Biology Jobs

The USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center in Laurel, Maryland is seeking to hire 5 to 6 full-time temporary Biological Science Technicians for summer 2009 to assist in running several large-scale wildlife monitoring programs. Students interested in working with biological data related to wildlife surveys are encouraged to apply.

Please refer to these websites for more information about these programs:
www.pwrc.usgs.gov/naamp
www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bbs
www.pwrc.usgs.gov/point
www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bbl

Applications deadline:
Please send cover letter and resume by: March 9, 2009

Statement of Work 2009

1. Types of Services Required: Assist in maintaining one of several wildlife monitoring databases: North American Amphibian Monitoring Program (NAAMP), North American Breeding Bird Survey (BBS), the Bird Point Count Database, and Bird Banding Laboratory (BBL). Duties include: working with wildlife survey data, performance of quality assurance and quality control procedures on biological data, assisting with database management, photocopying and filing, preparation of maps, graphs, charts and other materials for web pages, and assisting in preparation of administrative correspondence.

2. Required Expertise/Skills:
Applicants must be currently enrolled at an accredited college or university. Preference given to majors related to these positions, such as biology, wildlife management, or similar. Preference given to applicants with knowledge of computer software used to summarize and visualize data, with a strong interest in learning more (i.e. Excel, Access, ArcGIS). Applicants must have good communication skills and be able to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing. Knowledge of distributions and natural histories of North American birds and/or amphibians is not required, but considered a plus.

3. Description of Working Conditions: These are full-time (8 hours/day, 40 hours/week), temporary positions. Work will be performed in an office environment located on the USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center campus in Laurel, MD. Extended periods of computer use will be required.

4. Compensation: Compensation is commensurate with level of education and experience, salary range is: GS-3 is $12.69, GS-4 is $14.25/hr and GS-5 is $15.94.

Student is responsible for all costs of transportation to and from the principal duty station location. The Government does not provide housing, meals or other living expenses while working at the principal duty station. Travel away from the duty station is not expected.

5. Principal Duty Station: USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, 12100 Beech forest Road, Laurel, Maryland 20708-4038. Student may enter building only during business hours or when project manager is present.

Number of Students Required: 5 to 6
Estimated hours per position: 500
Approximate Start Date: 26 May 2009
Approximate End Date: 31 August 2009
We are flexible on start and end dates to accommodate the academic schedule of selected applicants.

Send resume and letter of interest to:
Linda Weir, Wildlife Biologist, lweir@usgs.gov

2009 Summer Research Experience for Undergraduates in “Biological Responses to the Environment from Genes to the Ecosystem” is available at West Virginia University in Morgantown, WV, in forest soils and forest biogeochemistry, among many other topics. This is an NSF-supported summer research program for undergraduate students who are interested in careers in environmental biology, ecology, or plant biology. Students receive a stipend, room and board, and travel allowance. Application deadline is March 31, and start date is May 25. For more information on this program, and application materials, interested students should go to:
http://reu.as.wvu.edu

Wildlife and Climate Change Internship (Summer 2009; Plymouth, MA) Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences

Description: The primary role of the intern is to complete a database that details life history characteristics of species of concern as relevant to climate change. See overall project description: http://www.manomet.org/projects1.html. This involves data management (Excel, Access), literature review, interacting with wildlife biologists, and associated tasks. Depending on qualifications, the intern may also contribute to other projects related to climate change impacts on wildlife/ecosystems. The intern will also have the opportunity to occasionally participate in other programs at Manomet (e.g. passerine banding, fieldwork). The internship is an excellent opportunity to participate in and contribute to science-based conservation planning and implementation.

Qualifications and Requirements: B.S. or equivalent in Biology, Ecology, Wildlife/Conservation Management or related field, excellent writing skills, knowledge of MS Word, Excel required. MS Access experience preferred.

Duration: The required time commitment is 12 weeks (40hrs/week). The latest start date considered is June 1st.

Provisions: The intern will receive a $100/week stipend. The center provides shared housing (i.e. dormitory) for all interns on beautiful Cape Cod Bay.

To Apply: Please email letter of interest, resume and contact information for 3 references (all in one document) to Olivia LeDee at oledee@manomet.org. Review of applications will begin on March 9th and will continue until a suitable applicant is found. For more information about the position, call (508) 224-6521. For information about Manomet, please see our website at www.manomet.org. EOE.

