**Greetings from the Merriam-Powell Center for Environmental Research!**

October 31, 2007

**Topics At A Glance**

Biology Seminar Series - ARCS Scholarship Applications - Graduate School Workshop - ARCS Scholarship Applications - From the Dean - Graduate student workshop - New Course: Applied Community Analysis -- Seminar: Plasma Processing of a Silicon Wafer - Forestry Seminar Series - Palmer College of Chiropractic - Internship Opportunity from Arizona Heart Foundation - Step It Up event - McAllister Chair presentation - Land Management Internship - Joan Mosenthal DeWind Award - Research Grant Program - Ecological Society of America seeks photographs - Olympic Gold Medalist, Billy Mills, Live, at NAU - JOBS

**Biology Seminar Series**

*Thursday November 1st* at 3:45 in the Wettaw Building Auditorium -- Cathy Klock Ph.D. from NAU, will present "Rapid whole-body hypothermia: analysis and modeling."
*Friday November 2nd* from 12:30-2 in the Biology Building room 328 -- Michael Clifford will present "Patterns of drought induced tree mortality in pinon-juniper woodlands."

**The Applying for Graduate School Workshop**

This workshop is scheduled for Wednesday, November 7th at 4 PM. The workshop will take place in Biology (21), room 256. Find the current list of opportunities on our website at: Employment & Summer Research Opportunities: http://www.cens.nau.edu/students/CareerServices.shtml
Scholarships: http://www.cens.nau.edu/students/Scholarships.shtml
Please let me know if you have any questions! Graylynn

**Call for ARCS Scholarship Applications* for '08-'09 (due 12/1) ARCS 2008-2009 Scholarship Applications Now Online*

I invite your current graduate student scientists in your graduate programs to apply for the ARCS (Achievement Reward for College Scientists) Foundation, Inc. scholarship for the 2008-2009 academic year. This scholarship is awarded to approximately seven Northern Arizona University science students each year. The stipend is $3,500.00 per semester for a total scholarship of $7,000.00 per year. Previous recipients are encouraged to re-apply. In addition, the scholarship recipients are eligible for an instate tuition waiver and health insurance awarded through the Graduate College. The application can be found on the Graduate College website: http://www.nau.edu/gradcol/ARCS_Application_2008-2009.doc

Please note the application must be submitted to the Graduate College office (NAU Box 4125) by our deadline of December 1, 2007. No late applications will be accepted. Directions for student submission are included on the cover page of the application. Please review this carefully. Questions should be directed to either the ARCS coordinator Diane Might at: Diane@Might.net or Victoria Endres in the Graduate College at: Vicki.Endres@nau.edu. Ramona N. Mellott, Ph.D., Dean and Professor, Graduate College Flagstaff, AZ 86011-4125. Telephone: (928) 523-6534

*From the Dean*

New Associate Dean/: First, I am delighted to announce that Dr. Ed Lewis, Chemistry and Biochemistry, has agreed to take on the role of Associate Dean for Research in our college. Dr. Lewis has considerable experience with major funding from federal agencies, with research in private industry and startup enterprises, and in student research mentoring; his experiences and commitment to scholarship in an environment such as ours will be invaluable. Over these first few weeks, he will be familiarizing himself with the ongoing research and research-related concerns across the college; please feel free to share your current activities and concerns with him.

Conference on the Ecological Dimensions of Biofuels: Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, Washington, D.C.

Save The Date! On March 10, 2008, The Ecological Society of America will host a one-day conference on the Ecological Dimensions of Biofuels. 500 attendees will have the opportunity to hear invited presentations by leading scientists on:
- sustainable development and use of biofuels;
- social, biogeographic, land use, and biodiversity considerations; and, - ecological dimensions of alternatives for crop selection and production, harvest and transport of product to refinery, and refining of liquid fuels and other co-products.
Laura Foster Huenneke, Ph.D., Dean, College of Engineering & Natural Sciences, Northern Arizona University

*Graduate student workshop* with Tom Angelo, visiting speaker from Victoria University of Wellington
*Pulling It All Together: Making Coursework Clear, Coherent, Connected, and Consequential

Register Here http://www2.nau.edu/facdev/FORMS/rsvp.htm or call 523-9972.
Thursday, November 1, 2007 , 3:00 -- 5:00 pm, University Union, Kaibab Room
This session focuses on helping students successfully take more responsibility for their own learning. We will consider simple, effective ways to help learners understand course objectives and content clearly, study effectively, and make necessary connections among key topics. You can expect to leave this session ready to adapt and apply practical techniques to organize lectures and presentations more effectively, strengthen assignments, improve assessment and testing, and clarify grading standards.
Dr. Angelo is an internationally renowned expert on assessment and has consulted at over 250 colleges worldwide. His best-known publication is Classroom Assessment Techniques: A Handbook for College Teachers with more than 75,000 copies in print.

