PhD Assistantship in Wildlife Ecology, University of Maine Effects of forest management practices in the Acadian conifer forests of Maine on forest bird communities
A PhD assistantship (including a stipend, tuition, health insurance) is available at the University of Maine in the Department of Wildlife Ecology beginning September 2012 to study relationships between forest bird community composition and forest harvest practices in northern Maine, with a focus on priority species dependent on conifer forests. The research will evaluate if forest harvest approaches used in conifer-dominated stands retain the species composition and structural attributes necessary to support an intact and productive avian community that includes federal priority species. The Ph. D. dissertation will relate avian diversity and abundance to stand composition and structural attributes in forests that have been harvested with a range of intensities along a temporal gradient and quantify relationships between avian community composition and forest harvest pattern in the landscape. Prior experience with forest bird surveys and experience in GIS and spatial analysis are desired. An M.S. degree is required. We seek outstanding applicants with relevant coursework and research experience in the following areas: wildlife biology, ecology, zoology, or forest ecosystems. Stipend level (minimum $18,000 annually) will be based on relevant experience and coursework. Please send pre-applications of a cover letter expressing interest in the position, CV, and unofficial copies of transcripts to Drs. Cynthia Loftin ([email protected]) and Daniel Harrison ([email protected]), with subject line Forest Birds Ph.D. Assistantship.
