M.S. Assistantship – Influence of Volunteer Associations on Lake Water Quality: Virginia Tech.

School: Virginia Tech

Location: Blacksburg, VA

Job Category: Graduate Assistantships

Website http://sorice.frec.vt.edu/research-opportunities/

Salary: $22,716

Start Date: 08/15/2017

Last Date to Apply: 12/01/2016

 

Description:

     A new position is open for an M.S. student to collaborate with a research team working to understand how citizen-organized lake associations influence lake management efforts and environmental outcomes. This position is part of a NSF project that models catchment-scale limnological, hydrological, and socio-economic dynamics at multiple sites in the U.S. The successful applicant will conduct qualitative research to understand how the efforts and goals of lake associations have evolved over time to shape lake management and environmental outcomes. Key methods include document analysis and interviews. The applicant will also conduct focus groups and survey research to understand current levels of engagement and community trust in lake associations. The applicant will collaborate with other graduate students and interact with post docs and faculty associated with the project to integrate their research findings into policy scenarios.
     The student will enroll in the M.S. degree program in Virginia Tech’s Department of Forest Resources & Environmental Conservation. Funding is for two years; a full graduate research assistantship (with stipend) and tuition waiver will be provided. The start date can be as early as January 2017; otherwise, the start date will be August 2017. We will start reviewing applications December 1st. Interested students are encouraged to send the following as a single pdf document: 

1) A brief cover letter describing their professional background, relevant research experience and interests, career goals, and reasons for seeking an M.S. degree

2) A current curriculum vitae/resume

3) Names and contact information for three references,

4) An unofficial copy of transcripts and GRE scores directly to:

Michael G. Sorice
Department of Forest Resources & Environmental Conservation
310 W. Campus Drive
Blacksburg, VA 24061
(540) 231-8303 | m-sorice@vt.edu
http://sorice.frec.vt.edu

 

Qualifications:

     Relevant undergraduate areas of specialization include: environmental studies, political science, anthropology, sociology, and communications.

PhD Positions in Plant Ecology: Utah State University

School: Utah State University

Location: Logan, Utah

Job Category: Graduate Assistantships

Website: http://seedscape.github.io/BeckmanLab/GraduatePosition.html

Salary: TBD

Last Date to Apply: 01/15/2017

 

Description:

    PhD positions are available beginning Fall of 2017 in the research group of Dr. Noelle G. Beckman in the Department of Biology and Ecology Center at Utah State University. The Beckman Lab investigates interactions between plants and their environment occurring over multiple scales and examines the role of these interactions in limiting plant populations and maintaining biodiversity. Many of these interactions are disrupted by global change, and we examine the consequences of these disruptions for plant communities and ecosystem functions. The research group uses a combination of empirical and quantitative approaches to address our research questions. Examples of ongoing projects include: 

1) Synthesizing data with mathematical models to predict extinction risk of plant species to climate change

2) Understanding the importance of seed dispersal under global change

3) Examining the influence of dispersal and plant consumers on plant spatial patterns

     Before applying, interested candidates should contact Dr. Beckman (nbeckman AT sesync.org) with a letter of interest, CV, and contact information for two references. The recommended date to pre-apply is December 1 and application to the School of Graduate Studies is January 15 for full consideration of financial support. The Beckman Lab is committed to building a diverse and inclusive community. Women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. 

Qualifications:

Previous research experience
Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team
Strong written and oral communication skills
Strong quantitative skills and/or interest in developing quantitative skills

   For more information please contact: Dr. Noelle Beckman (nbeckman@sesync.org)

MS in Aquatic Ecology: Tennessee Tech University

School: Tennessee Tech University

Location: Cookeville, TN

Job Category: Graduate Assistantships

Website: https://sites.tntech.edu/jnmurdock/

Salary: Student would serve as a teaching assistant in the Department of Biology at Tennessee Tech. Monthly stipend is $1200 with tuition and fees covered.

Start Date: 01/01/2017

Last Date to Apply: 11/30/2017

 

Description:

     An assistantship is available for a MS student to work on a project evaluating the impacts of agricultural runoff on headwater stream/oxbow lake structure and function in the Mississippi River Alluvial Plain. This is a collaborative project with the USDA National Sedimentation Laboratory. Potential areas of research for this student include linking water quantity to denitrification, GHG emissions, or algal structure and function.
     Interested applicants should send a CV, cover letter describing experience and goals, unofficial transcripts, and contact information of two individuals familiar with research/academic performance to Dr. Justin Murdock at jnmurdock@tntech.edu.TTU application information can be found at https://www.tntech.edu/graduatestudies/graduateadmissions/.

 

Qualifications:

     Preferred Qualifications: Undergraduate degree in aquatic sciences (minimum G.P.A. of 3.0); Ability to conduct field research under rigorous conditions; Experience with chemical analyses. For additional information please contact:  Dr. Justin Murdock (jnmurdock@tntech.edu).

Research assistant for Prescribed burning of cordgrass: Texas A&M University – Kingsville.

School: Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute / Texas A&M University

Location: Kingsville and Port Mansfield, Texas

Job Category: Graduate Assistantships

Salary: $1,400/month plus benefits (medical package has a 60-day waiting period). Nonresident tuition waived (resident tuition fees apply). Partial tuition fee assistance may be provided based on availability of funds.

Start Date: 01/02/2017

Last Date to Apply: 12/15/2016

 

Description:

   Successful applicant will study effects of patch burning in varying seasons on cordgrass vegetative communities and livestock distribution on the South Texas Gulf Coast. Project goals include determining herbaceous biomass, species diversity, and effects on below-ground plant tissue. Position also requires work on related projects as requested. Successful candidate will pursue an M.S. degree in Range and Wildlife Management at Texas A&M University-Kingsville.

 

Qualifications:

   B.S. degree in range, wildlife, ecology, biology, or a related field, minimum 3.0 GPA, and competitive GRE scores. Successful applicant must be capable of working outdoors under adverse field conditions (hot humid Texas environment), identifying plant species and assisting with prescribed burns; must have a strong work ethic, good verbal and written communication skills, ability to work well with landowners, ranch managers, and employees, and ability to work independently and within a group; must be able to drive state vehicles within 30 days of employment. For more information please contact: Dr. Sandra Rideout-Hanzak (sandra.rideout-hanzak@tamuk.edu).

MS Research Assistantships in Coastal Ecology and Resource Management Research: University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.

School: University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Location: Brownsville, Texas

Job Category: Graduate Assistantships

Salary: of$15,000 per year plus tuition ($6,520/yr)

Start Date: 01/17/2017

Last Date to Apply: 11/15/2016

 

Description:

   The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) is offering two Graduate Research Assistantships for masters-level students in coastal ecology and resource management research. Projects will focus on various functional and structural characteristics of estuarine and other coastal systems (i.e. Rio Grande deltaic habitats), as related to the mission of the multi-institutional National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Center for Coastal and Marine Ecosystems (CCME). The mission of the CCME is to educate and train a new generation of scientists, particularly from underrepresented minority communities, in NOAA-relevant Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines and social sciences, equipped to utilize interdisciplinary approaches to address issues confronting marine and coastal communities. Successful applicants will be expected to enroll, full time, in UTRGV’s Ocean, Coastal and Earth Sciences Masters program working under the supervision of Dr. Cintra Buenrostro or Dr. Fierro-Cabo (project co-PIs). Each position is fully funded at a rate of $15,000 per year plus tuition ($6,520/yr.) for two years starting Spring 2017. As an equal opportunity employer UTRGV does not discriminate on the ground of race, national origin, handicap, age, religion, or sex.
    Candidates are invited to submit via email:

1) A letter of interest outlining their skills and abilities

2) Curriculum vitae or resume

3) Contact information for three professional references to Dr. Carlos E. Cintra Buenrostro (Carlos.Cintra@utrgv.edu). 

    Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until positions are filled. 

Qualifications:

     B. S. in ecology, biology, or closely related fields. A strong work ethic, ability to work independently and as a member of a research team, and ability to work under the hot humid South Texas climate are essential.
Funding to support students under this announcement is provided by the U.S. Department of Commerce under award #NA16SEC4810009. As per the award terms and conditions, students supported under this program must meet the following eligibility criteria: students must be U.S. citizens, full-time postsecondary students, must maintain a minimum 3.0 grade point average, and not engaged in full-time employment outside the program and/or academic institution. Because this is a position funded by NOAA’s Educational Partnership Program for Minority Serving Institutions (EPP-MSI), preference will be given to students representing minorities. For additional information please contact: Dr. Carlos E. Cintra Buenrostro (Carlos.Cintra@utrgv.edu).

Graduate Assistantships (Ph.D. and M.S.) Cichlid Evolution and Behavior at Central Michigan University.

School: Central Michigan University

Location: Mt. Pleasant, MI

Job Category: Graduate Assistantships

Salary: TBD

Last Date to Apply: 11/30/2016

 

Description:

   Graduate student (Ph.D. and Master’s) positions available in Dr. Dijkstra’s lab at Central Michigan University starting Fall 2017. Are you interested in animal behavior and physiology? We are seeking students to join us in studying the evolution of behavioral and color diversity in East African cichlids. Our current projects combine behavioral experiments and molecular biology to address the physiological basis of color signaling in cichlid fish. We are seeking enthusiastic scientists with an outstanding academic record and experience at the molecular bench. The Biology Department has just moved to a brand new building with open lab spaces. This creates a vibrant research environment where students can develop their own project and can collaborate with others in existing projects. Our lab is also affiliated with the Institute of Great Lakes Research exposing our students to aquatic ecology and conservation biology.
    Student funding is available in the form of research assistantships (the Ph.D. candidate will have four years of full RA funding) and teaching assistantships that cover stipend and tuition waivers.
    Interested prospective students should contact Dr. Peter D. Dijkstra (dijks1p@cmich.edu) with: 

(i) A statement of interest

(ii) Current CV, 

(iii) Transcripts (unofficial is sufficient)

(iv) GRE scores (if you have them)

 v) Contact information of 3 references. 

    Review of applicants will start Nov 15, 2016. For Additional information please visit Dijkstra lab:
https://www.cmich.edu/colleges/cst/biology/Pages/Peter-D.-Dijkstra.aspx.

 

Qualifications:

    B.S. in Biology; We are looking for students with experience in molecular bench work and/or programming skills (in for example R).
 

MS Assistantship: Wildlife Ecology and Conservation: San Diego State University, California.

School: San Diego State University

Location: San Diego, CA

Job Category: Graduate Assistantships

Website: http://www.conservationecologylab.com/

Salary: $13,000 plus benefits

Start Date; 08/01/2017

Last Date to Apply: 12/01/2016

 

Description:

    The Conservation Ecology Lab (www.conservationecologylab.com) at San Diego State University seeks a self-motivated and hardworking graduate student at the M.S. level to conduct research on mule deer ecology and conservation through an assessment of population estimation techniques in partnership with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. The goal of this project is to implement a population survey of southern mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus fuliginatus) in southern California and to determine how the efficacy of survey methodologies varies across terrain and vegetation. The research project will focus on applied conservation science, and wildlife, landscape, and quantitative ecology. Potential research questions may include topics related to setting conservation targets for local deer populations, identification of wildlife corridors to support deer populations, and how built landscape features (e.g., roads and urbanization) may affect mule deer demographics in southern California.

 

Qualifications

Minimum qualifications:
• Overall undergraduate GPA > 2.85 for the last 60 semester units, and at least 3.0 for all upper division biology courses.
• General GRE scores of at least 156 Verbal, 150 Quantitative, and 4.5 Writing. A GRE Biology subject test is not required.
• For foreign students, a minimum score on the TOEFL exam of 550 (paper exam) or 80 (computer-based exam) is required.
• A Bachelor's degree in Biology or related Field (e.g., Environmental Science, Range Management) from any accredited college or university, with coursework comparable to the undergraduate program in Biology at San Diego State University. Students may be asked to take additional coursework to fill curriculum deficits.

Preferred qualifications:
• Demonstrated interest in conservation and wildlife ecology
• Experience in independent research and development of research questions
• Experience in field work – ability to hike long distances in difficult terrain and operate 4x4 manual transmission vehicles
• Strong writing skills

To apply:

    To apply, submit the following to Drs. Megan Jennings (mjennings@mail.sdsu.edu) and Rebecca Lewison (rlewison@mail.sdsu.edu) by Dec 1, 2016:
1) Cover letter summarizing your interest in the position, qualifications, experience, and research and career goals
2) Curriculum Vitae
3) Academic transcripts (unofficial ok)
4) GRE scores (unofficial ok)
5) Names and contacts for three professional references
    Selected applicant will also be required to apply for admission to the San Diego State Master’s program in Ecology. Applications for Fall 2017 admission to the MS program are due on February 1, 2017. For more information on the program, visit http://www.bio.sdsu.edu/ecology/prog_ms.php.

Graduate Assistantship in Greater Sage-Grouse Ecology: University of Idaho

School: University of Idaho

Location: Moscow, Idaho

Job Category: Graduate Assistantships

Salary: Approximately $22,000/yr plus tuition and fees

Start Date: 01/12/2017

Last Date to Apply: 11/01/2016

 

Description:

    I am seeking an outstanding student to pursue a MSc in Natural Resources in the Department of Fish and Wildlife Sciences at the University of Idaho. The student’s thesis will involve studying the habitat ecology of greater sage-grouse, specifically evaluating grouse demographic responses to habitat treatments including juniper removal. The successful applicant will be responsible for: 

(1) Conducting two field seasons of survey work in southern Idaho. 

(2) Analyzing and interpreting data collected from the field. 

(3) Publishing results from the study in peer-reviewed journals. Fieldwork involves plant species identification in rangeland habitats.

    The successful applicant will be funded through a research assistantship. The student will be advised by Dr. Tracey Johnson (website: http://traceynjohnson.com). 

Qualifications:

    Bachelor’s degree in wildlife science, range science, or related field; minimum GPA 3.0; competitive GRE scores. Applicants with strong quantitative skills, a background in avian ecology (particularly those with grouse experience), and experience conducting research in sagebrush steppe or western grasslands will be given preference. The successful applicant must be capable of collecting data under adverse field conditions and of successfully supervising field technicians in remote locations; must have a strong work ethic, strong verbal communication and writing skills, and the ability to work well independently and with state and federal agency personnel; and must have a driving record that will allow use of state vehicles.