*NEW COURSE: Applied Community Analysis*

Have you collected data on plant, animal, fungal, or microbial communities and need to analyze the data for your thesis? Do you want to learn the fundamentals of multivariate data analysis? If so, then this course is designed for you!
This 1-credit course (Spring 2008) called /Applied Community Analysis/ is listed in Louie as "FOR 599: Contemporary Developments". We will meet once a week, from 3:00-3:50 on Wednesday afternoons. It will be a pass/fail course, and the primary objective will be to analyze and interpret your thesis data.
Topics include: learning how to use PC-ORD, repeated measures analysis, understanding the various ecological distance measures, Principal Components Analysis (PCA), Nonmetric Multidimensional Scaling (NMS), Multiresponse Permutation Procedures (MRPP), permutational MANOVA, etc. If you have any questions about the course, please feel free to email Daniel at Daniel.Laughlin@nau.edu, School of Forestry, Ecological Restoration Institute, Northern Arizona University

"*Plasma Processing of a Silicon Wafer*"

You are cordially invited to attend, and publicize to interested students, a seminar entitled "Plasma Processing of a Silicon Wafer" to be given by Dr. Robert Carlile, Professor Emeritus at the University of Arizona. The seminar will be held in room 101 of the Engineering Building, #69, on Friday November 9th at 3pm. Refreshments will be served before the presentation.
Abstract: Forty percent of the hundreds of steps (unit processes) that transform a silicon wafer into an array of identical integrated circuit (IC) chips are plasma processing steps. This talk presents a tutorial of the physics of a processing plasma, and describes the four important plasma unit processes: anisotropic plasma etching, ion implantation, sputtering of a thin film, and plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition. The talk concludes with some speculation on job opportunities in plasma processing. David R. Scott, Ph.D. , Chair, Electrical Engineering Department , Northern Arizona University PHONE: 928-523-3162, FAX:928-523-2300 , http://www.cet.nau.edu/Academic/EE/

*Forestry Seminar Series*

*Oct 31 *Mike Goulden, University of California-Irvine "What's dying and what isn't: Ecosystem resilience and the impact of a changing climate on Southern California's Mountains" Host: Chris McGlone
*Nov 7 *Oswald Schmitz, Yale University "From individuals to ecosystems: predator identity and pattern and process in an old-field system" Host: Liz Kalies
*Nov 14 *Donald Bills, USGS "Hydrogeology of Northern Arizona ' Host: Michael Hoenig

**Palmer** College** of Chiropractic**

My name is Thomas Minkalis and I am an admissions representative from Palmer College of Chiropractic. I am hosting a luncheon information session for students and advisors at Maggiano's Little Italy in Scottsdale on Saturday, November 10th. I'm hoping you could forward this message to any students working towards a health profession degree or who might be interested in chiropractic specifically. We will be serving lunch and will have a current Palmer student and local Palmer alumni on hand to answer questions.
I hope you can make the event and please let me know if you have any other questions.
Thomas Minkalis , Admissions Office , Palmer College of Chiropractic , 1000 Brady Street
Davenport, IA 52803, 800-722-3648 , www.palmer.edu
From MariBeth Watwood, Chair, Biology Department

**Summer 2008 Internship Opportunity from Arizona Heart Foundation**

*ARIZONA** HEART FOUNDATION** October 2007
Please note the following *_Summer 2008_* internship opportunity information pertaining to the Arizona Heart Foundations Cardiovascular Summer Student Program.
The Arizona Heart Foundation, located in Phoenix, Arizona, is dedicated to the prevention and eventual eradication of heart disease through research and education. Dr. Edward B. Diethrich, internationally acclaimed cardiovascular surgeon and Arizona Heart Foundation founder,
established the Foundation in 1971, in support of this mission. For more than thirty years, the Arizona Heart Foundation has been investing in the future of tomorrows physicians. The Foundations Cardiovascular Summer Student Program, a unique career orientation and educational experience, has been instrumental in motivating science and pre-med college students who may be considering a medical career.
The Arizona Heart Foundation Cardiovascular Summer Student Program is a six-week summer course. The hands-on curriculum includes lectures, surgical observations and clinical rotation. The didactic and clinical experiences gained through program participation will provide students with a firm understanding of cardiovascular medicine and the medical field in general.
The Cardiovascular Summer Student Program is offered pro bono; however housing, food and transportation are not provided. The admission process is competitive, due to the intense physician mentoring aspects of the program. Only eight students can be accepted. The 2007 program included students from Johns Hopkins University, Columbia University, Cornell University, Yale University, and Arizona State University. We encourage you to share the Arizona Heart Foundations website information with faculty advisors and students who may be considering a career in medicine. Please feel free to contact our office at (602) 200-0437 or via e-mail foundation@azheart.com. E-mail mbercovitch@azheart.com, if you have questions or require additional information. A complete description of the program, and an application form can be obtained by visiting our website, http://www.cureheartdisease.org.
The 2008 Cardiovascular Summer Student Program will utilize the Foundations new Cardiovascular Research and Education Center (on the Arizona Heart Hospital campus) with its state-of-the-art research lab. This facility adds a special dimension to this learning opportunity.
Gerry Kroloff , Executive Administrator, Phone (602) 200-0437

