ecology @ guelph's ecoblog

MSc studentship (Regina)

M.Sc. position: urban and agricultural birds as sentinels of environmental health. We are looking for a motivated and dynamic graduate student to spearhead new research that combines bird behaviour and microbiology. The objective of the research is to examine factors affecting the incidence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and human pathogens carried by pigeons and gulls in a variety of habitats and circumstances. The research will involve field capture of birds and radio-telemetry, as well as extensive microbiology lab work. Applicants should have an undergraduate degree in biology or related science, and a keen interest in animal behaviour, the environment, and factors that affect human and wildlife health. Experience in field and laboratory research is a strong asset, but not a requirement. The successful candidate will be joining a collaborative team lead by two Canada Research Chairs, and would ideally be available to begin in January or May of 2010.

Please send a current CV and unofficial transcripts (e-mail preferred) to Dr. Christopher Somers and Dr. Christopher Yost, University of Regina, Department of Biology, Regina, SK, Canada, S4S 0A2; chris.somers@uregina.ca, chris.yost@uregina.ca.

Graduate Studentship (Western)

MSc/PhD Studentship:
Evolutionary Physiology/ Evolutionary Ecology of Insect Cold Tolerance

The Sinclair lab at the University of Western Ontario seeks a creative, motivated and evolutionary-minded MSc or PhD student to start in 2010. Research will fall within the general theme of insect cold tolerance, preferably with a strong evolutionary slant. Projects could be largely physiological or ecological (or a combination thereof), and may include insects from the wild or a multi-species Drosophila system we have established in the lab.

The Sinclair lab is medium-sized, vibrant and social, and we aim to perform excellent science while having fun. The lab is exceptionally well-resourced for insect low temperature biology in an evolutionary/ecological context thanks to recent CFI infrastructure grants, uses techniques from molecular to macroecological, and has active collaborations with researchers in France, the UK, the USA, South Africa and New Zealand, with potential for lab or field work in those countries. The Biology Department at the University of Western Ontario is a research-intensive department with over 150 students in the graduate programme. The Universitys picturesque campus is located in London, Ontario (pop. 370,000), close to both large cities and rural areas. UWO provides competitive bursaries and Teaching Assistantships to both Canadian and non-Canadian students.

This position will suit students with a background in ecology, physiology, evolutionary biology or entomology (and preferably an interest in all four!). Please email Dr Brent Sinclair to initiate informal discussions.

Graduate studentship available (Queen's)

Graduate Student Position in Community Ecology Funding is currently available to support a graduate student (M. Sc. or Ph.D.) working with Dr. Lonnie Aarssen (Queen's University) and Dr. Brandon Schamp (Algoma University). The student will be based at Queen's University. We are looking for an enthusiastic, motivated, and curious student to work with us as we try to understand the mechanistic underpinnings of natural patterns in plant biodiversity. In particular, we are interested in developing a project with a graduate student that addresses the relative contributions of competition and dispersal to plant communities. We encourage applications from those interested in natural history, field research, and computational biology to apply. Interested applicants may contact Dr. Aarssen (aarssenl@queensu.ca) and/or Dr. Schamp (brandon.schamp@algomau.ca).

MSc Studentship (Sherbrooke)

M.Sc. Scholarship in Terrestrial Ecology on Anticosti Island

(January 2010 – December 2011)

Description

A two year scholarship (16,000 $/yr) in terrestrial ecology is offered at Université de Sherbrooke (Québec, Canada), starting January 1st 2010. Near Infra-Red Spectroscopy (NIRS) is an analytical method used to characterize the chemical composition of materials based on the diffuse reflection of photons in the 800-2500 nm range. The project will attempt to correlate the chemical composition of various ecological materials (soils, vegetation, feces) and resource utilisation patterns by white-tailed deer on Anticosti Island. These data will be applicable to ecological and resource management issues on the Island and elsewhere. The student will be co-supervised by Dr. Jean-Pierre Tremblay from Laval University, and will be sponsored by the Centre d'Étude de la Forêt (CEF) and the Centre d'Études Nordiques (CEN). Students holding external scholarships from NSERC or FQRNT will receive an additional 5,000 $.