 

To apply: 

     Email the following information to traceyj@uidaho.edu
1. Personal statement – this should describe your research interests and career goals, and explain how your skills and experience make you a strong candidate for this project. (2 pp. max)
2. CV
3. Transcripts (unofficial okay)
4. GRE scores (unofficial okay)
5. Contact information for three references
     The selected student is expected to enroll at the University of Idaho in the spring semester of 2017,. Applicants can find additional details on the graduate programs at: http://www.uidaho.edu/cnr/students/graduate-students. For additional information please contact: Tracey Johnson (traceyj@uidaho.edu).

PhD opportunity at U of Washington Seattle on multi-ungulate, multi-predator study.

School: University of Washington

Location: Seattle, WA

Job Category: Graduate Assistantships

Website: http://www.prughlab.com/

Salary: 2394/mo

Start Date: 06/01/2017

Last Date to Apply: 11/11/2016

 

Description:

     Wolves are recolonizing northeastern Washington, and a PhD student is needed to take part in new study to examine effects on ungulates (mule deer, white-tailed deer, and elk). This is a large collaborative multi-predator, multi-prey study beginning this year. The student will be advised by Laura Prugh in the School of Environmental and Forest Sciences at the University of Washington and will work closely with biologists in the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. The position is fully funded for 4 years (stipend, tuition, research costs). The start date is flexible, with possibility of a spring term 2017 start, but more likely fall 2017. Ideally the student will begin fieldwork in summer 2017. An MS degree, strong academic record, and previous experience with hands-on wildlife research (ideally, with ungulates) is required. A record of publishing in peer-reviewed journals is highly desirable. To be considered for this opportunity, please send a cover letter outlining your research interests and qualifications, a CV, and contact information for three references as a single PDF document to Laura Prugh (lprugh@uw.edu) by November 11, 2016. Be sure to include your undergraduate GPA and GRE percentiles (NOT raw scores) in your materials.

 

Qualifications:

     An MS degree, strong academic record, and previous experience with hands-on wildlife research (ideally, with ungulates) is required. A record of publishing in peer-reviewed journals is highly desirable.

Graduate Assistantships in Environmental Science and Environmental Health Science: Baylor University, Texas.

Agency: Department of Environmental Science, Baylor University

Location: Waco, TX

Job Category: Graduate Assistantships

Website: http://www.baylor.edu/environmentalscience/index.php?id=55219

Salary: $22000

Start Date: 08/21/2017

Last Date to Apply: 01/02/2017

 

Description:

     The Department of Environmental Science at Baylor University is accepting applications for interdisciplinary M.S. and Ph.D. graduate assistantships. Students mentored by faculty in the environmental sciences at Baylor often engage in interdisciplinary research projects involving multiple faculty members from several departments. Faculty expertise includes air and water quality, climate change, environmental toxicology and chemistry, risk assessment, applied ecology, and ecosystem management. Student research projects often integrate across multiple disciplines, involve laboratory and field studies, and examine factors compromising environmental and human health. Job placement and presentation and publication records of environmental science students are excellent.
    State-of-the-science laboratories, core research facilities, and instrumentation are available in the Baylor Sciences Building (www.baylor.edu/bsb). Successful candidates will receive competitive stipends, health insurance and other benefits, including a full tuition waiver. Application deadline for Fall 2017 is 2nd January 2017. Prospective students should contact graduate faculty mentors prior to submitting an application. 

Qualifications:

    Admission to the Graduate School at Baylor University is conducted by a formal application process and requires a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in the United States, or proof of equivalent training at a foreign university. A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above is required and candidates must have a combined GRE score of 300 (verbal + quantitative). Qualified students will be admitted regardless of race, color, national or ethnic origin, gender, age, or disability. Ultimate approval for admission to graduate study is given by the Dean of the Graduate School after careful review of the recommendation from the department to which you have applied. For additional information please contact: Sascha Usenko (sascha_usenko@baylor.edu).

Graduate assistantships – U Illinois, Eric Larson Lab.

School: University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

Location: Urbana-Champaign, Illinois

Job Category: Graduate Assistantships

Website: https://docs.google.com/a/uw.edu/viewer?a=v&pid=sites&srcid=dXcuZWR1fGVyaWMtci1sYXJzb258Z3g6ODc4MzA3MzQyN2ZkYTUw

Salary: $22,000 (estimate)

Start Date: 08/15/2017

Last Date to Apply: 01/01/2017

 

Description:

   The freshwater ecology and conservation science laboratory of Eric R. Larson at the University of Illinois Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences (https://sites.google.com/a/uw.edu/eric-r-larson/) is recruiting for multiple graduate students at the MS or PhD level, to work on several externally funded and/or internal fellowship-supported projects including: distribution (or ecological niche) modeling of native and invasive species in terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems; environmental DNA (eDNA) monitoring for endangered and invasive aquatic species; and food web impacts and interactions of freshwater invaders.

 

Qualifications:

   Preferred qualifications include demonstrated ability in data management and analysis, scientific writing, field work in freshwater or terrestrial habitats, and genetics (project dependent).
   Interested applicants should first contact erlarson@illinois.edu with a brief statement of research interests and experience, along with a curriculum vitae or resume. Research interests should relate clearly to areas of emphasis in the laboratory (https://sites.google.com/a/uw.edu/eric-r-larson/home/publications). Applications may be considered either through the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences (NRES; http://nres.illinois.edu/) or Program in Ecology, Evolution and Conservation (PEEC; http://peec.illinois.edu/), with January 1st 2017 deadlines for consideration of autumn 2017 admission. For additional information please contact: Eric Larson (erlarson@illinois.edu).

 

Professional MS in Environmental Conservation: Wisconsin.

School: UW Madison, The Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies

Location: Madison, WI

Job Category: Graduate Assistantships

Website: http://www.nelson.wisc.edu/graduate/environmental-conservation/index.php

Salary: Please see website for tuition costs.

Start Date: 06/05/2017

Last Date to Apply: 12/01/2016

 

Description:

     The Nelson Institute professional master's program in environmental conservation is a 15-month, 32-credit blended learning curriculum designed to train conservation leaders in practical interdisciplinary skills. The program helps early-career working professionals advance their leadership, conservation and environmental management expertise through campus learning and remote experiences while integrating today's top conservation practitioners.
     With curricula in conservation planning, land use policy, and in professional tools such as applied GIS, conservation fundraising, strategic communications and facilitation, students are better prepared to tackle complex challenges in a changing world. Students also engage directly with a range of conservation organizations and practitioners, helping to solve some of the most urgent challenges in biodiversity conservation and environmental protection.
     The online application for the 2016 Environmental Conservation Professional MS Program is now open. Although applications for the professional master's in Environmental Conservation will be accepted on a rolling basis, applications received by Dec. 1 of each year will be given preference for admissions purposes. Applications are submitted online through the UW-Madison Graduate School: https://www.gradsch.wisc.edu/eapp/eapp.pl. When applying for our MS program make sure you select the summer term for the calendar year you are applying for, and Environmental Conservation in the drop down tabs. 