**Step It Up event**

As one of the organizers of an upcoming Step It Up event in Flagstaff, I cordially invite you to attend our event, which coincides with other national events across the country. The primary intent of these events is to demonstrate the grassroots support for reduction of U.S. carbon emission and to encourage our Federal government and the political leadership to take immediate and strong action to decrease carbon emissions. Our three key priorities are: 80% reduction in carbon emissions by 2050, No new coal plants, 5 million new green jobs
We do hope that you will attend with us, to hear about efforts here in Flagstaff and at Northern Arizona University. This event will take place on *Saturday November 3* at 1:00PM at 1501 South Knoles Dr, in Flagstaff, AZ. Please go to http://events.stepitup2007.org/november/events/show/2555 to find out more about this event or to RSVP.

**You are cordially invited to attend a presentation by: Dr. Romand Coles**

*Candidate for the McAllister Chair in Community, Culture, & Environment at Northern Arizona University *Dr. Romand Coles is an Associate Professor and former Director of Graduate Studies in Political Science, Duke University. His work as a Fellow at the Franklin Humanities Institute focused on race, religion, and globalization*. 3:00pm - 4:30pm * Friday, November 2, 2007,* Agassiz Room, duBois Center, Northern Arizona University
The presentation will be followed by a reception and informal conversation. If possible, please RSVP to Tamara Ramirez at Tamara.Ramirez@nau.edu or (928) 523-0499 We hope to see you there! For more information on the three new final candidates for the McAllister Chair in Community, Culture, & Environment, please visit http://home.nau.edu/provost/

*Chicago** Botanic Garden**'s Conservation and Land Management Internship**

*Program - The Yuma BLM Field Office seeks an intern* to perform Natural Resource
Management in the Yuma Field Office. As a Natural Resources Intern, the individual will gain valuable insight and experience in several programs. The intern must be in good physical condition and be willing and able to perform field work in the extreme desert environment as well as along the banks of the lower Colorado River. Intern will receive quality on-the-ground training from local resource experts. Major duties include riparian restoration, herbarium development and invasive plant management. The intern will be involved in several programs and receive a well-rounded introduction to natural resource management on public lands. This position will include achievable, measurable workload targets and result in a valuable contribution to the lower Colorado River and Sonoran Desert ecosystems.

Stipend: $750 / pay period (every 2 weeks), Start dates: ASAP. Length: 5 months with the possibility of an extension. How to apply: Send a letter of interest and resume to Lara Jefferson, (ljefferson@chicagobotanic.org). Applicants must have a visa authorized for employment in the United States of America. The internship may also be conducted as the research component of a Masters program with Northwestern University and Chicago Botanic Garden. For application information, visit http://www.plantbiology.northwestern.edu For more information visit the website: http: /www.chicagobotanic/research/conservation/blm/index.html
Lara Jefferson, Ph.D., Manager, Training Programs, Institute for Plant Biology and Conservation, Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, IL 60022, ph: (847) 835-6919

**The Joan Mosenthal DeWind Award**

The Xerces Society is now accepting applications for two $3,750 awards for research into Lepidoptera conservation. SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS. The DeWind awards are given to students who are engaged in research leading to a university degree related to Lepidoptera conservation and who intend to continue to work in this field. All proposals must be written by the student researcher. Proposed research should have a clear connection to Lepidoptera conservation and must be completed within one year from receiving funds. Applicants may be graduate or undergraduate students; however, please note that all but one awardee, to date, have been pursuing graduate research. Applications from countries outside the United States will be considered. Submission Deadline for 2008 Awards. The submission deadline is Friday, December 21, 2007 at 5:00 PM PST. Award winners will be announced by March 31, 2008, with the awards given by May 2008. Instructions for Submitting the Proposal All proposals must be submitted by email to info@xerces.org. The proposal should be attached as a single attachment in one of the following file formats: Microsoft Word, RTF text, or PDF. The subject line of the email should read "DeWind Award Proposal." For more information, please see our website: http://www.xerces.org/dewind.htm Lisa Schonberg, Conservation Assistant, 4828 SE Hawthorne Boulevard, Portland, OR 97215, USA ,Tel: 503-232 6639 Email: lisa@xerces.org.

