the 
short list.

Application instructions:

Applicants should email the following materials as a single pdf file with 
the subject line “postdoctoral fellowship” to neilcar...@boisestate.edu: 
(a) two page cover letter describing relevant experience, interests, and 
professional goals, (b) CV, and (c) contact information for three 
professional references. For additional information contact Dr. Neil 
Carter.

Boise State University embraces and welcomes diversity in its faculty, 
student body, and staff. Accordingly, applicants who would add to the 
diversity and excellence of our academic community are encouraged to apply.

Additional information:

Nestled in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains and the capital of the 
State of Idaho, Boise is frequently featured as a top-ranked metropolis. 
The city has ample opportunities for world-class outdoor activities year 
round and a thriving arts and entertainment culture. In 2017, US News and 
World report ranked Boise the 12th best city to live in the United States. 

About the University: http://www.boisestate.edu
About the City of Boise: http://www.boisechamber.org
About the Human-Environment Systems Center at BSU: 
https://cid.boisestate.edu/hes

[ECOLOG-L] Research Internship on greenhouse gas fluxes from subtropical grazing lands

[Gomez-Casanovas, Nuria]

Research Internship on greenhouse gas fluxes from subtropical grazing lands

Starting date: End January/beginning February 2018; Application due: Dec
9, 2017.

Ideal for Students with Undergraduate Degrees Contemplating Graduate School

Includes research project. Provides Weekly stipend, Room, and Food stipend.

Internship at MacArthur Agro-ecology Research Center (MAERC), a division
of Archbold Biological Station, in south-central Florida in the
Agro-Ecology Program.

The successful intern will be supervised by Dr. Nuria Gomez-Casanovas
(University of Illinois) and Dr. Elizabeth Boughton (MAERC). The intern
will be exposed to research in biogeochemistry, grassland and wetland
ecology, and disturbance ecology (grazing, fire, flooding). Primarily, the
intern will work on a project investigating how cattle grazing and fire
affect the delivery of ecosystem services from grazed pastures. This
project is a collaborative effort between the University of Illinois,
Cornell University and MAERC.

Internships offer an opportunity for providing novel insights into some of
the most profound issues challenging our world: securing food in a
sustainable way; and for learning how research works. The intern’s
research project will improve understanding of how changes in grazing and
fire affect the exchange of greenhouse gases (CO2, CH4) between the
atmosphere and subtropical pastures. The successful intern will be trained
to use a variety of instruments to measure ecosystem CO2 and CH4 fluxes
from ecosystems. Other fieldwork will include aboveground and belowground
biomass, and soil collection. Long days and work on weekends may be
required during intense data collection campaigns. Preference will be
given to candidates who demonstrate experience with similar measurements
or a strong background (coursework) in biogeochemistry, but all are
encouraged to apply. Additionally, candidates with experiences that
demonstrate proficiency working outdoors will be considered.

Interns receive room, a meal allowance, and a weekly stipend of $100. They
typically work 20 hours per week as research assistants and the remainder
on their research project. Internships run for 6 months but are flexible
in their duration.

The intern must be able to tolerate living on a remote cattle ranch and
provide their own transportation for personal activities. MAERC is a
division of Archbold Biological Station with eight permanent staff,
located 11 miles away from the main field station. MAERC is operated as a
commercial cattle ranch which serves as a research platform to investigate
ecological and environmental challenges on working landscapes.

Archbold Biological Station is active in research, conservation, and
education. Facilities include a 5000 ha preserve, an outstanding regional
library and a GIS lab. The station has a staff of about 50 with many
visiting scientists, an active seminar program, and a relaxed biological
station atmosphere. Applications from members of underrepresented groups
are encouraged. The Station cannot hire people without legal status to
work in the U.S.

To apply for this internship, please provide the following: a cover letter
stating research interests, a description of previous research experience,
a resume or CV, a summary of grades, and two letters of recommendation
before December 9, 2017. Please email applications to: Dr. Nuria
Gomez-Casanovas, ngome...@igb.illinois.edu.

Should you require further information please email Dr. Gomez-Casanovas.

