Postdoctoral Position U.S. Geological Survey, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center Waterbird Management and Monitoring
The U.S. Geological Survey, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center (Laurel, Maryland) is seeking candidates for a postdoctoral position to develop an integrated monitoring program for a broad suite of waterbirds across the Atlantic and Mississippi Flyways in the eastern United States. The monitoring program will be driven by the decision-making needs of management agencies and their partners, at three spatial scales (the flyway scale, the regional scale, and the local scale), and will encompass monitoring of waterbird populations and their habitats. Development of the monitoring program will require: development of appropriate sampling designs at multiple scales; development or identification of sampling protocols; development or identification of prototype databases for the pilot phase of the project; training field staff in monitoring and data management protocols; logistical oversight of the pilot data collection; revision of sampling designs and methods in light of the pilot data; and consultation with database engineers to describe the performance requirements for a web-based database for long-term use. The postdoctoral position will be part of an interagency research team, including scientists from USGS, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Refuges, USFWS Division of Migratory Bird Management, and several Joint Ventures. The research team will provide substantial support in the overall framework for the monitoring program, logistical arrangements with field staff, and review of the details of the monitoring plan. Travel funds will be provided to support visits with study team members and other cooperators, and to attend regional training workshops. The ideal candidate will have a background in monitoring design for ecological problems, statistical analysis, database management, waterbird ecology, and adaptive management. The successful candidate will also have excellent writing, personal communication, and organizational skills. Applicants are expected to have earned a Ph.D. degree in a relevant discipline, preferably within the last 5 years. The position will be located in Laurel, Maryland. The desired start date is January 2010, and the two-year position is funded through December 2011. The salary level is very competitive. Applications are due no later than November 13, 2009. If you are interested, send a curriculum vitae, a letter describing your background, qualifications, and interests, and the names of three references to Graham Smith ([email protected]). For further information, contact either: Graham W. Smith ([email protected]), USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center 12100 Beech Forest Road, Laurel, MD 20708-4017 +1 (301) 497-5620 Jim Lyons ([email protected]), USFWS Division of Migratory Bird Management 15100 American Holly Drive, Laurel, MD 20708 +1 (301) 497-5682
