Graduate School Opportunities

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UCSD Graduate Program in Ecology, Behavior & Evolution

The Ecology, Behavior & Evolution (EBE) Section at UCSD seeks outstanding applicants to the PhD graduate program for the fall of 2010.  EBE is one of four sections within the Division of Biological Sciences at UCSD which sits at the center of the large, vibrant, and varied biological research community in San Diego.  This diverse group of researchers provides a stimulating intellectual environment for graduate training and research with a wide range of opportunities for interactions with local institutions such as Scripps Oceanographic Institute. Faculty within the EBE Section have focused interests in experimental and genetic evolution, community and ecosystems ecology, and insect ecology, behavior and evolution. The graduate program is committed to a supportive environment for research and learning and provides five years of funding for graduate student stipends and benefits.

More information and application instructions for the UCSD Division of Biological Sciences Graduate Program is available at http://biology.ucsd.edu/grad/overview.html

EBE Faculty Research Interests:

Lin Chao, Professor of Biology
    Evolutionary genetics; theory and experimentation.  Current interests: Evolution of senescence; antibiotic resistance; and cooperation.

Elsa Cleland, Assistant Professor of Biology
    Plant community and ecosystem ecology, global environmental change, biogeochemistry, ecological restoration

David Holway, Associate Professor of Biology
    Ecological basis of invasive species. Argentine Ants, Fire Ants - California.

Joshua Kohn, Professor of Biology, Chair of the Section of Ecology, Behavior and Evolution
    Plant population biology; mating system evolution; ecological genetics.

Carolyn Kurle, Assistant Professor of Biology
    Changes in community structure, trophic interactions, and native species composition when ecosystems are modified via human perturbations that result in biodiversity loss, species invasion, habitat alteration, and changes in food availability.

Therese Markow, Professor of Biology, Amylin Chair in Life Sciences Education and Research
    Speciation and adaptation to novel environments; Mating system evolution; Drosophila evolutionary genetics.
 
James Nieh, Associate Professor of Biology
    Evolution of animal language: Functionally referential communication in highly social bees; sensory physiology and mechanisms of multi-modal communication; bioacoustics; neuroethology of insect learning.

Scott Rifkin, Assistant Professor of Biology
    Sources of phenotypic variation; gene expression evolution; evolutionary and developmental systems biology

Kaustuv Roy, Professor of Biology
    Physical and biotic controls on the distribution and diversity of species in benthic marine ecosystems.

Jonathan Shurin, Associate Professor of Biology
    Causes and consequences of variation in species diversity, flow of energy between producers and consumers, and impacts of predators on ecosystem functioning.

Christopher Wills, Professor Emeritus of Biology
    Molecular evolution; genetic variation at DNA level, the ecology and evolution of complex ecosystems.

David Woodruff, Professor of Biology
    Conservation and evolutionary biology; speciation; genetics of endangered species.

Posted 11/4/09

Ph.D in Ecology, Evolution and Behavior at Georgetown

The Department of Biology at Georgetown University has multiple opportunities for doctoral study in ecology, evolution and behavior (EEB).

The faculty and graduate program in Biology at Georgetown help doctoral candidates develop into insightful researchers and effective teachers and communicators. Funding for graduate study is supported by a combination of assistantships, teaching fellowships and research grant support. Our program and institution welcomes students of all racial, ethnic and religious backgrounds.

Students interested in any of the opportunities listed below are strongly encouraged to contact the relevant faculty member(s) via email. The Department of Biology graduate program is described at http://biology.georgetown.edu/graduate/applicants/. Information about graduate school application procedures and deadlines can be found at http://grad.georgetown.edu/pages/admissions.cfm.

Community Ecology and Landscape Genetics:
Dr. Gina Wimp is seeking students interested in understanding the mechanisms that lead to the loss of biodiversity and increased risk of extinction in fragmented habitats.  Dr. Wimp's work takes place in the intertidal salt marsh where a rise in mean tidal height over the past 60 years has led to a change in the demography of the two dominant grass species, with the more flood-intolerant grass (Spartina patens) contracting in size.  She uses manipulative experiments to examine the effects of habitat loss and fragmentation in S. patens on the abundance, diversity and composition of the dependent arthropod community.  The Wimp and Hamilton labs have developed microsatellite genetic marker loci to examine the effects of habitat fragmentation on gene flow in two of the dominant herbivore species found in S. patens, both of which are flightless, specialist planthoppers.  Interested students should contact Dr. Gina Wimp via email (gmw22@georgetown.edu).

For further information see the following websites: http://biology.georgetown.edu/faculty/wimp/research/, http://www9.georgetown.edu/faculty/hamiltm1/

Mechanisms of phenotypic evolution:
Dr. Peter Armbruster seeks a highly motivated PhD student to join his laboratory's research on mechanisms of phenotypic evolution in natural populations. The Armbruster lab is currently focusing on the invasive and medically important mosquito Aedes albopictus. This mosquito invaded the US in 1985 and spread rapidly over approximately 15 degrees of latitude. This natural experiment in evolution provides an exciting opportunity to identify the molecular and physiological mechanisms underpinning climatic adaptation during invasion and range expansion. Dr. Armbruster's research is currently supported by grants from both NIH and NSF, and integrates a broad range of approaches, including molecular biology, bioinformatics, physiology, and quantitative genetics. Interested students should contact Dr. Peter Armbruster (paa9@georgetown.edu).

For further information on the Armbruster lab see: http://www1.georgetown.edu/departments/biology/faculty/armbruster/

Mathematical Population Biology:
Faculty in the Departments of Biology and Mathematics have ongoing collaborations centered on quantitative modeling and analysis of population genetic data.  Ongoing projects span a wide spectrum of applications including the development of coalescent models that better suit natural populations in order to infer biological mechanisms acting on genetic polymorphism to the development of novel quantitative models to analyze the evolution of HIV within an infected individual.  These projects are highly interdisciplinary, drawing on approaches and techniques from both disciplines.

Dr. Matthew B. Hamilton (Biology) and Dr. Sivan Leviyang (Mathematics) are seeking an outstanding student to pursue a jointly mentored PhD in mathematical biology.  The course of study will include classes in biology, mathematics and computer science, with the goal of providing the student with a firm background in population genetics, ecology, statistics, probability, and computation.  The specific topic of research is flexible and can favor theory or application depending on the students‚ interest.  The ideal student should possess a bachelor's degree in biology or mathematics (with some course work and experience in the alternate field) with some experience in computation.  Most importantly, an ideal student will have a strong desire to engage in interdisciplinary research in quantitative biology.  Interested students should contact Dr. Hamilton (hamiltm1@georgetown.edu) and Dr. Leviyang (sr286@georgetown.edu).

For further information on Dr. Leviyang‚s research see http://www9.georgetown.edu/faculty/sr286/. For further information on the Hamilton lab see http://www9.georgetown.edu/faculty/hamiltm1/.

Empirical population genetics and molecular evolution:
Dr. Matthew B. Hamilton is seeking students interested in using genetic marker data to test fundamental hypotheses in population genetics and molecular evolution. On-going empirical projects include using transcriptome-scale data to compare the molecular clock in annual and perennial plants, studying temporal genetic variation in striped bass and testing for the ecological causes of changes in genetic variation in salt marsh insects. The ideal project in the Hamilton lab is one that combines empirical genetic marker data collection with mathematical or computer simulation work to develop novel expectations or hypothesis tests.  Interested students should contact Dr. Hamilton (hamiltm1@georgetown.edu).

For further information on the Hamilton lab see http://www9.georgetown.edu/faculty/hamiltm1/.

Ecological interactions, behavior & learning:
Research in Dr. Martha Weiss‚ lab focuses on ecological interactions (between plants and animals, as well as predator and prey), with an emphasis on behavior and learning. Recent or ongoing projects include investigations of butterfly and caterpillar learning, retention of memory across complete metamorphosis, the ecological context of defecation behavior, and predatory wasp learning and foraging behavior. We are also working on development of hands-on science curricular materials, mostly related to plants and insects, for use in K-12 classrooms. We seek an outstanding graduate student interested in these or related projects.  For more information see the Weiss Lab website (http://www9.georgetown.edu/faculty/emc26/MarthaWeiss/weissm/), but be aware that its content is out of date and in the process of being updated.

Arthropod biodiversity and conservation:
Professor Edward M. Barrows is seeking an excellent, self-motivated, and biology-passionate student to work on a long-term project regarding arthropod biodiversity and conservation especially in Dyke Marsh Wildlife Preserve (DMWP), Virginia, near Georgetown University.  The study includes documenting DMWP species, their phenologies and relative abundances in habitats, and their food-web and other ecological roles in view of global change which may have significant effects on the Preserve. Dr. Barrows‚ Entomology and Biodiversity Laboratory is currently analyzing a huge, baseline, historical (1998-1999) DMWP arthropod sample.  The Friends of Dyke Marsh, National Park Service, Washington Biologists‚ Field Club, and others are supporting this study.  DMWP information is at http://biodiversity.georgetown.edu/files/informationfile.cfm?title=dykemarshintro.  Interested students should contact Dr. Barrows at barrowse@georgetown.edu.

Behavioral ecology, development, reproduction & life history of BottlenoseDolphins:
Professor Mann is seeking outstanding PhD students in 2011 to collaborate on her long-term study of wild bottlenose dolphins. Dr. Mann directs the Shark Bay Bottlenose Dolphin Research Project, a 25+ year longitudinal study on a population of wild bottlenose dolphins in Shark Bay, Western Australia.  Members of her lab are currently focusing on research questions related to behavioral development, life history, female reproduction, information transmission/diffusion, social networks, home range and habitat use.  More recently, members of her team are developing non-invasive techniques for sampling cetacean genetics, diet, and hormones. Her work is currently supported by NSF and ONR. Dr. Mann collaborates extensively with Dr. Lisa Singh in Computer Science. Dr. Mann is not accepting students in 2010 but will consider applicants the following year.