[ECOLOG-L] Now Accepting Applications: The Xerces Society's 2018 DeWind Awards for Lepidoptera Research

[Candace Fallon]

The Joan Mosenthal DeWind Award

The Xerces Society is now accepting applications for two $3,750 awards for
research into Lepidoptera conservation.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
The DeWind Awards are given to students who are engaged in research leading
to a university degree related to Lepidoptera conservation and who intend
to continue to work in this field. All proposals must be written by the
student researcher. Proposed research should have a clear connection to
Lepidoptera conservation and must be completed within one year from
receiving funds. Applicants may be graduate or undergraduate students;
however, please note that all but one awardee, to date, have been pursuing
graduate research. Applications from countries outside the United States
will be considered but must be written in English and international
applicant work cannot involve work in the United States.

Submission Deadline for 2018 Awards

The submission deadline is Sunday, December 31, 2017, at 11:59 PM PST.
Award winners will be announced by March 31, 2018, with the awards given by
May 2018.

Instructions for Submitting the Proposal

All proposals must be submitted by email to dew...@xerces.org. The proposal
should be attached as a single file in PDF format. The subject line of the
email should read "DeWind Award Proposal 2018."

Proposal Format (all text should use 12 pt font and one inch margins)

1. Cover page (1 page)
a. Title. List the title in Bold.
b. Contact information. Provide the name and contact information for the
applicant and his or her major advisor. Include institutional affiliations,
complete mailing address, and country. Also provide an email address and
telephone number (include country code if outside the United States).
c. Abstract. Include a project summary immediately following the title and
contact information. The summary should be limited to 100 words and should
not exceed one paragraph.

2. Proposal body (2 pages). Begin with a clear statement of the problem or
objectives, follow with a clear methods section, and end with a substantial
conclusion. The proposal should include a discussion of potential
conservation applications and results, and what products, if any, will
result from this work.

3. Additional information. On separate pages, please include all of the
following information: cited literature, detailed project budget, project
timeline, and a short (2 pages or less) CV. It is the goal of the DeWind
Award that the funds be used for direct research-related expenses; overhead
and/or administrative fees are considered ineligible.

4. Please include all of the materials as a single attachment. No other
attachments or supporting materials should be included.

For more information, to download a PDF of the submission guidelines, and
to read summaries of previous award winning projects, please visit
http://www.xerces.org/joan-dewind-award/.


-- 

*Candace Fallon*

Conservation Biologist

Endangered Species Program





*Protecting the Life that Sustains Us*


628 NE Broadway, Suite 200, Portland, OR, 97232 USA

Tel: (503) 232-6639 ext. 118 <(503)%20232-6639> |  Fax: (503) 233-6794



*xerces.org*   *Facebook*

*Instagram*   *Twitter
*

[ECOLOG-L] PhD positions in Plant-Insect Interactions-University of California Riverside

[Paul Nabity]

PhD positions in Plant-Insect Interactions-University of California Riverside
  Graduate assistantships are available in the area of plant response to 
herbivory in the Nabity lab at 
University of California-Riverside beginning 2018. There is flexibility in the 
project but the successful 
applicant/s will initially focus on research using genomics to understand how 
insect herbivores evolve. 
Current lab projects focus on identifying insect effectors that transform plant 
form and function, 
identifying plant signaling networks that underlie resistance/tolerance, and 
comparative analyses of 
both plants and insects under a changing climate. More information is available 
at www.nabitylab.org.
  Travel, field and greenhouse experiments, and molecular lab work will all be 
part of the successful 
projects. Students will also have opportunities to conduct fieldwork in the 
University of California 
Natural Reserves (www.ucnrs.org). Students will be able to join through one of 
multiple departments, 
including Botany and Plant Sciences (www.plantbiology.ucr.edu), Evolution, 
Ecology, and Organismal 
Biology (EEOB: http://eeob.ucr.edu) or Entomology (www.entomology.ucr.edu) and 
participate in 
interdisciplinary programs as appropriate. UCR is an Equal Opportunity and 
Affirmative Action Employer 
with a strong institutional commitment to the achievement of excellence and 
diversity.  
  To apply, please contact Dr. Nabity (pa...@ucr.edu) as soon as possible with 
your CV, GRE scores, and 
a brief description of current interests. Full applications to the individual 
programs are due by December 
1.

