University of Wyoming Ecosystem Science and Management

04/14/2020

Dr. Murphy and the Biodiversity Institute are hiring a post doc. For questions, contact melanie.murphy at uwyo.edu.

https://uwyo.taleo.net/careersection/00_ex/jobdetail.ftl?job=20000715&tz=GMT-06%3A00&tzname=America%2FDenver

03/09/2020

03/09/2020

For , we want to highlight Dr. Melanie Murphy, the new director of UWYO Program in Ecology and Associate Professor in Ecosystem Science and Management. Melanie studies a variety of different taxa ranging from birds and small mammals to plants and invertebrates. She tries to understand species distribution and connectivity in their environments - particularly for species of conservation concern and landscapes that have anthropogenic influence. She uses environmental DNA (DNA shed in the environment) to get more information about species presence. To study their connectivity, she uses genetic data to see how closely related individuals are across a space.

We asked Melanie what she wanted others to know about her research and she explained “rarity” within biodiversity. She said, “Species can actually be rare in multiple different ways. They can be rare in the extreme case in that they’re only found in one area at really low numbers. They could also be species that are geographically broadly distributed, but you don’t see very many of them across that wide range. The type of rarity that species are should inform us on how they respond to changes in landscapes and also to how we manage those environments.” Is there a UW researcher you believe should be featured in our next ? (2/2)

12/10/2018

PhD Graduate Assistantship available to work with Dr. Melanie Murphy (Department of Ecosystem Science and Management/Program in Ecology), Dr. Annika Walters (Department of Zoology and Physiology/Program in Ecology) and Dr. Anna Chalfoun (Department of Zoology and Physiology/Program in Ecology) at University of Wyoming in collaboration with Dr. Doug Keinath (Wyoming Ecological Services, USFWS).

The Wyoming toad (Anaxyrus baxteri) is one of the most endangered amphibians in North America, which rapidly declined in the 1970s due to unknown causes. This narrow-range endemic was listed under the ESA in 1984 and is now considered extinct in the wild. In the early 1990s, managers collected the remaining individuals to establish a captive breeding program. A small population at Mortenson Lake National Wildlife Refuge sustained by captive-release is now one of the only known, non-captive populations of Wyoming toads. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently improved captive facilities to allow regular release of adult Wyoming toads into the wild in order to foster increased reproduction and survival. This resulted in notable increases in reproduction, as evidenced by regular wild breeding, but changes in survival are questionable because the released animals are being observed less frequently than expected. Since all released toads are uniquely identified, tracking these animals offers a unique opportunity to collect longitudinal information on: 1) individual survival, 2) individual behavior and habitat selection, 3) individual health status (e.g., Chytrid fungus (Bd) infection rate), and 4) how survival, behavior and health status relate to genotype.
Prospective students with a background in wildlife, natural resources, ecology, and/or population genetics are encouraged to apply. Evidence of robust analytical skills, ability to work independently under stochastic field conditions, strong work ethic, scientific writing, passion for scientific inquiry, and aptitude for collaborative research are expected. Additional skills in radio-tracking anuran species and population genetics laboratory skills (particularly using low quality/low quantity DNA) will be preferred. Work will require animal care, hiking, working in harsh field conditions at high elevation, working in wetlands and driving a 4WD vehicle. To apply, please send a statement of interest, complete CV, unofficial transcripts, unofficial GRE scores, and contact information for three professional references as a single PDF file (LastName_WyomingToad.pdf) to [email protected]. Application deadline is December 12, 2018, although review of applicants will begin immediately. Start date could be as early as January 28, 2019, but is flexible for the right candidate. However, candidate must be available for field season preparations with field season to start mid-May.

Area and Institution: University of Wyoming (www.uwyo.edu) is ideally located in Laramie, Wyoming with easy access to varied field sites and outdoor recreation opportunities. In addition, the campus is only 1 hour from Fort Collins and ~2 hours from an international airport (Denver, CO). Applicants are encouraged to investigate the Program in Ecology (www.uwyo.edu/pie), an integrated, interdepartmental PhD program in ecological science.

The University of Wyoming, a land-grant university, welcomes over 14,000 students from 50 states and 90 countries.

09/14/2018

A group of UWYO students joined with CSU students, NRCS, BLM, and NPS employees to describe and sample soils in coordination with rangeland management and ecological site description development. University of Wyoming Ecosystem Science and Management offers a 1 credit course to gain field soil morphology experience - contact Dr. Karen Vaughan for more info!

Students and faculty from UWYO and CSU joined together with NPS, NRCS, and BLM employees to gain field experience in soil morphology and inform rangeland management decisions.

09/14/2018

Students and faculty from UWYO and CSU joined together with NPS, NRCS, and BLM employees to gain field experience in soil morphology and inform rangeland management decisions.

03/20/2018

The University of Wyoming Soil Judging Team is competing in the National Collegiate Soils Contest in Martin, Tennessee this week! We're on day 3 of 4 practice days - with the individual contest on Thursday and group contest on Friday. Twenty two universities from around the US qualified to compete this year! Follow on Instagram for more regular updates!

