We are currently recruiting an ambitious MS student to join the Wildlife Ecology and Management Lab at South Dakota State University to work on a project investigating mesocarnivores in an agricultural-dominated landscape. South Dakota supports a diverse guild of mesocarnivores and provides a unique opportunity to investigate the influence of agricultural landscapes and intraguild interactions on patterns of species occurrence. The selected candidate will employ noninvasive monitoring strategies and develop multi-species occupancy models for mesocarnivores of management interest in South Dakota. The selected candidate will be funded for 3 years (starting in January 2019), while working towards a MS degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Science through the Department of Natural Resources at South Dakota State University. This assistantship is funded primarily through a Research Assistantship at ~$16,500/yr (plus a full tuition waiver), but may include a Teaching Assistantship support. This project is in collaboration with the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish, and Parks (SD GFP). The student will be expected to work closely with SD GFP biologists/researchers and with private landowners.
Minimum Qualifications in include a B.S. in wildlife (or a closely related discipline), at least 6–12 months of field experience conducting wildlife surveys, experience working with the R programming language, excellent oral communication and technical writing skills, demonstrated ability to operate a 4x4 vehicle in inclement conditions, and a valid US driver’s license (without restrictions). Preference will be given to candidates with prior knowledge and experience working with furbearers, experience planning and coordinating daily field surveys and activities and/or conducting independent research, technical writing and/or publication experience, experience with noninvasive survey techniques (e.g., camera traps, scent stations, scat deposition surveys, visual encounter surveys, or point counts), and experience working with on private lands and communicating with the public. To Apply: Please combine the following into a single PDF file: (1) a cover letter that details why you are interested in this position, your most relevant experiences, and your professional goals/aspirations; (2) a Curriculum Vitae; (3) contact information (i.e., name, affiliation, email, and phone number) for 3 references; (4) unofficial GRE scores; and (5) unofficial undergraduate transcripts. Send the PDF file as an attachment to [email protected] by 2 November 2018 with the subject titled “MS Research Position”. Electronic (email) submission of applications is encouraged but mail is also fine; mailed applications should be postmarked by 2 November 2018 and sent to Robert Lonsinger, South Dakota State University, Department of Natural Resource Management, 1390 College Avenue, Edgar S. McFadden Biostress Lab Room 138, Box 2140B, Brookings, SD 57007-1696. University/Community: South Dakota State University is the state’s largest, most comprehensive higher education institution. As South Dakota’s Morrill Act land-grant university, SDSU had a fall 2016 enrollment of 12,613 students from all 50 states and 85 countries. Approximately 55% of SDSU students are residents of South Dakota, 37% from other states, and 8% from other countries. There are ongoing efforts to bring a greater global perspective to the campus to increase diversity. The main campus of SDSU is the center of life in Brookings, a friendly, economically-healthy community of nearly 23,657 residents on the eastern border of the state. Brookings has an active social and cultural environment, and has numerous lakes and parks within an easy commute. Sioux Falls, a city of approximately 170,000 persons, is 55 miles to the south. Any offer of employment is contingent on the university’s verification of credentials and other information required by law and/or university policies, including but not limited to a criminal background check. South Dakota State University is committed to affirmative action, equal opportunity and the diversity of its faculty, staff and students. Women, minorities, veterans, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Arrangements for accommodations required by disabilities can be made by emailing [email protected]. SDSU prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, gender, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran’s status or any other protected class in the offering of all educational programs and employment opportunities. Individuals with concerns regarding discrimination should contact: Equal Opportunity Officer/Title IX Coordinator, Human Resources, Morrill Hall 100, SDSU, Brookings, SD 57007. Phone: (605) 688-4128.
