Project title: Effects of forest management on woodcock and associated avian wildlife in southern New England forests.
A research assistantship is available at the M.Sc. or Ph.D. level to study the distribution and abundance of wild birds associated with early successional forests in southern New England and to develop a forest management plan for enhancing such wildlife. Selected species of songbird and gamebird that prefer early successional habitats will be censused to determine how forest management type and history influences their occurrence. An ongoing radiotelemetry study will be used to estimate home range and daily activity patterns of woodcock, an important gamebird associated with these forests. Significant habitat assessment and mapping will also be involved. Most field work will be conducted in Rhode Island on public and private forested land. Qualifications: Only hard-working, motivated, intelligent, good-natured persons interested in birds need apply. Applicants must have completed an undergraduate degree in animal/wildlife biology or ecology, earned at least a 3.2 GPA, must have taken the GRE, and must have excellent oral and written communication skills. Field experience with bird capture and handling, techniques for censusing songbirds, radiotelemetry and woodcock, and GIS is highly desirable. Experience with quantitative analysis skills and field research is required. Ability to work collaboratively and to supervise research assistants and undergraduates working in the field is also required. Stipends are approx. $25,000/yr (includes a mix of RA & TA) and tuition is paid. Starting date is January 2015 or could be as late as September 2015. To apply submit the following: a letter stating your qualifications and research interests, a resume or CV, college transcripts, GRE scores, and 3 letters of reference by no later than 1 December 2015 (early application is encouraged) to: Dr. Scott R. McWilliams Dept. Natural Resources Science, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881 401-874-7531; [email protected] Graduate students will choose to be trained in the Ecology & Ecosystem Science graduate program (http://web.uri.edu/cels-gradprograms/ees/) or the Integrative & Evolutionary Biology graduate program (http://web.uri.edu/cels-gradprograms/ieb/) at URI. These are interdepartmental graduate groups within our College of the Environment and Life Sciences (http://web.uri.edu/cels/) that are designed to provide students with a strong, interdisciplinary and integrative learning environment. Selected candidates will be asked to apply to the Graduate School of University of Rhode Island.