**Research Grant Program To Strengthen Wildlife Habitat Protection**

The second annual Request for Proposals (RFPs) by the Wildlife Habitat Policy Research Program (WHPRP) will be issued on November 2, 2007 by the National Council for Science and the Environment (NCSE). The RFPs will be posted on the WHPRP website (http://ncseonline.org/WHPRP) and also distributed via email to the wildlife habitat conservation community (including this list). The program is supported by a four year grant by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation (DDCF).
Application to the WHPRP is open to everyone and begins with composing Letters of Intent due to NCSE by December 3, 2007 (see website for instructions). Three applicants for each grant will be invited to submit full proposals to be reviewed by an independent panel of experts, who will evaluate the technical quality and practical value of each submission, managed by the American Institute for Biological Sciences (AIBS).
Grants will be made only for the projects specifically defined in the RFPs and will cover a variety of research areas with the general goal of improving the basis for implementation of the statutory State Wildlife Action Plans. Reflecting the multidisciplinary nature of this conservation challenge, the program will support research in law, economics, social sciences, natural sciences, and public policy. The RFPs research topics include:- Analysis of the efficiency of land conservation spending for priority habitats, - Examining time sensitivity of priority habitats, - Evaluating hazard mitigation policy applied to coastal and floodplain habitats. - Developing a research framework for climate and wildlife habitat policy and management. - Investigating the impacts of bio-energy production on conservation of wildlife habitat. - Using State Wildlife Action Plan priorities to direct and shape policies as well as direct expenditures at multiple levels of government. In total, the WHPRP will offer about six RFPs ranging in size from $100,000 to $150,000 to be conducted over 12 or 18 month periods beginning in April of 2008.

Please distribute this announcement to any colleague you feel may be interested. If you would like to be removed from the WHPRP listserv OR did not receive this announcement directly and would like to be added to the WHPRP listserv to ensure you receive our call for proposals, please contact Cheryl Horton at chorton@ncseonline.org or 202.207.0007. Center for Science Solutions, National Council for Science and the Environment (NCSE)

*CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS**

*The Ecological Society of America seeks photographs* that depict ecological concepts and can be used to teach undergraduate ecology. We invite individuals with ecological photographs to submit them for peer review and inclusion in ESA's digital teaching library, Ecoed.net.
Examples of photograph subjects sought for Ecoed.net: -- Noteworthy organisms, communities, and ecosystems. -- Ecological interactions. -- Human impacts on ecosystems, including management and restoration. -- Research methods and techniques (field or lab).
REVIEW : Submissions are accepted on a continual basis and will be reviewed 2-3 times per year. Submissions received by November 15, 2007 will be sent out for review and, if accepted, will be included in Ecoed.net by January 2008. Submissions received after November 15th will be reviewed in the spring.
All submitted items are peer reviewed. The information provided with each submission is important for ecology educators searching for resources to use effectively in their courses. Therefore, both the photograph and its corresponding descriptions are required for a submission to be complete. Only submissions that meet all of the following criteria will be included in Ecoed.net: -- Visual quality and clarity. -- Ecological significance. -- Scientific accuracy. -- Instructional value. For more detailed author guidelines, visit: http://www.ecoed.net/pages/guidelines_photo We are also currently seeking reviewers. If you are interested in reviewing photographs in November, please email Jennifer Riem (jennifer@esa.org).
COPYRIGHT AND USE Submission to Ecoed.net is an opportunity to share useful teaching resources with other educators. Resource authors retain copyright of submitted photographs and submission information. All Ecoed.net resources are available free of charge to registered users, who agree to the Terms of Use (http://www.ecoed.net/pages/termsofuse). Users agree to cite the resources that they use. ABOUT ECOED.NET Ecoed.net is ESA's digital library for ecology education resources. The goal of the library is to provide educators with a forum to contribute and locate peer-reviewed ecology education resources that are scientifically sound and pedagogically useful. Ecoed.net strives to foster a community of ecology education users and contributors. Ecoed.net is managed by ESA's Office of Education and Diversity Programs.
ABOUT THE BIOSCIENCE EDUCATION NETWORK (BEN) ESA is a founding partner of the Bioscience Education Network (BEN), a collaborative digital library project that involves more than 20 professional societies and biology education coalitions. BEN is the Biology Pathway of the National Science Digital Library (NSDL) and is coordinated by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). Ecoed.net and BEN are funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF).
For more information, please contact: Jennifer Riem, Education Coordinator, Ecological Society of America, Department of Education and Diversity Programs jennifer@esa.org 301.588.3873 ext. 314

