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Graduate Opportunities

titles marked (MS) are for students seeking a master's degree, (PhD) are for students seeking a doctoral degree,
not marked are open to students seeking either master's or doctoral degrees
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Assistantships and Fellowships | Fellowship Program Links

Featured Positions

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Location Title Closes Posted
Western Sydney University (Australia) Ecological/ecophysiological adaptations to temperature and water stress (2 PhD positions) 3/31/22 2/14/22
Clemson University Plant-Microbe Interactions (2 PhD positions)  3/15/22 3/15/22

All Positions

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Location Title Closes Posted
Michigan State University Plant-Soil Feedback in Forest Ecology (PhD) 8/15/22 5/19/22
Universität Hamburg (Germany) Plant-Soil Interactions in Estuarine Alluvial Forests (PhD) 8/2/22 7/26/22
Oklahoma State University Forest Ecology and Management (PhD) 7/31/22 5/16/22
Vanderbilt University Global Change Ecology - Vegetation Dynamics (PhD)  7/19/22 7/19/22
Western Sydney University (Australia) Plant-microbial interactions (PhD) 6/30/22 6/8/22
Tennessee State University Plant-Soil Feedback in Forest Ecology (2 MS positions)  6/27/22 6/27/22
Southeast Missouri State University Insect Microbiota & Plastic Biodegradation (MS)  6/8/22 6/8/22
University of Georgia Tree Growth Responses to Repeated Prescribed Fire (MS)  6/6/22 6/6/22
University of Konstanz (Germany) Macro ecology of naturalized alien plants (PhD) 5/31/22 5/11/22
University of Jena, University of Würzburg, LMU Munich (Germany) Drivers of insect diversity and their microbiome in the Peruvian Andes (3 PhD positions) 5/31/22 4/13/22
Michigan Tech University Plant Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (2 PhD positions) 5/30/22 4/27/22
University of Hamburg (Germany) Response of the forest floor mycorrhizae to increasing temperature in beech forests (PhD) 5/15/22 4/25/22
Auburn University Evolution of plant pests 4/30/22 3/7/22
University of Bristol Plants on the edge: examining the resilience of the vegetation to climate extremes (PhD) 4/28/22 3/10/22
University of Alberta (Canada) Tree allometric variation and boreal forest carbon storage (PhD)  4/27/22 4/27/22
Stockholm University (Sweden) Plant-soil interactions in permafrost systems (PhD) 4/22/22 4/7/22
Eastern Illinois University Stream ecology and aquatic macroinvertebrate ecology (MS) 4/15/22 4/7/22
University of Calgary (Canada) Ecosystem services in croplands under global change (PhD)  4/13/22 4/13/22
Texas State University Population Ecology and Prairie Restoration (MS)  4/13/22 4/13/22
University of Queensland (Australia) Microbial Community Ecology/Evolution (PhD)  4/13/22 4/13/22
Michigan Tech University Dendroecology/Global Change  4/13/22 4/13/22
Université Laval (Canada) Assisted migration of urban trees (PhD) 4/11/22 3/16/22
University of Idaho Soil Biogeochemistry of Agroecosystems (2 PhD positions)  4/7/22 4/7/22
Clemson University Plant Ecology - Global Change (PhD) 3/31/22 2/28/22
Western Sydney University (Australia) Ecological/ecophysiological adaptations to temperature and water stress (2 PhD positions) 3/31/22 2/14/22
University of Vermont Phytoplankton Synchrony-Stability Dynamics and Ecosystem Function (PhD) 3/25/22 3/9/22
Southern Illinois University Forestry - Water & Soil Quality (MS) 3/23/22 3/10/22
University of Missouri Aquatic Ecology/Environmental Toxicology (PhD) 3/21/22 2/23/22
Clemson University Plant-Microbe Interactions (2 PhD positions)  3/15/22 3/15/22
Eastern Illinois University Pollinator Habitat Management (MS) 3/14/22 2/23/22
Iowa State University Forest Restoration and Climate Adaptation (MS) 3/11/22 2/23/22
Louisiana State University Tree Ecophysiology (MS)  3/10/22 3/10/22
University of Missouri Stream Biogeochemistry (MS) 3/8/22 2/23/22
University of Florida Invasive Python Detection and Impacts 3/7/22 2/23/22
University of Nevada-Reno Alpine rare plant ecology (MS) 3/5/22 2/23/22
Australian National University Plant-pollinator network structure and plant reproduction (PhD)  2/28/22 2/28/22
Queensland University of Technology (Australia) Mathematical modelling of regime shifts in Antarctica (PhD) 2/25/22 1/27/22
University of Bayreuth (Germany) Alpine Plant Ecology (PhD) 2/25/22 1/27/22
Southern Illinois University Carnivore Ecology (3 PhD positions) 2/25/22 1/21/22
Southern Illinois University Florida Keys Mesopredator Movement and Ecology (MS) 2/25/22 1/18/22
University of Wisconsin-Madison Molecular Diet of Barred Owls in the Pacific Northwest (MS) 2/25/22 1/18/22
Tennessee State University Urban Forestry (1 MS, 1 PhD)  2/23/22 2/23/22
University of Waterloo (Canada) Wildlife Ecology: (1) Sandhill Cranes in Ontario and Quebec and (2) Avian and mammalian research in sagebrush ecosystems 2/18/22 2/9/22
University of Saskatchewan (Canada) Plant-Soil Interactions (2 PhD positions) 2/18/22 1/31/22
South Dakota State University Rangeland management and carbon storage (PhD) 2/18/22 1/11/22
South Dakota State University Grassland Management Data Analytic Tools (1 MS, 1 PhD) 2/17/22 1/18/22
Wright State University Root architecture and the soil microbiome (MS) 2/15/22 1/11/22
Wright State University Soil microbiome of commercial plantings of Pinus radiata (PhD) 2/15/22 1/11/22
University of Eastern Finland Ecology, dynamics, and wood characteristics of long-standing pine snags (2 PhD positions) 2/13/22 1/27/22
University of Toronto (Canada) Disturbance Interactions and Ecosystem Resilience in the Boreal Forest 2/11/22 1/27/22
University of Wyoming Army-Ant-Following Birds (2 PhD positions) 2/11/22 1/18/22
Montana State University Tree Ecophysiology (PhD) 2/1/22 12/22/21
Utah State University Legacy effects of megacarcasses in African savanna ecosystems (PhD) 2/1/22 11/29/21
University of Alberta (Canada) Parasites and the Ecology of Fear 2/1/22 11/29/21
University of South Dakota Sustainability Coordinator 2/1/22 11/23/21
Villanova University Sources and sinks of marine debris in southwest Puerto Rico (MS) 2/1/22 11/19/21
University of Texas at El Paso Transcriptomics and Population Genomics of Arctic Plants (PhD) 2/1/22 11/18/21
University of Texas at El Paso Dryland Critical Zone (PhD) 2/1/22 11/18/21
University of South Florida Freshwater Ecology and Paleolimnology (MS) 2/1/22 11/17/21
Friedrich Schiller University Jena (Germany) Global Biogeochemistry and related Earth System sciences (PhD) 1/31/22 12/13/21
Texas Tech University Antarctic terrestrial ecology 1/30/22 12/13/21
University of Maine Ecophysiology and silviculture of northeastern forest trees (MS)  1/28/22 1/28/22
University of Nebraska Omaha Herpetological Ecology (MS)  1/28/22 1/28/22
Northern Arizona University Tree Genomics and Evolution (PhD) 1/28/22 1/18/22
University of Wyoming Plant biodiversity and global change in South African savanna ecosystems (PhD) 1/28/22 1/13/22
Florida State University Biogeography 1/28/22 12/21/21
University of Washington Future Rivers Graduate Trainee program 1/22/22 11/19/21
Australian National University Plant-pollinator network structure and plant reproductive function (PhD)  1/21/22 1/21/22
Universität Hamburg (Germany) Tropical Root Responses to Experimental Drought (PhD) 1/20/22 12/29/21
Utah State University Ecosystem Ecology and Biogeochemistry (PhD)  1/19/22 1/19/22
Oklahoma State University Applied Forest Ecology and Economics (MS) 1/15/22 10/28/21
Clemson University Fish Ecology (PhD)  1/14/22 1/14/22
University of California, Davis Sustainable Oceans (PhD) 1/14/21 11/18/21
University of Wisconsin-Madison Soil Nitrate Transport Monitoring and Modeling (PhD)  1/13/22 1/13/22
University of Florida Global Change Ecology (2 PhD positions)  1/13/22 1/13/22
University of Vermont Gund PhD Fellowships - Global Environmental Challenges 1/13/22 11/12/21
University of Alberta (Canada) Forest ecology and climate change adaptation (PhD) 1/12/22 11/15/21
Université du Québec à Chicoutimi (Canada) Plant Phenology and Ecophysiology of Sugar Maple  1/11/22 1/11/22
Colorado State University Dryland Crop Physiology (MS)  1/11/22 1/11/22
University of Bristol (UK) Unlocking the scaling puzzle in forest carbon and water fluxes (PhD) 1/10/22 11/2/21
Arizona State University Environmental Engineering of methane-releasing environments (PhD) 1/1/22 12/20/21
University of Kentucky Theoretical/Computational Evolutionary Ecology (PhD) 1/1/22 11/18/21
Western Sydney University (Australia) Tree Ecophysiology – Heat tolerance (PhD) 12/31/21 12/2/21
University of Louisville Effects of fire on greenhouse gas flux and carbon storage in forests (PhD) 12/31/21 11/29/21
University of Hohenheim (Germany) Ecology - interactions between alien plants and native organisms (PhD) 12/31/21 11/23/21
Eastern Washington University GAANN – Enhancing Opportunities for Research and Teaching in Biology 12/31/21 11/12/21
University of Wisconsin-Madison Interactions between social wasps and cluster rots in grapes (PhD)  12/28/21 12/28/21
Texas State University Community Ecology and Ecosystem Functioning of Rivers  12/22/21 12/22/21
Michigan Tech University Northern Hardwood Forest Ecology and Management (1 MS, 1PhD)  12/22/21 12/22/21
UMCES Appalachian Laboratory Sustainable Nitrogen Management (PhD) 12/20/21 11/30/21
University of Memphis Disease Ecology (PhD) 12/17/21 11/23/21
Kansas State University Grassland and Restoration Ecology 12/15/21 11/23/21
University of Applied Sciences of Southern Switzerland Metacommunity ecology in freshwater food-webs (PhD) 12/15/21 11/19/21
University of California, Santa Barbara Landscape/Agricultural/Restoration Ecology (PhD) 12/15/21 9/9/21
Georgia Institute of Technology Community Ecology (PhD) 12/15/21 9/9/21
New Jersey Institute of Technology Ecohydrology (PhD) 12/15/21 8/11/21
Penn State University Ecology (9 positions)  12/13/21 12/13/21
University of Cambridge/Trent University (UK/Canada) Land-water linkages and landscape-level carbon sequestration  12/13/21 12/13/21
University of California, Merced Agricultural & Environmental Remote Sensing (PhD)  12/10/21 12/10/21
University of Oxford (UK) Intraspecific trait variation and the resilience of natural populations and communities (PhD)  12/10/21 12/10/21
University of California, Davis Drought Tolerance in Grape Rootstocks (PhD) 12/10/21 11/23/21
City University of New York Forest response to climate change and fragmentation (PhD)  12/9/21 12/9/21
Virginia Tech Modeling Water Availability and Habitable Terrestrial Ecosystems in the Polar Desert (Antarctica)  12/9/21 12/9/21
North Carolina State University Aquatic Biogeochemistry and Geospatial Modeling (PhD)  12/8/21 12/8/21
Penn State University Ecosystem Ecology and Soil Biogeochemistry  12/8/21 12/8/21
Dauphin Island Sea Lab Marine Sediment Ecology  12/8/21 12/8/21
University of Arizona Ecosystems Genomics 12/3/21 11/18/21
University of North Dakota Soil Health and Nematode Ecology in Grassland Restoration 12/1/21 11/23/21
Towson University Map Turtle Nesting Ecology and Population Genetics and Microbiomes (2 MS positions) 12/1/21 11/19/21
Tulane University Plant-Microbe Interactions (PhD) 12/1/21 11/19/21
University of California, Riverside Wildfire and Headwater Processes and Microplastics Pollution (2 PhD positions) 12/1/21 11/19/21
University of Oklahoma Freshwater Sustainability and Conservation (PhD) 12/1/21 11/18/21
University of Kentucky Endosymbiont Evolution, Dynamics, Modeling (PhD) 12/1/21 11/18/21
Boise State University Plant-Associated Microbial Communities 12/1/21 11/17/21
University of Montana Wildlife Disease Ecology (3 PhD positions) 12/1/21 11/15/21
University of Oregon Microbial Ecology and Evolution (PhD) 12/1/21 11/2/21
Northern Arizona University Ecosystem Ecology (multiple PhD/MS positions) 12/1/21 10/20/21
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Macrosystem phenology modeling and forecasting (PhD) 12/1/21 10/5/21
Ecole polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (Switzerland) Plant Ecophysiology and Species Interactions (PhD) 12/1/21 10/5/21
Memorial University of Newfoundland (Canada) Fjord Spatial Ecology (2 MS positions) 12/1/21 9/29/21
University of Tennessee Conservation Science 12/1/21 9/17/21
Johns Hopkins University Environmental physics, geophysics, fluid mechanics, physical processes in hydrology, geomorphology, solute transport, isotope hydrology, or ecohydrology (PhD)  11/30/21 11/30/21
University of Maine Animal Behavior and Conservation 11/29/21 11/18/21
University of Notre Dame Ecological Forecasting  11/23/21 11/23/21
Virginia Tech Plant-Soil-Microbiome Interactions, Soil Health and Carbon Sequestration (PhD)  11/23/21 11/23/21
Colorado State University Tree Physiology (PhD)  11/19/21 11/19/21
Iowa State University Species Distribution Modeling in Salamanders (PhD)  11/18/21 11/18/21
University of Illinois Conservation of freshwater fishes 11/17/21 10/17/21
Virginia Tech Water Quality and Microbiology (PhD)  11/16/21 11/16/21
Ohio State University Aquatic/Fisheries Ecology (3 MS/PhD positions) 11/15/21 10/5/21
University of Tokyo (Japan) Evolutionary Demography 11/12/21 10/5/21
Florida International University Marine Ecology (PhD) 11/5/21 9/9/21
Texas Tech University Plant Ecophysiology 10/31/21 9/8/21
University of Texas at El Paso Landscape Ecology  10/17/21 10/17/21
Michigan Tech University Community and Food Web Ecology 10/15/21 10/5/21
University of Alberta (Canada) Leaf Vein Development (PhD) 10/15/21 7/23/21
Ohio State University Aquatic Ecology (MS)  10/5/21 10/5/21
Northern Arizona University Ecological & Environmental Informatics (PhD, multiple positions/fellowships)  10/4/21 10/4/21
University of Missouri-Columbia Limnology (PhD) 10/1/21 9/9/21
Auburn University Applied Aquatic Ecology and Water Quality (3 positions) 10/1/21 8/12/21
North Carolina State University Tropical Forest Ecology (PhD) 9/30/21 9/9/21
Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (France) Biodiversity – ecosystem functioning (PhD) 9/30/21 9/8/21
University of Melbourne Amphibian Conservation, Genomics, and Synthetic Biology (PhD) 9/15/21 8/12/21
Montana State University Plant-Microbe Interactions and Plant Ecophysiology (PhD) 9/15/21 7/22/21
Oklahoma State University Biological invasions and movement ecology (2 positions) 9/15/21 6/11/21
University of Michigan Nutrient and energy dynamics at ecosystem-scales in tropical coastal ecosystems (PhD)  9/9/21 9/9/21
Columbia University Tropical forest recovery after Hurricane Maria (PhD)  9/9/21 9/9/21
University of Pittsburgh Rebalancing the Nitrogen Cycle (PhD)  9/9/21 9/9/21
Michigan State University Moth Ecology / Entomology Education / Machine Learning (PhD)  9/9/21 9/9/21
University of Arkansas Community Ecology and Evolutionary Ecology (PhD)  9/9/21 9/9/21
University of Georgia Ecology of plant-microbe interactions (PhD)  9/9/21 9/9/21
University of Kentucky Urban Entomology  9/9/21 9/9/21
University of Vermont Pitch Pine Regeneration Dynamics (MS)  9/9/21 9/9/21
Oklahoma State University Plant or plant-insect ecology  9/9/21 9/9/21
Bowling Green State University Urban Bee Physiological Ecology  9/9/21 9/9/21
Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (France) Belowground plant diversity as driver of ecosystem functioning in drought (PhD) 9/7/21 8/12/21
New Mexico State University Dryland soil ecology (MS) 9/3/21 7/23/21
New Mexico State University Soil microbiome of pecan orchards (MS) 9/3/21 7/23/21
University of Georgia Soils/hydrology for managed wetlands (MS) 8/31/21 8/12/21
Ohio University Effectiveness of recovered nutrients on soil fertility (MS) 8/23/21 6/17/21
Cornell University Effects of solar energy development on soils, plants, and pollinators in the Mojave Desert (PhD) 8/15/21 7/23/21
Université Laval (Canada) Modelling movement dynamics of large mammals in boreal forest (PhD) 8/15/21 7/23/21
Université Laval (Canada) Impact of spruce budworm outbreaks on woodland caribou populations (PhD) 8/15/21 7/23/21
University of California, Riverside Wildfire Impacts on Soil Properties (PhD)  8/12/21 8/12/21
Purdue University Insect Agroecology  8/12/21 8/12/21
University of Virginia Population Ecology/Landscape Ecology/Global Change Ecology (PhD preferred)  8/5/21 8/5/21
Texas Tech University Forest Dynamics/Fire Ecology (PhD)  8/5/21 8/5/21
University of Waterloo (Canada) Temperature and Transients: PhD Positions in Population Ecology  8/5/21 8/5/21
Delaware State University Planning sustainable agriculture for diverse ecosystem services (MS) 8/2/21 7/23/21
Purdue University Long-term Change in High Elevation Spruce-Fir Forests of the Southern Appalachians (MS) 8/2/21 7/23/21
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Thresholds and tipping points to global warming, plant and soil communities (2 PhD positions) 8/2/21 6/11/21
University of Montana and University of Delaware Global Carbon Cycle Research (2 PhD positions)  7/23/21 7/23/21
Virginia Tech Social and ecological aspects of provisioning fisheries in the Great Lakes  7/23/21 7/23/21
Virginia Tech Movement Ecology of Arapaima in the Amazon  7/23/21 7/23/21
Brown University Plant-herbivore interactions in Yellowstone National Park (PhD)  7/23/21 7/23/21
University of California, Santa Cruz Phenological responses to climate change, biogeography of soil fungi, wildfire propagation and forest regrowth (PhD)  7/23/21 7/23/21
University of Idaho Cropping Systems Agronomy and Soil Biogeochemistry (3 PhD positions)  7/14/21 7/14/21

Older listings: 2020-2021 | 2019-2020 | 2018-2019 | 2017-2018 | 2016-2017 | 2015-2016 | 2014-2015 | 2013-2014 | 2012-2013 | 2011-2012 | 2010-2011 | 2009-2010 | 2008-2009 | 2007-2008 | 2006-2007 | 2005-2006 | 2004-2005 | 2003-2004 | 2002-2003 | 2001-2002 | 2000-2001 | 1999-2000

Top | Fellowship Program Links

Assistantship and Fellowships:

Arizona State University: PhD Position in Environmental Engineering and Spatial Modeling of methane-releasing environments. A collaborative and interdisciplinary PhD position is available in the Sweety Center for Environmental Biotechnology, specifically working with the Cadillo Lab and Rittmann Lab at Arizona State University (Tempe, AZ). PhD student is to begin in Fall 2022. Research in the Cadillo Lab examines interdisciplinary subjects related to ecosystems processes, carbon cycling, the role of microbes at different spatial scales and modeling predictions, while research at the Rittmann group focus on fundamental studies and practical applications integrating microbial ecology, chemistry, and process kinetics through mathematical modeling. The PhD position focus on collaborative work in large scale environmental analysis and integrative modeling for methane flux predictions in arid landfills and peatland ecosystems. The incoming PhD student will participate in studies of spatial ecology of methane and site-level flux modeling, and particularly address the upscaling of methane flux observations to spatial mapping, merge the assessment of decomposition process and physical and biological controls if methane emissions in an anthropogenic and natural environment (landfill vs peatlands). This research position builds over an active project in the NSF funded Engineering Center for Bio-mediated and Bio-inspired Geotechnics as well as NSF CAREER project, both studying different aspect of methane emissions at variable spatial magnitudes. Minority students from diverse backgrounds are highly welcomed! Students with appropriate background in either of the following fields: environmental engineering, environmental sciences, or related fields are encouraged to apply. Students with a record of publication or master's degree, strong quantitative skills, and appropriate experiences will be given preference. Start date for graduate studies is Fall term according to project needs. To express pre enquires before formal application please email Prof Cadillo-Quiroz at cadillo-lab-appl@asu.edu and include 1) a statement of research interests and experience, 2) a CV, and 3) a writing sample, if available. Candidates are to apply for admission through the PhD in Environmental Engineering (deadline on Jan 1). ASU provides a strong research environment through the Center for Environmental Biotechnology (https://environmentalbiotechnology.org/), Environmental Engineering (https://ssebe.engineering.asu.edu/undergraduate/environmental/), School of Life Sciences (https://sols.asu.edu), and several others that involve research in the Cadillo Lab and Rittmann Lab. Posted: 12/20/21.

Auburn University: I'm looking for a PhD or MS student to join my lab and work on the evolution of plant pests and pathogens. Our goal is to increase the sustainability of agriculture by advancing our understanding of the evolution of two important traits: resistance to pesticides, and virulence (that is, just how harmful a parasite or pathogen is to its host). This is a cross-disciplinary project and students will have opportunities to participate in evolutionary modeling, data science, and experimental research with bacterial pathogens, their insect vectors, and their host plants. The position starts in August 2022, that is, the start of the fall semester. It comes with a competitive twelve month stipend, health insurance, and a tuition waver. Candidates who would add to the ethnic, gender, and socioeconomic diversity of the academy are strongly urged to apply. If you're interested, please send me an email with your CV and any questions you might have about the position before the end of April. Nate B Hardy (n8@auburn.edu), Associate Professor, Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Auburn University. Posted: 4/7/22.

Auburn University: Three graduate research assistantships (Ph.D. or M.S.) in applied aquatic ecology and water quality are available in Alan Wilson’s lab. Current lab research projects, including USDA ARS and NSF Dimensions of Biodiversity grants, take advantage of our field station that includes hundreds of aquaculture ponds and nearby recreational and drinking water reservoirs. Here, we pursue basic and applied questions associated with understanding the ecological, evolutionary, and limnological mechanisms controlling the structure and function of freshwater plankton communities. Harmful algal blooms are the foci for many of our projects. My students are welcome to participate on existing projects, which include large-scale field experiments and monitoring, lab-based analytical analyses, modeling, and meta-analysis, but are strongly encouraged to develop their own projects in addition to applying for external grants and fellowships. There are abundant opportunities to work directly with important stakeholders, such as aquaculture farmers, water utilities, and natural resource managers. I am motivated to maintain a productive, diverse, and inclusive lab and encourage students from under-represented groups to consider joining us. Moreover, lab members have numerous opportunities to engage students from institutions with limited research opportunities, students with disabilities, and students in financial need in their research and outreach projects through current NSF projects (REU, INCLUDES, S-STEM). Qualifications: Ideal candidates will be hard-working, honest, highly motivated, team-oriented, and excited about studying freshwater plankton communities. Prior coursework in ecology, limnology, and statistics, a strong interest in mentoring undergraduates and participating in outreach, and relevant research experiences (including analytical skills, such GC-MS, GC-FID, HPLC, ELISA) are desirable, but not required. Minimum qualifications include a B.S./B.A. (for M.S. position) or M.S. (for Ph.D. position) in Biology, Ecology, or related field; GPA of 3.2 or greater; and above average GRE scores (at least 50th percentile for quantitative and verbal; at least 4.0 for analytical writing). Support: Competitive graduate research assistantships include 12-month stipend and full tuition waivers. Highly qualified PhD candidates will be considered for an AU Presidential Graduate Research Fellowship, which can last 3 years and include an annual stipend of $40k. Start date: Flexible but spring 2022 would be ideal considering current projects. How to apply: Interested students are encouraged to email Alan Wilson (wilson@auburn.edu) describing why the lab is a good fit for you by 1 October 2021 for full consideration. In addition, please include your CV, GRE scores, copies of transcripts, and contact information for three references. Posted: 8/12/21.

Australian National University: Funded PhD scholarship studying the links between plant-pollinator network structure and plant reproduction in Australia The Fenner School of Environment & Society at ANU in collaboration with the CSIRO Future Science Platform Environomics (FSPE) offer a funded PhD project. The candidate will document plant-pollinator networks, pollen transfer networks and conducted pollen limitation and pollinator dependency experiments in Australian field sites. In addition to applying traditional field methods in pollination ecology the candidate will apply metabarcoding methods to the development of pollen transfer networks. The candidate will be supervised by Dr Joanne Bennett (ANU), Prof Saul Cunningham (ANU) and Dr Francisco Encinas-Viso (CSIRO). Any interested candidates are invited to discuss the project with Dr Joanne Bennett (e.roseicapilla@gmail.com). Full details. Posted: 2/28/22.

Australian National University: The Fenner School of Environment & Society at The Australian National University (ANU) in collaboration with the CSIRO Future Science Platform Environomics (FSPE) of a funded PhD project. The candidate will document plant-pollinator networks, pollen transfer networks and conducted pollen limitation and pollinator dependency experiments in Australian field sites. In addition to applying traditional field methods in pollination ecology the candidate will apply metabarcoding methods to the development of pollen transfer network. The candidate will be supervised by Dr Joanne Bennett (ANU), Prof Saul Cunningham (ANU) and Dr Francisco Encinas-Viso (CSIRO). Any interested candidates are invited to discuss the project with Dr Joanne Bennett via email (e.roseicapilla@gmail.com). For details see PhD Project - Linking plant-pollinator network structure to plant reproductive function in Australia. Posted: 1/21/22.

Boise State University: The Bittleston Lab is recruiting motivated students for Fall 2022 to study ecological and evolutionary dynamics of plant- and insect-associated microbial communities. Potential projects can be based in either the small ecosystems formed within pitchers of carnivorous pitcher plants, or the local sagebrush steppe ecosystem. The student will work as part of a collaborative team of researchers across different universities. The student will participate in fieldwork and lab work - including culturing of bacteria or fungi and molecular assays - as well as data analysis, writing, and presenting results. Qualifications: Seeking a self-motivated, independent, and creative thinker who is passionate about ecology and plant-associated microbes. The minimum qualification is a Bachelor's degree in Biology, Ecology, Evolution, Microbiology or a related field. Preferred qualifications include: evidence of strong writing (e.g., grant proposals, publications) and quantitative skills (e.g., bioinformatics, coding, modeling); experience with microbial culturing and/or molecular assays; excellent communication skills; and an interest in understanding mechanisms of community assembly or plant-microbial interactions. Applicants who would add to the diversity and excellence of our academic community are especially encouraged to apply. Please address these points in your introductory email. The position starts Fall (August) 2022 and includes support in the form of a graduate teaching assistantship (renewable, 12-month), tuition and fee waiver, and health insurance. Our Ph.D. in Ecology, Evolution, & Behavior and M.S. in Biology are innovative graduate programs at Boise State University. They bring together faculty from across multiple academic departments including biological sciences, geosciences, anthropology, and the human-environment systems group to offer relevant courses and provide unique mentorship and training opportunities. We have a strong quantitative course component and the position provides access to a network of valuable connections in academia, local relationships with federal and state agencies, nonprofits and NGOs, as well as international organizations, all dedicated to providing students with educational experiences for diverse career opportunities. Applicants should email Dr. Leonora Bittleston (leonorabittleston@boisestate.edu) before December 1st to indicate your interest in this position before officially applying. The email should include your CV and why you are interested in this research area in particular. Please specify if you are interested in a Ph.D. or a M.S. degree. Top candidates will be asked to formally apply. All admission decisions must be approved by the Graduate Dean. Posted: 11/17/21.

Bowling Green State University: I am seeking applications for an MS or PhD student to join my lab in the Spring of 2022 (starting January 2022) to work on a USDA NIFA funded project examining climatic sensitivity of urban bees in multiple cities across the US. The student would work closely with collaborators at North Carolina State University (Elsa Youngsteadt) and Kennesaw State University (Clint Penick), traveling to selected cities, working in teams. Applicants with background or interests in environmental physiology, bees (including both native species and honey bees), climate change, or urban ecology are particularly encouraged to apply. Note: we encourage applications from students from diverse backgrounds. Please see our lab’s diversity, equity, and inclusion policy. Strong applicants will receive tuition waivers and stipends for 2-3 (for MS) or 4-6 (for PhD) years, guaranteed, through a combination of research and teaching assistantships. Note, students should have a minimum of a 3.0 GPA and other documentation of potential for success. Interested students should email kmcclun@bgsu.edu with a cover letter and a CV (including GPA), before submitting an official application to the graduate college. More information about the application process. Posted: 9/9/21.

Brown University: The Kartzinel Lab is recruiting to fill at least two positions involving Molecular Ecology and Food Webs. Lab Assistant position: collaborate on multiple NSF-funded molecular ecology projects involving the molecular ecology of food webs, diet-microbiome linkages, and conservation genetics. A PhD student: lead a long-term and NSF-funded collaboration with the National Park Service to understand plant-herbivore interactions in Yellowstone National Park. Please contact the PI about applying in Fall 2021 to join the 2022 cohort. For more details on the lab's research projects, current membership, and instructions on how to apply, please visit: www.kartzinellab.com/join. Posted: 7/23/21.

Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique: Biodiversity – ecosystem functioning (PhD), National Centre for Scientific Research (Pyrenees, France). We are looking for one enthusiastic PhD student to work on the role of plant and plant symbiont diversity on agro-ecosystem productivity and multifunctionality. Besides the classical biodiversity-ecosystem functioning analytical approaches, several potential mechanisms of plant and symbiont effects on ecosystem functioning will be tested via trait-based approaches. The student will develop skills in root ecology, plant ecophysiology, plant-symbiont interactions and soil ecology, as well as some basics in agronomy. The work includes both field work and lab measurements and will leave much space to data analysis and publication, as several experiments are ongoing and part of the data is already available to the student. As such, we are looking for a candidate with particularly interest and skills in statistical analysis and scientific writing. Collaborations with researchers in Toulouse (France) and abroad are planned. The position is fully funded for a period of 3 years, with a starting date between October 2021 and January 2022. We welcome your application no later than September 30, 2021. Candidate should send their CV, latest transcripts, motivation letter, and two email addresses from former supervisors. To apply, or to get more information, please contact Grégoire Freschet: gregoire.freschet@sete.cnrs.fr. Posted: 9/8/21.

Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique: PhD Offer: Belowground plant diversity as driver of ecosystem functioning in conditions of drought. I am looking for an excellent Master1 or Master2 student to apply for a PhD thesis grant co-financed by Labex TULIP in Toulouse and my own research programs. The student can come from anywhere in the world, it is just necessary that he applies to a call currently in progress (the deadline to answer is September 7). The thesis can start between January 1, 2022 and December 2022. The chance of obtaining the PHD grant are very high providing the candidate has excellent grades in bachelor and master programs. Here is an a preliminary description of the PhD Project: Key-words: Plant diversity; mycorrhiza; drought; plant production; soil functioning; ecosystem stability. This PhD project will explore the role of plant diversity, and particularly root functional traits and trait diversity, using functional ecology approaches, in order to shed light on the processes regulating Biodiversity – Ecosystem Functioning relationships in conditions of drought. The PhD candidate will test the hypothesis that both plant trait promoting drought resistance and the diversity of drought-resistance strategies among co-existing plants positively impact on ecosystem multifunctionality and the stability of these functions. The candidate will test such hypotheses in two systems: perennial herbaceous grasslands and vegetable gardening systems promoting plant associations. To do so, he/she will rely on experimentations whereby the diversity of herbaceous and vegetable plants, respectively, will be manipulated across contrasting conditions of drought. Plant functional trait diversity will be characterized, as well as their effect on the stability of multiple soil and soil microorganism properties and major ecosystem functions including farmers’ yield and soil carbon and nutrient status. Contact: Dr. Grégoire T. Freschet (gregoire.freschet@sete.cnrs.fr), Chercheur / Senior researcher, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Station d’écologie théorique et expérimentale (SETE), 09200 Moulis, France, Tél : 05 61 04 03 79. Posted: 8/12/21.