For more information see www.monkeymiadolphins.org, http://explore.georgetown.edu/people/mannj2, http://biology.georgetown.edu/faculty/Mann/

Posted 11/4/09

GRADUATE PROGRAM IN PLANT BIOLOGY AND CONSERVATION - NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY AND THE CHICAGO BOTANIC GARDEN

Northwestern University and the Chicago Botanic Garden jointly offer a graduate program in Plant Biology and Conservation and seek excellent applicants for both Master's and Doctoral degrees. The program offers exciting opportunities for graduate student research in plant ecology, restoration ecology, soil ecology, climate change, invasive biology, paleobotany, mycology, population biology, demography, plant-animal interactions, conservation genetics, evolution, and systematics. For more information about the program and faculty research interests visit our website: http://www.plantbiology.northwestern.edu
 
For more information about the new Plant Conservation Science Center, please visit: http://www.chicagobotanic.org/research/labs.php?expanddiv=plant_conservation
 
Or contact the director of the Graduate Program in Plant Biology and Conservation: Nyree Zerega (nzerega@chicagobotanic.org)

Posted 11/4/09

Graduate research position - UW-Madison (deer impacts/plant monitoring)

A graduate Research Assistantship will potentially become available with Don Waller‚s research group at University of Wisconsin-Madison in Summer or Fall 2010.  The RA will participate in developing a state-wide native plant monitoring program aimed at quantifying deer impacts and abundances and assessing the impacts of climate change, pervasive habitat modification, and shifts in forest and land management.  She/he should be familiar with plant identification and ecological survey methods and interested in statistics.  The Research Assistant will work closely with a deer impacts research consortium whose members include local, state, and federal agencies, NGOs, and researchers from multiple institutions and departments.  In addition to research duties, the RA will work closely with these partners and citizen scientists to foster this collaborative effort including creating a web page to share protocols, data, maps, and results. 

Those interested should familiarize themselves with the group's research described at:  http://www.botany.wisc.edu/waller/ and consider which UW graduate program is most attractive among Botany, Zoology, and Environment and Resources: 
    http://botany.wisc.edu/graduate_study_and_research/
    http://www.zoology.wisc.edu/grad/Prospective.html
    http://www.nelson.wisc.edu/education/programs/graduate-degrees/
They may also be interested in the research proposal submitted to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation that may support this position: http://www.botany.wisc.edu/waller/Researchpages/deerimpacts.html Funding of this position is contingent on receiving grant support.  To inquire about this opportunity, please send an e-mail and curriculum vitae to Don Waller at: dmwaller@wisc.edu

Posted 10/31/09

NSF IGERT Fellowships in the Ecology, Management and Restoration of Integrated Human-Natural Landscapes at UIC

Two-year NSF IGERT fellowships are available at the University of Illinois at Chicago in the LEAP ("Landscape, Ecological and Anthropogenic Processes") doctoral training program.  Next year will be the fith year of the LEAP Program, a broadly interdisciplinary program with the goal of training future researchers and leaders in the ecology, management and restoration of integrated human/natural landscapes.  Students earn a Ph.D. in a participating department after completing a rigorous two-year interdisciplinary training program that includes a substantial outreach component. The LEAP training program focuses on the health and vitality of ecosystems in which nature and people interact closely, and concentrates heavily on research, restoration and management programs in the greater metropolitan Chicago area. The LEAP Program involves faculty and doctoral students from the Colleges of Arts and Sciences, Engineering, and Urban Planning and Public Affairs at UIC.  A major innovation of the UIC IGERT is the active participation of numerous cooperating partners in the Chicago region (Chicago Wilderness, Chicago Botanic Garden, Morton Arboretum, Field Museum, US Forest Service, US Army Corps of Engineers and the Illinois Natural History Survey).  For more information about the program and how to apply, please visit our website at http://www.leap.uic.edu.

The UIC LEAP Program strongly encourages applications from women and minorities.

Posted 10/31/09
PhD fellowships at U of Louisiana

Doctoral Fellowships and other assistantships available for entering Ph.D. students in Environmental and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. 

We will be awarding University of Louisiana Fellowships and Board of Regents Fellowships to Ph.D. students entering Fall 2010.  UL Fellows are funded for 3-4 years and have limited teaching responsibilities, while BoR Fellows are funded for 4 years at and have no formal teaching duties.  Stipends are up to $26,000 per year (with tuition waiver).  Eligibility requirements include US citizenship (or permanent residency) or degree from a US institution.  We will also have teaching and research assistantships available for incoming Ph.D. students.  Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to directly contact prospective advisors.  Their contact information and research interests can be found at our departmental web site (http://biology.louisiana.edu/).  Our graduate program brochure is also posted at our Ecology Center's site (http://ulceet.com/site90.php).  The Department of Biology has approximately 70 graduate students and 25 graduate faculty members conducting research on a wide variety of topics.

Posted 10/31/09

Graduate Fellowships in Sustainability Science

Maine's Sustainability Solutions Initiative (SSI), a partnership between the University of Maine and the University of Southern Maine, offers unprecedented opportunities for graduate students to experience a truly interdisciplinary learning experience through a $20 million, 5-year program funded by the National Science Foundation's EPSCoR program. The SSI's mission is to create an integrative research program and strong stakeholder partnerships to generate improved solutions to intersecting ecological, social, and economic challenges in and beyond Maine. Graduate students will participate in collaborative research experiences with interdisciplinary faculty teams focused on urbanization, forest ecosystem management, and climate change.  These efforts address the dynamics of social-ecological systems with an emphasis on moving from knowledge to action. Students with backgrounds in a wide range of disciplines are encouraged to apply: e.g. social sciences, biological, earth, and chemical sciences, natural resource management, communication, engineering, education, mathematics, and more.

Up to 25 Ph.D. fellowships will be awarded at the University of Maine with a substantial portion of these beginning in fall 2010. Each fellowship will include a stipend of $20-25,000/ yr for up to five years, a tuition waiver, subsidy for health insurance, and some funds to support thesis research.  Masters degrees opportunities will be offered at the University of Southern Maine.

For more information on SSI and fellowship applications, visit www.umaine.edu/sustainabilitysolutions

Posted 10/31/09
Doctoral Research Opportunities at Baylor University

Profs. Boris Lau and Bryan Brooks are jointly recruiting outstanding PhD students to work on projects studying surface dynamics and ecological exposure and consequences of emerging contaminants (trace organics and nanoparticles).

This is an excellent opportunity for students who are interested to become experts in the emerging field that requires the crossover of aquatic ecology, toxicology and environmental nanoscience. Baylor University provides access and training to state-of-the art research facilities situated in the newly opened $103 million Baylor Sciences Building (www.baylor.edu/bsb). The students will be part of a multidisciplinary team of ecologists, environmental engineers, chemists, geoscientists, toxicologists and microbiologists from a newly formed Institute of Ecology, Earth, and Environmental Sciences (www.baylor.edu/tieees). Core multiuser laboratories with permanent scientific staff in aquatic science (www.baylor.edu/crasr), spatial science, molecular biosciences and mass spectrometry are available to support graduate research pursuits.

Successful applicants must possess a strong academic record and excellent English communication skills. Highly motivated candidates with a BS or MS degree in relevant science and/or engineering disciplines will be considered.  Qualified students will be funded through teaching and/or research assistantships that provide tuition remission, competitive stipends, health benefits, and travel support to attend professional meetings. Prospective candidates are encouraged to submit their CVs to Dr. Bryan Brooks (bryan_brooks@baylor.edu; www.baylor.edu/environmentalscience/index.php?id=3D56293) and/or Dr. Boris Lau (boris_lau@baylor.edu; www.baylor.edu/Geology/index.php?id=3D62676). Please use "Lau-Brooks Research Opportunities" in the subject line. Review of applicants will continue until all positions are filled.

Preferred start date: January or August 2010

Baylor University is a private university located in Waco, Texas, USA. Chartered in 1845, it is the oldest university in Texas. Ranked among the top 100 national universities, the University is classified by the Carnegie Foundation as research university with high research activity.

Posted 10/31/09

MS student opportunity in aquatic ecology
Department of Biological Sciences, Wayne State University

Support is available in the Steiner lab at Wayne State University for a Master of Science student interested in aquatic population and community ecology. The student will take part in a research project focused on the interactive effects of environmental perturbations and dispersal on the structure and dynamics of zooplankton populations. The student will be encouraged to develop an independent research project related to the primary project. Research during the summer will be conducted at Michigan State University's Kellogg Biological Station located in southwest Michigan.  Support during the academic year will be provided by departmental teaching assistantships while summer support will be provided by research assistantships. Funds are also available for housing during the summer field season.

Qualifications include: a record of academic achievement as an undergraduate; previous coursework or research experience in ecology or evolutionary ecology; the ability to work independently; and the ability to work long hours in the field (enduring heat, leech, mosquito, humidity, rain, hail, thunderstorms and pond scum). 

Those seeking further information about the position should contact Dr. Chris Steiner (csteiner@wayne.edu). Wayne State University is an urban university located in beautiful midtown Detroit. General information about the Steiner lab and the Biological Sciences Department can be found at: http://www.clas.wayne.edu/unit-faculty-detail.asp?FacultyID=1721. For information about the Kellogg Biological Station see: http://www.kbs.msu.edu

To apply: Please email the following to Dr. Chris Steiner (csteiner@wayne.edu): 1) CV, including GPA and GRE scores, 2) a letter of interest describing general research interests and any prior research experience; and 3) contact information (and email addresses) of 2-3 references.

Posted 10/30/09

NSF IGERT Fellowship Opportunities in Polar Environmental Change at Dartmouth College

Dartmouth is seeking applicants for our NSF Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship (IGERT) program in Polar Environmental Change. Polar systems are at the forefront of global change science research. We are an interdisciplinary graduate program in polar sciences and engineering that merges expertise and facilities from science and engineering departments at Dartmouth College with the U.S. Army Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (CRREL), creating one of the premier centers of scientific expertise in polar research. The investment of Dartmouth's Dickey Center for International Understanding and its Institute of Arctic Studies in forming relationships with Greenlandic institutions and Inuit leaders provides the opportunity for intensive field training in Greenland where science, policy and indigenous issues of the north can be explored. Collectively these experiences provide rigorous training in polar and related sciences and produce scientists with an advanced knowledge of the role of science in policy and the ethics of conducting research with indigenous people.

