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

November 14, 2007

*Topics At A Glance*

Biology Seminar Series -- Forestry Seminar Series -- Harvard Forest LTER Info -- Film: The 11th Hour -- 4 Graduate Fellowships -- AWI Community Assistance Work -- Journal of Simple Systems -- Herpetological Conservation and Biology -- Terrestrial Vegetation of California Updated -- Biodiversity Informatics Facility* -- *Master of Liberal Studies Program Celebration, 11/17 -- Jobs

*Biology Seminars*

*Thursday November 15th*

Dr. Mya Breitbart, Assistant Professor from the Biological Oceanography at University of South Florida's College of Marine Science will present "Metagenomics of Environmental Viruses" at 3:45 in the Wettaw Building Auditorium. Pre-seminar receptions are held in the Biology Lobby at 3:15 and post-seminar receptions are usually held at Beaver Street Brewery at 5:00.

*Merriam Powell Seminar*

Friday, November16th. Amy Welty-Bernard will present "Relationships between pH, Al, and microbial diversity." In the Biology Building Room 328 from 12:30-2pm.

*Forestry Seminar*

• Nov 14, Donald Bills, USGS, Hydrogeology of Northern Arizona. Host: Michael Hoenig
  
• Nov 28, Liz Kalies, NAU School of Forestry, "Wildlife in the WUI: small mammal responses to fuels reduction treatments" Host: Chris McGlone
• Dec 5, Paul Beier, NAU School of Forestry, "Wechiau Community Hippo Sanctuary: measuring impact on natural, physical, and social capital" Host: Bill Bridgeland

*Free lunch informational meeting for NAU undergrads to learn about the opportunities for research experience at the Harvard Forest, LTER*
Dr. Aaron Ellison (Senior Researcher at Harvard Forest) will be visiting NAU in a few weeks. While he's here, he's asked me to arrange a free lunch informational meeting for NAU undergrads to learn about the opportunities for research experience at the Harvard Forest, LTER. Watch for the informational flyer I will be posting around the building and below is the link to the Harvard Forest webpage. http://harvardforest.fas.harvard.edu/education/reu/reu.html Cheers! Matt Lau

*The 11th Hour* *Screening*

The NAU Society of Environmental Communicators and Campus Climate Challenge will be showing the environmental film The 11th Hour. This extraordinary film explores our environment and climate change not with one perspective, but through the viewpoints of more than 50 scientists, theologians, philosophers, and other leaders. The 11th Hour, Wednesday, November 14th, 2007, 7:00 p.m., Prochnow Auditorium, NAU North Campus, FREE to all! Thank you so much for your time. Our environment unites us all. Erin Jeffries, NAU Society of Environmental Communicators, Campus Climate Challenge at NAU, emj38@nau.edu.

*The Ecology and Evolution Group at San Francisco State University is offering 13 fellowships*

For Master's students (M.S.) starting Fall of 2008, funded by the S-STEM program of the National Science Foundation and the Department of Biology at SFSU. Each fellowship recipient will receive $17,000 per year for up to two years. The Master's degree program in Biology at San Francisco State University (SFSU) is nationally recognized as offering outstanding graduate training in environmental science, ecology, and evolutionary biology and for providing exceptional preparation for PhD programs and the workforce. The Department has been successful in attracting and preparing superb graduate students, and ensuring their placement in top Ph.D. programs across the nation, including the Universities of Virginia, Indiana, Harvard, Texas, and system-wide in the University California. Graduates who have chosen not to pursue a Ph.D. have successfully moved on to positions at government agencies such as the National Park Service and the National Marine Fishery Service, and to non-profits, such as the Nature Conservancy.

With 18 full-time faculty, we have a strong and interactive evolution and ecology group with particular strength in conservation biology, systematics and population biology. Our class sizes are small and students work closely with their advisors on research projects. Opportunities abound for field research in a diverse array of habitats including the Pacific coast, Golden Gate National Recreation Area and Point Reyes National Seashore all within 1-2 hour drives from campus, and the Pacific coast and Sierra Nevada within a 4 hour drive. For more information, please visit our website http://www.sfsu.edu/~biology/pages/sstem2.html. We strongly encourage interested applicants to make contact with potential faculty advisors early in the application process.