I am hiring 4-5 field assistants for an NSF-funded project in Millbrook, New York, from May until Aug or September 2009. Millbrook is in the Hudson Valley, 2.5 hours or less from the Adirondacks, Catskills, Berkshires, and New York City. Here’s your chance to check out the east coast without living in a megalopolis!

This project will address how small-scale spatial distribution of small mammals affects their impact on prey and parasite populations in northeastern U.S. forests. Results of this study will be pertinent to understanding and predicting outbreaks of forests insects and human disease risk, as well as understanding the foraging behavior of mammals.

Send cover letter indicating qualifications, resume, and contact information for 3 references.

Applicants should be very reliable, conscientious, and able to work strenuously outdoors, sometimes in inclement and buggy conditions. Valid driver’s license required. Highest consideration will be given to applicants with prior field experience; training in wildlife biology, ecology, zoology, or related fields; and/or experience with Excel and Access.

Pay: $12/hr
Housing: available on site

I’m also looking for a graduate student for this project to begin in Fall 09 – inquire if interested!

Eric M. Schauber, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Zoology
Wildlife Ecologist — Cooperative Wildlife Research Laboratory
Center for Ecology
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
618-453-6940
618-453-6944 (fax)

Spring-summer Project Assistants (up to 9): Research the dynamics of mammalian communities and the relationships between mammals, ticks, Lyme disease ecology, tree seed survival, songbirds, and gypsy moths. Location is the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies in New York’s Hudson River Valley. Duties include live-trapping small and medium mammals and reliably recording pertinent data, sampling abundance of ticks, tree seed collection, and laboratory assays of tick infection with the Lyme disease bacterium. Early morning and late afternoon hours. Prior experience handling small- or meso-mammals highly desirable. Desired dates of employment (35 hours/week) are approximately April 20 to November 1, 2009, although applicants available during summer college break are also welcome. Wage is commensurate with education and experience. On-site housing is available. EOE/AAD/Min/Fem/Vet/Disab. Consideration of applications will begin on March 1st. Please submit via email a letter of application, a resume, and the names, phone numbers, and email addresses of three professional references to:

Manager of Human Resources
Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies
Job Ref# 09004
P.O. Box AB
Millbrook, NY 12545
E-mail: jobs@ecostudies.org

Be sure to cite Job Number 09004

Position reports to Dr. Richard S. Ostfeld.

*************************************
Richard S. Ostfeld, Ph.D.
Senior Scientist
Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies
Box AB, 2801 Sharon Turnpike
Millbrook, NY 12545 USA

845 677-7600, ext 136

rostfeld@caryinstitute.org
http://ecostudies.org/people_sci_ostfeld.html
*************************************

SUMMER 2009 Field Biology Courses and REU Internships; Mountain Lake Biological Station; MLBS.org

Mountain Lake Biological Station (University of Virginia) announces its summer field biology program:
1) Courses – Field-based undergraduate and graduate-level biology credit courses and workshops offered by nationally recruited faculty.
2) NSF REU-Sites Program – Undergraduate independent research internship program now in its 17th year. Work at MLBS focuses on field-based ecology, evolution, physiology, and behavior.

Courses web page: mlbs.org/courses.html

REU web page: mlbs.org/REU.html

Fliers to Distribute or Post:
mlbs.org/download/MLBS_Poster.pdf
mlbs.org/download/MLBS_Courses.pdf
mlbs.org/download/MLBS_REU_Poster.pdf

**** Learn all about Mountain Lake opportunities at MLBS.org ****

The Cooperative Institute for Limnology and Ecosystems Research (CILER), administered by the University of Michigan, announces the 2009 Great Lakes Summer Student Fellowship Program. The 2009 program is hosted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory (GLERL) and Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, and the U.S.Geological Survey’s (USGS) Great Lakes
Science Center.

We seek to fill* twenty-two (22)* full-time, twelve-week positions. Preference is given to currently enrolled or just-graduated undergraduates, although graduate student applications will also be considered. Successful applicants will receive a stipend of $5,750 for
the twelve-week fellowship.

Summer fellowships are available in a broad range of fields including Aquatic Ecology, Outreach and Communications, Maritime Archaeology, Data Analysis, Modeling, Marine Instrumentation, Oceanography, and Wetland Ecology. Program information is available online: http://ciler.snre.umich.edu/summerfellows.php.

