Position Description - PhD opportunity in Ecological modeling/Stream = habitat fragmentation
University of Massachusetts - Amherst We seek a highly-motivated student to participate in efforts to = understand habitat fragmentation effects on population viability of = stream fish. The student will extend existing data analyses to develop = a system for prioritizing management actions at stream barriers. The aim = of the project is to develop a detailed spatial demographic model that = will be used to determine how stream fragmentation affects growth, = movement and survival of brook trout and brown trout. The model will = then be applied to a specific management area, where we will use the = model to guide management actions. Extensive data have been collected to = help define the model but the student will be expected to collect = additional data to assess the generality of the model. Although there is = a specific product required for this project, there will also be = significant opportunity for original, creative work. The student will be = an integral part of a team of two post-docs, three PIs and another PhD = student. The position will be co-located at the University of = Massachusetts and the Conte Anadromous Fish Research Center in Turners = Falls, MA, and will be co-directed by Dr. Ben Letcher, Ecology Section = Leader at the Research Center, Dr. Keith Nislow, Fish and Wildlife = Habitat Team Leader, USDA Forest Service- Northern Research Station = located at the University of Massachusetts, and Kim Lutz, Connecticut = River Program Director for the Nature Conservancy. Qualifications: MS in Ecology, Ecological Modeling, or Fisheries = Science. We are particularly interested in individuals who combine = strong quantitative skills (including familiarity with and experience in = capture-mark-recapture modeling and demographic modeling in spatially = structured systems) with ability to conduct research in the field. Start date: 1 September 2008, with some flexibility. Funding is = available for 4 years. Stipend: Full time, $20K/year plus benefits. Tuition waiver from UMass. = Additional funds are available for travel and research expenses. = Department: Either the Organismic and Evolutionary Biology Program = (http://www.bio.umass.edu/oeb/ deadline December 1) or the Department of = Natural Resources Conservation (http://www.umass.edu/nrc/ ). Closing date: November 16, 2007.=20 Contact: To apply, please provide cover letter with statement of = personal career interests and professional goals, plus extended resume = including list of at least 3 references to [EMAIL PROTECTED] -------------------------------------------------------------------------= --- Silvio O. Conte Anadromous Fish Research Center U.S. Geological Survey Biological Resources Division P.O. Box 796 -- One Migratory Way Turners Falls, MA 01376 (413) 863-3803 Cell: (413) 522-9417 FAX (413) 863-9810 [EMAIL PROTECTED] : Please note new address [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.lsc.usgs.gov/cafl/ecology/Ecology.html