City University of New York: A Ph.D. position studying the interactive effects of climate change and forest fragmentation on forest ecosystems is available in Andrew Reinmann's lab at the Advanced Science Research Center of the City University of New York. I am seeking a Ph.D. student to start Fall 2022 to work on NSF-funded research studying the interactive effects of climate change and forest fragmentation on tree physiology and forest carbon cycling. The research will include field work, laboratory analyses, and/or modeling work related to a new precipitation manipulation experiment that my group is establishing at Harvard Forest in Massachusetts. My lab is in the Environmental Sciences Initiative at CUNY's Advanced Science Research Center, an exciting interdisciplinary state-of-the-art research facility. We study the effects of environmental change on plant-soil interactions and their effects on the terrestrial carbon cycle. Depending on the student's background and interests, the Ph.D. degree can be pursued in either the Department of Biology (Ecology, Evolutionary Biology, and Behavior or Plant Sciences; January 1st application deadline) or the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences (December 15th application deadline) at the Graduate Center, CUNY. By fall 2022, applicants should have a BA or BS degree in biology, environmental science, or related field and be independent, highly motivated, and a team player. I am looking for candidates with experience conducting field and/or laboratory research and an interest in contributing to our lab's efforts to engage in ecological research the diverse student body served by CUNY and New York City high schools. Because of upcoming application deadlines, interested applicants should send me (Dr. Andrew Reinmann, areinmann@gc.cuny.edu) an email ASAP with your research interests, experiences, and career goals, along with a CV (including relevant coursework and GPA). Use the subject "Available Ph.D. Position" in your email. Posted: 12/9/21.

Clemson University: Two Ph.D. assistantships are available (summer/fall 2022) across multiple interdisciplinary projects in the area of plant-microbe interactions at Clemson University, Clemson, SC. The primary aim of the first project is to impart drought resilience in crops by the cross-inoculation of rhizosphere microbiota from native plants that are stress-tolerant. The objective of the second project is to unravel the cellular mechanisms that impart the specificity of the outcome of plant-mycorrhizal associations. A competitive salary and benefits will be provided. Qualifications: Ideal candidate will have an MS degree or research experience in soil ecology, plant physiology, biochemistry, molecular biology, or related field. See the detailed job description. To apply, email a 1) cover letter stating previous experience, interest in this position, and career goals, 2) CV, and 3) contact information for three references to Dr. Vidya Suseela (vsuseel@clemson.edu). Review of applications will begin immediately and end on April 15th, 2022. Posted: 3/15/22.

Clemson University: A Ph.D. graduate student assistantship is available starting in Summer or Fall 2022 with Dr. Lydia Ries O'Halloran in the Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation at Clemson University. Research will be conducted from the Baruch Institute of Coastal Ecology and Forest Science in Georgetown, SC. The Ph.D. student will be part of a research group that focuses on ecosystem response to global change. For this project, the student will examine the role of nutrient availability and disturbance on herbaceous productivity, and biodiversity. They will have the opportunity to develop their own research questions regarding plant productivity, photosynthesis and biodiversity in our local coastal South Carolina herbaceous and pine dominated ecosystems. A competitive research assistantship (including stipend and tuition waiver) through Clemson's College of Agriculture, Forestry, and Life Sciences is available for up to three years. To apply, send a CV and cover letter stating your previous experience, interest in this position, and future goals to Dr. Lydia Ries O'Halloran (lohallo@clemson.edu) by March 31, 2022. Posted: 2/28/22.

Clemson University: Dr. Luke Bower in the USGS South Carolina Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit in the Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation at Clemson University is seeking a PhD student to study fish ecology. This position provides an excellent opportunity for students interested in fish ecology, community ecology, or flow ecology to conduct applied and basic research. This position is fully funded for three years, starting Summer/Fall 2022. The exact research is flexible but will relate to applied and conceptual aspect of fish ecology. We highly encourage people from historically underrepresented groups to apply. Qualifications: - Master's degree in ecology, biology, fisheries, statistics, or related field - Excellent verbal and written communication skills - Ability to work with a wide variety of stakeholders - Experience in freshwater ecology or community ecology - Skills with any of the following topics are not required but will be highly valued: (a) analyzing community or population data; (b) monitoring or sampling freshwater fishes, (c) R programming, (d) GIS, (e) study design, and (f) working with large dataset. Salary/Benefits The PhD will be provided: - Annual salary of $25k. - A supportive network of professionals who encourage work-life balance, promote mental health well-being, and help with achieving career goals - Professional development experiences with federal and state agencies To apply: Email a 1) cover letter outlining interests in project, qualifications and career goals, 2) CV, 3) names and contact information for three potential references and 3) unofficial transcripts as a single pdf document to Luke Bower (lmbower@clemson.edu). Review of applications will begin immediately and end on March 16th, 2022. Please direct all questions to Luke Bower (lmbower@clemson.edu). Posted: 1/14/22.

Colorado State University: The Ogle Lab in the Department of Ecosystem Science and Sustainability and the Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory is seeking an independent and motivated student to investigate physiological responses of agricultural crops to drought in a controlled setting managed by the USDA. Specifically, this student will be part of a multi-institution research group funded by NASA to investigate the use of novel remote sensing data to constrain estimates of gross primary production, and yields, in dryland agriculture at scales from the field to regional/national. The student will be mentored by Dr. Dave Barnard (USDA-ARS) and Dr. Stephen Ogle (Colorado State University). The position will be based in Fort Collins, CO and involve frequent field work at nearby USDA facilities in Greeley and Akron, CO. Dr. Ogle is the technical lead on the US national greenhouse gas inventory for agricultural lands and has conducted a variety of assessments to evaluate agricultural management options. Dr Barnard is a USDA research scientist with interest in plant physiology and hydrology. The M.S.position is supported for 2 years through a research assistantship. Qualifications: Applicants require a background in plant physiology or related field. Desirable qualifications include a strong interest in crop physiology; experience making plant ecophysiological measurements in the lab, greenhouse, and/or field (e.g. gas exchange, water potential, chlorophyll fluorescence,); a considerable interest in quantitatively modeling physiological processes; strong written and oral communication skills; and/or desire to work both independently and collaboratively with others; For more information please send an email to: Dr. Stephen Ogle (Stephen.Ogle@colostate.edu) Apply to M.S. program at Colorado State University. Posted: 1/11/22.

Colorado State University: The Davis Forest Health Lab is recruiting a PHD student to start work in the Spring or Summer of 2022. This NSF-funded position will focus on plant-insect interactions between bark beetles and spruce trees in alpine ecosystems of the southern Rocky Mountains, with an emphasis on tree chemical defenses and responses to water stress. The position is fully-funded for 4.5 years and includes a stipend (rate negotiable depending on experience), tuition expenses, and a generous research budget. The ideal candidate will have an MS degree or research experience in a subject related to forest entomology, chemical ecology, or plant physiology. Interested applicants please inquire directly with the PI via email at: seth.davis(at)colostate.edu. Posted: 11/19/21.

Columbia University: The Uriarte lab at Columbia University in New York is seeking a doctoral student for Fall 2022 to work on questions related to tropical forest recovery after Hurricane Maria in the island of Puerto Rico. Within this general area, the topic of research is flexible. A master’s degree and strong quantitative skills are desirable. Interested parties should contact Dr. Maria Uriarte at mu2126@columbia.edu. Please include your CV and a brief statement about your interests. Details about applying to graduate school at Columbia. Posted: 9/9/21.

Cornell University: The rapid buildout of solar energy in the Mojave Desert is outpacing our understanding of the effects solar energy development may have on desert ecosystems. We will collaborate with BLM Nevada, the University of California, Davis, and the USGS Southwest Biological Science Center to conduct novel research aimed at elucidating spatiotemporal effects of solar energy development on soils, plants, and pollinators at two solar facilities in Nevada. Our objectives center on elucidating responses of desert soils, plants, and pollinators to solar energy development before, during, and after construction of two, industrial-scale PV solar energy facilities. We anticipate achieving multiple goals that seek to inform applied, solutions-oriented wildlife management at solar facilities in the Mojave Desert. The PhD student will conduct research on the effects of solar energy development on desert soils, plants, and pollinators under the direct supervision of Dr. Steve Grodsky (Assistant Unit Leader, New York Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit & Assistant Professor, Department of Natural Resources and the Environment, Cornell University). The PhD student will play an integral role in this flagship project for the newly instated Cornell branch of the Wild Energy Initiative (Wild Energy Cornell). The PhD student will work with a team of researchers, including Dr. Rebecca Hernandez (UC Davis), Dr. Jeff Lovich (USGS), Dr. Seth Munson (USGS), and Lara Kobelt (BLM). The PhD student will conduct the following research activities: 1) collect field data on soils (physical properties, geodiversity), plants (abundance, diversity), and pollinators (abundance, diversity) before, during and after construction of solar facilities (~3 month fieldwork/yr) using various methods; 2) curate and analyze data; 3) write progress reports to be submitted to the Bureau of Land Management; and 4) publish peer-reviewed publications and disseminate research findings to stakeholders broadly. The PhD student will be expected to conduct quality, applied ecological research, publish in peer-reviewed journals, and contribute to a team of creative, interdisciplinary researchers. This position comes with a highly competitive, annual 12-month salary (~$38k/yr) and full support in the forms of tuition remission and student health insurance. Qualifications: Master's degree in ecology, soils ecology, plant ecology, entomology, or related field Proven capacity to publish peer-reviewed publications Advanced modeling and computational skills; working knowledge of statistical software Ability to conduct fieldwork in rugged conditions Experience with desert plant, soils, and/or pollinator research Ability to work independently and as part of a group Minimum undergrad GPA of 3.6. Link to job flyer: http://www.stevegrodsky.com/opportunities. Applicants are to send a single PDF containing: 1) cover letter; 2) CV; 3) contact information for 3 references and 5) PDFs of relevant peer-reviewed publications (if applicable) to Dr. Steve Grodsky (grodsky@cornell.edu) by August 15th. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted and required to apply for admission to the Department of Natural Resources and the Environment's Graduate Program at Cornell University. Posted: 7/23/21.

Dauphin Island Sea Lab: A graduate student position (MS or PhD) is available to work with Dr. Kelly Dorgan at Dauphin Island Sea Lab, Dauphin Island, AL, starting in fall 2022 or spring 2023. This project focuses on bioturbation and ecosystem engineering, specifically how worms and other sediment infauna mix sediment and modify sediment structure. Research in the lab integrates ecology, biomechanics (including engineering theory and methods), geotechnical engineering, and invertebrate behavior, morphology and physiology. I am looking for an enthusiastic student with research experience, ideally with invertebrates, and strong quantitative skills. Experience in programming in Matlab, R, and/or Arduino is desired but not required. Our interdisciplinary approach to science benefits from a lab group with diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and experience. Students with strong backgrounds in biology or marine science who also have expertise in other sciences (math, physics/engineering, geology, etc.), creative writing or arts, or technical skills (workshop, electronics, etc.) are especially encouraged to apply. We welcome candidates who understand the barriers facing traditionally underrepresented groups in higher education, and strongly urge candidates who have engaged in professional and/or public service contributions that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion to apply. If you are interested in applying or learning more about the position, please send a short email summarizing your research interests and relevant experience and a copy of your CV to kdorgan@disl.org. Posted: 12/8/21.

Delaware State University: One graduate research assistantship is available on a project to assess the effects of agricultural practices on wetlands. Healthy wetlands provide many benefits to both agricultural lands and nearby human communities, including recreational opportunities, pollination of crops, flood mitigation, and other goods and services (together called ecosystem services). In low-lying states like Delaware, sea level rise threatens both agricultural lands and wetlands. Making agriculture sustainable with sea level rise requires understanding where in the landscape different kinds of agricultural practices will be most effective to maintain the condition of nearby ecosystems. The student will be mentored by Dr. Sigrid Smith to study the effects of agricultural practices on the delivery of a wide range of ecosystem services from wetlands. The thesis project can be tailored based on the student's interests, but it likely will include examining identified hotspots in ecosystem service delivery (high-performing wetlands) to investigate if decisions and practices on the farms and/or characteristics of the wetlands explain their apparent resilience. Analysis of previously collected spatial data using geographic information systems (GIS) and statistics will be a primary activity of the student, but the student's investigations of high-performing wetlands may include computer-based (e.g., remote sensing) and/or field-based data collection. The student will gain experience in all parts of the scientific process from project design to public presentation of results and will develop strong skills in data analysis. The student will enroll fulltime in the M.S. program in Natural Resources in the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources. The program is designed to prepare students for careers in natural resources management, ecology, environmental science, and related fields. The position is funded for two years, providing a stipend ($20k in first year and $21k in second year, without benefits) and tuition and enrollment fees. A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in natural resources, environmental science, geography, agriculture, or related fields is required. A minimum average GPA of 2.5 overall and 3.0 within the major is needed for admission into the program. Students with experience using geographic information systems (GIS) and statistical software and with strong organizational, computer, and writing skills are especially encouraged to apply. To apply, please email a cover letter describing your research interests and fit for the position, resume/CV, unofficial copies of GRE scores (if available) and transcript(s), and contact information for three professional references to Dr. Sigrid Smith (ssmith@desu.edu) with "agriculture and wetlands MS student" in the subject line. Feel free to send any questions to this email as well. The lab promotes an inclusive environment and encourages people of all backgrounds and identities to apply. Review of applications will begin August 2, 2021. Position is available to start next January (spring 2022 term) or this August (fall 2021 term). Posted: 7/23/21.

Eastern Illinois University: MS Graduate Research Assistantship: Biological Response to Instream Habitat Restoration Across Multiple Trophic Levels (fish community, aquatic macroinvertebrates, habitat quality). Department of Biological Sciences' Center for Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences. Potential start date ranging from May 10th-August 17th, 2022. The candidate will investigate the biological responses to instream habitat restorations in Illinois streams. This will involve sampling and analysis of fish communities, aquatic macroinvertebrates, and habitat surveys (QHEI). Candidates with experience or interest in aquatic macroinvertebrate ecology are especially encouraged to apply. The position comes with tuition waiver and a $1400/month stipend under a 12-month contract. We are in search of a self-motivated student that works well independently, and in a team setting. The candidate will assist with both field and laboratory sampling and data processing tasks. Knowledge of aquatic ecology, field/lab techniques, and previous stream sampling experience is preferred. A bachelor's degree and an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 are required. Must be able to lift 40 pounds and work in inclement weather conditions. Must have a valid driver's license with at least 4 years of driving experience. Review of applications will begin April 15th and will continue until position is filled. Please send a statement of interest, a CV (including undergraduate GPA and GRE scores), undergraduate academic transcripts (unofficial okay), and a list of three professional references to: Daniel Roth-Fisheries Researcher and Laboratory Manager (Phone: 217-581-3100 Email: drroth@eiu.edu) Faculty Advisors: Dr. Eden L Effert-Fanta, Graduate Faculty (eleffert@eiu.edu) Dr. Robert E Colombo, Professor (recolombo@eiu.edu). Posted: 4/7/22.

Eastern Illinois University: The Meiners lab is recruiting a MS student to work on a project designed to evaluate management impacts on native plantings and their associated pollinator communities. This position will focus on evaluating management strategies effects on pollinator communities. A second MS position is working on plant responses. The MS student will be responsible for monthly pollinator surveys (with an assistant), assisting with vegetation surveys, data analysis, and report generation. The student will also develop an independent project that builds upon the central themes of the project. Candidates must be physically able to do field surveys, carry supplies for extended distances, and drive a University vehicle to field sites. The ideal candidate will have experience in pollinator sampling and be able to learn local insects with an emphasis on bees. Students interested in applied ecology are particularly encouraged to apply. This position starts June 2022 and is fully funded (summer and academic year) including tuition for two years. The successful candidate will join a diverse plant ecology research group within the Department of Biological Sciences. EIU is located in Charleston, IL, a small town in an agricultural region of the rural Midwest, located two hours from Indianapolis and St. Louis. To apply, please send a cover letter, resume/cv, and provide contact information for three references to: Scott Meiners – sjmeiners@eiu.edu. Please forward any questions to that address as well. Evaluation of applications will begin March 14. Posted: 2/23/22.

Eastern Washington University: The Biology Department at Eastern Washington University is excited to recruit graduate students funded under a Department of Education Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need (GAANN) grant starting Jan 2022 or Fall 2022. We seek GAANN Fellows for our Master’s program who will ultimately pursue a PhD, and are planning a career focused on either teaching or research. Individuals from historically underrepresented backgrounds are particularly encouraged to apply. Eligible students must have outstanding academic credentials, demonstrated financial need (FAFSA), and must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. GAANN Fellows will receive a tuition waiver and a stipend of up to $34k annually, with up to two years of support. GAANN Fellows may focus on any area in biology and are encouraged to contact individual faculty members in the EWU Biology Department to discuss their research interests. For additional information, including application materials, see: GAANN Fellowship program. If you are interested in starting January 2022, please contact Dr. Paul Spruell, Associate Chair of Biology and GAANN Program Director at pspruell@ewu.edu as soon as possible. Pease include “GAANN” in the subject line of your E-mail. Review of applicants for January 2022 will begin Dec. 15, 2021, and review of applicants for Fall 2022 will begin Dec. 31, 2021. Posted: 11/12/21.

Ecole polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne: PhD position in Plant Ecophysiology and Species Interactions. The Plant Ecology Research Laboratory PERL in the Institute of Environmental Engineering at EPFL (Lausanne, Switzerland) is offering a PhD position in plant ecophysiology starting in April 2022. PERL studies the impact of plant biodiversity loss on ecosystem functions and services and the physiological processes involved in plant responses to climatic stress. The PhD will work closely with collaborators from EPFL and from the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL) on improving our understanding of heat and drought impacts on tree physiological processes, specifically the role of tree species interactions on the carbon cycle (i.e., whole tree-level photosynthesis and respiration). The work's overall objective will be to unravel how forest structure and tree species composition modulate canopy-level carbon exchange during extreme climatic events. The work will be conducted in several networks of permanent forest stands in natural and mature forests as well as in open-top chambers. The applicant should have a background in forest ecology, plant physiology, ecophysiology, ecological modeling or related fields. Salary is following the ETH Domain salary system. To apply, please send a CV and a cover letter with a brief description of future research goals to charlotte.grossiord@epfl.ch. We will start looking at applications after December 1 st , 2022. The Ecole polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) is one of the most dynamic university campuses in Europe and ranks among the top 20 universities worldwide. The EPFL employs 6,000 people supporting the three main missions of the institutions: education, research and innovation. The EPFL campus offers an exceptional working environment at the heart of a community of 16,000 people, including over 10,000 students and 3,500 researchers from 120 different countries. Posted: 10/5/21.

Florida International University: FIU Biscayne Bay Campus. Start: Field Work: Summer 2022. Course Work: Fall 2022. We are seeking a highly motivated student for a NSF funded PhD position in marine ecology to investigate the role of ecological memory in nearshore seagrass beds affected by multiple stressors. The student will examine how the legacy of impacts from Hurricane Dorian drive the response of seagrass beds to stressors at multiple levels of biological organization (species, population, and community). Additional details can be found here: ECOMEM. The position includes tuition, 12-month stipend support, health insurance, and research support for three years. The successful applicant will work closely with Elizabeth Whitman at Florida International University, Betsy Stoner at Bentley University, and Stephanie Archer at Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium. Minorities and underrepresented groups in STEM are encouraged to apply. Bahamian students are especially encouraged to apply. Preference will be given to candidates with a passion for marine ecology, demonstrated field hardiness, leadership experience, and quantitative and writing skills. Required Qualifications: - A Bachelor’s degree in ecology, biology, or related field. Degrees in other fields with comparable experiences and a multidisciplinary mindset will be considered. - Desire to build and maintain strong international and multi-institutional collaborations - Ability to maintain a professional and positive attitude while working independently and collaboratively with a culturally diverse team - Demonstrated quantitative, oral presentation, and written communication skills - Willingness to spend several months at a time at an international field site and maintain productivity while leading a culturally diverse team of undergraduate interns - Ability to swim and comfort working in a remote marine environment - Interest in teaching and mentoring undergraduate and high school students - Willingness to complete remote first aid training Preferred Qualifications - Experience working with spatial and community data in R - Master’s degree in ecology, biology, or related field - Data management and analysis skills To Apply Send as a single PDF to ewhitman@fiu.edu - A cover letter highlighting your experience/skills, interests, and career plans as they pertain to this opportunity - Your curriculum vitae - A copy of your unofficial transcripts - A sample of scientific writing (e.g., a manuscript [published or in preparation - if you are not the first author highlight your writing contribution], a thesis, a scientific abstract, a class assignment) - Contact information for 3 references that can speak to some combination of 1) your research experience/interests, 2) your ability to work in a diverse collaborative team, 3) your interest/experience as a leader, mentor, and/or teacher, 4) your work ethic (applicant will be notified prior to any contact with references), and 5) the mentorship style you work best with. Applications will be considered beginning November 5, 2021. Only the selected candidate will be required to formally apply through FIU’s graduate school. Posted: 9/9/21.

Florida State University: Dr. Xiao Feng is recruiting PhD/Master students to start in Fall 2022. Dr. Feng's research focuses on large-scale biogeographic and biodiversity patterns under global changes and human impacts, using quantitative approaches, including statistical models, ecological niche model/species distribution models, Bayesian models, big-data, and large-scale simulations (see more details at lab.fengxiao.info). Graduate students will be supported through a combination of research and teaching assistantships. Prospective students sharing similar research interests, including biogeography, biodiversity informatics, and ecological niche modeling/species distribution modeling, are highly encouraged to apply. Qualifications: - Bachelor/Master degree in environmental science, ecology, geography, or relevant field; - Good verbal and written communication skills; - Being able to work independently and as part of a team. Apply by January 28th, 2022 for priority or full consideration. See more details of the application here: https://geography.fsu.edu/phd-in-geography/ Interested students should contact Dr. Feng (xfeng@fsu.edu) with the following information: - current CV, - a description of research interests, and - experience working with statistical models, programming, or GIS. Posted: 12/21/21.

Friedrich Schiller University Jena: In cooperation with the Friedrich Schiller University Jena, the Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry houses a unique and flexible research program that grants German and foreign students a broad selection of learning opportunities while still maintaining a research focus. The International Max Planck Research School for Global Biogeochemical Cycles (IMPRS-gBGC) offers a PhD program specializing in global biogeochemistry and related Earth System sciences. See the detailed description of all open projects. Application deadline for these fully funded PhD positions is January 31, 2022. Pre-interviews via web conference will be carried out and promising candidates will be invited to take part in our recruitment symposium (March 29-31, 2022). Posted: 12/13/21.

Georgia Institute of Technology: I am seeking 1-2 highly motivated Ph.D. students to join my laboratory at the School of Biological Sciences of Georgia Tech in Fall 2022. My primary research interests are in community ecology (see more information at Lin Jiang), and students interested in community ecology and related fields should consider applying. The successful candidates will have the freedom to choose their study systems (laboratory, field, or theoretical) and develop their own research projects during their graduate studies. Competitive stipends are provided in the format of research and teaching assistantships, with graduate fellowships also available for outstanding students. Note that as of fall 2020, GRE is no longer required for admission to our graduate program; the application deadline is Dec 15, 2021. For more information about our graduate program and online application, please go to https://biosciences.gatech.edu/graduate/prospective-students. Potential applicants may wish to contact me (Lin Jiang; email: lin.jiang@biology.gatech.edu) prior to filing an application. Posted: 9/9/21.

Iowa State University: The Silviculture and Applied Forest Ecology Lab in the Department of Natural Resource Ecology & Management is seeking a MS - level graduate student to join a climate adaptation project in midwestern forests. The student will work on an assessment of the success of restoration and adaptation efforts across sites varying in projected resilience and future suitability as habitat. The student will benefit from the opportunity to work on a landscape-scale study directly relevant to management and will develop and pursue questions related to regeneration and/or understory biodiversity tailored to the student's specific interests. Work will involve collaboration with a team that includes scientists and managers at ISU, the USFS Northern Research Station, and other partners. The position will be supported with two full years of funding (including tuition and health insurance) and will ideally start in May, 2022. It will be based in Ames, Iowa at Iowa State University and will involve field work across the northern Midwest. Qualifications: B.S. in forestry, ecology, silviculture, natural resources, conservation biology, environmental science, biology or a closely related field. Previous field and/or outdoor work experience is required. Skills in tree and shrub identification are preferred. Application process: Interested applicants should submit a CV, contact information for three references, unofficial transcripts, and a cover letter summarizing relevant experience, research interests, and professional and academic goals to Dr. Miranda Curzon (mcurzon@iastate.edu). Submitted materials should demonstrate effective communication through writing, an ability to work both independently and collaboratively, a passion for natural resources, and a strong work ethic. If nominated for the position, three letters of reference, and official transcripts will be required for application to ISU. The process for admission to graduate studies in the Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management is described at https://www.nrem.iastate.edu/admissions. Submit materials prior to March 11, 2022 for full consideration. Posted: 2/23/22.

Iowa State University: The Ecophysiology Lab (PI: Dr. Eric Riddell) is actively recruiting for PhD positions, including an NSF funded position to work on species distribution modeling in salamanders. Required qualifications for the position include at least a bachelor's degree in science and research experience. Required qualifications for the position include at least a bachelor's degree in science and research experience. Preferred qualifications include research experience on animals (vertebrate or invertebrate), a quantitative or statistical background, experience with programming in Python, and experience in working in lab and/or field research. The position will begin Fall 2022 and has three years of funding. Additional years will be covered by teaching assistantships or additional funding. Please send an e-mail to me (instructions below) by November 19th if you are interested, but applications will be reviewed as they are submitted. Interviews to start immediately. We encourage all persons to apply for the position, such persons that have been historically excluded from STEM, and remain committed to equitable hiring practices. If you would like to apply, please send several documents that will help me understand your background and experience. Please inquire to eriddell@iastate.edu with (1) a cover letter that includes your name, research interests/statement of purpose, research experience, relevant background information (personality, motivation, undergraduate capstone project, etc.), GPA, and GRE test scores (GRE not required); (2) CV or resume; (3) unofficial transcripts; (4) any relevant publications. Please include contact information for three references in your e-mail. Be sure to indicate the specific taxa or question you would like to work on that relates to the research we do in the Ecophysiology Lab. Feel free to attach a sample of your writing. Our lab is located at Iowa State University in the department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology. As a member of the lab, you will have opportunities to gain experience in environmental physiology, functional genomics, and individual-based modeling. Research in the lab generally focuses on amphibians, birds, and small mammals, but we are question-based scientists and open to any system that helps us answer fundamental questions in ecology and evolution using physiological approaches. Posted: 11/18/21.

Johns Hopkins University: I am looking to recruit a PhD student to begin Fall 2022 at Johns Hopkins. There are opportunities to work on topics from a wide range of potential areas, including environmental physics, geophysics, fluid mechanics, physical processes in hydrology, geomorphology, solute transport, isotope hydrology, and ecohydrology. Applicants must have strong quantitative skills and training, curiosity about how landscapes work, and undergrad research experience in modeling and/or data analysis. It is highly desirable that they write well, and are willing to get muddy on occasion. The student will be based in the Dept of Environmental Health and Engineering, but may benefit from strong ties to the Dept of Earth and Planetary Science. Funding is guaranteed assuming satisfactory progress through the doctoral program. Students from underrepresented backgrounds are encouraged to apply. For more information contact Dr Ciaran Harman charman1@jhu.edu or apply at https://publichealth.jhu.edu/academics/phd-in-geography-and-environmental-engineering. Posted: 11/30/21.

Kansas State University: I have a graduate research assistantship to support an MS or PhD student interested grasslands, restoration, and climate change. The position is in the Division of Biology at Kansas State University and the student will work with John Blair and collaborators at KU in an ongoing study of restored tallgrass prairies, trajectories of change in community and ecosystem properties, and sensitivity to climate variability and climate change. There are opportunities to develop specific research questions based on student interests, as well as opportunities for comparative studies with native tallgrass prairie. The project is located at the Konza Prairie Biological Station and LTER site. The assistantship starts Fall 2022, though an earlier start (June 2022) is also possible. The application deadline for regular admission in Fall 2022 is December 15. However, applications can also be considered at any time until the position is filled. Interested students can contact John Blair (jblair@ksu.edu) for additional information or to discuss the positions before applying. Posted: 11/23/21.

Louisiana State University: An MS research assistantship in Renewable Natural Resources is available starting fall semester 2022. The student will work with Dr. Brett Wolfe at the School of Renewable Natural Resources at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. The student's MS thesis project will contribute to USDA-funded research on loblolly pine, a commercially important tree in the southeastern United States. The project will develop methods to measure tree hydraulic traits using leaf reflectance spectroscopy and test for links between hydraulic traits and plant performance. Funding for the for the assistantship includes a competitive annual stipend and tuition waiver. Qualifications: Applicants should be self-motivated and eager to work in the field and learn about tree eco-physiology. An undergraduate degree and GRE test report are required. Research experience, including knowledge of R and statistics, is preferred. For international students with English as a second language, minimum scores are TOEFL, 550 (paper-based exam), 213 (computer-based exam), 79 (internet-based exam); IELTS, 6.5; or Pearson (PTE), 59. Inquiries and applications should be sent to Brett Wolfe (bwolfe@agcenter.lsu.edu). Email a letter of interest, CV including two references, and unofficial transcripts. Posted: 3/10/22.

Memorial University of Newfoundland: Two MSc position open in the 4D OCEANS Lab studying fjord spatial ecology We are looking for two students with a quantitative background in ecology or marine biology to examine the spatial heterogeneity of fjord environment and associated species. 1. Investigation of steep slope habitats in Bay d'Espoir Fjords are geological features formed by the marine inundation of valleys carved during glaciations which consist of deep coastal incisions, in which deep-water species typical of offshore areas can establish. Fjord walls are of particular interest, as deep-water vertical and steep slope habitats are increasingly being discovered as hosting rich communities of suspension feeders, with community composition often differing from the surrounding flatter terrain. However, for the most part, these striking landscapes have remained unexplored, owing to the ineffective nature of traditional sampling equipment (e.g. towed-camera systems) in rugged environments, and the fact that multibeam echosounders (MBES) surveys tend to underestimate steepness. As such, the extent of cliff habitats remains underestimated worldwide. This MSc project will focus on video analysis of steep slope habitats in Bay D’Espoir, NL, to understand the complexity of deep-water vertical habitats and their influence on local biodiversity spatial patterns. 2. Benthic habitat mapping of two Arctic Fjords High spatial heterogeneity in the environment can lead to high biological diversity. Unfortunately, a large portion of Canada’s coastal regions have not been mapped, yet alone had their marine habitat characterised at sufficient resolutions to enable monitoring of habitat. Fjords are common geological features along our coasts which can host high habitat complexity owing to their complex topography, interaction with currents, and natural gradients in water column properties (e.g. temperature, salinity, oxygenation). Fjords can also host deep-water species many of which are slow growing taxa, particularly vulnerable to anthropogenic influences, and whose location in coastal fjords bring in closer contact to human activities. Multibeam data was collected over many years in two Arctic fjords, Southwind fjords and Pangnirtung Fjord, on Baffin Island, Nunavut, and this dataset has now been complemented by benthic video imagery collected in 2021 onboard the CCGS Amundsen. This MSc project will focus on characterizing and comparing seascapes and their biodiversity. Both: Required skills include a quantitative background in ecology or marine biology, and familiarity with a programming language (e.g. R), previous experience acquiring or processing acoustic or video data will be considered a strong asset. For more information, please contact Katleen Robert (Katleen.robert@mi.mun.ca) with a CV and a cover letter stating your main research interests. Closing date: 1 December 2021. Prospective start date: Summer or Fall 2022. Please visit: https://www.mi.mun.ca/graduateopportunities/. Posted: 9/29/21.

