*PhD Student Research Assistant: terrestrial carnivore and owl food web ecology– Oregon State University*
The Levi Lab in the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife at Oregon State University is accepting applications for a PhD Graduate Assistantship with a flexible start date (any quarter from Fall 2016 to Fall 2017). The student will conduct dissertation research on Pacific Northwest food webs, including a suite of small carnivores, owls, and their shared prey. This position combines strong field, lab, and analytical components. The student will work with Drs. Taal Levi and Clinton Epps, OSU Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, and Dr. Damon Lesmeister, USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. Fieldwork will be based at the HJ Andrews Experimental Forest, a NSF LTER site, in the Cascade Range of Oregon. This research will integrate with existing datasets from a long-term Northern Spotted Owl demographic monitoring program, and from small mammal population trapping grids. The PhD student would establish new research on small carnivore spatial ecology (VHF collars, camera trapping) and diet, with potential exploration of cause-specific mortality of small mammals and small mammal diet analysis, and link that work to those existing datasets. Diet analyses will utilize DNA metabarcoding. This position is an excellent opportunity for a student interested in carnivore ecology, food webs, molecular methods, conservation and management, and for students interested in applying molecular methods to applied ecological and conservation problems. The student should be accomplished in writing, statistics, and field skills. Experience with animal capture and immobilization and/or laboratory expertise is preferred. Student must have a MS degree or a similar level of experience. Preferred candidates will have previous experience in all or some of the following: animal capture and immobilization, a demonstrated ability to work with GIS and R, and a record of publication in peer-reviewed journals. This position is open until filled, but all applications will be guaranteed review until July 1 2016. For questions regarding the position send an email to: Taal Levi (taal.l...@oregonstate.edu) or Damon Lesmeister ( dlesmeis...@fs.fed.us) To apply, send (1) a letter of interest, (2) CV, (3) GRE scores, (4) copy of unofficial transcripts, (5) writing sample, and (6) contact information (email and phone number) for three references to Prof. Taal Levi at taal.l...@oregonstate.edu. -- Taal Levi Assistant Professor Oregon State University ph: 831-332-7873 http://people.oregonstate.edu/~levit/