Qualifications

Ideally, the candidate should:

• be able to converse in French;
• have broad background knowledge in terrestrial ecology;
• have completed a B.Sc. degree (or equivalent) in a related area before January 2010;
• have prior research training;
• perform sampling work in the field, chemical analyses in the laboratory and statistical analyses of data sets;
• he/she is expected to write and prepare scientific manuscripts for publication.

Please send an electronic copy of your CV to Professor Robert Bradley at the following address : Robert.Bradley@USherbrooke.ca

Three studentships at Windsor

The VanLaerhoven laboratory within the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Windsor invites applications for two M.Sc. and 1 Ph.D. student openings.

The VanLaerhoven laboratory examines questions of food web interactions between insects, co-existence of species, foraging and movement decisions of natural enemies and community dynamics and assembly with respect to applications in agriculture, forestry and forensic science.

The successful M.Sc. candidates will conduct research in the areas of either:
1) waste management technology with Black Soldier Flies, or 2) mechanisms of community assembly relating to Forensic Entomology.

The successful Ph.D. candidate will conduct research in the area of understanding mechanisms of omnivory in multiple resource based systems.

Candidates must have an undergraduate or master's degree in a biological or related discipline.  Preference will be given to applicants with entomology and ecology coursework or experience.

Applications will include:

• A letter of application, describing the applicant's relevant experience, including a statement of citizenship/immigration status
• A detailed and current curriculum vitae
• Undergraduate and Graduate (if applicable) transcripts
• Three current letters of reference, forwarded by the referees, or in sealed envelopes with signatures across the seal. To ensure full consideration, complete applications should be submitted by June 1, 2009 to: Dr. Sherah VanLaerhoven Rm 119 Bio, Dept. of Biological Sciences University of Windsor, 401 Sunset Ave, Windsor ON N9B 3P4 Office: (519)253-3000 x2713 email: vanlaerh@uwindsor.ca

Applications may still be received after the deadline date. If you are unable to submit the application by the deadline date, you should contact and alert Dr. VanLaerhoven that you intend to submit an application after the deadline date. If you are viewing the advertisement after the deadline date, you should contact Dr. VanLaerhoven to find out the status of the search and discuss the possibility of submitting an application. The acceptance of a late submission is at the discretion of Dr. VanLaerhoven.

Naturalist / Expedition Leader

Natural Habitat Adventures

Expedition Leaders on Natural Habitat Adventures’ (NHA) expeditions serve as guides/naturalists to small groups of travelers (appx 9-15 per group) visiting areas of abundant wildlife or other natural phenomena.  In line with our philosophy of continual improvement, NHA expects our Expedition Leaders to strive to raise the standard of ecotourism and conservation.  In most cases, a commitment to work the full season in a given destination is necessary.  This is an independent contractor position. 

RESPONSIBILITIES

Sample responsibilities of this position may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Provide interpretation of the wildlife, culture and natural history of area visited.  Explain the unique ecology of the area and any interesting features. Share facts and interesting anecdotes about what the group is viewing.  Educate the entire group.
• Uphold the highest regard for the safety of our travelers in light of adverse weather conditions and the potential dangers of wildlife encounters.
• Prepare and present evening programs such as slide shows on topics relevant to the arctic and/or its wildlife.
• Coordinate with local vendors and guides to ensure a smooth and consistent client experience.  This may include confirming operations such as hotels, transfers, meals, flights, activities, etc.  Communicate with the local operations team and/or the home office on any missing items and potential improvements. 
• Maintain current knowledge of the area visited: its wildlife, its culture, climate issues, other influences affecting the destination. Read recent articles, books, etc.
• Ensure that the presence of our travelers does not cause harm to the animals or the environment.  Help preserve the environment through education and sound eco-tourism principles.
• Ensure the well-being and comfort of the clients, including but not limited to, assisting in food serving, group transportation, passenger special needs assistance.  Demonstrate courtesy and helpfulness at all times.
• Represent NHA as a fully trained, professional staff member.  Read NHA brochures/website to keep current on our trip offerings and other involvements. 
• Complete all paperwork in a timely and accurate manner.
• Participate in Guide Training sessions as scheduled.

