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Sunday, March 06, 2011

REU summer fellowship, Marine Ecology

A Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) summer fellowship is open at the Marine Science Institute, University of California Santa Barbara. Duration is 12 weeks, June 3-Aug 29, although these dates can be somewhat flexible to accommodate academic schedules. We invite applications from qualified, highly motivated undergraduate students from U.S. colleges/universities to participate in a 12-week lab and field based summer research experience. U.S. citizenship is required.

The student will be involved with an NSF-funded project on the use of particulate organic matter by marine suspension feeders. The main objective of the project is to determine the relative importance of phytoplankton and kelp detritus to the diet of benthic suspension feeders on reefs off the California coast. The student will learn ecological and biochemical methods to explore this topic, and will be required to write a report, in the format of a scientific paper, and give a presentation on their project at the end of the summer. Travel costs to and from UCSB will be covered, and the student will be provided with a $500/week stipend for living expenses. This is a full-time commitment and any work or educational activities outside the program must be approved.

Eligibility

You are eligible if you are an undergraduate student who has completed at least two years of study towards a bachelor's degree, and you will still be an undergraduate in the fall after the summer program. Students from underrepresented groups and institutions with limited research opportunities are especially encouraged to apply. Experience with scientific diving is desirable but not required. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the U.S. and its possessions. The University of California is an equal opportunity employer and educator.

Application

Interested applicants should send a statement of interest, resume, unofficial transcript, one letter of recommendation, and contact information for one additional reference. The statement of interest should be less than 500 words and include the following information: (i) professional goals,

(ii) interest in position, and (iii) relevant experience. Send application materials, preferably in one PDF or Word file, to Robert Miller (miller@msi.ucsb.edu). You may also send all application materials in hard copy by non-electronic mail service to: Robert Miller, Marine Science Institute, UCSB, Santa Barbara CA 93601-6150. Either method of application is fine as we understand some applicants may have limited electronic access. The letter of recommendation should be sent directly from the recommender (please include the applicants name in the subject line for emails). Incomplete applications will not be considered. Applications will be accepted through April 1, 2011.

Graduate Student positions in Stable Isotope Ecology

Impacts of climate and land-use on food-web structure and energy Flow in prairie lakes

I am looking for two highly motivated graduate students at the MSc or PhD level to take on two new projects related to food-web structure and energy flow in prairie lakes. Prairie lakes are extremely dynamic and diverse systems. At the same time these lakes are very susceptible to multiple stressors including climate, land use, and management practices. Future projects will include whole-lake experiments to study the interactions of increasing salinity and fish predation. As part of this study, metabolic activity will be assessed by analyzing concentrations and stable isotopes of dissolved oxygen and dissolved inorganic carbon to quantify the relative importance of climate and land-use for the increasing frequency of winterkill in prairie lakes.

Students with an interest in aquatic ecology and stable isotope technology are encouraged to apply. The successful applicants are expected to participate in field collections and laboratory analyses, including microscopy and stable isotope analysis. Financial support of $18,000 yr-1 will be provided though a combination of research and teaching assistantships. Starting date of the positions is negotiable, but will be no later than fall 2011.

The Department of Biology at the University of Regina has emerged as a center for research and teaching excellence, providing quality undergraduate teaching, graduate student training, and postdoctoral fellow mentorship. In addition to its modern facilities for advanced molecular and environmental research, the Department of Biology is home to several of the top scientists in ecological, environmental, and cellular and molecular biology.

For further information, please contact Björn Wissel at:

Dr. Björn Wissel
Adjunct Professor, Dept. of Biology; EQAL Manager, Faculty of Science
University of Regina, 265.2 Lab Building, Regina, SK S4S 0A2, Canada
phone: 306 585-4890, fax: 306 337-2410, e-mail: bjoern.wissel@uregina.ca
http://www.uregina.ca/biology/index.php?page=faculty/Wissel2
www.uregina.ca/science/eqal

Monday, January 24, 2011

M.S. in Watershed Sciences--Stream and Riparian Biodiversity

Graduate Research Assistant, Watershed Studies Institute, Murray State University. One full-time position to begin May 2011. Qualifications: B.S. in biology, ecology, or related discipline. Previous experience with field experiments and stream/riparian ecosystems highly desirable. Responsibilities: To conduct research on the effects of stream restoration on stream and riparian biodiversity while completing a M.S. degree in Watershed Science. This project is fully funded, including travel to field sites in Colorado. Salary: Approx. $14,400 per year. Other benefits include housing at the Hancock Biological Station (Murray) and High Lonesome Ranch (Colorado). To Apply:

Email a letter of application, curriculum vitae and the names and email addresses of three references to Dr. Howard Whiteman (howard.whiteman@murraystate.edu). Deadline: February 15, 2011. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply. Murray State University is an equal education and employment opportunity, M/F/D, AA employer.

