[Coral-List] NSF-REU Position in Coral Reef Ecology at Florida International University

[Rebecca Vega Thurber]

Coral list,



We seek a highly motivated undergraduate to fill a National Science
Foundation, Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) position in coral
reef ecology at Florida International University. The successful applicant
will work with Drs. Deron Burkepile (http://www2.fiu.edu/~dburkepi/Home.html)
and Rebecca Vega Thurber (
http://oregonstate.edu/microbiology/vegathurberlab/ ) focusing on the role
of corallivorous fishes, parrotfishes and butterflyfishes, as vectors of
potentially pathogenic microbes and as agents of change for the coral
microbiome. This position is for an undergraduate student interested in
pursuing a career or graduate studies in Marine Sciences. The successful
candidate will live and work on Key Largo in the Florida Keys and gain
basic field and laboratory research skills in coral reef ecology and
microbiology. The primary responsibility of the student will be to conduct
experiments on how corallivores impact coral health and growth and
potentially vector microbes to corals via predation. There will be ample
opportunities to participate in other projects studying herbivore foraging
behavior, coral recruitment, and nutrient dynamics on coral reefs.

Eligibility: Undergraduates in their junior and senior years with
interests in biology, microbiology, and environmental sciences are
invited to apply. Students cannot have graduated at the time of the
fellowship. Participants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents
of the U.S. and its possessions. Minorities and underrepresented
students are especially encouraged to apply.

Qualifications: Applicants should have a classroom/laboratory
background in ecology and marine biology. Experience working on coral
reefs and/or with microbiological techniques is preferred. Applicants
MUST be certified SCUBA divers with at least 20 logged dives.
Certification with the American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS)
is necessary before fieldwork begins.

This REU position runs June 1-August 15, 2014, but dates can be
flexible. A stipend of $5,500 will be provided to the student for the
12-week full-time program. In addition, the student will be provided
housing at no cost. Students from outside of the South Florida area
also may apply for travel funds assistance. This position is funded by
the National Science Foundation Biological Oceanography Program.

Application Procedures: Applicants will need to submit: 1) Cover
letter stating background and interest in the position; 2) CV
(resume); 3) College transcripts of all completed work (unofficial
transcript is fine); 4) A statement of career goals and research
interests; and 5) Evidence of SCUBA diving and/or AAUS certification.
Please submit as a single PDF file to Dr. Deron Burkepile via email at
deron.burkepile at fiu.edu <deron.burkpile at fiu.edu>. In addition, have
two letters of reference sent directly to Dr. Burkepile from your
letter writers.  Please direct any questions to Dr. Burkepile via
email.



Application deadline is March 31, 2014.


-- 
Dr. Rebecca Vega Thurber
Assistant Professor of Microbiology
Oregon State University
454 Nash Hall
Corvallis OR  97331-3804, U.S.A
541-737-1851 (office) 541-737-0496 (FAX)
rvegathurber at gmail.com;Rebecca.Vega-Thurber at oregonstate.edu<Rebecca.Vega.Thurber at oregonstate.edu>