Ph.D. Graduate Research Assistantship - Bobcat Ecology, Division of Forestry and Natural Resources, Wildlife and Fisheries Resources Program, West Virginia University
STARTING DATE: August 2014 or negotiable. CLOSING DATE: Position is open until filled and pending final approval of funding. DESCRIPTION: Student will be supported by 12-month Research Assistantship for 4 years. Biological data on bobcats in West Virginia have not been updated since the late 1970s. Improved data are needed to update the harvest models due to increasing pelt prices and harvest demand, changing habitat quality and abundance, and unreliable harvest data. The student will coordinate with West Virginia Division of Natural Resources personnel to: 1) coordinate statewide hair snare sampling protocol for bobcats; 2) collect genetic data to use in estimating the population and identify potential migration barriers in the landscape; 3) estimate and compare relative abundance of bobcats among ecological regions in West Virginia; 4) refine and or verify the existing bobcat population model to evaluate and determine the bobcat population and use in conjunction with harvest data to evaluate potential changes in bag limits; and 5) collaborate with an MS student who will obtain productivity, age, and condition data that will contribute to the population model. The student will be working toward a Ph.D. in Forest Resources Science with an emphasis in Wildlife and Fisheries Resources at West Virginia University (http://wildlife.wvu.edu/). QUALIFICATIONS: B.S. and M.S. in Wildlife or closely related field. Minimum GPA of 3.0 and combined quantitative/verbal GRE scores of 300 (~1,100 old scoring system). A strong interest in genetics, predator ecology, and modeling is required. STIPEND: $19,848/year plus health insurance and complete tuition waiver. CONTACT: Student will be co-advised by Dr. James T. Anderson and Dr. Amy Welsh. Interested individuals should send a letter of interest, resume, a 500-word statement of purpose (why do you want to work on this project, your research interests, and long-term career goals), unofficial copy of transcripts and GRE scores, and contact information for 3 references to jim.ander...@mail.wvu.edu<mailto:jim.ander...@mail.wvu.edu> and amy.we...@mail.wvu.edu<mailto:amy.we...@mail.wvu.edu>. James T. Anderson, Ph.D. Davis-Michael Professor Forestry and Natural Resources Program Coordinator, Wildlife and Fisheries Resources Director, Environmental Research Center West Virginia University (304) 293-3825 http://wildlife.wvu.edu/ http://erc.davis.wvu.edu/
