M.S. Graduate Research Assistantship – Snail Kites – University of Florida

*M.S. Graduate Student opportunity in the spatial ecology, population

biology and conservation of wildlife at the University of Florida *

We are seeking a highly motivated M.S. student for the Department of

Wildlife Ecology and Conservation (WEC) and the School of Natural Resources

and the Environment (SNRE) at the University of Florida, starting fall 2019*.

*This student will work as part of a large, long-term research project on

spatial ecology, population biology and conservation of an endangered

raptor, the Everglade Snail Kite. This project is unparalleled in spatial

population biology and conservation by providing rigorous demographic and

movement information across the entire breeding range of this critically

imperiled species for the past 23 years, which is used for management,

restoration, and conservation. Preferred applicants will be highly

motivated, have field experience, strong quantitative skills, interest in

both field work and quantitative analyses, and competitive GPA. Potential

topics could be related to movement ecology, ecosystem services of

predation, nesting ecology, population estimation, decision analyses, or

interactions with exotic prey, depending on the student’s interests.

Students with strong initiative and desire to carve out their own research

questions within this project are highly encouraged to apply. If you are

interested in pursuing a M.S. degree on this project, please send Dr. Ellen

Robertson a CV, GRE scores and GPA, contact information for three

references, and a brief statement of your research interests, career goals,

and why you would like to pursue a graduate degree prior to May 5 (email

to: ellen.robertson@ufl.edu). Please see the WEC Graduate Program website (

https://nam01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wec.ufl.edu%2Fgrad%2Fadmissions.php&data=02%7C01%7Ceric.schultz%40uconn.edu%7C01bdd04d3baf424b5c6508d6bff1b81c%7C17f1a87e2a254eaab9df9d439034b080%7C0%7C0%7C636907442252252045&sdata=10sYYya8SuoKZc1WieTMhj2%2BxgBIWbxJwkUTlRdLvEA%3D&reserved=0) for more details on application

procedures. Also consult the School of Natural Resources and the

Environment at UF for other opportunities regarding graduate admission. The

student will be advised by Dr. Robert Fletcher and will work closely with

Dr. Ellen Robertson.  For more information on the Fletcher lab, see:

https://nam01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fletcherlab.com%2F&data=02%7C01%7Ceric.schultz%40uconn.edu%7C01bdd04d3baf424b5c6508d6bff1b81c%7C17f1a87e2a254eaab9df9d439034b080%7C0%7C0%7C636907442252252045&sdata=AlnufRSLVCERG55u19%2FyaHbePHiydArSr26NZVWaciY%3D&reserved=0. Competitive stipend ($17,000-20,000/year) and

health benefits included. Funding is expected to be available for up to 2-3

years.

Information about Gainesville, Florida:

Situated in the rolling countryside of north-central Florida, Gainesville

is much more than a stereotypical college town. Home of the University of

Florida, seat of Alachua County’s government and the region’s commercial

hub, it is progressive, environmentally conscious and culturally diverse.

The presence of many students and faculty from abroad among its 99,000-plus

population adds a strong cross-cultural flavor to its historic small-town

Southern roots. Its natural environment, temperate climate and civic

amenities make Gainesville a beautiful, pleasant and interesting place in

which to learn and to live. Gainesville has been ranked as one of the best

cities to live in the United States.