MS Research - Bat ecology
Location of research: Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Basking Ridge, NJ Project Description: Research on the federally-endangered Indiana bat that is a continuation of a multiyear study. Primary goals are to quantify the distribution and abundance of Indiana bats within the refuge (www.fws.gov/northeast/greatswamp/), characterize maternity roosts, and measure foraging areas. Techniques will include mist netting, acoustic monitoring, and radio telemetry. Considerable night work is involved. The field season begins in mid-May and extends to mid-August. In addition to meeting project goals, flexibility exists to tailor the thesis research to complement both the new student's interests and previous work at the refuge. In addition to his/her thesis-based research, the graduate student will also supervise 4 USFWS interns (dedicated to this project), several part-time research assistants and volunteers. Funding for the MS student is $9K per summer for two years (2008-2009). The student will be enrolled in the MS Biology Program at William Paterson University and work with Dr. Lance Risley on the bat project. See graduate application forms and criteria on the WPU website (www.wpunj.edu). If the April 1 deadline is met, the applicant will be considered for a $6K WPU Graduate Teaching Assistantship which is independent of the summer funding. Thus, a total of $15K per year is possible. We are aware that this is very short notice. Interested? To begin the process, please email a letter of intent that indicates the focus of your undergraduate degree, summary of bat-related experience, career goals, and specific interest in this project. Send to Dr. Lance Risley ([EMAIL PROTECTED]). Deadline for the letter is Friday, March 14. Direct questions to Dr. Lance Risley or Marilyn Kitchell ([EMAIL PROTECTED]). Marilyn is the current MS student on the Great Swamp project and works for USFWS. ********************************************* Dr. Lance S. Risley, Professor Department of Biology William Paterson University Wayne, NJ 07470 Phone: 973/720-3438 FAX: 973/720-2338 E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> *********************************************
