Postdoctoral Fellowship and two PhD scholarships in marine science
We are recruiting a postdoctoral fellow and two PhD students to join the coastal seafloor processes and ecology group in the Institute of Marine Sciences at the University of Auckland, New Zealand. The core group consists of Dr Rebecca Gladstone-Gallagher and Professors Conrad Pilditch, Simon Thrush and Karin Bryan alongside 15 PhD students and four postdoctoral fellows. Current research areas include soft-sediment ecology, biodiversity-ecosystem functioning, modelling estuary morphology, remote sensing, blue carbon dynamics and social-ecological interactions related to cumulative effects. The current positions are focused on (1) sandflat flow-biota interactions (post-doctoral fellow + 1 PhD scholarship) and (2) the sublethal effects of heatwaves on estuarine ecosystems (remaining PhD scholarship).  The project details and application process are given below.

Flow-biota interactions on sandflats: Consequences for ecosystem stability
We are looking for a highly motivated post-doctoral researcher and PhD student to join the seafloor research group at the Institute of Marine Sciences, University of Auckland, New Zealand. Anthropogenic stressors such as sedimentation, nutrients and climate change impact ecological interaction networks in coastal soft sediment ecosystems affecting ecosystem stability. We have been interested in understanding how bio-physical feedback loops stabilise ecosystems in a healthy state, or when lost, prevent recovery from degraded states and are looking for two motivated individuals to help extend this work. Although the work programme is flexible and will incorporate the skills and interests of the successful candidates, a starting point is the bio-physical feedback between infaunal shellfish density/patch size and sediment transport. Inspiration for this work comes from our observations of substantial sediment transport on intertidal sandflats where shellfish have been removed. This change in the feedback between shellfish density/spatial extent and sediment stability may have important consequences for ecosystem functioning (e.g. benthic-pelagic coupling, primary production, nutrient processing), population recovery from mass mortality events, and even the evolution of estuary morphology. We would like to explore this further through a combination of empirical research and model development.

Postdoctoral Fellowship
Our ideal candidate will have recently graduated with a PhD in marine science/oceanography and have demonstrated skills in collecting and integrating empirical ecological research into models that allow the exploration of ecosystem dynamics. The initial appointment is for two years with the possibility of extension dependent on acquiring further funding. The position is open to international candidates and the successful candidate will be expected to contribute to lab research activities, student research supervision and some undergraduate teaching. The position can be based either at the University of Auckland central city campus or at the Leigh Marine Laboratory (about one hours drive north of Auckland on the east coast).
The position will remain open until filled. To be considered for the position please send a CV, referee details and a brief statement of research interests (one page maximum) and how they align with the proposed area of research in the first instance to Conrad Pilditch (conrad.pilditch@auckland.ac.nz). We will use the information to select applicants for interviews.

PhD Scholarship (1)
To be considered for the scholarship, the candidate must have an MSc or BSc(Hons) (or equivalent qualification), ideally in marine ecology/science/oceanography or a related discipline. However, background is less important than a strong interest in ecology, ecosystem science and good quantitative skills. A key requirement is a willingness to undertake integrative research across a range of disciplines.
The scholarship is open to students of any nationality and includes a competitive stipend plus fees for three years.  The candidate must meet all entry requirements for the University of Auckland doctoral programme (see www.auckland.ac.nz/doctoral-entry-requirements). The scholarship will remain open until filled and the start date is negotiable, but we expect the successful candidate to have enrolled by June 2025.
To express an interest in this scholarship please send a CV and a brief statement of research interests, referee details and how they align with the proposed areas of research in the first instance to Rebecca Gladstone-Gallagher (rebecca.gladstone-gallagher@auckland.ac.nz). We will use the information to select applicants for interviews.

Sublethal effects of heatwaves on estuarine ecosystems
PhD Scholarship (2)
We are looking for a highly motivated individual to undertake research leading to a PhD in marine science at the University of Auckland, New Zealand. The project aims to better understand the effects of climate change on coastal seafloor ecosystems. While marine heatwaves have been linked to mass mortality events in shellfish, sponges and corals with obvious ecosystem wide impacts, the sub-lethal effects of heating events below thermal tolerances are less well understood. Temperature induced alterations to benthic macrofauna behaviour, growth rate and reproductive output can alter ecosystem function, key species population viability, and erode resilience to other stressors making ecosystems more vulnerable to tipping points. Our current work has been investigating how heatwaves impact intertidal sandflat communities and disentangling the relative importance of terrestrial versus marine heatwaves which these habitats experience during low and high tide respectively. We are looking to recruit a PhD to contribute to this research. The exact topic will be developed in conjunction with the successful candidate to best match interests and capabilities but could focus on for example how thermal stress influences bioturbation by intertidal benthic macrofauna and consequences for benthic-pelagic coupling, key species physiology and growth, and how thermal stress interacts with other stressors to impact soft sediment ecosystems.  
To be considered for the scholarship, the candidate must have an MSc or BSc(Hons) (or equivalent qualification), ideally in marine ecology/science/oceanography or a related discipline.  However, background is less important than a strong interest in ecology, ecosystem science and good quantitative skills.
The scholarship is open to students of any nationality and includes a competitive stipend plus fees for three years.  The candidate must meet all entry requirements for the University of Auckland doctoral programme (see www.auckland.ac.nz/doctoral-entry-requirements). The scholarship will remain open until filled and the start date is negotiable, but we expect the successful candidate to have enrolled by June 2025.