 

**Olympic Gold Medalist, Billy Mills, Live, at NAU**

7:00 p.m., November 13, 2007 , Prochnow Auditorium
Mr. Mills is the only American ever to win a gold medal in the 10,000 meter race in the Olympics. He was raised on the Pine Ridge Reservation where he attended the Haskell Indian boarding school. His is a journey from alienation and prejudice to triumph and inspiration.
He is truly a memorable American role model. Free tickets available at the NAU Central ticket office in the Student Union. nau.edu/cto/

**JOBS - JOBS - JOBS**

**Associate Dean of Graduate College**/, call for applications: /Dean Ramona Mellot has issued the following about the search for an associate dean: the screening of applicants will begin on November 16th. **Job Vacancy Announcement (Internal Posting) Associate Dean *Vacancy Number:* 557297 *Department:* Graduate College *Status:* Full-Time, Regular *Location:* Flagstaff
* This is a 12-month, full-time position located in Flagstaff. This position is open to current Northern Arizona University employees only. The successful candidate does not need to have a current faculty appointment, but must be eligible for a faculty appointment at a rank to be determined by established university criteria.

**Great Basin Institute is recruiting field technicians and support staff**
In cooperation with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and other federal and state agencies, the Great Basin Institute is recruiting field technicians and support staff to help implement the 2008 Desert Tortoise Line Distance Sampling (LDS) Monitoring program. The desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) is federally listed as a threatened species north and west of the Colorado River under the Endangered Species Act. The focus of the LDS monitoring program is to collect data that will allow researchers to estimate population density of these animals in the eastern portion of their range. LDS monitoring occurs during April & May to coincide with the peak in the desert tortoise activity season. The Institute will hire experienced specialists to provide GIS and Data QA/QC support, field crew leaders, as well as LDS monitoring and radio telemetry technicians. Specific position details including timeframe, compensation and benefits, and qualifications can be viewed on the employment section of the GBI website (http://www.greatbasininstitute.org/?click=ra&subclick=raemploy).
Upon review of the specific positions descriptions, qualified and interested applicants should forward a cover letter, résumé and three professional references to Dr. Paula Kahn, GBI Desert Tortoise Monitoring Program Coordinator, at thinklikeatortoise@yahoo.com.

*MQRES PhD Scholarship**

Closing date: 7 December 2007, Physiological Ecology of Forest Succession
A PhD scholarship investigating the physiological ecology of forest succession is available at Macquarie University. The successful applicant will work in conjunction with an ARC Discovery Project headed by Dr. Chris Lusk, in the Department of Biological Sciences. Partner investigators are Prof. Peter Reich (University of Minnesota) and Prof. Ulo Niinemets (Estonian University of Life Sciences). Work will focus on understanding traits associated with adaptation of juvenile plants to different light environments, and there is ample scope for the student's own input into project design. Fieldwork will be carried out in Australia and USA, and US applicants are invited to consider the possibility of a co-tutelle with Prof. Peter Reich at University of Minnesota. Co-tutelle is a bilateral doctoral enrollment/co-enrollment and exchange agreement to enhance international research collaboration through co-supervision of doctoral candidates between overseas and Australian Universities. Under a co-tutelle agreement, a PhD candidate may spend a minimum of one year under supervision at a partner institution, and the remaining two years at the home institution, or durations as agreed by the institutions.
The scholarship is available to international or Australian students. Applicants should have equivalent research qualifications to an Australia undergraduate degree with first class honours (such as a Masters with a substantial thesis component) in a relevant discipline. The scholarship pays a living allowance, currently Au$19,616 per annum, tax exempt (2007), and the tenure is 3.5 years full time, subject to satisfactory progress. Tuition fees will be funded for the scholarship tenure, with International award holders having their fees sponsored and domestic students receiving ResearchTraining Scheme placement for their tuition.
For further information and discussion regarding the project, applicants are encouraged to contact: Dr Chris Lusk, email: clusk@bio.mq.edu.au telephone: +61-2-9850 8165 or Dr Peter Reich, email: preich@umn.edu.
Application forms and award conditions are available from the Higher Degree Research Office, telephone: +61-2-9850 7987, email: hdrschol@vc.mq.edu.au or download from: www.research.mq.edu.au/students/scholarships/ELS_ForestsSuccession
Applications should be forwarded to: The Scholarship Officer, Higher Degree Research Office
The Research Hub, C5C Level 3 East, Macquarie University NSW 2109, Australia

