UT in Top 25 for Ecology
A recent article in Ecosphere on “Academic productivity in the field of ecology” lists UT at #21 out of over 250 institutions.
by armsworth
A recent article in Ecosphere on “Academic productivity in the field of ecology” lists UT at #21 out of over 250 institutions.
by newframe
Neil Williams, a 4th year PhD candidate in Professor Sheng Dai’s group, had his research featured in a USA Today article. Williams is part of a team at Oak Ridge National Laboratory that discovered a method for removing carbon dioxide (CO2) directly from air. This breakthrough in carbon capture was also mentioned by Knoxville News Sentinel and Forbes.
by armsworth
1) Amazonian Peru Research Internships Now Available
Fauna Forever, a non-profit organization leading projects in the rainforests of the Peruvian Amazon since 1997, is looking for field research interns to assist its international team of conservation biologists, botanists, science photographers, geographers, and educators with numerous field research projects (biodiversity, ecosystem services, climate change), natural resource management planning, native community development, green business development, and global outreach initiatives.
At present we are particularly keen on identifying interns (students or recent graduates) who would like to assist us with Neotropical herpetology (amphibian and reptile), ornithology, botany, science photography, and community-based natural resource management projects for periods of between one to three months, starting any time after 1st March 2017. In addition, for those students looking to undertake an independent research project, perhaps as part of their thesis or dissertation requirements, we have identified a series of studies the results of which would contribute to our work (please find the list of studies below). Expert training in field study methods and post-doctoral-level supervision of projects is provided by our team.
Note: Due to the limited nature of our central funds, successful intern applicants will need to cover their in-country costs associated with food, accommodation, local transport, training and supervision, wifi access, equipment use, etc. in Puerto Maldonado (our base-camp city) and at field sites. A 6-week stay for instance would cost around US$3,000 (US$71 per day). We strongly encourage data collected by student interns to be published in peer-reviewed journals. All field assistants are also acknowledged in our own publications. Knowledge of Spanish is not required, as all of our staff speak English. Energy, enthusiasm, attention to detail, and working well as part of a diverse, international team, is a must!
For more information, to request an application form, and to send us your CV/Resume, please contact us at info@faunaforever.org
Applications can also be made via our institutional Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/notes/fauna-forever/application-form-volunteers-and-interns/1041868142502124).
2) Paid Summer Research (REU) at UMich Biological Station
The University of Michigan Biological Station (UMBS) is now acceptingapplications for its Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program, “Climate Change in the Great Lakes Region.”
Our REU summer program runs for nine weeks (June 20 – August 19, 2017) at the U-M Biological Station on Douglas Lake in beautiful northern Michigan. Each REU participant will: — Work closely with a research mentor on a project of mutual interest. — Design, conduct, analyze, and report on their research project with guidance from the mentor and the two program co-directors. — Participate in workshops and group discussions designed to provide the background knowledge and technical tools needed to carry out interdisciplinary scientific research. — Contribute to the body of knowledge that can help address many of Earth’s most important environmental challenges.
COMPENSATION: Participants receive: a stipend of $5,000; free room and board at the Station; and a travel allowance.
DEADLINE: The deadline to apply is Wednesday, March 1, 2017.
Application and details at: *http://lsa.umich.edu/content/michigan-lsa/umbs/en/students/research- opportunities/reu-program.html* <http://lsa.umich.edu/content/michigan-lsa/umbs/en/students/research- opportunities/reu-program.html> The University of Michigan Biological Station is located on Douglas Lake near Pellston, Michigan at the tip of the lower peninsula. Surrounded by more than 10,000 acres of undeveloped university-owned property, Students have quick access to many unique habitats in the region including dune, alvar, bog, and old-growth forest. UMBS also has two atmospheric gas sensing towers for monitoring forest and atmospheric gas. More information is available at http://www.lsa.umich.edu/umbs.
3) Flathead Lake Bio Station Summer Session 2017 Student Opportunities
Immersive field ecology experiences in Western Montana www.facebook.com/UMFLBS
Since 1899, the Flathead Lake Biological Station of the University of Montana has been offering transformative field ecology courses in spectacular western Montana. 2017 is going to be the best summer yet!
We have nine great courses on offer in both aquatic and terrestrial realms that will be of interest to students ranging from “sophomores-to-be” (Field Ecology) to upperclassmen to early grad students. Here are some relevant pieces of info:
– many scholarships are available – early registration discount (Deadline: January 15, 2017) – “buddy program” discount for students who sign up together – small classes with great faculty – immersive learning featuring field methods as well as interactions with natural resource professionals – two new courses for 2017: Aquatic Microbial Ecology & Drones for Water Assessment – credits easily transferable to other colleges/universities
Students who have completed a first-year college curriculum involving biology, some chemistry, and some math are eligible for our 5-credit Field Ecology class after which they can take subsequent courses that summer. In any case, students can enroll with permission of instructor so they should contact us if they have questions. For more summer session details, see the website at http://flbs.umt.edu/education/default.aspx.
4) Assistants needed for fieldwork in the Peruvian Amazon
The research team at ARCAmazon–the Alliance for Research and Conservation in the Amazon–is seeking volunteers and interns to assist with the setup and roll-out of a long-term wildlife, land-use and climate change research project in the remote Peruvian Amazon. Participants will work alongside and learn from experienced field researchers and local guides. Data will be collected about local wildlife, human activities and land use in the Las Piedras watershed.