Qualifications:

   Ideal candidates for our program will have approximately two to five years of professional work experience, preferably in the conservation sector, though candidates with diverse professional backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
   Applicants must have received a bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year institution with an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher. Applicants with GPAs below 3.0 may be considered under special circumstances. No additional prerequisite classes are required.
  Complete applications will include all items below. For applicants who have a GPA below 3.0, the GRE is required. For those who have GPAs at 3.0 or above GRE scores are not required for admissions to our program. Admissions decisions will be based on the entirety of each applicant's credentials. Professional credentials/resume, and reasons for Graduate Study/statement of interest. Two letters of professional recommendation; one letter from a current or former employer and one letter from a former university advisor are preferred; Although the online UW-Madison application gives you the option of adding three references, only two references are required for our program. Two official copies of undergraduate transcripts.
  Supplemental Application (found in UW-Madison online application), scores (dependent on undergraduate GPA). For foreign students, TOEFL or IELTS scores are also needed. Minimum TOEFL score required is 92 for internet-based test (iBT) and 580 for paper-based test (PBT). Minimum IELTS score required is 7.0. Applicants with language scores below these requirements may be considered under special circumstances. The UW-Madison Graduate School also requires proof of sufficient tuition funds for foreign applicants accepted into the program. For additional information please contact: Jamie Hogberg (jhogberg@wisc.edu).

DNA-based avian diet analysis: University of Saskatchewan.

School: University of Saskatchewan

Location: Saskatoon

Job Category: Graduate Assistantships

Salary: Graduate student stipend

Start Date: 01/15/2017

Last Date to Apply: 12/15/2016

 

Description:

     One Ph.D. graduate student position is currently available within the Department of Biology at the University of Saskatchewan to pursue a project that will (a) help us understand factors affecting the recovery of genetic material from environmental matrices and (b) use genetics-based tools to help predict potential impacts of environmental stressors on ecosystems and wildlife.
     The Department supports a diversity of research programs and has a large and active community of graduate students and faculty – with particular strengths in molecular biology, ecology, and toxicology.  The selected student will develop and implement a research program to take advantage of gene-based species identification to better understand avian feeding ecology with an emphasis on optimization and validation of techniques. The student is expected to lead the experimental design, sample collection, and statistical analyses of results, with input from advisors at the University of Saskatchewan and the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
     A strong background and interest in molecular biology or genetics is required and prior research experience with molecular techniques is required. Although we do have secure funding for the program, we are seeking a qualified and motivated candidate who is interested in pursuing additional student scholarships. Ideally, the student will also have interest and experience in ornithology/zoology and applied ecology.
    Your application should include: 

(a) A letter describing your interests and qualifications for the position, specifically highlighting how your skills match the position requirements. 

(b) Your CV/resume.

(c) Contact information for three academic/professional references.

(d) Unofficial transcripts for coursework to date.
      The anticipated start date is January 2017. Posting open until suitable candidate identified. Informal inquiries (without application materials) are welcome, please direct to kirsty.gurney@canada.ca.

 

Qualifications:

    Strong background and interest in molecular biology techniques, prior experience in molecular biology/genetics lab interest and some background in trophic ecology.

Forest Ecosystems Modeling: Iowa State University.

School: Iowa State University

Location: Ames, IA

Job Category: Graduate Assistantships

Website: http://www.nrem.iastate.edu/

Salary: $22,800

Start Date: 01/09/2017

Last Date to Apply: 11/01/2017

 

Description:

    The Forest Remote Sensing Lab at Iowa State University seeks a motivated M.S. student interested in forest ecology, GIS modeling, and computer simulation of ecosystem phenomena. This graduate assistantship involves working in cooperation with Superior National Forest personnel (remotely and in situ) to explore and analyze results of fire behavior models that draw from a suite of remote sensing-derived (Lidar & Landsat) forest fuel input variables. The goal is to determine which spatially continuous estimates of forest structure –in addition to climate variables-- are necessary to more accurately model fire behavior in northern Minnesota. The student will may also explore adaptive strategies for fire risk mitigation and management to improve modeling of ecosystem response to environmental change. The student will spend 50% of their time using spatially explicit estimates of coniferous forest fuel parameters to explore sensitivities of current fire behavior models used by the Superior National Forest for making management decisions. The student will matriculate in the Natural Resource Ecology and Management Department at Iowa State University (Ames, IA) where formal classwork will commence in the spring semester of 2017.
     The assistantship is available immediately, however the student must be matriculated as soon as possible to be considered for the spring 2017 term. The position is a standard 50% time assistantship with a stipend ($22,800/year), 50% tuition remission, and access to excellent health care benefits.

 

Qualifications:

    For this position, we are in search of a student with strong math & statistics skills, an aptitude for programming (GIS experience preferred), a background in forest ecology, and strong communication skills (written/verbal). Programming or scripting experience is a plus (e.g., Matlab, R, or Python). The student must demonstrate an ability to work with a team. Applicant must possess a valid U.S. driver’s license. For additional information please contact: Peter Wolter (ptwolter@iastate.edu).

M.S. Position: Benefits of pollinator habitat restoration on small-scale farms to wildlife populations: Virginia Tech.

School: Virginia Tech

Location: Blacksburg, VA and Eastern Shore, VA and MD

Job Category: Graduate Assistantships

Website: http://www.fishwild.vt.edu

Salary: Competitive stipend, tuition, research support

Start Date: 01/10/2017

Last Date to Apply: 12/15/2016

 

Description:

     Assessing the effects of pollinator-focused plantings on wildlife-related ecosystem services in small-scale agricultural settings in coastal Virginia and Maryland, Virginia Tech Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation.
     This study will elucidate how increasing plant biodiversity in small-scale agricultural systems may affect a variety of ecosystem services on and around the farm. Farmers may increase plant biodiversity on their non-cropped or marginal lands by planting grass/forb/wildflower mixtures that often target pollinator populations (hereafter referred to as “farmscaping”), which is a practice supported by multiple USDA cost-share programs. However, plant biodiversity surrounding farms, which individual farmers cannot control (hereafter referred to as “landscape scale biodiversity”), may change the impacts of farmscaping on ecosystem services. We have formed an interdisciplinary team with specialists in agricultural ecology, entomology, wildlife biology and the human dimensions of natural resources to measure the synergies and tradeoffs amongst regulating, provisioning, and cultural ecosystem services that result from farmscapes and landscape-scale biodiversity.
      The M.S. student sought in this advertisement will be advised by Dr. Sarah Karpanty in the Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation at Virginia Tech and will collaborate closely with other project investigators, including Dr. Meghan O’Rourke in VT’s Department of Horticulture and Dr. Michael Sorice in VT’s Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation, and partners with the Natural Resources Conservation Service, The Nature Conservancy and the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. The M.S. student will collect data on the regulating (e.g., pollination), provisioning (e.g., wild game harvest), and cultural (e.g., aesthetics) services related to wildlife on farmscaped sites and surrounding landscapes in coastal Virginia and Maryland. Data will be collected using a variety of non-invasive techniques (e.g., acoustic and camera monitoring, point counts) on game birds (quail, turkey), migratory songbirds, bats, and game mammals (white-tailed deer).
     A research and teaching assistantship at a competitive level will be provided during the fieldwork and thesis preparation. Expected duration of assistantship and project is about three years. This program would be excellent preparation for students wishing to continue for a Ph.D., or those wishing to work for a resource management agency or conservation NGO.