To express an interest in this scholarship please send a CV and a brief statement of research interests, referee details and how they align with the proposed areas of research in the first instance to Conrad Pilditch (conrad.pilditch@auckland.ac.nz). We will use the information to select applicants for interviews.

 

 

 

--

Rebecca Gladstone-Gallagher, PhD

Pouako | Lecturer

Te Whare Takiura Mātai Pūtaiao Moana | Institute of Marine Science

Waipapa Taumata Rau | The University of Auckland, New Zealand

Address: Science Centre, Building 302, 23 Symonds Street, Auckland, New Zealand

 

 

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PhD in Plant Ecology and Restoration in Grand Teton National Park

 

The Laughlin Research Lab is seeking applicants for a PhD position in the Program of Ecology and Evolution at the University of Wyoming. This project is in collaboration with Laura Jones, Branch Chief of Vegetation Management at Grand Teton National Park. Summer fieldwork will take place in the spectacular landscape of Grand Teton National Park, where majestic mountains rise above sagebrush plains within the heart of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Funding includes four full years of Research Assistantships.

 

Grand Teton National Park (GRTE) contains large swaths of intact sagebrush steppe used by bison, elk, pronghorn, and the greater sage-grouse for migration corridors, breeding, and overwintering habitat. Conservation, management, and restoration of sagebrush steppe is one of the park’s highest priorities. The Park manages sagebrush and adjacent habitats using a suite of tools including grazing management, invasive species control, and restoration. The Park is currently restoring 4,500 ac of non-native pastures to sagebrush steppe. Recent projects identified drivers of restoration outcomes leading to development of modified adaptive management techniques for seed mix composition, rates and timing, and soil treatments. These results provide the groundwork for additional projects to understand the functionality of the restored habitats at multiple trophic levels and their importance to adjacent intact sagebrush habitat.

 

The overall goal of the project will be to evaluate plant community responses to ecological restoration, invasive species management, grazing practices, and climate change. The research will focus on how biotic and abiotic factors such as herbivory, microorganisms, inter-species competition, soils, and climate influence management outcomes. Topics include, but are not limited to, the biotic and abiotic components of soils and the impacts of soil conditions and communities on sagebrush restoration; the impacts of temperature, precipitation, and fire on sagebrush habitat resilience; the effects and use of restored and adjacent sagebrush habitat by native ungulate grazers and greater sage-grouse including extent and effects of herbivory; and the effectiveness of invasive plant treatments in rangeland habitats including livestock grazing allotments.

 

Preferred qualifications:

1) undergraduate degree in Biology, Ecology, Botany, or related degree;

2) passion for plants and Rocky Mountain ecosystems;

3) motivation to use scientific knowledge to make informed management decisions;

4) research experience in ecology;

5) an interest in learning quantitative modeling skills.

 

Review of applications will begin January 20, 2025. Start date is August 2025.

 

To apply: To register your interest in being considered for this project, please email the following to Professor Daniel Laughlin (daniel.laughlin@uwyo.edu): (1) a one-page statement of research interests that addresses the listed preferred qualifications, (2) unofficial transcripts, (3) Curriculum Vitae, and (4) contact information for three professional/academic references.

 

Helpful links:

Laughlin Research Lab (https://www.plant-traits.net)

Program in Ecology and Evolution (https://www.uwyo.edu/pie/)

Department of Botany (https://www.uwyo.edu/botany/index.html)

Graduate Program at UW (https://www.uwyo.edu/uwgrad/prospective/applying/index.html)

UW-NPS research station (https://www.uwyo.edu/research/centers-and-institutes/uw-research-institute-amk-ranch/index.html)

Sagebrush restoration in Grand Teton (https://www.nps.gov/grte/learn/nature/sagebrush-restoration.htm)

 

The Program in Ecology and Evolution is an interdisciplinary doctoral program focusing on the scientific study of the relations between organisms and their environments that provides students with advanced, integrated training in the science of ecology.

 

The University of Wyoming is located in Laramie (https://www.visitlaramie.org/) in a high prairie nestled between the beautiful Snowy Range and Laramie Range. We are blessed with ample outdoor recreational opportunities including hiking, biking, skiing, climbing, boating, and much more. Laramie is a classic western town with a supportive local community.

 

Grand Teton National Park (https://www.nps.gov/grte/index.htm) is renowned for its world-class scenery and offers a wide range of outdoor activities, including hiking, camping, climbing, backpacking, horseback riding, boating, biking, and fishing. Park headquarters is located in Moose, Wyoming, approximately 12 miles north of Jackson. Jackson is a vibrant community of 10,000 year-round residents, celebrated for its lively, small-town atmosphere, thriving arts scene, and engaging community events.