[ECOLOG-L] Graduate student openings (Ph.D./M.S.) in Population and Community Ecology

[Andrew Kramer]

The Kramer laboratory in the Department of Integrative Biology at the
University of South Florida (https://kramera3.github.io) is seeking
motivated graduate students (Ph.D. or M.S.) to study the dynamics of
extinction, species invasions, and/or species coexistence. The lab uses a
combination of laboratory and field experiments, quantitative models, and
computational analysis of big datasets to address basic and applied
questions about population dynamics and persistence. Potential study systems
range from zooplankton to microbes to emerging wildlife diseases. Successful
candidates can build on past studies and develop independent projects.
Examples of potential project areas include experimental tests of Allee
effects (positive density dependence), eco-evolutionary dynamics of mate
finding or competition, macroscale spread on networks, species coexistence
in freshwater zooplankton communities, or forecasting aquatic invasive species.

Competitive applicants will have research experience, quantitative skills
and strong oral and written communication abilities. Applicants with
previous experience in statistics, computer code, data visualization, and/or
freshwater ecology will be preferred.

Positions will be competitively funded through a combination of teaching and
research assistantship support. Tuition (not including fees), medical
insurance, and travel to professional meetings are covered. Students are
also encouraged to apply for external fellowships such as the National
Science Foundation Pre-doctoral Fellowship (https://www.nsfgrfp.org).

*To Apply*
For consideration please email a cover letter stating your research
interests and qualifications, your CV with names and contact information for
3 references, unofficial transcripts, and GRE scores to Dr. Drew Kramer
(krame...@uga.edu) by November 17th. This will allow time to discuss your
research interests before the preferred deadline for application to the
department of November 30th. Please contact me with any inquiries for
additional information or to arrange a phone call.

To learn more about the Department of Integrative Biology please visit
http://biology.usf.edu/ib/. The University of South Florida is a diverse
research university located in Tampa, FL http://www.usf.edu/. USF is an
Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race,
color, marital status, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age,
genetic information, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, or
veteran status.

Drew Kramer
Assistant Professor (starting January 1, 2018)
Department of Integrative Biology
University of South Florida

[ECOLOG-L] MSc opportunity - Population ecology of invasive species

[Andrew Kramer]

The Kramer laboratory in the Department of Integrative Biology at the
University of South Florida (https://kramera3.github.io) is seeking a
graduate student to study the spatial dynamics of invasive species using
computational approaches, beginning in August 2018. Research in the lab
includes the population ecology of invasion, extinction and species
coexistence. This project will build on previous work on forecasting
potential invaders and patterns of spatial spread. Applicants interested in
species distribution models, spatial dynamics, or aquatic invasive species
are particularly encouraged to apply. 

Competitive applicants will have quantitative skills and strong oral and
written communication abilities. Applicants with previous experience in
ecological research, statistics, computer code, and/or spatial analysis are
preferred. 

Funding for the position will likely come from a teaching assistantship
during the academic year and research assistantship during the summer.
Tuition (not including fees), medical insurance and travel to professional
meetings are covered. 

*To Apply*
For consideration please email a cover letter stating your research interest
and qualifications, your CV with names and contact information for 3
references, unofficial transcripts, and GRE scores to Dr. Drew Kramer
(krame...@uga.edu) by November 17th. Application to the department will also
be necessary, with a preferred deadline of November 30th. Please contact me
with any inquiries for additional information or to arrange a phone call.

To learn more about the Department of Integrative Biology please visit
http://biology.usf.edu/ib/. The University of South Florida is a diverse
research university located in Tampa, FL http://www.usf.edu/. USF is an
Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race,
color, marital status, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age,
genetic information, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, or
veteran status.

Drew Kramer
Assistant Professor (starting January 1, 2018)
Department of Integrative Biology
University of South Florida

[ECOLOG-L] Job announcement: Conservation Science Coordinator Position, Missouri Botanical Garden

[Matthew Albrecht]

We are seeking a Science Coordinator (permanent position) in the Applied 
Plant Ecology and Conservation Lab at the Missouri Botanical Garden. Under 
the direction of Dr. Matthew Albrecht, this position will coordinate and 
implement scientific research projects and activities related to the 
population dynamics, restoration and reintroduction, and seed conservation of 
threatened plant species. The Science Coordinator will maintain scientific 
experiments in growth chambers and in natural communities throughout the 
south-central United States, including the Missouri Botanical Garden’s Shaw 
Nature Reserve. The position will also be responsible for maintaining ex situ 
seed collections of globally imperiled plants, managing day-to-day activities 
in CCSD’s Plant Conservation Science Lab with or without direct supervision, 
and coordinating relationships with collaborative partners and governmental 
agencies. 
  
