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).