REQUIREMENTS

Education/Experience:  Bachelor's degree with major course work in the natural sciences or
related field.  Proven experience leading group travel required.  Must possess a background related to bears or large carnivores.  Must have a demonstrated passion for travel/tourism, environmental responsibility, and nature/wildlife. 

Knowledge, skills, and abilities:
Knowledge of the biology of the fauna and flora in the area visited (see below for specifics.)  Knowledge of the region’s ecology, natural history, and culture highly desirable - must learn if not already knowledgeable.  Fluency in oral and written English.  Ability to memorize and recall facts, figures and information.  Ability to make independent decisions and respond to immediate needs of guests, emergency situations, and program needs.  Ability to walk on uneven terrain (occasionally while assisting others), tolerate adverse weather conditions and lift heavy objects.  Ability to work long hours to include early mornings, late evenings, weekends and holidays.  Excellent communication, interpersonal and organizational skills.  High levels of integrity, maturity, patience and enthusiasm.  Must be able to adapt to changing and flexible responsibilities.  Ability to work individually and as part of a team.  Current CPR and First Aid Certificates are required.

POSITIONS IN CANADA

• Polar Bear Adventures: Winnipeg and Churchill, Manitoba; early October to late November.  Requires knowledge of polar bear biology and familiarity with other arctic wildlife.  Knowledge of marine mammals and Aurora Borealis is a plus. 
• British Columbia Expeditions, Tweedsmuir Lodge, Chilko Lake Lodge and Great Bear Rainforest (boat-based); August and September.  Requires knowledge of bears and familiarity with other BC wildlife.  Knowledge of marine mammals is a plus on the lodge-based trips and a must on the boat-based trip in the Great Bear Rainforest. 
• Discover Newfoundland Expeditions, St. John’s, Gros Morne, Trinity and St. Bride’s, Newfoundland; Early July to early August.  Requires knowledge of sea birds and familiarity with other North Atlantic wildlife.  Knowledge of marine mammals is a plus.   

ABOUT NATURAL HABITAT ADVENTURES

Natural Habitat Adventures has been perfecting the art of nature expedition for over 20 years.  Operating ethically and responsibly in the areas where we run our trips and in our own community has always been a crucial component of our core ideology.  Our adventures take travelers off-the-beaten path where they can experience our planet's greatest natural wonders, such as observing mountain gorillas in a rainforest, viewing polar bears on the arctic tundra, exploring the Galapagos Islands from an intimate yacht, or any number of other enriching wildlife and nature encounters. For more information about Natural Habitat Adventures, see www.nathab.com. 

CONTACT

To apply, please send a cover letter and resume, to jobs@nathab.com or mail to P.O. Box 3065, Boulder, CO 80307.  NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE.  Applicants will be contacted in the event we wish to pursue your candidacy.

MSc position (Trent)

Applied Conservation Genetics

The plant evolution and population genetics group at Trent University seeks a highly motivated and productive graduate student to start work on May 1, 2009, on a research project on the conservation genetics of Hill's thistle in Ontario. This project is co-funded by the World Wildlife Fund and Ontario Species at Risk and, through collaboration with agencies such as the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Parks Canada, aims to inform management decisions on future population and habitat protection. The project will involve some field work, although the majority of research will be based on laboratory genetic work; applicants should therefore have an overall interest in conservation biology, plus a willingness to work in both the field and the lab.