*Seeking highly qualified students to pursue graduate degrees*

(Masters or PhD) in ecology starting in Summer of Fall 2008 in the lab of Kailen Mooney at the University of California at Irvine Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology.Our research focuses on community and evolutionary ecology using a combination of field and laboratory approaches. Past work has investigated the multi-trophic interactions among plants, herbivorous insects, and predators including arthropods and vertebrates (birds) using long-term manipulative field experiments and common gardens.
Visit the lab web page at http://www.tritrophic.org for a full list of lab publications and a more detailed description of our interests. Potential students should email Kailen Mooney (mooneyk@uci.edu) with a letter of introduction and a brief statement of research interests. The application (http://ecoevo.bio.uci.edu/Graduate/Graduate.html) to the University is due January 15 but interested students should initiate contact with the Mooney Lab well before this deadline.
UC Irvine (http://www.uci.edu/) is situated on Pacific coast between Los Angeles and San Diego. The Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (http://ecoevo.bio.uci.edu/) has exceptional strength in ecology, evolutionary biology and physiology. Funding for graduate students is competitive and guaranteed via a combination of Research Assistantships and Teaching Assistantships. Research facilities include the 35 sites of the UC Nature Reserve System (http://nrs.ucop.edu/ ), growth chamber and greenhouse facilities, local sites for common garden and field experiments, and laboratory facilities for all types of molecular and chemical approaches to ecological research.
Dr. Kailen Mooney, Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology,University of California
321 Steinhaus Hall, Irvine, CA 92697 USA, Email: mooneyk@uci.edu. Cell: (607) 351-5653

 

*Lab Position for Master's Student*

I have a *position open in my lab for a master's student*, starting in July 2008. *I am looking for an exceptional student who is interested in studying the interaction between boreal forests and climate.* The project is a large collaborative effort and there is some latitude on the specifics of the project.

Brief Project Description: The expansion of forest vegetation within and into the Arctic is one of the profound transformations that the Arctic land surface is likely to undergo in the coming decades. The spread of forest vegetation has significant ramifications as it is likely to cause both positive and negative feedbacks on climate, and to alter the availability of crucial natural resources. This NSF-funded project is merging satellite-based measurements of forest growth, with field measurements, and models of carbon dynamics to arrive at a better understanding of how boreal forests have respond to climate over the last 25 years and how they might change in the future.
Required Qualifications: 1. Bachelor's degree in environmental science, ecology, biology, geography or similar including the prerequisites for admission to the graduate program 2. experience with GIS or Remote Sensing 3. Experience or interest in statistical modeling 4. Good physical condition and ability to do vigorous field work in very remote locations 5. Must be available for international travel to Russia and Canada 6. Fun, interesting, well rounded person! Desired Qualifications: 1. Computer programming, 2. Russian language skills Interested applicants should contact me directly. For more information, please visit: http://myweb.facstaff.wwu.edu/bunna/
For information about the M.S. in Environmental Science at WWU see: http://www.wwu.edu/huxley/students/gradprograms.shtml
We have a strong and supportive community of environmental scientists whose research interests span terrestrial and freshwater ecology, conservation biology, toxicology, biogeochemistry, and marine science.

*Graduate Student Openings in Aquatic Ecology*

Utah State University
The Wurtsbaugh Lab in the Watershed Sciences Department at Utah State University has openings for two graduate students with interests in Aquatic Ecology. One position will be associated with a NSF-funded project examining the influence of watershed structure on nutrient cycling and the stability of production processes in lakes. The other position will address mercury bioaccumulation through the benthic food web on biostromes in the Great Salt Lake. SCUBA experience would be helpful for the latter project.
These positions will be funded through a combination of research assistantships, teaching assistantships, and fellowships. Both positions could begin as early as January 2008, with field work starting in late spring. Energetic and motivated students are encouraged to apply at the MS or possibly the PhD level for either project. Utah State University has excellent graduate programs in ecology and aquatic sciences with over 50 faculty with active programs and 80+ graduate students with interests in ecology and/or water. Interested students should contact Wayne Wurtsbaugh at: wayne.wurtsbaugh@usu.edu or 435 797-2584.

