Ph.D. Student Position / Ecological Remote Sensing – University of Wisconsin – Madison

School: University of Wisconsin - Madison

Location: Madison, WI

Job Category: Graduate Assistantships

Website: http://labs.russell.wisc.edu/townsend/

Salary: 22081 (50%)

Start Date: 05/31/2017

Last Date to Apply: 12/01/2016

 

Description:

     Hyperspectral remote sensing and foliar function: A 4-year PhD research assistantship is available to study how foliar functional traits vary across biomes and time at the National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) sites (see http://www.neonscience.org/science-design/field-sites). The student will link hyperspectral and lidar imagery collected by NEON’s aerial observatory with field measurements of foliar biochemical and structural traits to generate maps of key vegetation properties such as leaf nutritional and water status, photosynthetic capacity and levels of chemical defenses. This assistantship will include summer fieldwork at the NEON sites, and will begin with the 2017 field season (late May/early June 2017) with coursework starting Fall, 2017.
    We are seeking an outstanding student to pursue a PhD in remote sensing of foliar traits in terrestrial ecosystems using imaging spectroscopy. The student’s dissertation thesis will involve studying patterns spatial and temporal foliar traits using remote sensing methods and field spectral measurements. The student will be co-advised by Forest & Wildlife Ecology professors Phil Townsend (http://labs.russell.wisc.edu/townsend/) and Eric Kruger, in collaboration with faculty at the University of Florida, Purdue University and other institutions. Note that additional field or modeling components could be added depending on shared interests and funding opportunities. Funding for a 12-month research assistantship and tuition remission is available for four years, pending satisfactory progress. This position will be funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation MacroSystems Biology and Early NEON Science Program. 

Qualifications:
Prospective students should have:
- Solid working knowledge/experience in remote sensing, GIS and statistics; and
- A master’s degree in ecology, geography, biology or related environmental sciences (BS considered with equivalent demonstrated experience/expertise).
- Students with backgrounds in optics, computer science or modeling and an interest in biological applications are also encouraged to apply.
- Excellent English writing and verbal communication skills, as well as the ability to work and lead a research team, are essential.

Stipend/Salary:
     Current annual stipend levels are $22,081 per year before taxes, plus tuition remission and health care benefits. A start date of approximately May 30, 2017 is envisioned.

Application Process:
    Applications will be reviewed upon receipt and review will continue until a suitable candidate is chosen. Applications received before December 1, 2016 will be given full consideration. The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. We promote excellence through diversity and encourage all qualified individuals to apply. The position is open to both US citizens and international candidates.
     Interested applicants are asked to e-mail the documents listed below to our Student Services Coordinator, Sara Rodock (rodock@wisc.edu) (in ONE PDF file please).
- Our departmental graduate application cover sheet (http://go.wisc.edu/oxbq0b)
- Letter outlining research interests, academic and professional backgrounds
- Resume or CV
- Copies of transcripts (unofficial copies acceptable at this point)
- GRE scores
- Names and contact addresses of three references
- In the subject line of your email, please put “Townsend/Kruger PhD Student Application”
   Questions about the position (but not your application) should be directed to Dr. Townsend (ptownsend@wisc.edu) or Dr. Kruger (elkruger@wisc.edu). 

Graduate Assistant: M.S. Assistantship in Fish Ecology, Georgia Southern University.

School: Georgia Southern University

Location: Statesboro, Georgia

Job Category: Graduate Assistantships

Salary: $15,000/year plus tuition waiver

Start Date; 01/06/2017

Last Date to Apply; 10/28/2016

 

Description:
     A Masters assistantship is available in the Department of Biology at Georgia Southern University (GSU), with an intended start date in January 2017. In collaboration with university and agency investigators, the student will be expected to contribute to two ongoing research projects, and develop a thesis project within one of these research themes: 

(1) Development of monitoring approaches to assess spawning success of Robust redhorse populations.

(2) Understanding relationships between anthropogenic stressors, stream hydrology, and the ecology of fishes on the Atlantic coastal plain. 

    The assistantship includes a tuition waiver and stipend for two years, to be funded through a combination of teaching and research duties. The student also will assist in the field and lab activities of other members of the Roberts lab (http://robertsfisheries.weebly.com). Along with course work and a completed thesis, these activities will lead to the completion of M.S. degree in Biology. More information about the graduate program can be found at the Biology department’s web page (http://cosm.georgiasouthern.edu/biology/graduate-program-2/). Georgia Southern University is a 20,000-student comprehensive research university located in one of the most biodiverse regions of the southeastern U.S. (http://www.georgiasouthern.edu/). 

Qualifications:

     Required qualifications include: 

(1) A B.S. in Fisheries, Ecology and Evolution, Biology, or a related field.

(2) Excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills. 

(3) Strong self-motivation and ability to work well independently and with a team. 

     Preferred qualifications include:

(1) Previous field research experiences in aquatic systems. 