[Position filled] Michigan State University: Plant-Soil Feedback in Forest Ecology (PhD). Michigan State University’s Department of Forestry is pleased to announce a graduate research assistantship to support a PhD student in conducting research in Forest Resource Ecology. The successful candidate will be involved in a USDA AFRI grant project “Oak Success Under Pine: Using Underlying Mechanisms to Develop Novel Silvicultural Practices in the Lake States Region,” conducting field and lab work to investigate oak seedling success under red pine plantation. This will include investigating biotic and abiotic plant-soil feedbacks under oak and red pine canopies, focusing on the interaction between oak seedlings and root and soil microorganisms, such as mycorrhizal fungi and pathogens. interdisciplinary research in forestry and will receive training in forest economics, forest product market analysis, and forest resource management. The assistantship is available for Summer 2022 (can work prior to enrollment) with formal Fall 2022 enrollment. Funding for tuition, health and stipend is available for three years. Questions about the position should be directed to Dr. Koyama at koyamaak@msu.edu and please apply by mid-August, 2022. More details here: https://www.canr.msu.edu/jobs/research-assistantship-available-for-graduate-student-phd-in-forest-ecology. Posted: 5/16/22, revised: 5/19/22.

Michigan State University: PhD Student needed for project in moth ecology / entomology education / machine learning. A research assistantship for an incoming PhD student is available at the Department of Entomology at Michigan State University beginning in January, 2022. Research will focus on facilitating moth ecology science investigations in elementary and middle school. This will require trapping and working with moths, working in and with k-5 school-aged children, and machine learning analysis for moth identification. PhD will ideally possess an M.S. in entomology, ecology, education, or computer machine learning. Exceptional candidates possessing only a B.S. will also be considered. A strong interest in entomology outreach and education is desired. The ideal candidates have experience working with insects, and experience working in K-12 education. Applicants should send a CV, cover letter describing their experience and interest in the position, unofficial transcripts and contact information for three references to Dr. Peter White (pwhite@msu.edu). Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. A spring 2022 start date is preferred but a different start date may be considered on a case-by-case basis. The position comes with a research assistant and teaching assistant support for the duration of the PhD tenure which includes a stipend, tuition waiver and health benefits. PhD applicants will have the opportunity to graduate with a dual degree in Entomology and EEB (Ecology, Evolution and Behavior). Posted: 9/9/21.

Michigan Tech University: 2 PhD student opportunities are available to join Erika Hersch-Green’s Lab in the Department of Biological Sciences at Michigan Tech in Houghton, MI; starting date is flexible - August 2022, January 2023, or May 2023. Our lab group seeks to better understand factors that influence how plants interact with their abiotic/biotic environments and the ecological and evolutionary responses of these interactions. Students will work as part of a team of students, scientists, teachers, and video media specialists to examine how nutrient availabilities and/or disturbances affect plants differently based upon their genome sizes and contributes to the structuring of biodiversity patterns from the molecular and functional attributes of organisms to multispecies assemblages. Potential foci include: genetic and transcriptome properties, community assembly processes, species interactions, and/or invasive species dynamics. Students will be trained in scientific teaching and communication skills and will have the opportunity to work with G6-12 and undergraduate students. Full funding is available for 8 semesters. Preference will be given to candidates with a passion for ecology/evolutionary biology, ability to take initiative in one’s research, a Master’s degree or substantial research experience in related-disciplines, good quantitative/statistics/ writing skills and a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Qualified candidates or those with questions should email Erika Hersch-Green (eherschg@mtu.edu) by May 30th and include a cover letter (outlining your research interests, career goals, research/skill), a CV, unofficial transcript(s), and preferred start date. Suitable candidates will then be contacted for phone interviews and to review the next steps. Posted: 4/27/22.

Michigan Tech University: A graduate student (M.S. or Ph.D.) position is available in the Voelker lab for two years of graduate tuition and salary, with additional support likely for a Ph.D. student. Research will focus primarily on understanding forest responses to climate variability and global change at local to global scales. On-going projects use dendrochronology paired with forest inventory, ecophysiology, ecosystem fluxes, and remote sensing measurements. The successful candidate would be advised by Dr. Steve Voelker and would also join a shared laboratory group of students advised by Dr. Julia Burton and Dr. Christopher Webster. A Bachelor’s degree in biology, forestry, geography, ecology, or a related field is required. Preferred qualifications include: strong interest in developing knowledge of forest ecology, quantitative skills; previous research experience; ability to work independently and on a team. Those interested should contact me via email (slvoelke@mtu.edu) with questions. You also may include a 1-2 paragraph letter expressing your research interests and how that aligns with our lab, and a Resume/C.V. listing relevant experience and three references. At MTU and within our collective lab group we are committed to promoting diversity, equity, inclusion and a sense of belonging. Posted: 4/13/22.

Michigan Tech University: The Forest Ecosystem Management and Silviculture Lab is recruiting two graduate students (1 MS and 1 PhD). Positions may begin in summer/fall of 2022. Initial support includes two full years of support (tuition and salary), with additional support likely for the PhD student. Research will focus on field studies of silvicultural management of northern hardwood forest ecosystems. Topics may include: 1) functional trait-based approaches for designing and evaluating long-term sustainability of silvicultural systems; 2) linkages between the understory microclimate and forest structural complexity; 3) effects of microclimate on growth and survival of tree seedlings; 4) improved forest management for climate change mitigation and adaptation; or 5) maintaining ground-layer plant diversity in managed forests. Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in forestry, biology, natural resources, ecology, environmental science or a closely related field is required. Preferred qualifications include: strong interest in developing expertise in silviculture and forest ecology, quantitative skills or interest in developing quantitative skills; previous research experience; ability to work independently and on a team; strong work ethic; communication skills; field experience; leadership experience or potential; and plant identification skills. Applicants for the PhD assistantship should have a MS degree or analogous qualifications. Applications may be submitted at no cost to the graduate program in the College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science. Please describe your research interests and indicate your interest in working in the Forest Ecosystem Management and Silviculture Lab in your statement of purpose and/or personal statement. You may inquire informally by submitting your resume and statements directly to me (contact information below). Contact: Dr. Julia Burton (jiburton@mtu.edu, 906-487-2387). Posted: 12/22/21.

Michigan Tech University: We are looking for independent, highly motivated and enthusiastic students who are passionate about pursuing research in community and food web ecology to join the Olin Laboratory in the Department of Biological Sciences at Michigan Tech. Our lab focuses on questions at the intersection of ecology and environmental change. A central goal of our lab is to understand the species- and food web-level responses to environmental change by generating empirical data that integrates across trophic ecology, population/community ecology and ecosystem ecology. To explore these topics, we use a combination of observational, experimental, ecogeochemical (e.g., stable isotopes, fatty acids, etc.) and theoretical approaches. In accordance with this goal we hope to recruit students with broad interests and/or experience in any of the following: community assembly, landscape ecology, food web interactions and energy transfer. A BS/MS in the field of community ecology, coastal ecology, fisheries, environmental science, or other related field of study is required. Members from groups underrepresented in STEM, including first-generation college students, students from low-income backgrounds, and students who identify as gender, racial, or ethnic minorities, are encouraged to apply. Competitive stipends are provided in the format of research and teaching assistantships, with graduate fellowships also available for outstanding students. Preference will be given to candidates with a passion for ecology, dedication to long days in the field, leadership experience and strong quantitative, writing and communication skills. Interested applicants should submit a single pdf that includes, (1) a cover letter outlining your interests in ecology, your career goals, ecological questions are you interested in pursuing for your graduate work, experience/skills as they pertain to this opportunity and why you believe my lab would be a good fit for you; (2) your curriculum vitae; (3) a copy of your unofficial transcripts; and (4) contact information for 3 references, to Jill Olin (jaolin@mtu.edu). Applications will be considered beginning 15 October 2021, with a position start date of Spring or Summer 2022. Only the selected candidates will be required to formally apply through MTU's graduate school. Posted: 10/5/21.

Montana State University: The Ulrich lab in the Ecology Department seeks a PhD student to investigate the physiological mechanisms and drivers of old-growth tree survival and mortality in eastern Oregon using tree-ring stable isotopes and dendrochronological approaches. This USDA-funded project will determine the environmental, disturbance, and physiological controls underlying tree mortality and survival across a network of ~2,000 old trees of various species including Pinus ponderosa and Abies grandis/concolor across a broad environmental gradient. The PhD position is supported for 3 years through research assistantships with the potential for additional years through teaching assistantships. The PhD position begins June 1, 2022. Full position description and how to apply: https://daniellemulrich.weebly.com/opportunities.html. Applications due February 1, 2022. Posted: 12/22/21.

Montana State University: The Ulrich lab in the Ecology Department is seeking a PhD student for USDA-funded research investigating heat and drought stress effects on plant-microbe interactions in blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis), with a focus on plant ecophysiology and plant C allocation to root exudation. More information. The PhD position is supported for 3-4 years through research and teaching assistantships. The position begins January 19, 2022. Applications are due September 15, 2021. To apply, please send an email with the subject “PhD Student Application” to: Dr. Danielle Ulrich (ulrichlab@montana.edu) that contains the following: (1) one-page cover letter describing your academic and research experience, reasons for pursuing graduate school, your specific current research interests, and how your research interests fit the lab; (2) curriculum vitae; (3) email address and phone number for three references; and (4) unofficial copy of university transcripts. Inquiries about the position are welcome. Posted: 7/22/21.

New Jersey Institute of Technology: The Ecohydrology Lab in the Department of Biological Sciences, NJIT is seeking a PhD-level graduate student. We invite highly motivated students with interests in using process-based modeling and geospatial technologies to study questions related to ecosystem response and feedbacks to changing hydroclimate. We will provide the candidate with plenty of opportunities to work with scientists with different expertise, including ecosystem modeling, plant physiology, hydrology, and deep learning. Students with a strong quantitative background, including environmental science, earth science, remote sensing, geography, computer science, and other related fields are encouraged to apply. Proficient programming skills (e.g., Python, R, Matlab, C, Fortran, or others) are preferred. Financial support includes tuition coverage, benefit, and a competitive stipend, through opportunities of Teaching and Research Assistantships, and additional fellowships based on qualifications. Application procedure. Deadline is Dec 15th for full consideration of financial support. Prospective students are highly encouraged to contact Dr. Xiaonan Tai (xiaonan.tai@njit.edu) to discuss potential research projects and opportunities before applying. Posted: 8/11/21.

New Mexico State University: The Pietrasiak Lab is looking for a student who is interested in working on a recently funded "˜Critical Zone Thematic Cluster" grant to study nutrient cycling and microbial communities in the carbonate-dominated soils of dryland ecosystems. The critical zone is the surface layer of the Earth from the top of the canopy to the groundwater that supports human life. This NSF-funded project is highly collaborative, interdisciplinary and focuses on field-based investigations in Texas, New Mexico, and Idaho. We are seeking 1 student to enter the M.S. program at NMSU. You will be working collaboratively with a research team at NMSU and the University of Texas, El Paso to examine nutrient cycling and limitation of plant and microbial communities in the Chihuahuan Desert, with a particular focus on phosphorus cycling. You will be investigating the possible shifts in microbial community structure and composition under varying nutrient regimes. Your results will then be linked to a companion study that investigates biogeochemical processes and microbial access to nutrients. Joining our team will offer the unique opportunity to collaboratively elucidate mechanisms driving changes in microbial diversity and how these changes link to functional dynamics. This position will be funded through research and teaching assistantships at the Plant and Environmental Sciences (PES) Department at NMSU. Successful candidates will have a strong academic record in microbiology, ecology, biology, environmental science, soil science, or a similar natural resource related field, as well as the ability to effectively collaborate, work independently, and have strong work ethics. Preference will be given to applicants who have previous research experience in microbial ecology, and an enthusiasm for field biology, lab work, and bioinformatics. The begin of this position will ideally be Spring 2022 but a Fall 2022 start can be negotiated. Activities of NMSU's Dryland Microbes lab can be found on Twitter using @DrylandAlgae. More information about the graduate program at NMSU's Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences and the NMSU graduate school. Interested students should send a current C.V., a brief letter of interest that includes projected research and career goals, and unofficial transcripts to Nicole Pietrasiak at npietras@nmsu.edu prior to applying. Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis, however, for full consideration please send materials by Sep 3, 2021. Posted: 7/23/21.

New Mexico State University: The Pietrasiak Lab is recruiting a M.S. graduate student to investigate the soil microbiome of pecan orchards in NM. Pecans are an important crop in New Mexico. Pecan farming in desert areas can be costly due to inefficient nutrient and water acquisition by the trees. Beneficial soil microbes, such as mycorrhizal fungi, can enhance plant growth and health but to date we virtually have no baseline information on NM mycorrhizae available. Your project will be to characterize New Mexico pecan mycorrhizal fungi genetically and phenotypically. This state-funded project is highly collaborative and interdisciplinary. It will integrate skills and knowledge of soil microbiology, bioinformatics, phylogeny, and biogeography. We are seeking 1 student to enter the M.S. program at the Plant and Environmental Science Department (PES) at NMSU. This position will be funded through research and teaching assistantships at the PES Department. You will be working collaboratively with mentors from the Molecular Biology, Extension Plant Sciences, and the Entomology, Plant Pathology and Weed Sciences Departments. Successful candidates will have a strong academic record in microbiology, ecology, biology, environmental science, soil science, or a similar agriculture or natural resource field, as well as the ability to effectively collaborate, work independently, and have a strong work ethic. Preference will be given to applicants who have previous research experience in microbial ecology, and an enthusiasm for field work, lab work, and bioinformatics. This position will begin Spring 2022. Activities of NMSU's Dryland Microbes lab can be found on Twitter using @DrylandAlgae. More information about the graduate program at NMSU's Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences and the NMSU graduate school. Interested students should send a current C.V., a brief letter of interest that includes projected research and career goals, and unofficial transcripts to Nicole Pietrasiak at npietras@nmsu.edu prior to applying. Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis, however, for full consideration please send materials by Sep 3, 2021. Posted: 7/23/21.

North Carolina State University: Ph.D. Position in Aquatic Biogeochemistry and Geospatial Modeling. The OsburnLab seeks a creative, motivated Ph.D. student with interests in dissolved organic matter biogeochemistry and geospatial modeling to join a project funded in part by the North Carolina Department of Justice’s Ecosystem Enhancement Grant Program. The position will begin Fall 2022 and is funded for four years at $25k/year, plus benefits and tuition support, through the cutting-edge Ph.D. program in Geospatial Analytics offered by NC State’s Center for Geospatial Analytics. The selected applicant will be part of an interdisciplinary and multi-institutional team working to characterize natural and anthropogenic sources and distributions of dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) in coastal watersheds. The position will be a combination of laboratory and computation activities; limited opportunities for field work are possible. It is expected that the student will develop research questions and a project tailored to their unique interests and career goals. To apply, complete the application at grad.ncsu.edu/apply. Applicants should have a background in aquatic biogeochemistry and coding (Matlab, Python, or R). For more information about the position, contact Dr. Christopher Osburn (closburn@ncsu.edu) and include a copy of your CV. Additional details about the Ph.D. program in Geospatial Analytics and complete application instructions are available at go.ncsu.edu/geospatial-phd. Interested students are also encouraged to contact Rachel Kasten, Graduate Services Coordinator (rachelkasten@ncsu.edu or 919-515-2800), with questions about the program or to explore additional opportunities. Posted: 12/8/21.

North Carolina State University: Tropical Forest Ecology PhD Assistantship. Seeking a motivated PhD student to conduct forest ecology research in Mexico. The project will build on existing connections with community managed forests, and could include a focus on regeneration dynamics, resprouting ecology and coppice management, biodiversity, forest restoration, and/or climate resilience. The position is funded for three years and includes a graduate stipend, tuition, and health insurance. Ideal start date in either January 2022 or September 2022. Applicants must be proficient in Spanish. Desired qualifications: an undergraduate or graduate degree in forestry, botany, ecology, plant science, biology or a related field; experience conducting field research; classwork or experience analyzing data in program R; interest in forest ecology and silviculture. To apply: Prospective applicants should send, via e-mail attachment, a brief letter of interest and CV (including GPA and contact information for three references) to Meredith Martin (mpmarti7@ncsu.edu). Materials should be sent by September 30th at the latest. Posted: 9/9/21.

Northern Arizona University: PhD student in tree genomics and evolution. We are looking for a highly motivated PhD student to work on a recently funded NSF project investigating the link between hybridization and drought tolerance in long-generation tree species. The PhD will join the Forest Genomics Lab at Northern Arizona University (NAU). The position includes a stipend, tuition waiver, and health benefits for 4 years. Minimum qualifications: - MSc degree in Genetics, Forest Sciences, Biology, Evolutionary Biology, or related fields of study. - Graduate courses in Genetics and Evolution. - Experience with R, and Perl or Phyton (familiarity with Linux is a plus) - Molecular lab experience. - Availability to start by July 1st, 2022. How to apply: Please send a 1-page statement of interest, CV, unofficial copy of transcripts, GRE scores, and TOEFL scores (international students), and the names and contact information of 3 references by January 28th, 2022. If found to be a good match for the position, you will be encouraged to apply to the graduate program at NAU. Contact Information: Dr. De La Torre, Amanda.de-la-torre@nau.edu. Posted: 1/18/22.

Northern Arizona University: PhD and MS positions in Ecosystem Ecology are available in the Center for Ecosystem Science and Society (Ecoss). The Ecoss mission is to conduct high-impact, innovative research on ecosystems and how they respond to and shape environmental change, to train next-gen scientists, and to communicate discovery and its relevance to people. Graduate student benefits include stipend (TA or RA), tuition waiver, and health insurance. Candidates should explore the Ecoss website (ecoss.nau.edu) and contact the professor whose interests align most closely. Prospective students should directly communicate with an Ecoss faculty member before submitting an application. Although applications are officially due in the Department of Biological Sciences by January 15, 2022, we encourage applicants to submit prior to December 1, 2021 for possible consideration for a prestigious NAU Presidential Fellowship. When contacting an Ecoss faculty member, please include a description of your background, research interests and qualifications, as well as a current resume or curriculum vitae. Please consult the list of faculty to determine who is accepting new students for the 2022-23 academic year. Ecoss is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We strongly encourage applications from women and members of underrepresented minority groups. The impact of climate change on Alaskan ecosystems, including effects of changing fire and permafrost on plants, soils, and ecosystem services. Michelle Mack, Ted Schuur, & Xanthe Walker (michelle.mack@nau.edu, ted.schuur@nau.edu, xanthe.walker@nau.edu). How microorganisms regulate biogeochemical responses of ecosystems to environmental change, using tools in quantitative ecology and molecular biology (next-gen sequencing, qPCR, and quantitative stable isotope probing). Bruce Hungate, Paul Dijkstra, Ben Koch, & Egbert Schwartz (bruce.hungate@nau.edu,paul.dijkstra@nau.edu, ben.koch@nau.edu, egbert.schwartz@nau.edu). Freshwater ecology, including the science of river restoration and dam removal, terrestrial aquatic interactions and food web ecology. Jane Marks & Ben Koch (jane.marks@nau.edu, ben.koch@nau.edu). Plant and microbial ecophysiology exploring the interaction of water and carbon metabolism in diverse systems, from the world's tallest trees to soil microorganisms. George Koch (george.koch@nau.edu). Data-driven modeling and forecasting to understand carbon and nitrogen cycle response to global change at ecosystem, regional, and global scales. Yiqi Luo & Deborah Huntzinger (yiqi.luo@nau.edu, deborah.huntzinger@nau.edu). Terrestrial ecosystems and global change: above and below ground processes, plant carbon allocation, biosphere-atmosphere interactions and feedbacks, radiocarbon, and phenology. Mariah Carbone & Andrew Richardson (mariah.carbone@nau.edu, andrew.richardson@nau.edu). Habitat restoration, invasions, and climate change through a number of lenses: plant-soil interactions, drought adaptation, pollinators, and soil microbial communities. Karen Haubensak (karen.haubensak@nau.edu). Posted: 10/20/21.

Northern Arizona University: Ecological & Environmental Informatics (PhD, multiple positions/fellowships). Are you passionate about ecology and data science? Northern Arizona University’s (NAU) Informatics PhD program with an emphasis in Ecological and Environmental Informatics integrates informatics (data science, computing, statistical analysis, synthesis, modeling) ecology, environmental and climate science, and other disciplines to address pressing global issues. NAU is located in the scenic mountain town of Flagstaff, AZ with access to outdoor recreation, a vibrant community, and dedicated faculty doing internationally renowned research. Our T3 option, funded through a National Science Foundation Research Traineeship (NRT) award, aims to train students in team science and science communication as they gain expertise in Ecological and Environmental Informatics, and to prepare trainees for a diverse range of career paths. Fellowships ($34k/year stipend, tuition benefits, health insurance, for 1-2 years) are available for outstanding applicants; we strongly encourage applications from women and members of underrepresented minority groups. Additional funding is available via research and teaching assistantships. All funded students receive a tuition waiver. Exceptional early applicants may be eligible for supplemental funding through NAU’s Presidential Fellowship. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until the final (Graduate College) deadline on January 1, 2022. For full funding consideration, we recommend applying during the Fall 2021 semester; prospective students should apply to the Informatics and Computing (INF) program, and explicitly indicate interest in the EEI T3 program within the personal statement. We strongly encourage interested students to contact prospective faculty mentors or the T3 Program Coordinator (Dr. Kimberly Samuels-Crow, Kimberly.Samuels@nau.edu) prior to applying. Posted: 10/4/21.

Ohio State University: Dr. Stuart Ludsin has openings available for up to three M.S. and Ph.D. students to conduct basic and applied research in aquatic ecology. Research topics include: 1) the ecology of Lake Erie yellow perch (e.g., Are invasive species affecting yellow perch foraging, movement, and vulnerability to anglers?); and 2) the impact of harmful algal blooms (HABs) on western Lake Erie’s food web (e.g., How do HABs affect habitat use, feeding interactions, energy flow, and (or) cyanotoxin accumulation in the food web?). Students would help design their projects, with each project potentially allowing for the opportunity to do fieldwork (e.g., telemetry), modeling, and experiments. Successful candidates will join a dynamic, interactive group of students, post-docs, and faculty at The Aquatic Ecology Laboratory within the Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology. Qualifications: Successful applicants will be creative, motivated, and capable of working effectively both independently and in collaborative groups. A Bachelor’s degree and (or) M.S. degree in biology, ecology, fisheries, general aquatic sciences, or a related field is required. Strong writing, quantitative, and people-management skills are essential. Stipend: ~$2,389/month plus full tuition waiver and health benefits. Graduate Research Assistantship support exists for the Lake Erie yellow perch project, whereas Graduate Teaching Assistantship support exists for the Lake Erie HABs project. Start date: Fall 2022. Application review will begin on November 15, 2021. If interested, please email Dr. Stuart Ludsin (ludsin.1@osu.edu): 1) a letter of interest that briefly describes your educational and research background, as well as your research interests/goals; 2) a curriculum vitae (or resume); 3) an unofficial copy of your transcript(s); 4) contact information for at least three professional references; and 5) your GRE scores (although they are not mandatory for admission), and if applicable, TOEFL/TSE scores. Please put “Ludsin Graduate Positions” in the subject line. Additional information: application procedures and requirements. Posted: 10/5/21.

Ohio State University: The Hood Lab is recruiting one Master student to conduct research that examines phosphorus cycling during high flow events in agricultural watersheds. The goal of this research is to improve understanding the role rivers play in shaping nutrient exports. The ideal candidate will be highly motivated and honest, with strong quantitative skills, an interest in applied aquatic ecology, and a background in ecology, biogeochemistry, and/or aquatic science. I seek to maintain a productive, diverse, and team-orientated lab group and especially encourage students from under-represented groups to consider joining the lab. The student will be supported by teaching and research assistantships (one year of both). In EEOB, graduate assistantship includes a stipend of ~$2,400 per month, health benefits, and a tuition/fee waiver. If interested, please email Jim Hood (hood.211@osu.edu) a single PDF containing (1) a statement of interest, (2) a CV, and (3) contact information for your three references. I will begin reviewing candidate applications immediately and ultimately invite selected applicants to apply to the department. The department's application deadline is 15 Nov 2021. Additional information: application procedures and requirements. Posted: 10/5/21.

Ohio University: A graduate student (MS) position is available to start January 2022 as part of a DOE-Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy funded research project: Combined Nitrogen and Phosphorus Recovery via Electrochemical Technology Integration into Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plants. The research focus will investigate the effectiveness of recovered nutrients as a fertilizer and its impact on soil quality and plant growth. The ideal candidate will be broadly trained in the natural sciences, but should have an interest in agriculture, plant biology, soil fertility, sustainability, or a related field. Application review begins August 23rd. For more details, please contact Dr. Jared DeForest (deforest@ohio.edu) in the Department of Environmental and Plant Biology. Posted: 6/17/21.

Oklahoma State University: Ph.D. Research Assistantship in Forest Ecology and Management. We are looking for a highly motivated Ph.D. student to study the long-term recovery of forest production and the associated timber value from ice storm damages and other stand disturbances. The prospective student will join a team of professors with expertise in vegetation modeling, forest ecology, silviculture, and forest economics. Salary/Benefit: A graduate stipend of $22,400 annually, resident and non-resident tuition waiver, and health insurance at $20 per month (for students only, family coverage available for an additional fee). Starting Date: Aug. 2022. Qualifications: Applicants should have: (1) B.S. or M.S. (preferred) in natural resources (forestry, rangeland, or agriculture), ecology, natural resource economics, geography, or a related field; (2) An undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher. Desired qualifications include: (1) Experience or coursework in statistical analysis; (2) Interest in plant ecology or natural resource economics; (2) Willingness to learn application of computer modeling to forest ecology and management. Documents: Applicants must create a single PDF with the name containing the first and last name of the applicant. Send the PDF to Dr. Lu Zhai (lu.zhai@okstate.edu). The PDF must contain: (1) A 1 or 2-page letter of interest stating motivation to pursue an Ph.D. degree and research experiences and interests; (2) Curriculum Vitae including GPA, GRE, and TOEFL/IELTS scores (international students only); (3) Three references: names, emails, and connection with references (i.e., if you participated in a specific project with one reference, please add the project title or topic and other important details), (4) Unofficial college transcript and GRE transcript. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Closes: 7/31/2022. Posted: 5/16/22.

Oklahoma State University: Applied Forest Ecology and Economics. We are looking for a highly motivated M.S. student to study forest production dynamics under drought disturbance and estimate the associated economic impacts of the changes in forest production. Estimates will include drought impacts on output, employment, and income of forestry and other related industries. The prospective student will be advised by a team of professors with expertise in vegetation modeling, forest economics, and forest production ecology. The position will be based in the Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater. Salary/Benefit: A graduate stipend of $20,000 annually and tuition waiver. Starting Date: January 2022. Qualifications: Applicants should have: (1) A B.S. in natural resources (forestry, rangeland, or agriculture), ecology, natural resource economics, geography, or a related field; (2) An undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher. Desired qualifications include: (1) Experience or coursework in statistical analysis; (2) Interest in plant ecology or natural resource economics; (3) Willingness to learn computer programming skills. Application: Applicants must create a single PDF with the name containing the first and last name of applicant. Send the PDF to Drs. Lu Zhai (lu.zhai@okstate.edu) and Omkar Joshi (omkar.joshi@okstate.edu). The PDF must contain: (1) A 1 or 2-page letter of interest stating motivation to pursue an M.S. degree and research experiences and interests; (2) Curriculum Vitae including GPA, GRE, and TOEFL/IELTS scores (international students only); (3) Three references: names, emails, and connection with references (i.e., if you participated in a specific project with one reference, please add the project title or topic), (4) Unofficial college transcript and GRE transcript. Closes: 1/15/2022. Posted: 10/28/21.

Oklahoma State University: I have openings in my lab in 2022 or beyond for potential graduate students interested in a master’s or PhD in plant or plant-insect ecology, evolution, or conservation, all with a healthy dose of natural history thrown in. More specific topics could include plant defense against herbivores, pollination ecology, or seed ecology, but are not limited to them! Students could work on whatever questions are most interesting to them under those very broad umbrellas, whether in my established systems or developing their own systems. The plant bio program at OSU is a small, close-knit program within a large land grant school, with all of the research amenities that offers (extensive field sites, core facilities, a diversity of classes in life sciences, etc.). I encourage all interested students to reach out, nomatter your background, GPA in college, GRE scores, country of residence (we have many international graduate students), etc. We currently have a small but active lab and have joint lab meetings with another ecology lab. Oklahoma has a diversity of interesting field sites, from tallgrass prairie north of Stillwater, oak woodlands and riparian areas near campus, and interesting other plant communities (i.e. gypsum barrens, etc.) a little farther afield. It goes without saying 2021 is (still) a strange time to apply and make grad school decisions. If you are not sure about whether to apply this year or later because of this uncertainty, let’s chat about science and grad school anyway, whether or not you end up applying. Contact Eric LoPresti if interested: eric.lopresti@okstate.edu or lopresti.eric@gmail.com Posted: 9/9/21.

Oklahoma State University: The Zhang Lab in the Department of Integrative Biology is keen to recruit two bright and highly motivated graduate students (one M.S. and one Ph.D.) to join our lab for Spring 2022. Our lab is interested in understanding and predicting how global changes and anthropogenic disturbances affect ecological dynamics at regional and global scales via scaling up individual behaviors and interactions between organisms and environments. We use a wide range of approaches, including long-term field data, greenhouse/laboratory experiments, and mathematical modeling. We are currently interested in two main projects: 1) How do climate and anthropogenic factors drive biological invasions? and 2) How does modeling movement project ecological dynamics at large scales? Students will also be encouraged to develop their projects under the lab's general interest. 1. Salary/Benefit: Graduate students are supported by teaching assistantships, research assistantships, or fellowships. Graduate teaching assistantship are readily available, and the 9-month stipend is $19,944 (for M.S. students) and $23,175 (for Ph.D. students). 2. Qualifications: Applicants should have: 1) A B.S. in biology, ecology, or a related field; 2) An undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher. Desired qualifications include: 1) Experience in greenhouse studies, especially in the soil microbiome; or 2) Laboratory experience with the nematode worm, C. elegans; and 3) Willingness to learn computer programming skills. 3. Applications: If you are interested in working with me, I strongly recommend that you reach out to me before applying for graduate study. Applicants must create a single PDF with the name containing the first and last name of applicant. Send the PDF to Dr. Bo Zhang by email to: bozhang@okstate.edu before September 15, 2021. The PDF must contain: 1) A brief research interest; 2) Curriculum Vitae or resume; and 3) Names and contact information for three professional references. We no longer require GRE scores. Posted: 6/11/21.

