M.Sc. or Ph.D. - Graduate Assistantship in Avian Ecology Department of Natural Resources Science, University of Rhode Island
Project title: Spatial ecology and habitat use of American Woodcock during migration and winter. A research assistantship is available at the M.Sc. or Ph.D. level to study the spatial ecology and habitat use of American Woodcock (AMWO) during migration and winter in the Delmarva Peninsula and elsewhere. Nanotags will be used to track the movements and habitat use of AMWO throughout winter and spring migration in relation to habitat availability. Body condition of birds will also be evaluated at capture by measuring plasma metabolites. Significant habitat assessment and mapping will also be involved. Most fieldwork will be conducted in the Delaware-Maryland-Virginia region in collaboration with the USFWS and the Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuges. Qualifications: Only hard-working, motivated, intelligent, good-natured persons interested in birds need apply. Applicants must have completed an undergraduate degree in animal/wildlife biology or ecology, earned at least a 3.2 GPA, must have taken the GRE, and must have excellent oral and written communication skills. Field experience with bird capture and handling, techniques for capturing AMWO, radiotelemetry, and GIS are highly desirable. Experience with quantitative analysis skills and field research is required. Ability to work collaboratively and to supervise research assistants and undergraduates working in the field is also required. Stipends are approx. $25,000/academic yr (includes a mix of RA & TA) and tuition is paid. Summer stipend of approx.. $10,000 is also available. Starting date is September 2017. To apply submit the following to the URI Graduate School: a letter stating your qualifications and research interests, a resume or CV, official college transcripts, official GRE scores, and 3 letters of reference by no later than 15 January 2017 (early application is encouraged). Contact for further specific questions: Dr. Scott R. McWilliams Dept. Natural Resources Science, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881 401-874-7531; srmcwilli...@uri.edu 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.
