Description I am seeking a graduate student to develop a research project focused on Madagascar carnivores. The successful applicant will pursue an M.S. degree in the Department of Natural Resources Science at the University of Rhode Island. The aim of the project will be to extend current knowledge of rainforest carnivores covering one or more of the following topics: life-history, population dynamics, predator-prey dynamics, species-habitat relationships, species coexistence relationships, ecosystem services, and anthropogenic impacts. There will be a strong focus on how this knowledge can be applied to local and landscape conservation planning. The specific objectives will be rooted in ecological theory and developed in coordination with the graduate advisor. Field methods will primarily be non-invasive photographic- sampling using camera traps, but could include additional sampling types (e.g., GPS collaring, local interviews, small-mammal trapping, primate distance sampling) depending on the specific objectives. The study system will be the eastern rainforests of Madagascar within the Andasibe-Mantadia protected area. The student will be advised by Dr. Brian Geber at the University of Rhode Island. Research activities will be synthetic with ongoing projects, necessitating direct coordination with Dr. Zach Farris at Appalachian State University.
Requirements Applicants must have completed an undergraduate degree in animal/wildlife biology or ecology, earned at least a 3.2 GPA (4.0 scale), must have taken the GRE, and must have excellent oral and written communication skills. Field experience in difficult and remote terrain is a necessity, as is the ability to work collaboratively and to supervise research assistants and undergraduates working in the field and the lab. The applicant must have a strong interest in developing hypotheses that are evaluated using ecological statistical models. The strongest applicants will have demonstrated experience with international field work and quantitative analyses. Assistantship Details Assistantship stipends are approximately $20,000/academic year (includes a mix of Research and Teaching Assistantship) and tuition is paid. Summer stipend of a minimum of 20 hours per week will also be available. Graduate students will choose to be trained in the Ecology & Ecosystem Science graduate program (http://web.uri.edu/cels-gradprograms/ees/) or the Integrative & Evolutionary Biology graduate program (http://web.uri.edu/cels-gradprograms/ieb/) at URI. These are interdepartmental graduate groups within our College of the Environment and Life Sciences (http://web.uri.edu/cels/) that are designed to provide students with a strong, interdisciplinary and integrative learning environment. Application Instructions Please email a cover letter (not just an email) that summarizes the applicants interest and prior experience with an explicit statement regarding international work and analytical experience, current CV, unofficial transcripts, copy of GRE scores, scientific writing sample and contact info for ≥3 references as a single attachment to Dr. Brian Gerber at bger...@uri.edu. Please use ‘Madagascar Carnivore MS Application’ as the email subject line. The successful applicant is expected to begin in September, 2018. The application deadline is February 1, 2018 but review of applications will begin immediately and continue until a suitable candidate is found.