Research training is coupled with a coordinated core curriculum that focuses on three components of Arctic or Antarctic systems responding to rapid change in climate: 1) the cryosphere - glacial ice, snow, sea ice systems; 2) terrestrial ecosystems and biogeochemical linkages between the soil, plant, and animal system; and, 3) human systems - the process of policy making in political and social systems where Western science and traditional knowledge provide information.

Applicants should visit the Dartmouth IGERT website for information on participating departments, requirements, and application procedures:  www.dartmouth.edu/~igert/

For further information, email the Program Manager at IGERT@dartmouth.edu or the IGERT Principal Investigator at Ross.Virginia@dartmouth.edu.

The Dartmouth IGERT encourages applications from minorities, women, and individuals with disabilities. We especially seek to engage with Native American students, as is Dartmouth's tradition, by offering a graduate science program that is relevant to their individual needs and those of their communities.

Lee McDavid, Program Manager
Polar Environmental Change IGERT
Dartmouth College
Hanover, NH  03755
603-646-1278

Posted 10/30/09

NSF fellowships for research on vegetation-climate interactions in the Amazon

National Science Foundation (NSF) graduate fellowships ($30,000 per year, for up to two years) are available starting in the 2010-2011 academic year for Amazon-PIRE (Partnership for International Research and Education) for ecology and earth-system science students to study vegetation-climate interactions in the Amazon basin (Brazil).

Amazon-PIRE fellows must be admitted to a participating Ph.D. program at the University of Arizona or Harvard University. Fellowships support United States citizens or permanent residents, and include an annual stipend, tuition, health insurance, and travel to Brazilian field sites and collaborating institutions.

Amazon-PIRE is a U.S.-Brazilian partnership addressing the question, "What is the future of Amazon forests under climate change?" and promoting international education, collaboration, and exchange.  Research focii include long term observations (via eddy flux measurements, forest plot surveys, physiological measurements, remote sensing, and aircraft sampling), experimental manipulations (in the Tropical Forest Biome of Biosphere 2), and modeling.  

Amazon-PIRE is committed to diversity in education, and encourages the application of women and underrepresented minorities. 

    * Application deadline for funding of graduate fellowships - February 5, 2010  

See the program website (http://www.amazonpire.org/opportunities.php) for key application deadlines for relevant programs and more information, or email: amazonpire@arizona.edu.

Posted 10/28/09

MSc Student Opportunity in Aquatic Ecology, River Studies Center, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse

Graduate student support is available for a graduate student (MSc) interested in working on a multidisciplinary research project entitled "Modeling the response of imperiled freshwater mussels to anthropogenically induced changes in water temperature, habitat, and flow in streams of the southeastern and central United States".  The successful applicant will be expected to develop an independent research project to explore the thermal thresholds of juvenile and adult mussels based on physiological traits.  This is a joint project between the U.S. Geological Survey and the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.  The student would work jointly with Dr. Teresa Newton (who studies mussel ecology) and Dr. Roger Haro (who studies the biology of benthic invertebrates).

The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse recognizes and appreciates the importance of water to the competing forces of agriculture, business, recreation, and nature.  Consequently, freshwater is a focus of teaching and research in the Department of Biology.  At the graduate level, the Department offers an Aquatic Science Concentration to prepare students for exciting and challenging careers in the study and management of freshwater resources.  Many graduate students in the program are associated with the River Studies Center (Center) at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse which was established in 1972 to facilitate the University's scientific involvement with environmental and resource management issues pertinent to the Upper Mississippi River.  The Center has become nationally recognized for its investigations of non-point source pollutants in rivers, streams, lakes, and wetlands.

Selection will be based on undergraduate grades (GPA), GRE's (minimum combined score of 1100 on v-GRE & q-GRE), and letters of reference from at least three persons with sufficient knowledge of the applicant's potential for research.  Students with proven experience in measurement of physiological rates are encouraged to apply.

Support:   In-state (Wisconsin) tuition and an annual stipend, renewable for an additional year.

Starting Date:  January 2010 (preferred), June 2010 (acceptable)

Interested students should contact:

Dr. Roger Haro, River Studies Center, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, La Crosse, WI  54601, USA; email haro.roge@uwlax.edu

or

Dr. Teresa Newton, U.S. Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center,  La Crosse, WI  54603, USA; email tnewton@usgs.gov

Posted 10/28/09
Doctoral Fellowships - University of Arkansas

The Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Arkansas is actively recruiting Distinguished Doctoral Fellows (DDF) and Doctoral Academy Fellows (DAF) to begin graduate work in August 2010.  The Distinguished Fellowships have a range of $30,000 to $40,000 for a 12-month stipend, and the DAFs have a range of $20,000 to $30,000 for a 12-month stipend. Both are available for up to 4 years of support based on satisfactory progress. Fellowships will require research and/or teaching depending upon the major professor chosen.  In addition, fellowships include a full waiver of tuition, health care benefits, and most fees. Outstanding students from all biological disciplines are encouraged to apply.  Selection will be based on undergraduate GPA, GRE scores, letters of recommendation, and undergraduate (B.S.) research experience or graduate (M.S.) research experience. Applicants should contact faculty members in the Department of Biological Sciences whose research they may be interested in directly at http://biology.uark.edu/ For more information on departmental requirements, see http://biology.uark.edu/1255.htm or http://www.uark.edu/depts/gradinfo/recruit/funding/fellowships.html for general requirements.  DAF applications can be made at any time and will be reviewed as received.  Review of DDF applications will begin on 16 January 2010 with decisions made by the end of February. Those qualified applicants not chosen for a DDF will be offered a DAF. Contact Dr. David McNabb (dmcnabb@uark.edu, 479-575-3251), Chair, Graduate Studies Committee, Department of Biological Sciences, for any further information or questions.

Posted 10/28/09
Graduate Student Opportunity - U Montana (Missoula) - Riparian Ecology
 
We seek applications for an MS student to investigate site requirements of late-seral woody riparian plants along the upper Missouri River in central Montana. The primary objective is to assess how multiple factors (e.g., water availability, soil texture and stratigraphy, livestock herbivory) affect plant species composition.  In addition, successful applicants will be encouraged to develop and pursue their own, related study questions.  Preferred qualifications include: a record of strong academic achievement as an undergraduate; previous coursework and interest in terrestrial plant ecology and soil science; a desire to conduct independent fieldwork in remote settings. Site access and fieldwork may require multi-day canoe trips.
 
Funding is expected for a January 2010 start, and will include a stipend of ~ $16,000 per year, an in-state tuition waiver (for Montana residents), and research expenses including travel and per diem. The successful candidate will be co-advised by Drs. Michael Merigliano and Cory Cleveland (College of Forestry and Conservation) at the University of Montana in Missoula.
 
To apply: Please email the following application materials (as one document) to Dr. Cory Cleveland at cory.cleveland@umontana.edu: 1) a current resume or CV, including GPA and GRE scores (if available); 2) a letter of interest, including research interests, professional goals and prior experience; and 3) contact information, including Email addresses, of three potential references.

Posted 10/28/09

Graduate school position in Ecosystem Ecology (Boston Univ)

*Department of Biology - Program in Ecology, Behavior and Evolution
Program in Terrestrial Biogeosciences
Boston University

*I invite applications for doctoral work in my lab beginning fall 2010 in the areas of biogeochemistry, forest ecology, global change biology and related fields. Applicants should be independent and highly motivated with academic research and/or field experience in plant ecology, soil ecology or nutrient cycling. Funding is available to work on a project examining the impacts of variation in winter climate on forest productivity and nutrient dynamics. My research program covers a broad range of topics including human impacts on the global nitrogen cycle, the effects of exotic pests on forest biogeochemistry, nutrients inputs from fog to coastal forest ecosystems and the role of disturbances in nutrient uptake by trees. Our lab has excellent research facilities, including access to three isotope ratio mass spectrometers in our department.

I encourage prospective students to contact me (ptempler@bu.edu) to discuss potential projects and to set up an interview. Formal review of applications will begin in our department December 7, 2009, but interested applicants should contact me before the application deadline if possible.

Interested applicants can look at the following web-sites for useful information:
http://people.bu.edu/ptempler/
www.bu.edu/biology
www.bu.edu/bio-geo

Pamela Templer, PhD
Assistant Professor
Co-Director of the BU Stable Isotope Laboratory
Department of Biology
Boston University
5 Cummington Street
Boston, MA 02215

phone 617-353-6978
fax 617-353-6340
people.bu.edu/ptempler

Posted 10/28/09

Graduate Student Opening

The White Lab at Utah State University has an opening for a graduate student with interests in Macroecology, Community Ecology, or Ecological Theory/Modeling.  Active areas of research in the White lab include broad scale patterns of biodiversity and body size, dynamics of ecological communities, and the use of sensor networks for studying ecological systems.  We use computational, mathematical, and advanced statistical methods in much of our work, so students with an interest in these kinds of methods are encouraged to apply. Background in these quantitative techniques is not necessary, only an interest in learning and applying them. While students interested in one of the general areas listed above are preferred, students are encouraged to develop their own research projects depending upon their interests. Graduate students in the White lab are funded through a combination of research assistantships, teaching assistantships, and fellowships. Students interested in pursuing a Ph.D. are preferred, though exceptional students interested in a M.S. will be considered. Utah State University has an excellent graduate program in ecology with over 50 faculty and 80+ graduate students across campus affiliated with the USU Ecology Center (http://www.usu.edu/ecology/).

Additional information about the position and Utah State University is available at: http://whitelab.weecology.org/grad-student-opening

Interested students can find more information about the lab at our website: http://whitelab.weecology.org

If you are still interested after checking out the website you should contact me directly at epwhite@biology.usu.edu. Please send a CV, GPA, GRE scores (if available), and a brief description of your general research interests.

DEADLINE: For full consideration, formal applications should be submitted by January 1st, 2009.