Initial fieldwork will look at the human impacts on (i) groups of endangered Black Peruvian spider monkey (Ateles chamek), (ii) big trees of the lowland Amazon, (iii) mammal and macaw clay-licks, and (iv) large and medium sized terrestrial mammals. Fieldwork commences in February of 2017 and will be repeated in following years. Recommended time for participation is 1-3 months, though shorter and longer placements can be considered.
Limited placements will be offered on an application basis. Successful applicants are expected to cover their own living costs which has been calculated into an all-inclusive participation fee. The fee includes all board and lodging for the participant, airport pickup and briefing, local transport to and from remote field sites, research equipment, training, supervision and emergency support. There is a full time chef, comfortable accommodation, even running water! 1 month (30 days): $2,345 2 months (60 days): $3,955 3 months (90 days): $5,130
To apply, please visit: www.conservetheamazon.org/peruvian-amazon- volunteer-internship-programs/apply/
For more information, please contact David Johnston: david@conservetheamazon.org | david@conservetheamazon.org
5) EcoREU 2017 at University of Arkansas – applications welcome!
Assessment and Sustainable Management of Ecosystem Services at the Nexus of Food, Energy, and Water. This REU focuses on field- and lab-based research in areas including watershed management, biofuels, sustainability and more. Projects are supervised by UA Faculty and vary from year to year based on the most current work being conducted at UA.
The University of Arkansas, located in Fayetteville, AR, will support the training of 10 degree-seeking undergraduate students for 10 weeks during the summer of 2017 (May 22 to July 28). Room and board will be provided as well as a $5500 stipend during the program.
This opportunity specifically welcomes Native American undergraduates from Native-serving two-year colleges, four-year universities, and research universities. However, all undergraduates are welcome and encouraged to apply. Students will participate in structured lectures combined with laboratory and field research, and cultural enrichment activities that emphasize the process of science, the ethic of sustainability, sustainability of food, water, and energy systems, and the cultural connections of ecology with tribal traditions. Students will develop and complete an independent research project with the aid of their mentor(s), attend and present at a professional meeting, and complete a manuscript. Students will participate in responsible conduct of research training and ethics modules interspersed throughout the program.
TO APPLY please submit an online application (https://fulbright.uark.edu/departments/biology/undergraduate/eco-reu/). Two letters of recommendation need to be emailed or mailed directly from letter writers. Student participants will be selected by a committee composed of project principal investigators (PIs) and mentors. Women, minority, and disabled students are strongly encouraged to apply. More information about the program is available by visiting http://ecoreu.uark.edu , or by contacting the PI (Dr. Michelle Evans-White at mevanswh@uark.edu) or the co-PIs (Dr. Brian Haggard at haggard@uark.edu and Dr. Marty Matlock atmmatlock@uark.edu).
6) Position: Invasives Strike Force Crew Member
The Invasives Strike Force (ISF) is a program of the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference, a non-profit organization focused on the stewardship of more than 2,150 miles of hiking trails throughout southern New York and northern New Jersey. Our ISF crew completes invasive species surveys, control work, and leads volunteer removal teams throughout the region. The ISF crew works with a wide range of park partners at multiple sites throughout southern NY and northern NJ and will be supported by an existing base of volunteers and the Director of Land Stewardship. We are seeking 3 individuals who share our passion for conservation and the outdoors to join our crew. The crew will perform both manual removal and chemical treatment of invasive plants. All crew members will become NY Pesticide Apprentices and NJ Pesticide Operators and may then be eligible to take exams for licensing. Crew members may also assist with training workshops to teach volunteers. Occasionally crew members may represent the Trail Conference at public events to recruit volunteers.
Plant identification and eradication training will be provided (some experience is preferred). This is primarily an outdoor position and will include periods of camping for multiple days at work sites. Crew members will manage data and write reports on weekly activities. Weekend work is required – days off will be during the week.
Service Location: Lower Hudson Valley Region of New York and Northern New Jersey
Term of Service: 675 hour term of service, May 18 through September 18, weekend work required
Duties and Responsibilities: • Become certified in New York and New Jersey pesticide application and follow all applicable rules and regulations regarding the use of pesticides • Keep accurate, timely and detailed records of activities • Prepare reports on work completed and log data collected • Work professionally at all times with crew members, community volunteers, and park partners. • Lead and co-lead invasive removal volunteer work days • Conduct independent invasive removals and treatments along hiking trails, including mechanical removal and/or application of herbicides • Conduct surveys of hiking trails for a targeted set of invasive plants, includes use of hand-held GPS. • Assist with training volunteers on invasive plant identification and removal techniques • Informally educate the public about invasive plants and recruit volunteers • Properly use and care for tools and equipment and follow all safety precautions
To Apply: Go to https://www.nynjtc.org/corpsmembers Applications accepted until the positions are filled, with preference given to those received before February 20th. To Learn more about our Invasives programs go to: https://www.nynjtc.org/invasives
7) Seasonal invasive species volunteer positions on remote Pacifc island – Johnston Atoll
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking four (4) volunteers to begin in early May 2017 for up to 8 months to join the 14th Crazy Ant Strike Team (CAST 14) Expedition to Johnston Atoll National Wildlife Refuge to continue work towards eradicating an infestation of the Yellow Crazy Ant (YCA) and to monitor seabirds and other wildlife. Johnston Atoll is located in the central Pacific Ocean about 720 nautical miles west-southwest of Honolulu and is uninhabited except for the four volunteers and one crew leader.
