[ECOLOG-L] Graduate Research Assistantship (PhD) Exploring Wolf-Cougar Interactions in Washington
Agency University of Washington Location Seattle, WA Job Category Graduate Assistantships (PhD) Website http://www.predatorecology.com/ Salary Full support (stipend, tuition, and medical benefits) provided for 4 years. Start Date 09/28/2016 Last Date to Apply 04/15/2016 Description After an 80-year absence, the gray wolf is naturally recolonizing the Pacific Northwest of the United States, dispersing from populations in the Rocky Mountains and British Columbia. This process has raised questions about how wolves might interact with other predators and prey as well as the their economic impacts in managed landscapes where logging, cattle ranching and hunting are permitted. One interesting scenario is that wolves could alter the behavior of the regions other top predator, the cougar, and as a result modify patterns of predation on native ungulate populations. Our goal is to explore this possibility using a natural experiment that compares movements and foraging behavior of cougars before and after wolf recolonization. We seek a highly motivated doctoral student who will have the opportunity to 1) capture, handle, and deploy GPS collars on cougars; 2) inspect cougar kill sites to quantify prey selection and kill rates; 3) undertake spatial and statistical analyses of cougar behavior prior to and after the arrival of wolves; and 4) collaborate with a diverse group of researchers. This project falls under the umbrella of a larger study led by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) whose overarching goal is to understand whether and how the return of wolves is affecting native ecosystem dynamics and, in particular, ungulate populations. Thus, the student will work closely with WDFW and collaborate with other researchers exploring ungulate behavior and demography while completing a Ph.D. in Environmental and Forest Sciences (http://www.sefs.washington.edu/) at the University of Washington under the co-supervision of Associate Professor Aaron Wirsing (University of Washington), Dr Thomas Newsome (Deakin University / University of Sydney / Oregon State University), and Dr Brian Kertson (WDFW). The student will conduct field research at sites in Washington State where data on cougar movements and foraging were collected by WDFW prior to the return of wolves. The fieldwork will involve travel in large trucks with trailers, use of snowmobiles, extensive hiking, capturing of cougars with the assistance of hounds or via the use of cage traps, anesthetizing cougars for GPS collaring, and tree climbing. The doctoral student will also be responsible for training and supervising field technicians and volunteers. Qualifications Applicants must have a M.S. degree in wildlife science or a closely related discipline. Preference will be given to those who have experience 1) capturing, handling, and collaring cougars, or other large carnivores; 2) inspecting kill sites; 3) working with and analyzing large data sets; 4) analyzing GPS and kill site data; 5) using resource selection/utilization analysis tools; and 6) working in remote locations under sometimes challenging conditions. Given that this project is part of a larger multi-species effort, we will also prioritize applicants who are interested in both predator-predator and predator-prey interactions. A current valid (U.S.) motor vehicle license is required for this position, as is a driving record that will merit approval to operate State government vehicles. Full financial support (stipend, tuition, and benefits) will be provided for 4 years. The student will be expected to secure teaching assistantships to cover the remainder of their tenure if it extends beyond this time frame. To apply for this position please send a 1-page cover letter that outlines your experience undertaking large carnivore research and analyzing large datasets, as well as your long-term career goals. Please also include a CV (maximum of 2 pages) that includes 1) GPA and GRE scores; 2) publications, awards and grants; 3) work and research experience; and 4) current contacts for 3 professional or academic references. Please submit your application as a single PDF document named with the following format: Lastname_Firstname. Applications should be emailed to: Associate Professor Aaron Wirsing at wirsi...@uw.edu and please cc Dr Thomas Newsome at t.news...@deakin.edu.au Please note that the student must be willing to start the project by 09/28/2016 (the beginning of the autumn quarter at UW). Only those who have been shortlisted (up to five people) will be contacted. The shortlisted candidates may be required to conduct Skype and/or face-to-face interviews. Review of applications will commence on 04/16/2016. Contact Person Aaron Wirsing Contact Phone (206) 543-1585 Contact email wirsi...@uw.edu
[ECOLOG-L] Graduate Research Assistantship (PhD) in Remote Sensing Ecosystem Science
The Department of Geosciences at Boise State University currently has an open graduate research assistantship (GRA) starting summer or fall 2016 to study the response of northern peatland ecosystems to increased temperature and elevated atmospheric CO2 with remote sensing. This project is supported by DOE’s SPRUCE experiment. This exciting project will provide the student an opportunity to better understand how a changing climate will affect the vulnerable boreal peatland forest while gaining skills and methods to monitor changes with lidar and optical remote sensing. Seasonal repeat measurements with remote sensing will be made to monitor leaf area, aboveground biomass, canopy heights, and ground inflation/deflation at the SPRUCE experiment. A canopy transmittance model will also be developed. The GRA will have the opportunity to interact with SPRUCE collaborators, present at national meetings, and become part of the Boise State University Boise Center Aerospace Laboratory (BCAL) remote sensing team. We seek a highly qualified student with a strong quantitative science background and eagerness to utilize geospatial tools for ecosystem science. The ideal candidate will have a recent MS degree is ecology, forestry or equivalent nature resources discipline, strong statistics, programming, and geospatial skills. The GRA provides a full PhD stipend, health insurance, and tuition for Boise State University. Boise State is Idaho’s largest university and is a metropolitan research university of distinction situated in the capitol of Idaho. To apply: email a 2-page CV, unofficial transcripts, along with a cover letter explaining your interest to Dr. Nancy Glenn (nancygl...@boisestate.edu). For more information on BCAL: http://bcal.boisestate.edu/ and the DOE SPRUCE experiment: http://mnspruce.ornl.gov/project/overview