-Dr. Ethan White
Email: epwhite@biology.usu.edu or ethan@weecology.org

Posted 10/23/09

PhD Assistantship Available:  Ecological Genomics of Drought Stress in Prairie Grasses

We have a position available for a PhD student to study the ecological genomics of drought stress.  The project will include studies of the responses of native prairie grasses to variation in precipitation using the ecologically dominant prairie grass big bluestem as a model. The work is part of a project funded by the USDA Plant Biology Abiotic Stress program.  The project will include common garden transplant experiments and genomic approaches to test for the signature of adaptive genetic differentiation among natural populations of big bluestem across the precipitation gradient of the Great Plains.

This collaborative research group assembles investigators with complementary expertise in Plant Ecological Genomics (Johnson www.ksu.edu/johnsonlab/, Garrett www.ksu.edu/pdecology), Genomics (Ahkunov eakhunov@ksu.edu), Evolutionary Genetics  (Morgan(http://www.ksu.edu/morganlab/) and Restoration Ecology (Baer, SIU (www.plantbiology.siu.edu/Faculty/Baer/index.html) to elucidate the response and adaptation of prairie grasses to abiotic stresses. This work will take place in the laboratories of Drs. Johnson, Akhunov, and Garrett, with close collaboration with Drs. Morgan and Baer. There will also be opportunities to interact with other researchers in the context of the Ecological Genomics Institute (www.ecogen.ksu.edu).

Applicants should have a demonstrated interest in ecological or evolutionary genomics. Preference will be given to individuals with experience in modern molecular approaches and genomics tools.

Review of applicants will begin Dec.15, and continue until the successful applicant is identified. The starting date is summer 2010. The position offers competitive salary of $25,000 and benefits.

Applications should include a cover letter with a statement of research interests and timing of availability, a CV, and names and contact information for three professional references.  Please send your application through e-mail to Loretta Johnson (Johnson@ksu.edu). To ensure that your application is received, please include the following in the subject of your e-mail: "Application for Ecological Genomics Assistantship".

Kansas State University is located in the college town of Manhattan (population ~45,000) in the Flint Hills of eastern Kansas, about 2 hours away from Kansas City.  Kansas State University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer and actively seeks diversity among its employees.

Posted 10/21/09

Graduate Research Assistantship
Evolutionary Ecology of Plant-Herbivore Interactions
University of Wisconsin, Madison

A Graduate Research Assistantship (M.S. - Ph.D. or Ph.D. only) is available for work with the research groups of Rick Lindroth and Eric Kruger at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Funded by a new, five-year NSF grant, this research addresses genetic, ontogenetic and environmental factors that influence aspen defense (chemical resistance, tolerance, escape) against mammalian herbivores (e.g., deer). Primary objectives of the work are to: 1) characterize aspen chemical defense traits, 2) assess costs/benefits of resistance, tolerance and escape, and 3) evaluate the selective impact of browsing on the genetic structure of defense traits in an experimental population. Applicants must be interested in investigating both the chemical and population genetics aspects of plant-herbivore interactions. Applicants should pursue admission to the graduate program in http://www.zoology.wisc.edu/ Zoology (Ecology), http://forestandwildlifeecology.wisc.edu/ Forest and Wildlife Ecology, or http://www.botany.wisc.edu/ Botany.

For more information about the Lindroth and Kruger research groups, visit: http://entomology.wisc.edu/~lindroth/ http://forest.wisc.edu/facstaff/kruger.html

The University of Wisconsin-Madison is a premier institution for research in ecology and evolution, and has ranked among the top five research universities in the United States for each of the past 20 years.

Qualifications:
Highly motivated individuals with superior academic credentials and strong communication skills are encouraged to apply. Well-developed interpersonal skills are essential. Candidates must be able to work independently as well as part of a collaborative research team.

Stipend/benefits:
50% Research Assistantships currently provide a stipend of $ $20,184 (12 mo.), tuition waiver, and excellent medical/dental health plans.

Position available beginning in summer or fall of 2010.

Inquiries:
Send preliminary e-mail letter of inquiry, describing research interests and academic qualifications, to:

Dr. Rick Lindroth Lindroth@wisc.edu

237 Russell Labs
1630 Linden Drive
University of Wisconsin
Madison, WI  53706 U.S.A.

Posted 10/21/09

Graduate positions in community ecology at URI

I invite applications from motivated students for either masters or doctoral work beginning in fall 2010 in the field of terrestrial community ecology at the University of Rhode Island. Full funding for 1-2 students will be provided either as research or teaching assistantships, depending on student background and availability. Applicants should be independent, highly motivated, and possess some research and/or field experience. Research in my lab generally addresses predator-prey and/or herbivore-plant interactions; specific research topics have included the population-level consequences of non-lethal interactions between predators and their prey and the impact of interactions between invasive species on eastern forests. Detailed information about the lab is available at http://cels.uri.edu/preisserlab/

Prospective students should contact me (Evan Preisser, preisser@uri.edu) and provide a short description of research interests and accomplishments, a CV (including GPA and GRE scores), and contact information for three references. I will contact suitable candidates to discuss potential graduate projects and to set up an interview. Formal department review of applications will begin February 1, 2010, but interested students should contact me well before the application deadline.

Evan Preisser, Assistant Professor
Dept. of Biological Sciences, 9 East Alumni Ave.
University of Rhode Island, Kingston RI 02881 USA
(w) 401 874-2120 (fax) 401 874-4256
e-mail:  preisser@uri.edu
http://cels.uri.edu/preisserlab/index.html

Posted 10/20/09

MS/PhD Assistantship // Urban Long-Term Research // NCSU
URBAN ECOLOGY GRADUATE OPPORTUNITY, SPRING 2010

The Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources seeks a highly qualified graduate student for work serving as a foundation for urban long-term research in the "Triangle" region of North Carolina.
 
Research will be conducted in the context of a larger effort to influence the policies that allow for the sustainable and equitable provisioning of ecosystem services.  Urban research in the Triangle involves scientists from NC State University, UNC-Chapel Hill, and Duke University.  It will provide rich opportunities for interaction among scientists and students from other urban research sites around the nation.

Graduate research at either MS or PhD level will focus on demographic comparisons of populations both consuming and producing ecosystem services provided by Jordan Lake in the Triangle. 
 
Support includes stipend, tuition and fees, and health insurance for at least two years.  Preferred start date: January 2010.  

QUALIFICATIONS

Applicants should:

•Have a strong academic background that will support socio-ecological research;
•Possess strong quantitative skills;
•Have excellent scores in all three components of the GRE (verbal, quantitative, critical thinking/analytic writing) and a high  undergraduate/graduate GPA;
•Be citizens or permanent residents of the U.S.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Prospective applicants should:

First, address a letter of interest to Dr. Melissa McHale at melissa_mchale@ncsu.edu, ASAP.

Second, potential candidates should also prepare to submit an application (including personal statement, CV, three letters of recommendation, transcripts, GRE scores) through the North Carolina State University Graduate School on-line application process.  Review of applications will begin immediately and the position will remain open until filled.  http://cnr.ncsu.edu/fer/grads/degprogs.html

FORESTRY AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES AT NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY

The Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources is recognized internationally as a leader in graduate education. Currently, more than 140 students (40% doctoral, 60% master's) are pursuing graduate degrees in forestry, fisheries and wildlife sciences, and natural resources.  Graduate programs emphasize hands-on research, teaching, and external field opportunities. We produce graduate students who have the knowledge, skills and willingness required to succeed as responsible scientists, teachers and practitioners.

North Carolina State University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer committed to excellence through diversity and encourages applications from minorities, women, veterans and persons with disabilities.

Posted 10/20/09

PhD and MS Assistantships: Fish and Aquatic Ecology
Purdue University, Department of Forestry and Natural Resources
West Lafayette, IN, USA

Description:
Multiple (2-3) graduate student (PhD and MS) assistantships available to participate in research projects exploring ecological dynamics of Great Lakes fishes.  These projects involve an integration of field studies, laboratory analyses, controlled experiments and quantitative modeling.

Research topics include:

1)      Recruitment and early life history dynamics: linking early life growth and survival of Great Lakes fishes to physical processes.
2)      Intra-specific life history trait variation: inter-population variation of maturation schedules, growth rates, and egg characteristics.
3)      Description and modeling of food-web connections among Great Lakes fishes.

Within these general research topics students will have flexibility to develop their own thesis projects.  Selected individuals will enroll in Purdue University's Department of Forestry and Natural Resources (www.fnr.purdue.edu) in West Lafayette, IN.

Qualifications:
Minimum qualifications include a BS (for MS position) or MS (for PhD position) in Biology, Ecology, Fisheries Science, or related field; GPA of 3.2 or greater; and above average GRE scores (at least 50th percentile for quantitative and verbal; at least 4.0 for analytical writing).

Salary:
Assistantships include stipend, full tuition coverage, and insurance.

Start date:
Exact date negotiable (sometime between March-August 2010).

How to Apply:
The positions will remain open until filled. For full consideration, please respond by 18-December-2009 and submit cover letter, CV, GRE scores (unofficial is fine), transcript (unofficial is fine), and names and contact numbers of three references to Tomas Höök (thook@purdue.edu; 765-496-6799; www.ag.purdue.edu/fnr/pages/thook.aspx).

For more details please contact:
Tomas Höök

thook@purdue.edu

Purdue University is an affirmative action equal opportunity employer.

Posted 10/18/09

Ph.D. opportunities at Dartmouth

The Graduate Program in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at Dartmouth College invites applications from prospective Ph.D. students.  We offer a wide range of opportunities for studying a diversity of biological systems from ecological and evolutionary perspectives, and our core group of enthusiastic faculty, graduate students and post-docs provide an exciting environment in which to pursue a Ph.D http://www.dartmouth.edu/~biology/. Generous financial support is  provided in the form of Dartmouth Fellowships, health care, and a substantial yearly discretionary fund for research and travel that are guaranteed for 5 years.  Applicants with excellent records and who demonstrate financial need are also eligible for a U.S. Department of Education Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need (GAANN) Fellowship http://www.dartmouth.edu/~gradstdy/GAANNAWD.html. Detailed information about the program, and access to online applications, are available at http://www.dartmouth.edu/~biology/graduate/eeb/.  Students interested in alpine or polar ecosystems may also apply to the NSF IGERT training grant program on polar environmental change and its human dimensions. http://www.dartmouth.edu/~igert/

Applications will be considered beginning on December 1st.  Promising applicants will be invited and hosted for interviews in January.

