Ph.D. Assistantship - Pheasant Ecology in Fragmented Agricultural Landscapes of the Northern Great Plains
Description: The Department of Natural Resource Management at South Dakota State University (SDSU; http://www.sdstate.edu/nrm/index.cfm) invites applications for a Ph.D. Assistantship to evaluate the effects of landscape composition and habitat configuration on ring-necked pheasant ecology. The graduate research assistant will have the opportunity to actively collaborate with SDSU faculty and South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks biologists and other scientists to study the effects of landscape-scale habitat characteristics and other environmental factors on nest site selection, nest survival, adult survival, and predator influences. This study is part of a broader, long-term research effort to understand the effect of ongoing land use and land cover changes on ring-necked pheasant populations in the region. The Ph.D. student will also have the flexibility to pursue independent research interests related to this topic. Qualifications: Academic requirements include a Master's degree in a closely related field (except in exceptional circumstances), strong GRE scores, and GPA above 3.0. Candidates must have strong spatial analysis, and writing skills. The preferred candidate should have previous experience with radio telemetry and GPS tracking of wildlife, avian capture, working with a diverse team of collaborators, geographic information systems, and statistical modeling in R and MARK. Additionally, candidates must have a strong work ethic, with the ability to work independently and as part of a larger team, and must be willing and able to conduct field work in extreme weather conditions. The preferred candidate will have a demonstrated record of publication in peer-reviewed journals. Financial support: Approximately $21,329 for a 12-month stipend plus a full tuition waiver. Start Date: Expected start date is January 2017 or as soon as an appropriate candidate has been identified. The position will remain open until filled and applications will be reviewed as they are received. To Apply: To be considered for this opportunity, please forward a cover letter, CV, a copy of transcripts (unofficial), GRE scores, two writing samples, and a list of three references with contact information to Dr. Michael Wimberly at michael.wimbe...@sdstate.edu and Dr. Andy Gregory at agre...@bgsu.edu. Incomplete applications will not be considered. For additional information contact: Dr. Michael C. Wimberly Geospatial Sciences Center of Excellence Department of Natural Resource Management South Dakota State University Phone: 605-688-5350; Email: michael.wimbe...@sdstate.edu Dr. Andrew J. Gregory School of Earth, Environment and Society Bowling Green State University Bowling Green, OH 43403-0001 Phone: 1-419-372-9369; Email: agre...@bgsu.edu
