The School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences at Auburn University is recruiting one Ph.D. student and one M.S. student to start late summer / early fall 2014 to study black bear ecology and conservation in Alabama. We are also recruiting one additional M.S. student to study the human dimensions of wildlife related to public perceptions of bears. The students will be critical parts of a large, comprehensive effort to understand the two small populations of black bear that inhabit the state and how to best manage them. The study will include wide-scale sampling for bears using hair snares and other means, trapping of bears to affix GPS telemetry collars, monitoring of denning, foraging behavior, and habitat use, DNA analyses of the bear populations (and connectivity with bear populations in other states), a public survey about bears and how to manage them, and the generation of outreach and educational material. Opportunities exist for the students to develop other research questions related to bear ecology and management as well.
The students will be supported on a research assistantship (Ph.D.: $19,140/year, M.S.: $16,540, both with full tuition waiver). Applicants for the M.S. position in bear ecology should possess a B.S./B.A. in ecology, wildlife sciences, or related fields. Applicants for the Ph.D. position must possess an M.S. A minimum GPA of 3.0 and GRE scores of 150 on each of the verbal and quantitative sections is required. Preference will be given to applicants for the ecology positions who have field experience studying large mammals (especially bears), GIS experience, experience with DNA extraction and PCR amplification, and strong quantitative skills. Ph.D. applicants should have demonstrated ability to published in peer-reviewed outlets. Review of applications begins April 1, 2014, but applications will be accepted until position is filled. Interested applicants for either ecology position should send a cover letter outlining their interests, career goals, and qualifications for the project, CV or resume, copies of transcripts and GRE scores (unofficial copies are OK for application review), and contact information for references to Dr. Todd Steury via e-mail (ste...@auburn.edu). Interested applicants for the human dimensions position should send the same materials to Dr. Wayde Morse (wcm0...@auburn.edu). We prefer e-mail submission of applications, but will accept regular mail (Todd Steury or Wayde Morse, School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, 3301 Forestry and Wildlife Sciences Building, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849). Todd Steury Associate Professor Auburn University