Duties: 

     Complete study design in consultation with major professor (Sarah Karpanty) and collaborators; collect behavioral and ecological data to test hypotheses and fit models; supervise technicians; operate trucks and ATVs; coordinate with the NRCS, VDGIF, and TNC and other researchers; analyze data, write reports and publish research results in refereed journals with advisor and collaborators. Fieldwork involves long hot days, early mornings and nights. Incumbent will live at a field site for a portion of each year in research housing. This will be an excellent project for someone wishing to make a research contribution to basic science and, simultaneously, to the design of wildlife conservation strategies in rural and agricultural settings. Start date is January 10th, 2017. 

Qualifications:

     B.S. in Wildlife Science, Ecology, Conservation Biology or closely allied field, with excellent grades, GRE scores and references. Ability to get along with cooperators. Previous field experience required, preferably with non-invasive sampling techniques of birds and mammals. Evidence of scientific writing skills (i.e. academic papers, publications, etc.) and a commitment to scientific publication. Willingness to work long hours in the hot sun in remote conditions.

To apply: 

      Email C.V., One page letter of application, degree title and GPA for all degrees, GRE scores and names and contact information for three references including at least one field supervisor and two academic references. Finalists will be asked to participate in a phone interview, to send transcripts, and to apply to the Virginia Tech graduate school. Send application information to Shannon Ritter, (sjritter@vt.edu). For questions regarding the position, please contact Dr. Sarah Karpanty, (karpanty@vt.edu). Candidate selection will begin immediately and will continue until position is filled. Start Date January 10th, 2017. I recommend applying as quickly as possible.

PhD Assistantship: University of Georgia

School: Odum School of Ecology/Savannah River Ecology Lab, University of Georgia

Location: Athens, GA & Aiken, SC

Job Category: Graduate Assistantships

Website: http://www.parrottlab.com

Salary: TBD

Start Date; 08/01/2017

Last Date to Apply: 11/20/2017

 

Description:

      A PhD assistantship is available in the Odum School of Ecology at the University of Georgia and the Savannah River Ecology Laboratory to examine ecological, environmental, and anthropogenic impacts on reproductive health and aging physiology. Potential projects will utilize both laboratory models (e.g., medaka) and environmental models (e.g., fish and reptiles) to investigate impacts of combinatorial exposures to environmental radiation and other environmental stressors. Projects will include a strong lab, experimental, and computational component as well as some fieldwork. Candidates excited to address how interactions between the environment and the genome affect fundamental biological processes to shape phenotypic trajectories are encouraged to apply.
      The Odum School of Ecology at UGA (Athens, GA) provides an outstanding academic environment and active graduate community. The Savannah River Ecology Laboratory (SREL), located near Aiken, SC, is home to a vibrant and collaborative research team comprised of graduate students, postdocs, research professionals, and faculty representing multiple entities across the University of Georgia. The lab is internationally recognized for expertise in radioecology and is equipped with state-of-the-art instrumentation including a newly renovated medaka fish facility, molecular lab space, and low-dose radiation mesocosms. Situated on the Savannah River Site, the lab provides exciting opportunities for integrative studies focused on the effects of disturbance, contaminant exposures, etc… at multiple scales.

 

Qualifications:

      Preference will be given to candidates holding a M.S. degree and having molecular biology/ecology experience. However, those with a Bachelors and a strong research background will also be considered. In addition to meeting the admissions requirements of the Odum School of Ecology, applicants should be self-motivated, hard working, and have a strong interest in exploring the intersection between ecology and environmental health. Typically, students spend 2-3 semesters in Athens, GA taking coursework prior to moving closer to the SREL (Aiken, SC) for the remainder of their studies.
     Students interested in this assistantship should send a one-page statement of research interests incorporating past research experience and future career goals, unofficial transcripts, GRE scores, and a CV including contact information for three professional references to Ben Parrott (benparrott@srel.uga.edu). Although somewhat flexible, anticipated start date is August of 2017. Please email any questions to Ben Parrott (benparrott@srel.uga.edu). Initial review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until a suitable candidate is identified. If selected, you will be encouraged to apply to Odum School of Ecology. 

Masters opportunities in Ecology: College of William & Mary, Virginia.

School: College of William & Mary

Location: Williamsburg, Virginia

Job Category: Graduate Assistantships

Website: http://www.wm.edu/as/biology/graduate/index.php

Salary: $15,000 plus variable summer stipend

Start Date: 08/20/2017

Last Date to Apply: 02/01/2017

 

Description:

    The Biology Department at the College of William and Mary is recruiting new research Masters students in behavioral, community, plant, wetlands, viral, functional, spatial, physiological, evolutionary, mathematical and conservation ecology, to start in Fall 2017.
   We offer a two-year research-intensive Masters program where students are supported by teaching assistantships and full tuition waivers. For many students, getting a Masters in two years and writing publications and grants before applying to highly competitive Ph.D. programs or jobs is a very attractive option. We have a great track record of our recent MS students going on to excellent PhD programs and professional positions.
    With a low student-to-faculty ratio (approximately 8-10 new students each year with 23 full-time faculty) we offer an intimate and highly personalized research and education experience. Also, our graduate students often work closely with and mentor undergraduates, offering numerous informal teaching and personal development opportunities to go along with teaching assistantship experience in formal classes.
     Importantly, we have real strengths in many aspects of ecology and conservation. We have a diverse and active group, including: Harmony Dalgleish and Will Soto (community ecology), John Swaddle and Dan Cristol (behavioral ecology/ecotoxicology), Laurie Sanderson and Joshua Puzey (molecular/functional ecology), Kurt Williamson (viral ecology), Matthias Leu and Randy Chambers (conservation, wetland, and landscape ecology), Helen Murphy and Jon Allen (evolutionary ecology), Drew LaMar (mathematical ecology), and Paul Heideman (physiological ecology and pedagogy in biology). We have fully equipped labs to conduct behavioral and evolutionary studies in captivity with vertebrates and invertebrates, perform ecological experiments in a greenhouse and lab setting, analyze molecular data using core facilities, and analyze spatial data in state-of-the-art GIS labs, including our Center for Geospatial Analyses. The proximity of William and Mary to county, state, and federal parks as well as the Chesapeake Bay allows for extensive field research opportunities.

    Please visit us at: http://www.wm.edu/as/biology/graduate/index.php and more specific information at the following to explore faculty research lab web pages:
Jon Allen: http://wmpeople.wm.edu/jdallen
Randy Chambers: http://rmcham.people.wm.edu/
Dan Cristol: (on research leave in 2017)
Harmony Dalgleish: http://wmpeople.wm.edu/hjdalgleish
Paul Heideman: http://pdheid.people.wm.edu/
Drew LaMar: http://www.people.wm.edu/~mdlama/
Matthias Leu: http://wmpeople.wm.edu/mleu
Helen Murphy: http://www.helenmurphy.net
Joshua Puzey: http://puzeylab.weebly.com
Laurie Sanderson: http://slsand.people.wm.edu/
John Swaddle: http://jpswad.people.wm.edu/
Kurt Williamson: http://wmpeople.wm.edu/kewilliamson
Will Soto: (arrived 2016) http://www.wm.edu/as/biology/people/faculty/soto-w.php 

 

      For more information please contact: Matthias Leu (mlue@wm.edu).

Graduate positions (Two, MS), mule deer in MT: University of Montana.