 

**Postdoc: Climate change and biodiversity in an agricultural landscape**

A postdoctoral position is available to join an interdisciplinary team to study agricultural responses and potential adaptation strategies to climate change, with emphasis on cropland and wildland biodiversity, crop productivity, nutrient cycling, water use, and public policy and planning. The postdoc will work with a diverse group of faculty in biophysical and socioeconomic disciplines at the University of California at Davis to understand mitigation and adaptation options for a representative agricultural landscape in California. There will also be a field-oriented research component that involves restoration practices to increase biodiversity, C sequestration, nutrient cycling and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in riparian corridors, hedgerows, and other types of farm margins.
This research is affiliated with California Energy Commission's Climate Change Research Program (http://www.climatechange.ca.gov/research/index.html) and the agroBIODIVERSITY network of DIVERSITAS, an international program in biodiversity science (http://www.diversitas-international.org/).
We are seeking an individual who has expertise in at least two of the following areas, and a desire to engage in cross-disciplinary analyses: landscape ecology, agroecology, soil science, hydrology, geography, economics, and community development. The ideal candidate would have some expertise in GIS and simulation modeling. Good writing skills are essential. The position is immediately available. The salary range is $36,000-$42,000 per year, depending on experience.
Please send a CV, a list of relevant coursework or transcripts, and names and contact information of three references to Dr. Louise Jackson -- University of California at Davis . lejackson@ucdavis.edu (website http://groups.ucanr.org/jacksonlab/)

 

**Announcement of Position Availability at the Jornada Basin LTER**

TITLE: Research Assistant (Requisition #2007010593) START DATE: December 3, 2007
SALARY: Commensurate with education and experience. Continued employment contingent upon federal funding PREFER: The successful applicant will have a keen interest in plants coupled with field experience in plant identification and the use of dichotomous keys. Other preferred qualifications include knowledge of Chihuahuan Desert flora and fauna, practical experience with electrical and mechanical maintenance of climatological and hydrological instruments, and skill in the use of hand and power tools.
The successful candidate will be flexible, able to enjoy working in the field under high heat and sun exposure (as this is primarily a desert field position), work reliably both independently and as part of a team, establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates and principle investigators, be comfortable working safely with moderately hazardous materials, make sound judgments relative to analytical processes, recognize the extreme accuracy and consistency essential to long term research, assemble and record accurate data, follow detailed oral and/or written instructions exactly, communicate well both verbally and in writing, and have some supervisory skills. Acute attention to small details, enthusiasm, and the ability to get along well with co-workers, supervisors, and principle investigators are highly desired.
REQUIREMENTS: Driver's license.
QUALIFICATIONS: A Bachelor's degree in field of research applicable to the position required.
RESPONSIBILITIES: Work is based out of New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, NM. Individual will participate in the on-going and multi-disciplinary Jornada Basin Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) program on desertification in the Chihuahuan Desert. At this time research disciplines include plant ecology (~25%), soils (~20%), animal ecology (~9%), climatology (~5%), aeolian studies (~8%), and hydrology. Approximately 85% of the time will be spent outdoors collecting data, with the remaining 15% of the time spent in the lab processing samples, cleaning equipment, entering and checking data. Although the position is usually 40 hours a week, additional hours will occasionally be required both during the week and on weekends.
Specific field responsibilities include extensive plant identification and measurements; soil moisture measurements using a neutron probe; collection of hydrology data and maintenance of hydrological equipment; maintenance of field instruments, equipment, and infrastructure; and some handling and identification of small mammals. The position will entail manual labor such as routine carrying of heavy instruments in the field for extended periods, maintaining and fixing fences, and painting large structures, and could include tasks like shrub removal, trenching, and soil coring. The individual will work with a wide variety of taxa and will be required to learn identification of all flora (~350 spp.) and selected fauna found in the research area.
General responsibilities include collecting and recording moderately complex data in both field and laboratory environments in accordance with established protocols, data entry, maintaining organizational and historical data for each study, aiding principle investigators with data collection and experimental design (assisting with design, testing, and/or modification of experimental equipment as well as installation of experimental apparatus). For more information about the Jornada Basin LTER site and general research program, see http://jornada-www.nmsu.edu/.
BENEFITS: Group medical and hospital insurance, group life insurance, state education retirement, worker's compensation, annual leave, sick leave, and unemployment compensation.
Review of APPLICATIONS: Review of applications will begin November 5, 2007 and continue until filled. Submit letter of interest, resume or CV, and 3 references with contact information. Electronic submissions must be in MS WORD, Rich Test Format (RTF), or PDF. Other formats will not be accepted.
REPLY TO: John P. Anderson, Jornada LTER Site Manager, USDA-ARS Jornada Experimental Range Voice: 505-646-5818, P.O. Box 3000, MSC 3JER New Mexico State University, Email: janderso@jornada.nmsu.edu, Las Cruces, NM 88003-0001 [2995 Knox Street, Suite 200 for FedEx, etc.] John Anderson, P.O. Box 30003, MSC 3JER, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM 88003 ,voice: 505-646-5818