For an overview of the Applied Plant Ecology and Conservation Lab, please 
see: https://plantconservation.weebly.com/

For a detailed job description and instructions for applying, please follow 
this link: https://missouribotanicalgarden.applicantpro.com/jobs/666328.html

[ECOLOG-L] Canadian Conference for Fisheries Research and Canadian Society of Limnlogists

[Mark Poesch]

Dear all,

The CCFFR has been meeting annually for over 60 years in concert with the 
Society of Canadian Limnologists. The conference is a forum where aquatic 
science professionals from academia, industry, government and ENGOs 
present and discuss the latest ideas and advances in Canadian fisheries 
research and management. 

Early bird registration and abstract submission is now open, and extended 
to November 7th, 2017! 

We also support travel for students and Early Career researchers through 
the Clemens-Rigler Award. Applications are open until November 7.

Come join us in Edmonton from January 4-7, 2018. 

Registration details can be found here:
http://www1.uwindsor.ca/glier/ccffr/

[ECOLOG-L] Research Assistantships (PhD, MS) in the Agroecology of Dryland Cropping Systems

[Mariana Dobre]

We are seeking highly motivated and qualified students to explore the
ability of current, incremental, and transformational wheat-based cropping
systems to capture and utilize available water and soil nutrients (nitrogen
and phosphorus) within complex landscapes and over a wide climatic gradient.
Research will involve extensive field experimentation, remote sensing, and
hydrologic crop modeling.

A PhD student will (1) investigate opportunities to better utilize remote
sensing to capture and manage point and field scale hydrologic fluxes and
crop nitrogen uptake (2) assess the ability of cropping models to simulate
water and nitrogen pools and fluxes (3) quantify the long-term agronomic and
environmental impacts of alternative cropping systems in the region. Please
contact Erin Brooks (ebro...@uidaho.edu) for questions about this position.

Two MS students will focus on site hydrological impacts on soil nutrient
status and plant productivity at different spatial scales. The overarching
objective (1) is to quantify nitrogen mineralization spatial variability,
while simultaneously characterizing (2) phosphorus speciation in water and
soil and related plant productivity. For this project, both field and
laboratory studies are envisioned. Please contact Zachary Kayler
(zkay...@uidaho.edu) and Dan Strawn (dgstr...@uidaho.edu) for questions
about this position.

The positions will be within a larger collaborative project involving
climate, soil scientists, entomologists, plant pathologists, agronomists,
and economists and three universities with strong ties to the Cook Agronomy
Farm Long Term Agro-ecosytem Research (LTAR) site managed by the USDA-ARS.
The University of Idaho is located in Moscow, a small college town with a
thriving arts scene and abundant opportunities for outdoor recreation.

Qualifications: Applicants for the positions will have an undergraduate (MS)
or graduate degree (PhD) in hydrology, water resources, soils, agronomy,
environmental chemistry, agricultural engineering, environmental
engineering, or a related field. The successful candidates will be familiar
with water and nutrient cycling in soils (including stable isotope
techniques), an understanding of crop systems, GIS/remote sensing, Python/R
programming, and basic spatial modeling and statistics. The students are
expected to have excellent communication and interpersonal skills and to
participate in field data collection. We highly encourage motivated students
eager to gain a deeper understanding of the sustainable dryland cropping
systems and are willing to work interactively in team research to apply for
these assistantships.

Financial support: Each successful candidate will receive tuition support
and stipend, and financial support to participate to a relevant conference
each year.

To apply: Please send a Personal statement, Curriculum Vitae, Unofficial
transcripts, and contact information for three references to (PhD) Erin
Brooks at ebro...@uidaho.edu, Zachary Kayler (MS) at zkay...@uidaho.edu, or
Dan Strawn (MS) at dgstr...@uidaho.edu.

Timeline: Review of applicants will start immediately and continue until the
position is filled.

