Agency: Pennsylvania Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit Location: Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA
Job Description: We have a M.S. graduate student assistantship available to start in summer or fall 2015 at the Pennsylvania Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit at Penn State University in the Department of Ecosystem Science and Management. The position is fully funded by the USGS and Pennsylvania Game Commission for 2.5 years. The project involves research on population estimates of pheasant on Wild Pheasant Recovery Areas (WPRAs) in Pennsylvania using a habitat-based model to evaluate landscape and predict the success of restoring wild pheasant populations to a defined pheasant density goal. The ideal candidate will have experience with population estimation, Geographic Information Systems software, and Program R. The selected individual can initially start in summer 2015, if available, on wage payroll assisting in digitizing habitats of WPRAs at the micro-habitat scale. The student will then be on a fully-funded MS graduate assistantship beginning mid-August 2015 designing models to link micro-scale habitats to ideal density of pheasant in Pennsylvania. The most qualified applicants would ideally have an BS in Wildlife Ecology, Biology, or Ecology with an interest in population estimation, GIS software, and program R. Interested applicants should submit the following items: 1) a C.V. with GPA, GREs, and contact information for 3 references and 2) a 1–2 page description of research interests and responses to qualifications. The selected individual will be co-advised by Drs. W. David Walter and Duane Diefenbach at the Pennsylvania Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit. Applications should be submitted in a single file (pdf, Word) by email to: Dr. W. David Walter ([email protected]) and Duane Diefenbach ([email protected]) with the Subject: GRADUATE STUDENT ASSISTANTSHIP The assistantship includes a stipend and summer salary (approx. $24,000/yr), waived tuition, and health benefits through Penn State University. In addition, the project will provide a desktop PC for conducting all population and spatial analyses. Salary: $24,000/yr + health benefits + waived tuition Last Date to apply: Applications will be reviewed as received until a suitable candidate is found Website: http://www.coopunits.org/Pennsylvania/ Contact: W. David Walter – [email protected] (814-867-4763) Duane Diefenbach – [email protected] (814-574-1513)
