An M.S. Research Assistantship is available to study population responses of the endangered American burying beetle as part of Dirac Twidwell’s research team at the University of Nebraska. Research will be conducted in the Loess Canyons, a complex landscape consisting of approximately 300,000-acres of grassland and juniper woodland. Combinations of mechanical-removal treatments and high intensity prescribed fires have been used to restore grassland connectivity within an increasingly juniper- dominated landscape. This has resulted in a spatially complex and dynamic landscape where some patches have increased in woody plant density and cover, others have remained the same (either in a grassland or juniper woodland dominated state), and yet others have decreased as a result of restoration. These spatiotemporal shifts provide a gradient of landscape composition, pattern and change that, when combined with long-term ABB monitoring data, will be used to determine population trends across multiple spatiotemporal scales.
Qualifications: Applicants should have a B.S. degree in entomology, wildlife science, biology, ecology or related field. The successful candidate will be highly motivated, passionate about scientific inquiry, possess excellent writing and communication skills, and a strong desire to communicate research in refereed scientific journals and to stakeholders. The student will be expected to conduct field sampling in relatively remote areas in stressful environments. Position details: Start date: flexible but must start by January 1, 2017. M.S. annual stipend is $23,400 Full tuition waiver. Graduate student health benefits are provided at a reduced rate. Applications: Students interested in this position should send a statement of interest with research qualifications and career goals, GRE scores, your most recent transcript (unofficial is acceptable) and a CV that includes the contact information for three references (email is preferred). Review of applications will begin March 17 and continue until a suitable candidate is found. Please send applications to Dirac Twidwell ([email protected]).
