Post-doctoral Fellowship and Ph.D. Research Assistantship working on avian biodiversity, disturbance, and remote sensing.
University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Forest Ecology and Management Closing date: Open until filled. Two positions available: One for a PhD graduate student, and one for a post-doctoral fellow. The successful applicants will have a strong interest in conservation, disturbance ecology, remote sensing, and statistical modeling. The study area of this project is the conterminous U.S. The research objective is to determine to what degree patterns of avian diversity are shaped by disturbance, and the relative importance of natural vs. anthropogenic sources of disturbance. Background: Many species adapt to habitat conditions created by natural disturbance; therefore, the intermediate disturbance hypothesis predicts highest biodiversity where at least some disturbance occurs. Thus, maintaining natural disturbance regimes within their natural range of variability is fundamental to the conservation of biodiversity. However, anthropogenic disturbance can negatively affect biodiversity by removing and fragmenting habitat. Furthermore, the relationship between biodiversity and disturbance is complicated by differences between species response and the type and magnitude of the disturbance. Therefore, the goal of this project is to advance understanding of this complex relationship through analysis of avian biodiversity at broad spatial scales. Sources of data to examine these questions will include The North American Breeding Bird Survey (BBS), which provides annual data on avian biodiversity across the conterminous United States since 1966, and several remotely sensed data sets. Working under Dr. Volker Radeloff and Dr. Anna Pidgeon, and in cooperation with several collaborators in a NASA-funded project, the student and post-doc will join the research team in the SILVIS Lab, Department of Forest Ecology and Management (http://forest.wisc.edu), at UW-Madison. A listing of current members of the lab and research projects can be found at the SILVIS Lab website (http://www.silvis.forest.wisc.edu/silvis.asp). Candidates should have the following skills: -An educational background in conservation biology, wildlife, landscape, or avian ecology, ecosystem management, geography, or a related disciplinary areas; -Proficiency and experience in remote sensing, GIS, and statistical modeling; -Motivation to work independently; -Excellent writing skills and motivation to publish in peer-reviewed journals; -Strong English writing and verbal communication skills are required. Potential applicants should submit the following (electronically preferred) to Anna Pidgeon at [EMAIL PROTECTED] -Cover letter summarizing research interests and academic and professional background -Resume/ CV -Copies of transcripts (unofficial transcripts acceptable at this point) -GRE scores, if available -Names and contact information for three references (no letters needed at this time) These positions are available as soon as March 2007, with flexibility to start as late as September 2007. Applications received by January 31, 2007 are guaranteed consideration. The PhD assistantship is available for a 3-year period and includes an annual stipend of $18,480, health insurance, and a tuition waiver. See http://www.wisc.edu/grad/ for further information about the Graduate School at UW-Madison. Any offer of an assistantship is dependent upon acceptance to the UW-Madison Graduate School. The Post-doctoral Fellowship is also available for a three year period. The annual stipend is $40,000 and includes health insurance. The University of Wisconsin Madison is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. We promote excellence through diversity and encourage all qualified individuals to apply. The University of Wisconsin is one of the major research universities in the United States. Total student enrollment is 41,500 of which 11,370 are graduate and professional students. UW-Madison has a long history of excellence in theoretical and applied ecology, conservation biology, geography, and remote sensing science. Madison, Wisconsin ranks as one of the top places in the U.S. to live and work. For information about the campus and city of Madison, see http://www.uc.wisc.edu/about/