Penn State University: Numerous Ecology grad positions available. See Current Opportunities for details and to apply. Applications are accepted at any time; however, to receive full consideration for fellowships and financial aid, students should apply by December 15 for admission in the following fall semester. Current Opportunities 1. Climate change impacts on soil microbiomes (Estelle Couradeau). The Couradeau lab is seeking a Ph.D. student with interest in understanding the impact of climate change on soil microbial communities. The project will aim at linking microbial function to emergent soil properties and will be co-crafted by the successful candidate and the PI based on interests. Model soil systems could include agricultural soils under various management regimes or environmental samples from arid lands. The student will have the opportunity to learn approaches in molecular ecology, microscopy, soil science, and bioinformatics, and will join lively community of the Microbiome Center. 2. Decision support modeling for wild turkey (Duane Diefenbach and Franny Buderman). Management of wild species often involves competing objectives that make it difficult to identify preferred management actions. In addition, uncertainty and timing of decisions can reduce the ability to maximize benefits of management actions. We are seeking a Ph.D. student interested in developing a decision model as part of a large-scale study of wild turkeys in Pennsylvania. The project provides an opportunity to combine field data with computer modeling to inform a decision model for managing wild turkey. 3. Ecosystem ecology of forests or agricultural fields (Jason Kaye). We are conducting a variety of experiments that assess nitrogen and carbon cycling in local forests and agroecosystems. In forests, we work in interdisciplinary teams using a "Critical Zone Science" approach and much of our research takes place in an intensively monitored long-term observatory watershed. We also study a forest that receives wastewater irrigation to evaluate the forest as a living filter for wastewater and use the irrigation system as an analogue for precipitation change. In agroecosystems, our research applies biodiversity-ecosystem function theory to design systems that have high yields and low nitrogen pollution. We also work on interdisciplinary teams through the "Thriving Ag in Urbanizing Landscapes" project. Students in our group often participate in the LandscapeU training grant and the dual-title degree program in biogeochemistry. 4. Ecological theory (Katriona Shea). Recruiting students interested in plant invasions (a mix of theory and empirical work) or epidemiologically-interested students (theory only). 5. Harnessing the microbiome to mitigate drought impact in agriculture (Francisco Dini-Andreote). Plants recruit and nurture a diverse community of microbes - the microbiome. In natural and man-made ecosystems, root-associated microbiomes considerably expand the plant's genomic and metabolic capabilities, providing essential life-support functions such as nutrient acquisition, modulation of immune responses and (a)biotic stress tolerance. The overall aim of this project is to investigate the effects of plant genotype on root microbiome assembly and function, with a specific focus on microbial functions enhancing plant tolerance to drought. The student will have the possibility to use various tools, including molecular biology, bioinformatics, statistical and simulation modeling, and laboratory experiments. The overall goal is to better understand the impact of drought on plant microbiomes and harness the potential of specific microbial functions that help the plant to cope with such stress in natural and agricultural settings. 6. Pollinators and invasive insects (Christina Grozinger/Natalie Boyle). Multiple faculty are potentially recruiting students with interest in applications of data science tools and approaches to studying, modeling and predicting the distribution of beneficial (pollinators and predators), pest (agricultural and human health), and invasive insect species. 7. Conservation & restoration of freshwater ecosystems (Bradley Cardinale). The Cardinale lab is seeking a Ph.D. student interested in working on the conservation or restoration of freshwater streams, wetlands, or lakes. Students working on conservation will perform fundamental research that aims to protect biodiversity and preserve the goods and services that freshwater ecosystems provide to people. Those working on restoration will focus on enhancing biodiversity and ecosystem services by examining how to restore ecosystems to a better state. 8. Weed ecology under climate change (Carolyn Lowry). The Lowry Weed Ecology and Management Lab is seeking a PhD student to be involved with an exciting multi-state project evaluating climate change and crop management effects on perennial forage crops and weed community dynamics. Students will have the opportunity to conduct field and/or greenhouse experiments, as well as receive training in weed and agricultural ecology, as well as statistics. Opportunities are also available for the student to participate in extension events, as well as to present findings at academic meetings. 9. Quantitative forest ecology/adaptation to climate in forest tree species/modeling forest regeneration (Laura Leites). The Leites lab is recruiting a PhD student interested in working on ecological genetics and modeling population responses to climate in forest tree species, and a MS student interested in modeling natural regeneration after disturbance in mixed oak forests. Our lab provides an intellectually rigorous and stimulating environment where we strive to be inclusive and welcoming so that all members can achieve their academic and professional goals. Posted: 12/13/21.

Penn State University: Our ecosystem ecology and soil biogeochemistry group is seeking applicants for a PhD position to begin in fall 22. The student will work with an interdisciplinary team using a "Critical Zone Science" approach in an intensively monitored long-term observatory watershed. There are many other study system options, including riparian buffers and a forest used as a living filter for wastewater irrigation and an analogue for precipitation change. Students may apply to the Graduate Program in Soil Science or the Inter-College Graduate Degree Program in Ecology. Students may also also participate in the LandscapeU training grant and the dual-title degree program in biogeochemistry. To discuss the position contact Jason Kaye. Posted: 12/8/21.

Purdue University: I am seeking graduate students, either MS or PhD, to work on each of the following two projects in the Department of Entomology: 1) Chemical Ecology of Insect Pests The striped cucumber beetle (Acalymma vittatum) is a major pest of cucurbit crops. We are interested in developing sustainable approaches for the management of this species that take advantage of its natural attraction to aggregation pheromone and floral volatiles. Both olfactory stimuli will be tested to synergistically attract beetles and pull them off crop plants. 2) Cropping System Diversity & Ecosystem Services As part of a multi-year, multi-state initiative we will be testing how landscape and cropping system diversity affect pest outbreaks and the provisioning of ecosystem services, focusing on biocontrol and pollination. This project will work on commercial farms along a gradient from the traditional corn monoculture in the Midwestern U.S. to highly diversified farms. Both positions are fully funded as Research Assistantships and come with a grad stipend, insurance, etc. Qualifications: Positions entail substantial field research so candidates should be enthusiastic about working outdoors in agricultural settings with background/interests in insects, ecology, and/or agriculture. Ideal start date is Jan 2022; however, a later date (May-Aug) may be possible. If interested, please email Ian Kaplan (ikaplan@purdue.edu) with a statement of your research interests and a CV. Posted: 8/12/21.

Purdue University: Long-term Change in High Elevation Spruce-Fir Forests of the Southern Appalachians. We are seeking a motivated M.S. student to become part of a collaborative project between the National Park Service and the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources at Purdue University. The project will resample permanent vegetation plots in Great Smoky Mountains National Park to examine the long-term dynamics of high elevation spruce-fir forests. The MS students will spend a summer field season living near and working in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The position is funded for two years beginning in the spring semester of 2022 and includes a graduate stipend, tuition waiver, and access to employer assisted health insurance. Applicants should have a GPA of 3.2 or higher. GRE scores are not required, but may be submitted. Desired qualifications: an undergraduate degree in forestry, botany, ecology, plant science, biology or a related field; experience conducting field research, navigating in rugged backcountry, and backpacking and camping in remote locations; interest in forest ecology and invasive insects. To apply: Prospective applicants should send, via e-mail attachment, a brief letter of interest, CV (including GPA and contact information for three references), and unofficial transcripts to Mike Jenkins (jenkinma@purdue.edu). We will begin reviewing materials on August 2, 2021. Posted: 7/23/21.

Queensland University of Technology: We have a PhD scholarship available in Brisbane, Australia for a student interested in mathematical modelling and/or quantitative ecology, to model regime shifts in Antarctica. Full details. This project is available for start in Semester 1 2022. If interested, please send through an email with your CV and describing your interest in the project by 25 February. Posted: 1/27/22.

South Dakota State University: One Master's Student position and one PhD student position are available to participate in a USDA-funded effort to improve prediction of the quantity and quality of forage available to rangeland livestock in the Northern Great Plains. The project integrates remote sensing data and climate data with field data collection and laboratory analysis using AI algorithms with the goal of producing web and mobile applications that will be made available to livestock producers. The project will also conduct outreach efforts to make local producers aware of this technology and train them in its use. The MS student will handle field data collection and laboratory analysis and assist with outreach efforts. The PhD student will be involved in field data collection, data pipeline creation, and artificial intelligence model development. The work is a collaboration between faculty in Natural Resource Management, Animal Science, and Statistics departments. These positions are available beginning August 2022. The successful candidates will receive tuition waivers and a 12-month stipend. Required Qualifications (MS): (1) A BS/BA degree in Biology, Ecology, Environmental Science, Rangeland Ecology, Natural Resource Management, or related field by May 2022; (2) strong academic record including undergraduate research experience; (3) quantitative skills including advanced Excel and introductory R; (4) excellent written and oral communication skills. Required Qualifications (PhD): (1) A MS degree in Biology, Ecology, Environmental Science, Rangeland Ecology, Animal Science, Natural Resource Management, Statistics, Math, or related field by May 2022; (2) strong academic record including thesis work leading to publication; (3) advanced quantitative skills including GIS, R, Python, and supervised/unsupervised classification; (4) excellent written and oral communication skills. To apply, send a single PDF with (1) CV; (2) a letter describing how you meet the required qualifications, research interests, and career goals; (3) unofficial transcripts; and (4) contact information for three professional references to Josh Leffler (joshua.leffler@sdstate.edu) for the MS position or Jamie Brennan (jameson.brennan@sdstate.edu) for the PhD position. Formal application to the university only needs to be made after selection of the successful candidate. For full consideration, please apply by 17 February. Posted: 1/18/22.

South Dakota State University: One PhD student position is available to participate in a USDA-funded effort to evaluate the carbon stock and flux consequences of new precision grazing technologies for rangeland livestock in the Northern Great Plains. The project will compare traditional grazing management with virtual fencing and take a systems approach in examining the complete livestock production process. The PhD student will be responsible for vegetation, soil carbon, and carbon flux measurements in a spatially explicit manner and will contribute models of carbon exchange impact to the larger project. The PhD student will also develop related projects as additional components of their dissertation. Field work will take place at the Cottonwood Research Station in western South Dakota during the summer. The work is a collaboration between faculty in Natural Resource Management and Animal Science departments. The position is available beginning August 2022. The successful candidate will receive a tuition waiver and a 12-month stipend. Required Qualifications: (1) A BS/BA degree in Biology, Ecology, Rangeland Ecology, Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, or related field by May 2022; (2) strong academic record including research experience leading to publication; (3) strong quantitative skills preferably using R; (4) prior experience in GIS and spatial statistics; (5) excellent written and oral communication skills. To apply, send a single PDF with (1) CV; (2) a letter describing how you meet the required qualifications, research interests, and career goals; (3) unofficial transcripts; and (4) contact information for three professional references to Josh Leffler (joshua.leffler@sdstate.edu). Formal application to the university only needs to be made after selection of the successful candidate. Please apply by 18 February 2022 for full consideration. Posted: 1/11/22.

Southeast Missouri State University: I (Lucas J. Kirschman) am seeking a graduate student (MS) with an interest in insect physiology and microbiota to investigate plastic biodegradation by microbes isolated from the guts of darkling beetles at Southeast Missouri State University. Funding for four semesters is available via a teaching assistantship with an externally funded research assistantship for one summer. The position will begin in Fall 2022. The ideal candidate should have experience with animal physiology or microbiology. To apply, please contact Lucas Kirschman (lkirschman@semo.edu) and attach a current CV. Posted: 6/8/22.

Southern Illinois University: The Forestry Program announces the availability of three M.S. research assistantships beginning August 16, 2022. Assistantships include annual stipends of $18k and a tuition waiver. Successful candidates will join a team of researchers and graduate students led by Jon Schoonover and Karl Williard. The team is investigating water and soil quality responses to various management practices in agricultural watersheds, including cover crops, water and sediment control basins, saturated buffers, crop rotation, and tillage. Assistantships are funded through grants from the Illinois Nutrient Research and Education Council. Research will include significant field and laboratory components. Qualified applicants should possess a bachelor's degree in soil science, agronomy, forestry, environmental science, chemistry, biology, or a related discipline. Please email a letter of interest, resume, and GRE scores (if available) to Dr. Karl Williard, williard@siu.edu and Dr. Jon Schoonover, jschoon@siu.edu by March 23, 2022, for full consideration. Contact Dr. Williard with any questions at 618-453-7478. Please see M.S. program in Forestry. Posted: 3/10/22.

Southern Illinois University: Drs. Clay Nielsen, Guillaume Bastille-Rousseau, and Brent Pease at Southern Illinois University seek 3 Ph.D.-level Graduate Research Assistants (GRA) to study carnivore ecology in Illinois. Two GRAs will study bobcats in north-central Illinois and be co-advised as follows: Bobcat spatial ecology: Nielsen and Bastille-Rousseau Bobcat demographics: Nielsen and Pease One GRA will study gray foxes in southern Illinois and another study area TBD; this student will be co-advised by Nielsen and Bastille-Rousseau. Primary field work on both projects will include capture and fitting of animals with GPS collars with primary objectives to quantify survival, dispersal, home ranges, and habitat selection, with duties split for the bobcat project as listed above. These are large, well-funded research efforts involving research technicians to assist in gathering data. Depending on start time, the successful applicant may first be hired as a technician, to transfer to Ph.D. student status thereafter. Salary: ~$1,575/mo + tuition & benefits; free housing may be available. Qualifications: The successful applicant will have: (1) obtained a M.S. degree in wildlife, ecology, biology, forestry, zoology, or related fields; (2) applicable field skills including carnivore capture, handling, collection of biological samples, and GPS collars; (3) a driver's license and ability to carry heavy gear long distances in difficult field conditions; (4) exceptional quantitative skills; (5) strong oral and written communication skills; (6) aerial radiotelemetry experience; and (7) an ability to work both independently and within a team framework with project technicians and fellow graduate students in highly-productive research laboratories. Interested parties should email a cover letter, CV (with GPA and GRE scores included), writing sample, and list of 3 references to Dr. Nielsen at kezo92@siu.edu. The email subject line should list which project(s) are of interest and that should also be stated clearly in the cover letter. Please email application materials no later than 25 February 2022. Start Date: 1 June 2022. Posted: 1/21/22.

Southern Illinois University: Location: Key Largo, Florida; Carbondale, Illinois. Salary: ~1,500/mo + tuition and benefits. Start Date: April 15, 2022. A M.S.-level Graduate Research Assistantship is available at SIU starting April 2022 to assess the movement patterns of mesopredators in association with supplemental human foods and invasive predators in an island ecosystem. The field research (April/May - August) will take place in Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Key Largo, Florida, in cooperation with the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences (Dr. Mike Cove), the USFWS (Refuge Manager Jeremy Dixon), and with SIU (Dr. Brent Pease). During the academic year (August – May), the student will be based at SIU in Carbondale. Primary field work will take place during spring and summer and includes tracking GPS-tagged mesopredators in Key Largo along an urban-wild gradient and overlapping with invasive Burmese pythons. The graduate student will estimate home range and quantify movement behaviors of raccoons and Virginia opossums to investigate the ecosystem role of mesopredators as seed dispersers and identify potential interactions of study animals with known locations of multiple endangered species. The student will work to analyze GPS movement data in a continuous time movement modeling framework with the potential to include additional analyses with camera trap data through integrated modeling frameworks. Opportunities may exist for the student to develop independent research questions and projects including but not limited to animal movement, species co-occurrence, community dynamics, stable isotopes, diet analysis, and/or ecosystem services. The successful applicant is expected to effectively communicate findings to all partners and participate in other on-going monitoring efforts in Key Largo. Housing will be provided for fieldwork in the Keys. The student will earn a M.S. in Forestry with emphasis in Wildlife Ecology at Southern Illinois University and will be co-advised by Drs. Mike Cove and Brent Pease. The successful applicant will have (1) obtained B.S. degree in wildlife, ecology, biology, forestry, zoology, or related fields; (2) knowledge of mesopredator ecology; (3) exceptional quantitative skills and familiarity with radiotracking and movement models; (4) knowledge of program R and spatial software (e.g., QGIS, ArcGIS); (5) a driver's license and ability to conduct independent field work in difficult conditions (e.g., mosquitoes, biting flies, and heat)); and (6) strong oral and written communication skills. To apply please email a single PDF to Dr. Brent Pease (bpease1@siu.edu) that includes: 1. A cover letter that describes past experiences and career goals 2. Curriculum Vitae (with GPA and GRE scores included) 3. Undergraduate transcripts (unofficial is acceptable) 4. Contact information for 3 references. The email subject should be "MS - Florida Keys Mesopredators". For full consideration, applications must be received by Feb 25, 2022. Posted: 1/18/22.

Stockholm University: I (Mag. Dr. Birgit Wild, Assistant Professor, Department of Environmental Science) am currently recruiting three persons to work with me on my new ERC StG PRIMETIME on quantifying the impact of plant-soil interactions on the Arctic CO2 balance. - PhD student, 4 years, application deadline 22 April - Post doc, 2 years (prolongation possible), application deadline 15 May - Research engineer, 1 year (prolongation possible), application deadline 15 May. The plan for this first phase of the project includes field experiments in the Canadian Arctic, laboratory experiments in Stockholm involving soils and intact plants, and plenty of isotopic tools. I am hoping for three motivated and skilled persons to tackle different aspects of that. Posted: 4/7/22.

Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences: We are looking for two enthusiastic PhD students to work on thresholds and tipping points to global warming in the ERC-funded project THRESHOLD at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences in Umeå. Position 1 will broadly focus on temperature effects on functional trait composition of plant and soil communities (microbes, nematodes, and other groups of soil fauna). For this, you will use forest-alpine and forest-tundra ecotones (from woody- to herbaceous-dominated vegetation) which cover temperature gradients on par with expected global warming scenarios. In the field, you will link the trait composition of plant and soil communities to ecosystem functions, in particular carbon and nutrient cycling. You will also use temperature-controlled climate chambers for mesocosm studies using plant and soil material collected from the field. This may include soil sterilization and re-inoculation approaches. The scope of this PhD project is deliberately broad, and is adaptable to suit the specific interests of the student that is appointed. This project would be ideal for anyone intending to specialize in community ecology, ecosystem ecology, plant ecology, or soil ecology. Position 2 will focus on community and individual species responses to shifts in temperature, with special attention to the role of soil biota in shaping plant response functions. You will explicitly look at the soil organisms most intimately associated with plant roots, i.e., mycorrhizal fungi and root pathogens. You will measure temperature response functions for physiological processes underlying the plant’s carbon-nutrient balance. Here, you will also study responses to ‘extreme temperatures’ (as in heatwaves). These studies will be largely lab-based using state-of-the-art climate chambers and temperature gradient systems, but with the possibility of a field-based component. Both positions are fully funded for a period of 4 years, with a starting date between 1 October 2021 and 1 January 2022. We welcome your application no later than 2 August 2021. See the links above to apply. For more information, please contact Paul Kardol: paul.kardol@slu.se. Posted: 6/11/21.

Tennessee State University: Plant-Soil Feedback in Forest Ecology (M.S.). Two M.S. positions are available in the McCarthy-Neumann lab with 12-month stipend support for two years. Research will focus on plant-soil feedback (PSF) in forest community dynamics. Potential projects include soil biota influenced light gradient partitioning, PSF and oak/hickory regeneration failure, and PSF in forest restoration. A B.S. in the field of ecology, forestry, environmental science, or another related field is required. Members from groups underrepresented in STEM are encouraged to apply. Competitive stipends are provided in the format of research assistantships. Preference will be given to candidates with a passion for ecology, dedication to long days in the field, leadership experience, previous research experience and strong quantitative, writing and communication skills. Interested applicants should submit a single pdf that includes, (1) a cover letter outlining your interests in ecology, your career goals, ecological questions you are interested in pursuing for your graduate work, experience/skills as they pertain to this opportunity and why you believe my lab would be a good fit for you (maximum 2 pages); (2) your curriculum vitae; (3) a copy of your unofficial transcripts; (4) a copy of your unofficial GRE scores (and TOEFL scores for international students); and (5) contact information for 3 references, to Sarah McCarthy-Neumann (sneumann@tnstate.edu). Applications must be completed by July 15, 2022 for Fall 2022 or November 1, 2022 for Spring 2023 enrollment. Only the selected candidates will be required to formally apply through TSU’s Graduate School. For more info see https://www.mccarthy-neumannlab.com/. Posted: 6/27/22.

Tennessee State University: Two Graduate Research Assistantships in Urban Forestry. A master's (M.S.) level and a doctoral (Ph.D.) level graduate research assistantships (GRAs) in urban forestry are available in the Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences within the College of Agriculture at Tennessee State University (TSU) in Nashville, Tennessee, starting Fall 2022. We are seeking highly motivated students to explore the impacts of urban land development and climate change on urban forest ecosystems, especially in disadvantaged, underrepresented, and under-engaged communities. These positions are fully funded 12-month GRA positions that include a competitive monthly stipend (2 years for M.S.; 3 years for Ph.D.). Qualifications 1. A bachelor's degree (for M.S.) or a master's degree (for Ph.D.) in urban forestry, arboriculture, forestry, environmental science, horticulture, ecology, landscape architecture, or closely related fields; 2. Strong communications skills (verbal and written); 3. Ability to work independently and collaboratively with diverse team members. Candidates with strong quantitative analytical skills, GIS/remote sensing/modeling skills, or a social science background are preferred. If interested, please submit the following documents in a single PDF file to Dr. Yujuan Chen (Associate Professor of Urban Forestry) at Yujuan.Chen@tnstate.edu: 1. A letter of interest (maximum 2 pages); 2. Curriculum vitae or resume; 3. Unofficial copies of the transcripts (undergraduate and graduate levels); 4. Unofficial GRE scores (and TOEFL scores for international students); 5. List of three references (name, title, affiliation, email address, and phone number); 6. Publication samples (optional). Review of the applications will begin immediately and will continue until the positions are filled. An online application to the Graduate School will be required (application deadline: April 1, 2022) for an official offer to be made. More information can be found at the TSU website: https://www.tnstate.edu/applynow. Posted: 2/23/22.

Texas State University: We are looking to recruit a graduate student (MS) with an interest in population ecology and prairie restoration to participate in a collaborative project between Texas State University, The Native Prairie Association of Texas, Trinity University and the University of Texas in San Antonio in an on-ranch prairie restoration experiment. The field site is in South Austin. Funding will be available through teaching scholarships at Texas State University during the long semesters and a research stipend for two consecutive summers. The ideal candidate is motivated to learn principles of population ecology and ecosystem restoration, versed in local plant identification and have at least some experience in field work. For more information contact Dr. Susan Schwinning (Biology Department) by email (schwinn@txstate.edu) with a statement of research interests, an attached curriculum vitae and informal academic transcripts. Posted: 4/13/22.

Texas State University: The Nowlin Aquatic Ecology Lab (Department of Biology, Aquatic Station, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX, USA) is seeking highly motivated and curious PhD and MS students to join a large, well-funded, multi-disciplinary, and collaborative group of researchers working on a large-scale project: "Quantifying drivers of native and non-native aquatic species abundance and distribution in drought- and flood-prone Texas basins". The project is a collaboration between researchers at TX State University and the US Army Corps of Engineers (the Engineer Research and Development Center). The positions are immediately available for applicants with a desire to develop quantitative, problem-solving, collaborative, and communication skills. A minimum of 2-years of Research Assistantship support (including tuition coverage) will be provided. Students will be enrolled in the PhD program (Aquatic Resources and Integrative Biology) or MS program (Aquatic Resources) in the Department of Biology. Thesis and dissertation topics are open for discussion and can include: spatiotemporal patterns of species diversity and distribution across and within drainages, cycling and transport of nutrients, food web ecology, and ecosystem metabolism. River ecosystems in much of Texas are biologically diverse, span multiple environmental gradients (e.g., climate) and regions (e.g., geology and ecoregion), and provide excellent opportunities to test hypotheses across large and small spatiotemporal scales. The Aquatic Station (location of the lab) houses an animal wet lab facility, a diversity of instrumentation and an experimental stream facility. Our collaborative group at Texas State, a federally designated Hispanic Serving Institution, seeks to contribute to increased diversity and representation (visible and invisible) in aquatic sciences. We are especially interested in applicants who share our commitment to equity and high-quality education of students from historically underserved and marginalized communities. We seek and encourage candidates from under-represented groups to apply. Applicants for all positions are encouraged to describe how they will support and contribute to our efforts build and maintain a diverse and inclusive research team. For questions or additional information about any of these positions, please contact Dr. Weston Nowlin (wn11@txstate.edu). Posted: 12/22/21.

Texas Tech University: The van gestel lab and the Johnson lab are seeking a highly motivated student interested in studying plant responses to global change. Prospective students should have a background and genuine interest in plant physiology, plant ecology, polar ecology, carbon cycling or similar field, preferably pertaining to bryophytes. Experience in lab or field work is preferred. The position would start in Fall 2022. Application materials: - Letter of interest that should include a statement research interests, and a statement of the student's professional goals. Include GPA (including graduate GPA if applicable). - Names and contact information of 3 references. - Curriculum vitae. Email the materials as a single pdf to: natasja.van-gestel@ttu.edu on or before: January 30, 2022. Posted: 12/13/21.

Texas Tech University: The Smith Ecophysiology Lab is looking for new Masters and PhD students to join our group in Fall 2022. We are looking for students interested in understanding the mechanisms underlying plant physiological acclimation to global change and the resulting impacts these processes have on future Earth system dynamics. Prospective students should have a background in plant physiology, plant ecology, Earth system science, or similar field. Students are encouraged to have a look at recent publications from the lab prior to applying. To apply please send a motivational letter stating your interest in the position and how this relates to your career goals, a CV, past transcripts (unofficial is okay), and contact information for three references to Nick Smith (nick.smith@ttu.edu). The deadline to apply is October 31, 2021. Full information on the position and how to apply can be found at https://www.smithecophyslab.com/opportunities.html#grad_2022. Questions can be directed to Nick Smith (nick.smith@ttu.edu). Posted: 8/11/21, revised: 9/8/21.

Texas Tech University: We offer two PhD Fellowships in the Landscape Ecology and Fire (LEAF) Laboratory at Texas Tech University beginning as soon as January 2022. These positions are available through a new National Needs Fellowship Program sponsored by the USDA. The overall goal of the program is to train experts in a holistic knowledge base of two critical areas: forest resource management given novel patterns of wildfire, and science communication given the New Media Age. Each Fellow will work towards a PhD in Wildlife, Aquatic, and Wildlands Science and Management, including cross-disciplinary coursework and professional development activities to hone skills in science communication. We have available three years of support at $24,500/yr for each Fellow. We desire that applicants have experience and a master’s degree in one or more of the following areas: fire ecology, forest resource management, landscape ecology, communications, geography, and geographic information science. Start date is negotiable, but we anticipate that at least one Fellow will begin in January 2022. The LEAF lab employs students and other researchers from a wide variety of backgrounds because diversity makes our research team stronger. We encourage qualified candidates of all races, ethnicities, and gender identities to apply. To apply, please submit a one-page cover letter, unofficial transcripts, and a cv, including contact information for up to three references, to nathan.gill@ttu.edu. Questions can be directed to Dr. Nathan Gill at the same email address. Posted: 8/5/21.

Towson University: Two MS positions. position 1: A combined graduate teaching/research assistantship for a masters student is available beginning Fall 2022 working with Dr. Steve Kimble. The student will characterize the population genetic parameters and microbiome of the Maryland Endangered Northern Map Turtle on the Susquehanna River. position 2: A graduate teaching/research assistantship for a masters student is available beginning Fall 2022 working with Dr. Steve Kimble at Towson University. The student will conduct research on the nesting success of the Maryland Endangered Northern Map Turtle on the Susquehanna River. Nest success at the site is affected by climate change, invasive plants, and predation. both: Summer field research will be based at Towson University's field station at Port Deposit, Maryland on the Susquehanna River. The students will also have the opportunity to interact with government agencies, NGOs, and businesses as they work to conserve turtles. The student will oversee data collection for this project while developing her/his/their own thesis project. Students should be familiar with ecological research through coursework and field-based research experience. Candidates must be self-motivated, must be interested in using bioinformatic methods with large DNA sequence data, must be interested in DNA lab work, must be able to accomplish physically demanding fieldwork under long and sometimes difficult conditions (heat, humidity, sun, mosquitoes, poison ivy, et cetera), and must be able to navigate small boats on a large river. The successful candidate will be rewarded with working with turtles and spending time on the beautiful Susquehanna River! The student may spend some of Summer 2022 in the field on the Susquehanna River at the Towson University field station (housing provided) and then start the MS program on campus in Towson Fall 2022. The student would be expected to teach at least one or two semesters per year as a graduate student. The student would also have the opportunity to author at least one paper to be submitted for peer review in the scientific literature. More information on the MS program in Biology. Candidates must have a bachelor's degree in biology or related discipline with a GPA of 3.0 or better, have a strong interest in bioinformatics, be self-directed, and experience with scientific writing. Candidates will preferably also have experience with field work, small boats, and herps. Interested students should send a C.V. and 1-page statement of research interests, goals and related experiences to Dr. Steve Kimble (skimble@towson.edu) no later than 1 December 2021. Posted: 11/19/21.

Tulane University: The Farrer Lab in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology is currently recruiting a PhD student to begin Fall 2022. The research will focus on investigating the impacts of climate change on plant-microbe interactions and species coexistence in coastal wetlands. Previous experience in molecular/microbial work, field experimentation, and statistics preferred, but not required. Position is funded through a combination of research and teaching assistantships. Underrepresented minority students are strongly encouraged to apply. Interested applicants should send a brief statement of interest, CV, and names and email addresses for 3 references to Emily Farrer: efarrer@tulane.edu. More information on the grad program. Application deadline is Dec. 1. Posted: 11/19/21.

Universität Hamburg: Tropical Root Responses to Experimental Drought I am recruiting a PhD student (Salary level: 50% EGR. 13 TV-L) to join my lab 'Functional Forest Ecology' at Universität Hamburg, which is a University of Excellence and one of the strongest research universities in Germany. The position is intended to commence on 01 April 2022 (or shortly thereafter) and is fixed to three years. The research associate will investigate tree responses to experimental drought in a wet tropical forest in Puerto Rico (Luquillo Experimental Forest) together with an international team of scientists, explore important root functional traits, study C partitioning to roots, and establish a greenhouse experiment in Hamburg. He or she will teach at the bachelor and master level (2 teaching hours p/w), publish scientific papers in peer-reviewed journals, and present results at national and international conferences. A university degree in a relevant field is required. Strong skills in root or mycorrhizal ecology, biogeochemistry, and/or image analyses are a plus. The ideal candidate is team-orientated, interested in conducting interdisciplinary research, and proactive. Willingness for field work in the Luquillo Experimental Forest in Puerto Rico and excellent German and English communication skills (spoken and written) are desirable. Basic Spanish communication skills are a plus. See more details on the position. Applications should include a cover letter, a tabular curriculum vitae, and copies of degree certificate(s). Please send applications with the reference number 403 by January 20, 2022, in one PDF document to Prof. Ina Meier (ina.meier@uni-hamburg.de). Posted: 12/29/21.

Université du Québec à Chicoutimi: We are seeking highly motivated PhD and MSc students for projects in plant phenology and ecophysiology of sugar maple. Project – The projects investigate several aspects related to sugar maple, including (1) ecophysiology and adaptation of the species, (2) quantitative wood anatomy and growth, (3) sap production at different time scales. We offer an exciting opportunity to lead a research activity, demonstrate skills in research, build international collaborations, and publish in scientific journals. The students are expected to autonomously develop their research, work in cooperation with other team members involving academic and governmental scientists and practitioners, and spread knowledge both across the scientific community and to the partners of the project. Candidate must demonstrate (1) a background in forest sciences, plant ecology or related disciplines, (2) knowledge in one of these fields: wood anatomy, ecophysiology, plant phenology, tree growth; (3) skills in statistics and data analysis, and an interest in modelling; (4) ability to communicate in English both orally and in writing; (5) self-motivation, critical thinking. A driving licence is required. We consider candidates with backgrounds in mathematics and statistics if willing to apply their knowledge in the field of ecology. The activities will be based at the Northern boundary of the sugar maple distribution, at the Université du Québec à Chicoutimi (QC, Canada) under the supervision of Sergio Rossi. The University is located in a French-speaking Province at the border between the temperate and the boreal forest. More information on the lab is available at UQAC and CEF. Annual scholarships of 22k $ (PhD) and 17k $ (MSc) are available for the duration of the study period. Beginning: as soon as possible. Application - Applicants can send the candidature by email to Sergio Rossi (Sergio_Rossi@uqac.ca) by attaching one pdf including (1) letter of motivation explaining how the skills required for this position are met; (2) CV; (3) academic transcripts; and (4) contact details of two academic references. Posted: 1/11/22.

