Post-Doctoral Research Opportunity at the University of Saskatchewan Mapping, Modelling, and Communicating the Distribution of Feral Wild Boar in Canada A post-doctoral position is available in the Wildlife Ecology and Community Engagement Lab of Dr. Ryan Brook at the University of Saskatchewan. Our research group is part of larger North American collaborative effort to better understand and manage feral wild boar, which are a highly invasive species. Feral boar are destructive to natural ecosystems, cause considerable crop damage, harass livestock, have considerable potential for disease transmission, and are found extensively in many areas of Canada. The research for this position will focus on documenting and modelling the spatial distribution of feral wild boar and overlap with domestic livestock. The philosophy of our research group is to recruit bright, mature, and most importantly, nice people and give them considerable latitude to develop the project in ways that best fit their skills and career aspirations while achieving overall project goals. The successful applicant will become an active partner in our larger research program, engaging with communities, the North American team of collaborators, other researchers, industry, and government. Methods will include using a social science survey of wildlife and agriculture professionals, as well as fine scale collection of trail camera data and GPS-satellite collaring of feral boar. There is some flexibility in start date but it will be ideally around October 15, 2014. Applicants must have completed their PhD at the time the position begins from a recognized university in a relevant discipline. Most importantly, the candidate must have excellent interpersonal communication skills. Experience with GIS, spatial modelling, and development and implementation of social science surveys would be a strong asset. Funding is available for a minimum of two years, with the second year renewal subject to budget allocation and upon review of progress. Salary will be $42,000-$48,000/year, depending on qualifications. Interested candidates should email Ryan Brook (ryan.br...@usask.ca<mailto:ryan.br...@usask.ca>) based in the Indigenous Land Management Institute, the Department of Animal and Poultry Science, and the School of Environment and Sustainability, along with a letter of interest, CV, and two recent peer-reviewed publications in which the applicant is senior author. Application review will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.
