Graduate Research Assistantships (M.S. & Ph.D.) & Biotechnician
Opportunities Studying Riverine Food Webs and Fish Ecology in Alaska
Seeking to fill four graduate positions and several technician
positions on three research projects in Alaska looking at riverine
food webs, predator/prey interactions, and landuse/climate change
influences on stream-terrestrial trophic linkages (EPSCoR). One
project on the Kenai River watershed focuses on hydrologic
connectivity in headwaters, and the effects of landcover and climate
change on prey supplies for stream salmonids. Another looks at
temporal and spatial patterns of benthic macroinvertebrate
communities, prey abundance and availability, and predation by fishes,
above and below a natural anadromous fish barrier on the Susitna
River.The third investigates predator-prey interactions and factors
influencing predation risk for juvenile Chinook salmon within the
Yukon River watershed. All students will be supported on research
assistantships, but will be expected to assist with teaching 1-2
semesters of their graduate program.Technician positions range from
6-24 months, with the possibility of extension. Technicians will be
involved in several aspects of the projects, primarily in support of
graduate student research, including field and lab work, project
logistics and management, data entry, and project planning and
coordination. All three projects are highly collaborative, team-based,
research efforts variably involving university, agency, subsistence
fishers, and private industry partners.Strong academic training in
aquatic biology/ecology, entomology, or fish ecology, excellent
communication and interpersonal skills, field experience and
competence, and ability to work in team and individual settings are
essential.Excellent writing skills are a must. Successful candidates
will be required to successfully complete training in boat operation,
gun/bear safety, wilderness survival, first aid, and CPR.Work will be
based at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, and fieldwork will
involve camping in, and working out of, remote field sites during
parts of the field season.Weather during the research season is
normally moderately warm (50-80°F) and reasonably dry, but field
conditions at times can be cold, wet, and bear and
bug-ridden.Successful candidates should also be willing and able to
tolerate the inconveniences of an unspoiled natural environment and
seemingly endless outdoor activities. Salaries range $22-26/hr for
graduate students, $14-21 for techs. Students will have the option of
applying to and obtaining their degrees in either Fisheries or
Biology.To begin the application process, submit /via email/ a cover
letter that includes a brief review of your research experience,
interests and goals, and what makes you a good fit for one of these
positions (2 page max), resume, transcripts, GRE scores (except
biotechnician applicants), and names of three references to:
[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>
Dr. Mark S. Wipfli
School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences & Dept of Biology and Wildlife
Institute of Arctic Biology
University of Alaska Fairbanks
www.iab.uaf.edu/~mark_wipfli/ <http://www.iab.uaf.edu/%7Emark_wipfli/>
To learn more about graduate studies at the University of Alaska
Fairbanks, visit www.uaf.edu/gradsch.Positions remained open until
filled, but review of applications begins immediately.Successful
applicants will begin work between March-July, 2013, depending on
project needs and funding.
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Mark S. Wipfli, Professor
USGS Alaska Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit
209 Irving I Bldg
Institute of Arctic Biology
University of Alaska Fairbanks
Fairbanks, AK 99775
office: 138 AHRB
907-474-6654
labs 474-6740 and -7061
fax 474-6101
[email protected]
skype: mark_wipfli
www.iab.uaf.edu/~mark_wipfli/
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