Postdoctoral Research Position in Landscape/Population Ecology Landscape-scale Dynamics of Beach Mice Populations in Fragmented Dune Systems of Barrier Islands
A postdoctoral position is available through the University of Florida for research on landscape-scale dynamics of beach mice populations in fragmented dune systems on barrier islands. The successful applicant will play a major role in designing the study, as well as lead field research, data analysis, and manuscript preparation. The project will address issues such as metapopulation and source-sink dynamics, landscape connectivity, spatial and temporal dynamics of dune habitat, and beach mouse use of successional dune habitat following hurricanes. This dune ecosystem is ideal for addressing questions at the landscape scale because the system is relatively simple; dunes can be manipulated with experiments; and structural elements (e.g., patches of dunes) are replicated at the landscape scale. Research will be linked to studies of barrier island dynamics generated by hurricanes and to dune restoration. The successful applicant will work with Lyn Branch and Deborah Miller (who directs the dune restoration study). Funding is available for a minimum of 2.5 years. Starting date is flexible between May and September 2007. Research will take place primarily on Santa Rosa Island in northwest Florida, which contains some of the most beautiful beaches and dune systems remaining along the Florida coast. The postdoctoral researcher will live in the vicinity of Santa Rosa Island. Qualifications: We are looking for an individual who is creative, highly productive, and interested in behavioral and population processes at the landscape scale. Applicants should have a Ph.D. in an ecological field, excellent quantitative and writing skills, extensive field research experience, and ability to work both independently and collaboratively. Experience with landscape-level modeling of animal populations, GIS, and mammalian ecology, and an interest in experimental approaches to address mechanistic questions in landscape ecology are highly desirable. Although modeling skills are not a requirement for the position, opportunities exist for both large-scale modeling of landscape processes (e.g., hurricane generated dynamics of barrier islands) and fine-scale modeling of behavioral and population processes of beach mice in a landscape context. Application materials: Please send a cover letter with a statement of research interests and professional goals, CV, and transcripts (photocopies are ok), and three letters of recommendation to Lyn Branch, Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, Rm. 110 Newins-Ziegler Hall, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611. Contact Lyn Branch at [EMAIL PROTECTED] for additional information. You may send documents by e-mail, if necessary. However, also send a hard copy if possible. The UF anti-spam system frequently sequesters e-mails from unknown sources! Receipt of all applications will be acknowledged by e-mail. Review of applications will begin 25 January and continue until the position is filled. Lyn Branch Professor Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation P.O. Box 110430, 110 Newins-Ziegler Hall University of Florida Gainesville, FL 32611 E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Office phone: 352-846-0564 http://www.wec.ufl.edu/people/faculty/branch.html