Dartmouth is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and encourages applications from women and members of minority groups.

Posted 10/18/09

MSc/PhD Opportunity in Paleoecology

A graduate student position in paleoecology is available to start in the summer or fall of 2010 at the University of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada (http://www.uvic.ca/). The main approach used in my lab is to examine ecological dynamics using the geological record and techniques such as pollen analysis that provide a long-term perspective on vegetation dynamics. Research focuses on the development and dynamics of vegetation communities since the last glaciation and the climatic and non-climatic factors that drive vegetation dynamics. The main geographical focus of the lab is the Pacific coast of Canada, a region characterized today by temperate rainforest. There are a number of specific research projects available but students are also encouraged to develop their own projects.

Applicants should be highly-motivated, with a strong background in community ecology and/or Quaternary geology and excellent academic standing. Guaranteed funding is available through a combination of fellowships, research assistantships, and teaching assistantships.

Interested students are encouraged to contact me as soon as possible via email (tlacours@uvic.ca) and to send a CV/resume, an unofficial copy of university transcripts, and a brief statement of scientific interests.

Terri Lacourse
Department of Geography
University of Victoria
Victoria, British Columbia
V8W 3R4
Canada

Posted 10/17/09

PhD assistantship: brook trout ecology at the University of Massachusetts - Amherst

Ecology and population genetics of brook trout in the Delaware Gap National Recreation Area

The project: The status of brook trout populations in the Delaware Gap National Recreation Area is unclear. This specific goal of this project is to provide scientific support for a brook trout management plan in the Park. The broader goal is to use information collected in the Park to contribute to a larger effort to develop hierarchical models of brook trout population persistence. Field work in the Park will include an extensive survey to identify population structure based on microsatellites and an intensive 1-year PIT tag study to estimate seasonal body growth, survival and movement. Responsibilities will include participation in the extensive field study, leading the intensive PIT tag study, and genotyping sampled fish. Beyond these responibilities, the student will have opportunities to define dissertation topics.

Qualifications: MS (preferred) or BS in ecology, fisheries or genetics. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Strong quantitative skills, including familiarity with linear mixed models and hierarchical Bayesian modeling. Interest in applying scientific results to natural resources management.

Stipend: Full time, $20K/year plus benefits. Tuition waiver from UMass.  Additional funds are available for travel and research expenses.

To apply: Please send CV, transcripts (unofficial OK), and names, phone numbers and email addresses of 3 references to Ben Letcher at bletcher@nrc.umass.edu. Specify intererest in either the Organismic and Evolutionary Biology Program (http://www.bio.umass.edu/oeb/) or the Natural Resources Conservation Department (http://nrc.umass.edu/).

Closing date: November 13, 2009

Silvio O. Conte Anadromous Fish Research Center
 U.S. Geological Survey
 Biological Resources Division
 P.O. Box 796 --  One Migratory Way
 Turners Falls, MA  01376
 (413) 863-3803
 Cell: (413) 522-9417
 FAX (413) 863-9810

 bletcher@nrc.umass.edu
 ben_letcher@usgs.gov
 http://www.lsc.usgs.gov/cafl/ecology/Ecology.html

Posted 10/17/09

Graduate Research Assistant, Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, Dept. of Entomology, or Inter-College Degree Program in Ecology, Penn State University

Available:  Summer/Fall, 2010

Position Description:  Graduate Research Assistantship (Ph.D.) in Crop and Soil Sciences,  Entomology, or Ecology.   Seeking a Ph.D. student to participate in a project on reduced tillage organic cropping systems, Improving Weed and Insect Management in Organic Reduced-Tillage Cropping Systems. Our overall goal is to develop sustainable reduced-tillage organic feed grain production systems that integrate pest (weed and insect) and soil management practices to overcome production constraints associated with high residue, reduced-tillage environments. There will be a soil quality component to the experiments. The project activities will include on-station and on-farm research and extension.  In addition to field-based research, there will be opportunities to develop and deliver extension programs on organic agriculture.

Qualifications: B.S. or M.S. degree in plant or soil science, entomology, biological sciences, environmental sciences, ecology, or other agriculture-related discipline.  Strong written and oral communication skills necessary.  Minimum 3.0/4.0 GPA.  GRE test scores are required.

Facilities:   The Departments of Crop and Soil Sciences and Entomology are two of 12 departments in the College of Agricultural Sciences with a campus-wide student body of about 40,000 full-time students. The Penn State University Park Campus is located in State College in Central Pennsylvania.  State College is a community of approximately 40,000 year round residents nestled in the heart of the Allegheny Mountains.  The geographic setting is one of fertile agricultural valleys situated between tree covered ridges.  Agriculture is Pennsylvania's number one industry with dairy and other livestock, grain and forage crops, tree fruits, and vegetable production being key industries.

For additional information contact:
Dr. Bill Curran, email: wcurran@psu.edu and phone: (814) 863-1014 or
Dr. Mary Barbercheck, email: meb34@psu.edu and phone: (814) 863-2982

Application:  Send letter of interest, resume, and transcripts to:
Dr. William S. Curran, Professor of Weed Science, 210 ASI, Dept. of Crop and Soil Sciences
University Park, PA 16802
(814)863-1014
(814)863-7043 (Fax)

and

Dr. Mary Barbercheck, Professor of Entomology, 501 ASI, Dept. of Entomology
University Park, PA  16802
(814) 863 - 2982
(814) 865 - 3048 (Fax)

Posted 10/15/09

Graduate Assistantship and Postdoctoral Associate Positions

                 I am seeking to fill two positions to work on a project investigating the role of root characteristics (morphology, growth patterns and foraging behavior, nutrient uptake abilities) in explaining competitive success of invasive species in forests.  The project will involve root excavations and root system measurements, experimental studies of root growth with respect to nutrient (mainly nitrogen) availability, experimental studies of root growth as a determinant of competitive interactions, and stable isotope-based measurements of nitrogen uptake capacity.  The project is being done in collaboration with Dr. Jason Grabosky, an expert on root system morphology  and structural characteristics.

                A postdoctoral associate is sought who has experience in the analysis of root system morphology and growth. This person will handle the field-based root system excavations, morphological analyses, and implementation of the competition experiments. Experience and/or training in soil science and/or nutrient dynamics would also be desirable.

                A graduate student  (Ph. D.) is sought who has a background and interest in soils and/or nitrogen dynamics and its role as both a factor mediating competition and a factor mediating root growth and activity patterns (foraging 'behavior').  The student will apply to and  enroll in the Graduate Program in Ecology and Evolution (http://ecoevo.rutgers.edu/), a large and dynamic graduate  program based on the New Brunswick (NJ) campus of Rutgers University.

                For more information, please contact Dr. Joan Ehrenfeld, ehrenfel@rci.rutgers.edu or 732-932-1081. (see http://www.rci.rutgers.edu/~ehrenfel/ for some background on the Ehrenfeld lab).

Posted 10/15/09

Available Graduate Positions in Evolutionary Ecology

The Langerhans Lab at North Carolina State University is looking for exceptional and enthusiastic Ph.D. students, and anticipates accepting approximately two new students starting fall 2010.  While the lab primarily accepts Ph.D. students, exceptional students wishing to pursue a M.S. will also be considered.  Additional information for prospective students can be found here: http://faculty-staff.ou.edu/L/Randall.B.Langerhans-1/labopps.html.

Research in the Langerhans Lab investigates a wide range of questions in evolutionary ecology, with empirical work focusing on aquatic systems (e.g., fishes, amphibians) and lizards.  Due to this breadth of interests, graduate students can pursue a variety of research trajectories.  Examples of ongoing research interests in the lab include: evolutionary consequences of anthropogenic impacts, ecological speciation, morphological and locomotor evolution, predictability of phenotypic evolution, functional morphology of locomotion, predator-prey coevolution, genital evolution in livebearing fishes, phylogeography, phenotypic plasticity, adaptive constraints of gene flow, sensory bias, evolution of sexual dimorphism, and links between locomotor, feeding, and life history evolution.

North Carolina State University is located in Raleigh, North Carolina's state capital.  The campus is home to a vibrant research community, and immersed within a thriving area for ecology and evolutionary biology research (e.g., within a 30-minute drive of Duke University, UNC Chapel Hill, the National Evolutionary Synthesis Center).  The city is further conveniently located approximately 2 hours from both the ocean and the mountains.

If you are interested in joining the lab, please contact Dr. Brian Langerhans (langerhans@ncsu.edu) and provide a short description of your research interests and accomplishments, CV (including GPA and GRE scores), and contact information for three references.  For those subsequently encouraged to apply, information on the application process can be found here:  http://harvest.cals.ncsu.edu/biology/index.cfm?pageID=951.

More information on research in the lab can be found at: http://faculty-staff.ou.edu/L/Randall.B.Langerhans-1/

More information on the Department of Biology at NCSU can be found at: http://harvest.cals.ncsu.edu/biology/

Posted 10/14/09

Opening: PhD Student in Biogeography, Societies, Climate Change, or Species Interactions

Positions for PhD students are available in the laboratory of Rob Dunn at North Carolina State University, with funding through a mix of research assistantships and TAs to work on any of a wide range of topics. Student should be curious, driven and excited enough about science that it is what they might choose to do were they to win the lottery.

Opportunities exist to work on societies (be they insect or otherwise), climate change, biogeography or some combination thereof. Within this context, students interested in the biology of parasites, infectious diseases, mutualists (be they butterflies, plants, microbes or anything else) or commensals of social insects and other societies are particularly encouraged to apply.

Research projects that span more than one lab within our conservation ecology lab group (http://www4.ncsu.edu/~rrdunn/labgroup.html), social insect group (http://www.ncsu.edu/project/honey_bee_res/NCSU-SIWG.html) or with existing collaborators associated with global projects on ants (http://www.antmacroecology.org/) are also encouraged.

Students who are interested in applying to the lab should send a CV, a list of reference writers, and a writing sample to Rob_Dunn "at" ncsu.edu. The CV should include information about existing skill sets such as languages spoken, molecular techniques, natural history knowledge, databasing abilities, GIS, or taxonomic knowledge. If you can identify, for example, every ant, fungus, springtail, carnivore tick, or mammal species in New Mexico, Alberta or anywhere else, let me know.