Fellowship applications must contain:
1. a completed application form
2. a résumé
3. transcripts (unofficial copies are acceptable and can be mailed or e-mailed separately)
4. one reference letter (can be sent electronically if it originates from the reference writer)

*E-mail applications to: GLsummerfellows@umich.edu

All application material is due *27-February, 2009*. Late applications will not be considered. Decisions about all positions will be made by *31-March, 2009.*

For specific questions about each opportunity, contact the individual mentors. These e-mail addresses are provided with the opportunity descriptions.

Title: Biological Science Technicians / Vegetation and Fish
Agency: NPS—Northeast Coastal and Barrier Network
Location: Patchogue, NY (Fire Island)

Job Description: Three Biological Science Technicians are needed to conduct field work as part of an ongoing salt marsh vegetation and nekton (fish) monitoring program within National Parks. Monitoring will be conducted this summer at Fire Island National Seashore (NY), and Sagamore Hill National Historical Site (NY). Duties include but are not limited to sampling salt marsh vegetation and fish species, building and maintaining sampling gear, setting up monitoring stations within salt marshes, recording and entering data, GPS/GIS data collection, quality control of data. Housing will be provided. Technicians will be paid at the GS-5 level.
Occasional travel required.

Qualifications: Field experience and knowledge of computer software (e.g. Microsoft Excel) is required, GPS experience preferred, experience operating motor boats a plus. Training will be provided, as needed. Must have valid drivers license and be willing to drive federal vehicles.

Field Conditions: Working conditions in the field will include traveling in four-wheeled vehicles on beaches, boating to research sites, working in summer heat and humidity, dealing with biting insects (mosquitoes and ticks), and spending long hours in hip boots. Technicians will work as a team.

Last date to apply: February 13, 2009
Website: www.USAJOBS.gov
Agency Contact Info:
Kathryn Aiello
Phone: 770-751-8638
Email: Kathryn_Aiello@nps.gov

Classification : Internship
Title : Field Ecology Intern
Agency : Conservation and Research Center, National Zoo, Smithsonian

Description: The Smithsonian Institution’s Conservation and Research Center is looking for 2-3 field research interns for a 5 month appointment (with possibility of extension) from May 2009 to September 2009. Duties will focus on vegetation surveys and invasive plant species surveys, but will also include camera trapping, small mammal trapping, white-tailed deer capture and radio telemetry, data entry, and GIS analysis.

Location : Front Royal, VA
Salary : $600/month stipend and free housing
Qualification : Applicant must have obtained a bachelors in wildlife biology, ecology or related field within the last 6 months. An applicant must be able to work outside in all types of field conditions. A good knowledge of Virginia’s plant species and their identification, as well as, previous field work and wild animal handling is highly regarded. To apply, please send cover letter, resume, unofficial transcripts, and contacts for three references to the email address below.

Start Date : May 2009
Application Deadline : February 21, 2009
Contact Person : Megan Baker
E-mail : crcecology@si.edu

Disease Ecology and Evolution Project Assistant (April-September) University of Pennsylvania

Full-time Project Assistants (paid) are needed for research on the ecology and evolution of the Lyme disease bacterium in Southeastern Pennsylvania.

Research in the Brisson laboratory focuses on the evolving interactions among bacteria, ticks, and animal hosts, and Lyme disease prevalence. Duties include live-trapping small mammals and birds and sampling tick abundance and infection status. Early morning, moderately strenuous activity is required. Field research is conducted in small teams in Crow’s Nest Preserve, PA – about 45 minutes west of Philadelphia. Prior experience handling wild small mammals or birds is highly desirable; strong work ethic, meticulousness, and ability to work both independently and in small teams are required. The project offers research and learning experiences for Project Assistants, particularly with regard to the ecology and evolution of infectious diseases.

Desired dates of employment (35 hours/week): April 13 to September 12, 2009, although applicants available during summer break from college are also welcome. Wage is commensurate with education experience. Near-site housing is available.

Consideration of applications will begin on Feb 23rd. Please submit via email a brief letter of application, a resume, and the names, phone numbers, and email addresses of three professional references to:

Dustin Brisson
dbrisson@sas.upenn.edu

Department of Biology
University of Pennsylvania
Leidy Laboratories, 209
433 South University Avenue
Philadelphia PA 19104-6018
V:215.746.1731
F:215.898.8780