Graduate (M.S. / Ph.D.) opportunity: Resource selection and nutritional ecology of moose in the Adirondack Park, New York
We are seeking applicants for a M.S. or Ph.D. assistantship at SUNY-ESF. The student will work as part of a team of researchers, in partnership with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, evaluating the current status, future trend, and limiting factors for moose in New York State. The student’s research will focus on diet selection by moose and estimation of a spatially-explicit and nutritionally-based carrying capacity for moose in the Adirondack region. To be successful, candidates must have strong skills in plant identification and Geographic Information Systems. Moose recolonized the Adirondack Park in the 1980s, and this is the first comprehensive assessment of population status. The student’s research will thus provide critical information for a moose management plan. The student also will assist with all aspects of the larger moose research program, including working with GPS-collared animals and conducting aerial surveys. The position will be funded part-time by research and part-time by competitive teaching assistantship, and will begin January 2016. Required Qualifications: M.S. applicants should have a B.S. degree, and Ph.D. applicants an M.S. degree, in wildlife ecology or equivalent field completed by December 2015. Candidates must have strong skills in plant identification, Geographic Information Systems, statistics, and both written and oral communications. Applicants must be eligible for a competitive teaching assistantship, so strong GPA and GRE scores required. Applicants must be willing to live and work out of rustic field accommodations for extended periods of time (no pets allowed), and able to hike over rugged terrain carrying a heavy pack for long distances each day (winter and summer). Candidate must hold a valid driver’s license and have a safe driving record. Preferred Qualifications: Strong interest in ungulate foraging ecology. Previous experience evaluating biomass quantity and quality, forage selection, and browsing intensity desired. Also desired are proven field skills and the ability to work effectively both on your own and as part of a team. Location and Funding: Working under the supervision of Dr. Jacqueline Frair and Dr. Paul Schuette, the student will be based out of the Roosevelt Wild Life Station at SUNY-ESF in Syracuse, NY. During extended field visits the student will work out of ESF’s Adirondack Ecological Center in Newcomb, NY with field work conducted throughout the Adirondack system. The Adirondack Park is one of the largest protected areas in the United States, spanning 6.1 million acres of public and private lands. The landscape includes numerous forest types, thousands of lakes and ponds, and the spectacular High Peaks region. Salary, benefits and tuition will be provided for 2 years by a combination of research and teaching assistantships with continuation dependent upon available funding. Application Details: Please send a 1-2 page letter of interest, CV, copy of your GRE scores and undergraduate transcripts (unofficial is fine for initial application), and contact information for 3 references. Please copy all materials into a single attachment and email to Dr. Paul Schuette at [email protected] with the subject line “moose application”. For full consideration, application materials should be received by Friday, September 25.
