Evaluating Direct and Indirect Impacts of Red-Imported Fire Ants on Northern Bobwhite Quail in Southeastern Ecosystems
We are seeking a graduate student to pursue an M.S. degree in the School of Forestry & Wildlife Sciences at Auburn University (http://wp.auburn.edu/sfws/) in collaboration with Tall Timbers Research Station and Land Conservancy (http://talltimbers.org/) to work on the effects of invasive species on a species of conservation concern. Project Description Since their accidental introduction to the USA around 1930, red-imported fire ants (Solenopsis invicta) have spread rapidly and had colonized over 9.3 million square kilometers, including most of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, and Louisiana, by the late 1980s. Red-imported fire ants are a source of mortality in southeastern birds, including Northern Bobwhite Quail, as well as cotton rats, which are an important buffer prey for predators of quail. Moreover, fire ants have direct and indirect impacts on invertebrate communities which are ecosystem drivers and important dietary staples of quail chicks. Because ongoing habitat management practices (e.g., prescribed fire and disking) intended to benefit quail produce disturbed areas that may facilitate ease of colonization and spread of fire ants, there is concern that habitat restoration will lead to increased impacts on quail populations. This project will evaluate the effects of fire ants on quail, the relationship between habitat disturbance and fire ant density, and the degree to which these interactions may vary among soil types. Study sites will include areas managed by Tall Timbers in the Florida Panhandle, southwest Georgia, Alabama, and potential sites in adjacent states. This is an ideal position for a student with interests in avian conservation and management, game bird ecology, invasive species, and interactions of native and invasive species, as the project may include quantifying fire ant impacts on native invertebrates, small mammals, etc. Application and Position Details The M.S. position at Auburn will begin January 2016. The ideal applicant would be willing and able to complete a fall internship at Tall Timbers during September to December 2015, as this would give the intern time to work with us on project development prior to the spring 2016 field season. The graduate research assistantship position at Auburn includes a stipend of $16,540 per year for 2.5 years, plus graduate tuition waiver. The fall internship at Tall Timbers includes a stipend of $230/week and housing. Minimum qualifications for further consideration include an undergraduate GPA above 3.0, solid GRE scores (>50th percentile), and an undergraduate degree in wildlife biology, conservation biology, biology/ecology, or a related field. Qualified candidates will have significant field experience and excellent field skills, a strong ability to work effectively as part of a research team at Tall Timbers and Auburn University, and motivation to develop as a productive early-career scientist (e.g., strong motivation to develop professional presentations and scientific manuscripts). For initial consideration, provide us a cover letter describing your interest in and suitability for the position, a current professional CV, undergraduate transcripts (unofficial is fine for initial application), and names / contact information for 3 professional references. (PDF format is preferred; include your last name as the first word in each file name.) Be sure to specify your availability/interest in the internship at Tall Timbers during fall 2015. Email your initial application to Chris Lepczyk (lepc...@auburn.edu), Bob Gitzen (rag0...@auburn.edu), and Theron Terhune (the...@ttrs.org). You may also contact Chris Lepczyk if at ESA this week to discuss position. We will begin reviewing applications on August 19 and continue until a suitable applicant is found.