[ECOLOG-L] Ph.D. Assistantship: Forest Insect Ecology at MSSTATE

[John Riggins]

The Forest Entomology Laboratory in the Department of Biochemistry, Molecular 
Biology, Entomology and Plant Pathology at Mississippi State University 
announces a Ph.D. research assistantship with up to 4 years of support (based 
on performance) starting in spring or summer 2018. The selected student will 
be under the direct supervision of Dr. John Riggins and will be involved with 
an interdisciplinary team of scientists studying biogeochemical dynamics in 
forest ecosystems after bark beetle epidemics. 

See link below for full announcement.

http://forestentomology.org.msstate.edu/uploads/5/0/1/6/50161813/phd_assistan
tship.pdf 

[ECOLOG-L] PhD positions in Reproductive Coevolution and Sensory Ecology in the Morehouse Lab

[Morehouse, Nathan (morehonn)]

The Morehouse Lab at the University of Cincinnati is seeking highly motivated 
PhD students to join our vibrant research team. Current research foci in the 
lab include the co-evolution of color vision and color signaling in jumping 
spiders (https://goo.gl/cyueWW), the influence of female gaze on the evolution 
of complex courtship displays (also in jumping spiders), and co-evolution 
between male and female reproductive proteins in butterflies 
(https://goo.gl/2hg44e). I am particularly motivated to recruit students 
interested in this latter research topic, given the current balance of 
interests and expertise in the lab, but am also open to applications from 
students more attracted to our research on jumping spiders.

In addition to these new research initiatives, we have a number of other 
research projects that could provide opportunities for incoming students. I am 
currently adding more information about these on the lab website: 
www.morehouselab.com.
Students interested in joining the lab should contact me as soon as possible 
(nathan.moreho...@uc.edu) to discuss their 
interests and fit for the lab. Please include a brief statement of your 
research interests, how they connect with our current research, and your CV, 
academic transcripts, and GRE scores if available. Research support in the form 
of a one-year research assistantship is available for highly qualified 
applicants.

The University of Cincinnati is emerging as an international center of 
excellence in sensory biology and ecology. With a strong and growing faculty 
concentration in Sensory Biology, Behavior, and Evolution 
(http://www.artsci.uc.edu/departments/biology/research/Sbbe.html), UC provides 
a vibrant intellectual environment for research and student training. Matching 
research strengths in sensing and sensor technologies in UC’s 
nationally-renowned College of Engineering offer a number of cross-disciplinary 
training opportunities. Our Department of Psychology is home to the Center for 
Cognition, Action, and Perception (http://www.uc.edu/cap.html), which adds 
research dimensions in cognitive science and ecological psychology. In 
addition, Sensorium, a regional consortium of sensory biologists and ecologists 
established this fall through efforts of members of our SBBE group 
(http://www.sensoriumconference.org), 
offers additional connections to regional labs, including research groups at 
Purdue and Case Western.

The Department of Biological Sciences offers competitive support packages for 
qualified students. The University of Cincinnati and the Department of 
Biological Sciences have a strong commitment to diversity in science and 
graduate education. Students from underrepresented ethnic or racial minorities 
will be considered for the new Provost Graduate Fellowship, which provides a 
3-year $25,000 stipend plus tuition remission, and the Yates Fellowship, which 
awards grants to underrepresented minority candidates.

The University of Cincinnati is a top-25 public ‘research-intensive’ 
institution and is ranked among the nation’s best institutions for 
undergraduate education. Founded in 1819, our campus boasts award winning, 
modern architecture and is located in close vicinity to collaborative resources 
including the UC Medical campus, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, the Cincinnati 
Zoo and Botanical Garden, and the Environmental Protection Agency.

Cincinnati is a vibrant city on the banks of the Ohio River. The region is home 
to year-round cultural and entertainment opportunities such as the Cincinnati 
Symphony Orchestra and National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, as well as 
numerous annual music and cultural festivals. Cincinnati is also home to major 
professional sports teams including the Cincinnati Bengals, Cincinnati Reds, 
and FC Cincinnati – a new professional soccer team which draws over 20,000 fans 
per game. The city is located within the Hamilton County Parks system which 
provides extensive green space and opportunities for outdoor activities.

