Dear Colleagues, Please find the advertisement for a research fellow position at USCB/Palmetto Bluff Conservancy to work on a project focusing on alligator bioacoustics.
Research Fellowship in Acoustic Behavior of American Alligators Need: A Research Fellow in bioacoustics with an interest in alligator research. Organizations: Montie Sensory and Neurobiology Lab in the Department of Natural Sciences at the University of South Carolina Beaufort and the Palmetto Bluff Conservancy. Both of these organizations are located in Bluffton, South Carolina. Salary: $30,000 per year; benefits are not included. Position Information: Full time (i.e., 20 hrs per week at USCB and 20 hrs per week at Palmetto Bluff Conservancy); Monday through Friday. Position is from October 1st, 2015 to December 31st, 2017. Yearly renewal of position is contingent upon performance and funding. Half of the Research Fellow's time will be spent working on a research project focused on the acoustic behavior of American alligators. The other half of the Fellow's time will be spent on other research projects and educational programs based at the Palmetto Bluff Conservancy. About the Montie Sensory and Neurobiology Lab: Our research lab strives to understand the sensory and neurobiology of aquatic organisms. Specifically, we are interested in brain architecture, hearing, and acoustic communication. The more applied part of our research program focuses on studies that investigate how natural and man-made stressors impact the brain, hearing, and acoustic communication. These stressors include man-made chemicals, harmful algal blooms, noise pollution, and climate change. We use techniques such as auditory evoked potentials and passive acoustics using long-term monitoring devices. Our research involves work on biomedical models such as zebrafish, as well as wild organisms like fish, bottlenose dolphins, and alligators. Duties Include: (1) Performing research centered on the investigation of communication sounds used by alligators, long-term acoustic monitoring of alligator breeding populations, acoustic and radio telemetry, hormone analysis, and hearing tests on hatchlings; (2) Creating and implementing outreach programs at Palmetto Bluff Conservancy such as hikes, presentations, and "citizen science" projects; (3) Assisting the Palmetto Bluff Conservancy's team with habitat enhancement and baseline surveys; (4) Helping with other research projects and activities at both USCB and Palmetto Bluff Conservancy. Qualifications: The position is designed for a recent MS graduate in Biology. Preference will be given to candidates who have experience in alligator research, telemetry, and/or bioacoustics (i.e., sound reception and sound production). Candidate must demonstrate excellent writing skills. Experience with Adobe Audition, Excel, and MATLAB preferred. Evidence of good communication skills through interaction with public is necessary. How to Apply: Please email a C.V., one of your publications, and two reference letters to Dr. Eric Montie (emon...@uscb.edu<mailto:emon...@uscb.edu>) and Dr. Mary Socci (mso...@crescentcommunities.com<mailto:mso...@crescentcommunities.com>). If you have questions concerning the position, please email or phone 843-208-8107 (Dr. Montie) or 843-706-6030 (Dr. Socci). Eric W. Montie Assistant Professor of Biology Department of Natural Sciences University of South Carolina Beaufort One University Boulevard Bluffton, SC 29909 Office Phone: (843) 208-8107 Fax: (843) 208-8294 Email: emon...@uscb.edu
