Graduate positions (Two, MS), mule deer in MT: University of Montana.

Agency: University of Montana

Location: Missoula, MT

Job Category: Graduate Assistantships

Start Date: 05/01/2017

Last Date to Apply: 12/01/2016

 

Description:

     In collaboration with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, successful applicants will work as part of a team studying mule deer ecology and population dynamics in Montana. This research involves statewide mule deer populations across Montana as well as local field studies in three study areas (Whitefish Range, Salish Mountains, and Rocky Mountain Front) in western Montana. MS students may be asked to investigate seasonal migration and space use patterns, food habits and nutritional ecology, and basic vital rates of mule deer in local study areas. Deer will be monitored through a combination of remotely-transmitting GPS collars and aerial and ground VHF telemetry. Field work will also include a great deal of detailed vegetation studies, including repeated visits to remote vegetation plots for monitoring nutrition and phenology of forage plants important to mule deer. Both positions will be expected to start field work during summer 2017 and enroll at the University of Montana in fall 2017.

 

Qualifications:

     Applicants should possess degrees in wildlife biology or a related field, a strong work ethic, proven ability to work as part of an integrated team, and the maturity and judgment required to work with private landowners and government agencies on a species of high public interest. Both positions will require a rigorous combination of field work, coursework, statistical analyses, and writing.

Application process: 

    Please refer to http://www.cfc.umt.edu/wbio/ for information about the Wildlife Biology Program at the University of Montana, minimum academic qualifications, and application procedures. Before applying formally to the University of Montana graduate school, applicants should electronically send a cover letter outlining their qualifications for the project, copies of transcripts and GRE scores, and contact information for three references to: Mike Mitchell (mike.mitchell@umontana.edu), Chad Bishop (chad.bishop@umontana.edu) and Nick DeCesare (ndecesare@mt.gov).