 

 

best wishes, Daniel

-- 

Daniel C. Laughlin

Professor, Botany Department

Director, Global Vegetation Project

University of Wyoming | Lab Website

 

New Book:

Plant Strategies: The Demographic Consequences of
Functional Traits in Changing Environments

Oxford University Press, 2023

 

 

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We are seeking one graduate research assistantship (Ph.D.) to study the mechanisms and consequences of exotic plant invasions in rangelands near Streeter, ND. This research focuses on understanding how exotic grasses, particularly Kentucky bluegrass, invade rangelands, allowing us to develop targeted, effective management of said grasses while also understanding exotic plant invasion as a whole.

Background and Research Details:  
Invasive cool-season grasses degrade and suppress native rangelands across the globe. Kentucky bluegrass is particularly effective at invading rangelands. Management aimed at controlling invasive cool-season grasses use an ineffective and costly one-size-fits-all approach. Understanding what mechanisms allow cool-season grasses to invade and outcompete the surrounding native species will help develop more effective targeted management plans. The research involves a large field experiment examining the mechanisms underlying plant invasion. The experiment consists of 384 experimental plots designed to simulate Kentucky bluegrass invasion in the northern Great Plains so that we may assess its effects on the plant community and underlying soil.  The findings of this study will help understand Kentucky bluegrass invasion in the northern Great Plains and formulate effective management strategies to mitigate the spread of this aggressive invader and simultaneously promote native biodiversity and ecosystem services provided by the region’s rangelands. Moreover, the results will provide a framework by which the mechanisms of other invasive plants can be assessed. 

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Plant Ecology, Biology, Range Science, Natural Resource Management, or related field.
• Experience with plant identification and sampling.
• Data and experimental management and organizational skills/experience.
• Willingness or experience working with prescribed fire.
•  Ability and willingness to travel and live at the field site (housing provided).
•  Ability and willingness to collect data in sometimes adverse conditions.
•  Excellent communication skills (verbal and written).
•  Valid driver’s license

 

Preferred Qualifications:

• History of working on and managing field experiments with experimental plots.
• Experience with plant identification and sampling in the Great Plains.
• Analytical experience using R or similar software.
• Experience interacting and communicating research to non-scientific audiences
• Strong leadership skills including experience supervising and mentoring team members, providing clear instructions, and fostering a positive and collaborative work environment.

Start Date:

After May 1st, 2025

 

Salary:

$30,000/yr

 

Location:

Central Grasslands Research Extension Center, Streeter, ND

Fargo, ND

 

To apply: 
Submit one document to Kevin Sedivec (kevin.sedivec@ndsu.edu)* that includes: 

1. A cover letter discussing your qualifications and future goals
2. Curriculum vitae 
3. Contact information for three professional references.

*Posted on behalf of Kevin Sedivec by Esben Kjaer (esben.kjaer@ndsu.edu)

 

 

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As part of the newly funded SSHRC Sustainable Agriculture Research Initiative “Future Harvest Partnership”, there are funded positions for one postdoctoral researcher and three PhD positions available through Wilfrid Laurier University’s Forest Ecology Research Group (https://forestecology.ca). All these positions can be based in Waterloo, Ontario or Northwest Territories, Canada. Evaluation of applications will begin in early January and continue on a rolling basis until all positions are filled.

The Future Harvest Partnership is a multi-year collaboration between Wilfrid Laurier University, the Territorial Agrifood Association and the Government of the Northwest Territories Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment. Supported by an interdisciplinary team of leading academics from across North America, and informed by Indigenous Governments and traditional knowledge, the Partnership engages with food producers and local communities of the Northwest Territories to co-create research and generate useful insights for innovation and policy that can inform the development of a climate-resilient local food system.

Details of these positions can be found here: https://forestecology.ca/contact/

 

Sincerely,

 

Jennifer

 

Dr. Jennifer Baltzer (she/her)

Professor and Canada Research Chair in Forests and Global Change

Department of Biology, Wilfrid Laurier University

75 University Ave W, Waterloo, ON

N2L 3C5

 

Phone: 519-504-5025

 

 

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A graduate assistantship (Ph.D.) is available at Clemson University Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation. The incoming graduate student will use an Integrated Assessment Model (IAM) to ascertain the impact of climate-smart and nature-positive agriculture and forestry practices in the United States on national and global levels. IAMs are simplified representations of complex physical and social systems, focusing on the interaction between the economy, society, and the environment. There is flexibility in using any existing IAM model, but prior experience with the Global Change Analysis Model is preferred. The incoming student is expected to present his/her findings at major conferences and publish them in reputable journals. The incoming student is expected to graduate within five years from the start date (summer/fall of 2025, flexible). More details are at https://bit.ly/IAM-Position.

 

I would appreciate it if you could share the announcement with potential students or a suitable listserv.

 

Wishing you a Happy New Year in advance.

 

Kindly,

Puneet Dwivedi, Ph.D.

