ecology @ guelph's ecoblog

Postdoc (UBC-Okanagan)

Microbial Ecology

 

I am seeking a Postdoctoral researcher with research interests in soil microbial ecology.  The successful candidate will contribute to ongoing studies on the structure and functioning of microbial communities in natural and managed ecosystems. Projects include (a) the influence of soil microbes on grapevine nutrition, secondary metabolism, and wine quality, (b) the use of microbes as inoculants in the field, and whether or not they are invasive in natural and managed systems, (c) the role of soil microbes in landscape restoration, (d) the composition and functioning of microbial communities in disturbed and undisturbed ecosystems, among other projects. The ideal candidate has experience in microbiology and/or ecology, as well as a working knowledge of molecular methods. This is a new research lab at the University of British Columbia – Okanagan, a campus of UBC located in Kelowna, BC, Canada.

The position is open Fall 2009 for one year, renewable for a second year.  Salary will commensurate with experience.

Please apply to Dr. Miranda Hart (Miranda.hart@ubc.ca) with a statement of research interests, CV and potential referees. 

Postodc position in spatial modeling (Guelph)

Postdoctoral Position in Spatial Modeling of Vegetation Dynamics

Global Ecological Change Laboratory

School of Environmental Sciences, University of Guelph

Applications are invited for a 1-year PDF position (with possibility of renewal) in spatial modeling of vegetation dynamics. The candidate should have experience in computer programming (any platform) of spatial simulation models and an interest in vegetation ecology. The candidate will work with research group of Dr. Madhur Anand, Canada Research Chair in Global Ecological Change, and with one of several vegetation ecosystems under study by the group through collaborations (e.g., in Canada, Brazil, China). Possible research questions include but are not limited to: What maintains biodiversity? What is the effect of species invasions? What are the implications of climate change? What is the role of spatial structure? What is the best way to restore an ecosystem? Applications will be considered immediately and until the position is filled. Please send a CV with statement of suitability for the position and names of 2 potential referees to: Dr. Madhur Anand (manand@uoguelph.ca).

Plant physiological ecology or plant evolutionary physiology postdoc (Guelph)

I am seeking a postdoctoral research associate who is broadly interested in the physiology and evolution of plant-fungal interactions and/or the ecological and evolutionary effects of invasive species on the physiological ecology of native species. The successful applicant will contribute to studies of the physiological basis of plant responsiveness to arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and how the evolution of plant function is affected by invasive species and/or climate change factors that disrupt the plant-fungal symbiosis. There will also be opportunities to develop collaborative research in related areas. Responsibilities include designing greenhouse, growth chamber and field studies, data collection, data analysis, manuscript preparation and mentoring undergraduate and high school students in research. Applicants must have (or be close to finishing) a Ph.D. in physiological ecology, evolutionary ecology, plant biology or a related field, should have experience working in field and controlled environments and publishing manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals. Experience working with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and/or in phylogenetic ecology or ecological genetics would be an asset. Funding is available for two years, salary is commensurate with experience, and the start date is flexible.

To apply, please send a cover letter explaining your interest in and match for the position, a CV, and the names and contact information for three referees to Hafiz Maherali, Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada. Please feel free to email me at the above address if you have questions about the position. Review of applications will begin September 15th, 2009 and continue until the position is filled.

Grassland Ecology Postdoc (Guelph)

Postdoctoral Position in Grassland Community and Ecosystem Ecology

We are seeking a postdoctoral research associate to join an ongoing study of the effects of invasion by endophyte infected grasses on the community and ecosystem dynamics of grasslands. In a large scale field experiment, we are tracking the ecological impacts of 31 different cultivars of three grass species (perennial ryegrass, tall fescue and meadow fescue) on native grasslands. Experimental plots have been invaded with grass cultivars that are either endophyte-free, endophyte-infected, or in some cases infected by 'novel endophytes'. The successful candidate will assess how the experimental treatments affect community composition and ecosystem functioning, and have the opportunity to develop collaborative research using the established study site or to address other novel questions related to grass-endophyte interactions. In addition to participating in and supervising data collection, the incumbent will also be responsible for data analysis and manuscript preparation. Applicants must have (or be close to finishing) a Ph.D. in community or ecosystem ecology, grassland ecology, plant biology or related field, as well as experience publishing manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals. Experience with plant identification, vegetation analysis, and studying community dynamics and biogeochemical processes is desirable. Salary is commensurate with experience. This position is for two years with the possibility of renewal. The preferred start date is January 2010, but is negotiable. To apply, please send a cover letter explaining your interest in and match for the position, a CV, and the names and contact information for three referees to Jonathan Newman, Department of Environmental Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada or Hafiz Maherali, Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada. Please feel free to email either one of us at the above addresses if you have questions about the position.

Review of applications will begin September 15th , 2009 and continue until the position is filled.

