MS Position: Conservation biogeography of regional endemic dragonflies – University of Arkansas – Fayetteville, AR

School: University of Arkansas

Location: University of Arkansas - Fayetteville, AR

Job Category: Graduate Assistantships

Website: https://asiepielski.wordpress.com

Salary: $13-19,000/Year, with tuition waver

Start Date: 01/01/2017

Last Date to Apply: 11/01/2016

Description:

     We are offering a fully-funded research assistantship focused on surveys, modeling, and prioritization of dragonfly species endemic to the lovely Ozark-Ouachita mountain region of Arkansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. The purpose of the project is to improve knowledge of the distribution, requirements, and priority status of Gomphus ozarkensis, Ophiogomphus westfalli, Cordulegaster talaria, and Somatochlora ozarkensis. We anticipate doing this through a combination of habitat-directed surveys, ecological niche modeling to predict and map potential distributions (both current and projected under climate change), and ranking each species based on range-wide vulnerability and endemicity.

      The position is housed in the Siepielski lab (https://asiepielski.wordpress.com/) in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Arkansas. Additional partners include the Missouri Department of Conservation, New York Natural Heritage Program, Oklahoma Biological Survey, University of Oklahoma, and University of Tennessee.
     The University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR (UARK) is a Tier I research university located in the Ozark Mountains. The faculty and graduate students at UARK are highly interactive and include an internationally known group of evolutionary biologists and ecologists.  We are located in an ideal setting for field-based projects in aquatic systems (AR boosts more than 2,300 lakes and thousands of smaller ponds, and equally impressive numbers of rivers, streams and creeks). Fayetteville is located in beautiful northwest Arkansas and offers a high quality of living at a low cost, an excellent climate, and is a large enough city to offer diverse activities and amenities. Rock climbing, hiking, kayaking, canoeing, and mountain biking opportunities are in close proximity.

Qualifications:

    The strongest candidates will have the following skills, experience, and interests: Interest in conservation science; Interest in odonates and lotic habitats; Ability to conduct extended periods of field work in remote settings (lots of hiking); Strong organization skills and the ability to work independently and with a team; Quantitative skills or aptitude; Experience with R, GIS, and/or ecological niche modeling (or the aptitude to learn quickly).
      Anticipated Start date will be ~ January 2017, although this is flexible. 

To apply, please send the following: 

(1) A cover letter that highlights relevant skills, experience, and interests

(2) A CV. 

(3) Contact information for three references to amsiepie@uark.edu.

(4) GRE scores. 

     Review of applications will begin immediately. Applicants must also apply to the graduate program in the department of biological sciences and the graduate school. The deadline for all application materials for the Spring 2017 semester is Nov 1, 2016. More information can be found on the ‘JOIN US’ section of the lab webpage ( https://asiepielski.wordpress.com/). Please contact Adam Siepielski (amsiepie@uark.edu) or Jason Bried (bried@uark.edu) with any questions.