Professor | Glenn ’65 and Heather Hilliard Endowed Chair in Sustainable Forestry

Clemson University | Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation

Email: dwivedi@clemson.edu | Cell: 706-461-9593

261 Lehotsky Hall Box 3403317 Clemson, SC 29634

 

Scholar: https://bit.ly/GoogleScholarx

 

Associate Editor

Forest Policy & Economics | Trees, Forests, and People | Nature Scientific Reports

 

 

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The Center for Plant Conservation is pleased to announce that applications are open for the 2025 Catherine H. Beattie Fellowship, awarded in collaboration with the Garden Club of America. Please see details below and distribute to graduate students whose research interests concern rare and endangered plants native to the United States.

 

Provisions: Provides one annual research grant of up to $4,500, regarded as compensation for work at a botanical garden by the student, who jointly serves the mission of the Center for Plant Conservation and their own curricular studies.

Eligibility: Open to graduate students in biology, botany, ecology, horticulture, or a related field. Preference is given to students whose projects focus on a specific rare plant species native to the United States, with special consideration for the endangered flora of the Carolinas and southeastern United States. Eligibility is limited to U.S. Citizens and permanent residents who are enrolled in a U.S.-based institution.

Applications are due by January 31, 2025! Learn more and apply:https://saveplants.org/about-us/fellowships/

 

 

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Ph.D. Assistantship at Oklahoma State University - Hyperspectral Remote Sensing of Biodiversity

​

Description:

We are seeking a Ph.D. student for our recently NASA funded HI-GRASS (Holistic Investigation of Grassland Systems across Scales) project. The Ph.D. student will work with two other teams at Oklahoma State University and University of Nebraska-Lincoln to integrate imaging spectroscopy or “hyperspectral remote sensing” collected from unoccupied aircraft systems (UASs; a.k.a. drones), airborne, and spaceborne platforms with in situ observations (e.g., plant diversity, soil microbial and fungal diversity, animal telemetry) to uncover the factors influencing grassland aboveground and belowground biodiversity. Ideal target start date is May 2025. For full consideration, please apply by January 20th, 2025.

 

Oklahoma State University is a Carnegie Tier-1 university with excellent research facilities. Oklahoma State University is located in Stillwater, OK, rated as the friendliest college town in the U.S. Because of its mid-continent location that spans a broad expanse of habitats, Oklahoma has both prairie and forest ecosystems that support an exceptional level of biodiversity.

​

Qualifications:

• ·         Master’s degree (at the time of appointment) in remote sensing or other related fields
• ·        
• ·         Strong research or work experience in hyperspectral remote sensing
• ·         Ability to work both independently and in a collaborative setting
• ·         Excellent written and oral communication skills
• ·         First-author peer-reviewed publications
• ·         Background in statistical methods
• ·         Enthusiastic about grasslands
• ·         Comfortable with fieldwork in remote settings

 

Other qualifications:

• ·         Familiarity with high performance computing
• ·         FAA remote pilot license
• ·         Familiarity with grassland ecosystems

 

To Apply: 

Please contact Dr. Hamed Gholizadeh (hamed.gholizadeh@okstate.edu) and include your CV and a brief cover letter explaining your research and career interests. Review of the applications will begin immediately and will continue until position is filled. A full application to the Graduate College will be required for an official offer to be made. More information can be found at https://geog.okstate.edu/programs/graduate-program/application-procedures

 

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The Coastal Fisheries lab at Florida International University, in Miami, FL has an open PhD position For Fall 2025 (http://myweb.fiu.edu/rehagej/). 

 

Dates: Desired start date is Fall/Summer 2025 & application deadline is February 1, 2025. 

 

About the position: We seek a motivated student with a passion for coastal recreational fisheries and their movement ecology. Research will focus on the movement, population connectivity, and population status of Crevalle Jacks across the Gulf of Mexico and southeastern United States using acoustic telemetry and catch and abundance data. The project aims to collect actionable science to improve jack management and conservation efforts and stems from a partnership among FIU, Mississippi State University, the American Saltwater Guides Association, and the Lower Keys Guide Association. Competitive support will be a combination of research & teaching assistantships.    

 

Preferred Qualifications: The ideal candidate has interests and/or experience in fish ecology, recreational fisheries, spatial/movement ecology, and population ecology, excellent writing and quantitative skills, and previous fish/fisheries field experience. Interest and/or experience in science co-production, stakeholder engagement and partnerships with anglers and fishing guides are desired. A Master’s degree, previous research experience in population and/or movement ecology, experience coding in R, and prior publications are also a plus.

 

About our labs: We are a passionate team of ecologists interested in understanding how fishes and recreational fisheries respond to human and natural disturbance. Our approach to tackling fish research focuses on both understanding process and pattern, and we thrive in conducting studies that blend these to inform management, conservation, and restoration efforts in partnership with stakeholders, coproducing science that is both fundamental and actionable. We are part of a highly collaborative south Florida research community, composed of scientists, and federal, state, private partners, and stakeholders (http://fcelter.fiu.edu/).

