We are recruiting two graduate research assistants to work on research related to the ecology and management of forest passerines. Both students will be located in the Department of Ecosystem Science and Management at Penn State University (http://ecosystems.psu.edu/) and will participate in either the Wildlife and Fisheries Science graduate degree Program (http://ecosystems.psu.edu/graduateprograms/wfs) or in the interdepartmental Ecology graduate degree program (http://www.huck.psu.edu/education/ecology). For both positions, we seek someone that can either start as a student Jan. 1 or begin working late spring and begin coursework in the fall of 2015. Field work for each will begin summer 2015.
Project 1: M.S. or Ph.D. Assistantship - Identifying characteristics and management strategies associated with high avian abundance and diversity in core forest habitats We seek a graduate student to join an interdisciplinary team of university and state agency scientists working to better understand factors influencing bird distributions in core forests and the effect of management history on bird distributions in these habitats. The work will combine existing and newly collected point count data to understand factors governing bird distributions across multiple scales. The student will lead the collection of new data, which will focus on understanding road effects on bird distribution and site-scale factors affecting abundance of core forest birds. The work will help inform management strategies for core forest birds in PA. We will consider a student at either the M.S. or Ph.D level for the position. The student will work with Dr. Margaret Brittingham and Dr. David Miller along with state employees and a post-doc to be hired in the development and implementation of the project. Project 2: M.S. Assistantship – Monitoring Bird Community Composition and Dynamics in the NPS - Eastern Rivers and Mountains Network We seek a student to help collect and analyze data and make recommendations for the National Park Services’ Eastern Rivers and Mountain Network streamside bird monitoring program. The network, which includes 9 parks, monitors riparian bird communities as part of their vital signs monitoring program. In addition, to providing guidelines for the analysis of data sets and recommendations for future monitoring, the student develop their own research questions related to health of streamside bird communities in the region. The student will work with Dr. David Miller and Dr. Matt Marshall (head of Eastern Rivers and Mountains Network Inventory and Monitoring program). Preferred Qualifications: The student must have the ability to ID forest birds of the northeast U.S. by sight and sound. Field work will be in remote locations and will require an ability to effectively navigate steep and rough terrain. Both projects include a strong statistical component and we will look favorably on candidates with strong math/stats interests, ability, and skills. Other favorable qualifications include GIS abilities, experience supervising field crews, an understanding of common forestry practices, and interests in conservation biology, population, and community ecology. An M.S. is preferred for students that wish to be considered at the PhD level. To Apply: If you are interested in applying, please send the following via email to [email protected]: 1) a cover letter briefly explaining your research interests and suitability for the project, 2) CV or resume, 3) unofficial transcripts, and 4) unofficial GRE scores. Please specify the project for which you are applying and degree sought in the subject line of the email. We will begin reviewing application by 31 August, 2014 and the positions will remain open until filled.