More information about the graduate program in the Department of Biological 
Sciences can be found here: 
http://www.artsci.uc.edu/departments/biology/graduate/future.html

Graduate applications are due January 1. To apply: 
http://www.grad.uc.edu/ApplyOnline.aspx

Sincerely,

Nate

Nathan Morehouse
___
Assistant Professor
Department of Biological Sciences
University of Cincinnati
711H Rieveschl Hall
Cincinnati, OH 45221-0006
Office: (513) 556-9757
colorevolut...@uc.edu
http://www.morehouselab.com

"Il y a un autre monde mais il est dans celui-ci." - Paul Éluard

[ECOLOG-L] Course on analysing behavioural data!

[Oliver Hooker]

Behavioural data analysis using maximum likelihood in R (BDML01)

https://www.psstatistics.com/course/behavioural-data-analysis-using-maximum-
likelihood-bdml01/

19th March 2018 - 23rd March 2018

SCENE, Loch Lomond, Rowardennan, , Glasgow, Scotland, G63 0AW, United 
Kingdom 

Course Overview:
This 5-day course will involve a combination of lectures and practical 
sessions. Students will learn to build and fit custom models for analysing 
behavioural data using maximum likelihood techniques in R. This flexible 
approach allows a researcher to a) use a statistical model that directly 
represents their hypothesis, in cases where standard models are not 
appropriate and b) better understand how standard statistical models (e.g. 
GLMs) are fitted, many of which are fitted by maximum likelihood. Students 
will learn how to deal with binary, count and continuous data, including 
time-to-event data which is commonly encountered in behavioural analysis.
After successfully completing this course students should be able to:
1) fit a multi-parameter maximum likelihood model in R
2) derive likelihood functions for binary, count and continuous data
3) deal with time-to-event data
4) build custom models to test specific behavioural hypotheses
5) conduct hypothesis tests and construct confidence intervals
6) use Akaike’s information criterion (AIC) and model averaging
7) understand how maximum likelihood relates to Bayesian techniques

Monday 19th
Module 1: The process of statistical inference and the role of statistical 
models. Why learn likelihood techniques? Course outline
Module 2: Maximum likelihood estimation: single parameter models for binary 
data

Tuesday 20th
Module 3: Models with several parameters for binary data, optimization 
algorithms
Module 4: Testing hypotheses and constructing confidence intervals

Wednesday 21st
Module 5: Modelling count data and the Poisson distribution
Module 6: Modelling continuous data, the normal distribution and the 
relationship of maximum likelihood to least squares

Thursday 22nd
Module 7: Modelling time to event data and the exponential distribution
Module 8: Akaike’s information criterion (AIC) and model averaging

Friday 12th
Module 9: A brief introduction to Bayesian analysis, the practical 
advantages, and its relationship to maximum likelihood
Afternoon: Trouble shooting and final summary

Please send enquiries to oliverhoo...@psstatistics.com or visit 
www.psstatistcs.com for more details.

Other courses include

1.  November 6th – 10th 2017
LANDSCAPE GENETIC DATA ANALYSIS USING R #LNDG
Margam Discovery Centre, Wales, Prof. Rodney Dyer
http://www.prstatistics.com/course/landscape-genetic-data-analysis-using-r-
lndg02/

2.  November 20th - 25th 2017
APPLIED BAYESIAN MODELLING FOR ECOLOGISTS AND EPIDEMIOLOGISTS #ABME
SCENE, Scotland, Dr. Matt Denwood
http://www.prstatistics.com/course/applied-bayesian-modelling-ecologists-
epidemiologists-abme03/

3.  November 27th – December 1st 2017
INTRODUCTION TO PYTHON FOR BIOLOGISTS #IPYB
Margam Discovery Centre, Wales, Dr. Martin Jones
http://www.prinformatics.com/course/introduction-to-python-for-biologists-
ipyb04/


--
4.  December 4th - 8th 2017
ADVANCING IN STATISTICAL MODELLING USING R #ADVR
Margam Discovery Centre, Wales, Dr. Luc Bussiere, Dr. Tom Houslay, Dr. Ane 
Timenes Laugen,
http://www.prstatistics.com/course/advancing-statistical-modelling-using-r-
advr07/


--
5.  January 29t – February 2nd 2018
INTRODUCTION TO BAYESIAN HIERARCHICAL MODELLING #IBHM
SCENE, Scotland, Dr. Andrew Parnell
http://www.prstatistics.com/course/introduction-to-bayesian-hierarchical-
modelling-using-r-ibhm02/