*Landscape Ecology & Global Change*

M.S. & Ph.D. Research Assistantships -- Colorado State University
I am seeking highly motivated M.S. and/or Ph.D. candidates to join my landscape ecology lab. Ongoing projects are centered on global change: (1) forest dynamics, disturbance and climate change in Rocky Mountain forests, and (2) exotic plant invasions of forest ecosystems. More information on these projects and the lab's research are available at: http://hla.colostate.edu/faculty/martin.htm
This position will offer the opportunity to develop skills and experience in disturbance ecology, ecological modeling, and landscape ecology. A primary focus of each project will be the field parameterization and application of a forest simulation model (SORTIE; www.sortie-nd.org) to model future forest and disturbance dynamics under IPCC predicted climate change scenarios. Field data and model scenarios will be used to help identify likely changes in forest communities including exotic invasions, and key thresholds in the species-disturbance-climate interface. Graduate students will have the opportunity to creatively pursue their own questions within these broader themes. This position requires a love of mountains, given the physically-challenging nature of field research in the Rocky Mountains. The assistantship includes a graduate student stipend, health insurance benefits, and the cost of tuition. Colorado State University is located in Fort Collins, Colorado, known for its sunny clime, friendly denizens, and world class outdoor activities. Please contact me for more information or with questions at: Patrick.Martin@colostate.edu
Applications for this position should be submitted through the Graduate Degree Program in Ecology (http://www.colostate.edu/Depts/GDPE/Homepage.html). Indicate your research interests and qualifications in your personal statement, particularly G.I.S., statistical and modeling skills, and fieldwork experience. Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible with a deadline of February 15th, 2008. The start date is flexible, but no later than June 1st, 2008.
Dr. Patrick H. Martin, Dept. Horticulture & Landscape Architecture, Colorado State University, 215 Shepardson, 1173 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1173, (970) 491-7216

**Tenure-track Appointment in Ecology (Restoration Ecology)**

The California State University, Stanislaus, Department of Biological Sciences invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track appointment in Ecology at the rank of Assistant Professor. Applicants with outstanding credentials and extensive appropriate experience may be considered for appointment at the rank of Associate Professor. We are seeking an ecologist with specialized expertise in restoration ecology. We are especially interested in candidates with experience working in riparian and/or freshwater habitats. Teaching duties will include a graduate-level course in restoration ecology and various undergraduate courses for biology majors and non-majors. Full details available at: http://web.csustan.edu/FacultyAffairs/TTBiologyEcology.html
Patrick Kelly, Professor of Zoology and Coordinator, Endangered Species Recovery Program, Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, Stanislaus, One University Circle, Turlock, CA 95382, (559) 453-1103 (ESRP, Fresno), pkelly@esrp.csustan.edu
http://esrp.csustan.edu/

