A 4-year PhD assistantship is available to study the population ecology, via
non-invasive genetics and demographic modeling, of American martens in the
Apostle Islands National Park.
Population ecology of American marten in an archipelagic refuge – the
Apostle Islands
A 4-year PhD research assistantship is available to study the ecology of one
of Wisconsin’s endangered species – American marten. The student will
combine field work on the Apostle Islands in Lake Superior with genetic
approaches in the laboratory and demographic/population modelling to explore
the distribution, origin and viability of this cryptic population of
American martens. This assistantship will include 2-3 months of fieldwork on
the remote islands. The student will be advised by Forest & Wildlife Ecology
professor Jonathan Pauli and in collaboration with researchers at the
National Park Service, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, US Forest
Service and Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission. Note that
additional field, laboratory or modeling components could be added depending
on shared interests and funding opportunities. Funding for a 12-month
research assistantship and tuition remission is available for four years,
pending satisfactory progress.
Prospective students should have:
Solid working knowledge/experience in field ecology, laboratory approaches
(preferably genetic-based approaches) and population or community modeling;
A master’s degree in ecology, biology, conservation or related environmental
sciences (BS considered with equivalent demonstrated experience/expertise)
and;
Excellent English writing and verbal communication skills, as well as the
ability to work and lead a research team.
Stipend/Salary:
Current annual stipend levels are $22,081 per year before taxes, plus
tuition remission and health care benefits. A start date of approximately 1
September 2017 is envisioned.
Application Process:
Applications will be reviewed upon receipt and review will continue until a
suitable candidate is chosen. Applications received before March 1, 2016
will be given full consideration. The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an
equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. We promote excellence through
diversity and encourage all qualified individuals to apply. The position is
open to both US citizens and international candidates.
Interested applicants will need to submit an online application
<http://go.wisc.edu/r60afy> .
The application will ask for demographic information, test scores, previous
and current education, previous and current research experience, and contact
information for three references. Candidates will also need to upload (each
as a PDF): 1) a letter outlining research interests, goals, and academic and
professional background; 2) a resume or CV and; 3) unofficial transcripts
(all institutions combined into a single PDF). Questions regarding
application materials should be directed to our Student Services
Coordinator, Sara Rodock (rodock@wisc.edu <mailto:rodock@wisc.edu> ).
Questions about the position (but not your application) should be directed
to Dr. Pauli (jnpauli@wisc.edu <mailto:jnpauli@wisc.edu> ).
University, Department, Labs:
The University of Wisconsin-Madison is one of the major research
universities in the United States (www.wisc.edu <http://www.wisc.edu> ). It
ranks 2nd in research expenditures among all U.S. universities and first
among public universities. Total student enrollment is 41,500, out of which
8,800 are graduate students. Employees include 2,000 faculty. UW-Madison has
a long history of excellence in ecology, conservation biology, and wildlife
biology. The Pauli Lab is a vertebrate and field ecology lab interested in
population and community ecology, especially as it relates to conservation
and management (see more at our website:
Community:
Madison, Wisconsin consistently ranks as one of the best places in the
United States to live, work, and study. It is Wisconsin’s capital city, with
a vibrant metropolitan population of approximately 500,000 that combines
small town charm with a nice variety of leisure and cultural opportunities.
For more information on campus and town see:
http://www.wisc.edu/about/location.php.