Applicants must be willing and able to work 48 hours per week. Must be physically fit and able to walk 10 miles a day over variable terrain, lift and carry 50 lbs, ride a bicycle, swim, be able to perform repetitive stooping and bending motions and be able to perform all duties in various weather conditions including high heat and humidity, strong winds, and rain. Must have excellent interpersonal skills and be able to work well independently as well as closely in a small group. All CAST members must follow all pesticide and safety protocols. Qualified applicants MUST possess a valid passport that will not expire before June 2018. Possession of a valid U.S. driver’s license is preferred.
Applications will be reviewed as they are received and the positions will remain open until filled. Interviews may begin as early as late January so candidates are encouraged to apply early. Contact Katrina Scheiner with any questions at katrina_scheiner@fws.gov.
8) Positions Available: Native Seed Interns for BLM in Las Vegas, NV
Member will provide national service at Bureau of Land Management, a host site for the Nevada Conservation Corps AmeriCorps Program. The Great Basin Institute, in cooperation with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), is recruiting two Native Seed Interns to join our AmeriCorps program to conduct seed collecting and ecological restoration activities throughout BLM Southern Nevada District lands
Please follow this link to apply directly through our online portal: http://crcareers.thegreatbasininstitute.org/careers/careers.aspx?rf=ECOLOG&req=2016-ACI-026
Field work involves hiking off designated trails or routes, across rugged terrain, up to 10 miles per day, but more typically 2-4 miles per day. Weather conditions will vary from cold winds or rain in the early spring to temperatures over 100F in the summer. The use of global positioning systems (handheld GPS units), computers, PDAs, digital cameras, and on- and off-road vehicles are an essential part of the job. Camping under primitive conditions at remote locations on data collection trips will sometimes be required. Incumbents must also be willing to spend days at a time working at a computer during periods of data entry and analysis.
This is an AmeriCorps position, and candidates will receive a living stipend of $8,700 for the season. This is not an hourly wage or a salary and is paid to members every other week throughout the service term. Upon completion of AmeriCorps service, members shall receive an additional education award in the amount of $2,865 that can be used for paying off qualified student loans or paying tuition for a Title IV accredited college.
The interns will be based out of the BLM Southern Nevada District office, which is located in northwest Las Vegas, NV. The Southern Nevada District Office manages more than three million acres of Mojave Desert in Clark and Nye counties. The scenery varies from dramatically colorful geologic landforms and largely unspoiled panoramic vistas of Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area to remote and rugged wild landscapes of Gold Butte Back Country Byway.
9) Botany Intern Needed at Capitol Reef National Park, Torrey, UT
The Great Basin Institute, in cooperation with the National Park Service (NPS), is recruiting one Botany Intern to join our AmeriCorps program. The Botany intern will be a member of a 3-4 person crew assisting natural resource staff with plant surveys and monitoring demographic plots for three federally listed plant species. Plant surveys will consist of walking across the landscape searching for plants and recording their locations and other pertinent information using a Trimble GPS unit data dictionary. Cacti data will also be collected in demographic monitoring plots and stored in a GPS data dictionary. Office work will consist of downloading data from the GPS units into an ArcGIS geodatabase, labeling photos, and organizing datasets in an Excel spreadsheet.
Please follow this link to apply directly through our online portal: http://crcareers.thegreatbasininstitute.org/careers/careers.aspx?rf=ECOLOG&req=2017-ACI-003
A general knowledge of plants of the southwest would be helpful but is not required. Survey work involves hiking off designated trails or routes, across rugged terrain, up to 10 miles per day, but more typically 2-6 miles per day, and may also require field camping and possibly backpacking. Weather conditions will vary from cold winds or rain in the early spring to temperatures nearing 100o F in the summer. Other challenging field conditions include high winds and gnats or other biting insects. Experience driving four-wheel drive vehicles on high clearance, dirt roads would be beneficial, but is not essential.
Interns may also assist natural resource staff with spotted owl and peregrine falcon surveys, invasive plant control and/or cultural resource monitoring. Interns will be supervised by the park Biologist.
10) Highstead Accepting Applications for Summer Ecology Intern
Highstead, a regional land conservation and ecological research center is accepting applications for one field ecology intern to participate in Highstead’s long-term research and monitoring program in the summer of 2017. Major projects include resampling the herbaceous layers of (1) 8 deer exclosure and paired control plots in disturbed (blowdown + salvage log) and undisturbed forest in southwestern CT; (2) 8 deer exclosure and paired control plots at the Harvard Forest Hemlock Removal Experiment in central Massachusetts. Additional projects will include (3) resampling wetland vegetation plots as part of a Phragmites removal project at Highstead and, time permitting, (4) a pilot study looking at the effects of beaver on riparian forest structure and composition. The intern will gain extensive experience with forest vegetation sampling techniques and woody and herbaceous plant identification. Positions will be predominantly field-based but will also include data entry, some herbarium work (mounting pressed specimens), limited data analysis, and preparing a 15-20 minute final presentation for Highstead staff. The internship will be based in Redding, Connecticut, but will include travel and overnight stays to conduct field work at the Harvard Forest in central Massachusetts.