Postdoc (France)

Job Opening: post-doctoral researcher (2009-2010) for the program GESSOL 3 (financed by MEEDDAT and ADEME)

Position: researcher ("ingénieur de recherche") under contract for 24 months

Desired start date: October or November 2009 Project: ACV-SOL (see description at end)

Leader: Dr. Michael Corson michael.corson@rennes.inra.fr , Tel.: +33 (0)2 23 48 57 09

Background and description of duties: Integrating impacts of agricultural activities on soil quality into Life Cycle Assessment Due to its position, soil plays a central role in preserving environmental quality and human health. The environmental functions of soil (e.g., water storage and filtration, nitrogen and phosphorus recycling, greenhouse-gas reduction) give it role as important as those of other environmental components. The object of this project is to develop a conceptual and operational approach for including soil quality in evaluations of the environmental impacts of agricultural activities using the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) method. The methodological framework of LCA places certain constraints on the identification and evaluation of relevant indicators, which this project aims to analyse by using case studies of contrasting systems and relying upon the expert knowledge of soil scientists and specialists in environmental-evaluation methods. The post-doctoral researcher's assignment will focus on 3 research objectives: 1. Develop a decision-aid tool of soil quality characteristics that is compatible with the LCA method. Based on an exhaustive bibliographical study, the researcher will determine a "minimum data set" of soil-quality characteristics. Each characteristic will be selected according to criteria such as representativeness of environmental functions, measurability, and sensitivity to agricultural practices. 2. Define estimation algorithms of the selected soil-quality characteristics. For each aspect of soil quality, this step includes the definition of equations that link farm practices to changes in the given characteristic. These algorithms must be applicable to diverse pedoclimatic contexts and able to be used with relatively cursory descriptions of agricultural practices. 3. Aggregate soil-quality characteristics into one or more global indicator(s). Different methods of multicriteria evaluation can be used for this aggregation. During this step, the researcher will reflect on these methods and their adaptation in an LCA context, test and compare the methods, and finally apply those that correspond best to the objectives.

Salary: approximately €2220 gross per month

Location: INRA, Soil Agro- and hydroSystem Mixed Research Unit, Rennes, France Close collaboration with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada of Quebec, Canada Desired

Qualifications:
· Doctorate in soil science or life sciences (agronomy, ecology)
· Solid knowledge of soil and environmental sciences
· Good understanding of English and computer tools
· Close attention to detail during data analysis and a critical eye toward presumed results · Scientific publications in the field
· Interest in and experience with working in teams

To apply, please send a CV (with a list of publications) and cover letter to Michael Corson by e-mail ( michael.corson@rennes.inra.fr ) or surface mail: UMR SAS, 65 rue de Saint Brieuc - CS 84215, 35042 Rennes Cedex, FRANCE.

Application deadline: 1 September 2009

Summary of the ACV-SOL project Evaluation of the environmental impacts of agricultural activities with Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) currently does not take into account the effects of these activities on soil quality. The object of this project is to develop a conceptual approach and an operational framework that will do so. We propose developing an indicator that can evaluate the impact of agricultural activities on soil quality and remain compatible with LCA (i.e., accounting for all components of a production system, using available references, and integrating a limited but robust number of relevant soil functions). First, the approach will include a detailed study of existing approaches, from which we will establish a "minimum data set" of properties or functions judged pertinent for describing soil quality within an LCA approach. Then, we will develop a decision-tree from which a selection of soil properties can be established. This framework will take into account relevant soil functions according to the pedoclimatic and agricultural context, as well as the input data available for developing the LCA. We then will determine functions describing impacts of agricultural ac tivities on the selected soil-quality characteristics. This step will be performed iteratively with case studies representing contrasting agricultural production scenarios that presumably have a significant impact on soil quality. Finally, we will propose an indicator (either a single value or one composed of a few sub-indicators) of soil-quality impacts.

Postdoc Position (Stanford & Toulouse)

Amazonian indigenous people, cultural change, and biodiversity

Join an exciting team on a unique project investigating the consequences on biodiversity of cultural changes in Amazonian indigenous communities. We are seeking enthusiastic candidates for an 18 mo postdoctoral position, jointly based in Stanford University (USA) and Toulouse University (France).

Responsibilities: The successful candidate will contribute to an NSF- funded project, by developing a mathematical model of the hunting practices of Makusi and Wapichana people in Southern Guyana and northern Brazil. Duties will include integration and synthesis of existing socioeconomic, hunting and environmental data sets, statistical analyses, model building, and manuscript preparation. Opportunities to develop independent research projects using data generated by the project are encouraged.

Qualifications: A PhD with a background in ecology/evolution, demonstrated interest in the broader questions in social studies and tropical systems, a proven publication record especially in mathematical modeling, and strong motivation. Research experience in social systems is desirable.

Employment Conditions: The starting date is negotiable between July and August 2009. We will offer a competitive salary commensurate with the experience of the successful candidate.

To Apply: Please send a single PDF file containing letter of application with statement of interest , CV and two letters of reference to Jose Fragoso (fragoso@stanford.edu), with cc to Jerome Chave (chave@cict.fr). For full consideration, apply by June 15 2009. The position will remain open until filled.

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.

Researcher/Post-doctoral Research Fellowship

REF.NO: 2009/1176

Jan 23, 2009

A POSITION AS RESEARCHER/POST-DOCTORAL RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP connected to population ecology of large herbivores is available at the Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES), Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo.

