MS Position in Conservation Biology of Wildlife Sensory Environments at Cal Poly
Location: California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo DESCRIPTION: A MS position is be available in the Francis Lab <http://clintondavidfranci.wix.com/francislab> at California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) to participate in multi-institution project funded by NASA’s Applied Sciences Program. The project is titled “Using N <>ASA resources to better inform wildlife conservation in the Anthropocene: Spatially predicting impacts of anthropogenic nightlight and noise on wildlife habitat integrity across the contiguous United States.” The graduate student will participate in and lead various activities including: developing novel databases of sensitivities of avian species to anthropogenic nightlight and noise, creating and analyzing spatially-explicit maps of risks from those sensory stimuli to birds, and conducting local-level multivariate analyses of avian habitat quality. The graduate student will work with other researchers on the project from Boise State University, Utah State University, NASA, as well as the National Park Service. Cal Poly is located in San Luis Obispo <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Luis_Obispo,_California> on the Central Coast of California. Coursework will begin in Cal Poly’s Biological Sciences Department <http://bio.calpoly.edu/> in September 2017. A research assistantship, tuition waiver, summer salary and, possibly, teaching assistantship for 1-2 quarters, will support the selected applicant. QUALIFICATIONS: Required: Strong candidates will be self-motivated, have a bachelor’s degree in Biology, Conservation or a closely related field, a strong interest in quantitative analyses and the ability to work independently and with large collaborative teams. Individuals that can demonstrate strong writing and communication skills, possess experience using R and/or ArcGIS and working with large datasets and have evidence of success in previous projects, including publications and/or professional presentations will be given priority. HOW TO APPLY: Interested applicants should email the following items to Dr. Francis (cdfranci (at) calpoly.edu) as soon as possible for guidance on whether to formally apply: 1) A brief statement detailing the candidate’s (a) interest in obtaining a graduate degree focused on understanding and predicting avian sensitivities to anthropogenic sensory stimuli, (b) past research experience, and (c) professional goals; 2) CV or resume (including GRE scores) and 3) unofficial transcripts. Formal applications to Cal Poly’s MS program <http://bio.calpoly.edu/content/graduate-degrees#Application & Admission> are due on Feb. 1, 2017. ______________________ Clinton D Francis, PhD Assistant Professor Cal Poly Biological Sciences 1 Grand Ave San Luis Obispo, CA 93407 Office: 33-369 Lab: 33-260, 52-D6, 53-212 Office Phone: 805.756.5358 [email protected] Francis Ecology Lab <http://clintondavidfranci.wix.com/francislab> ______________________