Qualifications: Upper level undergraduate or recent graduate in botany, ecology, or related field. Applicants should have previous experience with field work. Successful applicants must (1) have a keen interest in the study and intensive identification of woody and herbaceous plants including grasses and sedges (2) be enthusiastic about conducting intensive fieldwork in hot, humid and sometimes rainy weather; in a landscape with deer ticks; and in forest understories with downed trees and thick, often spiny shrub layers (3) be very detail-oriented to collect careful and accurate data in challenging field conditions, collect and press unknown plant specimens, and enter data into a database; and (4) have the flexibility to adapt to several different research projects including some travel; and (5) have a positive can-do attitude.
Position Dates: Monday, May 29 – Friday, August 11, 2017
Stipend: $5,000.00 and free furnished housing.
To apply, please send a cover letter and resume (with relevant experience and contact information for three references) to jcologgi@highstead.net; reference Ecology Intern Application as the email subject. Accepting applications immediately. Review of applicants will begin in mid-February and continue until position is filled in March.
by armsworth
Graduate student Jordan Bush (Simberloff lab) wrote a guest blog post for “Not Bad Science” on the Scientific American blog network. It features some of Gordon Burghardt’s studies on play behavior and some of Todd Pierson’s photography.
Read the post, titled “Looking Past the Scales: The Truth about Reptilian Behavior,” here.
by armsworth
1) Volunteer Field assistant for research on small mammals and plague
Agency: Idaho Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, University of Idaho
Location:Adams County, Idaho
Job Category:Temporary/Seasonal Positions
Salary:$45/day per diem plus free housing Start Date:04/05/2017
Last Date to Apply: 1/16/2017 website: https://amandargoldbergblog.wordpress.com/
Description The northern Idaho ground squirrel (Urocitellus brunneus) is federally threatened under ESA. We are using field experiments to assess the presence and effects that plague may have on northern Idaho ground squirrel populations and other small mammals associated with them.
We capture and mark ground squirrels using PIT tags and ear tags from April through August. We compare demographic parameters among treatments, including capture-recapture analyses to assess population attributes (e.g., survival rates). We anesthetize small mammals (Columbian ground squirrels, northern Idaho ground squirrels, chipmunks, and mice) to collect fleas (a plague vector).
Housing will be provided for the applicant during the field season. Field housing may be rustic. Housing may be a camp trailer, a cabin, or a wall tent. Applicants must be willing to live for 5 months without daily phone and email access. Field work will include various types of weather conditions (rain, snow, and heat), long hours, odd schedules, and physical work. We will provide a vehicle for work to transport technicians between housing and the field sites.
Skills you will acquire: • Trapping, handling, and processing small mammals (northern Idaho ground squirrels, Columbian ground squirrels, chipmunks, and mice) • Use of anesthesia in the field • Experience working with a listed species
Qualifications • Demonstrated oral and written communication skills • Demonstrated ability to work both independently and within a group setting • Previous experience hiking/camping • Excellent skills in time and data organization/management • Must be in good physical condition and have the ability to walk on uneven terrain throughout the day and carry heavy traps for short distances (less than 1 mile) • Must have a valid US driving license • Must be a US citizen or possess a valid US green card • Must be available for employment by 5 April 2017 through 15 August 2017
Apply by sending a cover letter, CV, copy of college transcripts (unofficial are ok), and the email and phone numbers for at least three references in one document (PDF or Word) to Amanda Goldberg (agoldberg@uidaho.edu) . Please write “plague volunteer” in the subject line.
2) Ecology REU opportunity at Miami University
Miami University (in Oxford, OH) is excited to announce that we are still accepting applications to our Research Experience for Undergraduates Program. The program is focused on The Ecology of Human Dominated Landscapes. We would appreciate it if you could distribute this e-mail to anyone that might be interested and encourage your students to visit our website and apply. Below there is a short synopsis of the program activities and contact information for students that may be interested in the program.
Undergraduate students accepted into the program will: • Conduct an independent research project with a faculty mentor at Miami University. Research opportunities are available in the lab or field in aquatic or terrestrial environments, • Discuss current literature related to their projects with faculty mentors and student peers in clusters related to their project. • Attend team-building field trips around the regional Midwest. • Take short courses on ethics and professions in ecology and environmental science, and interact with seminars by guest speakers. • Participate in field trips illustrating the natural history of Southwestern Ohio.
For more information about our program please visit our website at: https://sites.google.com/a/miamioh.edu/ecoreu/home. Click on the Application tab at the top of the page and follow the instructions to apply. Please contact Patrick Garrett at ecoreu@miamioh.edu with any problems, questions, or concerns you may have about our program or the application process.
3) Job posting: Arizona Mud Turtle Technician
American Turtle Observatory (ATO; http://americanturtles.org) and Antioch University New England seek a Field Technician to study the ecology and seasonal behavior of Arizona Mud Turtles (Kinosternon arizonense), a monsoon-adapted species, in southern Arizona during the summer of 2017. This position will involve both field and office responsibilities and will run from May 15 – September 15, 2017 (start and end dates are negotiable).
Location: Southern Arizona, USA Website: http://americanturtles.org Salary: $1000 monthly stipend Start Date: May 15, 2017 End Date: September 15, 2017 Last Date to Apply: January 27, 2017 Application Materials: email a brief (<1 page) cover letter, resume, and contact information for three references as a single Word or PDF document Contact Person: Liz Willey Contact E-Mail: lisabeth.willey@gmail.com For more information, visit: http://www.americanturtles.org/arizona-mud-turtle-technician.html
Field responsibilities will involve trapping, seining, and hand- capturing mud turtles in remote environments near the border with Sonora, Mexico; daily radiotelemetry of ten adult Arizona Mud Turtles; entering and proofing all field data on a weekly basis; managing photographs; and following standard decontamination procedures to protect mud turtles as well as Chiricahua Leopard Frogs.
Office responsibilities will require careful data management in Microsoft Excel, ArcGIS, and/or GoogleEarth; coordinating monthly conference calls with project partners; helping to prepare a technical report; preparing a technical assistance handout to improve habitat management for Arizona Mud Turtles.
Qualifications Applicants should be enthusiastic and sociable, enjoy travel, and expect to work long hours in the field in difficult conditions (heat, cold, rain, insects). Applicants should enjoy working independently with multiple days of relative solitude, and be ready to independently prioritize research-related decisions based upon a strong grasp of project objectives. Applicants should also be able to interact in a professional manner by email and phone. Applicants must have a valid driver’s license; access to a personal vehicle in Arizona is preferred. Ideal candidates will be proficient in GPS and compass navigation and be able to interpret topographic maps and aerial photographs. Desired qualifications also include field experience with freshwater turtles in the wild, experience with radio-telemetry, ArcGIS, GoogleEarth, habitat modeling and conservation area planning.
4) Big Cat Research Opportunity in South Africa
Raven Adventures’ is seeking volunteers for the Big Cat Research Project’s 2017 season. Volunteers will spend two weeks in South Africa studying lion, leopard, and cheetah, monitoring population distribution, density, and effects of tourism. This opportunity is open to anyone looking to gain experience in fieldwork and animal behavior research while working in a small group setting. Volunteers should be self-motivated and enthusiastic, working long hours with responsibilities including, but not limited to: collecting behavioral field notes, organizing photographic identification of individual study animals, and general basecamp chores. Volunteer positions are tailored to the learning undergraduate student and no prior experience is necessary. Accommodations will be basic camping. Overall cost is $3,995 per session and includes roundtrip airfare from JFK to Johannesburg, all trip meals, and camping/research equipment.
Please send all inquiries to Sabrina Salome at sabrina@ravenadventures.com, and to begin the application process attach a copy of your CV or resume. Four sessions will be run this summer.
5) Interns needed for food web study
Dates: Late March through early June
Location: Carrizo Plain National Monument, California (60 miles east of San Luis Obispo)
Duties: 2 interns are needed to conduct a variety of animal surveys as part of a long-term food web study in the Carrizo Plain National Monument. The Carrizo is the largest remnant of the San Joaquin grassland ecosystem and contains many endangered plants and animals. Interns will work on a team of 3-5 people and will conduct a variety of surveys, focusing especially on mark-recapture of endangered kangaroo rats. Mark-recapture surveys of threatened squirrels, visual line transects for reptiles, pitfall trapping for invertebrates, and spotlight surveys for predators and lagomorphs may also be conducted, and team members will help with vegetation sampling. Interns will also take down precipitation plot equipment and assist with other duties as needed.
Requirements: All applicants must be pursuing or have a bachelor’s degree in the natural sciences and have previous field experience. Applicants must be able to start work by the last week of March and work through early to mid- June. A strong interest in natural history, conservation, and/or management and a high level of responsibility, organization, and motivation are require. It is helpful to have PIT tagging experience, small mammal trapping experience, and familiarity with the plants and animals of California. Must be flexible and live and work well with others in an isolated setting. Applicants must be able to maintain work quality and a positive attitude during challenging field conditions. Applicants must be in good physical condition and experienced with or able to tolerate hot and cold field conditions. Must be able to work long hours and be comfortable working at night. Prefer applicants with experience and strong interest in grassland or desert species.
Work schedule: Approx. 40 hrs per week, variable throughout season
Compensation: $600-800/month. Housing is provided at an active research facility on the Monument.
To Apply: Please email a cover letter, resume, and contact information for 2-3 references as a single Word or PDF attachment to Rachel Endicott at rendicott@berkeley.edu. Please apply by January 27, 2017.
6) Marine science REU at Texas A&M University – Galveston campus
Texas A&M University Galveston invites talented undergraduate students from diverse backgrounds to participate in a 10-week immersive experience in Summer 2017 to conduct semi-independent research that will address the complexities and challenges related to our world’s oceans and coastal environments through OCEANUS (Ocean and Coastal Research Experiences for Undergraduates), an exciting interdisciplinary program funded by the National Science Foundation (Award Number: 1560242). Target majors include biology (evolution, ecology), physics, chemistry, environmental science, geosciences, maritime industry/commerce, computer science and engineering majors.
To apply, please visit: https://apply2.cse.tamu.edu/apps/OCEANUS
7) NPS 2017 Young Leaders in Climate Change Internships
NPS Seeks Applicants for 2017 Young Leaders in Climate Change Internships The NPS Climate Change Response Program and the University of Washington are pleased to invite graduate and upper-level undergraduate students and recent graduates to apply to the 2017 Young Leaders in Climate Change (YLCC) Initiative! The YLCC is a paid summer internship to work on diverse issues related to climate change and its effects in national parks. Applications are due January 19, 2017 by 12:01 PM PST. https://www.futureparkleaders.org/past-projects/
8) Summer Forest Monitoring Technician (PA and WV)
The Pennsylvania State University Department of Ecosystem Science and Management is hiring two seasonal technicians to collect forest monitoring data in eight national parks in Pennsylvania and West Virginia, including the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, New River Gorge National River, and Gauley River National Recreational Area. This work is part of a long-term monitoring program that provides park staff with crucial information on the condition of the parks’ vegetation and how this condition is changing over time.
The positions begin in mid-May 2017 and continue for 12 – 15 weeks with compensation of $14-16 per hour depending on experience. The technicians will travel to and be housed in or near a national park each week. Reasonable travel expenses will be reimbursed.
Demonstrated experience in forest ecology, meticulous data collection skills, strong work ethic, and positive attitude are required. Applicants should enjoy working outdoors in a variety of conditions and be able to identify common trees and shrubs of Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Applicants must be able to follow complex detailed field protocols and work as a member of a team. The ability to hike and work long hours in adverse conditions (e.g. steep terrain, hot/humid weather, stinging/biting insects, irritating plants) and in remote field sites is a must. Applicants should be able to navigate in the woods by compass and using GPS. Additional tasks may include data entry and quality control of data.
If interested, please send: 1) a brief cover letter, 2) a resume, and 3) contact information for three references in a single Word or PDF document to Stephanie Perles [sjp16 at psu dot edu] by February 17, 2017.
9) Harvard Forest Undergraduate Internship Opportunity
Applications are now open for our fantastic (and well-paid) paid summer internships in plant & microbial ecology, art/design, computer science, biogeochemistry, conservation policy, history, engineering, etc.
Depending on the project, students will conduct field and lab-work in old-growth forests, historical archives, art/design studios and museums, biogeochemistry labs, long-term forest study plots, data-rich computer environments, at the Harvard Farm and even at Henry David Thoreau’s cabin site at Walden.
Participants work closely with a faculty mentor and live on-site in our beautiful farmhouse dorm. In addition to their research, students attend career panels, evening workshops, seminars and field trips.
We welcome applications from students at any U.S. college, community college or university.
Application instructions and FAQ’s are here: http://harvardforest.fas.harvard.edu/other-tags/reu
9) Positions Available: Native Seed Collection Internship at Lake Mead National Recreation Area
Member will provide national service at Lake Mead National Recreation Area, a host site for the Nevada Conservation Corps AmeriCorps Program.
Description: Working collaboratively with Lake Mead National Recreation Area (LMNRA), the Great Basin Institute is recruiting three interns to assist the seed manager with scouting plant populations for seed collection and collecting native plant seeds. Work will include documenting all seed related activities and collections, manually cleaning seed by hand, and assisting with preparation of seed for seed storage for future restoration projects throughout southern Nevada and northwestern Arizona. This position is an entry level internship that consists mostly of labor in the backcountry and at the Lake Mead Native Plant Nursery. At times, position also requires prolonged periods of sitting while cleaning seed.
Primary Responsibilities: • Surveying and accessing suitable native plant populations by vehicle or on foot, and identification of native and non-native plants; • Assist with weeding and irrigating native plant seed increase fields; • Work on a 4-5 person seed collection team led by the native seed manager for Lake Mead NRA; • Intern may also work with 5 to 10 member youth service groups and/or volunteers on seed collection projects; • Must be able to operate a 4-wheel-drive vehicle and pass a federal background check.
Secondary responsibilities: additional tasks and duties that are preferential but secondary • Assisting with native plant nursery operations including, but not limited to irrigation setup and repair, plant propagation, weed removal, and other general nursery operation; • Additional duties may include checking backcountry traffic counters, checking weather stations, picking-up trash, rare plant plot monitoring, restoring off-road tracks, repair backcountry barriers, installing backcountry signs, watering plantings, installing plants, and other tasks associated with Mojave Desert restoration.
Related Responsibilities: • Participate in trainings provided by Lake Mead NRA staff and community partners; • Meet with Host Site Supervisor on a regular basis; • Participate in community service days organized by NCC Program; and • Participate in regular AmeriCorps team meetings.
Compensation: This is an AmeriCorps position, and candidates will receive a living stipend of $7,800 for the season. This is not an hourly wage or a salary and is paid to members every other week throughout the service term. Upon completion of AmeriCorps service, members shall receive an additional education award in the amount of $2,865 that can be used for paying off qualified student loans or paying tuition for a Title IV accredited college.
Qualifications: • Dedication to the position and the AmeriCorps Service Contract • Motivated, self-starter who is detail oriented; • Flexibility to handle competing and changing priorities; • Ability or willingness to learn how to identify native and non-native plants of the desert southwest • Ability to drive 4×4 vehicle • Ability or willingness to learn how to navigate in the backcountry using maps and iphones or GPS units • Ability or willingness to learn how to use iphones and/or GPS units such as Garmins, Mesas, and Trimbles to collect data • Ability to use Microsoft Office Programs • Ability to do physical labor in the backcountry • Ability to sit for prolonged periods of time • Motivated to learn about the park’s resources • Ability to communicate with park staff in an appropriate manner in written and verbal form • Possess clean, valid, state-issued driver’s license; and • Meet AmeriCorps eligibility requirements: (1) U.S. citizenship or legal resident alien status, (2) eligible to receive an AmeriCorps Education Award (limit of four in a lifetime, or equivalent of two full-time terms of service), and (3) pass National Sex Offender Public Registry (NSOPR) and federal criminal background checks.
How to Apply: Please follow this link to apply directly through our online portal: http://crcareers.thegreatbasininstitute.org/careers/careers.aspx? rf=ECOLOG&req=2016-ACI-026
10) Summer 2017 REU at the Pymatuning Lab of Ecology
The Richards-Zawacki lab at the University of Pittsburgh invites undergraduate applicants for a 10-week summer research experience at the Pymatuning Lab of Ecology in northwestern Pennsylvania (http://www.biology.pitt.edu/facilities/pymatuning). This position is part of the National Science Foundation’s Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program. Ongoing work in the Richards-Zawacki lab aims to clarify the relationship between climate and the dynamics of chytridiomycosis, a fungal disease that threatens amphibian populations on several continents. The successful applicant will work collaboratively with other members of the Richards-Zawacki lab to survey local amphibians for Batrachochytrium fungi, the pathogens that cause chytridiomycosis, and also design and carry out a study to investigate the role of pond community characteristics on the seasonal dynamics of these infections. Room and board at the Pymatuning Lab of Ecology will be provided, along with transportation and a stipend of $500/week.
To apply, please send a one page personal statement (about your scientific interests and how this REU will support your professional goals), your resume or cv, unofficial transcripts, and the names of two professional references (including title, address, phone number and email address) to Dr. Cori Richards-Zawacki (cori.zawacki@pitt.edu). Applications are due March 3, 2017.
11) Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute –Internship in Forest Trophic Interactions
The Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) is seeking two interns to participate in a European Research Council funded project addressing the ecological determinants of tropical and temperate trends in insect diversity. To answer key questions on global insect distribution, we are applying quantitative surveys of plant-herbivore-parasitoid food webs within paired sets of tropical and temperate forests from six continents, in Papua New Guinea (PNG), Gabon, Panama, the Czech Republic, Japan, and USA. This internship will be based in the CTFS-ForestGEO-Forest Ecosystems & Climate lab (PI: Kristina J. Anderson-Teixeira), which conducts a range of research with the overall goal of understanding the dynamics of forest ecosystems worldwide in an era of global change. Candidates should be advanced undergraduates or recent university graduates and have coursework in ecology, conservation biology, entomology, environmental sciences, or a closely related field. Field experience in terrestrial ecosystem ecology, forestry, entomology, or a related field is essential plus the ability to follow established survey and protocols, and collect detailed and accurate data. Candidates must have the ability to work in the field for prolonged hours in hot and humid conditions, to work independently, and to collaborate effectively as part of a research team. This is a 6-month position with a start date in mid-April 2017. The position(s) will be compensated with a stipend sufficient to cover living expenses, potentially including on-site housing. To apply, please email a cover letter describing your qualifications and interest in the position, CV, and contact information for 3 references to Erika Gonzalez-Akre at gonzalezeb@si.edu. Deadline for application is January 31, 2017. The Smithsonian Institution values and seeks a diverse workforce; female and minority candidates are encouraged to apply.
12) Intern Opportunity – Black Tailed Prairie Dogs
Job Description and Duties: We are looking for 5 interns to be involved with a field ecology project on black-tailed prairie dogs for the period of Mar 1, 2017 to Aug 31, 2017. The project investigates the ecology of a wild population of prairie dogs in Grasslands National Park, SK and will involve live-trapping, handling and monitoring. Grasslands National Park represents one of the largest remaining tracts of native prairie in Canada, and prairie dog towns are home to a diversity of iconic grassland species (e.g., burrowing owls, swift fox, bison). Interns will have the opportunity of seeing all of these species, plus the many more resident in the Park. This is an excellent opportunity to gain experience working with a population of wild mammals in a spectacular setting and in collaboration with university, park and zoo researchers.
International applicants: If applicants are not Canadians or permanent residents, they will be required to apply to enter Canada as Visiting Research Students. To be eligible for this program, you must be an undergraduate or graduate student or be in between degrees (e.g., following graduation from a bachelors degree). As part of this program, applicants will be registered at the U of S in a non-credit activity. Applicants are eligible for this program for a maximum of 6 months per 12 month period.
Application forms and information are available at http://grad.usask.ca/admissions/alternate-applicants/visiting-research-student.php. If you are interested in this program, please contact us (contact details below) and we will guide you through the process.
Skills Required: These positions are best suited to applicants with interests in ecology, evolutionary biology, wildlife, field biology, and/or conservation biology. As evidence of this, applicants must either be enrolled in, or have graduated from, a relevant discipline. The field house and study population are isolated (the nearest town is approx. 45 min away) and, as such, successful applicants need to be able to cope under these conditions, enjoy the outdoors, be up-beat, positive, responsible and work well as a member of a team. Evidence of these abilities (gained, for example, through previous involvement on field projects or extended back-packing trips) is required.
Terms of Employment: These are volunteer positions and a salary is not provided. We will be staying in Parks Canada housing in the heart of the park. Volunteers are required to provide for their own travel to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Travel between the field station and Saskatoon is provided.
If you wish to apply for one of these posts then please send a CV with a cover letter and contact details for three references (with e-mail addresses), by email to Jeff Lane (uofsbtpdproject@gmail.com) by January 21, 2017. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.
by newframe
William Bull, also known as Bill Bull, chemistry professor emeritus and former associate head of department at UT, passed away Tuesday, December 27, 2016. The service took place at 10 a.m. December 31 at Second Presbyterian Church. The following obituary was published on the Knoxville News Sentinel website.
William Bull
1933 – 2016
Knoxville, TN
William Earnest Bull, of Knoxville, passed away Tuesday, December 27, 2016, just a few weeks shy of celebrating his 84th birthday. Born during the height of the depression in 1933 on a farm near Lonedell, MO, his family moved to Granite City, IL where he spent most of his childhood. He excelled in school, especially enjoying mathematics and science. Through his hard work he earned academic scholarships and was the first member of his family to graduate from college. While in school at Southern Illinois University, he met and married the love of his long life, Margaret in 1955. After graduating from the University of Illinois, Champaign with a Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry, Bill joined the faculty of the Chemistry Department at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. After 40 years of service, he retired as Associate Head of the Department. To mark this occasion an audio/visual classroom in Dabney Hall was named in his honor. Bill was a passionate gardener who enjoyed raising vegetables. He turned a rocky, clay-filled patch of dirt into a very bountiful garden at their west Knoxville home. He also built a greenhouse, which was used to grow orchids, poinsettias, cacti and seedlings. In his retirement years, he and Margaret moved to Clinton, TN where he continued to garden. They also traveled extensively throughout Europe, the Mideast and South America. Bill was a strong supporter of the arts and the community. He enjoyed the Knoxville Symphony and Knoxville Opera. He assisted Margaret with volunteer work at the Knoxville Museum of Art Library. In addition, He was a faithful and dutiful member of Second Presbyterian Church.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret; his parents, Everett and Daisy Bull; and his sister, Elizabeth Caschetta. Bill is survived by his sons, Larry, Jeff and his wife Sara, and Greg; grandchildren, Michael and Christina; great-grandson Christian; and his sister Barbara.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, December 31, 2016, at Second Presbyterian Church with receiving of friends immediately following the service. The family will have a private burial. In lieu of flowers the family requests consideration of a donation to Second Presbyterian Church, 2829 Kingston Pike Knoxville, TN 37919 or the University of Tennessee Foundation – Chemistry Enrichment Fund at Arts and Sciences Development, 137 Alumni Memorial Building, 1408 Middle Drive, Knoxville, TN 37996, (www.chem.utk.edu/giving). Arrangements by Rose Mortuary Mann Heritage Chapel. Online condolences at www.rosemortuary.com
Published in Knoxville News Sentinel from Dec. 29 to Dec. 31, 2016- See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/knoxnews/obituary.aspx?n=william-bull&p…
by newframe
In 2016, the National Institutes of Health increased support for projects in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
Tessa Calhoun, assistant professor, received funding for her project “Imaging Amphotericin B’s Mechanism of Action with Transient Absorption Microscopy.” David Jenkins, associate professor, is the PI of awarded project “Catalytic C2+N1 Aziridination from Organic and Carbamate Azides.” The third awarded project, “Labeling of Lipid Products Using Synthetic Tagged Metabolite Probes to Analyze Lipid Biosynthesis and Trafficking,” was directed by associate professor Michael Best.
Both Jenkins and Best were also NSF CAREER awardees in 2013 and 2010.
“We are thrilled to see so many new NIH awards in the Department of Chemistry,” said Taylor Eighmy, Vice Chancellor for Research and Engagement at the UT Office of Research and Engagement. “Since implementing a strategic plan to grow UT’s NIH funding in 2014, we have created a number of new resources and development opportunities through the Office of Research and Engagement to support our NIH researchers and help them submit strong proposals. These calculated efforts are beginning to have a noticeable impact on our researchers’ success with NIH, and we hope this trend continues.”
The following are the descriptions of each awarded project:
Tessa Calhoun, Imaging Amphotericin B’s Mechanism of Action with Transient Absorption Microscopy
The dramatic rise of antimicrobial resistance has created the need for new approaches in the design of novel drug systems. Professor Calhoun’s project focuses on the study of Amphotericin B, an important antifungal therapeutic often used as a last line of defense for systemic fungal infections, which has developed limited cases of clinical resistance despite decades of use. A better understanding of how this drug operates within cells could inform our understanding of the design principles of novel drug delivery systems needed to reduce the occurrences of antimicrobial resistance. In her project, Calhoun will use transient absorption microscopy to directly image how Amphotericin B acts in both model and living systems to achieve its effective behavior.
David Jenkins, Catalytic C2+N1 Aziridination from Organic and Carbamate Azides
Aziridines are biologically active functional groups found in natural products, such as mitomycins and azinomycins, which are critical in biology and synthetic medicinal chemistry due to their antitumor properties. Despite the myriad uses for aziridines in pharmaceutical products, as well as synthetic intermediates, their efficient synthesis has not yet been achieved. In this project, Jenkins proposes to extend research on catalytic aziridination to include new directions relevant to the medicinal chemistry community—in particular, the synthesis of carbamate protected aziridines and chiral aziridines. Chiral aziridines are a useful tool in the synthesis of single enantiomer drugs.
Michael Best, Labeling of Lipid Products Using Synthetic Tagged Metabolite Probes to Analyze Lipid Biosynthesis and Trafficking
While lipids control many of the most critical biological processes that lead to diseases (including cancer), tracking the production of these molecules in cells remains a significant challenge. In his project, Best explores novel approaches for the labeling of lipid structures that will enable tracking of the identity and location of lipids in cells, with a focus on cancer cells. These strategies will significantly enhance our understanding of the biosynthesis and movement of important lipid molecules within their native cellular environments.