MS Graduate Research Assistantship in Ecology || Utah State University

The Lake Ecology Laboratory is looking for a curious and driven MS student to join us in beautiful Logan, Utah to explore the ecology and conservation of fishes throughout the Intermountain West.

More than 20% of the world’s freshwater fishes are either extinct or in decline with more than 35% of the freshwater fishes in the United States classified as either imperiled or extinct. In the western United States, invasive species have been recognized as the agent limiting the recovery of 60% of the imperiled fishes. June sucker (shown below) are endemic to Utah Lake, UT (shown above) and are one such imperiled fish species. A recent invasion by an apex predator fish species, northern pike, is raising concerns about the impact of this invasion on June sucker recovery efforts and the future food web structure of this ecosystem. The overarching goal of this study is to determine whether northern pike predation will negatively impact the efforts to restore and protect June sucker. We will evaluate the threat of northern pike predation on the recovery and survival of June sucker in Utah Lake and identify ways, if possible, to mitigate this potential threat.

Responsibilities: 

• The prospective graduate student will develop their field-based MS thesis within the overall framework of this study. 
• The student will have opportunities test whether a northern pike invasion influences the restoration of endangered June sucker using descriptive statistics, statistical models, and biological models.

Qualifications: 

Assistant Prof of Tropical Conservation Biology at University of California, Davis

Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation Biology, University of California, Davis is looking for a assistant prof of Tropical Conservation Biology.

Responsibilities: 

1. The successful applicant will develop a vigorous, extramurally-funded research program that addresses anthropogenic change in tropical ecosystems from an ecological, evolutionary, or behavioral perspective, and use a scientific and practical approach to finding ways to slow species extinctions or loss of ecosystems. 
2. The ideal candidate would have strong ties to the international academic research and non-governmental conservation communities that could be leveraged to create student opportunities for training, research, and collaboration, and promote representation of students from tropical developing countries at UC Davis. High quality research is valued in the department. 
3. The appointee will be expected to develop an undergraduate course in tropical biology or tropical conservation and will be expected to share responsibility in other departmental teaching needs and develop additional coursework in his/her area of expertise. Collegiality and good teaching are valued highly in the department, and the appointee will be expected to participate in committee work, service, undergraduate and graduate advising, and other tasks that are shared by department faculty. 
4. This position is offered at the tenure-track ASSISTANT PROFESSOR level, with academic year (9-month) term employment.

 

Qualifications: 

1. Ph.D. degree in Biological Sciences or related disciplines. 
2. Evidence of research excellence in the discipline of conservation biology in the tropics. Interest in developing a research program in tropical conservation. Interest in recruiting, training, or collaborating with individuals from outside the US who can contribute to conservation in tropical countries. 
3. Evidence of the potential for excellence in teaching at both the undergraduate and graduate level (e.g., experience, awards, course reviews, letters from colleagues). 
4. Demonstrated oral and written communication skills, including the ability to present information to non-scientific and public audiences. 
5. Evidence of collegiality and professional service consistent with departmental, campus, and professional citizenship. 
6. Evidence of ability and interest in training/mentoring graduate and undergraduate students.

Assistant Prof of Climate Change Ecology at University of California Davis || USA

Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation Biology, University of California, Davis has announced vacancy for assistant prof position in climate change ecology.

Responsibilities: 

1. The successful applicant will work in the area of the effects of climate change on biological systems (research could be focused on species, population, and/or community and ecosystem level questions).
2. Research could focus on changes in phenology and resulting effects on species interactions (e.g., disease, food web interactions) and distributions, or climate change resilience and adaptation. 
3. Species distribution modeling and climate change vulnerability assessment are also potential areas of research. 
4. The successful candidate must demonstrate a willingness, and capacity, to translate research outputs to resource management. This includes, but is not restricted to, engaging with domestic or international resource management entities (agencies or NGO’s) to develop scientific questions that will answer resource management needs. 
5. The successful candidate is expected to fully participate in the Environmental Policy Master’s (EPM) program, and the position will carry a teaching responsibility in the program. The EPM degree is a non-research, experiential MS program where groups of students address complex environmental problems from multiple perspectives (legal, economic, political, social, technological, scientific) to address policy alternatives. 
6. The climate change ecologist position will be expected to participate in the program by identifying appropriate environmental problems, assembling appropriate disciplinary experts, and leading student group problem assessments. 
7. The candidate needs to be an enthusiastic and engaged scientist, able to work effectively with diverse interest groups and provide the science leadership. 
8. The appointee will also teach undergraduate courses on biology and conservation consistent with the appointee’s expertise. 
9. The candidate will contribute to the department’s mission, as well as participate in departmental team-taught courses. Departmental service, collegiality, and excellence in teaching are highly valued in WFCB, and the appointee will be expected to participate in committee work, service, undergraduate and graduate advising, and other responsibilities that are shared by department faculty. This position is offered at the tenure-track ASSISTANT PROFESSOR level, with academic year (9-month) term employment.

