M.S. Graduate Research Assistantship - Bobcat Ecology, Division of Forestry and Natural Resources, Wildlife and Fisheries Resources Program, West Virginia University
STARTING DATE: August 2014 or negotiable. CLOSING DATE: Position is open until filled and pending final approval of funding. DESCRIPTION: Student will be supported by 12-month Research Assistantship for 2.5 years. Biological data on bobcats in West Virginia have not been updated since the late 1970s. Improved data are needed to update population models due to increasing pelt prices and harvest demand, changing habitat quality and abundance, and unreliable harvest data. The student will coordinate with West Virginia Division of Natural Resources personnel to: 1) obtain and process bobcat carcasses from trappers and hunters from throughout West Virginia; 2) obtain age structure of harvested animals and compare among ecological regions; 3) evaluate productivity of bobcats and compare among regions; 4) assess food habits, parasites, diseases, morphometry, and condition of bobcats; and 5) collaborate with a Ph.D. student who will coordinate a statewide population assessment and update the population model. The student will be working toward a M.S. in Wildlife and Fisheries Resources at West Virginia University (http://wildlife.wvu.edu/). QUALIFICATIONS: B.S. in Wildlife or closely related field. Minimum GPA of 3.0 and combined quantitative/verbal GRE scores of 300 (~1,100 old scoring system). A strong interest in working with trappers and hunters and predator ecology is required. STIPEND: $16,536/year plus health insurance and complete tuition waiver. CONTACT: Student will be advised by Dr. James T. Anderson. Interested individuals should send a letter of interest, resume, a 500-word statement of purpose (why do you want to work on this project, your research interests, and long-term career goals), unofficial copy of transcripts and GRE scores, and contact information for 3 references to [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>. James T. Anderson, Ph.D. Davis-Michael Professor Forestry and Natural Resources Program Coordinator, Wildlife and Fisheries Resources Director, Environmental Research Center West Virginia University (304) 293-3825 http://wildlife.wvu.edu/ http://erc.davis.wvu.edu/