 

To apply:  Please contact Dr. Jenn Rehage at rehagej@fiu.edu & Dr. Marcus Drymon at marcus.drymon@msstate.edu. In your email, please include 1) a cover letter (describing research interests, experience, and fit to project & lab), 2) a CV and 3) other supporting documents that demonstrate research interests/experience (transcripts, publications/presentations, popular articles/writing samples, etc.). Please combine these into a single PDF and use ‘Jack PhD applicant 2025 + your name’ as the subject line in your email. Deadline for applications in the Earth & Environment Dept at FIU is February 1, 2025. Details on the application process are here: https://case.fiu.edu/earth-environment/phd-in-earth-systems-science/index.html.

 

About our university:FIU is Miami's public research university and one of the youngest R1 research universities (highest research activity) in the US. FIU is also the largest majority-minority serving institution in the country, and ranked the second most impactful university in the nation, the No. 3 best public university in the US, and among the top 20 public universities contributing to the public good. FIU is leading the science to preserve & protect Life Below Water by being ranked # 3 in the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 14.

 

 

 

 

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MS Assistantship in Termite Methane Emissions at Utah State University 

Position Description

 

Our group is recruiting a MS student interested in studying termite methane emissions at Utah State University (www.zhoulabusu.weebly.com). This position focuses on studying termite methane emissions at the individual species level and exploring the variations in species-specific termite methane emissions in relation to termite gut microbiomes. Fieldwork will be conducted across tropical savannas and forests in the Republic of Congo. The graduate student will have opportunities to collaborate with diverse groups of researchers at Harvard University, the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, and the Natural History Museum (London).

 

Preferred qualifications:

 

BS in ecology or related fields;

Willingness to travel and conduct field research in remote locations; 

Research experience in biogeochemistry and/or metagenomics and bioinformatics; 

Training in statistical analysis using R or related software.

How to apply

 

The preferred start date is Fall 2025. Interested candidates should contact Yong Zhou (yong.zhou@usu.edu) with a compiled pdf including:

(1) a cover letter that describes your experience and interests and addresses the preferred position qualifications,

(2) a resume or CV,

(3) contact information for three professional references, and

(4) most recent academic transcript (unofficial).

Our research group at Utah State University is committed to fostering a diverse environment. All qualified applicants will be considered. The selected candidate will be expected to gain acceptance into the Ecology program through the Utah State University Graduate School: https://gradschool.usu.edu/

 

Benefits:

Successful candidates will be supported with a competitive stipend, tuition coverage, and health coverage.

About Logan and Utah State University

 

Utah State University is a public land-grant university and is classified as a Carnegie R1 University with very high research activity. USU is located in the city of Logan, Utah, a town with approximately 50,000 residents. Situated in a valley between the Wellsville and Bear River Mountain ranges, Logan offers numerous opportunities for outdoor activities including local ski resorts, biking, and hiking trails. Logan is just a short drive to Salt Lake City, as well as many National Parks, Monuments, and Conservation Areas.

 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Yong Zhou, PhD

Assistant Professor

Department of Wildland Resources and the Ecology Center

Utah State University

Homepage

 

 

 

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PhD position available on tracking local movements of pollinators in revegetation landscapes:

The Farine Lab at The Australian National University is seeking a PhD candidate to work on the movement ecology of keystone Australian pollinators: large honeyeaters. 

The project will involve deploying state-of-the-art GPS trackers to noisy friarbirds Philemon corniculatus to develop a better understanding of their role in maintaining functional connectivity within Australian landscapes. Prior work using genetic methods determined that nearly half of pollination events in larger trees and shrubs can come from plants >5 kms away, suggesting an important role of larger birds that can traverse habitat gaps. This project will use noisy friarbirds as a model species to identify what habitat and environmental features are important for honeyeater movements. The project will combine GPS tracking to collect data on where and how honeyeaters move with more traditional research methods (e.g. surveys) to collect data on on-the-ground conditions (e.g. tree flowering state). This research benefits from close collaborations with Greening Australia, who have been undertaking revegetation projects in the study landscapes for over 20 years, and by collaborating with the Fenner School of the Environment and Society who have world-class environmental data available for the region.

The student will be fully integrated into the Farine Lab, who are an interdisciplinary group of researchers working across the interface of social behaviour, movement, and the environment. The lab is part of the Division of Ecology and Evolution within the Research School of Biology of the ANU. We chose to work at ANU because of its supportive and collegiate working environment.

The project will be supervised by Assoc. Prof. Damien Farine, Dr. James Klarevas-Irby (postdoc in the Farine lab), Prof. Saul Cunningham (ANU Fenner School of the Environment and Society), and Dr. Nicky Taws (Greening Australia).

This position is fully funded by a Discovery Project grant awarded to Assoc. Prof. Damien Farine. Details of ANU PhD scholarships (including the tax-free stipend) can be found here: https://study.anu.edu.au/scholarships/find-scholarship/anu-phd-scholarship. A major benefit of this position is that it will come with substantial academic and research support throughout the PhD.

