We are looking for an intern to assist with fieldwork on resource
availability and caching behaviour in a population of North American red
squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus). The intern will assist a
graduate student (Andrea Wishart, PhD student) to observe squirrel
behaviour, demarcate squirrel territories, quantify resources (namely, white
spruce cones) on squirrel territories and assist with data entry and
verification. Anticipated start date is July 15 and preference will be given
to those who can start then or as soon as possible thereafter. End date is
September 30, 2017. The intern must be comfortable working independently in
the forest as necessary (radios are provided). It is expected that the
intern will display strong organizational abilities, responsibility,
teamwork skills, respect for the animals, and integrity in data collection.
All fieldwork is carried out in the spectacular Kluane region of
southwestern Yukon, Canada, at sites along the Alaska Highway between the
Ruby Mountains and the St Elias Mountains (some of the tallest mountains in
the country), ~2.5 hours driving from Whitehorse. The intern will directly
interact with other researchers at the field station working on a diversity
of species (Canada lynx and snowshoe hares), as well as a diversity of red
squirrel researchers from across 5 universities involved with the Kluane Red
Squirrel Project.
International applicants: We welcome applications from all
individuals. If applicants are not Canadians or permanent residents, there
is the opportunity to enter Canada and complete the internship as a Visiting
Research Student. To be eligible for this program, you must be an
undergraduate student, a graduate student, or be in between degrees (e.g.,
following graduation from a bachelors degree and looking to pursue graduate
school). As part of this program, applicants will be registered at the U of
S in a non-credit activity and it is expected that you will gain a
demonstrable educational benefit from being involved. We are particularly
interested in applicants who wish to use this opportunity to pursue an
independent research project. Applicants are eligible for this program for a
maximum of 6 months per 12 month period. Application forms and information
are available at
http://grad.usask.ca/admissions/alternate-applicants/visiting-research-student.php
If you are interested in this program, please contact us (contact details
below) and we will guide you through the process.
Skills required: The successful candidate will have
previous fieldwork experience in a similar work environment. Good
organizational, multi-tasking and communication skills are essential. The
successful applicant will also have experience in data entry. Successful
applicants will need to be able to cope under these field conditions, enjoy
the outdoors, be up-beat, positive, responsible and work well as a member of
their own team, as well as other users of the area (i.e., other
researchers). Evidence of these abilities (gained, for example, through
previous involvement on field projects or extended back-packing trips) is
expected.
Terms of Employment: Salary is not provided as part of
these positions. Accommodation and food are provided. Travel between the
field station and Saskatoon is provided. Volunteers are required to provide
for their own travel to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
If you wish to apply for this position, please send a CV with a cover letter
and contact details of two references (with e-mail address), by email to
Andrea Wishart (contact info below) before June 30, 2017. Only those
selected for interview will be contacted.
Contact: Andrea Wishart
Department of Biology
University of Saskatchewan
[email protected]
More info: www.redsquirrel.ca www.aewishart.wordpress.com
www.lanelab.com