03/16/2018

ESM is hiring an herbivore ecologist.

Assistant Professor of Rangeland Herbivore Ecology and Management Department of Ecosystem Science and Management, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Wyoming

The University of Wyoming invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor with research expertise in large herbivore ecology and management, focusing on semiarid and arid rangeland livestock systems. This appointment, along with a position in Rangeland Vegetation Ecology (http://bit.ly/2DwjiVv JOBID 9456), will contribute to the rangeland ecology and management program in the Department of Ecosystem Science and Management
(ESM) (http://www.uwyo.edu/esm/), the PhD Program in Ecology(http://www.uwyo.edu/pie/), and an emerging, interdisciplinary Spatial Sciences Initiative. The successful candidate is expected to build a strong extramurally-funded research program in large herbivore ecology and management. This program will strengthen ecological understanding of the spatial and temporal processes of plant-herbivore interactions on rangelands that provide novel insights to inform rangeland management for state and federal agencies, and production and conservation organizations. A typical research/teaching/service position such as this one in ESM includes teaching 3 courses per year (2 undergraduate and 1 graduate). The selected candidate will teach required undergraduate courses (Nutritional Ecology and Management of Rangeland Herbivores [REWM 4100/5100] and 1 other semester course per year), be involved in coaching undergraduate students on Society for Range Management (SRM) academic teams, advise undergraduate students, design and teach a new course to graduate students (taught one semester per year), mentor graduate students, and provide departmental, university, and professional service.

Minimum Qualifications
1. PhD in Rangeland Ecology, Range Science, Animal Science, Wildlife Ecology, or related discipline.
2. Strong publication record in top management and ecological journals that includes work concerning spatial processes of plant-livestock interactions in rangeland systems.
3. Demonstrated record of grantsmanship and high potential for establishing an extramurally funded research program that includes applied and basic research.
4. High potential for effective teaching. Specifically, the ability to teach rangeland herbivore nutritional ecology and management (REWM 4100/5100) and other undergraduate and graduate courses in rangeland ecology and management.
5. Expertise in spatial science.

Preferred Qualifications
1. Postdoctoral or equivalent research experience.
2. Demonstrated university-level teaching experience, with preference for record of independent teaching. Experience teaching courses in rangeland ecology and management, or livestock behavior or nutrition courses will be looked upon favorably.
3. Preference for candidates with the ability to develop teaching, research, and service programs in ecology and management of rangeland ecosystems of western North America including wild and domestic rangeland large herbivores that characterize these landscapes.
4. Demonstrated use of conventional and emerging spatial and analytical tools to answer complex questions regarding plant-large herbivore interactions in rangeland systems. Specific tools will depend on the research emphases of the successful candidate, but examples include: quantitatively intensive techniques; remote sensing; spatial analysis; expertise in toxic plant properties and effects on livestock and wildlife; modeling distribution or habitat selection for rangeland herbivores; analyses of vegetation quantity/quality that influence large herbivore nutrition and distribution; and new tools to evaluate diet quality (e.g., NIRS) and composition (e.g., DNA meta-barcoding).
5. Record of membership and involvement in SRM or other natural resource management oriented professional organizations, and experience and interest in collaborating with state and federal agencies and livestock producers to advance conservation and management decisions.
The University of Wyoming invites diverse applicants to consider our employment opportunities. We are also especially interested in candidates who have experience working with diverse populations and/or diverse initiatives.
About UW: The University of Wyoming (UW) is the state’s only provider of baccalaureate and graduate education, research, and outreach services. UW combines major-university benefits and small-school advantages, renowned faculty, and world-class research facilities all set in the backdrop of southeastern Wyoming’s rugged mountains and high plains. UW offers varied academic and lifestyle opportunities including year-round cultural and recreational activities.
UW is 5th in America’s Best College Buys, offers a low student/faculty ratio, and is among the nation’s top universities ranked by U.S. News & World Report and Forbes.
Located in Laramie,
UW offers 197 areas of study and draws over 13,000 students from all 50 states and more than
90 countries. Laramie offers excellent schools, a hospital, and several long-term care facilities.
UW cultural programming provides the community with many cultural experiences throughout the year. The nearby Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest and Rocky Mountains provide quick access to outdoor activities on public lands. Denver, Colorado, located 2½ hours south of Laramie offers shopping, concerts, theatre, professional sports, and international flight connections.
Additional information regarding the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources can be found at (http://www.uwyo.edu/uwag/), the Department of Ecosystem Science and Management at (http://www.uwyo.edu/esm/index.html), the Rangeland Ecology and Watershed Management undergraduate degree at (http://www.uwyo.edu/esm/undergraduate-programs/),
and ESM
graduate degrees at
(http://www.uwyo.edu/esm/graduate/prospective/majors/rangeland.html).
For more information about the region, please visit http://visitlaramie.org/
3
Required Materials
Complete an on-line application and upload the following as a single PDF document (job ID
9490):
https://jobs.uwyo.edu/psp/EREC/UWEXTERNAL/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM.HRS_CE.GBL?Page
1. Cover letter
2. Curriculum vitae
3. Research statement
4. Teaching philosophy
5. Statement about the applicant’s commitment and ability to work with and include diverse participants in science education and scholarship 6. Contact information for three work-related references Review of applicants begins 30 March 2018.
For questions regarding this position please email the search committee chair, Dr. Jeff Beck
([email protected])

02/27/2018

EMS is hiring a Rangeland Vegetation Ecologist!