 

Benefits to you

• §  
• §  
• §  
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Selection criteria

Selection will be based on merit and suitability to the needs of the project. This will include evidence of one or more of the following criteria:

• §  
• §   Ability to conduct intensive fieldwork (~3-4 months per year) in potentially remote areas (some camping is likely to be required).
• §  
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Eligibility

This position is open to all candidates, subject to being awarded a fee-waiver. This means having achieved an Honours degree (First class equivalent) or a Masters degree, with a minimum 6 months research component and thesis. Candidates must also meet ANU’s English language requirements: https://policies.anu.edu.au/ppl/document/ANUP_000408 

 

Commencement and duration

The student will ideally start in mid-2025, allowing time to complete the initial milestones prior to starting field work (September 2025 onwards). The standard PhD project at ANU is funded for 3.5 years with an optional additional industry internship for up to 6 months.

 

Application

For any queries, please contact Damien (damien.farine@anu.edu.au) or James (james.klarevas-irby@anu.edu.au). 

To submit your application, please email James (james.klarevas-irby@anu.edu.au). Make sure to include (1) your CV, (2) your academic transcripts, (3) a motivation letter (1 page) describing your background, research experience, and interest in this project, (4) the name and contact details of at least one (ideally two) referees. These should be combined into one PDF document.

Applications close at 5pm Australia time on the 27th of January 2025.

 

 

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Ph.D. Assistantship at Oklahoma State University – Grassland Community Ecology

 

Description:

We are seeking a Ph.D. student for our recently NASA funded HI-GRASS (Holistic Investigation of Grassland Systems across Scales) project. The Ph.D. student will work with two other teams at Oklahoma State University and University of Nebraska-Lincoln to integrate in situ observations of plant diversity and soil microbiome with animal telemetry and remote sensing to uncover the factors influencing grassland aboveground and belowground biodiversity. Ideal target start date is May 2025. 

 

Oklahoma State University is a Carnegie Tier-1 university with excellent research facilities. Oklahoma State University is located in Stillwater, OK, rated as the friendliest college town in the U.S. Because of its mid-continent location that spans a broad expanse of habitats, Oklahoma has both prairie and forest ecosystems that support an exceptional level of biodiversity. 

​

Qualifications:

• ·       Master’s degree (at the time of appointment) in community ecology or other related fields 
• ·       
• ·       Strong research or work experience in plant community ecology, especially grassland
• ·       Ability to work both independently and in a collaborative setting
• ·       Excellent written and oral communication skills
• ·       First-author peer-reviewed publications 
• ·       Background in statistical methods
• ·       Enthusiastic about grasslands
• ·       Comfortable with fieldwork in remote settings

 

Other qualifications:

• ·       Familiarity with high performance computing
• ·       Familiarity with microbiome datasets and DNA extractions
• ·       Familiarity with grassland ecosystems and grassland flora

 

To Apply: 

Please contact Dr. Benedicte Bachelot (benedicte.bachelot@okstate.edu) and include your CV and a brief cover letter explaining your research and career interests. Review of the applications will begin immediately and will continue until position is filled. A full application to the Graduate College will be required for an official offer to be made. More information can be found athttps://cas.okstate.edu/plant_biology/graduate_studies/

 

Oklahoma State University, as an equal opportunity employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding non-discrimination and affirmative action.  Oklahoma State University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all individuals and does not discriminate based on race, religion, age, sex, color, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, or veteran status with regard to employment, educational programs and activities, and/or admissions.  For more information, visit https:///eeo.okstate.edu.

 

BENE BACHELOT, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor

Dept. Plant Biology, Ecology, and Evolution
College of Arts and Sciences | Oklahoma State University

Physical Sciences 321
benedicte.bachelot@okstate.edu

 

 

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Agency: Southern Illinois University

Location: Carbondale, Illinois

Job Category: Graduate Assistantships

Salary: $25k/yr + tuition and student health care access; up to 5 years of support

Start Date: August 2025, start date negotiable

Last Date to Apply: Open until Filled; applicants will be reviewed on rolling basis.

Advisors: Drs. Brent Pease and Guillaume Bastille-Rousseau

Website: https://peaselab.com/; https://bastillerousseau.wixsite.com/research

 

Description

A Ph.D.-level Graduate Research Assistantship is available starting August 2025 in the PEASE Lab (Population Estimation and Spatial Ecology; peaselab.com) at Southern Illinois University to establish a statewide Autonomous Recording Unit (ARU) monitoring project. The focus of the monitoring will be on wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) populations but several other state listed or SGCN species, particularly forest species, are of interest. 

The student will lead research using ARUs to document spatial and/or temporal variation in the timing of turkey vocalizations (e.g., Kreh et al., 2018 Wildlife Society Bulletin). The objective of this research is to assess current spring harvest season regulations (e.g., timing, zoning, and length of spring harvest seasons) and then provide regulatory recommendations based on ARU sampling. Addition work will focus on environmental drivers of variation in vocalization timing as well as methodological work in ARUs, species identification from audio recordings, and continued ongoing work within our lab on population estimation (e.g., abundance) via ARU recordings.

 

Secondly, the ARUs will passively document many other species, and the student will have an opportunity to develop research questions focused on non-targeted species or methodology of ARUs (e.g., study design, analyses, etc.).

