Description: The Department of Natural Resource Management at South Dakota State University (SDSU; http://www.sdstate.edu/nrm/index.cfm) invites applications for a Ph.D. Assistantship in applied spatial ecology of wildlife to evaluate the effects of landscape composition and habitat configuration on ring-necked pheasants. The graduate research assistant will have the opportunity to collaborate with SDSU and BGSU faculty and South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks biologists. The primary objective of the project is to study the effects of changing agricultural landscapes on pheasant habitat characteristics, population viability and space use patterns. This study is part of a broader, long-term research effort to understand regional pheasant population viability. The accepted Ph.D. student will work as part of a collaborative team and will have the flexibility to pursue independent research interests related to this topic.
Qualifications: Academic requirements include a Master's degree in a closely related field (except in exceptional circumstances), strong GRE scores, and GPA above 3.0. The preferred candidate should have previous experience with radio telemetry and GPS tracking of wildlife, avian capture, working with a diverse team of collaborators, geographic information systems, and statistical analysis. Additionally, candidates must have a strong work ethic, with the ability to work independently and as part of a larger team, and must be willing and able to conduct field work in extreme weather conditions. Financial support: Approximately $21,000 for a 12-month stipend plus a full tuition waiver. Start Date: Expected start date is August 2017, with the possibility of participating in fieldwork starting in May 2017. To Apply: To be considered for this opportunity, please forward a cover letter, CV, a copy of transcripts (unofficial), and a list of three references with contact information to Dr. Michael Wimberly at michael.wimbe...@sdstate.edu. and Dr. Andy Gregory at agre...@bgsu.edu. Incomplete applications will not be considered. For full consideration, please submit your application materials by March 10, 2017. For additional information contact: Dr. Andrew J. Gregory School of Earth, Environment and Society Bowling Green State University Bowling Green, OH 43403-0001 Phone: 1-419-372-9369; Email: agre...@bgsu.edu Dr. Michael C. Wimberly Geospatial Sciences Center of Excellence Department of Natural Resource Management South Dakota State University Phone: 605-688-5350; Email: michael.wimbe...@sdstate.edu
