The Saltmarsh Habitat and Avian Research Program (SHARP) is looking for a Ph.D. student in evolutionary ecology to start January 2018. The successful candidate will supervise field crews across the Northeast US (Maine to Virginia) and assess variation in the demographic rates of tidal marsh sparrows with respect to marsh restoration and various environmental gradients. The position will be in the Olsen lab (http://olsen.umaine-biology.org/) at the University of Maine, with close collaboration with Dr. Adrienne Kovach at the University of New Hampshire (http://www.kovachlab.com) and an opportunity for molecular training and co-advisement. The student will also work closely with SHARP, a collaborative group of researchers studying tidal marsh bird ecology and conservation across the Northeast (www.tidalmarshbirds.org). The student will be based primarily in Orono, Maine during the academic year, an hour to the ocean and an hour and a half to Maine’s highest peak.
The successful applicant will have extensive mist-netting experience (previous time as a federal banding subpermittee strongly preferred) and the demonstrated ability to supervise technicians in the field. Strong organizational skills, intellectual curiosity, and an undying love (or at least tolerance) of mud, bugs, and the soul-cleansing fires of fieldwork are a must. The ability to work well with a large variety of biological professionals at wildlife refuges, state and federal agencies, and universities is also necessary. An M.S. in a related field is preferred, but qualified candidates with extensive experiences will be considered regardless. Previous training in molecular methods, or an interest in learning about ecological genomics and applying it to field-relevant questions is also encouraged. To apply, please send a cover letter, curriculum vitae, and the contact information for at least three references to [email protected] with “Evolutionary Ecology Student Search” as the subject line.