 

This position will emphasize a unique intersection of field and quantitative ecology. The selected student will ideally have extensive experience deploying, processing, and analyzing acoustic data. Students with an interest in developing and applying state-of-the-art quantitative approaches in wildlife conservation are particularly encouraged to apply; much of the dissertation work could focus on model and methodological development. Additional research is needed on machine learning classifiers for wild turkey management. The student should also be excited about carrying out field work during winter and spring across Illinois, in sometimes difficult field conditions, and should have a general interest and knowledge of wild turkey and other upland gamebird ecology. The successful applicant is expected to communicate findings to state agencies and other on-going, regional monitoring efforts. The student will earn a Ph.D. in Agricultural Sciences at Southern Illinois University.

 

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General Qualifications

This is a well-funded, multi-agency research project, and the graduate student will be expected to assist in hiring and managing field technicians to support the data collection efforts. 

The successful applicant will have (1) obtained M.S. degree in wildlife, ecology, biology, forestry, zoology, or related fields; (2) knowledge of wild turkey ecology; (3) exceptional quantitative skills with experience using a variety of data types and 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., steep terrain, poison ivy, ticks); (6) strong oral and written communication skills, and (7) a cooperative, team-oriented mindset eager to carry out wildlife research and address key problems in wildlife conservation and management.

To apply please email a single PDF to Dr. Brent Pease (bpease1@siu.edu) that includes:

1. A cover letter that describes your specific interest in this position and how your past experiences and career goals align with the goals of the project. 

2. Curriculum Vitae (with GPA and GRE scores included)

3. Undergraduate and graduate transcripts (unofficial is acceptable)

4. Example of writing (e.g., M.S. thesis or publication; can be included separately as PDF)

6. Contact information for 3 references

The email subject should be “PhD – ARU Monitoring”. Applications will be accepted until positions are filled and reviewed on a rolling basis.

Questions:

Contact Person: Dr. Brent Pease

Contact Email: bpease1@siu.edu

Please see the PEASE lab website (https://peaselab.com/) and the SIU Forestry Program’s homepage (https://forestry.siu.edu) for more information on our research and academic department.

 

 

 

BRENT PEASE, PH.D.

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, FORESTRY PROGRAM

SCHOOL OF FORESTRY AND HORTICULTURE

MAIL CODE 4411

SOUTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY

1205 LINCOLN DRIVE, AGRICULTURAL BUILDING, ROOM 186B

CARBONDALE, ILLINOIS 62901

 

BPEASE1@SIU.EDU

P: 618.453.7474

PEASELAB.COM

 

SIU.EDU

FORESTRY.SIU.EDU

SCHEDULE A MEETING

 

 

 

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Position:  Doctoral researcher in forest ecology

Duration: four-years term appointment with possible extension

Topic:      Interconnections between climate change, biodiversity, and human well-being in old-growth and managed forest ecosystems

Location: Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague, CZ

Web: https://www.remoteforests.org/ and https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=d59txEAAAAAJ&hl=sk&oi=ao

 

Description:

Amidst global change, forest ecosystems perform numerous functions integral to climate change mitigation, biodiversity conservation, and human wellbeing. Understanding the trade-offs and synergies among these functions holds promise for devising nature-based solutions geared towards addressing pressing environmental challenges. To better understand these dynamics, this multidisciplinary research combines various data sources to analyse complex relationships between forest benefits, disturbances, and human impacts. Specifically, by examining historical forest dynamics and assessing ecosystem naturalness levels, we aim to quantify the role of forests in climate change mitigation, biodiversity conservation, human wellbeing, and economic sustainability. This project will be the first to reconstruct and compare temporal trends in carbon biomass, biodiversity levels and psychological and physiological human wellbeing in old-growth vs. managed forests in the Carpathian Mountains. The PhD student will have access to datasets on human wellbeing, multiple taxonomic groups, aboveground and soil carbon data, and detailed dendrochronological reconstructions from an extensive network of permanent forest monitoring plots.

 

Research topic:

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Duties:

• ·     Data collection in the field
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Qualifications:

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Desirable skills: 

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Salary: monthly net salary 1000 Euro (25 000 CZK)

 

Application:

Please send CV, cover letter and contact information for two references to Dr. Martin Mikoláš (mikolasm@fld.czu.cz) and Tom Knir (knir@fld.czu.cz).

 

 

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Overview: We are seeking an outstanding Ph.D. student to lead an exciting experimental assessment on the effects of forest structure and silvicultural treatments on American marten ecology and regional recovery. The student’s dissertation will involve: (1) non-invasively monitoring of American marten populations to assess distribution, population size and vital rates; (2) live-capture individual martens to deploy GPS collars for habitat, space use and movement data and (3) work with project collaborators, including Ojibwe tribes and the US Forest Service, to improve suitable habitat and increase marten population connectivity on the Forest Service lands for this state endangered species.

The student would be enrolled in the Wildlife Ecology Ph.D. program housed in the Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology at UW-Madison but will work closely with collaborators at the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission, US Forest Service, and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

Qualifications: Applicants must have a MS degree in ecology, wildlife, conservation, or other related discipline. We will only consider applicants with a BS degree if they have proven relevant experience. A solid working knowledge of mammalian ecology, field work, and statistics are required. The preferred candidate will also have previous experience capturing and handling mammals and collaborating with natural resource agencies. Prior publication experience is preferred. Excellent English writing and verbal communication skills are essential. Applicants enrolled in federally recognized Tribes or with relevant experience working with Indigenous people are encouraged to apply.