Université Laval: PhD project in assisted migration of urban trees. Trees in cities are already under moderately severe stress, and we anticipate that conditions will be more difficult under climate change, including higher temperatures and more frequent droughts. Assisted migration is a proposed strategy in natural forests to help forests cope with these changes. Assisted migration is the movement of species to new locations that are expected to better suit their adaptation to a future climate. Some conservation authorities/organizations have long discussed this as an important strategy to adopt in cities, but it has not been fully implemented. Currently, we are working with the City of Quebec to identify species that would be more adapted to future climate conditions in the context of higher temperatures and more frequent and intense drought. We are also developing a social transdisciplinary component to this project. Supervision: Alison Munson and Janani Sivarajah (Department of Wood and Forest Sciences) This doctoral project will begin in the summer or fall of 2022. The project will be built under the Research Chair on Urban Trees and their Environment (CRAUM) in collaboration with the City of Quebec. Conditions: We offer a scholarship of $24k/year for 4 years. The candidate must possess a master's degree in biology or forestry or other relevant field (or be in the process of obtaining one). The student will be a member of the Centre d'étude de la forêt (CEF), a strategic forestry network in Quebec with over 300 graduate students. During the PhD, the student will have ample opportunities to network and work closely with practitioners and government officials. Autonomy, curiosity and scientific communication skills are all assets. Apply by April 11th, 2022 or before (CV, transcript and list of 2-3 references with contact information). For more information (don’t hesitate!) and to apply, contact alison.munson@sbf.ulaval.ca. Posted: 3/16/22.

Université Laval: The PhD project is expected to generate realistic models of distribution and interaction dynamics for four species (bison, caribou, moose, wolf) in landscapes where animals can interact with humans and domestic animals. Animal movements of interacting individuals will be modeled based on advection-diffusion theory, with the advection component reflecting the response of animals to habitat features (e.g., land cover type, food density, predator density) and the diffusion accounting for random aspects of movement. Theoretical models will consider environments where habitat features can vary dynamically following human activities and climate change. Field observations will be available to test model predictions. Qualifications: Hold an MSc in applied mathematics (numerical methods) and have a strong interest in ecological modeling, or hold an MSc in ecology/biology and have a strong interest in mathematical modeling. Université Laval is a French institution, and the student will be asked to learn French within the first two years. A scholarship of 21k$/year is available for 3 years. Small scholarships from U. Laval will be added to this amount. Students admissible for NSERC and FRQNT fellowships will be favored. Documents to provide by email: Applicants for this position should forward a short cover letter indicating their motivation, accompanied by a current CV, unofficial transcripts and contact information of three references to: Jean Deteix (jean.deteix@mat.ulaval.ca). We will start reviewing the applications on 15 August 2021. Jean Deteix, Departement de Mathematique et Statistiques, Universite Laval, Quebec (Qc) G1V 0A6, Canada, Email: jean.deteix@mat.ulaval.ca. Posted: 7/23/21.

Université Laval: The boreal populations of woodland caribou are threatened in Canada. Populations are particularly sensitive to habitat disturbances, such as by logging, fire and pest insects. Although insect outbreaks affect areas larger than those affected by fire and logging combined, their impact on the food web of boreal caribou remains poorly understood. Since 2006, an infestation of spruce budworms (Choristoneura fumiferana) is taking place in the Côte-Nord region of Quebec, Canada. The PhD project will clarify how the outbreak influences caribou's food web, particularly how the insect can indirectly influence the distribution and demography of boreal caribou. The successful candidate will likely conduct a field season, in remote parts of the Côte-Nord region, to characterize caribou habitat. However, most of the data has already been acquired, and the student will have access to a database comprised of GPS locations from more than 100 caribou. Qualifications: Hold an MSc in terrestrial ecology or related field. Be familiar with the use of Geographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing data, and have a strong interest for statistics and quantitative ecology. Université Laval is a French university, and the student will be asked to learn French within the first two years. A scholarship of 20k$/year is available for 3 years. Small scholarships from U. Laval will be added to this amount. Documents to provide by email: Applicants for this position should forward a short cover letter indicating their motivation, accompanied by a current CV, unofficial transcripts and contact information of three references to: Daniel Fortin (Daniel.Fortin@bio.ulaval.ca). We will start reviewing the applications on 15 August 2021. Daniel Fortin Departement de biologie, Université Laval, Quebec (Qc) G1V 0A6, Canada, Courriel: Daniel.Fortin@bio.ulaval.ca. Posted: 7/23/21.

University of Alberta: PhD position in terrestrial laser scanning for understanding tree allometric variation and boreal forest carbon storage. We are seeking a PhD student to join our team that includes Dr. Mark Vanderwel and a PhD student at the University of Regina, Mike Michaelian (Canadian Forest Service), Dr. Charles Nock (University of Alberta) and forest scientists with the governments of Alberta and Saskatchewan. The focus of the PhD students research at U of A would be on developing more accurate estimates of aboveground biomass and productivity in stands that have experienced varying levels of moisture stress, to facilitate clearer assessments of changes in carbon stocks over time. This would include learning methods of 3D tree and forest level information utilizing terrestrial laser scanning (Leica RTC360), working to scan field plots and collect validation data, and fitting 3D models using software (quantitative structure models) to predict tree volumes and in turn biomass. We are seeking a candidate with a MSc degree and ideally experience collecting data on tree and forest structure. Strong candidates with a BSc searching to do a MSc may also be considered. Experience working with 3D methods of data acquisition (TLS, UAV) would be an asset. A strong quantitative skill set and experience in R and or other software is desired. Evidence of motivation and an ability to communicate science in publications or conference presentations would also be an asset. Qualifications: Ability to work independently in the field with a field assistant, willingness to travel and work in remote locations of the boreal forest. See this PDF with full description: https://tinyurl.com/yeyk73pv. Please contact Dr. Charles Nock, nock at ualberta.ca, for more details. Posted: 4/27/22.

University of Alberta: Parasites and the Ecology of Fear. A graduate research position (MSc or PhD program) is available in Dr. Lien Luong’s research group. Start date: September 2022. Project background: Exposure to parasites can lead to changes in host behavior, morphology, or physiology, even in the absence of infection. These non-consumptive effects (NCE) can be understood in the context of the “ecology of fear”. Potential projects include, but are not limited to investigating the: 1) state-dependent nature of NCE, 2) trait-mediated NCE, 3) NCE of parasites on host metabolism, and 3) evolutionary consequences of NCE. Successful applicants will investigate these questions using a fruit fly-mite system, applying concepts and techniques from behavioral ecology, physiological ecology, and/or experimental evolution. The Department of Biological Sciences at U of A is one of the largest and most scientifically diverse departments of its kind in Canada. We offer research-orientated, thesis-based graduate programs at both the MSc and PhD levels. Study programs are tailored individually to graduate student needs and emphasize interdisciplinary thinking. With ~200 graduate students, >65 full-time faculty, excellent support facilities and ample research funding, a vibrant and exciting learning environment is provided. More information about applying to the graduate program. To learn more, please send a brief statement of your research experience/interest and a copy of your curriculum vitae to lluong@ualberta.ca. Application deadline is February 1, 2022. Posted: 11/29/21.

University of Alberta: A fully-funded Ph.D. position in forest ecology and climate change adaptation is available and interested candidates may enroll in the Institute of Forestry and Conservation at the University of Toronto or in the Department of Renewable Resources at the University of Alberta. The Ph.D. candidate will participate in an operational-scale silvicultural experiment that will test various “climate-smart” strategies for promoting the resilience of temperate mixedwood forests in the Petawawa Research Forest in central Ontario. The strategies include assisted migration and modifying the partial harvest regime to alter both the size structure and species composition of residual stands. The Ph.D. candidate will assess the growth and survival of transplanted seedlings, examine how performance varies among species and provenances, and determine whether performance varies with residual stand structure. The Ph.D. candidate may also examine the long-term effects of stand structure and species composition on the resilience of forest productivity using retrospective dendrochronological analyses of existing silvicultural experiments at Petawawa. Qualifications: 1) sincere interest in forest ecology, 2) strong quantitative skills, 3) excellent oral and written communication skills in English. Applicants should send a letter of enquiry and curriculum vitae to John Caspersen (john.caspersen@utoronto.ca) and Charles Nock (nock@ualberta.ca). Full applications will be solicited and reviewed beginning January 12th, but the positions will remain open until a suitable candidate is selected. The Ph.D. project is funded by Silva21 and the Petawawa experiment is part of the Adaptive Silviculture for Climate Change network. Posted: 11/15/21.

University of Alberta: The Scarpella lab in the Department of Biological Sciences is seeking a highly motivated Ph.D. student with a strong interest in plant development. The selected student will start graduate school on September 1, 2022, and will combine molecular genetics and live imaging to understand the mechanisms controlling vein formation in the Arabidopsis leaf. A research-based M.Sc. degree is preferred but not required. If you wish to be considered, please send the following material as a single PDF file to enrico.scarpella@ualberta.ca: • A cover letter explaining: your motivation to pursue the project above; how you meet the department’s minimum academic requirement; and how you meet the department’s minimum English language requirement (please see here and here). • Your CV, including unofficial transcripts. • Contact information for two referees. Please write “Ph.D. Student Position in Leaf Vein Development” in the subject line. Please send the material above by October 15, 2021. Short-listed candidates will be interviewed in the second and third week of November 2021, and the selected candidate will be asked to apply to the department (deadline of application: January 2022). For information on graduate studies in the department, including financial information, please see here, here, and here. Posted: 7/23/21.

University of Applied Sciences of Southern Switzerland: The Stream Ecology Group of the University of Applied Sciences of Southern Switzerland (SUPSI) and the Forest Entomology Group of WSL has an opening for a 4-years, fully funded PhD-position in freshwater metacommunity and food-web ecology based in Switzerland. Freshwater biodiversity is declining at a fast rate in many regions of the world. This has consequences on ecosystem processes and the services they provide to humanity. These consequences might be shaped by different facets of biodiversity and its spatial organization (biodiversity-ecosystem functioning (BEF)-relationships). In this project, we use a unique study system, i.e. dendrotelmata (water-filled tree holes) as model in several field experiments to understand BEF-relationships at different levels of biological organisation (intra-specific, α-diversity, β-diversity, meta-communities) and how they are affected by spatial scale and climate change stressors. These natural freshwater microcosms are unevenly distributed across the vertical and horizontal extent of forests and provide microhabitats and hotspots for freshwater communities and processes in a terrestrial ecosystem. Because they are discrete and easy to manipulate they are very suitable to study spatial scales of BEF (β-diversity and meta-community dynamics). Communities and food webs in dendrotelmata are based on leaf litter and fine particulate organic matter. They are dominated by microorganisms (bacteria and filamentous fungi) and macroinvertebrates (mainly insect larvae) at several trophic levels. Despite overall similarities of organisms and processes involved, climatic conditions and resource quantity and quality depends on large-scale environmental context. Community composition, biodiversity and BEF-relationships might thus be very different in temperate and tropical forests (biomes), which will be tested using several field sites in Europe, Brazil and India. The PhD-student will mainly be based at SUPSI on the Mendrisio campus (Stream Ecology Group, Institute of Microbiology, Dr. Andreas Bruder) and collaborate with a Post-doc researcher and Master students on this project. He/she is expected to spend a substantial amount of time at WSL near Zurich where he/she will be supervised by Prof. Dr. Martin Gossner but also at the field sites in Brazil (Amazonian Forest) and India (Western Ghats). The PhD-student will be enrolled at ETH Zurich (which will be the degree granting institution) with Prof. Dr. Gossner as main and Prof. Pellissier as second supervisor. We are looking for candidates that have a passion for science and ecology and an independent, enthusiastic, and interactive work ethic. Competitive candidates have a Master degree (or equivalent) in Ecology or Environmental Sciences and substantial experience in field and labwork. Solid basic knowledge of statistics and very good communication and writing skills in English are required. Given the nature of the project, enthusiasm and flexibility to travel is also required. As the language spoken in SUPSIs Institute of Microbiology is Italian, communication skills in Italian are an advantage but not a requirement. Further information on the work environment can be obtained from the webpage of SUPSIs Stream Ecology Group and WSLs Forest Entomology Group, and directly from Dr. Andreas Bruder (andreas.bruder@supsi.ch, Phone: +41 58 6666222) and Prof. Dr. Martin Gossner (martin.gossner@wsl.ch, Phone: +41 447392588). Application dossiers (all documents in English in a single pdf file) must be submitted to andreas.bruder@supsi.ch and must include (i) a motivation letter with a short description of relevant work experience, (ii) a complete CV, (iii) names and contact details of two references from earlier academic projects, and (iv) copies of certificates of academic qualifications. Application dossiers will be evaluated starting 15th December 2021. Posted: 11/19/21.

University of Arizona: We are now recruiting MS and PhD students into our Building Resources for InterDisciplinary training in Genomic and Ecosystem Sciences (BRIDGES) NSF Research Traineeship for Fall 2022. The BRIDGES NRT program offers: An exciting training and professional development opportunity within a community of scholars who foster inclusive excellence through diversity of cultures, disciplines, and demographies; Competitive student fellowships ($34k stipend per year for up to two years, plus tuition waiver) for U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents; For international students, other sources of support for graduate studies (such as research assistantships, teaching assistantships, other kinds of fellowships, etc.) may be available from other sources, and such students are welcome to apply to become BRIDGES trainees; Choice of biologically-oriented transdisciplinary graduate training programs, from ecology and evolution, to plant, insect and environmental sciences to big data science and engineering to atmospheric sciences. We welcome and encourage applications by students representing all dimensions of diversity. All eligible matriculating UArizona students with an interest in Ecosystem Genomics can apply to the BRIDGES training program as participants, independent of nationality. NSF guidelines specify that eligibility for BRIDGES fellowships is limited to U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents. Applications received by December 3, 2021 will be included in our first review, but those submitted after the date will be considered if space and funding is available. Visit the link above for more details and contact us at BRIDGES.NRT@gmail.com with any questions. Posted: 11/18/21.

University of Arkansas: Graduate assistantships are available for Ph.D. students in the Siepielski Lab in the Department of Biological Sciences and the Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology group. Our lab focuses on questions at the intersection of ecology and evolutionary biology. Current projects include: the contribution of evolution in shaping species coexistence, how species evolve in response to multi-species interactions such as competition, predation, and parasitism, and how extreme ecological events drive eco-evolutionary change. To explore these topics, we use a combination of observational, experimental, meta-analytical, and theoretical approaches. Most of our work is conducted with damselflies, a voracious and awesome predatory insect. Graduate research fellowships ($30-40k, plus health insurance and tuition waiver) are also available for highly competitive candidates. Please see additional information on fellowship funding opportunities. If interested in considering joining our lab group, please contact me via email (amsiepie@uark.edu). In your email, please include the following: 1) a brief description of your overall research interests, career goals, and why you think our lab would be a good fit for you, and 2) your CV. Ideal candidates will be hard-working, highly motivated, and excited about studying questions at the interface of ecology and evolutionary biology. Please note that the deadline for Fall 2022 admission into our program is January 15, 2022. All materials should be submitted well before then. Posted: 9/9/21.

University of Bayreuth: The department of Disturbance Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics at the University of Bayreuth (Germany) invites applications for a three-year PhD position in Alpine Plant Ecology. The PhD-position is in the project "Sustainable use of alpine and pre-alpine grassland in a changing climate" (SUSALPS). The successful candidate will primarily contribute to conducting fieldwork and developing research questions on plant performance and biodiversity under climate change. A small contribution to teaching, particularly in Experimental Ecology, is welcome. We seek an applicant with a Master of Science in Ecology or a closely related field. You have a compelling motivation for science, a solid knowledge in plant ecology as well as strong statistical competence (preferably in R) and writing skills. Tasks will include assessment of plant functional traits and ecosystem functions, monitoring of environmental conditions in experimental settings, data analysis, writing and publishing scientific papers in peer-reviewed journals, presenting results at national and international conferences. Working language in the lab is English, a driver's license is needed. We are seeking a highly motivated young researcher with a good team spirit. Floristic expertise, an enthusiastic and outdoorsy personality as well as command of the German language would be beneficial. We offer a very nice research experience in a small, young, international team and strong support for your scientific career. Generally, our research interest is in ecosystem dynamics, climate change impacts, plant biodiversity, community ecology and plant functional traits. We are studying the effects of global change drivers including extreme weather events on ecosystem functions and resilience. Our research involves experimental fieldwork in grasslands and forests across altitudinal gradients and across biomes, thereby participating in global, collaborative networks. We will encourage research visits to international collaborators and support family-friendly solutions. The Disturbance Ecology lab belongs to the Bayreuth Center of Ecology and Environmental Research (BayCEER), a scientific environment at an innovative, research-oriented university with a reputation for excellence, well-established interdisciplinary research fields and international master programs. The University of Bayreuth seeks to increase the participation of women in areas in which they are currently underrepresented and therefore strongly encourages applications from female candidates. Disabled persons with equivalent aptitude will be favored. For further information please visit the link above or directly contact Prof. Dr. Anke Jentsch (E-mail: anke.jentsch@uni-bayreuth.de, phone +49 921 55 2290). Please send a letter of motivation together with your CV and the contact details of two academic references in electronic form as a single pdf-file (including your name in the file name) to anke.jentsch@uni-bayreuth.de until February 25, 2022. Posted: 1/27/22.

University of Bristol: PhD opportunity "Plants on the edge: examining the resilience of the vegetation to climate extremes". Climate change is rapidly altering the growing conditions of terrestrial ecosystems, with widespread evidence of more frequent, more intense, and longer duration droughts and heatwaves. Examining the response and recovery of plants to droughts and heatwaves provides valuable insight into the species resilience we may anticipate from climate change. The student will seek to uncover the underlying resilience of plants by integrating ecosystem responses to meteorological extremes with those occurring across natural gradients as the climate warms. You will make extensive use of observations (eddy covariance and experiments), and use innovative quantitative techniques to probe the theory embedded within models. The student will also have the opportunity to run and develop their chosen modelling tool (either stand-scale or land surface; JULES/CABLE). This project will ensure that future predictions accurately capture plant responses to changes in temperature, humidity, and water availability. The project will be supervised by Associate Professor Martin De Kauwe. Details can be found at: https://mdekauwe.github.io/join_us. Deadline: April 28th 2022. Posted: 3/10/22.

University of Bristol: "Unlocking the scaling puzzle in forest carbon and water fluxes". The global terrestrial carbon and water cycles are inextricably linked, dominated by leaf-scale processes (e.g. photosynthesis and stomatal conductance). Consequently, we construct global vegetation models using leaf-level understanding of plant responses to environmental cues. However, when we evaluate model prediction at ecosystem scales (~km2), we find critical discrepancies in estimated and observed carbon and water fluxes, signifying an important gap in our understanding of leaf-to-ecosystem scaling. Furthermore, datasets derived at leaf-, canopy- and ecosystem- scales are rarely consistent. Our inability to explain these biases in both models and observations limits our capacity to accurately predict vegetation responses to future climate. Supervised by: Associate Professor Martin De Kauwe (University of Bristol), Associate Professor Tristan Quaife (University of Reading), Dr Emily Lines (University of Cambridge) and Dr Mathew Wilkinson (Forest Research). Details can be found at: http://www.bristol.ac.uk/biology/courses/postgraduate/phdstudentships/. Deadline: 10th January 2022. Posted: 11/2/21.

University of Calgary: How will ecosystem services in croplands respond to global change? Human population growth and climate stressors are driving changes to agricultural landscapes. Heat and drought are set to reduce crop yields, while non-crop vegetation is increasingly cleared to expand the cultivated area. Changes to landscapes, such as these, can affect the beneficial organisms that supply crucial ecosystem services to farmers, such as the biological control of crop pests provided by insects and spiders. Two fully-funded PhD positions are available ($25k CAD/year for four years), to join our agroecological research team at the Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Canada. These positions will focus on the mechanisms connecting global change factors such as vegetation clearance and drought with pest regulation ecosystem services, and contribute to our broader program of environmental sustainability research in Canadian Prairie croplands. Candidates who have completed MSc (or equivalent) research in ecology, entomology, or agriculture will be well-prepared to begin this position. Possible start dates include September 2022, January 2023, May 2023 or September 2023. Please send a CV, unofficial transcripts for undergraduate and graduate degrees, and a cover letter describing your research interests as they relate to this project to Dr. Paul Galpern (paul.galpern@ucalgary.ca). Applications will be reviewed as received until September 2022, with protocols in place to ensure equity, diversity and inclusion in recruitment. For more information on our lab's research please visit the link above and see recent publications in Paul Galpern's Google Scholar profile. Questions are very welcome! Posted: 4/13/22.

University of California, Davis: The Bartlett Lab is recruiting a PhD student in plant physiology for Fall 2022 through the Horticulture and Agronomy graduate program at the UC Davis. The goals of this project are to identify genetic markers for drought tolerance in grape rootstocks and use root physiology traits to develop water- and cost-saving irrigation guidelines for wine grapes. The student will phenotype drought tolerance traits across a population generated from a drought tolerant/sensitive grape rootstock cross, and work with the genetic maps produced by project collaborators to identify genetic associations. The student will also use these traits to develop rootstock-specific irrigation guidelines and conduct field research with growers to evaluate the potential for water- and cost-savings in commercial vineyards. Outreach and communication with growers will be an important part of this project, and the student will be expected to share findings with stakeholders at grower meetings and extension events. The student will work with collaborators from across the UC Davis Department of Viticulture and Enology, including the Cantu Lab, McElrone Lab, and Earles Lab. The student will be funded by a combination of research and teaching assistantships, including support from the California Department of Agriculture Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. Applicants must meet the qualifications for the Horticulture and Agronomy graduate program. Ideal candidates will have 1) research experience in plant biology or a related area and 2) excellent writing and quantitative skills (experience in R is a plus) and 3) be available to start working on the project as a paid research technician in summer 2022. The technician position will allow the student to jumpstart their PhD by collecting data during the 2022 growing season. Stipend and benefits will be standard for UC Davis seasonal technicians (beginning at $20.14/hr, depending on prior experience, with mid-level benefits) and PhD students (~$25k/yr). To start the application process, please email Megan Bartlett (mkbartlett@ucdavis.edu) the following documents by December 10th: 1) CV; 2) Cover letter describing how candidates meet the above qualifications, including availability for a summer technician position, and the candidate’s research interests and career goals; 3) Most recent transcripts (undergraduate or graduate); 4) Contact information for 3 references. Top candidates will be interviewed the week of December 13th, and the selected candidate will be asked to apply to the UC Davis Horticulture and Agronomy Graduate Program by January 5th. Posted: 11/23/21.

University of California, Davis: we are accepting applications to a graduate Research Traineeship (NRT) program "Sustainable Oceans: From Policy to Science to Decisions", supported by a $3M award from NSF. Our Sustainable Oceans NRT trains the next generation of PhD marine scientists under a new paradigm that puts the policy focus on the front-end of the research and training enterprise as a means of building more effective links between the science and decisions on sustainable use of living marine resources. The basis of the interdisciplinary paradigm is combining traditional graduate training in core disciplines and interdisciplinary courses on marine science and policy with immersion into the policy process and politics surrounding ecosystem-based fishery management. Starting in 2018, over 5 years, we anticipate training 60 PhD students, including 30 funded trainees, from the fields of ecology, conservation biology, economics, environmental policy, geology, physiology, biogeochemistry, and oceanography. If you would like to learn more about this program, please visit the link above. For general questions, please contact our Program Coordinator, Pernille Sporon Boving (boving@ucdavis.edu). Deadline January 14th 2022. Posted: 10/20/21, revised: 11/18/21.

University of California, Merced: Are you interested in contributing to a future food system that can meet the challenge of a world with 10 billion people? Do you want to research tech-driven solutions to advance sustainable agriculture under a changing climate? Do you love remote sensing and GIS or want to learn more about it? UC Merced has a PhD position open in remote sensing data fusion as part of the NSF-funded IoT4Ag Engineering Research Center. Apply today and join a dynamic interdisciplinary team of university researchers and industry partners working together to make the future of food with reduced water and energy inputs and reduced pollution a reality. Strong candidates for this position will have a bachelor's or master's degree in agricultural or environmental engineering or agronomy, environmental science, natural resources, hydrology, geography, or a related discipline. Previous experience with coding for remote sensing and geospatial analysis and a FAA Part 107 pilot license is preferred, but candidates who express a willingness to learn are also welcome! Please email Dr. Erin Hestir (ehestr@ucmerced.edu) with "IoT4Ag PhD" in the subject line, and include your CV and unofficial transcripts. Posted: 12/10/21.

University of California, Riverside: The Gray Lab is seeking 2 PhD students to begin in Fall 2022. Position (1): Wildfire and Headwater Processes. We are interested in the complex interactions between fire, soil, lithology, vegetation, and weather that result in dramatic post-fire hydro-geomorphic responses including floods, debris flows, and pollutant fluxes. We use hydro-meteorological monitoring, high-resolution repeat topographic surveys with drones and laser scanners, and remote sensing to monitor these systems. The data that we obtain is then used to better understand fundamental hydro-geomorphic and eco-hydrologic processes, and inform both hazard and hydrologic models. Strong candidates for this position will have a bachelor’s or master’s degree in hydrology, geology, civil engineering, or a related discipline. Previous experience with field monitoring, topographic surveying, and geospatial analysis is preferred, but not required. Please email inquiries about this position to Andy Gray (agray@ucr.edu) with “Fire Headwater Processes GSR” in the subject line, and include your CV and transcripts (unofficial fine). Position (2): Microplastics Pollution. We use fundamentals from the fields of hydrologic sciences and earth surface processes to better understand the sources, transport, and fate of plastic pollution and assess the efficacy of management efforts. Our lab partners with state, national, and local authorities to address real-world questions about plastic pollution in streams. Our funding opportunities are diverse and the successful candidate will conduct a project that includes field and experimental work, as well as modeling. Strong candidates for this position will have a bachelor’s or master’s degree in hydrology, environmental science, environmental chemistry, or a related discipline. Previous experience with microplastics pollution research is preferred, but not required. Please email inquiries about this position to Andy Gray (agray@ucr.edu) with “Microplastics GSR” in the subject line, and include your CV and transcripts (unofficial fine). More information on the Department of Environmental Sciences graduate program and the formal application process. After contacting Andy, please submit your formal application for either of these PhD opportunities by the Dec. 1. 2021 Priority Deadline. Posted: 11/19/21.

University of California, Riverside: A PhD graduate student assistantship is available in the Department of Environmental Sciences starting Fall 2021. We are looking for an independent and highly-motivated graduate student to conduct research on the impacts of wildfire on soil properties in steep coastal shrublands in southern California. This study will assess the role of pedogenic development in dynamic soil property recovery after wildfire, examine changes during and after fire and compare processes across soil types, evaluate the role of fire frequency in determining black carbon loading, and develop relationships between soil types and hydraulic properties for predictive modeling of fire-affected sites. Ideal candidates will have a bachelors and masters degree in soil science, geology, hydrology, environmental science, ecology, or closely related discipline, experience describing and classifying soils, and a strong interest in pedology, soil-geomorphology, and hydrology. Candidates without a masters degree will also be considered. Experience with soil judging is a plus. If you are interested in applying for this graduate student position or have any questions please email Dr. Andy Gray at agray@ucr.edu and Daniel Hirmas daniel.hirmas@ucr.edu with “Fire Impacts GSR” as the subject line. Posted: 8/12/21.

University of California, Santa Barbara: The Larsen Lab is seeking a motivated PhD student to join the lab in Fall 2022. Our lab studies agricultural land use and land use change, including intensification, extensification and abandonment of agriculture, as it relates to biodiversity, conservation, and the provision of ecosystem services. Members of the lab work on a range of projects linked by the use of computational and quantitative methods. Competitive applicants will have prior experience, or strong motivation to gain experience, in GIS, remote sensing, causal inference, and/or statistics, and some background in either ecology or geography. Based on available funding, we particularly welcome students interested in applying data-driven statistical and spatial methods to better understand agricultural abandonment and the ecological drivers and implications of restoration on abandoned fields, though we will consider a broad range of research interests within landscape, restoration or agricultural ecology or geography. Interested applicants would apply to UCSB's Bren School of Environmental Science & Management. The Bren School is a highly regarded environmental science program with faculty and students that work across a spectrum of natural, physical, and social sciences. Students will be encouraged to develop independent research projects within the lab's broad umbrella, and will have the opportunity to engage in multidisciplinary collaborations with researchers across Bren, UCSB, and beyond. If interested, please send a current CV with research and coding experiences, relevant coursework, and GPA, and a short statement describing your research interests to Ashley Larsen (larsen@bren.ucsb.edu). For those eligible, please note if you have applied for the 2021 NSF GRFP competition or other fellowship opportunities. Applications are due December 15, 2021. Posted: 11/18/21.

University of California, Santa Cruz: Dr. Kai Zhu is recruiting 1-2 PhD student(s) starting in Fall 2022 in the Department of Environmental Studies. The Zhu Lab works on research questions at the intersection of climate change, biodiversity, and ecosystem processes, using quantitative approaches such as remote sensing, species distribution models, and Bayesian statistical methods. Current research projects include (1) phenological responses to climate change and human activity in the Northern Hemisphere; (2) the biogeography of soil fungi in North America; and (3) wildfire propagation and forest regrowth in California. Students are encouraged to develop their own projects, which is an essential part of their advancement as independent and creative researchers. Dr. Zhu expects students to have previous research experience and a strong background in ecology and environmental science, as well as math, statistics, and programming. However, in the Zhu Lab, students will learn new methods and tools by attending classes, workshops, and working on projects, so the most important quality is the willingness to learn. The PhD program in Environmental Studies is explicitly interdisciplinary, with expectations to engage in both natural and social sciences coursework and research. The department guarantees five years of support for graduate students. Through working with faculty advisors, graduate students in Environmental Studies have been highly successful in obtaining external funding. For information about program requirements, funding, and admissions, please consult the graduate program coordinator Amy Profitt (envsgpc at ucsc dot edu), the department website, and the Graduate School website. Interested students should contact Dr. Kai Zhu (kai dot zhu at ucsc dot edu) as early as possible and no later than the application deadline in December 2021 with the following information: (1) your research experience, ideas, and questions; (2) your motivations to pursue a PhD and long-term career goals; (3) why you are interested in the Environmental Studies Department at UCSC; and (4) your current CV, academic transcript, and TOEFL score (if applicable). Posted: 7/23/21.

University of Cambridge/Trent University: Interested in land-water linkages and landscape-level carbon sequestration? The Ecosystems and Global Change Group at the University of Cambridge (@ecochangegroup on Twitter/Instagram) in collaboration with the Watershed Ecology Team within the Canadian Forest Service (@WET_Erik) is the place for you! We are offering a fully funded PhD studentship for outstanding applicants through the University of Cambridge's NERC-funded Cambridge Climate, Life and Earth Doctoral Training Partnership. We also have funding for MSc students through Trent University - one of Canada's top universities and home to Canada's most comprehensive mass spectrometry facility specialised in water quality. Full details of the project (this description is relevant for both the PhD and MSc projects): The ideal applicant will have some experience in one of the following areas: microbial ecology, biogeochemistry, or eddy flux covariance. Please contact me at ajt65@cam.ac.uk if you have any questions. Interested applicants should send me a CV and a brief description of what you hope to get out of working with us and how your interests are a good fit to our group. Andrew J Tanentzap, Professor of Global Change Ecology, Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge. Posted: 12/13/21.

