GRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANTSHIP (M.S.) in Wildlife Ecology
The School of Agricultural, Forest, and Environmental Sciences and
the South Carolina Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit at
Clemson University is seeking candidates for a graduate research
assistantship (M.Sc) in Wildlife & Fisheries Biology to take the lead
on a research project designed to better understand the ecological
impacts and damage caused by invasive feral pigs in a variety of
habitats throughout South Carolina. The student will lead an effort
to quantify feral pig habitat preferences and levels of habitat
disturbance using a variety of tools such as camera traps, live
trapping, habitat surveys, and habitat suitability modeling. While a
large deal of the research effort will involve fieldwork throughout
the state, the student should also have strong quantitative and
analytical research skills necessary for modeling disturbance over
time and space. The ideal candidate will also have an inquisitive
mind towards developing novel solutions for mitigating the habitat
destruction caused by this invasive species. Experience with
geospatial referencing tools and habitat suitability modeling is a
plus. The ultimate goals of this project will be to gain a broader
understanding of the ecosystem damage invasive species such as hogs
may have on different habitat types. This work will directly support
the development of an adaptive management plan for feral hog harvest
and population management in the state. The project will focus on
South Carolina populations but the results of this work will have far
reaching impacts on invasive species management throughout the
southeast. The position will be available beginning in January or
August of 2014. Research stipends are approximately $14,000, and a
full tuition waiver is available.
Applicants should possess an undergraduate degree in Biology,
Wildlife Ecology, Biostatistics, or related field, a good work ethic,
and strong quantitative or modeling skills. Experience with
statistical analyses of ecological data, proficiency in ArcGIS,
and/or population and occupancy modeling are desired, but not
required. To be competitive, applicants must have undergraduate and
graduate GPAs > 3.0 and GRE scores above the 60th percentile.
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
Applicants that are selected for a phone interview will be contacted
directly by Dr. Kate McFadden. Interested applicants should send a
cover letter outlining their qualifications for the project, copies
of undergraduate transcripts and GRE scores, and contact information
for at least 3 references. Application materials can be sent by
e-mail and should be saved as a single pdf in the following format:
Last Name_FeralHogs MS.pdf
Contact information is:
Dr. Kate McFaden, G20 Lehotsky Hall, Clemson University, Clemson,
South Carolina, 29634, 864-656-4141, <mailto:k...@clemson.edu>k...@clemson.edu