Salary: The project includes an annual stipend, plus tuition remission and health care benefits. Four years of guaranteed funding is available with additional funding likely available through a combination of teaching and research assistantships.

Start Date: Fall semester of 2025

Review of applicants will begin on February 1st, 2024, but the position will remain open until a suitable candidate is found. To apply, please submit your application here: Ph.D Position - Enhancing American marten regional connectivity in the Upper Great Lakes

 

Please note that submitting an application includes filling out a short survey, uploading a cover letter summarizing research interests and experiences, curriculum vitae, and unofficial transcripts (both undergraduate and graduate, compiled into one file). After reviewing all applicants, we will ask for reference letters from top candidates. Finalists will be notified and instructed to submit a formal application, including reference letters, to the UW-Madison Graduate School.

UW-Madison is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. We promote excellence through diversity and encourage all qualified individuals to apply. The position is open to both US citizens and international candidates. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation or identity, national origin, disability status, or protected veteran status.

UW-Madison has a long history of excellence in ecology and conservation biology. The university ranks consistently among the top research universities in the United States. Total student enrollment is over 43,000 of which approximately 12,000 are graduate and professional students, and there are over 2,000 faculty. UW-Madison is an exciting place to learn and conduct research! The city of Madison ranks as one of the most attractive places in the U.S. to live and work.

We will not be able to respond to queries about the status of applications, but general questions about the Forest and Wildlife Ecology graduate program can be directed to Emily Laabs (emily.laabs@wisc.edu), our Graduate Student Services Coordinator. If you experience problems while filling out the application, please email Sabrina Zhao (rzhao68@wisc.edu). The Pauli Lab believes that a diverse team will enable a broader perspective and enhance creativity, and strongly encourages applications from women, minorities, and otherwise underrepresented candidates.

 

 

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Agency: Southern Illinois University

Location: Carbondale, Illinois

Job Category: Graduate Assistantships

Salary: $25k/yr + tuition and student health care access; up to 5 years of support

Start Date: August 2025, negotiable

Last Date to Apply: Open until Filled; applicants will be reviewed on rolling basis.

Advisors: Dr. Brent Pease and Dr. Guillaume Bastille-Rousseau

Website: https://peaselab.com/; https://bastillerousseau.wixsite.com/research

 

Description

A Ph.D.-level Graduate Research Assistantships is available starting August 2025 in the PEASE Lab (Population Estimation and Spatial Ecology; peaselab.com) at Southern Illinois University to lead a statewide wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) spatial ecology project.  

 

This project will focus on wild turkey spatial ecology, specifically space-use, nest site selection, timing of nesting, and survival in northern Illinois. Primary field duties include capture and affixing GPS radiotags, monitoring hen survival and nesting and brooding success, and deploying and monitoring camera traps at nest sites. This is a multi-year project with goals to capture many birds, leading to exciting field research opportunities. 

This position will emphasize species-specific ecological knowledge and movement ecology. The selected student will have extensive knowledge of wild turkey ecology and will ideally have experience capturing and handling upland game birds. Additionally, the ideal individual will have experience with GPS/VHF technology, will have processed and analyzed movement data, and have general interest/experience with population modeling. The student should also be excited about carrying out field work during winter and spring across Illinois, in sometimes difficult field conditions. The successful applicant is expected to communicate findings to state agencies and other on-going, regional monitoring efforts. The student will earn a Ph.D. in Agricultural Sciences at Southern Illinois University.

 

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- ---- -- -- ---- -- -- ---- -- -- ---- -- -- ---- -- -- --

General Qualifications

This is a well-funded, multi-agency research project, and the graduate student will be expected to assist in hiring and managing field technicians to support the data collection efforts. 

The successful applicant will have (1) obtained M.S. degree in wildlife, ecology, biology, forestry, zoology, or related fields; (2) knowledge of wild turkey ecology; (3) exceptional quantitative skills with experience using a variety of data types and 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., steep terrain, poison ivy, ticks); (6) strong oral and written communication skills, and (7) a cooperative, team-oriented mindset eager to carry out wildlife research and address key problems in wildlife conservation and management.

To apply please email a single PDF to Dr. Brent Pease (bpease1@siu.edu) that includes:

1. A cover letter that describes your specific interest in this position and how your past experiences and career goals align with the goals of the project. 

2. Curriculum Vitae (with GPA and GRE scores included)

3. Undergraduate and graduate transcripts (unofficial is acceptable)

4. Example of writing (e.g., M.S. thesis or publication; can be included separately as PDF)

6. Contact information for 3 references

The email subject should be “PhD – Spatial Ecology”. Applications will be accepted until positions are filled and reviewed on a rolling basis.

Questions:

Contact Person: Dr. Brent Pease

Contact Email: bpease1@siu.edu

Please see the PEASE lab website (https://peaselab.com/) and the SIU Forestry Program’s homepage (https://forestry.siu.edu) for more information on our research and academic department.