Agency: University of Montana

Location: Missoula, MT

Job Category: Graduate Assistantships

Start Date: 05/01/2017

Last Date to Apply: 12/01/2016

 

Description:

     In collaboration with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, successful applicants will work as part of a team studying mule deer ecology and population dynamics in Montana. This research involves statewide mule deer populations across Montana as well as local field studies in three study areas (Whitefish Range, Salish Mountains, and Rocky Mountain Front) in western Montana. MS students may be asked to investigate seasonal migration and space use patterns, food habits and nutritional ecology, and basic vital rates of mule deer in local study areas. Deer will be monitored through a combination of remotely-transmitting GPS collars and aerial and ground VHF telemetry. Field work will also include a great deal of detailed vegetation studies, including repeated visits to remote vegetation plots for monitoring nutrition and phenology of forage plants important to mule deer. Both positions will be expected to start field work during summer 2017 and enroll at the University of Montana in fall 2017.

 

Qualifications:

     Applicants should possess degrees in wildlife biology or a related field, a strong work ethic, proven ability to work as part of an integrated team, and the maturity and judgment required to work with private landowners and government agencies on a species of high public interest. Both positions will require a rigorous combination of field work, coursework, statistical analyses, and writing.

Application process: 

    Please refer to http://www.cfc.umt.edu/wbio/ for information about the Wildlife Biology Program at the University of Montana, minimum academic qualifications, and application procedures. Before applying formally to the University of Montana graduate school, applicants should electronically send a cover letter outlining their qualifications for the project, copies of transcripts and GRE scores, and contact information for three references to: Mike Mitchell (mike.mitchell@umontana.edu), Chad Bishop (chad.bishop@umontana.edu) and Nick DeCesare (ndecesare@mt.gov). 

PhD Position – Development of new bioassays to detect endocrine disruptor compounds in aquatic environments: Baylor University, Texas.

School: Baylor University

Location: Waco, TX

Job Category: Graduate Assistantships

Website: http://www.baylor.edu/environmentalscience/index.php?id=934724

Salary: TBD

Last Date to Apply: 01/02/2017

 

Description:

     The environmental toxicology group at Baylor University is welcoming applications for a PhD assistantship. The prospective candidate will work in Dr. Ramon Lavado’s group in the Environmental Science Department at Baylor University using new state-of-the-art biological chemistry laboratory instrumentation.
The focus of the PhD will be on the development of new in vitro bioassays (cell-based assays) to detect endocrine disruptor compounds in the environment and the evaluation of biotransformation mechanisms for their use as biomarkers in in vitro systems (primary cells and cell lines) and in vertebrates/invertebrates. The position will focus on integrating biotransformation studies of organic pollutants with toxicity studies.
     Baylor's Department of Environmental Science is one of the University's most dynamic departments. Our faculty are dedicated to educating students in the cutting edge scientific principles and techniques that are used to evaluate and solve essential environmental problems. Our goal is to provide a community where students can learn to be stewards of our natural resources. Current research areas include air and water quality, climate change, environmental toxicology and chemistry, risk assessment, applied ecology, and ecosystem management. For more information on graduate studies at Baylor: http://www.baylor.edu/environmentalscience/ .

Qualifications:

     Prospective candidates are expected to have a working background in biology, toxicology and chemistry and to have completed a Bachelor of Science or Master’s degree. Prior research experience preferred but not required. Anticipated start date will be between April and August 2017. The successful candidate will receive a competitive stipend with health insurance and full tuition waiver.
     Interested applicants should send a one-page statement of research interests and full resume to Dr. Ramon Lavado at ramon_lavado@baylor.edu. Or they can apply directly on-line at: https://www.baylor.edu/environmentalscience/index.php?id=77804 Applications must be received by January 2, 2017 to receive full consideration.

M.S. Graduate Research Assistant: Wild Turkey Ecology in Texas – Louisiana State University.

School: Louisiana State University: School of Renewable Natural Resources

Location: Baton Rouge, LA; Texas field work

Job Category: Graduate Assistantships

Salary: Assistantship/Tuition Paid

Start Date: 01/01/2017

Last Date to Apply: 11/01/2016

 

Description:

    The School of Renewable Natural Resources at Louisiana State University is soliciting applications for a graduate research assistantship (M.S.) focusing on evaluating impacts of habitat selection on demography of Rio Grande wild turkeys in Texas. Project field work will be in Texas Parks and Wildlife District 7 (Oaks and Prairies Region) and will be conducted in conjunction with Texas Parks and Wildlife staff across a suite of private lands. Candidates with field-orientated undergraduate research experience, including experience in capture, marking and radio-telemetry, will be given preference, as will candidates with GIS coursework and experience. Research stipend and tuition waiver included.

 

Qualifications:

    Applications should have a B.S. in wildlife ecology, natural resources management or equivalent field. To be competitive, candidates will be expected to have:
(a) A BS degree in a relevant discipline with a minimum GPA of 3.5.
(b) Previous field experience that includes animal capture, tagging, and radio-tracking.
(c) Experience in GIS and a strong interest in spatial modeling.
(d) Strong interpersonal skills as regular interaction with landowners, state agency personnel, and other interested stakeholders will be expected.
(e) Meet the minimum requirements for entry into the Louisiana State University Graduate School and the LSU School of Renewable Natural Resources graduate program.
      Applications will be accepted until 1 November 2016 with expectation that the student will begin field work in January 2017. Applicants should send (via email as a single .pdf) a cover letter that details their relative experience and qualifications for the project, a CV/resume, unofficial copies of transcripts and GRE scores, and contact information for at least three references to Dr. Bret Collier (bret@lsu.edu).

Graduate Assistantship – Human dimensions of citizen science: North Carolina State University

School: NC State University

Job Category: Graduate Assistantships

Start Date: January or Fall 2017 (flexible)

Last Date to Apply: 11/07/2016

 

Description:

     Graduate opportunities in Fish and Wildlife Conservation within the Department of Forestry & Environmental Resources for self-motivated and hardworking student interested in the human dimensions of citizen science. The graduate student will conduct research via resources and tools available in collaboration with SciStarter.com, the largest repository of citizen science projects in the world and a comprehensive database detailing project design features and outcomes. Thanks to a NSF-AISL Pathways award, SciStarter will soon offer each member a dashboard to manage and display their citizen science activities, track their progress in projects, network with others, and consent to have their online behavior tracked across citizen science projects.
      Possible research directions include, but are not limited to:
• Linkages between pathway of initial recruitment and subsequent retention in citizen science.
• Explore practices for the co-management of citizen scientists with awareness of their enrollment in multiple projects.
• Linkages between citizen science project design and scientific, learning, and conservation outcomes
• Linkages between participation dynamics within and among projects and scientific, learning, and conservation outcomes.
• Design of recommender systems to enhance participant agency in navigating an ecosystem of highly varied projects.
• Project owner perceptions about project aggregation, competition, and collaboration.
     Students will be expected to engage with the activities of the university-wide cluster on Leadership in Public Science (https://facultyclusters.ncsu.edu/clusters/leadership-in-public-science/) which offers unique intellectual focus and professional development in the realm of citizen science, open science, and science communication. The students will spend time in the Biodiversity Research lab at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences (http://naturalsciences.org/research-collections/biodiversity-lab) where they will have ample opportunities to develop their science communication skills.  