6.  January 29th – February 2nd 2018
PHYLOGENETIC DATA ANALYSIS USING R #PHYL
SCENE, Scotland, Dr. Emmanuel Paradis
https://www.prstatistics.com/course/introduction-to-phylogenetic-analysis-
with-r-phyg-phyl02/


--

7.  February 19th – 23rd 2018
MOVEMENT ECOLOGY #MOVE
Margam Discovery Centre, Wales, Dr Luca Borger, Dr Ronny Wilson, Dr 
Jonathan Potts
https://www.prstatistics.com/course/movement-ecology-move01/

8.  February 19th – 23rd 2018
GEOMETRIC MORPHOMETRICS USING R #GMMR
Margam Discovery Centre, Wales, Prof. Dean Adams, Prof. Michael Collyer, 
Dr. Antigoni Kaliontzopoulou
http://www.prstatistics.com/course/geometric-morphometrics-using-r-gmmr01/

[ECOLOG-L] Graduate Assistantship in Landscape Ecology of Monarch Butterflies

[Claudio Gratton]

Graduate Research Assistantship Opportunity
Landscape Ecology of Monarch Butterflies
University of Wisconsin - Madison
Application Deadline: Dec. 1, 2017
Start Date: ideal Spring 2018

https://goo.gl/Rxj53Y

We are seeking a highly motivated student for either an MS or PhD track to join a 
collaborative project between the University of Wisconsin and the US Fish and Wildlife 
Service to study monarch butterfly ecology and conservation in a landscape context.  The 
project will consist of exploring how ecological factors that affect monarchs, such as host 
plant quality and predation, vary across landscapes and how habitat quality, patch size 
and configuration may alter monarch survivorship and recruitment. The project at directors 
UW are Dr. Claudio Gratton (Entomology), and Karen Oberhauser (Entomology), and at 
USFWS Chris Trosen and Wayne Thogmartin.
 
Competitive applicants will have backgrounds in biology, ecology or entomology with an 
interest in conservation and insect biology. Prior experience doing field work and being 
part of a research project is desirable.  Strong quantitative skills (computation, statistics, 
coding) are also desirable. Communication skills (oral and writing) are important as is the 
ability to work on a team. 
 
For more details on applying, please visit: https://goo.gl/Rxj53Y
 
We will begin screening applications in early December 2017, have initial online or phone 
interviews in late December/early January, and extend an invitation for an on-campus visit 
in early February. Final decisions will be made by late February 2018. Starting date for the 
position could be as early as March 2018.

Current funding for the project guarantees a 2 year research assistantship (covers annual 
stipend and tuition remission) and could be extended through additional teaching 
assistantship or research assistantships.
 
If you have any questions, please contact Claudio Gratton (cgrat...@wisc.edu). 

[ECOLOG-L] Survey re: return of overhead on grants to faculty

[Brian Buma]

Hi all, I hope it this an appropriate question for the listserv.

Most all of us write overhead into our grants.  I'm interested in
collecting general information on how much, or if any, of grant overhead is
returned directly to the faculty member receiving the grants.  I know many
places do not return any overhead, but some return a small percentage for
general use in the faculty members' lab, publishing costs, etc.

This is not intended to identify any specific university or system that is
generous or not, more as a general survey of the state of affairs, and I
don't need that information - just hoping to get a list of percentages.  I
tried looking on various universities and departmental websites, but was
not able to find much.

I'd very much appreciate it if folks could send me any information from
their institution (or if it's department specific, their department).  I'm
just as interested in reports of 0% return as reports of 3% or 5% or
however much (or other arrangements), so as to get as balanced an idea as
possible.

Thanks!
Brian

---
Brian Buma, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Forest Ecology
University of Alaska

Ph: 907-796-6410
bb...@alaska.edu

www.brianbuma.com

[ECOLOG-L] An interview of environmental writer Richard Manning

[Eric Garza]

Greetings folks,


I teach food system courses at the University of Vermont, and among my best 
received classes is The Real Cost of Food. In this class I facilitate students' 
investigations of the many social and environmental costs associated with 
current models of food production, distribution and consumption. In that class 
I use environmental writer Richard Manning's book Against the Grain as the 
intro text, a book that takes a very thoughtful and critical look at the broad 
impacts and implications of agriculture as a means of procuring food. This 
morning I released a conversation I recently had with Richard as an episode of 
my podcast, A Worldview Apart. I'll offer a 
link to the episode on my website, though it's also available for download on 
iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play, etc.