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

PhD study in environmental fluid dynamics

The Faculty 7: Natural and Environmental Sciences invites applications for a PhD position (part time 75%) at the Institute for Environmental Sciences at the Campus Landau/Pfalz, Germany.
The appointment is for 3 years and salary will be according to 75% of the German public service salary scale TV-L 13.

Topic: The PhD study investigates fluid mixing and transport around swimming zooplankton organisms using particle image velocimetry and laser-induced fluorescence techniques. The candidate is expected to develop, conduct and to analyze laboratory experiments and to publish the results. The study is funded by the German Research Foundation. As a member of the environmental physics group, the PhD candidate will have access to state of the art instrumentation and will work within the young and interdisciplinary team of researchers at the Institute for Environmental Sciences.

Requirements: The successful candidate holds a degree (M.Sc, M.Eng, Diploma) in a relevant field (e.g., physics, environmental engineering, or biology), has a strong background in fluid mechanics, and is fluent in English language. She/he is interest in interdisciplinary research at the interface between hydromechanics and aquatic ecology/zoology, has the necessary practical skills and creativity for developing experimental designs and corresponding analyses techniques.
Please contact Prof. Dr. A. Lorke (lorke@uni-landau.de) for further information.

It is the policy of the University Koblenz-Landau to increase the percentage of female employees. If equally qualified, preference will be given to female applicants. Disabled candidates are given priority, if equally qualified. International candidates are highly encouraged to apply.
Applications should include a letter of motivation and a complete curriculum vitae. Please send your application before 13 February 2011 using the reference number Ld. 45/2010 to the following address: Andreas Lorke, Universität Koblenz-Landau, Institut für Umweltwissenschaften, Fortstraße 7, D-76829 Landau, Germany.

Graduate Student Position in Phytoplankton Ecophysiology/Molecular Biology

A graduate student position in the Department of Marine Sciences at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is available within the Marchetti Lab, specializing in the ecophysiology and molecular biology of marine phytoplankton.

The candidate will conduct laboratory and field experiments investigating the development of molecular indicators to determine the physiological status of a variety of marine phytoplankton. Environmental factors to be tested include variations in nutrient and trace metal concentrations and light as well as other parameters that will be influenced by future climate change.

All highly motivated candidates with a degree in oceanography, biology or related fields are encouraged to apply. Prior experience in trace-metal clean phytoplankton culturing, using molecular techniques and performing field experiments, and/or knowledge about phytoplankton ecology and physiology would be an asset. Familiarity with computer programming languages such as R and SQL would also be beneficial.

The position will commence in the summer/fall of 2011. Further details about the research conducted in the Marchetti Lab can be found at the following website: http://marchettilab.web.unc.edu. Requests for more information should be directed to Dr. Adrian Marchetti (amarchetti@unc.edu). Candidates interested in applying for this position are encouraged to contact Dr. Marchetti by e-mail or by phone (919-843-3473). This position will remain open until filled.

University of Florida Water Institute PhD Fellowship

The University of Florida Water Institute seeks applicants for up to 6 Ph.D. Fellows to join an interdisciplinary team working on complex, emerging issues related to nutrient dynamics, management and policy in watersheds. The 4-year fellowships include a $25,000 stipend, tuition waiver and health insurance.

Fellows will explore interdisciplinary research issues affecting watershed management in the face of EPA’s new nutrient criteria for Florida waters. We seek students who have: 1) an interest in integrative, cross-disciplinary research, 2) a passion for understanding interactions between human and natural systems, and 3) an eagerness to develop research in one facet of the program, i.e. nutrient best management practices, hydrologic processes, riverine nutrient processing, ecological consequences of nutrient enrichment, paleolimnology, environmental policy and governance, and systems modeling.

Fellows will be supported by an internal research grants program and will benefit from international field experiences and integrative activities that enhance interdisciplinary skills. Applicants must have a Masters degree in natural sciences, social sciences or engineering with strong demonstrated interest in water issues.

For more information and the online application visit http://waterinstitute.ufl.edu/WIGF or contact Wendy Graham, Director of the UF Water Institute at wgraham@ufl.edu, or 352-392-5893 x2113. Applications are due by 2/11/2011.