 

The appointment is for 3 years

Start date March 16, 2009

For details, click here.

Postdoc (Windsor)

POST-DOCTORAL RESEARCH FELLOW in Food Web Ecology

Two year position available in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Windsor (Windsor, Ontario, Canada), starting no later than May 1, 2009. We are seeking a highly motivated candidate to study the role of climate and trophic level diversity changes on the stability of food webs using a greenhouse vegetable-insect model system. Researchers from University of Windsor, Laval, Montreal and Simon Fraser University are conducting experimental manipulations of climate and trophic diversity to measure changes in species interactions and population dynamics at multiple spatial scales. The candidate will integrate experimental data collected from this collaboration into an overall theoretical food web model with three subcomponents to test effects of climate and diversity changes on individuals (small spatial scales), populations (medium spatial scale) and metapopulations (large spatial scale). The candidate should have a strong interest in modeling. The candidate must hold a PhD with experience in a relevant area. The successful candidate will be based at the University of Windsor, under the supervision of Dr. Sherah VanLaerhoven, but will also interact frequently with Dr. Bernie Roitberg at Simon Fraser University (British Columbia). Interested applicants should submit a cover letter describing their research experience and interests and future research plans, a curriculum vitae including a list of publications and copies of 2-5 publications. Applicants should include names and e-mail addresses for three academic referees. Applicants should also indicate the date they will be available to begin the position. When evaluating the application, emphasis will be given to the applicant's academic and personal prerequisites to carry out the project. All application materials must be submitted as PDF's in a single email to: Sherah VanLaerhoven vanlaerh@uwindsor.ca. Applicants may be called for an interview. Review of applications will begin 1 March 2009 and continue until the position is filled. Further information about the VanLaerhoven lab and its research can be found at http://www.uwindsor.ca/users/v/vanlaerh/main.nsf

Postdoc positions available in BC

NSERC Visiting Fellowships in Wild Ecological Genomics and Modelling

Program Description
We have two postdoctoral positions available in a new dynamic, multidisciplinary research program on condition of migrating salmon funded through Genome British Columbia. The project uses genomic technologies to identify conditional states in migrating salmon that diminish their performance/survivorship during transitions between freshwater and saltwater.  We will develop and apply predictive conditional biomarkers in models that explore the interaction between physiological and environmental conditions, culminating in the generation of a new class of fisheries models that consider both physiological condition of migrating fish and the environmental conditions they are encountering, as well as traditional stock assessment information to predict on a stock-basis how many salmon will return to the river, and what proportion will survive to spawn. 

PDF1:
One of the postdoctoral positions is for a candidate with excellent skills in functional genomics and an interest in ecology.  Previous experience with DNA microarrays and bioinformatics is an asset, and background knowledge of immunology and disease, metabolomics, osmoregulation, and/or stress response is beneficial.

PDF2:
The second postdoctoral position is for a candidate with excellent skills in quantitative fisheries or ecological modeling. Previous experience with population dynamics modeling, stock-assessment methods, parameter estimation techniques, Bayesian statistics, or generalized linear modeling would be valuable assets. Background knowledge of salmon life history, physiology, oceanography, or climate change impacts in the northeast Pacific would also be beneficial.

For both positions, good communication skills, fluency in both spoken and written English, and motivation to collaborate with other research groups are essential. This project represents a collaborative effort between the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Canada (the lead agency), University of British Columbia, and the Pacific Salmon Commission, and brings together researchers in genomics, bioinformatics, physiology, ecology, modeling, and fisheries management.  There are four postdoctoral positions (bioinformatics, social sciences, genomics and modeling), two already filled, that will interact on this project to form a highly collaborative, stimulating working environment.  

Both postdoctoral positions will be located at the Pacific Biological Station in Nanaimo, British Columbia on Vancouver Island, a beautiful coastal city with many recreational opportunities and just a short distance from Vancouver and Victoria. Please see http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/sci/mgl/Genomics/ for more details about the genomics program at Pacific Biological Station.

The funding for these NSERC Visiting Fellowships is guaranteed for 24 months with potential for a 12-month renewal dependent on the quality of research and availability of funding. The start date for PDF1 is ASAP, PDF2 in June, 2009. Qualified individuals should have been awarded a Ph.D. degree no earlier than December 31, 2004.

Contact Information -- Applicants should contact and send a CV by February 15, 2009 to:

PDF1 – Ecological Genomics
Dr. Kristi Miller
Head, Molecular Genetics and (FishManOmics) Project Lead
Pacific Biological Station
3190 Hammond Bay Rd.
Nanaimo, BC V9T 6N7
kristi.miller@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

PDF2 – Ecological Modeling
Dr. Janelle Curtis
Research Scientist
Salmon and Freshwater Ecosystems Division
Pacific Biological Station
3190 Hammond Bay Rd.
Nanaimo, BC V9T 6N7
janelle.curtis@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

For links to collaborators their individual research interests please go to http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/sci/mgl/Genomics/Collaborators_e.htm

For information about the NSERC Visiting Fellowships program, please go to: http://www.nserc.gc.ca/sf_e.asp?nav=sfnav&lbi=3d