University of Eastern Finland: Ecology, dynamics, and wood characteristics of long-standing pine snags (PhD). We are looking for two enthusiastic PhD students for fully-funded 4-year positions, to join us on a research project focusing on the ecology and dynamics (first position), and the wood structure and chemical characteristics (second position) of so-called kelo-trees -- large, silver-colored and long-standing dead pines that used to be an iconic feature of the natural boreal forest. The students will work as a part of a larger group of researchers, focusing on the biodiversity associated with these trees, as well as with artist photographers to communicate the research findings to the general public. For more information, and to apply. Closes: February 13, 2022. Posted: 1/27/22.

University of Florida: I am looking for a dynamic and mature MSc or PhD student to be an integral part of the McCleery Lab and continue our ongoing research into understanding the impacts of invasive pythons on mammals in south Florida. The project will focus on developing 1) strategies to detect and remove invasive pythons and 2) understanding python's impacts on the mammal communities in south Florida. The student will initiate field and pen experiments and analyze previously collected data. If we select a PhD student, they will have ample opportunity to expand the project to explore questions of personal interest. The selected applicant will be enrolled in the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation. The student will take classes in Gainesville, Fl. and conduct extensive field work and supervise technicians in south Florida. They may also have teaching assistant duties over the course of their studies. The project comes with an assistantship covering salary ($25k), tuition and insurance. Additionally, housing will be provided when the student is conducting field work in south Florida. I am looking for an independent student with grit, determination, flexibility and a previous record of academic achievement and extensive field work. Applicants should have a minimum of 3.2 GPA and considerable field experience. Students with peer-reviewed publications will be given priority. To apply, send a resume, transcripts, and a list of 3 references along with brief statements, describing how you are prepared for a PhD program and your career goals, to Dr. Robert McCleery at ramccleery@ufl.edu by March 7, 2022. The project starts on May 1, 2022. Posted: 2/23/22.

University of Florida: I'm recruiting for up to two PhD students to conduct research on Global Change Ecology at UF (Gainesville) starting Fall 2022, with a specific focus on interactions between plant invasions and other global change drivers such as fire, climate change, and emerging pathogens. I would also be interested in discussing projects on the role of phenotypic plasticity in invasions, in particular how invader population variation may alter dynamics and impacts of invasions. See florylab.com for recent publications in these areas. Funding would be through the fellowship programs (or some combined funding mechanism) provided by the UF CALS Deans office and the academic program would be either through the Agronomy Dept (likely an Agroecology concentration) or the School of Natural Resources and Environment (SNRE). Applications are due Feb 1 but please contact me as soon as possible so I can work with the programs to nominate for fellowship funding. Interested applicants should email me a short statement of interest and CV. Posted: 1/13/22.

University of Georgia: The Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources & Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, and the US Forest Service – Southern Research Station Forest Disturbance Unit are seeking a M.S. student to conduct research focused on understanding tree growth responses to repeated prescribed fire beginning fall of 2022. The ideal candidate would already possess some field experience, proven problem-solving skills, excellent written and verbal communication skills, a basic statistical background, an ability to work both independently and as a productive member of a research team, and motivation to develop, conduct, and publish their research. Candidates should possess a B.S. degree in ecology, forestry, plant biology, or a related discipline. The successful candidate will receive a two-year graduate research assistantship consisting of an annual stipend of approximately $22k and tuition waiver. If you are interested in this opportunity, please familiarize yourself with Warnell’s admission requirements and deadlines and send a single pdf containing: (1) a 1-2 page statement of your research interests and a summary of your professional career goals that explains why you think working in the Aubrey Lab will help you realize these goals; (2) a current CV; (3) unofficial transcripts showing all previous coursework, degrees, and GPA; (4) GRE scores; and (5) contact information of three references to Dr. Doug Aubrey (daubrey@srel.uga.edu). If selected to compete for this assistantship, you will be encouraged to submit an application to the UGA Graduate School prior to July 1st 2022. Please contact Doug Aubrey (daubrey@srel.uga.edu) with any additional questions. Posted: 6/6/22.

University of Georgia: The Chung lab is looking for PhD students in two potential research areas to start Fall 2022: 1) Root microbiome assembly in biofuel sorghum 2) Plant-soil feedback mechanisms in dryland ecotones under climate change. Admissions will be through the Integrated Plant Sciences PhD program. Interested students should email Dr. Anny Chung (yyachung@uga.edu) with their CV/resume as well as a statement of interest. Posted: 9/9/21.

[position filled] University of Georgia: Drs Daniel Markewitz and Lori Sutter are looking for a master's level student to expand their team in January 2022. We seek a self-motivated individual to join a project investigating soil and hydrology responses to adaptive management in depressional Georgia wetlands slated for restoration to improve specific habitat. Two years of funding are provided. More information about our graduate program is available at https://www.warnell.uga.edu/water-and-soil-science. Interested students should send an Introductory letter detailing interests and qualifications, a writing sample (2-4 pages), and a CV to lsutter@uga.edu AND dmarke@uga.edu before 31 August 2021. Posted: 8/12/21.

Universität Hamburg: Plant-Soil Interactions in Estuarine Alluvial Forests. I am recruiting a fully funded PhD student to join my lab 'Functional Forest Ecology' at Universität Hamburg, which is a University of Excellence. The position is intended to commence on 15 September 2022 and is fixed to 3 years. The position belongs to the DFG research training group ‘Biota-Mediated Effects on Carbon Cycling in Estuaries’. The PhD student will investigate the impacts of temporary hypoxia or drought on root C fluxes in tidal forests of the Elbe estuary, will study root exudation and alternative oxygen respiration by isotopic analyses and 2D imaging, examine the microbial community composition and activity by shotgun metagenomics and infrared gas analysis, and conduct rhizobox experiments in climate chambers. She or he will teach at the bachelor and master level (2 teaching hours p/w), publish scientific papers in peer-reviewed journals, and present results at international conferences. A university degree in a relevant field is required. Strong skills in root physiology, rhizosphere ecology and/or biogeochemistry are a plus. The ideal candidate is team-orientated, interested in conducting interdisciplinary research, and proactive. Willingness for field work in temporary flooded alluvial forests. Excellent German and English communication skills (spoken and written) are desirable. For more details contact Prof. Ina Meier at ina.meier@uni-hamburg.de or Dr. Benjamin Branoff at benjamin.branoff@uni-hamburg.de. Please send your full application (incl. a cover letter, a CV, and copies of degree certificates) by August 02, 2022, via the online application form only. Posted: 7/26/22.

University of Hamburg: I am recruiting a fully funded PhD student to join my lab 'Functional Forest Ecology' at Universität Hamburg. The position is intended to commence on 01 July 2022 (or shortly thereafter) and is fixed to 4 years. The position belongs to the DFG research unit ‘Forest Floor: Functioning, Dynamics, and Vulnerability in a Changing World’ and is co-supervised by Prof. Martin Bidartondo (Imperial College London) and Dr. Laura Suz (Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew). The PhD student will investigate the response of the forest floor to increasing temperature in beech forests together with an international team of scientists, study the mycorrhizal community structure by Sanger and next generation sequencing, estimate C allocation to mycorrhizal fungi by isotopic fractionation analysis, and explore how changes in mycorrhizal communities affect litter decomposition. He or she will publish scientific papers in peer-reviewed journals, and present results at national and international conferences. A university degree in a relevant field is required. Strong skills in mycorrhizal or root ecology and/or biogeochemistry are a plus. The ideal candidate is team-orientated, interested in conducting interdisciplinary research, and proactive. Willingness for field work in forests in southern Germany and stays at Imperial College London/Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, UK. Excellent German and English communication skills (spoken and written) are desirable. For more details on the position please contact Prof. Ina Meier at ina.meier@uni-hamburg.de or Dr. Anis Khokon at anis.khokon@uni-hamburg.de. Applications should include a cover letter, a tabular curriculum vitae, and copies of degree certificate(s). Please send applications by May 15, 2022, in one combined PDF document to ina.meier@uni-hamburg.de. Posted: 4/25/22.

University of Hohenheim: The Department of Landscape Ecology and Vegetation Science at the University of Hohenheim in Stuttgart (Germany) seeks a PhD student in ecology (m/f/d; 65% TV-L E13). Preferred starting date for this position is 1 April 2022 (with some flexibility), for a duration of three years. The PhD position will focus on long-term dynamics of biotic interactions between alien plant species and native organisms including plants, soil biota, herbivores and pathogens. This PhD position is part of a DFG (German Research Foundation) funded project led by Dr. Christine Sabine Sheppard. Biological invasions as a major driver of global change are a great threat to biodiversity, but also pose a fascinating study system with the opportunity to gain many insights about ecological and evolutionary processes. In our previous research we demonstrated that alien plant performance and range sizes depend on the residence time of plant species in their new range. Following up on these results, this project will test whether biotic resistance of native communities to alien plant species increases over long timescales, and how changing biotic interactions are determined by functional traits. Native communities can potentially decrease the performance of alien plants by increasing biotic resistance over time. This may occur when new enemies accumulate or when native competitor and antagonist species adapt to the novel threat posed by alien species. To test these ideas, performance and interactions will be compared for Asteraceae species of varying residence times in Germany, including neophytes, archaeophytes and native plant species. Major tasks of the PhD student will be to plan, conduct and analyse multi-species common garden experiments; as well as publish the results in high-impact ecological journals. Specifically, a competition experiment, a plant-soil feedback experiment and an enemy exclusion experiment will investigate how biotic interactions change over long timescales and if they can be predicted by plant functional traits. The project will thus greatly advance the understanding of the long-term dynamics of biotic interactions in novel biotic contexts. It will make important contributions to invasion biology, community ecology, population biology and conservation biology. We are seeking a highly motivated student with a very good MSc (or equivalent) degree in ecology or a related discipline. The applicant should have a solid background and deep interest in ecological research. We expect the applicant to have some previous experience with experimental plant ecology and good knowledge of statistical data analysis (preferably using R). English language proficiency is required, whereas knowledge of German is not mandatory. Salary and conditions are according to public service positions in Germany (TV-L E13; 65%). The Department of Landscape Ecology and Vegetation Science (led by Prof. Dr. Frank Schurr) studies how biodiversity dynamics at different spatial and temporal scales arise from ecological and evolutionary processes. Using a broad methodological spectrum, our group aims to better understand and forecast biodiversity dynamics under global change. The University of Hohenheim is located on a beautiful campus situated in the Southern German city of Stuttgart, which offers a rich cultural life and attractive surroundings (Swabian Alb, Black Forest). Applications should include a motivation letter, CV, certificates and the names and contact details of two potential referees in a single PDF document. International candidates, women and members of minority groups are particularly encouraged to apply. For further information and to submit applications please contact Dr. Christine Sabine Sheppard (christine.sheppard@uni-hohenheim.de). The application deadline is 31 December 2021. Posted: 11/23/21.

University of Idaho: The Kayler lab in the Soil and Water Systems Department is seeking 2 PhD students to investigate belowground biogeochemistry of agroecosystems. The positions include stipend, health insurance, and tuition funding. The students will work on belowground plant-soil interactions including root dynamics, organic material turnover, and plant-soil interactions. As part of the Kayler lab, the students will be trained in isotope ratio mass spectrometry, greenhouse gas flux, GC-MS, and the fundamentals of research. This is a great opportunity for understanding how plant traits of facilitation and complementarity can promote belowground ecology and soil carbon and nutrient cycling. As part of the lab group, candidates can also take part in a forest soil health program and the establishment of the Deep Soil Ecotron. Please contact Dr. Kayler for more information (see Kayler lab link above). Please attach: (1) a one-page cover letter describing your academic and research experience, reasons for pursuing graduate school, your specific current research interests; and (2) your curriculum vitae. Posted: 4/7/22.

University of Idaho: Three PhD assistantships are available in the Cropping Systems Agronomy Program and the Soil Biogeochemistry Program to investigate pea-cereal intercropping systems for transitioning conventional to organic systems. The successful applicants will join an interdisciplinary project investigating crop physiology, irrigation management, soil health, and agricultural economics. One research assistant will focus on 1) examining crop growth, yield, and quality in pea-cereal cropping systems, 2) quantifying crop water use and creating different water regimes, and 3) estimating water use efficiency and N uptake in intercropping systems. The second assistant will work on belowground plant-soil interactions including 1) characterizing root distributions, 2) quantifying microbial diversity, and 3) measuring greenhouse gas efflux (CO2, CH4, N2O). The third assistant will focus on crop modeling based on the field experiment above and other intercropping projects. A Bachelor’s degree is required in Crop Science, Agronomy, Biology, Soil Science, or relevant fields. A Master’s degree in Crop Science, Agronomy, Plant Biology, Soil Science or related areas is preferred. Demonstrated written and oral skills are essential, and previous experience working in field experiments is desired. For these positions, the candidate needs to meet the requirements to be accepted in the Graduate Student Program in the Department of Plant Sciences and the Department of Soil and Water Systems, University of Idaho. The expected starting date is fall 2021 or spring 2022. The assistantships include a tuition waiver, health insurance, and an annual stipend of $22k. Candidates interested in these opportunities should specify which position they are interested in and send their CV, GRE and TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo (international students) scores, and academic transcripts (unofficial) via email to: Dr. Xi Liang, Associate Professor of Cropping Systems Agronomy, Department of Plant Sciences, University of Idaho, Email: xliang@uidaho.edu; Dr. Zachary Kayler, Assistant Professor of Soil Biogeochemistry, Department of Soil and Water Systems, University of Idaho, Email: zkayler@uidaho.edu. Posted: 7/10/21, revised: 7/14/21.

University of Illinois: The Suski lab is seeking motivated MS or PhD students to work on a number of projects related to the conservation of freshwater fishes. Research topics include: (1) how recreational fishing impacts fish, (2) the development of novel barriers to deter the movements of invasive fishes, and (3) the development of novel restoration practices to enhance stream fish populations. Successful candidates will be involved in a both field and laboratory studies using tools that range from physiological (molecular) to whole-animal (behavior, metabolic rate). Results will help inform management and conservation through partnerships with state and federal agencies. Interested students should send the following to Cory Suski via email (suski@illinois.edu): (1) unofficial transcripts, (2) GRE scores, (3) names of 3 academic references, (4) CV, and (5) brief cover letter outlining relevant experience, career goals, and perceived fit within the lab group. Materials should be received by November 17, 2021, for full consideration. Posted: 10/17/21.

University of Kentucky: The Van Cleve Research Group in the Department of Biology is currently recruiting Ph.D. students to join the lab in Fall 2022. The lab is generally interested in quantitative and mathematical approaches to evolutionary biology and ecology. Past and current research areas include social evolution and other topics in evolutionary ecology, the evolution of phenotypic plasticity and bet-hedging, how populations cross fitness valleys, and epigenetic processes including genomic imprinting (see publications). Additionally, the lab aims to be broadly interdisciplinary across complex biological systems from the molecular to metapopulation scales and welcomes applicants interested in quantitative approaches and with diverse backgrounds including (but not limited to) mathematics, physics, computer science, and economics. The exact research project topics for potential students are flexible, though interested individuals should contact Jeremy Van Cleve (jvancleve@uky.edu) with a CV and short statement of interests before applying. Applicants should apply to the Department of Biology Graduate program, and see admission guidelines. Stipend, tuition, and medical insurance, are covered as part of a teaching assistantship and research assistantships and fellowships are competitively available. Questions about the Biology Graduate program can be sent to Van Cleve (jvancleve@uky.edu) or the Director of Graduate studies, Jessica Santollo (j.santollo@uky.edu). Please note that applications should be received by January 1st 2022 for full consideration. Posted: 11/18/21.

University of Kentucky: Many arthropods are infected with bacterial endosymbionts that confer a variety of phenotypic effects on their hosts. We are seeking a graduate research assistant to conduct research on symbiont interactions in a species of Linyphiid spider, Mermessus fradeorum. This spider is infected by up to 5 different strains of inherited symbiont, which result in different reproductive anomalies for the host depending on which combination of symbionts are present. A newly NSF funded, 4-year research project will explore the interface between symbiont interactions within a host, and interactions among differentially infected spiders in the population. This project is a collaboration among Dr. Jen White (https://entomology.ca.uky.edu/person/jennifer-white) and Dr. Jeremy Van Cleve (http://vancleve.theoretical.bio/) at the University of Kentucky, as well as Dr. Yuval Gottlieb-Dror (http://ksvm.agri.huji.ac.il/staff/gottliebdror_yuval.htm) at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. We are looking for a student to be co-supervised by Dr. Van Cleve and Dr. White, who will focus on computational and evolutionary models of symbiont and host dynamics, as well as empirical studies of spider phenotype, population dynamics, and evolutionary trajectory. The assistantship will include an annual salary stipend, graduate tuition waiver, and student health benefits. Selection criteria will include 1) experience/interest in computational modeling, 2) previous entomological or ecological research experience, and 3) experience with basic molecular techniques such as PCR and gel electrophoresis. Please contact Dr. Jen White at jenawhite@uky.edu or Dr. Jeremy Van Cleve at jvancleve@uky.edu for more information and include a letter of interest, unofficial transcript, and CV/resume. Prospective students will then be referred to apply to the University of Kentucky through the Biology or Entomology graduate programs, as appropriate. The priority deadline for applications is Dec 1, 2021. Dr. White will be attending the Entomological Society of America meeting (in person!) in Denver and would be happy to meet with any interested prospective students at the meeting. Posted: 11/18/21.

University of Kentucky: The DeVries Lab is recruiting either a M.S. or Ph.D. student with a focus in urban entomology. Defined broadly, urban entomology encompasses a multitude of topics relating to pests found indoors and around structures. Potential research topics could include (but are not limited to) urban pest management (IPM, baiting, novel strategies), urban pest behavior (cockroach foraging, bed bug host attraction), physiology (metabolism, respiration, insecticide resistance), and health risks associated with urban pests (cockroach allergens, bed bug histamine). Successful applicants will be highly-motivated individuals who can work independently while also benefiting from working as part of a collaborative team. Successful applicants will have good organizational skills (communication, planning, etc.), research experience (project design, data collection, data analysis, reporting results), and a passion for improving urban pest management. The successful applicant will start between January and August 2022 (as mutually agreed upon). The assistantship includes a competitive stipend, tuition, and health coverage. Interested applicants should submit the following to Zachary DeVries via email (zdevries@uky.edu): 1. cover letter describing your research experience, interests, and career goals 2. CV (including GPA and GRE scores, if taken) 3. Unofficial transcript(s) 4. Name and contact information for three references. Posted: 9/9/21.

University of Konstanz: PhD position in macro ecology of naturalized alien plants. The Ecology lab of Mark van Kleunen in the Department of Biology at the University of Konstanz, Germany, is seeking a highly motivated student to do her/his PhD in a DFG-FWF-funded project on the analysis of the Global Naturalized Alien Flora (GloNAF) database. This project is part of a large international collaboration, and has already resulted in many high-profile publications (see https://glonaf.org/ for more details). One of the tasks of the PhD student will be to contribute to the maintenance of the database, but the main task will be to use the database to answer major macro-ecological questions in invasion ecology. The successful candidate should have a keen interest in plant invasions, be able to handle large complex databases in R, and have good writing skills. The position will be funded for three years, and the salary will be at scale 65% E13 (pdf). The starting date is 1 October 2022, but an earlier or later starting date is negotiable. The Ecology group is very international, and works on a wide range of topics, including among others mating system evolution, plant responses to global change and determinants of plant invasions. If you are interested in this position, send a PDF with the the following contents to mark.vankleunen@uni-konstanz.de: - a motivation letter (why do you want to do a PhD?, why this one?, why in this group?) - your CV - the contact details of two references - a writing sample (for example, a publication that you wrote or the abstract and introduction of your Master thesis). Merge all these documents into a single PDF, and include your name in the file name (for example: Smith_John.pdf). The application deadline is 31 May 2022. For more information, contact mark.vankleunen@uni-konstanz.de. Posted: 5/11/22.

University of Louisville: Dr. Andrew Mehring is seeking a graduate student (PhD) to study the effects of fire on greenhouse gas flux and carbon storage in forests. This student will be integrated into an interdisciplinary collaborative project in which a new section of forest will be experimentally burned each year for the next 4-7 years. The student will investigate pre- and post-fire changes in aboveground net primary production and fluxes of carbon dioxide and methane through soils, wood, and biota. The student will receive their degree from the Department of Biology, but coursework toward the degree is flexible. Start date is flexible (January or August 2022). The successful applicant for this position will be supported on a graduate teaching assistantship ($22k/year + tuition + health insurance). Interested applicants should contact Dr. Mehring at andrew.mehring@louisville.edu Admission requirements. Review of applications will begin on December 31, 2021. Application Deadline: January 15th. Applicants are encouraged to contact Dr. Mehring well before final deadlines. Posted: 10/6/21, revised: 11/29/21.

University of Maine: The School of Forest Resources is seeking a highly motivated Master’s student to research ecophysiology and silviculture of northeastern forest trees. The position will be co-advised by Dr. Jay Wason and Dr. Nicole Rogers. The research will focus on using tree ecophysiology to better understand how climate-change will impact northeastern forest trees and how silviculture can improve regeneration outcomes. This research will use a combination of lab- and field-based measurements including experimental and observational approaches. There is room for the student to develop aspects of the project towards their research interests. Assistantship: This position provides a two-year stipend of approximately $21k/year, 50% of health insurance paid, and a tuition waiver. Three semesters are covered by a research assistantship and one semester is covered by a teaching assistantship. Operating and some travel funds are also available. Qualifications: The ideal candidate will have field and lab skills, familiarity with forests of the northeastern U.S., a demonstrated ability to conduct independent research, and strong written and verbal communication skills. Start date is Fall 2022 with potential for some preliminary experiments in Summer 2022. With almost 90% of the state covered by forest, forest resources are central to Maine’s quality of life and economy. The SFR provides essential forestry education and research and is a signature area of the University of Maine. Approximately 60 graduate students are currently enrolled in M.F., M.S., and Ph.D. programs within the SFR. To Apply: The position will remain open until filled. Interviews begin immediately. If interested, send a CV, GRE scores (if available), and statement of your research interests to jay.wason@maine.edu and nicole.s.rogers@maine.edu. Posted: 1/28/22.

University of Maine: A PhD or Masters position is available to work in Alessio Mortelliti’s lab focusing on how individual variation in behavior (personality) impacts population, community, and ecosystem dynamics. The student will participate in a series of field experiments focusing on the ecological consequences of personality, using small mammals and seed dispersal as a model systems. The ideal candidate would have a strong passion for field work as well as the potential to develop strong quantitative and writing skills. Previous experience working with small mammals is not mandatory. The position is at the University of Maine flagship institution in Orono, with an active and diverse wildlife graduate department. The position is funded through an NSF and MAFES grant and it includes a stipend (through RA and TA), full tuition and 50% of the health insurance. Expected start of the position: January 2022 or a soon as possible thereafter (no later than June 1st 2022). Please note that only 1 position is available and it will either be a PhD or MS (depending on top candidate); the career stage will be taken into consideration when evaluating applications. To apply please send (as one unique PDF file): 1) A cover letter addressing why you want this position and what skills you would bring to the project, 2) curriculum vitae, 3) unofficial transcripts, 4) GRE scores (if available) 5) contact for 3 references, to: Dr. Alessio Mortelliti (alessio.mortelliti@maine.edu). Application review will begin on November 29 2021. Posted: 11/18/21.

UMCES Appalachian Laboratory: The Environmental Science and Policy Lab at UMCES is seeking a motivated Ph.D. student interested in investigating nitrogen (N) cycles in coupled human and natural systems and informing N management along the food supply chain. This position is funded by a research project recently awarded by National Science Foundation (NSF), titled “CAREER: Sustainable Nitrogen Management across Spatial and System Scales”. The student will be advised by Professor Xin Zhang, the PI of the project. The student will have the opportunity to 1) quantify key nitrogen flows in the agro-food system at various spatial scales; and/or 2) work with a stakeholder advisory group to co-develop indicators and models to assist decision-making in N management along the food supply chain in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. Through this transdisciplinary and transnational project, the student will have ample opportunities to work with a range of stakeholders (e.g., policy makers, NGOs, farmers, agricultural business) and international experts. Qualifications: Students with strong quantitative backgrounds and interests in stakeholder engagement and policy applications are particularly encouraged to apply. The successful candidate should be proficient in at least one programming language. Start Date: Flexible. The review of applications will begin Dec. 20, 2021. The UMCES Appalachian Laboratory (AL-UMCES), Frostburg, MD. Frostburg is a small college town with a low cost of living and abundant outdoor recreation opportunities. Nearby amenities include numerous state forests and wildlife areas, scenic Appalachian Mountains, and Frostburg State University. Description: The assistantship will include tuition coverage, benefits, and stipend. Three years of support are available through the NSF research assistantship, with additional support available through AL-UMCES institutional funds and fellowships. Program: The student will matriculate through the Marine, Estuarine, and Environmental Sciences Program, a University of Maryland multi-campus joint degree program, and will reside at the Appalachian Laboratory in Frostburg for the duration of the project. In addition to the MEES application, interested candidates should also send an email to tesp.recruit@gmail.comcontaining following documents as a single PDF: (1) a statement of interest, (2) a CV, (3) contact information (names, addresses, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses) for three references, and (4) copy of academic transcripts (optional). Please indicate in your subject line “[NSF-SUSN position]”. Informal inquiries are also welcome. Posted: 11/30/21.

University of Jena, University of Würzburg, LMU Munich: Drivers of insect diversity and their microbiome in the Peruvian Andes: Background: Tropical mountains are global biodiversity hotspots, yet most of their diversity remains unexplored, and diversity patterns and functional traits of most organisms are still poorly understood. This is particularly true for the holometabolous insects (e.g. butterflies & moths, bees & wasps, flies, beetles). Holometabolous insects contribute more than three quarters of all described animal species and perform key functions in ecosystem like herbivory, pollination or decomposition. In the DFG-funded project ANDIV we investigate patterns and drivers of species diversity, functional traits and microbiomes of insects along an elevation gradient in the Andes of Peru. The gradient has a completely natural forest vegetation and runs from the lowland Amazonian forests up to ca. 3500 m asl. In the ANDIV project, we assess insect diversity and biotic interactions using a broad range of classical field sampling methods combined with cutting-edge DNA metabarcoding techniques and experiments. Requirements: We are seeking three highly motivated PhD students with strong interest and expertise in tropical ecology. Two positions will be in the field of insect ecology and one in the field of microbiome research. Applicants should have a MSc. or Diploma degree in ecology or related disciplines, a strong interest in biodiversity research, skills in statistical data analysis (preferably in R) and scientific writing in English. Physical fitness and very good language skills in English are required; language skills in Spanish would be ideal. Applicants for the three positions in insect ecology should also have experience in field research on insects (e.g. insect monitoring, plant-insect interactions), practical skills in insect identification and ideally experience in the analysis of molecular data. Applicants for the position in microbiome research should have strong experience in molecular lab techniques and bioinformatics. The candidates are expected to work both individually and in close collaboration with all ANDIV projects and partners in Peru in an international project with significant times of field work in Peru. We offer the following positions, which actively cooperate in Peru and Germany: 1) Biodiversity and interactions of geometrid moths. The PhD position will be located at the Institute for Zoology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Jena, Germany. For further information, please contact: Dr. Gunnar Brehm (gunnar.brehm@uni-jena.de). 2) Biodiversity and interactions of bees and wasps. The PhD position will be located in the Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology at University of Würzburg. For further information, please contact: Prof. Dr. Ingolf Steffan-Dewenter (ingolf.steffan@uni-wuerzburg.de). 3) Biodiversity and interactions of the insect microbiome. The PhD position will be located in the Biocenter of the LMU Munich. For further information, please contact: Prof. Dr. Alexander Keller (keller@bio.lmu.de). Start date: Preferably 1st July 2022. The planned duration of the project is three years. Applications: Please send your application as one single pdf file per email to Michaela Jaeger (michaela.jaeger@uni-wuerzburg.de) latest until 31 May 2022. Applications should include a cover letter, a short summary of research interests, CV, complete certificates, and the names (with email addresses) of two potential referees. Please note that you can apply for one or multiple of the above-mentioned positions with the same application. Please indicate this in your cover letter. Posted: 4/13/22.

University of Melbourne: Call for PhD students in Amphibian Conservation, Genomics, and Synthetic Biology. Want to help save frogs declining from a pandemic disease? Interested in studying functional genomics and using the latest methods in synthetic biology? The One Health Research Group at the University of Melbourne in Victoria, Australia is looking to support PhD projects to investigate advantageous genetic traits against the disease chytridiomycosis and use that knowledge and synthetic biology to increase disease resistance in declining frog species. The project is funded through the Australian Research Council, and PhD scholars will be advised by Drs Lee Skerratt, Tiffany Kosch, Lee Berger and members of the One Health Research Group and collaborators including Zoos Victoria. The project will be based at the Melbourne Veterinary School at the Werribee campus. The project is focused on improving disease resilience in ecosystems using genetic approaches, but the specific aims of the PhD research can be determined by the successful scholar. We aim to use the latest methods in genomics and synthetic biology to develop approaches to conserve species threatened by disease, through characterising and enhancing immunity. Emerging infectious diseases are a major threat to ecosystems and new methodologies are needed to fight them. Chytridiomycosis is the most devastating disease of vertebrates, causing population declines in over 500 amphibian species worldwide. The expected outcomes of the project are improved understanding and increased immunity of frogs to chytridiomycosis and restoration of frogs into the environment. To be eligible, Expertise needed: Applicants must have experience with molecular biological or biomedical research such as molecular and synthetic biology, microbiology, genetics, and immunology. Skills or interest in genomics, population genetics, disease ecology, HPC computing, bioinformatics, statistical analyses, and animal husbandry are an advantage. Scholarship applications are competitive: applicants must have first-class Honours, Master's by research (1 year full-time) or equivalent and an excellent academic record. Peer reviewed publications are beneficial (and required for international scholars). Post Graduate Research Scholarships for stipends are available through University of Melbourne, for which the applicant will need to apply separately by the 31st of October. The project will commence in early 2022. Please submit a CV, cover letter, and contact information for two referees to Dr Tiffany Kosch tiffany.kosch@unimelb.edu.au by 15 Sept 2021. Posted: 8/12/21.

University of Memphis: A PhD assistantship in disease ecology is available in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Memphis. The successful candidate will be funded in part on a collaborative project with researchers at Virginia Tech, UConn, and Univ. of San Diego, studying the causes and consequences of heterogeneity in susceptibility to infection, using house finches and Mycoplasma gallisepticum as a model system. This position will provide numerous opportunities to learn from diverse researchers in disciplines ranging from microbiology to mathematical modeling. In addition to running experiments on susceptibility, the PhD student will be expected to develop an independent line of inquiry that complements the main project. Specific foci could include, but are emphatically not limited to, the covariation of susceptibility and behavioral or tissue-specific tolerance at the inter-population or inter-species levels. Official qualifications for the Department of Biological Sciences. Ideal candidates will possess an MS in biology or a related field and/or have exceptional research experience in undergraduate or post-baccalaureate years. Desired qualifications include excellent writing abilities, strong quantitative skills (I am an unabashed R fan), experience in animal behavior and basic molecular techniques (e.g. ELISA, PCR). Don't feel you need to meet all of those qualifications to apply-that's just a list of good possibilities. Stipend ~$24k per year, with a supplement to purchase health insurance, and tuition is waived. To initiate the application process, please email me the following documents by December 17, 2021: a cover letter describing professional interests and career goals, a one-page (at most!) document that describes a specific research topic of interest, a curriculum vita, copies of all undergraduate and graduate transcripts, and the names and contact information of least three references. The selected candidate will be asked to apply officially to the Department and Graduate School, which have February 1 deadlines. Contact Dr. James S. Adelman, Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Memphis, jim.adelman@memphis.edu. Posted: 11/23/21.

