Biocontrol of Invasive Aquatic Plants Research

Overview

The Environmental Laboratory (EL) is one of the seven laboratories of the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (USACE-ERDC). EL provides solutions to environmental challenges for the U.S. Army, the Department of Defense and the Nation through environmental science and engineering research and development. EL researchers conduct work in ecosystem science and technology, environmental resiliency, environmental sensing, ecological modeling and forecasting, risk and decision science, environmentally sustainable materials, systems biology, climate change, computational chemistry, environmental chemistry and environmental security.

Team Mission:
The Aquatic Plant Ecology Team supports an ecosystem approach for sustainable management of aquatic and riparian nuisance plant species. This approach integrates methods to develop a sustainable plant community dominated by beneficial native species. The team studies the biology and ecology of nuisance and native plants to inform sustainable management strategies. The team conducts laboratory, greenhouse, mesocosm, pond, and field studies on non-native and native aquatic, wetland, and riparian plant species, examining factors limiting establishment and persistence, competitive interactions, disturbance, and nutrient loading, and developing adaptive restoration techniques.

The team also develops and applies technologies for establishing native plants for ecosystem restoration and nuisance plant management, including propagation, production, field testing, plant community assessments, and ecological role analyses of the aquatic plant community.

Under the guidance of a mentor, you will participate in invasive aquatic plant biological control applied and foundational ecological research and field campaigns. You will assist with the set-up, maintenance, and breakdown of studies, plant propagation cultures, biocontrol agent insect rearing cultures, large-scale biocontrol agent harvest and release efforts, and biocontrol agent density surveys and data processing. The research area will focus on the invasive floating plant giant salvinia and the salvinia weevil.

The position may involve occasional administrative tasks (data entry, microscope insect sorting and identification) but will be primarily field-based. Fieldwork occurs year-round in varied weather conditions and typically involves physical exertion.

This fellowship provides the opportunity to independently apply your skills and engage with experts to advance the proposed research.

Lewisville, Texas

Exact start dates will be determined at the time of selection and in coordination with the selected candidate.

This appointment is a twelve-month research appointment, either part-time or full-time. Appointments may be extended based on funding, project assignment, program rules, and participant availability.

You will receive a stipend determined by ERDC-EL. Stipends are based on academic standing, discipline, experience, and research facility location. Other benefits may include:

• Health Insurance Supplement (Participants may purchase health insurance through ORISE)
• Relocation Allowance
• Training and Travel Allowance

This program, administered by Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU) through its contract with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to manage ORISE, was established through an interagency agreement between DOE and DoD. Participants do not enter into an employee/employer relationship with ORISE, ORAU, DoD or any other office or agency. You will be affiliated with ORISE for appointment administration. Proof of health insurance is required and can be obtained through ORISE.

For more information, visit the ORISE Research Participation Program page.

• Enthusiasm for ecology, plants, insects, and field work
• Developed critical thinking skills
• Tolerant of varied weather conditions (heat, cold)
• Ability to work independently and in teams
• Demonstrated organizational skills
• Strong written, oral, and electronic communication skills

• Prior experience in plant propagation/culturing, insect sorting or identification to family, or field work
• Data collection
• Compiling and managing scientific data via spreadsheets (basic formulas in Excel/Google Sheets)
• Field facility maintenance

A complete application consists of:

• Zintellect Profile
• Educational and Employment History
• Essay Questions (goals, experiences, and skills relevant to the opportunity)
• Resume (PDF)
• Transcripts/Academic Records (official or copy acceptable). See details on acceptable transcripts.
• One recommendation. Applications are incomplete without one recommendation. Recommenders will rate scientific capabilities and personal characteristics. You can log in to check status.

If you have questions, email usaceu.gov and include the reference code in the subject line. Do not send materials to the email above. All materials…