[ECOLOG-L] Graduate Research Assistantship- PhD
I am looking for a PhD Graduate Research Assistant in the School of Natural Resources at the University of Missouri to work on a project examining ecological interactions in temperate agroforestry systems. Qualified applicants should have a M.S. in forestry, ecology, biology, soil science or a closely related discipline, a GPA 3.2, and combined verbal and quantitative GRE scores 1100. Position is available in May 2014. Review of applications begins immediately and continues until the position is filled. Please submit applications including a cover letter describing your interest and experience, a resume, and names and contact information of three references, copies of transcripts and GRE scores (unofficial at this time are acceptable). All applications should be sent to jo...@missouri.edumailto:jo...@missouri.edu Shibu Jose, Ph.D., H.E. Garrett Endowed Professor and Director The Center for Agroforestry Editor-In-Chief, Agroforestry Systems 203 Anheuser Busch Natural Resources Bldg. University of Missouri Columbia, MO 65211 Tel: (573) 882-0240 Fax: (573) 882-1977 Email: jo...@missouri.edu Web: www.centerforagroforestry.org
[ECOLOG-L] Graduate Research Assistantship - PhD
Ph.D. Graduate Research Assistantship, School of Forestry, Northern Arizona University (NAU), Flagstaff, AZ. The research project is entitled Long-term responses of northern Arizona grasses to climate and land-use change, and the student will examine demographic and basal area changes of the major grass species over the past 90 years (early 1900s until present) on a set of historical permanent plots. The graduate research assistantship (GRA) is for four years (July 1, 2009 until June 30, 2013) and the GRA package includes a stipend, student insurance, and out-of-state tuition waiver. If you are interested, please contact Dr. Margaret M. Moore (margaret.mo...@nau.edu; 928-523-7457). NAUs application deadline for fall semester is March 15, 2009. For more information about the NAU School of Forestry, please visit our website (http://www.for.nau.edu/cms/). Additional information about graduate applications and requirements can be found at: http://www.for.nau.edu/cms/content/view/477/640/
[ECOLOG-L] Graduate Research Assistantship (PhD or strong MS) in Behavioral and Population Ecology of Nonnative Ungulates in Hawai'i
We seek a highly motivated Ph.D. student, or an exceptional M.S. student, to conduct novel research on the behavioral ecology of nonnative ungulates on the Island of Hawai'i. This project is funded by the Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP) of the Department of Defense and is being coordinated by the USDA Forest Service, Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry. The overall goal of the larger project is to explore how native forest rehabilitation and restoration can be used as a cost-effective management tool to reduce fuel loads, fire danger, and fire impacts while also controlling invasive plant establishment and spread. The successful candidate for this position will complement the overall project by designing and implementing a study focused on behavioral ecology of nonnative ungulates. Specifically, the candidate will conduct research designed to answer the following questions: What are the population sizes of nonnative, feral ungulate species (goats, sheep, and cattle) in different ecosystem types ranging from lowland dry forests to montane shrublands and grasslands, and do population sizes vary seasonally? Do ungulates preferentially use certain habitats, and does habitat selection vary seasonally? What is the effect of habitat selection on vegetation community structure and composition? Primary duties will include assisting project leaders in designing and conducting research to address the questions outlined above. Specific duties include (i) compile and analyze existing data on nonnative ungulate population size and structure; (ii) design and develop field protocols for sampling behavioral ecology of nonnative ungulates; (iii) lead field campaigns for ungulate sampling, including the supervision of field crews; and (iv) compilation, analysis, and presentation of results in written and oral formats. The graduate research assistant will be expected to (i) work independently under the supervision of the project leaders; (ii) create written reports and graphic presentations of research results for scientific meetings and journal publications; (iii) assist project leaders in writing research proposals to secure additional funding. Minimum Qualifications: Regular graduate standing within University of Hawai'i at Manoa; coursework and field experience in animal or wildlife ecology; ability to work alone and lead small field crews in remote and challenging field conditions; valid drivers license. Desirable Qualifications: Familiarity with sampling methods for behavioral ecology of ungulates; experience with native and nonnative plant and animal species identification in Hawaii; experience with field data collection and analysis; experience with professional presentation of research results at scientific meetings and in peer-reviewed journal publications; experience driving a 4WD vehicle in remote terrain. Minimum Annual Stipend: $16,824 (.50 FTE, 11-months) + full tuition exemption Duration: January 1, 2009 – December 31, 2009 or June 1, 2009 – May 31, 2010 (Renewable on a yearly basis, dependent upon continued funding and satisfactory performance of assigned duties) Application Materials: Send (i) letter of application stating how you meet the minimum and/or desirable qualifications to the contact address below; (ii) current CV (not resume) including education history, past and current job experience, list of undergraduate and graduate coursework pertinent to the job description (official transcripts not necessary), list of professional presentations and publications, and (iii) contact information (name, phone number, email, and mailing address) of three professional references. Electric submission via email (single document in PDF format) is preferred. Send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and [EMAIL PROTECTED] with WILDLIFE R.A. APPLICATION in the subject field. Contact: Dr. Creighton M. Litton, Assistant Professor 1910 East-West Rd., Sherman 101, Honolulu, HI 96822 Tel.: (808) 956-6004 / Fax.: (808) 956-6539 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Dr. Christopher A. Lepczyk 1910 East-West Rd., Sherman 101, Honolulu, HI 96822 Tel.: (808) 956-2617 / Fax.: (808) 956-6539 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Closing Date: The announcement will remain open until a suitable candidate has been identified
