Wildlife Restoration and Management Fellowship/Assistantship Starting Date: May-August 2007 (Flexible).
Description: A MS wildlife restoration and management fellowship/assistantship is available on a bobwhite quail habitat and population restoration and management project in rangelands of south-central Florida. The project includes 1) restoring quail habitat on >800 ha of rangeland, 2) using translocated, wild birds, reestablishing a sustainable quail population within the restoration area, 3) examining the ecology (e.g., survival, reproduction, movements, and habitat relationships) of translocated and endemic birds in the restoration and surrounding area, and 4) evaluating the success of habitat restoration and use of translocated quail to reestablish bobwhite populations by comparing the ecology of translocated birds to endemic birds in this study and information from other studies on bobwhite ecology and habitat restoration. In addition to typical graduate coursework and research, the student will be trained and, where appropriate, certified in habitat restoration and land management practices (e.g., prescribed burning, herbicide application, planting and reseeding, timber harvest, and other mechanical treatments, such as roller-chopping, disking, etc.). The goal of the program is to provide advanced course work, research, and applied training in wildlife restoration and management. The student may pursue a degree in either Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, through the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, or Interdisciplinary Ecology, through the School of Natural Resources and Environment. Qualifications: Interest and experience in wildlife restoration and management; ability and willingness to work both independently and as part of a diverse team of wildlife and land managers; and Bachelors Degree in Wildlife, Range, Forest, or Land Management, or related field; GPA ≥ 3.0 (4.0 scale); GRE scores ≥ 1000 (V+Q). Experience with trapping and handling birds, point and covey counts, radio-telemetry, and GIS a plus, but not required. Stipend and Benefits: $16,000/yr for 3 years, full tuition waiver, medical insurance, and housing and some meals at the field site. Review of applications will begin 2 April 2007 and continue until a suitable candidate is found. To apply, send a letter of interest, resume, copies of transcripts and GRE scores, and contact information for ≥3 references to: William M. Giuliano Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences University of Florida 308 Newins-Ziegler Hall PO Box 110430 Gainesville, FL 32611-0430 Phone: 352-846-0575 Fax: 352-392-6984 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Website: www.wec.ufl.edu/faculty/giulianob/ Email applications are encouraged. Additional information on the Department and Programs can be found at www.wec.ufl.edu and http://snre.ufl.edu/.