Current student projects in the lab include work on the biogeography of carnivores and their parasites, the behavior of male ants, the consequences of the cryptic invasion of a termite specialist ant, and modeling of the interactions between seed dispersers and seeds. Lab projects include global analysis of the biogeography of ants, modeling consequences of climate change for insects, pests and diseases, and an effort to work with NASA to highlight areas where discovery of new species is most likely.

Inquires from individuals of diverse backgrounds and underrepresented groups are particularly encouraged.

For more information about the lab see: http://www4.ncsu.edu/~rrdunn/

Posted 10/14/09

Assistantships in Community Ecology at Univ. of Kansas

Graduate Assistantships (M.A. or Ph.D. level) are available in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Kansas.  I am seeking highly motivated students interested in experimental community ecology, grassland biodiversity and restoration. Research opportunities exist within the context of an NSF-funded study testing alternative models of plant community assembly and using grasslands as a model study system.  Students will be encouraged to develop research projects related to one or more of the following related themes: community assembly, ecological succession, species coexistence and biodiversity, metacommunity dynamics, disturbance ecology, biological invasions, community and ecosystem restoration, impacts of climate change.

Successful applicants are guaranteed financial support (2 years for M.A., 5 years for Ph.D).  The department also provides support for travel to attend and present results at national and international meetings. Additional funds to support graduate student research are available through the departmental endowment.

Positions are available for an August 2010 start date.

For more information please contact:

Bryan Foster
Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
University of Kansas,
Lawrence, Kansas 66045-2106
785-864-4361, bfoster@ku.edu
http://www2.ku.edu/~eeb/faculty/foster.shtml

Posted 10/13/09

PhD and MS assistantships in nutrient enrichment of detritus-based stream food webs

Five graduate student assistantships (3 Ph.D. and 2 M.S.) are available as part of a newly funded project examining the responses of detritus-based stream food webs to concentrations and ratios of dissolved nitrogen and phosphorus. Two Ph.D. positions will be based at the University of Georgia and will focus on detrital carbon dynamics and responses of predatory salamanders, respectively. A third Ph.D. position will be based at the University of Alabama and will examine macroinvertebrate food web responses.  Both M.S. positions will be based at Coastal Carolina University and will focus on microbial responses to N:P gradients using field and laboratory experiments. All fieldwork will be based at the Coweeta Long term Ecological Research site in Otto, North Carolina. We are looking for students with a holistic view of ecological ramifications of nutrient enrichment, strong interest in integrating a stoichiometric perspective across taxonomic groups, significant research experience and demonstrated communication skills. The positions will start in Summer or Fall 2010, with microbial positions starting as early as January 2010. The successful candidates will receive full tuition waivers and competitive stipends. For more information, contact Amy Rosemond (rosemond@uga.edu) or John Maerz (jmaerz@warnell.uga.edu) for the UGA positions, Jon Benstead (jbenstead@bama.ua.edu) for the UA position, or Vlad Gulis (vgulis@coastal.edu) for the two CCU positions.

Posted 10/13/09

MS/PhD Opportunity in Soil Ecology/Biogeochemistry, Department of Ecosystems & Conservation Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, MT

Graduate student assistantships: One new graduate assistantship (MS or PhD) is available to prospective students interested in soil biogeochemical and microbial community dynamics in recently deglaciated landscapes. The successful candidate will be expected to develop an independent project in one of the following areas: soil biogeochemistry; soil microbial ecology; or plant-microbe interactions. Motivated students with prior experience using molecular microbiological techniques are especially encouraged to apply. Applicants should have a strong record of academic excellence, prior field and/or laboratory experience, a demonstrated interest in soils or ecosystems research, and be willing to work in cold, harsh environments. Student support will include a combination of teaching/research assistantships, a stipend ($XX/year [sic] for MS students; $XX/year [sic] for PhD candidates) and a tuition waiver. Preference will be given to candidates willing to begin in summer 2020 [sic] (summer salary included), and academic positions will begin in the fall of 2010.

The community and resources: Missoula, a city of ~ 60,000 people, is a great place to live and work. It is surrounded by the Bitterroot and Lolo National Forests, and the Missoula valley includes the Blackfoot, Bitterroot, and Clark Fork Rivers. It offers immediate access multiple wilderness areas and national parks, and many outdoor activities.

To apply: For more information, please contact Cory Cleveland (cory.cleveland@umontana.edu). Students interested in applying should email the following application materials (as a single PDF or Word document): 1) a current resume or CV, including GPA and test scores (if available); 2) a letter of interest, including research interests, professional goals and prior experience; and 3) contact information, including email addresses, of three potential references. Applications received by December 15, 2009 will be given preference, but the position will remain open until a successful candidate has been identified.

Posted 10/12/09

Graduate Assistantship: Bivalve Ecology

Subject: Graduate Assistantship/Invasive quagga mussels in the arid southwest

Institution: University of Nevada Las Vegas

An assistantship towards a Master degree of Public Health (MPH) is available in the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV). The candidate will work with federal, state, and local government agencies, as well as other research teams to monitor the life histories of quagga mussel (Dreissena bugensis) adults and veligers in Lake Mead and address the key environmental factors affecting these invasive mussels in this largest reservoir in the US (by volume). Invasive quagga mussels were discovered in Lake Mead on January 6, 2007. It is the first known occurrence of the dreissenid species in the western United States. Now it has been found in many ecosystems in the arid southwest region.

The final candidate needs to do field work to collect water and sediment samples in Lake Mead, summarize water quality data, enumerate quagga mussel veligers and adults, identify and count benthic samples, present research results in interagency meetings, and draft report to funding agencies. The funding is available for 2 years. Minimum requirements include 1) a Bachelor's degree in Ecology, Biology, Limnology, Chemistry, Environmental Sciences, or related field; 2) good physical condition; 3) safe driving history; 4) self-motivated personality; 5) working independently and interactively with a multidisciplinary team.

The position starts from January 2010 depending on the availability of qualified applicant. Interested students should send CV, letter describing their qualifications, contact list of three references, and unofficial transcripts to Dr. David Wong (David.Wong@unlv.edu), Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, University of Nevada at Las Vegas, 4505 Maryland Parkway Box 453064, Las Vegas NV 89154 (Tel: 702-895-2446/Fax: 702-895-5166). Electronic submission is preferred. The due date for application is December 7, 2009. More information about graduate studies at UNLV can be found at http://graduatecollege.unlv.edu/.

Posted 10/12/09

Ph.D. Research Assistantship, South Dakota State University Brookings, South Dakota

Stipend:  Ph.D. - $20,778/yr; annual increases, plus substantial tuition waiver.

Closing:  Open until filled.

Responsibilities:  Lake mapping and database integration that leads to a classification system and habitat restoration plan. Project will involve some physical lake mapping and truthing, but most effort will be in performing spatial computing and database manipulation. Must report results in peer-reviewed publications and oral presentations.

Qualifications: Interest in landscape processes that influence lake habitat quality and fish communities. Applicants should have a B.S. or M.S. in fisheries, limnology, landscape ecology, or related interdisciplinary field and competitive GPA and GRE scores. Strong computer, analytical and writing skills, good knowledge of geographic information systems (e.g., ArcMap), and databases (e.g., STATSGO, STORET, GAP). Ability to interact and work effectively with multi-disciplinary groups is essential.

Contact:  Send letter of interest, resume, names, phone numbers or email addresses of three references, and copies of transcripts and GRE scores (photocopies & email attachments acceptable) to: Michael Brown, michael.brown@sdstate.edu, Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, SDSU, Brookings, SD 57007-1696.

Posted 10/10/09

M.S. in Coastal Marine and Wetland Studies

Coastal Carolina University (15 miles from Myrtle Beach) offers a graduate degree (M.S.) in Coastal Marine and Wetland Studies.  The program consists of 24 hrs of coursework and 6 hrs of thesis research.  Courses are taught primarily by faculty members from two academic departments: biology and marine science.   The coursework involves three core classes stressing coastal physical processes, ecology, and environmental policy.  Located near coastal marshes, swamps, a large unregulated river, barrier islands, and the ocean, the program offers exceptional opportunities for basic and applied research.   Students pursue projects that contribute to characterization and preservation of the coastal ecosystem and organisms that thrive in this ecosystem.  Assistantships and Fellowships (GK-12) are available.

Contact: Dr. Jim Luken, CMWS Program Coordinator (joluken@coastal.edu) http://www.coastal.edu/science/coastalstudies/

Poste 10/9/09

PhD Positions in Earth System Science

Applications are invited for PhD assistantships within the Graduate School of Geography at Clark University.  Assistantships cover tuition, provide an annual stipend, and include eligibility for a competitive fellowship.  Clark's Earth System Science program features expertise in terrestrial ecosystems and global change, hydrology, forest ecology, biogeography, Arctic System Science, remote sensing of land cover change, landscape ecology, human dimensions, and GISci.  To apply, send a completed application form and personal statement, three letters of reference, and official transcript(s) with a $50 (application fee).  For complete details see: http://www.clarku.edu/departments/geography/phdapphow.cfm, or contact Brenda Nikas-Hayes, BNikasHayes@clarku.edu, 508-793-7337.  Applicants are encouraged to communicate with prospective advisors.

Posted 10/9/09

Position Announcement: Ph.D. Assistantship in Deer Behavior and Epidemiology

*COOPERATIVE WILDLIFE RESEARCH LAB LABORATORY*
*SOUTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY CARBONDALE*
*Ph.D. GRADUATE ASSISTANTSHIP*
*Spatial Ecology and Epidemiology of White-tailed Deer*

The Cooperative Wildlife Research Laboratory, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale is inviting applications for a PhD-level Graduate Research Assistantship beginning January 2010. Assistantships are on a 12-month basis, with competitive stipend plus full tuition waiver and support for research activities.  For more information about our graduate program, please see the home pages of the Wildlife Lab (http://www.siu.edu/~wildlife/) and the Zoology Department (http://www.science.siu.edu/zoology/index.html)

This project will examine short- and long term movement patterns of white-tailed deer in Illinois, especially group cohesion and inter-group interactions, in the context of potential disease spread.

