M.S. Graduate Opportunity: Reptile and Amphibian Conservation Location: SUNY-ESF (Syracuse, NY) / Home Of Franklin D Roosevelt National Historic Site (Poughkeepsie, NY)
Start Date: Jan 15 or May 1 2015 Last Date to Apply: 15 Dec 2015 (we are eager to fill this position so applications considered when received) Description: SUNY-ESF in collaboration with the US National Park Service seek a highly motivated student with strong academic credentials and an avid interest in reptile and amphibian conservation to undertake a two-pronged project at the Home Of Franklin D Roosevelt National Historic Site (HOFR) near New York City during 2015 and 2016: an inventory of amphibian and reptile communities on the nearly 1,000 acre property and researching threats and conservation measures for an endangered turtle species present. The team will consist of a crew leader and two field assistants(field assistants will be recruited in early 2015 through separate announcement). We will use a variety of approaches to inventory the site’s amphibian and reptile community including calling frog surveys, pitfall trapping, hoop netting, and visual searches and perform targeted research on the endangered turtle species present. The successful applicant for this position will serve as crew leader and would be enrolled in SUNY-ESF’s Department of Forest and Environmental Biology (http://www.esf.edu/efb/) and conduct their thesis research at HOFR (http://www.nps.gov/hofr/index.htm). Ability to work independently yet collaboratively as part of a university-National Park Service research team is critical. A strong interest in reptile and amphibian conservation and field surveys is essential as is interest in advancing NPS natural resources protections; prior experience with amphibian and reptile fieldwork is helpful. Acceptance is conditional on the applicant being selected for a teaching assistantship or graduate fellowship through SUNY-ESF. The candidate will develop a research project that overlaps with their research interests while still achieving the NPS’s goals of amphibian and reptile inventory of the site. Application deadline to be considered for assistantship support at SUNY-ESF is Dec. 15 2014 for spring semester start or Mar 1 2015 for fall semester start. For either start date candidate must commit to both field seasons (May 1-Aug 15 2015 and 2016). Information about the application process can be found at: http://www.esf.edu/graduate/admission.htm Qualifications: Minimum qualifications include a B.S. degree in ecology, zoology, conservation biology, wildlife biology or related discipline. Undergraduate GPA should be => 3.0 and GRE scores of => 1000 (300 in new system). Only applicants with a strong academic record should apply. Applicants should submit their CV (including GPA and GRE scores), contacts for at least three references, and a one-page letter describing their research interests as they relate to this position and stating their desired starting date to Dr. James P. Gibbs: [email protected]. More information about Dr. Gibbs’ lab can be found at: http://www.esf.edu/efb/gibbs/. Contact person: Dr. James P. Gibbs