University of Michigan: The Coastal Ecology and Conservation lab (PI Jake Allgeier) is seeking to recruit a talented and enthusiastic student interested in using empirical or quantitative approaches to quantify processes associated with large-scale ecosystem energy and nutrient dynamics. A central goal of our lab is to understand the drivers of productivity in tropical coastal ecosystems by generating empirical data and applying these data to build comprehensive ecosystem models that integrate across behavioral ecology, population/community ecology, and ecosystem ecology. The overarching goal of our research is to apply outcomes towards ecological restoration and conservation in The Bahamas and Haiti where we have on-going research and conservation efforts. In accordance with this goal we hope to recruit a student with broad interests and/or experience in any of the following: ecosystem production and metabolism, landscape ecology, water-column dynamics and food web interactions, ecosystem-scale nutrient and energy budgets. The ideal candidate will possess, or have a strong desire to develop, the quantitative skills needed to model these processes. The PhD student will be conducting their research in tropical coastal ecosystems, but there is no prerequisite that the applicant has previously worked in these systems. In our lab we are interested in broad ecological questions that apply to a system and welcome a diversity of intellectual backgrounds. Minorities and underrepresented groups in STEM are encouraged to apply. Students from the Caribbean are especially encouraged to apply. This is position will be funded in part by the David and Lucille Packard Fellowship Interested applicants should send an concise email to Jake Allgeier (jeallg@umich.edu) with the following: - What are your personal interests in ecology and what are your career goals? - What ecological questions are you interested in pursuing for your graduate work? - Why do you believe my lab would be a good fit for you? - Your previous experiences and a copy of your CV. Posted: 9/9/21.

University of Missouri: recruiting a M.S. student to characterize the response of nitrogen fluxes across the terrestrial-aquatic interface to flooding and drought events. The graduate student will join a group of talented undergraduate, graduate, and post-doctoral researchers and staff at the MU Limnology lab and gain skills in sensor deployment and maintenance, quantitative data analysis, professional writing, public speaking, and water quality analysis. This is an excellent opportunity for a highly motivated student interested in stream ecology and hydrology to conduct applied ecological research. The student will be admitted into the Water Resources Graduate Program and work under the supervision of Dr. Alba Argerich. Candidates should have a valid driver's license, a degree in Ecology, Biology, Environmental Sciences, or a closely related field, and experience leading independent research. Successful candidates will be offered a full graduate research assistantship ($22k/year), student health insurance, and a tuition waiver. The assistantship is for two years, renewable annually based on satisfactory performance. Start date: August 22, 2022. To apply, please send 1) a cover letter detailing past research experience and professional goals, 2) a recent CV or resume, and 3) unofficial transcripts to argericha@missouri.edu before March 8th. Posted: 2/23/22.

University of Missouri: PhD Research Assistantship in Aquatic Ecology/Environmental Toxicology. Pending funding availability, a PhD research assistantship is available with the Missouri Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit. The graduate student will work on a collaborative project with Missouri Department of Conservation and U.S. Geological Survey to quantify benthic invertebrate toxicity thresholds for neonicotinoids and evaluate the role of agrochemicals in contributing to long-term changes in aquatic invertebrate communities. Project objectives include experimentally manipulating neonicotinoid concentrations in lab settings to evaluate benthic invertebrate response, as well as quantifying changes in aquatic invertebrate communities over time and the environmental variables that may influence invertebrate communities. Field work will require working under physically demanding/adverse weather conditions and lab work will involve extensive time processing invertebrate, soil and water samples. Graduate student will be responsible for hiring and supervising lab and field technicians. Assistantship is for four years, renewable annually based on satisfactory performance. Qualifications: B.S. in ecology, environmental science, chemistry or closely related field and experience leading independent research. GPA of 3.2+ is desired. Preferred qualifications include experience/interest in aquatic invertebrate ecology or environmental toxicology, previous experience identifying/processing aquatic invertebrates, ability to perform rigorous field work responsibly and collaborate with agency biologists, as well as excellent written and oral communication skills. Applicants must have or acquire a valid US driver’s license and meet University of Missouri vehicle use requirements. Salary: $24K/year plus tuition coverage and benefits. Anticipated start date August 2022. Closing Date and Contact Info: Applicant review will begin immediately and applications received before 21 March 2022 will be given full consideration. Interested applicants should send (via email and preferably as one pdf file) a CV, copy of transcript (unofficial are ok), 1-2 page letter describing research interests, career goals and relevant experience and contact information for three references to Dr. Lisa Webb, Missouri Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, School of Natural Resources, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, (573) 882-2591, webbli@missouri.edu. Posted: 2/23/22.

University of Missouri-Columbia: The MU Limnology Lab in the School of Natural Resources at the (MU) is seeking a PhD student interested in reservoir ecology, eutrophication, land use, and cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (cyanoHABs). Interested candidates will conduct field work, laboratory analyses, and utilize statistical techniques to analyze their data. The successful applicant will have strong skills in these areas, a collaborative nature, and a background and/or interest in limnology, aquatic ecology, and biogeochemistry. Strong writing skills are desired and candidates must have a published or submitted manuscript from their MS or undergraduate research experience. To apply, please send: 1) cover letter outlining your background, expertise, and interests, 2) recent CV, 3) unofficial transcripts, and 4) a scientific manuscript (published/submitted/ in preparation) to Dr. Rebecca North, email: northr@missouri.edu Preferred start date is January 2022. For further information on the Water Resources Graduate Emphasis Area in the School of Natural Resources at Mizzou, including application requirements. Applications will be considered until October 1, 2021. Posted: 9/9/21.

University of Montana: Wildlife Disease Ecology (3 PhD positions). The Luis Lab is seeking 3 Ph.D. students to work on an EEID-funded project that examines how small mammal competitors (such as voles and shrews) affect demography, contact rates, stress, immunity, and transmission of Sin Nombre hantavirus in deer mice. We expect 2 of these positions to be largely field and/or lab-based, and one position will be quantitative – analyzing and modeling existing long-term datasets. Students could join either the Ecology and Evolution program (apply by Dec 1) or the Wildlife Biology program (apply by Jan 15). Before applying, please contact Angela.Luis@umontana.edu with 1) a statement of interest which outlines which position you are interested in and why and any relevant experience, 2) Unofficial transcripts, and 3) a CV or resume with contact info for 3 references. For more details see https://www.cfc.umt.edu/research/disease-ecology/opportunities/. Closes: 12/1/21. Posted: 11/15/21.

University of Montana and University of Delaware: Opportunity for 2 PhD positions in carbon cycle science. There is an opportunity for 2 PhD positions to work in a NASA funded collaborative project to improve our understanding of global CO2 respiration and its potential feedback on Earth??s climate system. This opportunity will work closely with a collaborative team from University of Montana (UMT), University of Delaware (UD), and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) to improve our understanding of global respiration by combining spaceborne observations with surface measurements to provide estimates of bottom-up and top-down respiration for benchmarking models. One position will be based at UMT (focusing on top-down approaches) and another at UD (focusing on bottom-up approaches). The ideal candidates will have strong backgrounds or interest in ecological or land surface models, biogeochemistry, or a related discipline within earth sciences, and a commitment to collaborative and open science. The candidates are expected to start their PhD programs in early 2022. Required Qualifications: - Strong critical thinking and analytical skills - Creative approaches to solving problems - BSc in Ecology or Earth Sciences - Experience with computer code to analyze and visualize large datasets Preferred Qualifications: - Experience working in a collaborative team - MSc in Ecology or Earth Sciences that has resulted in publication of research - Proficiency in commonly used computer languages, such as R or Python - Experience with machine learning or artificial intelligence approaches Research Team: Ashley Ballantyne (University of Montana), Ben Bond-Lamberty (Pacific Northwest National Laboratories), Rodrigo Vargas (University of Delaware). To apply: Please send the following information to Ashley Ballantyne (ashley.ballantyne@umontana.edu): - CV - Brief statement of research interests pertaining to the project - At least 2 references with email addresses. Posted: 7/23/21.

University of Nebraska Omaha: The Robbins Lab in the Department of Biology is seeking to recruit students for the Master's degree program. The lab focuses on the ecology and evolution of herptiles (reptiles and amphibians). Current projects are examining phenotypic evolution of fence lizard (Sceloporus spp.) populations in response to thermal gradients associated with latitude. Phenotypes of interest are broad but include rates of embryonic development and hatchling growth as well as physiology associated with thermal tolerances, behavior, and hormone production. UNO provides support through teaching assistantships (which include tuition waivers), as well as through faculty research grants. In addition, research and summer support funds are available on a competitive basis. Interested students should contact Dr. Travis Robbins (trobbins2@unomaha.edu) prior to application to discuss possible thesis topics. The deadline for applications for fall enrollment is 15 February. For more information see Graduate Studies at UNO. Posted: 1/28/22.

University of Nevada-Reno: The Shriver Quantitative Plant Ecology Lab is recruiting a masters student (M.S.). The student will spearhead a project investigating the status and long-term trends of Tahoe draba, (Draba asterophora), an endemic alpine plant species to the Lake Tahoe Area. The student will lead fieldwork data collection in alpine areas around Lake Tahoe and organization of historical monitoring data as well using mathematical and statistical models to understand the demography and population trends of Tahoe draba. The position could begin in Summer or Fall 2022, however preference will be given to students who can begin in Summer. The ideal candidates for the positions have previous field ecological research and data analysis experience (e.g. R, math/statistics coursework), is highly self-motivated, comfortable working in sometimes remote field sites, and has a strong interest in being a part of a collaborative team. Position is fully funded, with stipend of at least $1,900 per month. If interested, please contact Dr. Bob Shriver at rshriver@unr.edu with the following as attachments: (1) A one-page cover letter briefly describing your research interests and research experience (2) your resume/CV including contact information for at least two professional references, and (3) unofficial transcripts. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until March 5th. Posted: 2/23/22.

University of North Dakota: The Darby lab is seeking applicants for 1-2 graduate research positions at the M.S. or Ph.D. level to assist with a variety of soil health, nematode ecology, and microbiology projects. The main project involves linking soil health and nematode community dynamics to grassland restoration. The ideal applicant will have a U.S. driver’s license and relevant prior experience, such as in soil survey, field sampling, plant identifications, laboratory work, molecular techniques, or nematode identification. This position in Grand Forks, ND, could begin as soon as May 15. Please send inquiries and application materials (CV or resume, unofficial transcripts, cover letter, and list of references) to brian.darby@und.edu. Applicant review begins Dec 1st and will continue until a suitable applicant is found (hopefully by Feb 1 , 2022). Posted: 11/23/21.

University of Notre Dame: The McLachlan Lab in the Department of Biological Sciences is looking for PhD students interested in ecological forecasting, especially in forecasting the long-term dynamics of vegetation in terrestrial and coastal ecosystems. Our lab forecasts changes in these ecosystems based on field measurements, controlled experiments, and mechanistic models of ecosystem processes. The lab is associated with the Ecological Forecasting Initiative (ecoforecast.org), with whom we work to make the field of ecological forecasting more inclusive and diverse. Prospective graduate students would also have the opportunity to be involved with these activities. Applicants should have interest and proficiency in one or more of the following: ecological modeling; Bayesian statistics; the long-term dynamics of vegetation; and/or undergraduate research training. Additional details and contact information available at: https://sites.nd.edu/paleolab/opportunities/. Posted: 11/23/21.

University of Oklahoma: We seek a PhD student to join an NSF-funded project on the sustainability of water resources and river ecosystems. The position is part of an interdisciplinary DISES project exploring the role of voluntary incentives (i.e., payments or subsidies to water users) as a tool for enhancing freshwater sustainability. Within this larger project, the PhD student will focus on integrating social, economic, hydrological and biological data and models to identify sustainability strategies for water-limited regions. The PhD student will join the Dept. of Geography and Environmental Sustainability at the University of Oklahoma, and be co-advised by Dr. Tom Neeson and Dr. Caryn Vaughn (OU Biology). To apply, send a single PDF that includes a statement of interest, CV, and contact information for three references to neeson@ou.edu. Review of candidates will begin Dec. 1, 2021. Start date is Aug. 2022. Posted: 11/19/21.

University of Oregon: The Louca Lab is seeking PhD students to work on microbial ecology and evolution, using any combination of mathematical modeling, bioinformatics and big-data analyses, experiments and field surveys. Potential topics include: - Statistical properties of global prokaryotic genomic diversity - Gene-level and genome-level processes of prokaryotic macroevolution - The structure and dynamics of microbial metabolic networks at ecosystem scales - Experimental and mathematical characterization of microbial system kinetics - Extreme environments such as hot springs and soda lakes - Development of new phylogenetic and phylogenomic tools for analyzing global prokaryotic diversity over deep time - Interaction of microbial diversity with large-scale geological transitions. Prospective students from a wide range of related disciplines, including biology, physics, environmental studies or computer science, interested in microbial ecology and evolution, are encouraged to consider joining the Louca lab. Experience in programming (any language), bioinformatics (especially genomics and metagenomics), mathematical modeling and/or molecular biology are of benefit but not absolute requirements. The most important skills are creativity, attention to clear deductive reasoning, as well as a strong motivation to learn and to solve problems. Interested students are encouraged to directly contact the lab's principal investigator (PI), Stilianos Louca, to discuss potential research projects and application logistics. The 2021 application deadline for the University of Oregon Department of Biology graduate program is December 1st. Additional information and the PI's contact details are available at: Louca Lab. Posted: 11/2/21.

University of Oxford: I am seeking a quantitative mind eager to do a PhD on questions related to how intra-specific trait variation scales up (or not!) to population and community resilience. This student will be based in my lab at Oxford, and work closely with St Andrew's Botanical Gardens. More details here. Please contact me (Rob Salguero-Gomez Dept Biology, Oxford) and Harry Watkins (HWatkins@StAndrewsBotanic.org) with any pertinent questions. Posted: 12/10/21.

University of Pittsburgh: The Elliott Biogeochemistry Laboratory in the Department of Geology & Environmental Science at the University of Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh, PA) is hiring 1-2 graduate students at the PhD level to participate in a new NSF-funded ECO CBET grant (#2133423). The PhD student(s) will join an interdisciplinary team of scientists and engineers in designing and testing new carriers that deliver nitrogen-based fertilizers to crops with minimal leaching losses. We are specifically looking for applicants interested in sustainable agriculture, plant/soil interactions, isotope tracers, and nutrient dynamics. The research team will engage with stakeholders through the Pittsburgh Water Collaboratory, housed at the University of Pittsburgh and the public through programming at the University of Pittsburgh's field station, Pymatuning Lab of Ecology. Research in the Elliott lab is focused on understanding reactive nitrogen dynamics in Earth systems using stable isotope bio/geochemistry. Candidates from diverse disciplinary backgrounds are welcome. Prior research experience with stable isotopes, plant/soil systems, or biogeochemistry is preferred but not required. Further information regarding application materials. Interested candidates should contact Dr. Elliott directly (eelliott@pitt.edu) with an email explaining educational goals, research interests and experience, and a resume or CV. The Elliott lab is motivated to maintain a diverse and inclusive lab environment; students from under-represented groups are encouraged to apply. Ideal candidates will be available for either a start date in January 2022 (rolling admissions) or September 2022 (January 15, 2022 application deadline). Posted: 9/9/21.

University of Queensland: PhD Scholarship: The costs and consequences of antimicrobial resistance in microbial communities. Applicants are invited for a fully funded PhD position in the group of Dr Andrew Letten at the University of Queensland to study resource competition and antimicrobial resistance evolution in microbial communities. Background: Ecological theory provides a powerful framework for understanding the competitive balance between sensitive and resistant bacteria, and therefore the evolution of resistance (Letten et al, 2021 Nature Eco Evo). The primary goal of this ARC funded project is to go beyond the theory and test how well we can predict the evolution and persistence of resistant bacteria in microbial communities under the highly variable environmental conditions typical of most microbial systems (from soils and water to the gut). This is critical not only for our fundamental understanding of microbial competition and evolution, but also ultimately for the identification and development of new ecologically-aware strategies for managing resistance. A wide variety of investigatory approaches fall within the scope of the project including high throughput screening and competition assays, molecular work, mathematical modelling, and computer simulations. The PhD student will have ample room to take the project in a more experimental or computational/theoretical direction depending on their interests and background. This is to say that highly motivated students that are primarily interested, or have a strong background, in either empirical or computational/theoretical research are both encouraged to apply. Similarly, the project is suitable to students coming from a microbiology or molecular background interested in ecological and evolutionary research, or those coming from an ecological or evolutionary background who are interested in bringing their knowledge to microbial systems. A working knowledge of laboratory research, experimental evolution and/or mathematical modelling would be of benefit to someone working on this project. The applicant will demonstrate academic achievement in the field(s) of ecology, evolutionary biology, microbiology or molecular biology and the potential for scholastic success. A background or knowledge of R or Python programming and ecological and/or evolutionary theory is highly desirable. The student will be based in the School of Biological Sciences. As a scholarship recipient, you'll receive: - Living stipend of $28k per annum tax free (2022 rate), indexed annually - Tuition fees covered - Single Overseas Student Health Cover (international applicants). Please contact Dr Andrew Letten (a.letten@uq.edu.au) as soon as possible if you are interested (including a CV and a brief statement on your research background and interests). More information on the recruitment process. Posted: 4/13/22.

University of Saskatchewan: I am seeking two PhD students to join my lab. Research in my lab focuses on understanding interactions among plants and between plants and soil microbes in natural and semi-natural grasslands. We then use this understanding to improve management of natural and agricultural perennial systems. Both positions are fully funded, and the students will be expected to lead one of two new projects we are starting; however, students will also receive considerable latitude to develop other studies in areas of mutual interest. The first project focuses on the integration of native plant species into seeded tame pastures. Typically, native species are not seeded into tame pasture because of seed costs and limited success. With this study, we are trying to identify strategies to improve native species persistence in these mixtures and the consequences of these strategies for ecosystem function, focusing on forage production, carbon sequestration, and nutrient retention. From a more basic ecological perspective, we will also use this project to understand how species origin (i.e., native vs. non-native) affects biodiversity-ecosystem functioning relationships and the role of the soil microbiome in driving these relationships. The second project seeks to improve control of leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula) by manipulating its microbiome. Leafy spurge is an aggressive perennial invader in grasslands systems that is hard to control and quickly rebounds after being treated with most herbicides. Previous work from my lab has shown that fungicides improve leafy spurge control by suppressing mycorrhizas. We are testing whether different combinations of fertilizers can reduce mycorrhizal benefits for leafy spurge and improve leafy spurge control. As part of this project, we are also exploring how nutrient stoichiometry affects plant interactions with mycorrhizal fungi and will be using various techniques to quantify how changes in the soil microbiome affect plant performance. Both domestic and international applicants will be considered. International applicants should note the language proficiency requirements if applicable - see admission requirements. Applicants must have an MSc in ecology, microbiology, plant sciences or a related field with a minimum 75% average, although grading system differences among countries will be considered. Strong candidates with a BSc that would be open to starting an MSc and transitioning to the PhD program will also be considered. Positions are expected to begin as early as May 2022 or as late as May 2023, depending on student preferences and any potential immigration issues. Successful applicants will receive a minimum stipend of $24k for PhD students (4 years), although there are many available scholarships to which students can apply to top up that amount. Any tuition differential for international students will also be covered. To apply, please send a letter of motivation (maximum one-page), an up-to-date CV, and unofficial transcripts to Dr. Jonathan A. Bennett (jon.bennett@usask.ca) by February 18, 2022. The letter of motivation should describe why you are interested in the research conducted in the lab, with particular attention to the project that is of greatest interest to you. Posted: 1/31/22.

University of South Dakota: Graduate Assistantship – Sustainability Coordinator. The Department of Sustainability & Environment is accepting applications for the graduate program in Sustainability beginning summer 2022. A graduate assistantship is available for a student with an appropriate background to coordinate the university’s expanding sustainability efforts. This position includes a 12-month assistantship stipend of $18k per year and a partial tuition waiver. The student would oversee USD’s recycling program, help lead the university’s committee on sustainability, coordinate with other groups on campus about sustainability efforts, and lead communication and outreach for sustainability initiatives. Applications for the M.S. or Ph.D. degrees will be considered. Applicants should be detail oriented and have leadership experience. Experience with recycling and other sustainability work is preferred. Interested students should contact Mark.Sweeney@usd.edu. Applications will be considered starting February 1, 2022. Posted: 11/23/21.

University of South Florida: The Paleolimnology Laboratory at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg campus is seeking 1-2 highly motivated students interested in pursuing a M.S. degree in Conservation Biology with research focused on the conservation paleoecology of Florida lakes. We use sedimentary evidence (i.e. diatoms, pollen, plant macrofossils, algal pigments, zoological indicators, eDNA, geochemistry, and stable isotopes) to reconstruct the historical ecology of lakes, and to address community- and ecosystem-level questions. Our research documents natural variation and anthropogenic impacts, and it has applications in lake restoration, management, and conservation. Graduate students in the Conservation Biology Program are funded through Graduate Teaching Assistant positions, and support includes a competitive stipend, full tuition waivers, and health insurance benefits for a minimum of two years contingent upon satisfactory progress. Opportunities for funding as a Research Assistant might be available in addition. Admission to the graduate program is competitive and requires a B.S. degree in Biology or a related degree (i.e. Botany, Zoology), with formal course work in ecology, genetics, evolution, and taxonomy. Florida is an important lake district within the U.S. because it contains approximately 8000 warm-temperate lakes. We are particularly interested in recruiting students who are eager to gain field experience, who would be comfortable traveling throughout the state, and who look forward to working collaboratively as part of a research team that focuses on the conservation and restoration of Florida's lake ecosystems. If you are interested in learning more about recent research projects and potential thesis topics, please contact Drs. Melanie Riedinger-Whitmore (mariedin@usf.edu) and Thomas Whitmore, (whitmore@usf.edu) for more details and to arrange a virtual interview. We ask that interested students contact us before submitting their application because admission to the program is contingent upon acceptance by a faculty research mentor. The Fall 2022 Priority Application deadline for this graduate program is February 1, 2022. See also: https://www.usf.edu/graduate-studies/. Posted: 11/17/21.

University of Tennessee: We continue to expand our cross-campus activities in Conservation Science. We are looking to recruit excellent conservation-centric graduate students as part of this expansion. At this time, we seek excellent students interested in pursuing Masters or PhD study through our Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. Successful applicants will receive tuition, health care, and a stipend from guaranteed TA line support. More details. Applications are due 1st December 2021 for enrollment in August 2022, but applicants are strongly encouraged to contact prospective advisers now. For information about other graduate opportunities in EEB, see https://eeb.utk.edu. Posted: 9/17/21.

University of Texas at El Paso: We are seeking a highly motivated student for a NSF funded PhD position in the Moody Lab. The research will focus on comparative transcriptomics and population genomics of arctic plants along an Alaskan latitudinal gradient. The research is part of a collaborative research program that will examine the mechanisms that lead to ecotypic differences in phenology involving a sedge and two shrubs in reciprocal transplant garden and growth chamber experiments. This includes examination of potential adaptions related to light quality, light quantity, photoperiod, temperature using gene expression data and population genomics. The position will have alt least two years guaranteed research funding and guaranteed TA assistantship up to a combined six years within the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EEB) PhD Program at UTEP. The candidate for this position will have the opportunity to work with a collaborative team involving UTEP, the Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL), and Wilkes University, as well as an opportunity for research at the Toolik Field Station in Alaska. The ideal candidate will have research experience, interest in molecular ecology, strong communication skills, and strong performance in science courses. Experience with 'omics research and computer language is preferred, but not required. The position will begin Fall 2022. Interested students should send a current C.V. and a brief letter of interest to Dr. Michael Moody mlmoody@utep.edu. More information about the Department of Biological Sciences and the EEB graduate programs. Applications for graduate school are due Feb 1. Posted: 11/18/21.

University of Texas at El Paso: I am currently recruiting a Ph.D. student in the Biological Sciences department to start in Fall of 2022 to work on a funded proposal focused on dryland critical zones. Our dryland critical zone project aims to study carbon fluxes, ecohydrology, and nutrient availability in the carbonate-dominated soils of dryland ecosystems. The project is collaborative, interdisciplinary, and focuses on field-based investigations in Texas, New Mexico, and Idaho. PhD students will have an opportunity to work as part of an integrated scientific team of faculty at UTEP and other collaborative institutions, and foster connections within the scientific community centered around critical zone science. Funding is available to cover stipends (3+ years of RA), project supplies, and travel costs. Ideal candidates would have substantial research experience and interest in geology, biology, or environmental sciences, strong communication skills, strong performance in science courses, and a desire to do field work. Ph.D. students on this project will initially work with our team on grant objectives, which they will then springboard into projects of their own independent design. My portion of the project in particular will focus on carbon and gas exchange related aspects of critical zone function. Please see http://anthony.darrouzet-nardi.net/ for more details. Applications are due February 1, 2022. If you are interested, please contact me (ajdarrouzetnardi@utep.edu). Posted: 11/18/21.

University of Texas at El Paso: Seeking graduate students to join the landscape ecology lab at UTEP in fall 2022. Interested individuals could work on: - Ecosystem Structural Diversity and Macrosystems Biology - Desert Landscape Ecology, Remote Sensing, and Conservation - Remote Sensing of Dryland Wildlife Habitat. Qualified candidates will have a B.S./B.A. in Ecology or related field by fall 2022. Assistantships are available. Applications are due to the UTEP graduate school 2/1/2022, but those interested should send a resume/CV and research interests to Dr. LaRue at ealarue@utep.edu prior to applying. Posted: 10/17/21.

University of Tokyo: The Shefferson lab is recruiting graduate students at both the MS and PhD levels. We specialize in evolutionary demography, plant/microbial evolution, and computational ecology. We are currently working on JSPS-funded projects related to the impacts of individual history on population and adaptive dynamics, the development of computing tools in population and evolutionary ecology, and symbiotic evolution in the mycorrhiza. Students applying to work in the lab should have interests broadly related to these topics. Research methods typically involve in situ monitoring and experimentation, combined with modeling and analysis based in R and/or C++. The Shefferson lab is global in its scope, with active field sites in East Asia, North America, and Europe. Our current collaborations include projects that are global, as well as projects focused on field systems in Estonia, China, Taiwan, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Although we work with all plants and fungi, we are particularly interested in herbaceous plants and mycorrhizal fungi. Interested students may read about our projects our interests through several sources, including the Journal of Ecology blog, and various media sources, such as Popular Science. The Shefferson lab is located within the University of Tokyo, at the Komaba Campus. U Tokyo is home to some of the finest scientists in Japan, including ecologists and evolutionary biologists, and more Nobel laureates than you can shake a stick at. Komaba in particular has a particularly large community of ecologists and evolutionary biologists working on plants, animals, and fungi. We also offer graduate programs in both Japanese and English. Students wishing to pursue their graduate research may do so fully in English via the Graduate Program in Environmental Sciences, or may pursue study in Japanese via the General Systems Sciences program. Please note that there is a strict application deadline of 12 Nov 2021 for entry in Sept 2022, and that the GRE is required for consideration. If interested, please contact me (cdorm@g.ecc.u-tokyo.ac.jp), and please also explore the Shefferson lab website. Posted: 10/5/21.

University of Toronto: We are currently looking for an independent, enthusiastic, and creative graduate student to explore disturbance interactions and ecosystem resilience in the boreal forest. The specific project will examine how forest insect outbreaks affect stand and landscape level heterogeneity and what these changes mean for wildfire activity. The project will place specific emphasis on the effects of jack-pine budworm defoliation on fuel succession, fire activity, and ecosystem function in north-western Ontario. The successful candidate will work with historical defoliation and fire data, as well as lead field collection of novel stand structure and fuel information using a Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS; LiDAR) system. The project is part of a large NSERC-supported Strategic Network Grant focussing on improving wildfire science in Canada. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to interact with university and government researchers, as well as students from across Canada who are also examining questions related to fire ecology, fire behaviour, and fire /forest management. Applicants require a background (e.g., MSc) in ecology or forestry, and should have a strong interest in landscape ecology, insect outbreaks, and fire behaviour. Desirable qualifications include technical experience with data manipulation, R, GIS, and statistics. In addition, preference will be given to those with experience in field work or camping in remote areas. Funding is available for four years. The ideal candidate should be able to take up the position of research assistant for the upcoming field season (Summer 2022). To apply, first refer to the guidelines for admission to graduate studies in Forestry. Then, send a short letter of motivation outlining how you meet the qualifications above, your CV, recent transcripts, and the names of two references to Dr. Patrick James: patrick.james@utoronto.ca by February 11, 2022. Posted: 1/27/22.

University of Vermont: PhD opportunity in Phytoplankton Synchrony-Stability Dynamics and Ecosystem Function. The Vermont Limnology Laboratory at the Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources seeks a PhD student to work on an NSF-funded project investigating feedbacks between phytoplankton community synchrony and ecosystem function. This is an interdisciplinary project that will test ecological theory of community assembly in lakes and mesocosms in response to disturbance across spatial and temporal scales. The project will integrate community and ecosystem ecology to assess feedbacks and amplification of carbon gas flux and lake metabolism with fluctuations in algal communities. Ideal candidates will be enthusiastic about phytoplankton community ecology, and/or carbon biogeochemistry. Previous M.S. research in a related field is preferred but not required. Establishing a diverse and inclusive culture is a priority for our lab group and the University of Vermont. Individuals from historically underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply. Please see our website, linked above, to read our lab vision and code of conduct. The RESL includes a recently upgraded microscopy and plankton analysis facility as well as a state-of-the-art 64-foot hybrid-electric catamaran research vessel that will launch spring 2022 on Lake Champlain. Applications will be considered for start dates in either fall 2022 or spring 2023. To apply for this position, please send your C.V. and brief statement of interest to Ana M. Morales-Williams, PhD (ana.morales@uvm.edu) no later than March 25, 2022. More information on the Rubenstein School graduate program in Natural Resources and the formal application process. Posted: 3/9/22.

University of Vermont: The Gund Institute for Environment at the University of Vermont (UVM) seeks exceptional PhD applicants to start Fall 2022 and conduct interdisciplinary research on global environmental challenges. Applications are due January 13, 2022. The Gund Institute is a campus-wide research accelerator, where over 200 faculty, global affiliates, postdocs, and graduate students collaborate widely to understand interactions among ecological, social, and economic systems. We explore environmental issues at the interface of five pressing research themes: climate solutions, health and well-being, sustainable agriculture, resilient communities, and equity and justice. We are committed to ensuring an inclusive environment where diverse voices and perspectives are active and welcome. We encourage applicants who bring diverse perspectives to our community. CURRENT OFFER: We seek PhD students to work on Gund research themes, especially the connections among them. Students will receive up to four years of support at $32k per year, plus tuition. Students are eligible for health insurance, and conference and research funds. For more details and application instructions, explore Gund PhD Fellowships. Posted: 11/12/21.

University of Vermont: Masters Assistantship Examining Pitch Pine Regeneration Dynamics across Northeastern Pine Barrens. The Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources is seeking a master’s-level graduate student to participate in a research project focused on pitch pine (Pinus rigida) regeneration dynamics across pine barren communities in New England and New York. The student will join a team of collaborators from the University of Vermont, U.S. Forest Service Forest Health Protection program, New York Department of Environmental Conservation, National Park Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Central Pine Barrens Joint Planning and Policy Commission, and The Nature Conservancy in quantifying restoration and adaptation strategies most effective at sustaining pitch pine-dominated communities into the future. This includes informing best adaptation practices to secure pitch pine regeneration in areas impacted by the recent range expansion of southern pine beetle. The position is available for Summer 2022 and includes two guaranteed years of funding (stipend, tuition waiver, and health insurance). Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in forestry, biology, natural resources, environmental sciences or a closely related field. Applicants should be able to work independently, but also cooperatively with other researchers in the lab and on the larger project. Applicants should also have a strong work ethic, demonstrated writing and quantitative capabilities, plant identification skills, and a record of leadership. Application: Interested applicants should supply all application materials to the UVM Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources (RSENR) Program (MS in Natural Resources) by February 1, 2022 – when applying, please state your interest in this position in the "Statement of Purpose." Contact: Dr. Anthony D’Amato (awdamato@uvm.edu, 802-656-8030). Posted: 9/9/21.

