One Graduate Research Assistantship (GRA) at the University of Illinois is available to study avian response to a fire-grazing interaction in the Grand River Grasslands of southern Iowa and northern Missouri. This project is part of an ongoing multi-disciplinary effort involving scientists at the University of Illinois, Iowa State University, and Oklahoma State University. The successful candidate will work as part of a team including other faculty, research associates, graduate students, resource managers, technicians, and undergraduates. This is an excellent opportunity for integrative research at the PhD level, but I will consider a highly qualified MS student.
The ideal candidate will have a degree in ecology, conservation biology, wildlife ecology, natural resource management, zoology, or a related discipline. Previous experience in avian field studies, a strong quantitative background, and excellent writing skills are essential. Prairie plant identification skills and experience with GIS are preferred. The preferred start date is summer 2009. Potential applicants should send a cover letter outlining their research interests, a CV detailing their academic and professional backgrounds, GRE scores (need not be an official copy at this point), and the names and contact information (including email) for three references to: Dr. James Miller, University of Illinois, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, N407 Turner Hall, 1102 S. Goodwin Ave., Urbana, IL 61801 ([email protected]). Once a suitable candidate is identified, they will formally apply for admission to either the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences (http://www.nres.uiuc.edu/) or the Program in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology (http://www.life.uiuc.edu/peeb/).
