Friday 14 October 2016

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).