MS Assistantship – Bobcat Population Ecology

Description:  The school of Natural Resources at West Virginia University is searching for a MS student to study demography of bobcats (Lynx rufus) in the Black Hills, South Dakota.  The project will primarily focus on obtaining reproductive rates, kitten survival, and den site selection, with the potential to address additional research questions that would be developed jointly by the advisor and the student.  The project is a collaborative effort with South Dakota Game Fish and Parks and the research will inform estimates of population growth and management of bobcats.  The student will pursue an M.S. degree in the Wildlife and Fisheries Resources Program at West Virginia University (https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwildlife.wvu.edu&data=02%7C01%7Ceric.schultz%40uconn.edu%7Ccbc979534de34d5d724e08d6a1552796%7C17f1a87e2a254eaab9df9d439034b080%7C0%7C0%7C636873784456870022&sdata=upRunyH%2FX9%2FoETq0NQLXRdVxRyzVd5GzrLHmv1rnKUQ%3D&reserved=0; https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fbit.ly%2FRotaLab&data=02%7C01%7Ceric.schultz%40uconn.edu%7Ccbc979534de34d5d724e08d6a1552796%7C17f1a87e2a254eaab9df9d439034b080%7C0%7C1%7C636873784456870022&sdata=f1Lf6G2HZiczEFlsATTHlgwZYX%2BktgqYG9tRXGJB27I%3D&reserved=0).

Qualifications:  B.S. in wildlife science, ecology, zoology, or closely related field.  Applicants must have a minimum 300 GRE, and a minimum 3.25 GPA.  Applicants should have a strong interest in population ecology and quantitative ecology.  Previous experience with capturing and handling mammals, radio telemetry, navigating difficult terrain, and Geographic Information Systems is highly desired.  Competitive applicants will also have experience working and communicating with other biologists, landowners, and the public.

Stipend/Salary:  $18,000/year plus health insurance and university tuition waiver.

Application Deadline:  We will begin reviewing applications the week of March 18 and will continue until a suitable candidate is selected.

To Apply:  The student will be advised by Dr. Christopher Rota, in close collaboration with Dr. Chad Lehman of South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks.  Interested individuals should send a letter of interest, CV, a 500-word statement of purpose (why do you want to work on this project, your research interests, and long-term career goals), unofficial copy of transcripts and GRE scores, and contact information for 3 references to christopher.rota@mail.wvu.edu.