The successful candidate have the opportunity to take advantage of extensive existing datasets of movement data as well as initiate new field studies.  This project will also provide the successful applicants opportunities to develop and apply mathematical modeling and other quantitative skills.

Degree and Qualifications:  Graduate studies will lead to a Ph.D. in Zoology or Ecology at Southern Illinois University.  Competitive GPA and GRE scores are required.  Applicants with backgrounds in wildlife biology, ecology, and/or zoology are encouraged to apply.  Prior field experience and coursework or experience in mathematics, ecological modeling, statistics, or computer science are desirable.

Send (electronic preferred) a CV, transcripts, GRE scores, and contact information for 3 references to:

Eric Schauber
Cooperative Wildlife Research Lab
Mailcode 6504
Southern Illinois University
Carbondale, Illinois, 62901
schauber@siu.edu
(618) 453-6940
(618) 453-6944 (fax)

Posted 10/8/09

Graduate Assistantship in Freshwater Ecotoxicology

A graduate research assistantship (M.S. or Ph.D.) is available for a student to work on a project that examines how the diversity of freshwater species influences the transport and fate of nanoparticles through a food web.  The project is part of the new NSF/EPA funded Center for the Environmental Implications of Nanomaterials (CEIN), which brings together a team of engineers, medical doctors, and environmental scientists from several University of California campuses to study the biological impacts of nanomaterials from cells to ecosystems. 

The student will help set-up and manage the proposed experiments, as well as develop their own thesis or dissertation topic to compliment the broader goals of the project.  A background in ecology, environmental science, limnology, toxicology, or a related field is required. Experience working with freshwater organisms is preferred, but not required. 

UCSB is scenically located between the beach and mountains, and boasts a terrific quality of life.  Top-notch research facilities are available, and interaction with faculty in the Institute for Computational Earth System Science, the Bren School of Environment, the Marine Science Institute, and the National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis offers unparalleled opportunity for training that spans multiple disciplines and ecosystems.

The assistantship offers a competitive stipend plus tuition and health insurance.  Applications are due to the University of California-Santa Barbara's Graduate Division (https://www.graddiv.ucsb.edu/eapp/) by December 15th.

Pre-inquiries should be directed to:
Dr. Bradley J. Cardinale
Email: cardinale@lifesci.ucsb.edu
http://www.lifesci.ucsb.edu/eemb/faculty/cardinale

UCSB is an Equal Opportunity/ Affirmative Action Employer

Posted 10/7/09

Grad Student Postitions: Ph.D. Fellowships in Ecosystem Restoration

The State University of New York at Buffalo (UB) encourages qualified individuals to apply for doctoral study in ecosystem restoration. The Ecosystem Restoration through Interdisciplinary Exchange (ERIE) program provides students with the technical, professional, and personal skills necessary to become leaders in the rapidly advancing field of ecosystem restoration.  The ERIE Program is innovative and interdisciplinary, combining academic training in environmental sciences, engineering, and policy with focused research on ecological restoration linked to nationally-recognized watershed and stream restoration efforts in western New York State and the lower Great Lakes watershed.

Eligible ERIE students (US citizens or permanent residents only) are funded through a National Science Foundation IGERT traineeship (www.igert.org) that provides tuition, a generous stipend, and a research allowance for two years of Ph.D. graduate work, followed by additional support through departmental assistantships. ERIE Program trainees take several core courses in ecosystem restoration principles and practice, attend external professional training short courses, and have the opportunity for Canadian academic exchange activities, while also completing requirements for a doctorate in any of the eight participating science, engineering, and policy programs at the University at Buffalo or at nearby Buffalo State College.

Applications are due February 1, 2010 for admission in the Fall 2010 semester. For program and application information, please visit www.erie.buffalo.edu or contact:

David M. Blersch
Director, ERIE IGERT Program
State University of New York at Buffalo
202 Jarvis Hall
Buffalo, NY 14260
Phone: (716) 645-4001
Email: igert-erie@buffalo.edu

Posted 10/6/09

Graduate Assistantship in Freshwater Ecology

A graduate research assistantship (M.S. or Ph.D.) is available for a student to work on a newly funded National Science Foundation project that examines the relationship between species diversity and the productivity of aquatic ecosystems.  The goal of this project is to resolve two contrasting perspectives - one that suggests species diversity is a primary determinant of the productivity of ecosystems, and a second that suggests species diversity is simply a consequence of ecosystem production. The project will use stream ecosystems as a model, focusing on the diversity of both primary producers (freshwater algae) and consumers (invertebrate herbivores).  The work includes field and laboratory experiments, as well as a theoretical component through collaboration with Dr. Kevin Gross at North Carolina State University. 

The student will help set-up and manage the proposed experiments, as well as develop their own thesis or dissertation topic to compliment the broader goals of the project.  A background in ecology, environmental science, limnology, or a related field is required. Experience working with freshwater organisms is preferred, but not required.

UCSB is scenically located between the beach and mountains, and boasts a terrific quality of life.  Top-notch research facilities are available, and interaction with faculty in the Institute for Computational Earth System Science, the Bren School of Environment, the Marine Science Institute, and the National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis offers unparalleled opportunity for a graduate training that spans multiple disciplines and ecosystems.

The assistantship offers a competitive stipend plus tuition and health insurance.  Applications are due to the University of California-Santa Barbara's Graduate Division (https://www.graddiv.ucsb.edu/eapp/) by December 15th.

Pre-inquiries should be directed to:
Dr. Bradley J. Cardinale
Department of Ecology, Evolution & Marine Biology
Email: cardinale@lifesci.ucsb.edu
http://www.lifesci.ucsb.edu/eemb/faculty/cardinale

UCSB is an Equal Opportunity/ Affirmative Action Employer

Posted 10/6/09

GRADUATE STUDIES IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
AT VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY

The Department of Biology at Virginia Commonwealth University invites applications from prospective graduate students for Fall 2010. We have an active, well-supported, and diverse Ecology and Evolution faculty engaged in research in Virginia and around the world. Graduate students may apply through our Biology Masters in Science or Integrative Life Sciences Ph.D. programs. Competitive funding and tuition waivers are available to qualified students in both programs, and may include fellowships, and research/teaching assistantships. Please visit www.has.vcu.edu/bio/ to find information about both programs.

VCU is the largest public university in Virginia. We are located in Richmond, within easy reach of the Virginia coastal plain, Chesapeake Bay, James River, Virginia barrier islands and Blue Ridge Mountains, providing excellent opportunities for research in diverse natural systems. On campus research facilities include the Trani Center greenhouse, aquatics facility, and IACUC approved animal facility. A satellite lab of the Nucleic Acids Core Facility provides a broad range of support for molecular approaches.  The Environmental Analyses Laboratory provides state-of-the-art analytical services to support research in the environmental sciences. The Bioinformatics Computational Core Laboratory supports several supercomputing clusters and a research laboratory with access to state-of-the-art genomics and proteomics software and databases for research applications. In addition, VCU's Rice Center for Environmental Life Sciences, located 30 minutes from campus, encompasses 342 acres of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems along the James River. It provides an outstanding resource for field-based research by both faculty and graduate students in the department. Facilities include new office and lab space, conference center, and boat house. For more information, see www.vcu.edu/rice/.

Our graduate faculty in Ecology and Evolution include:
John E. Anderson, Remote Sensing and Environmental Biology
Bonnie L. Brown, Ecological and Conservation Genetics
Paul Bukaveckas, River and Ecosystems Ecology
Rodney J. Dyer, Population Genetics and Phylogeography
Michael Fine, Sensory Physiology and Ecology of Fishes
Rima B. Franklin, Microbial Ecology and Environmental Microbiology
Gregory C. Garman, Fish Ecology
Christopher M. Gough, Forest Ecophysiology and Ecosystem Ecology
Karen Kester, Insect Behavioral and Evolutionary Ecology
Ghislaine Mayer, Parasitology, Microbiology and Cell Biology
Leigh McCallister. Aquatic Ecology and Oceanography
Stephen McIninch, Fish Ecology
Maria C. Rivera, Computational Evolutionary Biology and Phylogenetics
Leonard A. Smock, Stream Ecology and Aquatic Entomology
J. "Clint" Turbeville, Animal Systematics and Evolution
James R. Vonesh, Population and Community Ecology
Donald R. Young, Plant Physiological Ecology

Competitive students have GPAs >3.0 and combined GRE scores 1,100 or greater. Experience, reference letters, and rationale for applying to the program are important elements of the application. Prospective students must apply through VCU's graduate school (http://www.vcu.edu/graduate/ps/admission.html) or through the Office of International Education (http://www.vcu.edu/oie/). For full financial consideration, applications must be received by January 15. Applicants that have identified faculty sponsors are more likely to be accepted and to receive financial support. Interested students are strongly encouraged to contact prospective mentors directly for more information, or graduate studies directors Dr. Jennifer K. Stewart (Biology MSc; www.has.vcu.edu/bio/graduate/, jstewart@vcu.edu) or Dr. Robert Tombes (Integrative LS PhD; www.vcu.edu/lifesci/phd/, rmtombes@vcu.edu).

Posted 9/30/09

NSF IGERT fellowships in "Watershed Science and Policy"

Southern Illinois University (SIU) is offering PhD fellowships under NSF's Integrative Graduate Education Research and Training (IGERT) program.  Fellowships are available to U.S. citizens and permanent residents in any water-, river- or watershed-related field of study, including Geology, Hydrology, Geography, Engineering, Plant Biology, Zoology, Ecology, and other areas.  Applicants should have a MS-level degree at the time of enrollment (direct PhD possible in cases of exceptional merit) and should have grades, test scores, and research records commensurate with one of NSF's most coveted fellowship awards.  Fellowship benefits include $30,000/year stipends, $10,500/year education allowances, student laptops, annual international river basin tours, and support for research, conference travel, etc.  Application deadline in Jan. 31, 2010.  For more information, please see http://www.igert.siu.edu or contact igert@siu.edu

Posted 9/27/09

GRADUATE ASSISTANTSHIPS IN AQUATIC ECOLOGY, BAYLOR UNIV.

