Field Crew leader/MS Positions: Amphibian occupancy and Prothonotary Warbler breeding ecology, Richmond, VA
Drs. Lesley Bulluck, James Vonesh, and Cathy Viverette in the Department of Biology and the Center for Environmental Studies at Virginia Commonwealth University along with Dr. Kristine Grayson in the Department of Biology at the University of Richmond are seeking applications for two field crew leader/graduate student positions to start March 9th, 2015. We are seeking applicants with the desire to continue research in the theme of these projects in the VCU Biology or Environmental Studies MS programs in the Fall of 2015, contingent upon admission into the program (http://biology.vcu.edu/graduate/ms/admission-requirements). We will also be hiring two technicians positions on this project under a separate advertisement The successful applicants will participate in a collaborative project involving (1) amphibian occupancy surveys and (2) evaluation of prothonotary warbler breeding ecology. Each crew leader will organize and lead one of these field components during Spring and Summer 2015. Field work will take place at Fort A.P. Hill, situated approximately mid-way between Richmond and Washington D.C. A $1500/month stipend and local housing and transportation will be provided during the field season. Competitive teaching assistantships and tuition waivers are available upon admission to the VCU Biology MS program and support may be available to strong candidates for the Environmental Studies MS program. VCU, located in Richmond, VA, is the largest public R1 University in Virginia and has an active and diverse Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Science faculty. Successful applicants should have a BS in biology (or related field), GPA >3.3, GREs >1200, an interest in developing quantitative skills, a high level of self-motivation, and prior research experience. Both positions require prior experience in the field, navigational skills, and a high tolerance for wet, hot, buggy coastal plain conditions. Especially desirable skills for the amphibian position include prior experience in capturing and identifying amphibians in the Eastern United States, the ability to work at night and on a flexible schedule, and familiarity with GIS and occupancy analysis. Especially desirable skills for the warbler position include prior experience mist netting/banding of birds, collecting blood and feather samples, and making detailed field observations. Interested persons should initially email a letter that summarizes their background, educational goals, and research interests, along with curriculum vitae (include GPA and GRE scores) with contact information for three references to Dr. Lesley Bulluck ([email protected]) for the warbler position or Dr. Kristine Grayson ([email protected]) for the amphibian position. Candidates will be considered starting November 15th and the application deadline for the graduate program is January 15th.
