MS Teaching Assistantship in Stress Physiology and PRNP genotypes to Assess Susceptibility of Elk to Chronic Wasting Disease
Description: MS Teaching Assistantship is available to start in the spring/fall 2017 in the Department of Ecosystem Science and Management and the Pennsylvania Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit at The Pennsylvania State University. The student will work in the Sheriff Lab and Walter Applied Spatial Ecology Lab. The project involves research on stress hormone levels and GPS datasets to identify potential subpopulation structuring leading to depressed recruitment throughout the range of elk in central Pennsylvania. The project will also assess PRNP genotype frequencies from the same elk to assess potential for susceptibility to chronic wasting disease. The ideal candidate will have experience with or a combination of experiences with the following: Program R, stress hormone laboroatory practices, and experience in extraction, amplification, and genotyping of DNA from tissue samples. Qualifications: Minimum of a BS degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Science or related field with background in population/conservation/landscape genetics . Graduate research will primarily be laboratory analysis of samples collected but may include some some travel and field work to collect tissue samples. The most qualified applicants will have previous experience in the laboratory, considerable experience or knowledge of stress physiology and$\backslash$or genetics. Interested applicants should submit the following items: 1) a C.V. with competitive GPA and GREs, and also include contact information for 3 references and 2) a 1-2 page description of research interests and responses to qualifications. Applications should be submitted in a single file (pdf, Word) by email to [email protected] with the Subject line: GRADUATE STUDENT TEACHING ASSISTANTSHIP\\ Start Date: 9 January 2017 Salary: Tuition and stipend of about \$24,000 per year that includes summer salary Closing Date: 15 September 2016 Contacts: W. David Walter http://ecosystems.psu.edu/research/labs/walter-lab Michael Sheriff http://michaeljsheriff.weebly.com/
