Graduate Opportunities for Research on Land birds, Vegetation, and Geomorphology along the Missouri River
We are looking for two graduate students (PhD applicants preferred, but highly qualified MS applicants will be considered) for a project evaluating functional habitat values, avian and plant biodiversity, and vegetation/geomorphic dynamics of sandbar habitats formed after the Missouri River flood of 2011. Student # 1 (land birds): Functional habitat values of riparian vegetation on post-flood sandbars for breeding (abundance, diversity, nesting success) and migratory (abundance, diversity, stopover biology) land birds. Advisors: David Swanson (Biology) and Mark Dixon (Biology) Student # 2 (vegetation and geomorphology): Vegetative and geomorphic dynamics of post-flood sandbars under different management regimes. Advisors: Mark Sweeney (Sustainability and Environment) and Mark Dixon (Biology) The project is being conducted along the Missouri National Recreational River in southeastern South Dakota and is funded by a grant from the National Park Service. Up to two full academic years and three summers of RA support will be available for each student, with additional support provided through Teaching Assistantships or graduate fellowships. Students will enroll either in the graduate program in Biology (http://www.usd.edu/arts-and-sciences/biology) or the new (pending approval) graduate program in Sustainability (http://www.usd.edu/arts-and-sciences/sustainability) at the University of South Dakota (http://www.usd.edu/). Preferred start date is May/June 2018 (for field work) or earlier, with enrollment in the graduate program by Fall 2018 (August). Interested applicants should email me (mark.di...@usd.edu<mailto:mark.di...@usd.edu>) with the following information: · A short letter of interest, describing your qualifications, research experiences, interests, and career goals. · CV or resume with GPA and GRE scores · A list of at least 3 professional references who we may contact Feel free to contact any of us (mark.di...@usd.edu<mailto:mark.di...@usd.edu>, mark.swee...@usd.edu<mailto:mark.swee...@usd.edu>, david.swan...@usd.edu<mailto:david.swan...@usd.edu>) if you have questions about the positions, the project, or the university. All three faculty are members of the Missouri River Institute (http://www.usd.edu/missouri-river-institute) at the University of South Dakota. Regards, Mark Dixon Associate Professor Department of Biology University of South Dakota Vermillion, SD 57069 http://www.usd.edu/faculty-and-staff/Mark-Dixon
