PhD Assistantship in Tropical Hummingbird Pollination Ecology The Betts Landscape Ecology Lab at Oregon State University (http://www.fsl.orst.edu/flel/) is accepting applications for a PhD Graduate Assistantship in Tropical Pollination Ecology. The student will help to implement a National Science Foundation-funded study examining the effects of tropical deforestation and keystone plant species decline on the structure of pollination networks. The student will develop their project as part of a team of researchers examining landscape effects on plant demography, genetic structure and hummingbird movements. This position is an excellent opportunity for a student interested in landscape ecology, conservation biology, pollination ecology and ornithology to gain valuable knowledge and experience in ecological theory, modeling, and empirical data collection (e.g., hummingbird banding, hummingbird movement tracking and pollination ecology techniques). The field portion of the work will take place at the Las Cruces Biological Station, Costa Rica (http://www.ots.ac.cr/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=220&Itemid=422). This Organization for Tropical Studies site has a long legacy of research in tropical ecology and hosts many other ongoing projects. Oregon State University is among the top U.S. universities for scientific productivity in environmental sciences and conservation biology. Applicant requirements: - A Masters degree in Biology or related field (e.g., Environmental science, Zoology, Wildlife Ecology etc.). Highly accomplished undergraduates will be considered under special circumstances. - GPA >3.5 - Strong previous experience in field research (preferably both ornithological and botanical) - Upper-level undergraduate or graduate-level courses in statistics - Previous experience working effectively with a team (preferably as field crew leader) - Excellent physical condition (the position requires traversing mountainous terrain through primary and secondary tropical forest). - Demonstrated experience in publishing in peer-reviewed literature - Applicants with existing funding (e.g., NSF, NSERC, Fulbright, graduate assistantships) will be given high priority. To apply: For full consideration, send (1) a letter of interest, (2) resume, (3) GRE scores, (4) transcripts (unofficial transcripts are sufficient), (5) writing sample, and (6) contact information (email and phone number) for three references to: Prof. Matt Betts ([email protected]) and Dr. Adam Hadley ([email protected]). For questions regarding the application process, contact Dr. Hadley by email. We will begin reviewing applications on Jan. 2nd 2016.