*Funding Opportunities for Community Assistance Work*

*AWI's mission includes providing technical assistance to the communities of the state in their water sustainability activities. AWI has been invited by the Town of Chino Valley to assist them in developing plans to become a highly water-conserving and "sustainable" community, in the context of regional water management efforts. We also have a tentative arrangement with the Central Arizona Project to provide support for a collaborative effort to develop planning scenarios for the Colorado River communities. Both of these entities see that there is an advantage to having these questions answered by a consortium of university experts and students, managed by the Institute. Our partnerships can also include private sector entities.
In the case of Chino Valley, the Morrison Institute at ASU has already agreed to provide a range of services, but there are a large number of needs still on the Chino Valley list. We will coordinate our projects with those that are being carried out by consultants and by the Morrison Institute.
In the case of the Central Arizona Project work, the intent is to produce demographic, land use, economic and water use data about Yuma, La Paz and Mohave Counties that are useful for multiple activities, including 1) Understanding anticipated local usage patterns for high priority Colorado River water so that CAP can plan for alternative supplies when unused AZ apportionment is no longer available; 2) Understanding on-river current and projected water use patterns in the context of identifying response options for likely CAP shortages.
If you are interested in participating in either project, please send me a note via email and a short bio (unless your bio is already on file with us because you are a faculty affiliate). AWI will decide after seeing the level of interest in these projects whether or not we will commit to providing any of the services that are requested. Thanks! Kathy Jacobs
Abe Springer, Ph.D , Associate Professor, Department of Geology, NAU Coordinator, Arizona Water Institute, Northern Arizona University. Ph (928) 523-7198 (is forwarded to my cell phone)
fax (928) 523-9220; e-mail: abe.springer@nau.edu

*Journal of Simple Systems (JSS)*

I am pleased to announce that I have finally addressed the issue of the overwhelming complexity of ecosystems in general, fisheries in particular, and everything else, by publishing *the first issue of the Journal of Simple Systems (JSS)* on the website http://simple.silvert.org. This is not a commercial announcement, since no money is involved - you are free to browse the journal, read what you want and submit if you wish, all at no cost or profit. I hope that at least some of you find it entertaining, and perhaps you may even get some ideas that suggest that not everything in the world is as complicated as it seems.
Apologies in advance to those of you who feel that all scientific issues must be addressed with solemnity, a characteristic I have long failed to develop. Bill Silvert

*Herpetological Conservation and Biology*

Bill! You're doing what we did at *Herpetological Conservation and Biology*!!!! http://www.herpconbio.org. No page charges, no download fees!!!!

*Terrestrial Vegetation of California, 3rd Edition*

Michael Barbour is Professor of Plant Ecology at the University of California, Davis. Todd Keeler- Wolf is Senior Vegetation Ecologist, Biogeographic Data Branch, California Department of Fish and Game. Allan A. Schoenherr is Professor Emeritus at Fullerton College. http://go.ucpress.edu/Barbour

"This completely new edition of Terrestrial Vegetation of California clearly documents the extraordinary complexity and richness of the plant communities and of the state and the forces that shape them." -Harold Mooney, Professor of Environmental Biology, Stanford University

This thoroughly revised, entirely rewritten edition of what is the essential reference on California's diverse and ever-changing vegetation now brings readers the most authoritative, state-of-the-art view of California's plant ecosystems available. Integrating decades of research, leading community ecologists and field botanists describe and classify California's vegetation types, identify environmental factors that determine the distribution of vegetation types, analyze the role of disturbance regimes in vegetation dynamics, chronicle change due to human activities, identify conservation issues, describe restoration strategies, and prioritize directions for new research. Several new chapters address statewide issues such as the historic appearance and impact of introduced and invasive plants, the soils of California, and more. Full information about the book is available online: http://go.ucpress.edu/Barbour Lolita Guevarra, Electronic Marketing Coordinator, University of California Press
Tel. 510.643.4738

*The Biodiversity Informatics Facility*

The Biodiversity Informatics Facility at the American Museum of Natural History's Center for Biodiversity and Conservation is pleased to announce the release our new web site: http://biodiversityinformatics.amnh.org?mid=4
Our previous site (geospatial.amnh.org) has been completely redesigned and includes all of the original content plus several new resources. The new "Geospatial Resources for Freshwater Conservation" section provides links to a range of information, software, and data that are available on the Internet, as well as guides and case studies contributed by colleagues. This section will rely heavily on contributions from the freshwater community, such as, links to content that is on the Internet and content the can be posted on our site for anyone to see. If you have links or content you would like to contribute please contact us.
The Biodiversity Informatics Facility is increasing its involvement with open source projects by continuing to developing new tools and through community involvement in outside projects. Links and description of these resources can be found in the "Open Source Resources" section of our new site. We will release another new section on species distribution modeling within the next few weeks. We hope this web site is a valuable resource to people around the world.
Ned Horning, Biodiversity Informatics Facility, Center for Biodiversity and Conservation
American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West @ 79th St, New York, NY 10024
e-mail: horning@amnh.org, tel: 212-313-7947