**Three Faculty Positions in Ecology School of Natural Sciences, UC Merced**

Please note that the deadline for these positions is November 12, 2007.
The University of California, Merced, invites applicants for three faculty positions in Ecology. Appointments will be made at both the Assistant (tenure-track) and the Associate or Full Professor (with tenure) ranks. We seek outstanding individuals with research interests in areas such as global change, biodiversity, biocomplexity, microbial ecology, soil ecology, plant ecology, conservation biology, community ecology, biogeography, invasive species, paleoecology, ecology of infectious disease, ecological physiology, and behavioral ecology. We welcome applicants using experimental, field, computational, and/or theoretical approaches and working at population to ecosystem scales. Applications from interdisciplinary teams of ecologists offering an integrated research approach will be considered.
UC Merced is ideally located for research in the environmental sciences, with close proximity to a diversity of natural and managed environments from the Sierra Nevada to the Pacific Ocean. Successful candidates will have the opportunity to participate in the Sierra Nevada Research
Institute, a research unit at UC Merced focusing on interdisciplinary environmental studies, and in partnerships with Yosemite and Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Parks. UC Merced offers access to the UC Natural Reserve System and opportunities for collaboration with other UC campuses and UC-affiliated national laboratories.
The University of California at Merced is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer with a strong institutional commitment to the achievement of diversity among its faculty, staff, and students. The University is supportive of dual career couples.
Qualifications: Applicants must have a Ph.D. n ecology, biology,microbiology, biogeosciences, or other relevant field, and a record of research, publication, and teaching commensurate with a faculty appointment at the University of California at the appropriate level.
Applicants at the Assistant Professor level must have a strong publication record, potential to develop an independent, innovative research program, and ability to teach effectively at undergraduate and graduate levels. Applicants for tenured appointments must have a well established, funded, internationally recognized research program as evidenced by publication and grant record, and must have demonstrated effectiveness as educators. For Associate or Full Professor appointments, we seek distinguished scholars who will provide leadership in establishing a program of international repute in ecology and environmental research at UC Merced. At all levels, we seek individuals who will participate actively in the development of innovative, interdisciplinary curricula, and in the teaching and mentoring of a diverse student population.
To Apply: Interested applicants are required to submit 1) a cover letter 2) curriculum vitae 3) statement of research 4) statement of teaching and 5) a list of five references with contact information including mailing address, phone number and e-mail address. Please do not submit individual letters of recommendation.
For appointment as Assistant Professor, submit materials to Job ASNS1219A, For appointment as Associate or Professor, submit materials to Job ASNS1221A
Applications must be submitted via the website: http://www.ucmerced.edu/jobs/ (Academic Positions) Deadline: November 12, 2007
For more information: Contact Professor Peggy O'Day, search committee chair: poday@ucmerced.edu.

**POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP IN GLOBAL CHANGE AND FOREST DYNAMICS AT COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY**

A postdoctoral position is available at Colorado State University to work with a team of plant ecologists on aspects of global change and forest dynamics. The successful candidate will join a diverse team of investigators that work in the Northeastern U.S., the Rocky Mountain West, and the Neotropics. The postdoc is based in Fort Collins, Colorado, with the lead investigator, Patrick Martin, but will offer collaboration opportunities with all project investigators. There are two years of guaranteed funding for the position, with an additional year possible. The start date is flexible, but preferred before May 1st, 2008.
Depending on the interests and strengths of the fellow, the postdoc will focus on interactions between global change and forest dynamics in one of three ongoing projects: 1. Invasion ecology and dynamics. 2. Forest response to climate change in the Rocky Mountains 3. Historic and future landscape forest dynamics in subtropical montane forests
Each project is thematically and methodologically linked with a focus on generating useful predictions of forest dynamics in the face of global change. The results of field research will be integrated in a spatially-explicit, individual-based model (SORTIE-ND; http://www.sortie-nd.org). A hallmark of this research and SORTIE is the clear linkage between field research and modeling, and the development and use of novel approaches to data analysis based on likelihood methods and information theory.
QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS. We seek recent PhD's with proficiency in at least some of the following areas: * Spatial/GIS techniques for analyzing ecological data. * Interest and experience using quantitative models of forest dynamics (e.g. SORTIE). * Statistical, quantitative, and programming skills (R, S-plus, etc.). Areas include maximum likelihood analysis, experimental design, general linear models, multivariate analysis, structural equation modeling, and/or simulations (Monte Carlo, etc.). * Knowledge of the relevant flora: Northeastern USA, Rocky Mtns, and/or neotropical montane flora. * Excellent writing and communication skills.
* Experience supervising students and technical staff in the field and laboratory.
REQUIREMENTS. A Ph.D. degree in plant ecology, forestry, or related field to be completed before the start date. Research experience in forests is essential, ideally focused on forest dynamics and/or natural disturbances. Proficiency in Spanish is a must for those with interests in tropical forests. Review of applications will begin immediately and until the position is filled.
APPLICATION PROCESS. Email an electronic application package including (1) a full CV, (2) PDFs of relevant publications, (3) a cover letter addressing your research interests, qualifications relevant to the position, and which of our three project areas most interests you and why, and (4) the names and contact information of 3 references. Please send application materials or requests for further information to: Dr. Patrick H. Martin, Colorado State University, patrick.martin@colostate.edu.

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