Opportunities
Opportunities Available
Graduate Positions
Undergraduate Opportunities
Research Assistant Positions
Postdoctoral Positions
Graduate Opportunities
Several openings for M.S. and Ph.D. students to conduct fisheries ecology research in numerous aquatic systems, using field, laboratory, experimental, and modeling approaches. General research topics include: 1) understanding the interaction of population structure, community and ecosystem processes, and abiotic factors in driving population dynamics of black bass in Ohio reservoirs (adviser: Elizabeth Marschall); 2) understanding abiotic and biotic factors that drive hybrid striped bass (a stocked predator) habitat use, growth, and recruitment variation in Ohio reservoirs (adviser: Stuart Ludsin); 3) identifying factors that regulate the population dynamics and life-history strategies of Chaoborus (predatory zooplankton species) in Ohio reservoirs, as well as understanding the role that Chaoborus plays in driving community dynamics, energy flow, and fish recruitment in Ohio reservoirs that vary in biological (e.g., fish predation), physical (e.g., depth), and chemical (e.g., dissolved oxygen availability, nutrient availability) attributes (adviser: Stuart Ludsin); 4) understanding how hypoxia (low oxygen availability; aka “dead zone”) has been influencing fish behavior, population and fishery dynamics, and community structure in Lake Erie, Chesapeake Bay, the northern Gulf of Mexico, and/or inland reservoir systems (adviser: Stuart Ludsin); 5) exploring optimal energy allocation, parental effort allocation, and life-history traits in a changing environment (adviser: Elizabeth Marschall); and 6) understanding the genetic and environmental basis for coping with environmental stress (e.g., hypoxia, thermal change, pollutants) in zooplankton species and fishes, and identifying both short- and long-term costs associated with maintaining these coping mechanisms (adviser: Stuart Ludsin).
Location: Successful candidates would join a dynamic, interactive group of graduate students, post-docs, visiting scholars, and faculty at The Ohio State University’s Aquatic Ecology Laboratory (AEL) within the Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology (EEOB). Students would have the opportunity to work with Drs. Elizabeth Marschall, Stuart Ludsin, Roy Stein, & Jim Bauer, our newest AEL member.
Qualifications: A successful applicant will be creative, motivated, and capable of working well both independently and cooperatively. A degree in biology, ecology, aquatic sciences, or a related field is required. Students must have strong writing and quantitative skills.
Salary: ~$2,050/month with some health benefits; full support will exist for the entire degree program.
Start date: Summer or fall 2011.
How to apply: Interested students should send a cover letter, curriculum vitae, names/contact information for three references, and unofficial transcripts and GRE scores to Dr. Marschall and/or Dr. Ludsin at The Ohio State University, Aquatic Ecology Laboratory, 1314 Kinnear Road, 227 Research Center, Columbus, OH 43212-1156. Electronic or faxed submissions also are welcome (see below for contact information). In the cover letter, please briefly: describe your background; indicate which research areas interest you most (if a preference exists); state whether you are interested in pursuing a M.S. or Ph.D.; and identify when you would prefer to start (summer or fall 2011).
Contact: For additional information, visit http://ael.osu.edu/ or contact Elizabeth Marschall (marschall.2@osu.edu), Stuart Ludsin (ludsin.1@osu.edu), Roy Stein (stein.4@osu.edu), or Jim Bauer (bauer.362@osu.edu). Fax: 614-292-0181.
We are currently reviewing applications and will continue to do so until suitable applicants are found.
Undergraduate Opportunities
Independent Study (EEOB 693) - The Aquatic Ecology Laboratory is interested in energetic, committed undergraduate students who are interested in conducting independent research, for OSU credit, that focuses on ecologically oriented projects in freshwater ecosystems. For all projects, we ask students for, at minimum, a commitment of one year. For more information, please contact: Stuart Ludsin (ludsin.1 "at" osu.edu), Assistant Professor, EEOB, Elizabeth Marschall (marschall.2 "at" osu.edu), Associate Professor, EEOB, or Roy Stein (stein.4 "at" osu.edu), Professor, EEOB.
Independent Study (EEOB 293) - The Aquatic Ecology Laboratory provides course credit for one quarter (or more) of volunteer research experience in aquatic ecology. For more information, please contact: Stuart Ludsin (ludsin.1 "at" osu.edu), Assistant Professor, EEOB, Elizabeth Marschall (marschall.2 "at" osu.edu), Associate Professor, EEOB, or Roy Stein (stein.4 "at" osu.edu), Professor, EEOB.
Work Study - We are looking for qualified students to fill work-study positions at the Aquatic Ecology Laboratory. Specific tasks for our Work-Study students include field sampling, in-lab sample processing, and data entry. We strive to ensure that Work-Study students also will have opportunities to participate in lab and field research associated with other ongoing projects. Aquatic Ecology Laboratory graduate students and faculty are committed to educating Work-Study students in the fine art of scientific research in a cooperative and supportive work environment. We are looking for creative, hard-working students.
Requirements:
Federal Work-Study support (call 292-0300 for information)
A course in biology
An interest in aquatic ecology
Contact: Melissa Marburger (rmarburger.4@osu.edu) at 292-1613
Research assistant position
Aquatic Ecology Research Assistant (Undergraduate) – We are looking for undergraduate students looking to get hands-on lab experience. As an undergraduate research assistant, you would be involved in sample processing, lab maintenance, and data entry. Main duties include: assisting with basic lab research in aquatic ecology/limnology, handling and weighing chemicals, mixing reagents, processing water samples, lab and equipment maintenance, and keeping clear and accurate data record. We are looking for someone responsible, reliable, and with an interest in aquatic ecology, biology, or chemistry. Background in biology, chemistry, and math is desired but not a necessity. This is a great opportunity to become involved in research at OSU and develop your laboratory skills. We can offer up to 30 hrs/week of paid employment.
If you’re interested: Please send a copy of your resume to Sarah Wallace at Wallace.629@osu.edu Please be sure to indicate your major, year in school, and any relevant coursework or research experiences.
Postdoctoral Scientist Positions
Position in Evolution/Ecology Modeling
Dr. Elizabeth Marschall (Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University) is seeking a postdoctoral researcher to work on the development of mathematical models of behavior, life history, and population dynamics in a variety of ecological systems, particularly in response to climate change. We are interested in understanding how and why (in terms of natural selection) animals respond to a changing climate, including changes in growth and maturation patterns, movement and migrations, social behaviors, parental care, and life history traits, and how these responses translate into population-level responses. We are interested in these questions in a variety of study systems, including Great Lakes fisheries, long-lived seabirds, and river-migrating fish.
In addition to research activities, the postdoc will have undergraduate and graduate research mentoring responsibilities. If desired by the postdoc, formal teaching opportunities can be made available.
Qualifications: Minimum qualifications include a PhD in ecology or a related field. I seek an applicant with strong modeling, programming, and statistical skills with a background in ecology and evolution. Experience with dynamic state-variable models and analysis of large data sets will be helpful.
How to apply: Submit a cover letter summarizing your qualifications relative to the position description, a curriculum vitae, including names and contact information of three references, and a 1-page statement of research background and interests, preferably all in a single .pdf file to Melissa Marburger at marburger.4@osu.edu(please include “Marschall Postdoc” in the subject line). Application review will begin July 1 and will continue until a suitable candidate is found. An ideal start date would be September 1, 2013. Questions about the position can be addressed to Elizabeth Marschall at marschall.2@osu.edu.
Position in aquatic conservation ecology
Description:Dr. Stuart A. Ludsin (http://ael.osu.edu/people/