*The MLS Celebration is November 17th! Please RSVP!*

The Master of Liberal Studies Program Celebration is Saturday, November 17th! Please RSVP by November 7. The celebration will include dinner, cocktails and music. We will celebrate the program's ten years of success and highlight the wonderful impacts MLS students have made in promoting good and sustainable communities. We will also announce the establishment of the MLS Endowment in honor of Bill Burke, Ph.D. Bill Burke, Ph.D., retired from the NAU English Department where he was a professor of American Literature for 26 years. Fortunately for the MLS program, his idea of retirement included continuing contact with graduate students. Soon after the MLS program was established, Bill joined our faculty and began to work tirelessly with students, helping them to sharpen their own visions of good and sustainable communities by writing with clarity and vitality. Word-by-word, paragraph-by-paragraph, he has given life to ideas and confidence to each of his students.
The Master of Liberal Studies Endowment in honor of Bill Burke will be used to support students; it will defray expenses for travel, conferences, workshop participation and costs associated with thesis research. As we celebrate our success, we also want to insure the sustainablity of the MLS program in years to come. We will hope you will consider a donation to this endeavor. For the opportunity to give to this fund, please contact holly.hulen@nau.edu or (928) 523-9359.
We hope you will join us in this celebration on November 17th. It will be an evening of fun! Below is detailed information. Please RSVP by November 7, 2007 to Holly.Hulen@nau.edu or (928) 523-9359. For event ticket payment, you may send a check to NAU- MLS - BOX 6031 - Flagstaff, AZ 86011 payable to MLS. The option to pay at the door will be available but please RSVP. Thank you and we hope to see you there! Time: 6:00 - 9:30, Place: Museum of Northern Arizona, Branigar/Chase Discovery Center, Ticket Cost: $35.00, Student Ticket Cost: $25.00

*JOBS -- JOBS -- JOBS*

*Postdoctoral Opportunity in Global Change Ecology*
Position number 4834
The University of Wyoming Department of Renewable Resources is soliciting applications for a full-time postdoctoral research associate to conduct research on the responses of northern mixed-grass prairie to global change. The research scientist will lead studies on ecosystem carbon and water cycle processes in the Prairie Heating and CO2 Enrichment (PHACE) experiment (www.phace.us) now underway at the High Plains Grasslands Research Station near Laramie, Wyoming. The scientist will have access to the University of Wyoming Stable Isotope Facility (uwacadweb.uwyo.edu/sif/) and opportunities to collaborate with a diverse group of researchers at UW and the USDA Agricultural Research Service in Fort Collins, Colorado. A PhD in ecology, hydrology, soil science, biogeochemistry or closely related field at the time of appointment is required. Familiarity with stable isotope approaches, gas exchange measurements and ecosystem modeling is desired. The position will be available February 1, 2008 and will offer a generous salary and benefits. Applications will be reviewed beginning December 15, 2007 and until the position is filled. To apply, please send a current CV, contact information for three references, and a brief description of research interests to Dr. David Williams (dgw@uwyo.edu). The University of Wyoming is a Carnegie Foundation Research/Doctoral Extensive Institution, and adheres to the principles of equal employment opportunity and diversity and welcomes applications from qualified individuals, independent of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, veteran status, sexual orientation or political belief. We welcome applications from diverse groups, including women and people of color, and international candidates.

*Postdoctoral research fellow on Ecological Modeling of Forested Landscapes*

The Forest Ecology Group at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich (see http://www.fe.ethz.ch) is seeking applications for the position of a *postdoctoral research fellow on Ecological Modeling of Forested Landscapes.* A complete description of this two- to four-year appointment with information on the requirements and the application procedure can be found under http://www.telejob.ch/telejob/offer.xml?offer=10053. Applications are due 25 November.
Prof. Harald Bugmann, Phone +41-44-632-3239 Fax +41-44-632-1110 E-mail harald.bugmann@env.ethz.ch

