MS position – waterfowl ecology: University of Nevada Reno

School: University of Nevada Reno

Location: Reno, Nevada

Job Category: Graduate Assistantships

Salary: $1500 month, 80% tuition waiver, and health insurance

Start Date: 01/01/2017

Last Date to Apply: 10/31/2016

 

Description:

     We have installed 150 geolocators on mallards, 83 on canvasbacks, and 180 on wood ducks since 2014. We will install another 50 on canvasbacks in February 2017 and efforts to retrieve geolocators will continue through time by bait trapping, nest box checks, rocket-netting, and contacting hunters. Analyses will occur using R and using packages such as SGAT, FlightR, and others. Most field work will occur in the Fallon, Nevada area approximately 60 miles east of Reno, Nevada. Field work will include banding February through October, and monitoring wood duck nesting boxes March through July to maintain a 14 year dataset on wood ducks. A good number of volunteers have cooperated each year to assist in field work. Analyses will include assessment of movement patterns, breeding propensity, and effects of carrying geolocators.
     Additional field work required will be to lead the Nevada Department of Wildlife pre-season mallard banding operation in August and September (~50 days annually). Additionally, this position will also lead the 5 day Nevada Department of Wildlife breeding waterfowl survey in May and to analyze the data for presentation to the Pacific Flyway Study Committee (total of ~50 hours annually). Housing during field season and a vehicle will be provided.

 

Qualifications:

     Requirements – A four-year degree in a wildlife program, experience capturing and banding waterfowl, ability to work independently, ability to conduct low level fixed wing surveys, and basic experience in analysis in SAS or R. An outgoing personality to maintain very positive relationships with private landowners and other wildlife professionals is mandatory. 

Supervision:

     This position will be co-advised by Dr. Chris Nicolai (Nevada Waterfowl Association) and Dr. Kevin Shoemaker (University of Nevada Reno). Russell Woolstenhulme (State Waterfowl Biologist; Nevada Department of Wildlife) will also be heavily involved in this effort.

How to apply:

    Please send a cover letter, resume, full undergraduate transcripts, GRE scores, and contact information for 3 references in a single pdf to chris.a.nicolai@gmail.com by October 31, 2016.

   This is a cooperative project between Nevada Waterfowl Association, Nevada Department of Wildlife, and University of Nevada Reno. For more information please contact: Chris Nicolai (chris.a.nicolai@gmail.com)