Episode 31: Richard Manning on Looking Critically at 
Agriculture


Our conversation ranges widely. We start by discussing the tendency of 
agricultural systems to feed elites in society quite well while leaving the 
majority of people malnourished, whether there is such a thing as sustainable 
agriculture, and our contemporary need to balance healthcare costs against the 
cost of food.


As always, comments and feedback are welcome. And feel free to share in your 
networks, if you're so inspired.


All the best,


Eric Garza, PhD

Cell: (802) 881-8675

Web: EricGarza.info

[ECOLOG-L] Cons tech guidelines: Camera trapping, passive acoustic monitoring, and remote sensing with LiDAR guidelines

[Paul Glover-Kapfer]

Dear All,

At WWF our aim is to maximize the effectiveness of technology for
conservation, ecological research, and citizen science by providing
experienced as well as new users with accessible and freely available,
peer-edited guidance. The initial three guidance documents - camera
trapping, passive acoustic monitoring, and remote sensing with lidar - are
part of a larger series, which will soon also include guidelines for
satellite remote sensing and tracking tags and collars. You can access the
guidelines via ResearchGate or here:
https://www.wwf.org.uk/conservationtechnology/. In addition to the
guidelines, the webpages also provide a brief introduction to each
technology, answers to FAQs, and an interactive decision tree to help users
determine how best to use each technology. Whilst the guidelines are
designed to aid practitioners in the field, they should also be useful for
novices that require a basic introduction to the technologies, highly
skilled professionals that are primarily interested in the latest best
practice guidelines for research, and citizen scientists that may have
questions about what the technologies can and cannot do.

[ECOLOG-L] PhD positions in ecology, evolution, conservation at University of Cambridge

[AJ Tanentzap]

The University of Cambridge is offering more than 15 3.5 year NERC-funded 
studentships starting in October 2018 as part of its Earth 
System Science Doctoral Training Partnership.  A wide range of projects are 
available across seven world-class departments and the British 
Antarctic Survey.  The full list of studentships is available here:  
https://essdtp.esc.cam.ac.uk/programme/biology-theme


My group in the Department of Plant Sciences (learn more about us here: 
https://www.plantsci.cam.ac.uk/research/andrewtanentzap) is 
specifically offering four projects addressing the:
* biology of Arctic lakes 
(https://essdtp.esc.cam.ac.uk/programme/biology-theme/b409-smalllakes-tanentzap)
* links between streams and forest management practices 
(https://essdtp.esc.cam.ac.uk/programme/biology-theme/b401-forest-tanentzap)
* ecological drivers and consequences of plant evolutionary radiations 
(https://essdtp.esc.cam.ac.uk/programme/biology-theme/b408-
plantradiation-tanentzap)
* species conservation outside of protected areas in New Zealand 
(https://essdtp.esc.cam.ac.uk/programme/biology-theme/b407-metapop-
tanentzap)


*** Eligibility and Funding ***
UK and EEA students who meet the UK residency requirements will be eligible for 
a full Natural Environmental Research Council (NERC) 
studentship.  A full studentship will cover the cost of all fees and the 
student will receive the standard NERC maintenance allowance 
(£14,553 pa for 2017/18).  Students from EU countries who do not meet the 
residency requirements may still be eligible for a fees-only 
award, and can apply for maintenance feeds funded by the various Cambridge 
Trusts.  Overseas students may similarly be able to join the 
programme but will need to have arranged funding from other sources.  Further 
funding details are available here: 
https://essdtp.esc.cam.ac.uk/prospective-students/funding-information


*** How to Apply ***
Interested applicants should contact the lead supervisor in the first instance. 
 Contact details for supervisors are available on 
associated project webpages.

The deadline for applications to the NERC Doctoral Training Partnership is 
Thursday 4th January 2018.  All supporting documentation (e.g. 
references) must be uploaded within 7 days of submitting your application. The 
latest date is therefore 11 January 2017.  Full details of 
the application process are available at: 
https://essdtp.esc.cam.ac.uk/prospective-students/how-to-apply