The Aquatic Ecology Lab (http://www.baylor.edu/aquaticlab) at Baylor University is seeking applicants for up to two PhD graduate assistantships starting summer or fall 2010.  Applicants may apply to PhD programs in Biology (http://www.baylor.edu/biology/index.php?id=14903) or Ecological, Earth and Environmental Sciences (EEES) (http://www.baylor.edu/tieees).  Applicants may wish to apply to both programs to ensure full consideration for assistantships.

We are particularly interested in applicants who will structure their PhD
research within one or more of the following (or related) ongoing research
areas in the lab:

1)    The collective role of watershed physiography, upland vegetation, and riparian wetlands in constraining nutrient availability and energy pathways in small, salmon-rearing streams on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska.
2)    How does nutrient enrichment influence biogeochemical processes in stream bacterial-algal (periphyton) communities?  How do consumers (macroinvertebrates and fish) interact with nutrient enrichment to influence stream biogeochemical processes?
3)    How have reduced hydrological connectivity and increased flow diversions and effluent discharges  influenced historical fish species distributions and genetic diversity in stream networks in Texas?

Baylor affords outstanding research and teaching facilities.  The Aquatic Ecology Lab is housed in the new 500,000 sq. ft Baylor Sciences Building and recently moved into brand-new expansion space to accommodate growth of the lab.  Student offices are situated adjacent to the lab and other aquatic teaching and research labs, most notably the Center for Reservoir and Aquatic Systems Research (http://www.baylor.edu/crasr), a state-of-the-art analytical laboratory supporting a suite of water, soil, and tissue chemical analyses.  A stable-isotope mass spectrometer lab available on-site for student research also is opening in spring 2009.  Off campus, the 180-acre Lake Waco Wetlands (http://www.lakewacowetlands.com) supports our new Baylor Experimental Aquatic Research (BEAR) outdoor stream facility (http://www.baylor.edu/aquaticlab/index.php?id=45868), one of the largest and most realistic experimental stream facilities in North America.  Baylor offers excellent financial support for highly qualified applicants.  Annual stipends range from $18,000-25,000, with the higher stipends awarded to top applicants.  Admission to either Biology or EEES PhD programs guarantees full tuition remission (up to a $20,000 value per year as of 2009), health insurance benefits, and additional funding opportunities to cover fees, books, etc.

To apply to Biology and/or EEES, please review university admission guidelines (http://www.baylor.edu/graduate/index.php?id=42273).  In addition to these application materials, applicants should possess an M.S. degree or substantial undergraduate research experience and a GRE verbal + quantitative score of 1200 or higher.  Applicants also much possess a U.S. driver's license.  If you meet these criteria and are interested in applying, please contact Dr. Ryan S. King (Ryan_S_King@baylor.edu) for more information.  For full consideration, applications must be received by FEBRUARY 15, 2010.

Posted 9/19/09

MS research assistantship - native springsnails and an invasive snail

*Job Description*: There is funding for a MS student to work in the lab of David Rogowski at Texas Tech University on a project entitled, "Native springsnails and the invasive red-rim melania snail (Melanoides tuberculata), species habitat associations and life history investigations in the San Solomon Spring complex, Texas". The objectives of this research is to determine patterns of abundance, distribution, and habitat use of two native snails, Phantom Cave snail (Cochliopa texana), Phantom Spring tryonia (Tryonia cheatumi), and the invasive red-rim melania snail (Melanoides tuberculta) in San Solomon Springs, and potential interactions. Both native snails are State Listed Priority and Federal Candidate species. San Solomon Springs is located in Balmorhea State Park, in west Texas. More information on the project and my lab can be found at http://www.rw.ttu.edu/rogowski/rogowski_research.html

*Location*: Department of Natural Resources, Texas Tech University, Lubbock TX.

*Stipend*: ~$15,000/year, with tuition waiver. Student fees and health insurance (if you want it) come out of the stipend.

*Start date*: January 2010

*Qualifications*: BS in ecology/biology, with an emphasis in aquatic ecology. Applicant should be motivated, have a strong work ethic, and play well with others. Applicants with field research experience preferred, and those with macroinvertebrate sampling/identification experience will be given a priority.

*Application Procedure*: Interested applicants should send a cover letter explaining their interest along with a CV and GRE scores to the e-mail address below. Our Department requires: GPA, GRE scores (>1100 favored), 3 letters of reference, C.V. Information on formal application as an MS candidate can be found at http://www.rw.ttu.edu/ttunrm/

I will be accepting applications until 4 December 2009 or until a suitable candidate is selected.

David Rogowski
Assistant Professor
Department of Natural Resources Management
Texas Tech University
Box 42125
Lubbock, Texas 79409-2125 USA

david.rogowski@ttu.edu

Dept. phone:806-742-2841
http://www.rw.ttu.edu/ttunrm/

Posted 9/18/09

GAANN PhD Fellowships: Ecology, Evolution, and Genomics in Changing Environments
KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY, MANHATTAN

The Division of Biology at Kansas State University has been awarded new funding from the US Department of Education GAANN program to support up to seven Graduate Fellows for PhD research in the areas of Ecology, Evolution and Genomics (EEG).  The Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need (GAANN) program provides fellowships to assist graduate students with excellent academic records who can demonstrate financial need.  EEG GAANN Fellowships include tuition and a stipend of up to $30,000 per year (based on financial need).

The Ecology, Evolution and Genomics GAANN draws on the strengths of our Ecological Genomics Institute (http://ecogen.ksu.edu), expertise in Grassland Ecology, and Konza Prairie Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) program (http://kpbs.konza.ksu.edu).  Areas of study open to Graduate Fellows include: 

   -Molecular and Physiological Basis of Organismal Adaptation
   -Genetic Architecture of Speciation
   -Population Structure of Grassland Species
   -Conservation Genetics
   -Ecological Genomics
   -Metagenomics
   -Community Ecology
   -Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecosystem Ecology.

GAANN awards are made to programs and institutions to sustain and enhance the capacity for teaching and research in areas of national need.  The interdisciplinary GAANN program in Biology at Kansas State University will address the critical need to train biologists to be effective teachers and skilled researchers in diverse professional and cultural contexts.  One outcome of the GAANN program will be to train graduate students who are capable of addressing important conceptual and practical issues in interdisciplinary research in the biological sciences. 

The application deadline for admission in Fall 2010 is December 15, 2009.  Applicants must be citizens or permanent residents of the United States or its territories.  Individuals from groups underrepresented in science are particularly encouraged to apply!  For application instructions and additional information, visit:  www.k-state.edu/eeg.

Doris R. Merrill, dmerrill@k-state.edu
Program Coordinator, Kansas State University
Division of Biology, Ackert Hall
Manhattan, KS  66506-4901
Phone: (785) 532-3482, Fax: (785) 532-6653

Posted 9/16/09

Ph.D. student position: community ecology/macroecology

The Ernest Lab at Utah State University has an opening for a Ph.D student in the general areas of Community Ecology or Macroecology to start fall 2010.  Active areas of research in the Ernest lab include desert ecology, long-term dynamics of community properties, and the role of body size in the ecology and life-history of mammals. While students interested in one of the general areas listed above are preferred, students are free to develop their own research projects depending upon their interests. Graduate students in the Ernest lab are funded through a combination of research assistantships, teaching assistantships, and fellowships.  Utah State University has an excellent graduate program in ecology with over 50 faculty and 80+ graduate students across campus affiliated with the USU Ecology Center (http://www.usu.edu/ecology/). 

More information about the lab is available at: ernestlab.weecology.org

Interested students should contact Dr. Morgan Ernest (morgane@biology.usu.edu) by Dec 1st, 2009 with their CV, GRE scores, and a brief statement of research interests.

Posted 9/15/09

PhD Graduate Research Position
Population dynamics in desert stream ecosystems
Department of Zoology, Oregon State University

The Lytle Lab at Oregon State University (science.oregonstate.edu/lytlelab) seeks a highly motivated PhD student to pursue doctoral research as part of a collaborative project that aims to understand how flow intermittence and landscape connectivity govern the population dynamics of aquatic invertebrates and amphibians in southern Arizona streams. The student will use fieldwork (population surveys, habitat measurements) and laboratory methods (mtDNA and microsatellites) to understand how hydrologic connectivity influences the population dynamics of aquatic organisms. The successful applicant will be advised by Dr. Dave Lytle (Department of Zoology, Oregon State University, Corvallis), and will work closely with researchers from University of Washington, State University of New York, and partners in Arizona including AZ Game and Fish Department and The Nature Conservancy.

Qualifications: BS or MS in ecology, zoology, or related field with competitive GPA and GRE scores. Priority will be given to applicants with previous experience studying aquatic invertebrates (biology, ecology, and sampling techniques), quantitative skills, and/or a background in molecular methods such as mtDNA or microsatellite analysis. A demonstrated ability to publish in peer-reviewed journals and experience conducting research in arid and semi-arid ecosystems is preferred, but not required.

Location: The position will be located within the Department of Zoology, Oregon State University. Zoology houses expertise in ecology, evolution, physiology, and genomics of aquatic and terrestrial organisms. Corvallis is home to a productive community of aquatic biologists, distributed across the OSU campus and at regional research labs for the EPA, USGS, and USFS. OSU maintains the largest insect collection in the Pacific Northwest (osac.science.oregonstate.edu) and is among the top-ranked North American universities for conservation biology and ecology/evolutionary biology.

Funding: The position will be funded primarily by graduate research assistantships (GRAs), with the opportunity to hold a teaching assistantship (GTA) during some academic quarters. The Department of Zoology guarantees 5 years of support for PhD students.

Start date: Fall 2010 (Summer 2010 preferred)

Contact: To apply email a cover letter that addresses your interest and experience, curriculum vitae, unofficial transcripts, and contact information for at least three references to: Dr. Dave Lytle, lytleda@oregonstate.edu. Screening of applicants will occur prior to the Zoology application deadline on January 15, 2010. OSU is an equal opportunity employer and actively seeks diversity among its employees.

Posted 9/3/09

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