Research Associate: Waterbird Management and Monitoring The Patuxent Wildlife Research Center and the NC Cooperative Research Unit seek a research associate to support an integrated monitoring program for a broad suite of waterbirds across the Atlantic and Mississippi Flyways in the eastern United States. The monitoring program is driven by the decision-making needs of management agencies and their partners, at three spatial scales (flyway, regional, and local), and encompasses monitoring of waterbird populations and their habitats. The Integrated Waterbird Management & Monitoring (IWMM) initiative has completed one pilot season. Continued development of the monitoring program will require: development of appropriate sampling designs at multiple scales; data management and analysis; training field staff in monitoring and data management protocols; logistical oversight of the data collection; revision of sampling designs and methods in light of the pilot data; and consultation with database engineers to describe the performance requirements for a web-based database for long-term use.
Description This position is located at Patuxent Wildlife Research Center. The successful applicant will work with Patuxent scientists and Dr. Jaime Collazo (NCSU), and will be part of an interagency research team, including scientists from U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Refuges, USFWS Division of Migratory Bird Management, and several Joint Ventures. The research team will provide substantial support in the overall framework for the monitoring program, logistical arrangements with field staff, and review of the details of the monitoring plan. Travel funds will be provided to support visits with study team members and other cooperators, and to attend regional training workshops. Qualifications Minimum: Master's degree plus 1-3 years of research assistant experience is required. Preferred: 1) Ph.D. in quantitative ecology, biostatistics, or other relevant field, preferably within the last 5 years; 2) Expertise in monitoring design for ecological problems and database management; 3) Knowledge of waterbird ecology, statistical analysis, and adaptive management; and 4) Excellent verbal and written communication skills to facilitate a collaborative research environment and dissemination of results in public forums and scientific outlets. Benefits The salary range is approximately $50,000 - $70,000 (includes 15% fringe benefits with the potential for a 5% annual increase) depending on qualifications. This is a one-year time-limited appointment with potential for extension based on the scope of the applicant?s interests and contingent on funding. Benefits are fully described in the University?s Benefits Handbook ( http://www7.acs.ncsu.edu/benefits/pdf/Post-Doc_Benefits_Booklet.pdf). Application If interested, please submit an online application for job announcement #61971 at the North Carolina State University employment opportunities website < https://jobs.ncsu.edu/applicants/jsp/shared/frameset/Frameset.jsp?time=1315419254497 > For general questions about the position and the Integrated Waterbird Management and Monitoring Program contact Jim Lyons ([email protected]). For questions about North Carolina State University, contact Jaime Collazo ([email protected]). For questions about USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, contact Michael Runge ([email protected]).