Qualifications:  

Graduate Assistantships Available in Great Plains Fish Ecology, Spring 2014‏

Three research assistantships (PhD and MS) are available for spring semester, 2014, to work on patterns, drivers, and consequences of fish distribution and movement in Great Plains streams, rivers, and reservoirs. These opportunities interface basic ecology and applied fisheries/watershed management within a very active ecology community at Kansas State University in cooperation with progressive and interactive state resource managers.

Within the scope of the two funded projects, students will develop a basic ecology research project with management implications.  These funded research areas are: (1) Controls on predator survival and related ecosystem effects, and (2) Coupled climate, cultivation, culture, and fish communities.  More details are included on the attached flyer.

Projects will start January 1, 2014. The stipend is $21,000 per calendar year plus a tuition waiver. Applications received before October 15, 2013 will have the best chance for acceptance.

Interested applicants should send me, via email, a CV; an unofficial copy of transcript(s); a 1-2 page letter describing career goals, research interests, and relevant experience; and names (with contact information) for 3 references.

Applicants will also need to formally apply to the graduate program within the Division of Biology at Kansas State University
http://www.k state.edu/biology/Gradsite/Content/adandfinancialsupport.html

Senior Wildlife Biologist position available in Wyoming, USA

Working Title: Sr Wildlife Biologist

(Recruitment ID: FWWB10-22162)

FULL HIRING RANGE: $4,569.00 - $5,375.00 per month CLOSING DATE: 09/13/2013
DEPARTMENT: Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Wildlife
LOCATION: Saratoga
CLASS CODE: FWWB10
FLSA: Exempt

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF WORK: Provides habitat services to private landowners and land managers to increase the quantity and quality of fish and wildlife habitat. This will be accomplished through partnerships with landowners, public land managers (BLM, USFS, and NRCS), various conservation groups, sage grouse local working groups, the Platte Valley Habitat Partnership, and others.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Develop work schedules, plans, and budgets to accomplish goals and objectives of the WGFD Strategic Habitat Plan, regional habitat priorities, and the habitat extension program within a region.
• Coordinate with WGFD, NRCS, BLM, U.S. Forest Service, private land owners, sage grouse local working groups and other state and federal land management personnel to enhance wildlife habitat through the Platte Valley Habitat Partnership and other cooperative work groups.
• Plan and develop funding proposals, coordinate and implement cooperative habitat projects to optimize carrying capacity for wildlife, especially mule deer.
• Evaluate wildlife habitat/range conditions, collect data, and recommend management or projects to improve terrestrial and aquatic wildlife habitat.
• Evaluate habitat, analyze data, make recommendations for management or improvements, and suggest actions to minimize loss of habitat on public and private lands.
• Enhance wildlife habitat by providing assistance to private land owners and public land managers through USDA Farm Bill Programs and other conservation group funding and partnerships, including a newly-established Game & Fish Commission habitat fund in support of the Platte Valley Habitat Partnership.
• Evaluate past wildlife habitat improvement projects to determine effectiveness of meeting goals and objectives.
• Enhance public awareness and knowledge of the value of healthy habitats and the need to maintain diverse, productive, and sustainable watersheds to meet wildlife needs.
• Prepare interim and final reports on special projects, complete annual strategic habitat plan reports, and routine reports as needed.
• Represent WGFD at public informational meetings. Interact with the public and landowners to promote WGFD and other partner programs.
• Attend WGFD and other partner-sponsored training to keep current with techniques and issues of importance in the management of wildlife in Wyoming.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• Knowledge of habitat and rangeland management, ecological plant succession, and grazing management.
• Ability to become proficient in managing sagebrush communities.
• Ability to plan and develop funding proposals, track budgets, implement and monitor results of habitat enhancements.
• Understanding of big game ecology, management, and habitat requirements.
• Knowledge of riparian, wetland, and watershed management and development.
• Knowledge of the principles of wildlife habitat data collection and habitat conservation.
• Knowledge of native Wyoming plant identification and management; management, protection, propagation, and conservation of fish, wildlife, and habitat.
• Well-developed communication skills (written and oral).
• Excellent interpersonal skills and a demonstrated ability to work as a team member to accomplish goals; skills and ability to learn new computer software packages including Microsoft, ArcView and Arc GIS.

 PREFERENCES: 

Preference will be given to those with a bachelor's degree in wildlife habitat, range or watershed management, ecology, biology, PLUS four years of professional work experience in wildlife habitat, watershed, or rangeland management; OR a master's degree in wildlife habitat, range or watershed management, ecology, biology, PLUS two years of professional work experience in wildlife habitat, watershed, or rangeland management.

Must have a valid driver's license.

*Please view the Class Specifications (Class Code FWWB10) and the State required Minimum Qualifications for this vacancy at:http://statejobs.state.wy.us/lookup.aspx

APPLICATIONS:
For more information or to apply online go to http://statejobs.state.wy.us/JobSearchDetail.aspx?ID=22162 or submit a State of Wyoming Employment Application to the Human Resource Division, Emerson Building, 2001 Capitol Avenue, Cheyenne, WY 82002-0060, Phone: (307)777-7188, Fax: (307)777-6562, along with transcripts of any relevant course work. The State of Wyoming is an Equal Opportunity Employer and actively supports the ADA and reasonably accommodates qualified applicants with disabilities. No notice of eligibility will be sent to applicants who meet the minimum qualifications.