Qualification

Minimum qualifications:
     BS (MS for PhD opening) degree in social sciences, information sciences, human dimensions or similar with some coursework in ecology, GPA of 3.4 or higher GRE scores near or above 160 in verbal and quantitative areas demonstrated research experience (data collection, analysis, and writing), interest in interdisciplinary (social and biological), research commitment to public science, excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Preferred qualifications:
     Experience with citizen science, experience with quantitative research and survey development, experience with google analytics and quantitative analysis skills. 

To apply:
    To apply, submit a pre-application to Dr. Cooper at cbcoope3@ncsu.edu by Nov 7. Submit pre-application as a single PDF file attached to an email introducing yourself with “Human dimensions of citizen science graduate application” in the email subject line:
1) Cover letter summarizing interest in the position, qualifications, and experience, as well as research and career goals.
2) Curriculum Vitae.
3) Academic transcripts (can be unofficial).
4) GRE scores (can be unofficial).
5) Names, contact information, and short description of relationship for three professional references.
    Selected applicants will also need to apply to the Dept of Forestry & Environmental Resources at North Carolina State University before acceptance. 

Graduate Research Assistants: USGS Mississippi Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit.

School: Mississippi State University (USGS Mississippi Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit)

Location: Mississippi State, fieldwork in Puerto Rico

Job Category: Graduate Assistantships

Salary: Nationally competitive

Start Date: 01/06/2017

Last Date to Apply: 12/15/2016

 

Description:

    I am currently seeking three graduate students at the M.S. (two) and PhD (1) level for a funded research project on coastal wetlands in Puerto Rico. Students interested in avian population and community ecology, movement ecology and species-habitat modeling are encouraged to apply. This project will address ecological and management questions on conservation and restoration of coastal wetland ecosystems in tropical oceanic islands at local, island and regional scales.
    Master’s students will address wetland bird community and nesting ecology. Results will highlight wetland restoration needs and habitat conditions for wetlands birds. Doctoral student will address movements, resource selection and survival of the West Indian Whistling Duck (Dendrocygna arborea) using GPS telemetry. Results will highlight the functional role of this species as indicator of coastal wetlands at multiple spatial scales.
    The Master's program in Wildlife Ecology at Mississippi State University will provide 3-years of graduate research assistantship funding, including tuition and insurance. PhD program will provide up to 4 years of support in the form of graduate research assistantship with full tuition and insurance covered. Stipend amounts are competitive on a national level. For more information on the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture at Mississippi State University visit: http://www.cfr.msstate.edu/wildlife/. 

Qualifications:

     Candidates interested in applying for either MS or PhD positions are encouraged to email Dr. Francisco J. Vilella (fv1@msstate.edu, fvilella@usgs.gov) with the following information: 

1) An unofficial transcript (undergraduate and/or MS, as appropriate).

2) Curriculum vitae including contact information for three professional references.

3) A brief personal statement describing research and career goals, and how this degree would help the student achieve these goals.

MS and PhD Positions in Ecology and Environmental Science at Washington State University Vancouver.

School: Washington State University Vancouver

Location: Vancouver, WA

Job Category: Graduate Assistantships

Website: https://cas.vancouver.wsu.edu/science-graduate-programs/

Salary: **

Start Date: 08/16/2017

Last Date to Apply: 01/10/2017

 

Description:

    Graduate student positions are currently available for the MS and PhD programs in Biology, Plant Biology, Environmental Science, and Mathematics at Washington State University's Vancouver campus. Positions are funded with teaching and/or research assistantships that include tuition waivers. Faculty research areas in biology, environmental science and math include:

• Animal Behavior
• Aquatic Ecology
• Biological Oceanography
• Butterfly Ecology
• Community Ecology
• Conservation Biology
• Disease Ecology
• Disturbance Ecology
• Ecosystem Ecology
• Environmental Chemistry
• Environmental Hydrology
• Environmental Physics
• Evolutionary Ecology
• Global Change Biology
• Landscape Ecology
• Marine & Freshwater Plankton Ecology
• Microbial Ecology
• Mathematical Biology
• Neuroscience
• Physical Oceanography
• Plant-insect interactions
• Plant-herbivore interactions
• Plant Ecology
• Restoration Ecology
• Statistical Ecology
• Successional Dynamics
• Watershed Biogeochemistry

     Please see our website for more information about our graduate programs: https://cas.vancouver.wsu.edu/science-graduate-programs/ .

 

Qualifications:

     Because graduate students work closely with faculty in pursuing their research, you must contact a mentor before applying. Explore our Faculty Research pages to find someone whose research interests fit with your own, then contact that person to discuss applying to graduate school at WSU Vancouver: https://cas.vancouver.wsu.edu/science-graduate-programs/faculty-research-directory. Faculty members can be most helpful if they know a little about you. At a minimum, please provide a resume or CV, educational transcripts and information about your research background and interests.
    WSU Vancouver is just across the Columbia River from Portland, Oregon, and is close to the Cascade Mountains, Puget Sound and the Pacific Ocean. In addition to its celebrated quality of life, the Pacific Northwest boasts a fruitful climate for scientific collaboration, with opportunities at numerous medical, environmental, research and teaching institutions throughout the region.
      Priority applications are due January 10, 2017, please contact Cheryl Schultz (schultzc@wsu.edu) for additional information.

PhD position – Population dynamics of white-tailed deer in south Florida: implications for management of the endangered Florida panther: Virginia Tech.

School: Virginia Tech

Location: Blacksburg, Virginia

Job Category: Graduate Assistantships

Website: http://myfwc.com/hunting/by-species/deer/project/

Salary: Competitive stipend

Start Date: 01/02/2017

Last Date to Apply: 11/01/2016

 

Description:

    We are seeking a PhD candidate to participate in a study of white-tailed deer population dynamics within the range of the endangered Florida panther. Objectives of the research include determining the effects of changing hydrological conditions, predation pressure, and hunting regulations on deer populations, and developing a long-term deer monitoring program using camera traps. The monitoring program will be used to inform management actions aimed at maintaining the viability of both deer and panther populations. This research is a multifaceted project involving multiple universities, NGOs, and state and federal agencies. The successful applicant will interface with all these collaborating organizations as well as many passionate stakeholders.
     Responsibilities will include fieldwork, data management, and the integration of large scale hydrologic and fire history data sets with GPS collar data. Fieldwork will involve capturing, collaring, and monitoring white-tailed deer in Big Cypress National Preserve and the Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge, as well as maintaining an extensive camera trapping array. Applicants must be prepared to work in remote, hot, and humid conditions where biting insects, venomous snakes, and large carnivores are common.

 

Qualifications:

    Applicants should have some background in population ecology, spatial ecology, ungulate ecology and management, and disturbance ecology. Preference will be given to candidates with experience analyzing telemetry data. A positive attitude, strong work ethic, and the ability to work independently and as a team member are required.
     The student will join the Dept. of Fish and Wildlife Conservation in the College of Natural Resource and Environment (CNRE) at Virginia Tech. The CNRE was ranked the best National Resource Program in the Nation for the last 2 years by USA Today.
     The student will be jointly advised by Dr. Michael Cherry at Virginia Tech, and Dr. Richard Chandler and Dr. Karl V. Miller at the University of Georgia's Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources. The start date is as soon as January 2, 2017. Send statement of interest, CV, unofficial transcripts, GRE scores, and contact information for three references as a single PDF to Dr. Michael Cherry: mjcherry@vt.edu. The application deadline is November 1, 2016.