Applicants should send a letter with a statement of research interests and relevant experience, curriculum vitae with a list of publications (if any), copies of academic qualifications, and the names and e-mail addresses of three referees as a single file to Joanna Freeland

MSc studentship (Waterloo)

MSc Studentship (2009-2011) Modelling Emerald Ash Borer survival

The University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada

Come to Waterloo to study the probability of overwintering by Emerald Ash Borer, an invasive beetle that is devastating ash trees in Southwestern Ontario. You will learn to create models that predict the probability of temperature extremes in the underbark microclimate using weather station data. You will interact closely with other members of the project, including physiological ecologists at the University of Western Ontario and foresters in London, Ontario, as they make an important contribution towards the management of this potentially devastating pest. The ideal candidate will have a B.Sc. (Hons.) or equivalent with a background in entomology, ecology, physiology, mathematics, or statistics. Required skills include: mathematical aptitude, a strong desire to learn how to create models, experience with programming, some research experience, and willingness to do some field work. Preferred personal attributes include: a friendly attitude, willingness to work a full work week, and a desire to interact with other members of the Biology department.

Your supervisor will be Kim Cuddington, a theoretical ecologist who focuses on the effects of both physical environmental structure and temporal environmental variation on population dynamics. Related research projects in the lab include: developing models to predict the spread rate of invasive species, predicting the spatial-temporal pattern of insect outbreak dynamics, and determining the effect of small scale spatial structure on insect population dynamics.

Informal communication with Dr. Cuddington is welcome. Please note that the home location for the position is at the University of Waterloo and successful candidate must meet the criteria for entry into the Biology graduate program at Waterloo. More information about graduate studies at Waterloo can be found at http://www.grad.uwaterloo.ca/students/prospective/recruit/brochure08.pdf.

To Apply: Please email Dr. Kim Cuddington a CV, a description of your research interests and experience, unofficial transcripts, and the names and contact details of three referees. The successful candidate will begin their program in May 2009. Review of applications will continue until a suitable candidate is found.

Additional Information: Please note that this position does not involve genetics or molecular biology, and I am therefore not looking for someone with extensive experience in these areas!

Graduate Studentship at North Carolina State University

Dr. Marc Johnson’s lab of Evolutionary Ecology (www.evoeco.org) at North Carolina State University is accepting applications for graduate school in the Department of Plant Biology. North Carolina State University offers broad training in ecology and evolution and is ideally suited for students interested in interdisciplinary research that incorporates both lab and field components. Students will have the opportunity to interact with colleagues across multiple departments including Biology, Entomology, Genetics, and Statistics. Research in the lab focuses on the molecular and phenotypic evolution of plant defenses, the ecological effects of genetic variation and evolution on communities, and the coevolution between plant hosts and their insect parasites. Students are free to work on any topic related to the lab’s foci. For more information on this research please visit www.evoeco.org.

There are presently two positions open in the lab that will be funded by a combination of research assistantship (50%) and teaching assistantship (50%) support. Students can expect to earn ca. 20K (USD) per year, and tuition and health insurance will be covered on top of this.  Students entering the graduate program in plant biology are required to have a bachelor's degree in plant biology or a related undergraduate program that includes biological, physical and mathematical science training. Students will be considered regardless of race, gender, religion, nationality, or physical ability.

Interested students are encouraged to send a covering letter and CV/resume to marc_johnson@ncsu.edu by January 25, 2009. The cover letter should outline the applicant’s research interests as they relate to evolution or ecology, past research experience, and why the student would like to do graduate work at NCSU.

Graduate studentships in mudflat ecology

University of New Brunswick, Mount Allison University and Carleton University. We are seeking graduate students for a collaborative research program (funded by an NSERC Strategic Grant) on the ecology of mudflats in the Bay of Fundy. These mudflats are densely inhabited by burrow-dwelling amphipods (Corophium volutator), which are the major prey of migrating shorebirds and fish.  Mud snails (Ilyanassa obsoleta) migrate seasonally onto the mudflats, disturb the mudflat surface and negatively influence amphipod populations.  The program consists of a number of graduate projects, which will involve field work, laboratory studies and mathematical modelling. These projects will start in Winter 2009 and Spring 2009.  Applications will be considered until suitable candidates are found. Click here for more information.