*Postdoctoral Position in Community/Ecosystems Ecology*

Department of Ecology, Evolution & Marine Biology, University of California-Santa Barbara
A postdoctoral position is available for a highly qualified individual to join my research group in studying how species diversity influences ecosystem processes in aquatic habitats. The goal of the current project is to merge contemporary ideas about how biodiversity influences 'ecosystem functioning' - which focus on the functional role of diversity within trophic levels - with classic ideas on trophic cascades - which focus on the functional role of diversity across trophic levels. Using a combination of field and laboratory experiments, we will assess how the strength of trophic cascades in streams (predatory fish to invertebrate herbivores to algae) vary as a function of producer and herbivore richness. Aside from managing planned projects, the successful applicant will be expected to develop an independent research program that compliments the broader goals of the project. Applicants must have a strong record of scholarly publication, solid quantitative skills, and be comfortable leading a team of undergraduate and graduate researchers. Prior experience in freshwater ecosystems is a plus, but not required. UCSB is scenically located between the beach and mountains, and boasts a terrific quality of life. Top-notch research facilities are available, and proximity to the National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis (NCEAS) offers unparalleled opportunity to broaden ones perspective and collaborate with eminent ecologists from around the world.
The initial appointment is for one year with full benefits and a competitive salary. Continued funding is available for a second year given satisfactory progress. The position is available immediately, and consideration of applications will continue until the position is filled. Please send a cover letter stating your research accomplishments and interests, a curriculum vitae, representative publications, and three letters of recommendation by email to: Bradley J. Cardinale, Ph.D., Department of Ecology, Evolution & Marine Biology, University of California-Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, Email: cardinale@lifesci.ucsb.edu
http://www.lifesci.ucsb.edu/eemb/faculty/cardinale

*Director of the Office of Cyberinfrastructure*

We are initiating a national search for the *Director of the Office of Cyberinfrastructure,* to be appointed June 2008 and we seek your assistance in the identification of candidates. Dr. Daniel Atkins has served in this position with great distinction since 2006. Established in July 2005, the Office of Cyberinfrastructure (OCI) coordinates and provides support for state-of-the-art cyberinfrastructure resources, tools and services essential to the conduct of 21st century science and engineering research and education. The incumbent ensures that the programmatic activities of the office are undertaken with vision, vigor and integrity. The OCI Director reports to the Director of the National Science Foundation, and is a member of the agency's executive leadership team. Enclosed is an information sheet that summarizes the Office's activities and the responsibilities of the position, together with the criteria that will be used in the search. Employment may be on a temporary or permanent basis in the Federal Service or by temporary assignment under provisions of the Intergovernmental Personnel Act.
We are very pleased to announce that Dr. Priscilla P. Nelson, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs at the New Jersey Institute of Technology, will chair the Screening Committee. We and the Committee seek your help in identifying candidates who recognize the potential that a world-class cyberinfrastructure provides to advance the frontier of science and engineering and to broaden participation in the research and education enterprise. The ideal candidate should demonstrate creative leadership and extraordinary vision for and commitment to promoting science and engineering discovery and learning through cyberinfrastructure innovation. Furthermore, the candidate should have a deep sense of scholarship and the ability to serve effectively as a key member of the NSF policy and management team. We are especially interested in identifying women, members of minority groups, and persons with disabilities for consideration. Recommendations of individuals from any sector -- academe, industry, or government -- are welcome. Please send your recommendations, including any supporting information which you might be able to provide, to OCI Director Screening Committee via e-mail (ocisrch@lists.nsf.gov) or at the following address: National Science Foundation, Office of the Director, Suite 1205, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22230. We would appreciate receiving them by February 15, 2008.
Attached, in Acrobat .PDF format, is this letter and the enclosures [pasted in below for Ecolog purposes]1. Your assistance in this very important task is appreciated.
Arden L. Bement, Jr., Director , Kathie L. Olsen, Deputy Director
Screening Committee Review Criteria for Director, Office of Cyberinfrastructure
We are seeking demonstrated evidence of:

• Strategic vision
• Working knowledge of the major current intellectual challenges and opportunities in cyberinfrastrcuture
• Ability to formulate strategic plans for research and education in cyberinfrastructure and multidisciplinary research activities. Leadership, Direction, and Representation
• Ability to serve effectively as a member of NSF's senior management, team, helping to develop consensus both within the directorate and across the agency on agency policy and plans
• Ability to plan, prioritize, and coordinate interagency and international research programs related to the Foundation's cyberinfrastructure portfolio
• Ability to manage an organization consisting of scientific and staff support personnel
• Ability to communicate NSF policy and strategic plans to the external community, including the public, the Congress, and scientific colleagues in other disciplines
• Credibility within Research and Education Community
• Deep sense of scholarship and significant scientific contributions to one or more of the fields related to next-generation cyberinfrastructure
• Broad understanding of universities and other institutions that conduct research and education in cyberinfrastructure.
• Familiarity with the existing U.S. and international infrastructure that supports cyberinfrastructure research
• High level of professional recognition in the science community as evidenced by positions held, publications, and/or professional awards.
• Commitment to the goals of the NSF Strategic Plan, including the integration of research and education, and the ability to conceptualize the role of cyberinfrastructure in achieving those goals
• Commitment to the employment and development of a highly qualified staff that reflects the diversity of our nation and to the equitable representation of underrepresented groups and institutions on advisory committees, in workshops, and proposal review panels.

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION, 4201 WILSON BOULEVARD, ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA 22230
The Office of Cyberinfrastructure (OCI) is a staff office within the Office of the Director. OCI supports applied research, development, and provisioning of shared and connecting advanced cyberinfrastructure to support and bridge science and engineering research and education.
Cyberinfrastructure (CI) includes technology and human expertise together providing highperformance computation; data storage, access and stewardship; global-scale networking; visualization and interaction; and distributed dynamic collaborations. Cyberinfrastructure is both an object of and means for research and learning.
The mission and activities of the Office of Cyberinfrastructure are guided by the Foundation's Cyberinfrastructure Vision for 21st Century Discovery (http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2007/nsf0728/index.jsp) and the cyberinfrastructure elements of the new NSF Strategic Plan (http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2006/nsf0648/nsf0648.jsp). OCI partners with all of NSF 1) to support the preparation and training of current and future generations of researchers and educators to use cyberinfrastructure; 2) to advance the transformative application of CI to research and learning; and 3) to track and transfer the relevant
products of basic research into future generations of cyberinfrastructure. The office promotes ongoing processes to identify and share common solutions, re-use, and best practices across the wide range of discipline-specific CI investments and initiatives. It also partners and leverages it investments with other federal agencies, private foundations, industry, and e-science/ cyberinfrastructure activities in other nations. The office has direct responsibility for a budget of about $200M per year with anticipated continuing increases in future years.
The Director, Office of Cyberinfrastructure (Office Director) serves as a key member of the NSF senior policy and management team. The Office Director provides leadership and direction to programs and initiatives within OCI. The Office Director is responsible for planning and implementing programs, priorities and policy within the framework of statutory authority and National Science Board authority. The Office Director must have outstanding leadership abilities. a deep sense of scholarship, clear vision regarding opportunities and issues in cyberinfrastructure research, and a commitment to attaining the goals through employment of the strategies of the National Science Foundation.

*We are seeking 8 highly motivated ornithologists*

to participate in a large- scale experimental study that investigates how avian communities respond to juniper-pinyon pine invasions. Primary study sites are replicated in isolated but scenic areas of Utah, Nevada, and Idaho. (Additional avian census sampling occurs in northeastern CA and eastern Oregon). Focal species include gray flycatcher, dusky flycatcher, sage thrasher, sage sparrow, vesper sparrow, brewer's sparrow, black-throated sparrow, and green-tailed towhee. Sampling protocol consists of point counts, territory mapping, behavioral observation, nest searching, target-netting and color-banding, and also vegetation sampling. Preference will be given to energetic, detail-oriented candidates with experience in songbird point- count surveys, nest-searching, territory mapping and mist-netting. GIS experience is also desirable for navigation and site selection purposes. This is a physically demanding job, involving hiking and camping in rugged terrain for 8 to 10 days and long extended hours during some periods of this research. Remote field conditions include exposure to wind, dust, heat, cold, and intense sun at elevations exceeding 5,000 feet. The 8 positions are full-time, temporary employment, at the following stations: 1) 30 miles south of Tooele, Utah, 2) 35 miles southwest of Eureka, Nevada, 3) 60 miles south of Marsing, Idaho. We are seeking one crew leader at the GG-7 level ($17.13/hour plus $18 field per diem) starting April 2 to approximately September 1, 2008, and seven GG-6 field technicians ($15.42/hour plus $18 field per diem) starting April 2 -15 to approximately September 1, 2008. For the GG-7 position, applicants need 2 years and 9 months of field experience, or five years of sub-professional work experience, or five years of college with courses related to the work of the position to be filled (with 18 hours of graduate level coursework). In addition, incumbent must be experienced in bird banding, at least 3 months, and surveying songbirds, at least 3 months. For the GG-6 position, applicants need 1 year and 9 months of field experience or 4 years of college with courses related to the work of the position to be filled, plus 3 months of songbird survey experience. For inquiries related to the positions, please contact Kevin Glueckert (208-559-1685; email: kglueckert@usgs.gov) or Matthias Leu (208-426-2598). To apply, please send: 1) cover letter indicating position, grade (GG-6 or GG-7), and location applying for; 2) resume including professional experience (** PLEASE ** indicate starting and ending dates with hours per week worked for each position), 3) three references, and 4) copies of academic transcripts (unofficial transcripts are acceptable). Application can be send via mail to Rhonda Dart (phone 208-426-5207), USGS, Snake River Field Station, 970 Lusk St., Boise ID 83706, or via email to: rhonda_dart@usgs.gov. Applications must be received by December 17, 2007.

