Opportunities | Aquatic Ecology Laboratory

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Graduate Opportunities - Fall 2023 Postings

PhD Position in Freshwater Ecology - Dr. Bruckerhoff

Description: Intermittent streams dominate river networks, transecting lands ranging from agrarian fields to nature preserves. They provide resources for diverse aquatic and terrestrial assemblages, and regulate downstream water, energy, and nutrient availability. Patterns of stream drying, such as the timing and duration of days with no flow, describe the hydrologic regime of these dynamic systems, but are not well understood. This project will assess dynamics of intermittent habitats and link drying patterns to the fish and crayfish that use them to identify species vulnerable to drought and understand how stream communities will respond to climate change. The successful applicant will be expected to work as part of a collaborative team that includes researchers at Kansas State University and Texas Tech University, so in addition to experience working in aquatic systems and a strong education in ecology, I seek applicants that value collaboration and teamwork.

Position Type: PhD Student

Location: Successful candidates will join a dynamic, interactive group of students, post-docs and faculty at the Ohio State University's Aquatic Ecology Laboratory (ael.osu.edu) within the Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology (eeob.osu.edu). The candidate chosen will specifically work with the Bruckerhoff Freshwater Community Ecology Lab.

The Bruckerhoff Freshwater Community Ecology Lab is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We are committed to fostering an environment where diversity of background and thought is accepted and encouraged. We encourage all interested people to apply despite preconceived notions of their own experience as it relates to this project’s objectives.

Minimum Qualifications:

B.S. or B.A. in ecology, biology, fisheries, natural resources, or a closely related discipline
Undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or greater (as required by the Graduate School)
Highly motivated with a strong work ethic

Desired Qualifications:

MS in in ecology, biology, fisheries, natural resources, or a closely related discipline
Experience sampling freshwater fishes and crayfishes
Experience with GIS and experience or interest in quantitative approaches and computer programming
Experience leading and conducting independent research or planning/coordinating daily field surveys/activities.
Excellent oral communication and technical writing skills.

Salary: ~$2,625/month plus a full tuition waiver and employer supported benefits

Start Date: Spring 2024 (negotiable)

How To Apply: Please combine the following into a single PDF file:

Single-page cover letter;
Curriculum Vitae/ Resume;
Contact information (i.e., name, affiliation, email, and phone number) for 3 references;
Unofficial GRE scores (if available);
Unofficial undergraduate transcripts; and
A relevant writing sample.

Send the PDF file as an attachment to bruckerhoff.2@osu.edu with a subject line, “phd-intermittent streams”. I receive a lot of inquiries from potential students, so please use the suggested subject line to ensure your application will be assessed. Please note that applications will be reviewed as they are received, and a candidate may be selected before the closing date. The departmental application deadline is November 15.

For additional information about application procedures and requirements, visit EEOB Graduate Program Admissions page.

PhD Position: Pilot Watershed Project

Description: This is part of a large, collaborative U.S. Department of Agriculture funded project that is using a control-impact approach to understand how implementation of best management practices on agricultural fields influences phosphorus exports from two paired watersheds. The Hood Lab’s component of this project examines how these management interventions influences phosphorus cycling in streams and ditches. This project can support a student on a graduate research assistantship for 1 semester and 1 summer for four years. The student would be supported by a GTA for the other semester.

Position Type: PhD Student

Qualifications: The ideal candidate will be highly motivated and honest, with strong quantitative skills, an interest in applied aquatic ecology, and a background in ecology, biogeochemistry, and/or aquatic science. I seek to maintain a productive, diverse, and team-orientated lab group and especially encourage students from under-represented groups to consider joining the lab.

Salary: The selected student will be supported by teaching and research assistantships. In EEOB, graduate assistantship includes a stipend of ~$2,400 per month, health benefits, and a tuition/fee waiver.

How To Apply: If interested, please email Jim Hood (hood.211@osu.edu) a single PDF containing (1) a statement of interest, (2) a CV, and (3) contact information for three references. I will begin reviewing candidate applications immediately and ultimately invite selected applicants to apply to the department. The department's application deadline is 15 Nov 2023.

For additional information about application procedures and requirements, visit EEOB Graduate Program Admissions page.

MS Position: Phosphorus transformations from riverine loads to summer cyanobacteria blooms

Description: This project, which is a collaboration with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Cooperative Institute for Great Lakes Research (CIGLR), looks at how phosphorus cycles across a transect from the upstream reaches of the Maumee River to the western basin of Lake Erie by characterizing longitudinal patterns in different phosphorus fractions (total phosphorus, dissolved phosphorus, colloidal phosphorus, as well as phosphorus associated with specific organic and inorganic fractions). This project can support a student on a graduate research assistantship for 1 semester and 1 summer for two years. The student would be supported by a GTA for the other semester.

Position Type: MS Student

For additional information about application procedures and requirements, visit EEOB Graduate Program Admissions page.

Description: The Aquatic Conservation and Ecology Lab (u.osu.edu/pennocklab) is recruiting a PhD student to conduct basic and applied research in fish ecology. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to help design their project to align with their research interests and those of the lab, with the potential opportunity to conduct fieldwork, carry out experiments, synthesize existing datasets, or work with museum collections. This position will be fully supported by a Graduate Teaching Assistantship unless outside research funding is acquired.

Location: The successful candidate will join a dynamic, interactive group of students, postdoctoral associates, and faculty at The Ohio State University’s Aquatic Ecology Laboratory (ael.osu.edu) within the Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology (eeob.osu.edu).