University of Virginia: I am recruiting a new MS or PhD student (PhD preferred) to start in the Fall of 2022. Major areas of research in the Haynes lab are understanding 1) the causes of spatial and temporal patterns in the outbreaks of forest insect pests (e.g., spatial synchrony, population cycles), 2) factors leading to geographic variation in rates of invasive spread by insect pests, and 3) effects of artificial light at night (or “light pollution”) on ecological processes from the population to ecosystem level. While the student will be welcome to work in one of these areas, the student can develop a research program outside of these areas within the broader fields of population ecology, landscape ecology, or global change ecology. Work in my lab often includes a combination of analysis of spatial datasets, field observations and experiments, and/or computer modeling. Applicants with interests or experience in remote sensing, GIS, statistics, and/or writing computer code (for example, R, Matlab) are encouraged to apply. Funding would most likely come from a research assistantship as well as a half-time teaching assistantship from the Department of Environmental Sciences. Exceptional applicants may be eligible for a fellowship. During summer semesters, the student would be based at Blandy Experimental Farm, a field station for environmental research and education located in the Northern Shenandoah Valley. Send a statement of your interests and a CV to Dr. Kyle Haynes (haynes@virginia.edu). Posted: 8/5/21.

University of Washington: We just opened the application for the 2021/22 University of Washington Future Rivers Graduate Trainee program. It is open to any prospective (incoming fall quarter 2021) or current University of Washington PhD or Masters students in any discipline with an interest in freshwater ecosystems. It is an NSF-funded graduate training program building skills in data science, science communication, and community interaction to bridge work across all fields to better solve today's freshwater sustainability challenges. It is a one-year program that is undertaken alongside any chosen graduate degree. We offer up to 18-months of full funding on a competitive basis. Applications can be submitted anytime; however, to be considered for funding, submissions need to be received by January 22, 2021. We request a 1-2 page statement of interest from prospective students and a letter of support from a potential advisor (for new students) or current advisor (for currently enrolled students) - further details on content can be found in the application form. To apply or for additional program information or questions about the application process, please contact futurerivers@uw.edu or visit https://futurerivers.uw.edu/. Posted: 11/19/21.

University of Waterloo: The Fedy Lab of Wildlife and Molecular Ecology is recruiting two graduate students at either the Master's or PhD level. We have two exciting on-going projects that are described briefly below. (1) Sandhill Crane research in Ontario and Quebec. We are seeking an excellent student for a research project addressing important wildlife conservation issues for Sandhill Cranes. The research will be conducted in close collaboration with the Canadian Wildlife Service and contribute to on-going research investigating the ecology of Sandhill Cranes throughout Ontario and Quebec. The focus of the project will be determined in collaboration with the student but will include the analysis of GPS telemetry data and the potential to contribute to landowner surveys. The new student will work closely with a PhD student conducting movement and population analyses. There may be opportunities for field work throughout Ontario and Quebec. (2) Avian and mammalian research in sagebrush ecosystems. We are seeking an excellent student for a research project addressing important wildlife conservation issues for greater sage-grouse. The research will expand our on-going wildlife projects on sagebrush ecosystems in northeastern Wyoming. Spring and summer field work will be based out of Buffalo, Wyoming - at the foot of the Bighorn Mountains. The exact focus of the project will be determined in collaboration with the student, but could involve analysis of GPS telemetry data, camera trap data, or avian surveys. Students must have a strong work ethic, be able to thrive under physically challenging field situations, and must be comfortable supervising field crews in remote locations. The research will occur on public and private lands, experience interacting and working with landowners and producers is a plus. The successful applicants will have a strong background in ecology and field-based research, excellent grades, and a passion for wildlife ecology and conservation. Students should have a background in statistics and/or a keen interest and willingness to learn sophisticated quantitative approaches to data analysis. Previous experience with statistical software such as R is preferred. The applicant should be competitive for scholarships such as NSERC and will be expected to apply for such opportunities. We, of course, welcome students who have secured external funding. Guaranteed funding is only available for domestic students. Students will be supervised by Dr. Brad Fedy (fedylab.uwaterloo.ca) and will be integrated into our active and engaging research environment. If interested, please email bfedy@uwaterloo.ca with subject line "Graduate Opportunities" no later than February 18, 2022. Please provide: (1) a cover letter detailing background and research interests; (2) CV including the names of 3 referees; and (3) unofficial transcripts from your previous degrees. Posted: 1/27/22, revised: 2/9/22.

University of Waterloo: Temperature and Transients: PhD Positions in Population Ecology in the lab of Kim Cuddington, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. We have two graduate positions focused on developing mechanistic models that relate thermal responses to short term population dynamics (transients). Our lab uses large datasets, computational, statistical and mathematical approaches to answer questions about ectothermic invasive species, species at risk and ecosystem engineers. We are particularly interested in the role of temperature extremes, variance and autocorrelation in determining risks of invasive, extinction and ecosystem impacts. Positions to begin January 2022, but a remote start is possible depending on travel restrictions at that time. We provide four years of funding for students in a PhD program. Please send an inquiry email providing an unofficial transcript, a brief statement of research interests in ecology, and contact information for three references (kcuddingATuwaterlooDOTca). The application for graduate studies is here, but please contact me directly regarding the deadlines. Posted: 8/5/21.

University of Wisconsin-Madison: We are seeking an outstanding student to pursue a MSc in Conservation Genetics and Wildlife Ecology in the Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology (FWE). The student's thesis will involve studying the diet of the invasive barred owl using metabarcoding and next-generation sequencing techniques. The successful applicant will be responsible for: (1) extracting DNA from various biological sources, conducting PCR and building metabarcoding libraries; (2) analyzing large sequence datasets for prey items consumed by barred owls across the Pacific Northwest region; and (3) identifying associations between diet and ecological/life history variables. The successful applicant will be funded through TAships in the Fall semesters in the course Extinction of Species and as an RA in Spring and Summer. The student will be co-advised by Drs. Zach Peery and Emily Fountain. Applicants must possess a bachelor's degree in biology, ecology, genetics, or a closely related field. Applicants with strong molecular laboratory skills will be given preference. Bioinformatic experience is also an asset. The student should be able to work both independently and collaboratively with others in the laboratory. To be considered for this position, please send a cover letter outlining your interests and research background, a curriculum vitae (including GPA), and contact information for three professional references (name, email, phone, address) as a PDF to efountain@wisc.edu. The selected student is expected to enroll at the UW-Madison in the Fall Semester of 2022 starting 1 September 2022. More details on the graduate programs. For full consideration applications must be received by 21 February 2022. For more information, contact: Emily Fountain (efountain@wisc.edu), Scientist, Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Madison, WI 53706. Posted: 1/27/22.

University of Wisconsin-Madison: A Ph.D. Graduate Research Assistantship is available at Dr. Jingyi Huang's lab, Department of Soil Science. This USDA-funded project will focus on improved monitoring and modeling of nitrate transport in different soils and plants under various management practices (e.g., fertilization, irrigation) combining novel soil sensors and process-based models. The expected starting date for this position is September 1, 2022. Requirements: An interest in soil, plant, and environmental sciences Previous experience of process-based models of water and solute transport in soils and/or soil-plant-atmosphere continuum (e.g., Hydrus, DSSAT, APSIM) Strong programming skills (e.g., R, Python, Fortran, Matlab) Demonstrated excellence in coursework, good written and oral communication skills, and the ability to work as a team member. Research Assistantship will be provided for 3.5 years, which consists of stipends, tuition remission, and other benefits. The PhD candidate will work in a multi-discipline environment involving soil and environmental sciences, agronomy, horticulture, civil and environmental engineering, and electrical and computer engineering and will have the opportunity to engage with stakeholders across the state during the project. https://grad.wisc.edu/apply/. If interested, please send a 2-page brief statement describing how your previous experience fits into the position and what you plan to work on for this project, along with your CV, transcripts, and contact info for three references to Dr. Jingyi Huang (jhuang426@wisc.edu). Posted: 1/13/22.

University of Wisconsin-Madison: PhD Assistantship available to study the interactions between social wasps and cluster rots in grapes. Interested in the interactions between insects and plant pathogens? We are looking for a highly qualified and motivated individual who wishes to pursue a PhD degree in a multidisciplinary research project that integrates entomology and plant pathology. The project will characterize the microbial communities of grapes and wasps and investigate the role wasps play in disease facilitation of cluster rot pathogens. The position will be at the University of Wisconsin-Madison jointly advised by Drs. Christelle Guédot in the Department of Entomology and Leslie Holland in the Department of Plant Pathology. Qualifications: Interested candidates should possess a M.S. degree in entomology, plant pathology, horticulture, other related fields. The candidate is expected to work independently and within a team, and have excellent verbal and written communication skills. The student should be prepared to work with laboratory assays and field work. Strong work ethic and the ability to work in the lab and outdoors with stinging insects for long periods of time are a must. The assistantship includes a 4-year RA stipend, full tuition waiver, and health insurance benefits. Deadline for application: Review of applications will begin immediately, and will continue until the position is filled (no later than March 1, 2022). Start Date: The successful candidate is expected to start in September 2022. Application materials: Interested applicants should submit 1) a current CV including GPA (GRE scores are not required), 2) unofficial transcripts, 3) a cover letter stating your research interests, experience, and career goals, 4) a copy of up to three relevant publications, and 5) contact information for three references to Christelle Guédot at guedot@wisc.edu and Leslie Holland at laholland@wisc.edu. Posted: 12/28/21.

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee: The Department of Geography at UWM seeks a student interested in beginning their Ph.D. program in connection with advancing understanding of phenological coherence and seasonal predictability across North America through the development of more accurate and diverse models of spring plant growth stages, as part of a National Science Foundation-sponsored project affiliated with the USA National Phenology Network (USA-NPN). As a 50% (academic year) Research Assistant, available starting in 2022-2023, the student, under mentoring of Dist. Prof. Mark D. Schwartz, will support research aimed at developing a suite of spring phenological models which can accurately represent the variations of driving factors such as temperature, precipitation, and light levels on spring plant development. The student will conduct research across a wide array of different species at continental-scales, using data collected by USA-NPN and the National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON). Additionally, the student will assist in applying phenological models to important questions related to macrosystem theory and the impacts of accelerating global environmental change, as well as help adapt them for use in assessing the potential predictability of spring plant development on seasonal to decadal time horizons. With the development of their doctoral dissertation project, the student will have the opportunity for independent research that benefits from the support of and interactions with research team members and broader project accomplishments. Desired qualifications include experience working with R or Python, combining diverse data sets, using statistical models, and analyzing time series data, as well as interest and some familiarity with phenological research methods. This is an exciting opportunity to be a key part of a major research project, with significant potential for high-impact publication and visibility of your future research. To express interest: Please send an email to Prof. Mark D. Schwartz (mds@uwm.edu) with subject line: "Interest in phenology modeling research assistantship" that includes your CV, list of contacts for three references, and a short cover letter (1 page) highlighting your qualifications and interest in the position. All those formally interested in being considered must apply to the UWM Geography Department Ph.D. program for admission in Fall 2022. Deadline December 1, 2021. Posted: 10/5/21.

University of Wyoming: Plant biodiversity and global change in South African savanna ecosystems. One PhD position is available starting Fall 2022 in the Grassland Ecology Lab of Dr. Kevin Wilco. Our group focuses on a wide variety of topics, such as global change impacts on plant communities and ecosystems, scaling ecosystem stability from local to regional levels, using process-based modeling to assess how plant communities and ecosystems may respond over the coming decades, and investigating interactions between climate change and herbivory in North American grasslands and in South African savanna. Start date: August, 2022. This position is part of an NSF-funded project assessing how diversity of plant traits at the population and community level provide stability under multiple concurrent global change extremes – extreme fire, grazing, and drought. The PhD student will be responsible for helping set up experimental infrastructure and take a variety of ecological measurements near the Satara rest camp in Kruger National Park, South Africa. Additionally, the student will work with a post-doctoral researcher at the University of Wyoming to incorporate field data into process-based models for use at the experimental site. The student will be based at the University of Wyoming and will also collaborate with scientists and other graduate students from the University of North Carolina Greensboro, St. Edwards University, and the South African Environmental Observation Network. The university has a strong PhD program in ecology. Kruger National Park is a 2 million hectare natural savanna ecosystem in the north eastern section of South Africa that supports a diverse assemblage of flora and wildlife, including lions, leopards, zebra, giraffe, elephants, and kudu (and many others). During their research, the student will be located in the Satara rest camp in the national park and will work in the Experimental Burn Plots (EBPs). The EBPs were initiated in Kruger in 1954 to examine the effects of fire frequency on vegetation, and our research group has been studying various dynamics in these plots for almost two decades. The student will conduct approximately 2-3 months of field work in Kruger each year, so willingness to travel and work at a relatively remote field site is required. Desired qualifications include: - BS and/or MS degree in biological sciences - Broad understanding of plant ecology - Experience conducting field research - Willingness to travel internationally and to conduct research at relatively remote field sites - Strong work ethic - Insatiable curiosity about the natural world - Willingness to learn new techniques and skills Underrepresented groups in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics are strongly encouraged to apply. To apply, please submit an application package as a single PDF to kevin.wilcox@uwyo.edu with the position title in the subject line: Biodiversity and Global Change: PhD Application. For full consideration, please send your application as a single PDF by January 28th, at 5 pm MST. The application package PDF must include: 1. A two-page letter outlining your research interests, training, and why you are interested in this position 2. Curriculum vitae 3. Contact information (email and phone numbers) for two academic or professional references. Posted: 1/13/22.

University of Wyoming: The Tarwater Lab (Avian Ecology and Behavior) and the Kelley Lab (Behavioral Complexity Lab) in the Department of Zoology & Physiology at the University of Wyoming are hiring a total of two Ph.D. students interested in working on army-ant-following birds to explore the evolution of social behavior, the consequences of behavior on communities, and flexibility in behavior, as part of a newly funded NSF grant. One student will be advised by Dr. Tarwater and the other student will be advised by Dr. Kelley, but we will be part of a collaborative team investigating different aspects of army ant-following birds. Field work will take place in Panama for 6- 8 months each year. Each Ph.D. position is fully-funded for 2.5 years, with an annual stipend of $23k. For the remainder of the time, student salary will be covered through teaching assistants or other acquired grants. Tuition, fees, and health insurance costs will be covered by University of Wyoming and/or the Principal Investigators. Successful applicants would start early Summer 2022. Qualifications:Successful applicants will be expected to participate in a team environment, manage a field crew, present results at professional conferences, apply to other grants as needed, and publish results in a timely manner in peer-reviewed scientific outlets. Candidates must possess a B.S. or M.S. degree in biology, wildlife ecology, natural resource management, or a related field and have 2+ years of field experience (including experience in the mist-netting and behavioral observations of birds). Ideal candidates would have proficiency in Spanish, some practical experience working with and analyzing large data sets, and experience in writing manuscripts. Preference will also be given to applicants with experience in tropical avian ecology. We strongly encourage underrepresented students in STEM and international students to apply. Applications are due Friday, 11-February-2022. To apply, submit a single PDF containing the following components: [1] a cover letter (2 page maximum) that includes a description of your academic background, future plans, and why you are interesting in joining our labs, [2] a curriculum vitae (2-page max), [3] the name and contact information of three references, and [4] unofficial transcripts (a PDF download from your undergrad university's registrar office). If you are an international student, please include your TOEFL scores. Even though there are two Principal Investigators, please only submit one application as we will review applications jointly. Your application should be submitted using the Google Application Form. Posted: 12/20/21, revised: 1/18/22.

Utah State University: I am seeking a motivated PhD student starting in Fall 2022 (or Spring 2023). Initial funding includes three full years of support (tuition, stipend, and health insurance). Dissertation topics are open for discussion and can include: 1) functional trait-based approaches for understanding vegetation dynamics in rangelands/savannas under global change; 2) trade-offs between carbon sequestration and biodiversity loss from increasing tree cover in tropical savannas; 3) combining remote sensing data and field measurements to quantify carbon sink capacity of grassy ecosystems. Qualifications: Interested candidates must have completed a Master's degree in a closely related field by the start date and have a strong interest and background in one or some of the following subjects: ecosystem ecology, biogeochemistry, landscape ecology, and remote sensing. Interested candidates should have a valid driver license or ability to get one, ability to conduct field research in challenging conditions, and willing to drive long distances or travel abroad for field work. Candidates with experience writing peer-reviewed journal publications and strong quantitative skills with R or Python are preferred. How to apply: email Dr. Yong Zhou (yong.zhou@yale.edu) with a cover letter describing your research interests and career goals, a resume/CV, unofficial transcripts, and contact information for three references. Candidates from minority groups are encouraged to apply and the selection process will respect the core values of justice, equity, diversity and inclusion. The start date is flexible though the preferred starting date is fall 2022, a spring start in 2023 is also acceptable. The successful applicant must apply to one of the Department of Wildland Resources PhD programs and will be required to complete the general admissions process to Utah State University by submitting an application (with application fee), TOEFL scores (if English is your second language), transcripts, and three letters of recommendation. The application deadline for 2022 fall enrollment is July 1 (domestic) and May 1 (international) and for 2023 spring enrollment is December 1 (domestic) and October 1(international). Posted: 1/19/22.

Utah State University: This position is for a PhD student in ecology within an NSF-funded project studying the ecological legacy effects of elephant carcasses in African savanna ecosystems. Fieldwork will be in the Kruger National Park, South Africa. The student will be advised by Dr. Johan du Toit at USU and will work in a team of collaborators from UC Santa Barbara, Marquette University, and various South African institutions. This position will focus on the effects across space (landscape scale) and time (decadal scale) of elephant carcasses on ecosystem processes that influence communities of plants and large mammals. Fieldwork will offer an exciting and unparalleled opportunity to work in pristine savanna ecosystems across gradients of rainfall and soil nutrients. It will also require a special combination of personal attributes including self-reliance under the challenging conditions presented by the study system. The student will be required to advance the broader impacts of the research by working with a videography team, local students at South African institutions, and undergraduate interns at USU to (a) facilitate the production of a documentary video for an international audience and (b) collaboratively produce several educational pieces for K-12 and college audiences (e.g., lectures and educational videos). A link to the full advert is under "doctoral students" at https://qcnr.usu.edu/directory/dutoit_johan. Review of applications will begin on 1st February 2022. Posted: 11/29/21.

Vanderbilt University: The Meng Lab in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences is seeking a highly motivated post-doctoral scholar and 1-2 Ph.D. students interested in vegetation dynamics under climate change, disturbance, and human activities using remote sensing, in situ observation, and modeling. There will also be exciting opportunities to explore topics related to vegetation cooling effect on urban heat, phenology under fire and droughts, ecological light pollution, and phenology modeling using machine learning depending on the interest of the successful candidate. To apply: Please send an email to Dr. Lin Meng (lin.meng@vanderbilt.edu) that includes your (1) CV, (2) list of contacts for three references, (3) a short cover letter highlighting your qualifications and interest in the position, and (4) unofficial transcripts. Immediately review upon receiving the application, while the search may continue until the position is filled. The start date of September 1, 2022, is expected but negotiable. See detail. Posted: 7/19/22.

Villanova University: The Department of Geography and the Environment invites applications for a graduate student to participate with a NOAA-funded research project to assess the sources and sinks of marine debris in southwest Puerto Rico. We seek a student who is excited to engage in a collaborative, interdisciplinary project that will culminate in an M.S. degree in Environmental Science. The successful applicant will assist with two aspects of the research: (1) fieldwork in Puerto Rico to collect marine debris from various ecosystems while coordinating with local organizations; and (2) laboratory analyses at Villanova University to quantify the chemical and physical properties of the debris. The successful candidate must: - fulfill all admission requirements for the MS in Environmental Science program and the Graduate College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Villanova University; - have a BS in environmental science, chemistry, earth sciences, or related discipline; - be willing to travel to a field location, to work independently and with a research team; and - have previous experience with field experiments and/or laboratory analyses related to marine debris are highly desirable. We especially encourage applications from candidates who are bilingual in Spanish/English, including those with prior knowledge of Puerto Rico and who would like to contribute to Puerto Rico’s scientific research and environmental management. We welcome and encourage applicants from groups historically underrepresented in STEM and Environmental Science. The fully-funded student position (stipend + tuition waiver) is available starting August 2022. To apply, email a cover letter, CV, copies of transcripts, GRE scores, and the names and contact information of three references able to speak about your academic experiences to Dr. Lisa Rodrigues (lisa.rodrigues@villanova.edu). Please provide all documents in a single file as an email attachment. Full programmatic requirements. Applications will be reviewed beginning 1 February 2022. Posted: 11/19/21.

Virginia Tech: The Barrett Soil Ecology and Biogeochemistry Laboratory at Virginia Tech seeks applicants for a Graduate Research Assistant Position supported by a new National Science Foundation Grant: NSF# #2046260 Moving Beyond the Margins: Modeling Water Availability and Habitable Terrestrial Ecosystems in the Polar Desert of the McMurdo Dry Valleys. The successful applicant will work with an interdisciplinary team of scientists using the McMurdo Dry Valleys LTER database and remotely sensed data to develop species distribution models for soil organisms in Antarctica. This is part of a collaborative project with the University of Northern Arizona, the University of Colorado and the National Ecological Observatory Network linking species distribution and metacommunity models with high resolution models of surface soil conditions developed from multispectral satellite imagery. Applicants with demonstrated quantitative skills, a background in data science, and experience in statistical applications are encouraged to apply. The successful applicant will start by August 2022 and will have the opportunity to participate in multidisciplinary programs in the Dept. of Biological Sciences at Virginia Tech. Previous research experience and the demonstrated ability to work independently is required. Please contact Dr. Jeb Barrett (jebarre@vt.edu) for further information. Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 2026 Derring Hall, Blacksburg, VA 24061. Posted: 12/9/21.

Virginia Tech: Ph.D. Assistantship in Plant-Soil-Microbiome Interactions Related to Soil Health and Carbon Sequestration. We are recruiting a Ph.D. student into an interdisciplinary research team to broadly focus on the fate of belowground carbon. We know that diverse carbon substrates are differently processed by an equally diverse microbiome in ways that fundamentally influence their fate and persistence in soils. Our goal is to use multiple modes of evidence (e.g., laboratory and field-based observations, modeling) to understand that variation and predict the fate of carbon in response to land-use or global environmental change. The incoming student will be advised by Brian Strahm (brian.strahm@vt.edu) in the Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation, but will be joining a team that includes existing faculty and graduate students working across the plant-soil-microbiome carbon continuum. In addition, the student may also be considered for the Virginia Tech campus-wide Interfaces of Global Change interdisciplinary graduate education program after their first year in residence. Successful candidates will be located on the main campus in Blacksburg, VA and are expected to begin in summer/fall 2022. Assistantships include: an annual stipend of ~$25-27k (based on 20 hours/week); a tuition waiver (worth ~$14k); and a subsidy (presently 88%) of the university’s student medical insurance plan. Interested students should email me with a statement of interest, a CV, and contact information for three references. Posted: 11/23/21.

Virginia Tech: Water Quality and Microbiology (PhD). A three-year funded PhD assistantship in water quality and microbiology is available in the School of Plant and Environmental Sciences. The project investigates the effects of salinity on fecal indicator bacteria and pathogens and their occurrence in alternative irrigation water sources in Virginia. Student will be co-advised by Drs. Steele and Badgley. To apply, email Dr. Steele (steelem@vt.edu) with (1) transcripts (unofficial is fine), (2) a 2-page statement of research interests, experience, and career goals, and (3) a resume or CV. Desired start date is August 2022. Posted: 11/16/21.

Virginia Tech: A qualified and motivated candidate is sought to complete MS or PhD studies in a project focused on the social and ecological aspects of provisioning fisheries in the Great Lakes. Provisioning fisheries are defined and distinguished from other fisheries as fulfilling personal social needs and dietary needs of poor and vulnerable people, many of whom are new migrants to North America. The project includes researchers from Virginia Tech and Cornell universities on the US side and Carleton and Dalhousie universities on the Canadian side. Using methods from the ecological, economic, sociological, and ethnographic sciences, data collection will largely be based on intercept sampling (e.g., creel surveys) and in-depth semi-structured interviews. Interested candidates should contact Leandro Castello (email: leandro@vt.edu), Department of Fish & Wildlife Conservation. To apply, email [in one PDF document] a letter of interest, curriculum vitae, transcripts, and contact information for three references. The letter of interest must address: (i) your research interests, (ii) why you are interested in this particular position, and (iii) why you feel qualified to successfully complete a PhD in this project. Candidates with a record of involvement in research including publication of scientific articles are encouraged to apply. Positions are for a January 2022 start, and are supported by a combination of Graduate Research and Teaching Assistantships, including tuition and stipend. Following a pre-selection process, candidates will have to apply for admission to Virginia Tech's Graduate School. Posted: 7/23/21.

Virginia Tech: A highly motivated candidate is sought to pursue MS or PhD at Virginia Tech on the movement ecology of arapaima in the Amazon. This position is part of a larger interdisciplinary, NSF-funded project on the coupled social-ecological dynamics of freshwater fisheries. Interested candidates should contact Leandro Castello (leandro@vt.edu) with questions or submit [in one PDF document] a letter of interest, curriculum vitae, transcripts and contact information for three references. The letter of interest must specify: (i) your research interests, (ii) why you are interested in this particular position, and (iii) why you feel qualified to successfully complete graduate studies in this project. Pre-selected candidates will later have to apply for formal admission with VT's Graduate School. Funding is a combination of GRA and GTA. Start date is Jan 2022. Posted: 7/23/21.

Western Sydney University: The Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment (HIE), NSW, Australia, is seeking an ambitious candidate for a 3-year PhD program of research to commence in 2022 in the multi-disciplinary and fast-developing field of plant-microbial interactions. The PhD candidate will conduct research implementing manipulative experiments and field surveys to identify those microbial taxa that drive drought-survival traits in grasses. The PhD candidate will have the unique opportunity to learn, develop and apply a range of cutting-edge experimental techniques, including a suite of advanced -omics technologies. They will also contribute to dissemination of results through scientific publications, conference presentations and group meetings. The successful candidate will be immersed in a cutting-edge, fast-paced research environment, and will have to opportunity to interact with world-class collaborators from many different disciplines. Applications close 30 June 2022. Details: full position description. Posted: 6/8/22.

Western Sydney University: 2 PhD positions in Ecological/ecophysiological adaptations to temperature and water stress. The Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment node of the ARC Centre for Plant Success in Nature & Agriculture is looking to recruit PhD students. Position 1: Join Professors Ian Wright (plant functional traits), Brendan Choat (plant hydraulics) and Rachael Gallagher (plant biogeography) for your PhD investigating climate-related adaptations in carbon and water physiology, canopy architecture and reproduction in iconic clades such as Eucalyptus and Sorghum. Within this over-arching theme (ecophysiology) there is scope for tailoring the project to your strengths and interests; e.g. the project could be relatively more field- or glasshouse-based, and/or include elements of plant evolution, optimality theory, quantitative modelling or even genetics. Position 2: Join Professors Ian Wright (plant functional traits) and Brendan Choat (plant hydraulics) for your PhD investigating the dual roles of the leaf cuticle in providing physical support to leaves and in preventing water loss. Cuticle properties will be studied using a combination of biomechanical tests, anatomical investigations, chemical characterisation and physiological tests. Making links to the genetic basis of key traits may also be possible. Target clades for this work could include eucalypts or crop wild relatives. Both: The successful candidate will receive a tax-free stipend of $30k(AUD) per year for three years, a tuition fee waiver, health insurance and substantial support for project costs. If interested, please email Ian Wright (ian.j.wright@westernsydney.edu.au) with (i) a statement of interest, (ii) your CV including academic transcript, and (iii) contact information for three referees. To be competitive you should hold a research Master’s degree or a coursework Masters with at least 25% research component, demonstrating strong academic performance in plant ecophysiology or anatomy or chemistry; and have excellent verbal and written communication skills including English language proficiency. Further information here (pdf). Closing date: March 31, 2022. Posted: 2/9/22. revised: 2/14/22.

Western Sydney University: Tree Ecophysiology – Heat tolerance (PhD). The Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment is recruiting 1 PhD student to study how extreme temperatures affect plant function in urban forests. The student will join a large, multi-institutional research team aimed at creating cool, resilient green cities in a warmer world. This 3-year project is fully funded by the Australian Research Council to address: Which plant species survive heatwaves by maintaining or increasing transpiration? Does high heat tolerance rely on plant water access through deep rooting and/or supply of irrigation? Skills or an interest in near-surface remote sensing (i.e. drones) is preferred. See full job ad at https://bit.ly/3wn869k and contact Dr. Renee Marchin Prokopavicius at r.prokopavicius@westernsydney.edu.au to discuss your intention to apply. Closes: 31 December 2021. Posted: 12/2/21.

Wright State University: The soil ecology lab at Wright State University is seeking an MSc student to join our laboratory in the Department of Biological Sciences. Research will focus on examining the role of root architecture for structuring the soil microbiome in a greenhouse experiment. The duties of this position will include maintaining the greenhouse experiment, measuring root traits, sampling of plant roots and soil, processing plant and soil samples, and analyzing different types of data including plant and microbial data. The position is fully funded through a combination of graduate research and teaching assistantships. The current stipend is approximately $21K on a 12-month basis. Requirements of degree and other information can be found at the Master of Science in Biological Sciences program. The student may start as early as Summer semester 2022 but no later than Fall semester 2022. Competitive candidates for this position will have a B.S. degree in environmental science, biological science or closely related discipline, proficiency in written and oral communication, and interest and/or experience in field and laboratory research. Previous research experience is desired but not required. The Rua lab is committed to recruiting, supporting, and mentoring members of diverse backgrounds and experiences. Applicants are encouraged to address how they will support and contribute to our efforts build and maintain a diverse and inclusive research team. Interested students should email 1) a brief statement of their research interests and long-term career goals, 2) a resume/CV, and 3) (unofficial) transcripts to: Megan Rua, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Biological Sciences, Wright State University, Dayton, OH, email: megan.rua@wright.edu. The GRE is not required. Applications are considered on a rolling basis, however, to be considered for university fellowships applications need to submitted by February 15, 2022. Posted: 1/11/22.

Wright State University: The soil ecology lab at Wright State University in Dayton, OH is seeking a PhD student to join our laboratory in the Department of Biological Sciences. Research will focus on comparing the soil microbiome of commercial plantings of Pinus radiata (Monterey Pine) to native stands. The student will be an integral part of an international team including researchers from New Zealand, Australia, and the US. The duties of this position will include field sampling of plant roots and soil, processing plant and soil samples, and analyzing different types of data including microbial and environmental data. Travel to the west coast for field work will be required (fully funded). The position is fully funded through a combination of graduate research (3 years) and teaching assistantships (2 years). The current stipend is approximately $22K on a 12-month basis. Requirements of degree and other information can be found at the Environmental Sciences Ph.D. program. The student may start as early as Summer semester 2022 but ideally by Fall 2022. Competitive candidates for this position will have a M.S. degree in environmental sciences, biological sciences or closely related discipline and/or evidence of published research, proficiency in written and oral communication, and experience in field and laboratory research. Previous research experience is required. The Rua lab is committed to recruiting, supporting, and mentoring members of diverse backgrounds and experiences. Applicants are encouraged to address how they will support and contribute to our efforts build and maintain a diverse and inclusive research team. Interested students should email 1) a brief statement of their research interests and long-term career goals, 2) a resume/CV, and 3) (unofficial) transcripts to: Megan Rua, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Biological Sciences, Wright State University, Dayton, OH, email: megan.rua@wright.edu. Applications are considered on a rolling basis, however, to be considered for university fellowships applications need to submitted by February 15, 2022. Posted: 1/11/22.

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