Graduate Assistantship Position Announcement
Availability: Fall 2009
Position: Graduate Research Assistantship, MS or PhD
Biological Science or Plant Science, 0.49% time
Location: Insect Research Collection
Plant Science Department
South Dakota State University
Brookings, South Dakota
Qualifications: B.S. or M.S. degree in
Entomology, Zoology, Biology, or related
discipline. A strong background with insect
taxonomy or ecology is highly desirable.
Candidates must meet academic requirements of the
Graduate School and the Plant Science
Department. The student will be expected to work
independently and collaboratively in the field and lab.
Research Objectives: The research will focus on
a biodiversity survey and inventory of the native
bees of the Black Hills ecoregion of western
South Dakota. This research will be based on
extensive fieldwork and collection study, and
will involve multiple state and federal agency
cooperation. Data gathering will involve bee
taxonomy, habitat selection, floral host
preferences, nest site assessment, and land
use/perturbation
responses. Cybertaxonomic/ecologic work will
involve databases, webpages, and collaboration
with the USDA Bee Lab, and geospatial analysis in
collaboration with the USGS-EROS Data Center.
Stipend and Tuition Fees: Current SDSU stipend
rate for an MS is $16,709, and for a PhD is
$20,778 per annum. Graduate assistants receive a
two-thirds tuition remission on graduate resident
rates. Doctoral candidates will be expected to seek supplemental funding.
Application: Send a letter of application that
includes a statement of career objectives,
current resumé or CV, a list of 3 personal
references of a professional status (including
e-mail address and telephone), and a copy of academic transcripts to:
Dr. Paul J. Johnson
Insect Research Collection
Box 2207A, South Dakota State University
Brookings, SD 57007
<mailto:[email protected]>[email protected]
South Dakota State University is committed to
affirmative action, equal opportunity and
diversity of its faculty, staff and
students. Women and minorities are encouraged to
apply. Arrangements for accommodations required
by disabilities can be made at 605/688-4504 (TTY 605/688-4394).
