Sea Grant Research Assistant Position Announcement

Texas Sea Grant is hiring a research assistant in College Station, TX. Candidates with a bachelor's degree or higher in a science field are eligible to apply. Go to https://tamujobs.tamu.edu/applicants/jsp/shared/frameset/Frameset.jsp?time=1344601109484 and search for NOV# 121666 for more details.

Postdoc in Integrative Biology at UT Austin

The Section of Integrative Biology at the University of Texas at Austin invites applications for a Postdoctoral Fellow in Integrative Biology. This subject area is broadly defined to include evolution, ecology, and behavior. The Fellow will be expected to conduct an independent high-quality research program in collaboration with at least two faculty in the Section. For information about the Section of Integrative Biology at UT and its faculty, visit http://www.biosci.utexas.edu/ib/ .  In addition, one semester per year the Fellow will co-teach an undergraduate course on Research Methods, as part of the UTeach program for training K-12  science teachers. For information about the UTeach program, visit http://www.uteach.utexas.edu/

The position is for two years, subject to annual review. The Fellow is requested to start work at the University of Texas no later than August 2013. There is an annual salary of $40,000 with an additional $10,000 per year in research support for travel, equipment, or supplies.

Applicants should electronically submit a single pdf file containing the following, in order:

1) Coverletter, including mention of the proposed faculty sponsors (max 1 page). Candidates are advised contact potential faculty sponsors prior to applying, to gauge the level of mutual interest.

2) CV

3) Statement of research accomplishments (maximum 2 pages).

4) Statement describing the candidate's proposed research for the duration of this postdoctoral position (maximum 2 pages).

5) Statement describing the candidate's teaching experience and philosophy (maximum 2 pages)

6) Copies of 2 publications

7) List of three references, with contact information (email, telephone, and mailing address). We will request letters directly from these references, after identifying top candidates.

The application pdf file should be emailed to ibjob@austin.utexas.edu, with a subject line "IB Postdoc Application: ". Applications must be received by January 11, 2013. For questions about this position, please send an email to ibjob@austin.utexas.edu, or contact a prospective faculty mentor in the department.

We encourage applications from candidates that have recently completed, or will soon complete, their Ph.D.

Advice for grad students and post docs seeking tenure track positions

I came across this blog today, and although it is a little bit depressing (there are only so many tenure-track positions to go around!), I think there is good advice within. In particular, note that every single postdoc interviewed for the blog stressed the importance of publications and perseverance.
http://blogs.mcgill.ca/gradlife/2012/07/31/post-doc-testimonials-on-getting-a-tenure-track-job/

This blog also led me to the following two articles with advice for graduate school and beyond. The second is much less cynical than the first, but they both contain good advice and food for thought. I especially like Huey's assertion (in the second article) that "Contrary to widespread opinion, writing and publishing can be fun. More important, the process of writing is a positive learning experience - my understanding of my own research is invariably enhanced while developing a paper or grant proposal." Sure, writing is hard work, but in the end, it gives your research context and meaning for an audience beyond your graduate committee.
http://faculty.washington.edu/hueyrb/pdfs/advice.pdf
http://faculty.washington.edu/hueyrb/pdfs/reply.pdf

I am often asked, how did I end up in a tenure-track position? Of course, there were many contributing factors. But, I can highlight two key points: (1) I was no superstar, but I had a respectable publication list (about 10) from my PhD and postdoc. (2) The job was just the right fit - my research experiences meant I could teach the specialty upper division classes that needed to be taught, and I could perform research in a relevant field that complimented the research interests of other faculty. I didn't find that "perfect fit" right away, but kept looking anyway. So, the blogs above were right: (1) publications and (2) perseverance got me to where I am today.

TPWD position for recent grads

Position Title: Natural Resource Specialist I-III/Hydroacoustic Survey Specialist

Agency: Coastal Fisheries Division, Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD)

Job Location: TPWD Dickinson Marine Lab – Dickinson, TX

Responsibilities:  Under the direction of the Upper Coast Regional Director, the Natural Resources Specialist performs duties directly related to the collection, processing and dissemination of acoustic survey data for the conservation, management, restoration and monitoring of oyster habitat and ecosystem-based coastal management.  Assists with design, construction and monitoring of oyster habitat restoration/mitigation projects.  Provides leadership to staff and program coordination.  Assists with data analysis, report and grant writing, and USCOE permit applications.  Operates equipment safely and maintains fisheries specific gear, equipment and facilities.  Promotes public awareness of Department and Program activities.  Performs additional duties as assigned.  Complies with all Agency, Division and Branch rules, regulations and procedures.

Working Conditions: (1) Required to work hours other than 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with days off other than Saturday, Sunday and holidays as needed; (2) Required to travel with possible overnight stays; (3) Required to perform work outdoors, occasionally in adverse weather conditions; (4) Non-smoking environment in State buildings and vehicles.  NOTE: 25% Travel required for this position.

  

Minimum Qualifications:

·        Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a relevant BA/BS degree in Biology; Mariculture or Fisheries Science; Ecology; or one of the natural sciences or closely related field.

·        Experience:

·        Natural Resources Specialist (NRS) I: No experience required.

·        NRS II: Two years’ relevant experience required.

·        NRS III: Six years relevant experience.

·        License/Certifications: Must possess or be able to obtain, within 30 days of employment, a valid Class "C" Texas driver's license. NOTE: Retention of position contingent upon obtaining and maintaining license. 

·        Preferred Licensure:

1.      A current Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus (SCUBA) certification.

Additional Requirements; Knowledge, Skills & Abilities; Salary; Application and all other Information: may be found athttp://agency.governmentjobs.com/tpwd/default.cfm and click on Job #12-00-596   

Wildlife Biologist position in Naples, FL for college grads

Job Title:Wildlife Biologist

Department:Department Of The Interior

Agency:Interior, US Fish and Wildlife Service

Job Announcement Number:R4-12-692886-HW

SALARY RANGE:	$31,315.00 to $40,706.00 / Per Year
OPEN PERIOD:	Friday, June 29, 2012 to Wednesday, July 11, 2012
SERIES & GRADE:	GS-0486-05
POSITION INFORMATION:	Full Time - Term NTE 4-Years
PROMOTION POTENTIAL: 05
DUTY LOCATIONS:	1 vacancy(s) in the following locations: Naples, FL United States
WHO MAY BE CONSIDERED:	United States Citizens This position is located with the Department Of Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Southeasten Region, Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge, Naples, FL. In this position the incumbent collects basic data from field investigations of habitat management and restoration actions and makes observations in which biological conditions are readily identifiable.

http://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/PrintPreview/320012700

What happens when you make sea level rise illegal?

http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/plugged-in/2012/05/30/nc-makes-sea-level-rise-illegal/

Student Services Contractor Position with EPA in Gulf Breeze, FL

Student contractor position at EPA office in Gulf Breeze, Florida, for toxicity work on aquatic organisms. Only a bachelor's degree is necessary and it pays $21 an hour. 

http://www.epa.gov/oamrtpnc/q1200118/sowa.pdf