M.S. – Wildlife Community Response to Native-Grassland Restoration: Texas A&M University-Kingsville

School: Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute / Texas A&M University

Location: Texas A&M University-Kingsville, Kingsville, Texas.

Job Category: Graduate Assistantships

Website: http://www.ckwri.tamuk.edu/fileadmin/user_upload/docs/Position_Announcements/Hernandez-Hixon_restoration_-M_S__Oct_2016.pdf

Salary: $1,500/month plus benefits (medical package has a 60-day waiting period) Nonresident tuition waived (resident tuition fees apply). Partial assistance for resident tuition and fees may also be available based on availability of funds.

Start Date: 01/01/2017

Last Date to Apply: 12/15/2016

 

Description:

     Invasion of non-native grasses has degraded wildlife habitat on vast areas of the southwestern United States. We are seeking a student to assist in a research project to document if landscape-scale restoration of native plants on rangeland dominated by buffelgrass and Old World Bluestems increases northern bobwhite, scaled quail, songbird, small mammal, and butterfly populations. The successful applicant for this assistantship will focus on the non-game wildlife community response but will work as part of a team of graduate students and undergraduate assistants involved in this large, collaborative research project. The successful applicant will be expected to present papers at scientific meetings and publish manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals.

 

Qualifications:

      B. S. in wildlife science, natural resources, range science, ecology, biology, or closely related fields. A strong work ethic, good verbal and written communication skills, ability to work independently and as a productive member of a research team, and ability to work under adverse field conditions (hot humid South Texas environment) are essential. Ability to operate 4-wheel drive vehicles and conduct field research. Students must have a minimum 3.0 GPA and competitive GRE scores (application package must include GRE scores). For more information please contact: Dr. Fidel Hernandez (fidel.hernandez@tamuk.edu)

Gamebirds on the Coastal Prairie: Texas A&M University-Kingsville

School: Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute / Texas A&M University

Location: Texas A&M University-Kingsville, Kingsville, Texas.

Job Category: Graduate Assistantships

Website: http://www.ckwri.tamuk.edu/fileadmin/user_upload/docs/Position_Announcements/Grahmann_Hernandez_Bobwhites_Coastal_Prairie_M_S__Oct_2016.pdf

Salary: $1,400/month plus benefits (medical package has a 60 day waiting period). Nonresident tuition waived (resident tuition fees apply). Partial resident tuition fee assistance may be provided based on availability of funds.

Start Date: 01/01/2017

Last Date to Apply: 12/15/2016

 

Description:

     We are seeking a student to conduct research as part of a collaborative study to determine if red imported fire ants impact nest success and site use of northern bobwhites and re-introduced Attwater’s prairie chicken on the coastal prairie of Texas. Research responsibilities will include:

1) Working with graduate advisors to design a research project as part of an overarching collaborative project.

2) Oversight of research technicians.

3) Sampling fire ant densities and vegetation.

4) Capture, radio-collaring, and tracking of northern bobwhites

5) Analysis of data. 

     The successful applicant will work as part of a team of natural resource professionals under the supervision of Drs. Eric Grahmann and Fidel Hernandez. Research data will be used by the successful applicant for their thesis. Successful applicants will be expected to publish manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals and present papers at scientific meetings. 

Qualifications:

     B. S. in ecology, wildlife science, range science, or closely related fields. A strong work ethic, good verbal and written communication skills, ability to work independently and as a productive member of a research team, and ability to work under adverse field conditions (hot humid South Texas environment). Training in plant taxonomy and plant identification skills are desirable. Ability to operate 4-wheel drive vehicles and conduct field research. Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 GPA and competitive GRE scores (application package must include GRE scores; applications with no GRE scores will not be considered). For more information please contact: Dr. Eric Grahmann (eric.grahmann@tamuk.edu).

Graduate Assistantship – Ecotoxicology: Oklahoma State University

School: Oklahoma State University

Location: Stillwater, OK

Job Category: Graduate Assistantships

Website: http://jbelden.wixsite.com/beldenlab

Salary: $22860 annual plus benefits and tuition

Start Date: 01/07/2017

Last Date to Apply: 11/01/2016

 

Description:

     PhD Research Assistantship studying the occurrence of trace metals-tolerant snail and amphipod populations as an indicator of historic and current trace metal toxicity. The successful applicant is encouraged and expected to be a significant contributor to the design and implementation of the study approach.

 

Qualifications:

     A strong work ethic, enthusiasm, and desire to be fully engaged in the design and implementation of the study. GPA and GRE scores meeting university minimums are required as well as three letters of recommendation, and other material as described by the university. Please visit our website (integrativebiology.okstate.edu) for application instructions to the department and university. Contact Jason Belden (jbelden@okstate.edu) or Scott McMurry (scott.mcmurry@okstate.edu) for more information.

Graduate Assistantships: Coupled natural-human systems: North Carolina State University

School: North Carolina State University

Location: Raleigh, NC

Job Category: Graduate Assistantships

Salary: TBD

Start Date: 01/01/2017

Last Date to Apply: 11/07/2016

 

Description:
    Graduate opportunities (1 MS and 1 PhD position) in Fish and Wildlife Conservation within the Department of Forestry & Environmental Resources for self-motivated and hardworking students interested in the social and ecological dimensions of avian stewardship on private lands. As part of the Cooper lab, the graduate students will conduct research via field work, broad-scale citizen science, and survey research with bluebird enthusiasts across the United States. Possible research directions include, but are not limited to, management of invasive house sparrows, mapping environmental contaminants based on their levels of bioaccumulation in house sparrow eggs, and the influence of soundscapes and lightscapes on avian and human well-being. Students will be expected to engage with the activities of the cluster on Leadership in Public Science which offers unique intellectual focus and professional development in the realm of citizen science, open science, and science communication. The students will spend time in the Biodiversity Research lab at the North Carolina Museum of Natural sciences where they will have opportunities to develop their science communication skills. 

Qualifications

Minimum qualifications:
     BS (MS for PhD opening) degree in ecology, wildlife, natural resources, conservation or related discipline with coursework in social sciences, or in human dimensions with coursework in ecology and behavior, GPA of 3.4 or higher GRE scores at or above 160 in verbal and quantitative areas, demonstrated research experience (data collection, analysis, and writing), background in management, conservation, or urban ecology, interest in interdisciplinary (social and biological) research, commitment to public science, excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Preferred qualifications:
     Experience in science communication, advanced geospatial and quantitative skills.

To apply:

     To apply,  submit a pre-application to Dr. Cooper at cbcoope3@ncsu.edu:
Submit pre-application as a single PDF file attached to an email introducing yourself with “Coupled Human Natural Systems graduate application” in the email subject line.:
1) Cover letter summarizing interest in the position, qualifications, and experience, as well as research and career goals
2) Curriculum Vitae
3) Academic transcripts (can be unofficial)
4) GRE scores (can be unofficial)
5) Names, contact information, and short description of relationship for three professional references
     Selected applicants will also need to apply to the Dept of Forestry & Environmental Resources at North Carolina State University before acceptance.