*Assistant Professor - Animal Physiological Ecologist*

Department of Biology,Utah State University
Assistant Professor [tenure-track; 9-month appointment; Research and Teaching] in the Department of Biology, Utah State University (http://www.biology.usu.edu). We seek an animal physiological ecologist whose research addresses whole organism responses to anthropogenic and natural stressors in the environment, with an emphasis on the ecological and evolutionary implications of these responses. Preference will be given to applicants whose research complements established programs in community ecology, physiology, fisheries ecology, macroecology, evolutionary biology, functional genomics, and conservation ecology within the Biology Department (www.biology.usu.edu) and the Ecology Center (www.usu.edu/ecology/).
This is a 9-month, tenure track, position with approximately equal emphasis on teaching (undergraduate and graduate) and research. A Ph.D. is required, and evidence of proficiency in both teaching and research will be used as selection criteria. The successful applicant will be expected to establish and maintain an externally funded research program. Teaching responsibilities may include a course in Comparative Animal Physiology and a graduate course in Physiological Ecology.
Applicants must apply using the online system at: http://www.usu.edu/hr/. Applicants are required to submit:a letter of application stating qualifications and fit to this position, statements of research and teaching goals, curriculum vitae, and names andcontact information of three references. Applications will only be accepted through the online system but for further information and inquiries, please contact Keith Mott, Search Committee Chair, kmott@biology.usu.edu.
Review of applications will begin 14 December 2007 and continue until the position is filled. Utah State University (USU) is a Carnegie-I research institution of over 20,000 students, nestled in a semi-rural mountain valley 80 miles north of Salt Lake City. USU is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer, with professional spousal accommodation packages available for dual-career applicants. The University was recently chosen as a National Science Foundation ADVANCE Gender Equity Program recipient and is dedicated to recruiting stellar candidates from a diverse pool including women and minorities. Housing costs are at or below national averages, and the community provides a supportive environment for families and balanced personal/professional life. USU offers competitive salaries andoutstanding medical, retirement, and professional benefits (see http://www.usu.edu/hr/ for details).

*The Natural Capital Project is hiring a GIS ANALYST*

Please share this posting with anyone who may be interested!
The Nature Conservancy, World Wildlife Fund, and Stanford University together seek to fill the position of GIS Analyst for The Natural Capital Project. Our mission is to align economic forces with conservation by developing tools that make incorporating natural capital into decisions easy; by demonstrating the power of these tools on the ground; and by engaging leaders globally. The first tool we are developing models and maps the distribution of biodiversity and the flow of multiple ecosystem services across a landscape. We seek a creative individual for a 1 year position to support application of our models with stakeholders in our demonstration sites; China, Tanzania, California and Hawai'i.
The successful applicant will design and implement Arc toolbox elements to run our models and collect and format data. Applicants must have a M.S. or M.A. in geography, ecology, natural resource management, planning or a related field and experience developing Python scripts, conducting advanced spatial analyses (in ArcGIS 9.2 and GRASS), executing grid and vector analysis, automating spatial and tabular algorithms and acquiring and formatting data from diverse sources including remote sensing instruments. The position is based at Stanford University with Gretchen Daily and will require extensive interaction with interdisciplinary teams and substantial travel. Send CV, cover letter and names of 3 references to Heather Tallis (htallis@stanford.edu). We will begin evaluating applications on 23 November 2007.


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