Virginia Tech Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences This study will focus on the population dynamics and behavior of shorebirds nesting on Cape Lookout National Seashore, NC with special emphasis in understanding the effects, if any, of military flights over the study area. Target species include least tern, common tern, black skimmer, Wilsons plover, and gull-billed tern. This advertisement is for two M.S. students for the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences at Virginia Tech, one whom will work with terns and skimmers with advisor Sarah Karpanty and the second whom will work on Wilsons plovers with advisor Jim Fraser. A collaborative companion study of American oystercatchers will be conducted by a third graduate student from N.C. State University (advisor Ted Simons) and will be closely coordinated with this study. Data will be gathered on all 6 species, but 3 or 4 species will be selected for more in-depth study, probably least tern, black skimmer, Wilsons plover and American Oystercatcher. Data collected will include shorebird behavior, nesting success, and survival, as well as frequency and characteristics (e.g. altitude, time, noise levels) of military flights, human presence etc. A research assistantship at a competitive level will be provided during the field work and thesis preparation. Expected duration of assistantship and project is about 2 years-9 months.
Synopses of similar projects can be found at http://www.cnr.vt.edu/fisheries/faculty/karpanty.htm, and http://www.cnr.vt.edu/fisheries/faculty/fraser.htm . This program would be excellent preparation for students wishing to continue for a Ph.D., or those wishing to work for a resource management agency or conservation NGO. Duties: Complete study design in consultation with major professor (Sarah Karpanty, probable focus on black skimmers and least terns or Jim Fraser, probable focus on Wilsons plovers); collect behavioral and ecological data to test hypotheses and fit models; supervise technicians; operate trucks, boats, and ATVs; coordinate with the National Park Service, the U.S. Marines, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission and other researchers; analyze data, write reports and publish research results in refereed journals with advisors. Fieldwork involves long hot days, early mornings and nights. Incumbent will live at a field site for a portion of each year and will live in remote National Park Service housing on the Outer Banks during that time. This will be an excellent project for someone wishing to make a research contribution to basic science and, simultaneously, to the design of avian conservation strategies. Position is subject to receipt of funding, expected in July 2009. Start date is August 10, 2009. Qualifications: B.S. in Wildlife Science, Ecology, Conservation Biology or closely allied field, with excellent grades, GRE scores and references. Ability to get along with cooperators including military personnel. Previous field experience required, preferably with birds. Experience with bird capture and handling preferred. Evidence of scientific writing skills (i.e. academic papers, publications, etc.) and a commitment to scientific publication. Coursework or experience with population and/or behavioral ecology desired. Willingness to work long hours in the hot sun in remote conditions. To apply: email C.V., 1 page letter of application, degree title and GPA for all degrees, GRE scores and names and contact information for 3 references including at least one field supervisor and two academic references. Finalists will be asked to participate in a phone interview, to send transcripts, and to apply to the Virginia Tech graduate school. Send information to Sarah Karpanty (karpa...@vt.edu) and Jim Fraser (fra...@vt.edu), simultaneously. Candidate selection will begin immediately and will continue until position is filled. We recommend applying as quickly as possible.
