The newly established Camp Fire Program in Wildlife Conservation (www.facebook.com/campfirewildlife) at the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY ESF) is seeking outstanding individuals for the following positions to join the lab in 2019.
PhD Student Position – Predator-Prey Dynamics – Isle Royale/Grand Portage
In collaboration with Isle Royale National Park and the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, the Camp Fire Program in Wildlife Conservation (www.campfirewildlife.com) at the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY ESF) seeks an outstanding PhD student beginning January 2020. This is a re-advertisement of an earlier PhD position posted for the Isle Royale Wolf Introduction project.
Isle Royale National Park, a UNESCO International Biosphere Reserve and wilderness area, is also world renowned for its wolves. The population of wolves on Isle Royale had declined to two animals, prompting the National Park Service to recently launch a wolf introduction program. The Grand Portage Band is collecting long-term data on telemetered wolves, black bears, moose, and white-tailed deer. These projects together provide an unparalleled opportunity to explore the ecology of an introduced apex predator and comparative predator-prey dynamics in two northern ecosystems.
The student will be expected to develop a research proposal within an overall framework of movement ecology and space use in relation to prey. The academic home for this position is at SUNY ESF in Syracuse, New York, with summers spent on Isle Royale and/or northeastern Minnesota.
The position is 4 years in duration; the first 3 years will be funded via teaching assistantships and the fourth year funded through a research assistantship.
Requirements:
- MS in Wildlife Ecology, Conservation Biology, or closely related field, with a strong academic record.
- Excellent quantitative skills and ecological knowledge related to the position. Proficiency in R and ArcGIS software is required.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills including demonstrated ability to publish in peer-reviewed journals.
- Strong ability to work in a team-oriented environment with external collaborators, excellent work ethic, and good sense of humor.
- Ability to work in remote wilderness areas for extended periods of time during inclement weather.
Compensation:
~$25,000 annual salary plus tuition and benefits.
To apply:
Submit a single pdf that includes a cover letter summarizing your qualifications and interest in the position, CV, and contact information for three references to Dr. Jerry Belant (jbelant@esf.edu), Mark Romanski (mark_romanski@nps.gov), and Dr. Seth Moore (samoore@boreal.org). Applications will be reviewed in the order received; those submitted by 30 September will receive optimal consideration. Anticipated start date is about 1 January 2020.