Research, Conservation, Education
Check out our page for the 2015 University of Kansas meeting for continuous updates. Just now, we have posted two updates about keynote, plenary, and presidential lecturers, symposia, meeting costs, and more. And check back, because more information is soon to come!
OPENING:
Research Zoologist
Department of Vertebrate Zoology
National Museum of Natural History
Smithsonian Institution
The Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History seeks a zoologist to conduct an integrative, specimen- or collection-based research program in vertebrate evolution and biodiversity, in the disciplines of herpetology, ichthyology, mammalogy, and/or ornithology, particularly herpetology. The successful candidate is expected to develop an internationally recognized research program that makes important contributions to understanding vertebrate evolution and biodiversity through integrative research involving phylogenetics, anatomy, development, genomics, biogeography, conservation, informatics, or related fields. Frequent publication of highly regarded papers in competitive, peer-reviewed journals, curation of collections in specialty area, service to the scientific community in leadership capacities, acquisition of external funding, engagement in outreach activities, and mentorship of students are expected.
Full-time 4-year term appointment* with full Government benefits to be filled at the GS-12 level; US citizenship required. The museum’s authorized salary range for this position at this time is $75,621 – $80,662 per annum. College transcripts and proof of U.S. accreditation for foreign study must be submitted online by the closing date of announcement or your application will be disqualified.For complete requirements and application procedures go to www.sihr.si.edu or www.usajobs.gov and refer to Announcement 14A-JW-299546-DEU-NMNH. The announcement opens Monday, September 29, 2014. Applications and all supporting documentationmust be received on-line by Monday, October 27, 2014 and must reference the announcement number.All applicants will be notified by email when their application is received. The Smithsonian Institution is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
*This is a permanent Federal position, the first four years of which are probationary.
Posted by request; please use contact above, not SSARHERPS.
Eurycea lucifuga from Giles County, VA
For the SSAR website, we are always seeking people who will create new blog posts, including SSAR relevant news items such as job openings, new interesting herpetology related publications, SSAR-specific society updates, herpetology-focused meetings (or on talks presented at general meetings that focused on herpetology), and other fun herp facts or videos. Writing blog posts will give people an opportunity to be involved with SSAR and is a perfect opportunity for undergraduates and graduate students, but it’s open to anyone who is interested in contributing. If you would like to contribute blog posts to the SSAR website, please send us an e-mail, and we can provide you with additional information.
Todd Pierson (Univ. Georgia) and Vinny Farallo (Ohio Univ.), some of the web committee members charged with revamping the entire SSAR website, are hard at work ‘salamandering’ in April. Getting nice and muddy, flipping logs and creek-walking are the only ways to tackle this kind of work!
Also, decided that Urspelerpes is the smallest salamander in the USA.
In honor and memory of Prof. David J. Morafka, distinguished herpetologist and authority on North American gopher tortoises, the Desert Tortoise Council, with the aid of several donors, has established a monetary award to help support research that contributes to the understanding, management and conservation of tortoises of the genus Gopherus in the southwestern United States and Mexico: G. agassizii, G. morafkai, G. berlandieri, and G. flavomarginatus.
Desert Tortoise Council
Award Amount: $2,000 to be awarded at the Desert Tortoise Council’s Annual Symposium, depending on the availability of funding and an appropriate recipient.
Eligibility: Applicants must be associated with a recognized institution (e.g., university, museum, government agency, non-governmental organization) and may be graduate students, post-doctoral students, or other researchers. They must agree to present a report on the results of the research in which award funds were used at a future symposium of the Desert Tortoise Council.
Evaluation Criteria: Applications will be evaluated on the basis of the potential of the research to contribute to the biological knowledge of one or more of the above gopher tortoise species, and to their management and conservation. Important considerations are the significance and originality of the research problem, design of sampling and analysis, preliminary data supporting the feasibility of the research, and the likelihood of successful completion and publication.
Application Procedure:
1. Download and open an application form from the Desert Tortoise Council’s website. The form is electronically interactive.
2. Provide all information requested on the application, including a description of the research project in no more than 1,200 words.
3. Submit the completed application to grstewart@csupomona.edu as a pdf document.
4. Applications must be supported by the applicant’s CV and three letters of recommendation, one of which must be from the applicant’s research advisor, supervisor, or a knowledgeable colleague. Instruct the recommenders to submit their letters to grstewart@csupomona.edu as pdf documents.
5. All application materials and letters of recommendation must be received by December 1, 2014. They will be evaluated by a committee of gopher tortoise biologists appointed by the Desert Tortoise Council Board of Directors.
6. The research award recipient will be notified of his/her selection by January 19, 2015 and the award will be presented at the 2015 Desert Tortoise Council Symposium,
Black-chinned Red Salamander (photo by Todd W. Pierson)
Did you know it’s the Year of the Salamander ? See read more on Partners for Amphibian and Reptile Conservation on this special focus on salamanders.
See more of Todd’s photos on Flickr