Qualifications: M.S. degree in biology, ecology, fisheries, natural resources, or a closely related field is strongly preferred. Undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or greater (as required by the Graduate School). Successful applicants will be creative, motivated, and capable of working effectively both independently and in collaborative groups.

We seek to maintain a productive, diverse, and collaborative lab group and especially encourage students from under-represented groups to consider joining the lab.

Stipend: ~$2,625/month plus full tuition wavier and employer supported benefits.

Start date: Summer or Fall 2024

How to apply: If interested, please email Dr. Casey Pennock (Pennock.17@osu.edu) with the subject line "Pennock PhD Position" and include:

A letter of interest that briefly describes your educational and research background, as well as your research interests and goals;
A curriculum vitae (or resume);
An unofficial copy of your transcript(s);
Contact information for at least three professional references; and
GRE scores (if available, but not required), and if applicable, TOEFL/TSE scores.

I will begin reviewing candidate applications immediately and ultimately will invite selected candidates to apply to the department. The department’s application deadline is November 15^th, 2023.

Additional information: For additional information about application procedures and requirements, visit eeob.osu.edu/grad/program-admissions. For more information about the Aquatic Ecology Laboratory or the Pennock-Aquatic Conservation and Ecology Lab, please visit the websites above.

Find a pdf of this position description here.

At the AEL we seek highly qualified, enthusiastic graduate students that are creative, motivated, and capable of working well both independently and cooperatively. 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). Interested applicants should check back for postings (usually in late summer or early fall) or reach out to AEL faculty Lindsey Bruckerhoff, Jim Hood, Stuart Ludsin, or Casey Pennock.

Undergraduate Opportunities

Description: Student Assistant to assist graduate students with identifying plankton species from water samples and counting numbers of different taxa. Essential duties include, identifying and counting plankton, recording high quality data, maintaining and carefully preserving specimens while counting, communicating with supervising graduate student on progress and challenges. May participate in developing their own research project, as well as assist with data analysis and write-up, and attend lab meetings.

Location: The candidate will work with Veterinary Medicine researchers Dr. Rebecca Garabed and graduate student Jeremiah Cox. The work location will be Ohio State University's Aquatic Ecology Laboratory (ael.osu.edu) within the Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology (eeob.osu.edu).

Qualifications: Requires completion of an undergraduate biology course, experience with microscopy, attention to detail, enjoy repetitive tasks, and work independently. Desired qualifications: Working with biology research and coursework in limnology.

How to Apply: Find the posting at the following link or by searching R89291 in Workday https://www.myworkday.com/osu/d/inst/15$392530/9925$190406.htmld

We are looking for qualified students to fill work-study positions at the AEL. 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 have opportunities to participate in lab and field research associated with other ongoing projects. AEL graduate students and faculty are committed to educating Work-Study students in the art of scientific research in a cooperative and supportive work environment.

Projects with Dr. Lindsey Bruckerhoff: R88697 - apply here

Projects with Dr. Casey Pennock: R88875 - apply here

Projects with Dr. Stuart Ludsin: R84803 - apply here

The Aquatic Ecology Laboratory (AEL) 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 Drs. Lindsey Bruckerhoff, Jim Hood, Stuart Ludsin, or Casey Pennock.

Technician & Postdoctoral Opportunities

Job Description

One full-time position for a research assistant is available in the Aquatic Ecology Lab at The Ohio State University. The Research Technician will work on the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA) and Ohio Department of Natural Resources– Division of Wildlife (ODNR-DOW) funded Lake Erie Plankton Abundance Study (LEPAS). LEPAS has been monitoring phytoplankton and zooplankton in Lake Erie since 1995.

The Research Technicians’ duties will include counting zooplankton samples, analyzing chlorophyll a samples, overseeing undergraduate volunteers/workers (helping with sample buffering, chlorophyll a samples, or counting Bythotrephes samples). The Research Technician will also mentor undergraduate workers and volunteers. Ideally, the Research Technician would also help manage the LEPAS plankton database, prepare data for collaborators, and assist in drafting proposals, annual reports, and proposal budgets.

Location

Successful candidates will join a dynamic, interactive group of technicians, students, post-docs, and faculty at The Ohio State University’s Aquatic Ecology Laboratory (http://ael.osu.edu/) within the Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology (http://eeob.osu.edu/).

Qualifications

Minimum requirements: Bachelor’s Degree in ecology or related field. Two years of experience in laboratory enumerating invertebrate taxa, preferably zooplankton. This experience could include undergraduate or graduate research.

Desired qualifications: Ability to identify Great Lakes zooplankton to species. Proficiency with the R statistical language and SQL (structure query language) databases, including the ability to write R and SQL code for entering, querying, and manipulating data from an SQL database, as well as to implement corrections or structural changes in SQL databases for research purposes. This is an excellent position to further develop R coding and database management skills.

Compensation

$17.10 - $22.50 per hour. The offer for this position will fall within this range based on internal equity, unit's available budget, and the candidate's qualifications.

How to apply

Applications can be submitted through this posting at The Ohio State University classified site. Please direct questions to Jim Hood (hood.211@osu.edu). We will start reviewing applications on September 15^th and continue until the position is filled.

Apply online at https://osu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/OSUCareers/job/Columbus-Campus/Research-Senior-Technician_R78883

None at this time.