PhD position – Population dynamics of white-tailed deer in south Florida: implications for management of the endangered Florida panther: Virginia Tech.

School: Virginia Tech

Location: Blacksburg, Virginia

Job Category: Graduate Assistantships

Website: http://myfwc.com/hunting/by-species/deer/project/

Salary: Competitive stipend

Start Date: 01/02/2017

Last Date to Apply: 11/01/2016

 

Description:

    We are seeking a PhD candidate to participate in a study of white-tailed deer population dynamics within the range of the endangered Florida panther. Objectives of the research include determining the effects of changing hydrological conditions, predation pressure, and hunting regulations on deer populations, and developing a long-term deer monitoring program using camera traps. The monitoring program will be used to inform management actions aimed at maintaining the viability of both deer and panther populations. This research is a multifaceted project involving multiple universities, NGOs, and state and federal agencies. The successful applicant will interface with all these collaborating organizations as well as many passionate stakeholders.
     Responsibilities will include fieldwork, data management, and the integration of large scale hydrologic and fire history data sets with GPS collar data. Fieldwork will involve capturing, collaring, and monitoring white-tailed deer in Big Cypress National Preserve and the Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge, as well as maintaining an extensive camera trapping array. Applicants must be prepared to work in remote, hot, and humid conditions where biting insects, venomous snakes, and large carnivores are common.

 

Qualifications:

    Applicants should have some background in population ecology, spatial ecology, ungulate ecology and management, and disturbance ecology. Preference will be given to candidates with experience analyzing telemetry data. A positive attitude, strong work ethic, and the ability to work independently and as a team member are required.
     The student will join the Dept. of Fish and Wildlife Conservation in the College of Natural Resource and Environment (CNRE) at Virginia Tech. The CNRE was ranked the best National Resource Program in the Nation for the last 2 years by USA Today.
     The student will be jointly advised by Dr. Michael Cherry at Virginia Tech, and Dr. Richard Chandler and Dr. Karl V. Miller at the University of Georgia's Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources. The start date is as soon as January 2, 2017. Send statement of interest, CV, unofficial transcripts, GRE scores, and contact information for three references as a single PDF to Dr. Michael Cherry: mjcherry@vt.edu. The application deadline is November 1, 2016.