Assistant Professor of Rangeland Vegetation Ecology
Department of Ecosystem Science and Management
University of Wyoming

The University of Wyoming Department of Ecosystem Science and Management invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor with research expertise in rangeland vegetation ecology. Additionally, the position will contribute to the Spatial Sciences Initiative and the graduate Program in Ecology (http://www.uwyo.edu/pie/). The successful candidate is expected to build a strong research program in rangeland vegetation ecology that advances ecological understanding of rangeland systems and provides novel insights to inform rangeland management. In addition, the successful candidate will provide undergraduate teaching (including Range Ecosystems and Plants [REWM 2400], coaching the undergraduate Society for Rangeland Management (SRM) plant ID team, advising undergraduate students), graduate teaching (design and teach graduate course(s), mentor graduate students), curate the range herbarium, and provide departmental, university, and professional service.

Minimum Qualifications
1. PhD in Rangeland Ecology, Ecology, Botany, or closely related field with a strong publication record of rangeland research in top ecological and management journals.
2. Record of grantsmanship and high potential for establishing an extramurally funded research program that includes basic and applied research.
3. High potential for effective teaching. Specifically, the ability to teach rangeland plant identification and other undergraduate courses in rangeland ecology and management
4. Research and teaching that incorporates spatial sciences as the successful candidate will contribute to Spatial Science Initiative.
Preferred Qualifications
1. Post-PhD research experience.
2. In-depth understanding of current tools and concepts in rangeland ecology and management, with preference for candidates with expertise in western North American rangeland systems.
3. Demonstrated use of spatial analytical and statistical tools to better understand rangeland vegetation ecology (e.g., remote sensing, spatial analysis, analytically intensive techniques).
4. Demonstrated university-level teaching experience, with preference for record of independent teaching.
5. Experience in addressing applied ecological questions with direct application implications as demonstrated by publication history, record of membership and involvement in SRM or other natural resource management-oriented professional organization(s), and experience and interest in collaborating with state and federal agencies to advance conservation and management decisions.
The University of Wyoming invites diverse applicants to consider our employment opportunities. We are also especially interested in candidates who have experience working with diverse populations and/or diverse initiatives.

About UW: The University of Wyoming (UW) is the state’s only provider of baccalaureate and graduate education, research, and outreach services. UW combines major-university benefits and small-school advantages, renowned faculty, and world-class research facilities all set in the backdrop of southeastern Wyoming’s rugged mountains and high plains. UW offers varied academic and lifestyle opportunities including year-round cultural and recreational activities. Recognized as 5th in America’s Best College Buys, UW offers over 150 areas of study, a low student/faculty ratio, and is among the nation’s top universities ranked by U.S. News & World Report and Forbes. Located in Laramie, UW draws over 13,000 students from all 50 states and more than 90 countries. Laramie offers excellent schools, a hospital, and several long-term care facilities. UW cultural programming provides the community with many cultural experiences throughout the year. The nearby Medicine Bow National Forest and Rocky Mountains provide quick access to outdoor activities on public lands. Denver, located 2½ hours south of Laramie offers shopping, concerts, theatre, professional sports, and international flight connections.

Additional information regarding the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources can be found at http://www.uwyo.edu/uwag/, the Rangeland Ecology and Watershed Management degree and the Department of Ecosystem Science and Management at (http://www.uwyo.edu/esm/)


Required Materials
Complete an on-line application and submit the following as one PDF document (https://jobs.uwyo.edu/psp/EREC/UWEXTERNAL/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM.HRS_CE.GBL?Page=HRS_CE_JOB_DTL&Action=A&SiteId=6&JobOpeningId=9456&PostingSeq=1) :
Cover letter
Curriculum vitae
Research Statement
Teaching Philosophy
Statement regarding commitment and ability to work with and include diverse participants in science education and scholarship.
Contact information for three work-related references

Complete applications received by 16 March 2018 will received full consideration. Questions, please contact the search committee chair at [email protected].

02/23/2018

Seminar Today!


Ecosystem Restoration Seminar

Harold Hutson
BRS Inc.
Friday, Feb 23
12:00 – 12:50 pm
AG 41

“Abandoned Mine Land Geomorphic Reclamation”

Harold J. Hutson is a senior project engineer with BRS, Inc., a natural resources consulting firm located in Riverton, Wyoming. Mr. Hutson holds a Bachelor of Science in geological engineering from the Colorado School of Mines and is a Professional Engineer and Professional Geologist registered in Wyoming. Mr. Hutson is a Registered Member of the US Society of Mining Engineers (SME) and a Qualified Person as defined by Canadian National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Hutson has 23 years’ experience in mine land reclamation, mine permitting, and geological engineering.

Please invite your students and colleagues to attend.