(2) Strong analytical skills, including experience conducting statistical analyses of ecological or fisheries datasets, (3) Demonstrated scientific writing ability, such as authorship of a scientific publication, report, or senior thesis. 

     Persons interested in the position should contact Dr. Jamie Roberts (email: jhroberts@georgiasouthern.edu; phone: 912-478-4687). 

     To apply, email the following as a single pdf file: 

(1) Statement of research background and interests. 

(2) Curriculum vitae or resume. 

(3) Names and contact information for three academic or professional references. 

(4) GRE scores.

(5) An unofficial copy of your college transcript. Review of applications will begin on 30 September 2016 and continue until the position is filled.

M.S. Assistantship — Sampling Design Enhancement for Gopher Tortoises: University of Georgia

School: :Georgia Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, University of Georgia

Location: Athens, GA, plus field locations

Job Category: Graduate Assistantships

Website:https://sites.google.com/site/ctmoorelab/opportunities

Salary: $19,551/yr

Last Date to Apply: 12/31/2016

 

Description: 

     We are seeking an M.S. student to help improve the way that gopher tortoises are counted in line transect surveys, especially the youngsters. Line transect distance sampling is a widely used survey method across the tortoise range, but the approach has a hard time finding the burrows of small tortoises, or burrows of any size in dense understory conditions. We would like to investigate ways to enhance the basic design so that more accurate population assessment is possible. We are looking for a mature, self-starter who will: 

(1) Conduct research into effective ways to unbiasedly sample patchily-distributed and secretive animals.

(2) Run computer-based simulations and field trials on test objects to compare alternative survey designs. 

(3) Test survey designs on tortoise population sites before and after prescribed burning, where tortoise burrows are more easily revealed.

(4) Use appropriate computational tools to organize, summarize, and analyze data.

(5) Write reports and peer-reviewed manuscripts to summarize findings.

 

Qualifications:

     The focus of this work is on sampling and estimation, so candidates of best fit for this position will have excellent quantitative skills, particularly in areas of statistical sampling. The research involves a significant field component, most often in hot, buggy conditions. Minimum GPA and GRE requirements for enrollment in the Warnell Graduate Program are found at https://www.warnell.uga.edu/graduate/future-students.
     The assistantship provides $19,551 per year for 2.5 years and includes student health insurance coverage. Tuition is waived as a condition of assistantship support, but not mandatory fees; however, $500 per semester (Fall and Spring) is additionally provided to defray a portion of these fees. 

     Last Date to Apply: Open until filled; applications submitted by October 28, 2016 are guaranteed full consideration. Starting Date: January 5, 2017.

      Interested applicants should send a cover letter, a CV, and an example of your writing to Dr. Clint Moore (ctmoore@uga.edu) at the Georgia Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit.

PhD Assistantship — Effectiveness of Habitat Incentives for Gopher Tortoises: University of Georgia

School: Georgia Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, University of Georgia

Location: Athens, GA, plus field locations

Job Category: Graduate Assistantships

Website: https://sites.google.com/site/ctmoorelab/opportunities

Salary: $21,132/yr

Last Date to Apply: 12/31/2016

 

Description:

     We are seeking a PhD student to study the effectiveness of a landowner incentive program for habitat and population objectives for the gopher tortoise, a species of concern in the longleaf pine ecosystem of the southeastern U.S. The NRCS Working Lands for Wildlife Program provides financial incentives to private landowners to manage their lands in ways that promote sustainability of the tortoise. We would like to know how that program is working. We are looking for a mature, self-starter who will: 

(1) Design an approach to sample parcels across the program (Florida, Georgia, Alabama) in a way that will yield representative and interpretable results. 

(2) Plan and conduct field work to collect habitat and population data in harsh environments.

(3) Use appropriate computational tools to organize, summarize, and analyze spatial and non-spatial data.

(4) Make use of incomplete data to build and test models of habitat and demographic response to incentive actions. (5) Write reports and peer-reviewed manuscripts to summarize findings. 

Qualifications:

     Candidates of best fit for this position will have excellent quantitative skills, particularly in areas of demographic modeling, spatial analysis, and GIS. The candidate will be expected to apply Bayesian population analysis methods to obtain inference, but training will be provided in this arena. The research involves a significant field component, most often in hot, buggy conditions. Minimum GPA and GRE requirements for enrollment in the Warnell Graduate Program are found at https://www.warnell.uga.edu/graduate/future-students.
     The assistantship provides $21,132 per year for 3 years and includes student health insurance coverage. Tuition is waived as a condition of assistantship support, but not mandatory fees; however, $500 per semester (Fall and Spring) is additionally provided to defray a portion of these fees. 

    Last Date to Apply: Open until filled; applications submitted by October 28, 2016 are guaranteed full consideration. Starting Date: January 5, 2017.

     Interested applicants should send a cover letter, a CV, and an example of your writing to Dr. Clint Moore (ctmoore@uga.edu) at the Georgia Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit.