Last Updated 5 Dec 2007
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Graduate Research Assistantship Plant-Insect Interactions and Biofuel Production University of Wisconsin, Madison
Bioenergy initiatives are re-shaping the fields of agriculture and energy production, but not without ecological and environmental repercussions. A Graduate Research Assistantship (M.S. - Ph.D. or Ph.D.) is anticipated for 2008 (summer/fall) to pursue research at the interface of plant-insect interactions and sustainable biofuel production. This research will evaluate how genetic modifications of poplar - to enhance its potential as a biofuel feedstock - alter its susceptibility to attack by insects. The work will be conducted in collaboration with tree geneticists, and will focus on how specific modifications (tree architecture and chemistry) influence insect feeding preferences, damage rates, and community structure. The University of Wisconsin - Madison is the lead institution of the DOE-funded Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center.
Candidates may elect to pursue graduate degrees in either Entomology or Zoology (Ecology).
For more information about the Lindroth research group, visit: http://entomology.wisc.edu/~lindroth/
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 $19,032 (12 mo.), tuition waiver, and excellent medical health plans.
Position available beginning in summer or fall of 2008.
Inquiries: Send preliminary e-mail letter of inquiry, describing research interests and academic qualifications, to:
Dr. Rick Lindroth Dept. of Entomology 237 Russell Labs 1630 Linden Drive Madison, WI 53706 USA
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Please consider applying to the Integrated Bioscience Program. The University of Akron is a great place for study for your PhD if your interests include any topic related to bioscience. In this new century, biology and bio-related topics will provide the most growth for highly skilled employees. With the decoding of the human genome and the promise of understanding how biological systems develop and interact, we are likely to see more and more bioscience research breakthroughs and the associated job spin-offs that result from these discoveries. Our newly developed PhD in Integrated Bioscience (the first in the country!) will position our graduates to take full advantage of the emerging field of bioscience. The program facilitates collaborative research across diverse disciplines (e.g., biology, chemistry, engineering, geology, etc.) by bringing bioscience students together at the very inception of their PhD degrees. Highly trained graduates with a background of research integration across disciplines will be needed to tackle the emerging bioscience questions of the 21st century, and we are proud to be the only US institution to provide such a PhD degree in this developing area. Our PhD students in Integrated Bioscience will be involved with both the basic and applied aspects of these new discoveries. Job opportunities in the field of bioscience have dramatically increased since the turn of the century, and this trend will only accelerate in the years to come.
The Integrated Bioscience program provides tuition remission plus stipend support of $20,000 per year through teaching or research assistantships. Interested students are invited to apply for enrollment in the Fall of 2008. Successful applicants will need one or more faculty mentors to accept them into their research groups, so interested students are encouraged to check our website to view faculty research interests and contact appropriate faculty directly: http://www.uakron.edu/id/ib/faculty.php. Applications and further information are available at http://www.uakron.edu/id/ib/cmp2.
Akron is a great place to live, with a high quality of life. There are abundant natural amenities, including nearby metroparks and the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. There is also ready access to many diverse cultural events in Akron and nearby Cleveland, including sports, several symphony orchestras, excellent museums, and one of the nation's premier amphitheaters, Blossom Music Center, which attracts many national concerts.
For more information about applying for the Integrated Bioscience PhD program, either contact the director of the IB program (Dr. Bruce Cushing, cbruce@uakron.edu) or visit the Integrated Bioscience web site (http://www.uakron.edu/id/ib/cmp2).
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Graduate student opportunities Microbial Ecology, Michigan State University, Kellogg Biological Station (KBS)
Opportunities are available for graduate studies in the Microbial Ecology Laboratory at Michigan State University's Kellogg Biological Station. Students should be interested in studying the roles of microorganisms in community and ecosystem processes. Our lab addresses ecological and evolutionary questions using laboratory cultures, field experimentation, simulation modeling, molecular microbiology, and sensor technology. See our lab website for a research overview and list of publications: http://microbes.kbs.msu.edu/
Students will most likely be admitted through the Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics (MMG; http://mmg.msu.edu/), which is affiliated with the Center for Microbial Ecology (http://www.cme.msu.edu/). The first two academic years, students will be in residence on main campus in East Lansing, MI. During the summers and subsequent academic years, students will be in residence at KBS.
KBS has an exciting and supportive academic environment, hosts an LTER site (http://lter.kbs.msu.edu/), and is equipped with state-of-the-art resources for conducting ecological and microbiological research. See the KBS website for more details: http://www.kbs.msu.edu/. In addition to affiliations with KBS and MMG, students will have the opportunity to be apart of the interdisciplinary graduate program in Ecology, Evolutionary Biology, & Behavior (http://www.msu.edu/~eebb/).
Students will be financially supported through a combination of teaching assistantships, research assistantships, and university fellowships. In addition, there are potential funding opportunities associated with an NSF-funded GK-12 program at KBS (http://www.kbs.msu.edu/k12/) and DOE supported research on the sustainability of bioenergy production systems (see http://www.bioeconomy.msu.edu/news/glbrc.aspx).
Interested students should send a CV/resume, a brief description of past research experience and future research interests, and GRE scores (if available) to Jay Lennon (lennonja@msu.edu). Ecology, Evolution and Conservation Biology http://eecb.unr.edu University of Nevada, Reno
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The Ecology, Evolution and Conservation Biology Graduate Group (EECB) at the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) is seeking outstanding applicants for the 2008-2009 academic year. EECB is an interdisciplinary program with members in diverse academic departments including Biology, Biochemistry, Geography and Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences. The graduate group boasts an approximately 40-member faculty that is highly active in research.
The EECB program is particularly strong in ecosystem ecology, population ecology, wildlife ecology and behavioral and evolutionary ecology. EECB was also recently ranked as a top-25 research program in conservation biology. Numerous faculty are also associated with the Desert Research Institute (http://www.dri.edu), conducting research throughout the deserts of North America and elsewhere around the globe.
UNR is located along the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada, in close proximity to both desert and montane field sites, allowing students to pursue diverse research interests. Competitive teaching assistantships or research assistantships are typically available for students in their faculty advisor's home department.
More information and a complete list of faculty members can be found at the EECB program website (http://eecb.unr.edu). Please contact faculty members you are interested in working with regarding application.
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Graduate student opportunities in ecology in Rob Fletcher's Lab at the University of Florida
I currently have 1-2 graduate positions available (contingent on funding) in my lab in the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation (WEC) at the University of Florida. I anticipate taking on 1 master's student and/or 1-2 Ph.D. students starting either spring or fall 2008. All positions will allow students to develop their own research projects under the broad veil of landscape ecology, spatial ecology and behavior, and conservation. Some potential directions include, but are not limited to, developing and testing predictive frameworks for landscape ecology, the use of species distribution models as decision support tools, identifying the consequences of evolutionary traps, understanding the causes and consequences of habitat selection strategies, and interpreting habitat restoration effects at landscape scales. At least one position will focus on research in Florida, but the specific projects and objectives are currently open. One Ph.D. student will develop their own research in the fragmented riparian landscapes of the Madison River, Montana (contingent on funding from NSF and other resources), but will also help Dr. Fletcher in studying habitat selection behaviors of a migratory songbird, the least flycatcher.
If you are interested in pursuing a graduate degree with me as your advisor, please send me your CV, GRE scores and GPA, and a brief statement of your research interests, career goals, and why you would like to pursue a graduate degree in my lab prior to December 1 (email to: robert.fletcher@ufl.edu). For admission to the department, minimum criteria include a GPA of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale for all upper-division undergraduate work and a combined score of 1200 (Verbal + Quantitative) of the GRE. International students also must have scores of 550 on the paper-based (or 213 on the computer-based) TOEFL, unless English is the native tongue or a degree has been obtained from an institution in an English-speaking country. Please see the WEC Graduate Program website for more details on application procedures. Also consult the School of Natural Resources and the Environment at UF for other opportunities regarding graduate admission. For more information on my lab, see: http://plaza.ufl.edu/robert.fletcher/robert.fletcher.html.
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The graduate program in Ecology and Evolution at the University of Pennsylvania Department of Biology invites applications from students interested in pursuing the Ph.D. in association with a 5- year program grant on global climate change from the NSF Program in International Research and Education (PIRE). This PIRE grant will study the combined ecological consequences of climate change and grazing pressures by nomadic pastoralism in northern Mongolia, a region of the world expected to experience some of the largest temperature increases in the coming years. The project is a collaboration among Penn, the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, the National University of Mongolia and the Mongolian Academy of Sciences. Graduate students associated with the project will receive 5 years of support through a combination of PIRE fellowship and teaching assistantship funds and will conduct field-based Ph.D. research in Mongolia with Penn faculty and members of the collaborating institutions. For further information on the PIRE Mongolia project, please visit http:// www.bio.upenn.edu/media/pdf/research/casper/NSF_Programwphoto.pdf or contact Peter Petraitis ppetrait@sas.upenn.edu or Brenda Casper bcasper@sas.upenn.edu.
For information on how to apply to the Biology Graduate Program at Penn, please see http:// www.bio.upenn.edu/programs/graduate/applying/appinstructions.html or contact the Biology Graduate Coordinator, Colleen Gasiorowski gasiorow@sas.upenn.edu.
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Graduate Assistantship in Wetland Crayfish Ecology - Florida Atlantic University
Funding is available for a MS student to study crayfish population ecology in the Everglades. The student will develop a thesis project investigating the effects of hydrologic variation on population success of two species of crayfish.
The position is associated with an ongoing grant, will be funded with a combination of TA and RA money, and includes a tuition waiver. Starting date: June 2008.
Requires a Bachelors degree in biology, zoology, fisheries, or a related field. A demonstrated strong work ethic and the ability to work and think independently or as part of a team are required. Experience working with fish or macro-invertebrates is helpful, but ability and willingness to perform physical tasks in remote settings with harsh environmental conditions (e.g., biting insects) is absolutely necessary. Minimum academic qualifications include GRE scores > 1000 (verbal + quantitative) and an undergraduate GPA > 3.2. A valid driver's license is required.
Interested students should contact Nathan Dorn (ndorn1@fau.edu; 954-236-1315) before officially applying to the program. Please send a letter of intent, a resume (including GRE scores), and contact information for 3 professional references.
Nathan Dorn, Assistant Professor
Department of Biological Sciences
2912 College Avenue
Florida Atlantic University
Davie, FL 33314 ndorn1@fau.edu.
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A Research Assistantship is available to work as part of an interdisciplinary and inter-institutional team funded by a USDA NRI grant to quantify the effects of fire suppression, wildfire, and fire management strategies on long-term C storage in ponderosa pine forests of the southwestern US. The student will be advised by Dr. Margot Kaye (http://www.sfr.cas.psu.edu/Faculty/kaye.htm) and will focus on the use of dendrochronology in the study of forest carbon responses to fire management. Students may apply to the Graduate Program in Forest Science (http://www.sfr.cas.psu.edu/Graduates/GradStudents.html) or the Inter-College Degree Program in Ecology (http://ecology.psu.edu/). The assistantship includes stipend, tuition waiver, and health insurance. MS applicants are preferred (2 years of funding are currently available) but exceptional PhD applications will also be considered. Interested students should contact Margot (jpk12 at psu.edu) for more information.
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Two or more Ph.D. assistantships available beginning in Fall 2008 for research on coupled human-natural systems at the Pennsylvania State University. Students will work with an interdisciplinary team of ecologists, geographers, economists, demographers, and rural sociologists. The research will focus on land-use transitions from traditional agriculture to sustainable agriculture and exurban development. Our team is striving to understand social and ecological causes and consequences of these transitions. Potential ecological research themes include (but are not limited to) invasion biology, biodiversity, carbon sequestration, ecosystem nutrient cycling, and water or air quality. Potential social science themes include (but are not limited to) land use, sustainable or alternative agricultural enterprise development, human population dynamics, complex systems, local food systems, sense of place, collective action, local land-use governance, household resource allocation and decision making, and urban ecology. Students are encouraged to contact Jill Findeis (fa2 at psu.edu), Jason Kaye (jpk12 at psu.edu), Kathy Brasier (kjb24 at psu.edu), or David Mortensen (dam37 at psu.edu). Students can matriculate through the Ecology (http://ecology.psu.edu/), Soil Science (http://cropsoil.psu.edu/academic/soilscienceg.cfm), Agronomy (http://cropsoil.psu.edu/academic/agronomyg.cfm), Rural Sociology (http://www.aers.psu.edu/programs/RuralSociology.htm), or Agricultural, Environmental and Regional Economics (http://aerec.aers.psu.edu/) graduate programs after talking with potential advisors. Students with interests in the social sciences are encouraged to consider simultaneously earning a PhD in the dual-degree Demography (http://www.pop.psu.edu/general/dual-degree/dual-degree.htm) or Operations Research (http://www2.ie.psu.edu/or/index.html) programs.
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Graduate Student Opportunities: Ecology and conservation of at-risk butterflies and restoration of their habitats. Washington State University Vancouver
Opportunities are available for graduate studies in the Conservation Biology Laboratory at Washington State University Vancouver. Students should be interested in ecology and behavior of at-risk butterflies or in restoration of butterfly habitat. Our lab addresses applied conservation and restoration questions by building on a strong foundation in population and community ecology. We use a mix of field, lab and quantitative techniques to address conservation and restoration questions. We will be starting two new projects for which I anticipate accepting graduate students for Fall 2008. The first is a project on the ecology and behavior of Mardon Skipper, a federal candidate species in Washington's South Puget Sound Prairies. The second is a project to investigate prairie restoration for Fender's Blue, a federal endangered species, in the context of Oregon's Willamette Valley oak savannah habitat. See our website for a research overview and list of publications: http://www.vancouver.wsu.edu/fac/schultzc/index.html
Students will be admitted through the Environmental Science Program at WSU Vancouver. The Master of Science in Environmental Science Program provides students with an interdisciplinary, applications-oriented education in environmental science. Students will be financially supported through a combination of teaching and research assistantships. For more information, see http://www.vancouver.wsu.edu/programs/sci/mses.html
Washington State University Vancouver is a new campus in the WSU system located in Vancouver, Washington just north of Portland, Oregon. It is a new and rapidly growing campus in the WSU system. Students benefit from outstanding faculty, world-class research, state-of-the-art facilities and small class sizes. For more information, see http://www.vancouver.wsu.edu/programs/sci/generalinfo.html
Interested students should send a CV/resume and a letter describing past research experience and future research interests to Cheryl Schultz (schultz@vancouver.wsu.edu)
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Interested students are invited to apply for a graduate position in Urban Ecology (Masters or PhD level) in the Department of Environmental and Plant Biology, Ohio University (http://www.plantbio.ohiou.edu/). The successful candidate will measure a variety of ecosystem services provided by urban vegetation, and incorporate such measurments into a neighborhood GIS model to predict the consequences of urban vegetation management. Ohio University is a medium-sized school (20,000 students) situated in a quaint small town in SE Ohio. Contact Glenn Matlack at matlack@ohio.edu (http://www.plantbio.ohiou.edu/epb/faculty/faculty/grm.htm).
Interested students are invited to apply for a graduate position in Forest Ecology (Masters or PhD level) in the Department of Environmental and Plant Biology, Ohio University (http://www.plantbio.ohiou.edu/). The successful candidate will quantify the spatial dynamics of forest herbs using a variety of experimental methods, and incorporate such information into spatially explicit landscape models. Ohio University is a medium-sized school (20,000 students) situated in a quaint small town in SE Ohio. Contact Glenn Matlack at matlack@ohio.edu (http://www.plantbio.ohiou.edu/epb/faculty/faculty/grm.htm).
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IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY College of Agriculture
Graduate Research Assistantship in Risk Assessment for Invasive Woody Plants. A research assistantship is available immediately at Iowa State University for an M.S. or Ph.D. (preferred) candidate interested in identification of and risk assessment for potentially invasive woody plants in the Upper Midwest region. Research associated with this appointment will be conducted in conjunction with personnel in the USDA - Agricultural Research Service North Central Regional Plant Introduction Station in Ames, Iowa, and the Departments of Horticulture, Natural Resource Ecology and Management, and Statistics at Iowa State University. A Bachelor's degree or significant experience in plant biology, ecology, forestry or horticulture is required, and the ability to work collaboratively with individuals in natural resource management agencies and non-profits is preferred.
A graduate research stipend will be provided along with tuition remission (50% for M.S. or 100% for Ph.D. candidates) and a University-sponsored health insurance plan. Applicants may consider enrollment in several graduate majors, including Forestry, Horticulture, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, or Environmental Science.
For additional information or to discuss this opportunity, please contact Dr. Jan Thompson at jrrt@iastate.edu. Applicants must contact Dr. Thompson prior to being considered for this assistantship. To submit an application, visit the Iowa State University website and use the on-line Graduate College application process. Students whose first language is not English must have completed the TOEFL exam at the time of application.
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Doctoral Fellowships - University of Arkansas
The Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Arkansas is actively recruiting Distinguished Doctoral Fellows and Doctoral Academy Fellows to begin graduate work in August 2008. The = Distinguished Fellowships have a 12-month stipend of $34,500, and the Doctoral Academy Fellowships have a 12-month stipend of $24,500. 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, 60% of health insurance, and most other fees. Outstanding students from all biological disciplines are encouraged to apply. Selection is based on undergraduate GPA, GRE scores, letters of recommendation, and undergraduate (B.S.) research experience or graduate (M.S.) research experience (see http://biology.uark.edu/1255.htm for criteria). Applicants should contact faculty members in the Department of = Biological Sciences whose research they may be interested in directly at http://biology.uark.edu/. Applicants must have a faculty sponsor to = enter the graduate program. Students may apply for Doctoral Academy = Fellowships
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M.S. Graduate Research Assistantship in savanna restoration ecology available starting January-June 2008.
Overview: We are seeking a highly motivated M.S. graduate student to work with a large-scale oak savanna restoration experiment in central Iowa. The student will have three areas of research: 1) analyze existing data sets related to successional dynamics following woody encroachment removal from savannas, 2) initiate a prescribed fire/seeding experiment within the savanna restoration experimental sites, and 3) assess relationships between fire, soil nutrient and moisture patterns, and vegetation response to restoration. The student will work closely with Drs. Heidi Asbjornsen (Iowa State University) and Lars Brudvig (Washington University in St. Louis), as well as with researchers from the U.S.D.A. Forest Service Northern Research Station and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The student will also have substantial intellectual freedom to develop and pursue her/his research interests within the overall context of the project.
Dates: This position has two years of funding available for a Graduate Research Assistantship at a competitive rate (including in-state tuition status and a partial tuition waver), with possibilities to fund exceptional candidates for additional year(s) of study. The start date for the position is flexible, but should be sometime between January and June 2008.
Qualifications: The M.S. candidate should have a background in plant ecology, forestry, or a related discipline, field/research experience, and the capability to work in challenging field conditions. Prior employment experience with land management agencies (e.g., U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S.D.A. Forest Service, The Nature Conservancy, etc.) and skills in plant species identification and ecological data analysis are preferred.
Degree options: Degrees can be pursued through either the Iowa State University Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management (http://www.nrem.iastate.edu/students/prospecgrad.htm) or the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Interdepartmental Graduate Program (http://www.grad- college.iastate.edu/EEB/). In both programs, opportunities exist for basic and applied ecological coursework.
To apply: Applications should include a CV with cover letter, undergraduate transcript details, GRE scores, and names and contact information (including email addresses) for three references.
Closing date: Review of applicants will begin immediately; however, the position will remain open until filled.
Please send application materials electronically to:
Dr. Heidi Asbjornsen Associate Professor of Ecosystem Ecology & Restoration Department of Natural Resource Ecology & Management Iowa State University email: hasbjorn@iastate.edu
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I am looking for highly motivated MS and PhD graduate students interested in invasion biology or restoration ecology to start August 2008 in the Department of Biology at the University of Central Florida. My research focus is on the landscape patterns and community mechanisms that influence the addition of species into ecosystems. My interest in landscape preservation is served by utilizing a variety of methods to answer pressing questions relating to the addition and loss of species in ecosystems. Future and ongoing Von Holle lab projects available for collaboration are: • The effect of landscape connectivity on habitat invasibility by nonnative plants • The effect of global climate change on nonnative species distributions • The influence of historical landuse on nonnative plant distribution using historical aerial photographs and hyperspectral imagery • Habitat restoration: forests, heathlands, and scrub. • Impacts of nonnative species on Florida ecosystems • Facilitations between nonnative species For further information on my research visit: http://biology.ucf.edu/~vonholle/ The Department has a strong and collegial group with diverse research interests that range from applied conservation biology to theoretical ecology and evolutionary biology. The University is situated within easy driving distance of diverse coastal, freshwater, and terrestrial ecosystems, offering excellent opportunities for both field research and recreation. Students accepted in the program are eligible for graduate fellowships, graduate teaching assistantships, or graduate research assistantships. Stipends are currently $19,000 and $15,000 per year for PhD and MS students, respectively. Applicants should have an undergraduate degree in the Biological Sciences as well as prior research experience. Interested applicants should send an email with a letter of interest and attached CV to Betsy Von Holle: vonholle@mail.ucf.edu. University application materials are due January 15, 2008.
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Location: Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa in collaboration with Grassland, Soil and Water Research Laboratory (USDA-ARS), Temple, Texas.
Position description - the student will join an NSF-funded project testing how species diversity and plant-plant interactions might differ between native and exotic grassland plant communities. The student will conduct independent research on this and other related topics. Starting date is summer or fall 2008.
Application procedure - send a brief (one page) cover letter describing your fit and interest in the position, a CV with GRE scores and GPA and a list of at least two references to Brian Wilsey (bwilsey@iastate.edu), Department of Ecology, Evolution and Organismal Biology, 253 Bessey Hall, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue through May 1, 2008 (i.e. until position is filled).
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Graduate Research Opportunities in Ecosystem Ecology on Mount St. Helens
Graduate opportunities are available on a multi-investigator project that examines recovery of ecosystem processes during primary succession. The fieldwork for the project will be at Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument and successful applicants will join an active research team with ongoing projects at the site. The successful applicants must be capable of field work for extended periods. Students can apply to either the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences (http://www.sees.wsu.edu) or the School of Biological Sciences (http://sbs.wsu.edu/) at Washington State University. Washington State University is a land grant, comprehensive research institution with an enrollment of over 23,000 students with state-of-the-art facilities in ecology. The University is one of the largest residential universities in the West and is in close proximity to both the Northern Rocky Mountains and the Cascade Range. Pullman and nearby Moscow provide a friendly, small-town living environment. Close collaborations also exist with ecologists at the University of Idaho, which is a land grant research university of 12,500 students located eight miles away. For further information please contact Dr. Rick Gill (rgill@wsu.edu) in the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences or Dr. R. Dave Evans (rdevans@wsu.edu) in the School of Biological Sciences.
R. Dave Evans School of Biological Sciences PO Box 644236 Washington State University Pullman, WA 99164-4236
Office: 509-335-7466 Lab: 509-335-6154 FAX: 509-335-3184 http://sbs.wsu.edu/faculty/?faculty/48
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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, 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 free 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 PhD 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/).
More information about the lab is available at: www.biology.usu.edu/labsites/whitelab/home.html
Interested students should contact Ethan White at epwhite@biology.usu.edu.
DEADLINE: For full consideration, applications should be submitted by January 1st, 2008.
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GRADUATE OPPORTUNITIES IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY
The Department of Biology and Biochemistry at the University of Houston (UH) is recruiting graduate students for its graduate program in Evolutionary Biology and Ecology for Fall 2008. The following faculty in the area of Evolutionary Biology and Ecology are seeking graduate students for their labs:
Blaine Cole (bcole@uh.edu) - Evolution and social behavior Dan Graur (dgraur@uh.edu) - Theoretical molecular evolution Diane Wiernasz (dwiernasz@uh.edu) - Ecological genetics George Fox (fox@uh.edu) - Experimental evolution and origin of life Rebecca Zufall (rzufall@uh.edu) - Genome and molecular evolution Ricardo Azevedo (razevedo@uh.edu) - Evolution of development and behavior Steve Pennings (spennings@uh.edu) - Community ecology Tim Cooper (tcooper@central.uh.edu) - Experimental evolution Tony Frankino (frankino@uh.edu) - Evolution of development Yuriy Fofanov (yfofanov@bioinfo.uh.edu) - Evolutionary bioinformatics
For more information regarding the Evolutionary Biology and Ecology graduate program at UH see:
http://www.bchs.uh.edu/grad_intro.htm
The deadline for application of prospective students is April 1st, 2008, but we strongly encourage serious applicants to apply in January or February.
Steven C. Pennings Department of Biology and Biochemistry University of Houston Houston, TX 77204-5001
Tel. 713 743 2989 Fax. 713 743 2636
www.bchs.uh.edu/~steve/
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The Department of Biological Sciences of Fordham University has a select number of research and teaching fellowships available for enthusiastic, highly qualified M.S. and Ph.D. students interested in ecology and field biology, with a broad range of research topics available.
Areas of emphasis for graduate research include: ecology of vector-borne diseases, ecosystem responses to local and regional disturbances, evolution of intracellular bacterial pathogens and mutualists, plant-pollinator interactions, ecology of algae in streams and rivers, global climate change, terrestrial and aquatic microbial ecology, winter ecology of small mammals, mycorrhiza, avian ecology and behavior, and the ecology of invasive species. The program recently added three new faculty members specializing in conservation biology, with research emphases on birds, mammals, and plants. Research projects in collaborations with staff at the Wildlife Conservation Society (http://www.wcs.org) and New York Botanical Garden (http://www.nybg.org) are also available for incoming graduate students.
- Students will have use of the Louis Calder Center - Biological Field Station (http:// www.fordham.edu/calder_center) and the facilities of the biology department (http:// www.fordham.edu/biology) for their studies. Students also benefit from small class sizes and active mentoring by faculty. The biology department is located at Fordham’s Rose Hill campus in New York City, providing ready access to the diverse array of opportunities offered by the city. The Calder Center is located in suburban Westchester County, approximately 25 miles north of Rose Hill.
- Stipends begin at $27,000 per year, plus full tuition remission.
- Applications may be submitted online or requested from: http://www.fordham.edu/gsas
- Questions can be directed to us by email (jdlewis@fordham.edu or wehr@fordham.edu) or at Graduate Ecology Admissions, Louis Calder Center - Biological Field Station, Fordham University, PO Box 887, Armonk, NY USA, 10504.
J.D. Lewis Associate Chair of Graduate Studies Department of Biological Sciences
Calder Center, Fordham University 53 Whippoorwill Road, Box 887 Armonk, N.Y. 10504 914 273 3078 ext. 24; fax: 914 273 6346 jdlewis@fordham.edu; http://www.fordham.edu/calder_center
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POPULATION ECOLOGY OF BRANCHIOPODA IN TEMPORARY PONDS
Drs. John Drake (University of Georgia) and Stephen Golladay (Joseph W. Jones Ecological Research Center) are seeking a graduate student at either the MS or PhD level to study the population ecology of rare branchiopod crustaceans in temporary ponds of the Ichauway conservation site in southwest Georgia. Results of this work will be used in the conservation and restoration of coastal plain isolated wetlands. The successful applicant will complete coursework at the Odum School of Ecology (University of Georgia) and will be subsequently stationed at the Jones Center for research. For more information about the UGA graduate program in ecology, please see http://www.ecology.uga.edu/programs.htm. For more information about joint program between the Odum School of Ecology and the Jones Center, please see http://www.ecology.uga.edu/facilities/assocfacil/josephjones.htm. For more information about the Jones Center, including information about the site, facilities, and programs, please see http://www.jonesctr.org/.
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ALLEE EFFECTS AND POPULATION DYNAMICS OF SEXUALLY REPRODUCING SPECIES
A research assistantship is available for a PhD student to work on Allee effects, population dynamics, and extinction in laboratory populations of sexually reproducing species. Research will involve a combination of theory, ecological modeling, and experiments. The opportunity is available to extend these projects to field trials in temporary ponds. Prior training may be in ecology, biology, or limnology.
Seeking highly qualified graduate students to pursue graduate degrees in ecology, starting in the Summer or Fall of 2008 in the lab of John Drake at the University of Georgia Odum School of Ecology. Research in this lab focuses on population dynamics in experimental systems, infectious disease ecology, and ecology of invasive species. We have strengths in modeling, computation, and stochastic population theory. Recent projects include invasive aquatic species in the North American Great Lakes, extinction in experimental zooplankton populations, and models of the 2003 SARS outbreak in Singapore. For other past research see http://dragonfly.ecology.uga.edu/drakelab/. Students interested either in modeling/computation/theory or in empirical research are encouraged to apply.
Potential students are strongly encouraged to email (jdrake@uga.edu) a letter of introduction and expression of interest by December 1, 2007. For more information about the Graduate Program in Ecology and instructions for applying, please see http://www.ecology.uga.edu/programs/doctorate.htm. Funding is immediately available for the following position. Outstanding applicants with other interests are encouraged to contact us about for information about fellowships and other sources of funding.
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Nov 7, 2007 Environmental Sciences, Huxley College, WWU
I have a position open in my lab for a master's student, starting in July 2008. I am looking for an exceptional student who is interested in studying the interaction between boreal forests and climate. The project is a large collaborative effort and there is some latitude on the specifics of the project.
Brief Project Description: The expansion of forest vegetation within and into the Arctic is one of the profound transformations that the Arctic land surface is likely to undergo in the coming decades. The spread of forest vegetation has significant ramifications as it is likely to cause both positive and negative feedbacks on climate, and to alter the availability of crucial natural resources. This NSF-funded project is merging satellite-based measurements of forest growth, with field measurements, and models of carbon dynamics to arrive at a better understanding of how boreal forests have respond to climate over the last 25 years and how they might change in the future.
Required Qualifications: 1. Bachelor's degree in environmental science, ecology, biology, geography or similar including the prerequisites for admission to the graduate program 2. Experience with GIS or Remote Sensing 3. Experience or interest in statistical modeling 4. Good physical condition and ability to do vigorous field work in very remote locations 5. Must be available for international travel to Russia and Canada 6. Fun, interesting, well rounded person!
Desired Qualifications: 1. Computer programming 2. Russian language skills
Interested applicants should contact me directly. For more information, please visit: http://myweb.facstaff.wwu.edu/bunna/
For information about the M.S. in Environmental Science at WWU see: http://www.wwu.edu/huxley/students/gradprograms.shtml
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Description: Several Ph.D. assistantships are available in the Department of Land Resources and Environmental Sciences at Montana State University. These assistantships commence in August of 2008 and are based in Bozeman, MT an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise!
Students will pursue questions in one of three broad research areas: 1) elucidating geomorphic and hydrologic controls on habitat diversity and biotic processes (e.g., biogeochemistry, productivity, metabolism, greenhouse gas emissions) in floodplain ecosystems; 2) developing novel, agent-based modeling approaches to simulate transport and biotic uptake of solutes from stream channels and hyporheic zones of gravel-bedded streams; and 3) linking geomorphology and hydrology to fish habitat diversity and utilization in mainstem rivers of Montana.
Students will work with Dr. Geoffrey Poole and will apply quantitative research techniques including simulation modeling, GIS analysis, and/or remote sensing, coupled with ample opportunities for field data collection and laboratory experiments and analyses.
Successful applicants will be highly self-motivated and creative problem solvers with excellent computer skills. As members of collaborative and interdisciplinary research teams, students must also possess outstanding interpersonal and writing skills. More information, including application instructions, can be found at http://www.eco-metrics.com/MSU/
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We offer a two-year research-intensive Masters program wherein students are supported by teaching assistantships and full tuition waivers. This is an ideal program for undergrads who are thinking about graduate schools but may not be quite ready to apply to a high- profile Ph.D. program or are looking for broad training in ecology and related fields for work in consulting or resource management.
With a low student to faculty ratio (approximately 8-10 new students each year with 23 full-time faculty), we can offer an intimate and highly personalized research and education experience rarely attainable at larger universities. Also, our graduate students often work closely with and mentor undergraduates, offering numerous informal teaching and personal development opportunities.
Most of our faculty have funding from NSF, NIH, HHMI and other organizations. Many of us are actively looking to take on new MS students next year. Please feel free to pass this message on to any students you think may be interested/suitable. General information about our program is available from the department website: http://www.wm.edu/biology/gradcurriculum.php .
.................................................................. George W. Gilchrist Email: gwgilc@wm.edu Director of Graduate Studies Phone: (757) 221-7751 Department of Biology, Box 8795 Fax: (757) 221-6483 College of William & Mary Williamsburg, VA 23187-8795 http://gwgilc.people.wm.edu/
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Seeking highly qualified students to pursue graduate degrees (Masters or PhD) in ecology starting in Summer of Fall 2008 in the lab of Kailen Mooney at the University of California at Irvine Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology.
Our research focuses on community and evolutionary ecology using a combination of field and laboratory approaches. Past work has investigated the multi-trophic interactions among plants, herbivorous insects, and predators including arthropods and vertebrates (birds) using long-term manipulative field experiments and common gardens.
Visit the lab web page at http://www.tritrophic.org for a full list of lab publications and a more detailed description of our interests.
Potential students should email Kailen Mooney (mooneyk@uci.edu) with a letter of introduction and a brief statement of research interests. The application (http://ecoevo.bio.uci.edu/Graduate/Graduate.html) to the University is due January 15 but interested students should initiate contact with the Mooney Lab well before this deadline.
UC Irvine (http://www.uci.edu/) is situated on Pacific coast between Los Angeles and San Diego. The Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (http://ecoevo.bio.uci.edu/) has exceptional strength in ecology, evolutionary biology and physiology. Funding for graduate students is competitive and guaranteed via a combination of Research Assistantships and Teaching Assistantships. Research facilities include the 35 sites of the UC Nature Reserve System (http://nrs.ucop.edu/ ), growth chamber and greenhouse facilities, local sites for common garden and field experiments, and laboratory facilities for all types of molecular and chemical approaches to ecological research.
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Dr. Kailen Mooney Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology University of
California 321 Steinhaus Hall Irvine, CA 92697 USA Email: mooneyk@uci.edu Cell:
(607) 351-5653 Skype: kailen_mooney
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Ph. D. Graduate Student Opportunity at Washington University in St. Louis
A position is open for highly motivated Ph. D. graduate students in the lab of Dr. John Orrock in the Department of Biology at Washington University in St. Louis, beginning in August 2008. Lab foci are behavioral ecology and spatial ecology, with emphasis on plant-animal interactions, invasive species, spatial dynamics of predators and prey, conservation biology, and small-mammal ecology. Study systems include the grasslands of California, insular food webs on the Channel Islands, an experimentally fragmented landscape in South Carolina, and the Ozark glades of Missouri.
Prior to application, prospective students should visit www.biology.wustl.edu/faculty/orrock for more details regarding research in the lab. In addition, applicants should consult http://dbbs.wustl.edu/programs/eepb for details regarding applying to the Evolution, Ecology, and Population Biology program at Washington University.
Interested applicants should send a cover letter outlining their research experience and motivation for graduate education, along with a one-page description of future research goals, a curriculum vitae or resume, recent GRE and GPA information, and contact information for three references. In particular, the application should describe how they envision their research interests within the context of research foci in the lab.
Materials should be sent (e-mail preferred) to: John Orrock Biology Department Washington University St. Louis, MO 63130 orrock@wustl.edu
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PhD Graduate Assistantship The Department of Coastal Sciences at the University of Southern Mississippi is requesting applications from highly qualified students for its PhD program in coastal ecosystems with a focus in marine botany. The Department of Coastal Sciences is located at the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory (http://www.usm.edu/gcrl) in Ocean Springs, MS on the Gulf of Mexico. Our research activities center around ecology and life history of a variety of seagrass and saltmarsh species in the Gulf of Mexico region. Plants are used for local coastal restoration projects planned by state and federal agencies as part of Hurricane Katrina recovery activities. Research projects ongoing include aspects of plant reproduction and early life- history, photo-physiology using PAM fluorescence, and population variability. Current research projects can be viewed at: http://www.usm.edu/gcrl/ceg/faculty.php Successful applicants will be provided a full-time Research Assistantship with tuition waiver and stipend of $1650 per month with health insurance included. Candidates should possess a relevant BS degree with experience or MS when applying for the PhD program. The position is available January 2008. Interested individuals should contact: Dr. Patrick Biber Assistant Professor, Marine Botany University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast Research Laboratory 703 East Beach Drive Ocean Springs, MS 39564 tel: +1 (228) 872 4200 email: patrick.biber@usm.edu
The Ecology and Evolution Group at San Francisco State University is offering 13 fellowships for Master's students (M.S.) starting Fall of 2008, funded by the S-STEM program of the National Science Foundation and the Department of Biology at SFSU. Each fellowship recipient will receive $17,000 per year for up to two years.
The Master's degree program in Biology at San Francisco State University (SFSU) is nationally recognized as offering outstanding graduate training in environmental science, ecology, and evolutionary biology and for providing exceptional preparation for PhD programs and the workforce. The Department has been successful in attracting and preparing superb graduate students, and ensuring their placement in top Ph.D. programs across the nation, including the Universities of Virginia, Indiana, Harvard, Texas, and system-wide in the University California. Graduates who have chosen not to pursue a Ph.D. have successfully moved on to positions at government agencies such as the National Park Service and the National Marine Fishery Service, and to non-profits, such as the Nature Conservancy.
With 18 full-time faculty, we have a strong and interactive evolution and ecology group with particular strength in conservation biology, systematics and population biology. Our class sizes are small and students work closely with their advisors on research projects. Opportunities abound for field research in a diverse array of habitats including the Pacific coast, Golden Gate National Recreation Area and Point Reyes National Seashore all within 1-2 hour drives from campus, and the Pacific coast and Sierra Nevada within a 4 hour drive. For more information, please visit our website http://www.sfsu.edu/~biology/pages/sstem2.html.
We strongly encourage interested applicants to make contact with potential faculty advisors early in the application process.
I invite applications from motivated students for work towards a masters degree at the University of Rhode Island beginning in Fall 2008 in the field of community ecology; tri-trophic, predator-prey, and/or plant-herbivore interactions are all of interest. Full funding will be provided either as Research or Teaching assistantships, depending on availability and student background. Applicants should be independent and highly motivated, preferably with academic research and/or field experience. Interested students should look at the following website for specific information on lab-related research: http://cels.uri.edu/preisserlab/index.html
Prospective students should contact me (Evan Preisser, preisser@uri.edu) to discuss potential graduate projects and to set up an interview. Formal department review of applications will begin February 15, 2008, but interested students should contact me well before the application deadline.
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GRADUATE FELLOWSHIPS: Ecological Genomics at Kansas State University
Multiple Graduate Fellowships AVAILABLE for admission in Fall 2008 to join the Ecological Genomics Institute (EGI) at Kansas State University. Research in the EGI works to link responses of living systems to environmental change at the genetic level. The overarching goal of this research initiative is to identify the genes that are involved in organismal responses to the environment.
This Ecological Genomics Institute takes advantage of existing strengths at Kansas State University in genetics and genomics, ecology and evolutionary biology to answer cross-cutting questions that lie at the interface of genomics and ecology. This collaborative research effort crosses disciplines (genetics and ecology) and departments (Agronomy, Biology, Entomology, Plant Pathology, Computing and Information Science). In addition, the EGI takes advantage of experimental manipulations at the Konza Prairie Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) site.
Research and education opportunities exist for Graduate Students to work towards an MS or PhD degree in this large collaborative and interdisciplinary effort. More information about the Kansas State University Ecological Genomics Institute research groups can be found at www.ksu.edu/ecogen. Twenty-eight faculty with interests spanning the diversity of disciplines within ecological genomics are involved in the Ecological Genomics Institute (see below).
The deadline for applications is 15 January 2008.
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Graduate Research Assistantship Plant-Insect Interactions and Biofuels
University of Wisconsin, Madison ____________________
Bioenergy initiatives are re-shaping the fields of agriculture and energy production, but not without ecological and environmental repercussions. A Graduate Research Assistantship (M.S. - Ph.D. or Ph.D.) is anticipated for 2008 (summer/fall) to pursue research at the interface of plant-insect interactions and sustainable biofuel production. This research will evaluate how genetic modifications of poplar - to enhance its potential as a biofuel feedstock - alter its susceptibility to attack by insects. The work will be conducted in collaboration with tree geneticists, and will focus on how specific modifications (tree architecture and chemistry) influence insect feeding preferences, damage rates, and community structure. The research project can be shaped by the RA to address primarily “basic” (e.g., evolutionary ecology) or “applied” perspectives. The University of Wisconsin - Madison is the lead institution of the DOE-funded Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center ($125 million).
Candidates may elect to pursue graduate degrees in either Entomology or Zoology (Ecology).
For more information about the Lindroth research group, visit: http://entomology.wisc.edu/~lindroth/
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 $19,032 (12 mo.), tuition waiver, and excellent medical health plans.
Position available beginning in summer or fall of 2008.
Inquiries: Send preliminary e-mail letter of inquiry, describing research interests and academic qualifications, to:
Dr. Rick Lindroth (Lindroth@entomology.wisc.edu) Dept. of Entomology 237 Russell Labs 1630 Linden Drive University of Wisconsin Madison, WI 53706
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University of Florida: A PhD assistantship is available to study the ecology of Neotropical Savannas (Cerrado). This assistantship is part of an NSF-funded collaboration between Brazilian and US scientists and will begin in August 2008; the selected student will have broad flexibility in developing their thesis research within the overall goals of the project. Potential areas of student research include biogeochemistry/ecosystem ecology, plant-animal interactions, and plant population ecology. Qualifications include (1) a strong background in ecology, botany, or biogeochemistry (2) previous research experience in grasslands or tropical ecosystems and (3) strong quantitative skills. Well-developed interpersonal and communication skills are essential, as are a willingness to learn Portuguese and conduct field work in Brazil. Stipend/Benefits: The research assistantship includes a stipend of $16k with annual increases, tuition waivers, and health insurance. Additional travel and research funds may also be available for students participating in the Tropical Conservation and Development Program <http://www.latam.ufl.edu/tcd/> . Minority students are eligible for supplementary funding provided by the Sloan Foundation, as well as UFL-SEAGEP <http://www.seagep.ufl.edu/> Program. The starting date for the Assistantship is August 2008. Interested students should send a cover letter summarizing their scientific interests, a CV, and GRE scores/percentiles to: Emilio Bruna <http://www.wec.ufl.edu/faculty/brunae/> , Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation <http://www.wec.ufl.edu/> , University of Florida (Email: embruna@ufl.edu). Applications will be accepted until January 15, 2008.
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Graduate Assistantships in Forest Ecology are available for study at the M.S./Ph.D. level in the Department of Environmental and Plant Biology (<http://www.plantbio.ohiou.edu/>http://www.plantbio.ohiou.edu/) at Ohio University (<http://www.ohio.edu/>http://www.ohio.edu/), Athens, OH. The department has 13 full-time faculty, five of whom are affiliated with the Forest Ecology focus group.
General areas of study include: ecophysiology, population biology, community ecology, ecosystem ecology, and landscape ecology. Specific research emphases include: restoration ecology, conservation biology, invasive species biology, and environmental stress. Our ecology group emphasizes research in the eastern deciduous forest (<http://www.plantbio.ohiou.edu/epb/faculty/research/for_ecolindex.htm>http://www.plantbio.ohiou.edu/epb/faculty/research/for_ecolindex.htm).
Detailed information about our graduate programs can be found at <http://www.plantbio.ohiou.edu/epb/grad/graduate.htm>http://www.plantbio.ohiou.edu/epb/grad/graduate.htm. Online application and admissions information can be found at: <http://www.ohio.edu/graduate/apply.cfm>http://www.ohio.edu/graduate/apply.cfm.
Questions concerning graduate study should be directed towards individual faculty. All application materials (including GREs, transcripts, and letters of recommendation) should be received by 15-January-2008 for September (or earlier) admission.
Brian C. McCarthy, Ph.D. Professor of Forest Ecology Dept. of Environmental and Plant Biology 317 Porter Hall Ohio University Athens, OH 45701-2979 USA
eml mccarthy@ohio.edu tel 740-593-1615 fax 740-593-1130 www http://www.plantbio.ohiou.edu/epb/faculty/faculty/bcm.htm
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Graduate Research Assistants, Departments of Biology and Geosciences, Murray State University. Two one-year full-time positions to begin January 2008. Qualifications: B.S. in biology, plant ecology, or related discipline. Previous experience with field and laboratory experiments highly desirable. Responsibilities: To examine and compare the spatial distribution of a successful invasive plant, Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica), and analyze the contributing factors of the invasion, in two ecologically distinct watersheds in Western KY and Western TN, using satellite imagery, global positioning systems (GPS) and geographic information systems (GIS). Salary: about $10,000 per year. To Apply: Email a letter of application, curriculum vitae and the names, addresses, and email addresses of three references to: Dr. Kate He (kate.he@murraystate.edu) or Dr. Robin Zhang (robin.zhang@murraystate.edu). Deadline: December 20, 2007.
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Graduate Assistantships in Community Ecology / Grassland Biodiversity at the University of Kansas (Master's. or Ph.D.)
Research assistantships are available in the lab of Bryan Foster, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Kansas, Lawrence. Motivated students are sought to conduct research in the context of a new NSF project investigating local and regional determinants of grassland community assembly and ecosystem functioning. Students will be involved as collaborators on the project, but will also develop independent avenues of research in plant community or restoration ecology.
Applicants should have an undergraduate degree in Biology or related field. Prior research experience as an undergraduate or master's student is preferred.
To learn more about our research, please visit this website: http://www2.ku.edu/~eeb/faculty/foster.shtml.
To inquire further about graduate assistantships, please contact Bryan L. Foster, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Kansas, Lawrence Kansas, 785-864-4361, bfoster@ku.edu
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Ph.D. GRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANTSHIP is available to investigate the relative importance of fire and mountain pine beetle infestations on population and resource selection of Black-backed Woodpeckers. Student will undertake a radio-tracking project to study movements and resource selection of Black-backed Woodpeckers in the Black Hills, South Dakota. The student will develop a population model to compare woodpecker demographics in burned and mountain pine beetle infestation sites. Candidates must have a M.S. in wildlife science, biology, or a closely related discipline, a GPA > 3.2, and combined verbal and quantitative GRE scores > 1100. Ability to work with a diversity of natural resource professionals, and an interest in wildlife/habitat relationships and quantitative techniques are essential. Stipend includes annual salary of $14,688, a tuition waiver, and research funds. Position is available January 2008 and review of applications begins immediately and continues until the position is filled. Submit a cover letter including a description of work experience and career goals, CV, copies of transcripts and GRE scores (unofficial at this time are acceptable), and the names and contact information of 3 references to Joshua Millspaugh or Dylan Kesler, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences, University of Missouri, 302 Natural Resources Building, Columbia, MO 65211. Email MillspaughJ@missouri.edu or KeslerD@missouri.edu
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GRADUATE OPPORTUNITIES IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY
The Department of Ecology and Evolution at Stony Brook University is recruiting graduate students for Fall 2008. Our graduate program trains students in Ecology, Evolution and Biometry. The following faculty are seeking graduate students for their labs:
H. Resit Akcakaya http://life.bio.sunysb.edu/~akcakaya/ Stephen B. Baines http://life.bio.sunysb.edu/~sbaines/ Michael A. Bell http://life.bio.sunysb.edu/ee/belllab/ David O. Conover http://www.msrc.sunysb.edu/~conover Daneil Dykhuizen http://life.bio.sunysb.edu/dykhuizenlab/ Walter F. Eanes http://life.bio.sunysb.edu/ee/eaneslab/ John G. Fleagle http://gibbon.anat.sunysb.edu/Department/jfleagle.html R. Geeta http://life.bio.sunysb.edu/ee/geeta/ Lev Ginzburg http://life.bio.sunysb.edu/ee/people/ginzbgindex.html Jeffrey Levinton http://life.bio.sunysb.edu/marinebio/levinton.main.html Steve Munch http://msrc.sunysb.edu/people/munch.htm Dianna K Padilla http://life.bio.sunysb.edu/ee/padillalab/padilla/index.htm Massimo Pigliucci www.genotypebyenvironment.org F. James Rohlf http://life.bio.sunysb.edu/morph John J. Wiens http://life.bio.sunysb.edu/ee/wienslab/homepage.html Pat C Wright http://icte.bio.sunysb.edu
For more information regarding the Graduate Program in Ecology and Evolution see:
http://life.bio.sunysb.edu/ee and http://life.bio.sunysb.edu/ee/ee-doct.html
The deadline for receipt of all application materials is January 15. For additional assistance, e-mail our Graduate Program Coordinator, Iris Roth,iroth@notes.cc.sunysb.edu
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Ph.D. Students Wanted! Ecology and evolution of plants and plant-animal interactions
My lab is broadly interested in the ecology and evolution of plants and their communities, often focusing on plant-animal interactions such as herbivory, seed predation, and seed dispersal. We use a combination of field, greenhouse, phylogenetic and molecular genetic approaches. Students are expected to develop their own independent projects (who'd want to miss the fun of doing that?) but will also have opportunities to collaborate on a new NSF-funded investigation of hybridization and adaptation to herbivory in wild sunflowers.
Rice's Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EEB) program boasts an exceptionally active faculty and a dynamic group of graduate students. We also have great facilities, including new molecular labs and a brand-new 3600 sq. ft. greenhouse. Areas of emphasis include interspecific interactions, mutualism, cooperation, herbivory, and invasion biology. Outstanding fellowship-based financial support is available for Ph.D. students.
For more info please contact:
Ken Whitney email: kwhitney@rice.edu personal webpage: http://www.ruf.rice.edu/~kwhitney/ lab webpage: http://www.ruf.rice.edu/%7Eplanteco/index.html
Please also check out the research pages for my colleagues, many of whom are also accepting students: http://eeb.rice.edu/faculty.html
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A MS or PhD student is sought for a new DoD funded project to evaluate wind erosion of soil in disturbed rangelands, at Idaho State University, Pocatello. Our broader research is examining rates of wind erosion, changes in erodibility, and factors affecting erodibility. Studies will be conducted mostly in the field, in participation with a team of geologists, ecologists, and modelers. The selected student will focus on hydroclimatology of wind erosion, including new approaches for measuring surface soil water. Students should be capable of working in the field, and have prior coursework or experience in soils, ecology, and climate instrumentation. Additionally, some exposure to theory and analysis of mass and energy exchange is desirable, such as formal coursework in atmospheric science, soil physics, micrometeorology, geomorphology, or engineering. The position can begin anytime. Interested students can contact Matt Germino, germmatt@isu.edu, 208-282-3285.
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A position for a MS or PhD student is available on a new 3-year project funded by the Department of Energy's National Institute for Climate Change Research. The project will measure and quantify the effects of insect outbreaks on carbon storage in lodgepole pine forests in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem under multiple climate change scenarios. Data collection will occur mostly in the field; the student will measure carbon stocks in forests along an established chronosequence of stands across the Yellowstone landscape. The project also includes a modeling component that will investigate potential feedbacks between insects, carbon storage, and climate change. Students should be resourceful, independent, and motivated to undergo an intensive, complex field-based project in a wilderness area. A strong background and academic record in terrestrial ecology, forest ecosystem dynamics, soil ecology, or natural resources is desired; field research experience is essential. Experience with forest ecosystem ecology and landscape-scale research would be a definite asset.
The student must be accepted into the graduate program of the Department of Biological Sciences at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. Our lab has a broad emphasis on the importance of disturbances for shaping the structure and function of forest ecosystems and landscapes, and is part of a growing ecology contingent within the department. Funding begins in Spring 2008; ideally, the student will begin field research (with full support) in June 2008 before beginning their degree program at Wayne State in Fall 2008. Interested applicants should contact Dr. Dan Kashian at (313) 577-9093 or by email (dkash@wayne.edu).
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GRADUATE STUDY IN PLANT ECOLOGY
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCE ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT, OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY
Two graduate student positions (Ph.D. or M.S.) are available to study rangeland ecosystem ecology. In many rangeland ecosystems, the belowground population of plant meristems (the bud bank) plays a primary role in plant population dynamics, species diversity, stability, and resistance to invasion. Our project will test hypotheses on environmental factors regulating bud bank dynamics and their ecological consequences in rangelands across the Great Plains. This research is funded through USDA collaborative funding with Kansas State University (D.C. Hartnett).
In addition to stipend, benefits include tuition waiver (up to 6 hours per semester) and student health insurance.
Tentative starting date: June 1, 2008.
If interested, please email a letter stating your interest in the program and a resume to:
Dr. Gail Wilson gail.wilson@okstate.edu 008C Agricultural Hall Department of Natural Resource Ecology & Management Oklahoma State University Stillwater, OK 74078 405-744-5539
To apply, see website: http://nrem.okstate.edu/graduatestudents.html
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Opportunities for graduate study in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology
The Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology at Tulane University is recruiting graduate students for admission in Fall 2008. The deparment emphasizes three areas of academic inquiry: tropical biology, wetlands ecology, and global change biology. We prepare our students for a wide range of disciplines, from biology, environmental science, and conservation to law, medicine, and public health.
Prospective students are encouraged to contact the following faculty:
Dr. Hank Bart http://www.museum.tulane.edu/hank/ Dr. Michael Blum http://www.tulane.edu/~mjblum/ Dr. Jeffrey Chambers http://www.tulane.edu/~jchamber/ Dr. Steven Darwin http://www.tulane.edu/~darwin/homepage.htm Dr. Lee Dyer http://www.tulane.edu/~ldyer/ Dr. David Heins http://www.eebio.tulane.edu/people/heins/ Dr. Thomas Sherry http://www.eebio.tulane.edu/people/sherry/
Further information about graduate studies in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology at Tulane University is available at:
http://www.eebio.tulane.edu http://www.eebio.tulane.edu/graduate/
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Graduate Research Assistantships MS and PhD Supervised by Scott Peacor and Jim Bence Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Michigan State University Subject: Aquatic ecology and fisheries research.
We seek PhD and MS students to join a research effort examining how interacting processes ("multiple stressors") affect population and community level patterns. The student will design a project that is part of a larger multidisciplinary study of the ecology of Saginaw Bay (in Lake Huron) that includes biologists and physical scientists from universities and governmental laboratories. Principal goals are to understand how interacting processes affect population and community level patterns, and to compare different modeling approaches. Project goals include both basic and applied questions. We are especially seeking students interested in projects with a (or sole) theoretical/modeling component. Potential modeling approaches include analytical process based and statistical/data analysis models. Starting date is flexible, stipends are competitive based on qualifications, and health and tuition waiver benefits are included.
Interested individuals are encouraged to provide the following materials as soon as possible: (1) cover letter describing general and specific research interests/experiences, and potential start dates. (2) brief statement of professional goals (e.g., plans after finishing the graduate training), (3) resume, (4) transcripts, (5) list of three references (names, email addresses, phone numbers, and postal addresses), and (6) GRE and TOEFL scores. (TOEFL scores are required for applicants whose native language is not English. Photocopies of transcripts and GRE/TOEFL scores are okay initially.) Please email (preferred), mail, or fax all application materials (or inquiries) to:
Scott Peacor Peacor@msu.edu Department of Fisheries and Wildlife 10d Natural Resources Building Michigan State University East Lansing, MI. 48824. USA.
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Support is available for graduate students (MS or PhD) in the areas of ecosystem nutrient cycling and forest dynamics, to start in fall or (preferably) summer 2008.
1. Nutrient concentration and content of litterfall: Litterfall is a very important nutrient flux that is difficult to measure accurately, because the chemistry of leaves changes during senescence. We started a few years ago collecting litter at frequent intervals at the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest in New Hampshire, and analysis of these data awaits a good student. Measuring N and P resorption would also allow tests of hypotheses regarding changes in nutrient limitation as stands age. In addition to Hubbard Brook, we have sites in stands of different ages at the Bartlett Experimental Forest, also in New Hampshire. We are planning to begin fertilization experiments, and following foliar nutrients will be an important part of this effort as well.
2. We are involved in several projects involving health and regeneration dynamics of sugar maple. We are studying factors that might explain why some stands suffer dieback and mortality following defoliation by forest tent caterpillar, while other stands recover. We are also interested in the extent and causes of sugar maple regeneration failures. Both studies will attempt to link soil factors to forest dynamics.
Please contact Heather Engelman <forestecology@esf.edu> for a copy of the relevant research proposal if you are interested in learning more about any of these opportunities.
For other opportunities for research and teaching assistantships in the Faculty of Forest and Natural Resources Management or other departments at ESF, visit our web sites at http://www.esf.edu. Instructions for applying and application forms are also available on line http://web.esf.edu/gweb/. Fellowships are also available to support participation in the National Science Foundation's Graduates in K-12 Education program, linked with the ESF in the High School program (http://www.esf.edu/outreach/esfhs).
Ruth D. Yanai, http://www.esf.edu/for/faculty/yanai.htm Professor, Forest and Natural Resources Management SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, NY 13210 phone: 315 470-6955 fax: 315 470-6954 e-mail: rdyanai@syr.edu
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Make a difference and do graduate work that contributes to conservation = and basic ecology. I have openings in my lab for students (1 M.S. and 1 = Ph.D.) interested in conducting research on the conservation and ecology = of the Hine's emerald dragonfly (Somatochlora hineana). The Hine's = emerald dragonfly is a federally-listed endangered species that occurs = at a limited number of sites in the Midwestern United States. The = species has a number of unique ecological and behavioral attributes = (www.usd.edu/biol/DanSoluk.htm). Its ecology is closely linked to = groundwater dynamics. It also has a complex relationship with one of = its predators (the devil crayfish, Cambarus diogenes). Opportunities = exist for research on the behavior and ecology of either the adult or = larval stages, as part of an ongoing research program that includes = habitat restoration and creation. Students with interests in wetland = hydrology or crayfish ecology will also be considered. Research is = conducted primarily in the Chicago area and in Door County, Wisconsin. = Support will be primarily in the form of Research Assistantships.
I am most interested in self-motivated students that are able to conduct = independent research, and that have an active interest in both basic and = applied ecology. If you are interested in conducting research that may = play a vital role in saving this rare and unusual dragonfly, contact = Daniel A. Soluk, Dept. of Biology, The University of South Dakota, = dsoluk@usd.edu <mailto:dsoluk@usd.edu> .
Daniel A. Soluk, Assoc. Prof. Dept. of Biology University of South Dakota 414 East Clark St. Vermillion, SD 57069 ph. 605 677-6172
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A PhD candidate is sought for a fully funded three year position in New Zealand, researching the effects of climate change on parasitoid-host food web structure. Please see attachment for details.
Dr. Jason M. Tylianakis Lecturer in terrestrial ecology School of Biological Sciences University of Canterbury Private bag 4800 Christchurch 8020 New Zealand email: jason.tylianakis@canterbury.ac.nz Ph: +64 3 3642735 Fax: +64 3 3642590 http://www.biol.canterbury.ac.nz/people/tylianakis.shtml
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Research Assistantship (1 or 2 available at MS level): Fresno River Watershed Assessment (Madera County, CA)
One or two MS-level research assistantships are available starting in the summer or fall 2008 at California State University-Fresno (Fresno State). Students will participate in a collaborative project with the goal of using past and current stream monitoring to identify watershed functions and processes that are most compromised by current watershed activities and most at risk with future development.
Priorities for a student thesis within the project include bioassessment using macroinvertebrates or microbial indicators of septic infiltration, but other theses based on hydrology and/or water chemistry within a watershed context may be considered. Assistantship duties will include supervising stream sampling field crews and laboratory processing of macroinvertebrate samples in addition to the thesis.
Successful applicants should demonstrate evidence of being able to work collaboratively, but also independently, as well as the ability to effectively supervise undergraduate technicians. Experience with data analysis including multivariate techniques is desirable. Presentations at conferences and publication is expected. Depending on the number of students on the project, one or two years of support of at least $15,000 is available. The assistantships will be largely supported through a research grant, but may also include a teaching assistantship and internal support.
Fresno is a relatively affordable area in central California at the base of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Yosemite National Park is 50mi north of Fresno, and of two other national parks are within 1.5hrs drive. Monterey (on the coast) is approximately 2.5hrs west.
To apply, send an e-mail message (and attachments) describing research interests and career goals; names, phone numbers, and email addresses of 3 references; academic history and GRE scores to Dr. Steve Blumenshine: sblumens@csufresno.edu Phone: 559-278-8770; Address: Biology Dept. M/S SB73, CSU-Fresno, Fresno, CA 93740.
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