PhD Graduate Assistantship available to work with Dr. Melanie Murphy
(Department of Ecosystem Science and Management/Program in Ecology), Dr. Annika
Walters (Department of Zoology and Physiology/Program in Ecology) and Dr. Anna
Chalfoun (Department of Zoology and Physiology/Program in Ecology) at
University of Wyoming in collaboration with Dr. Doug Keinath (Wyoming
Ecological Services, USFWS).
The Wyoming toad (Anaxyrus baxteri) is one of the most endangered amphibians in
North America, which rapidly declined in the 1970s due to unknown causes. This
narrow-range endemic was listed under the ESA in 1984 and is now considered
extinct in the wild. In the early 1990s, managers collected the remaining
individuals to establish a captive breeding program. A small population at
Mortenson Lake National Wildlife Refuge sustained by captive-release is now one
of the only known, non-captive populations of Wyoming toads. The U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service recently improved captive facilities to allow regular release
of adult Wyoming toads into the wild in order to foster increased reproduction
and survival. This resulted in notable increases in reproduction, as evidenced
by regular wild breeding, but changes in survival are questionable because the
released animals are being observed less frequently than expected. Since all
released toads are uniquely identified, tracking these animals offers a unique
opportunity to collect longitudinal information on: 1) individual survival, 2)
individual behavior and habitat selection, 3) individual health status (e.g.,
Chytrid fungus (Bd) infection rate), and 4) how survival, behavior and health
status relate to genotype.
Prospective students with a background in wildlife, natural resources,
ecology, and/or population genetics are encouraged to apply. Evidence of robust
analytical skills, ability to work independently under stochastic field
conditions, strong work ethic, scientific writing, passion for scientific
inquiry, and aptitude for collaborative research are expected. Additional
skills in radio-tracking anuran species and population genetics laboratory
skills (particularly using low quality/low quantity DNA) will be preferred but
not required. Work will require animal care, hiking, working in harsh field
conditions at high elevation, working in wetlands and driving a 4WD vehicle.
To apply, please send a statement of interest, complete CV, unofficial
transcripts, unofficial GRE scores, and contact information for three
professional references as a single PDF file (LastName_WyomingToad.pdf) to
[email protected]. Application deadline is December 3, 2018, although
review of applicants will begin immediately. Preferred start date is January
28, 2019 but some flexibility may be possible for the right candidate.
Area and Institution: University of Wyoming (www.uwyo.edu) is ideally located
in Laramie, Wyoming with easy access to varied field sites and outdoor
recreation opportunities. In addition, the campus is only 1 hour from Fort
Collins and ~2 hours from an international airport (Denver, CO). Applicants
are encouraged to investigate the Program in Ecology (www.uwyo.edu/pie), an
integrated, interdepartmental PhD program in ecological science.
Support of graduate student may be through the University of Wyoming
Under-Represented Domestic Minority mentoring Graduate Assistantships (URDM),
which are intended to increase access and opportunities to graduate education
for U.S. students from under-represented/ under-served communities and to
increase student diversity in our graduate degree programs on a competitive
basis. Statement of interest should address if applicant would qualify for
URDM. The URDM awards are funded through a partnership of the Office of
Academic Affairs and the faculty mentor(s) of the prospective student. The
University of Wyoming is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action
employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment
without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability or
protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law and
University policy. Please see www.uwyo.edu/diversity/fairness
