Description
The Department of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries at The University of Tennessee, in conjunction with Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and Quail Forever, is recruiting an outstanding individual for a PhD Graduate Assistantship to study Northern Bobwhite population dynamics across three bobwhite focal areas in Tennessee. This four-year study will use radio-telemetry to monitor bobwhite reproduction, survival, habitat use, and response to experimental habitat management. These data are critical for developing population models and response to innovative management strategies for the species. We will begin this project in January 2021 by trapping and radio-tagging a sample of ~25 females and ~25 males per year across each of three individual study sites. The graduate student will begin in the field in May 2021 and start coursework at the University of Tennessee in August 2021. We will be reviewing applications as we receive them with a goal of making a final decision by 1 March 2021 at the latest. The graduate assistantship pays a ~$18,000 annual stipend, plus health insurance, and an out-of-state tuition waiver (~$15,000). Students are responsible for additional fees (technology, individual classes, etc.). Interested individuals should send a letter of introduction, resume, a copy of undergraduate and graduate transcripts and GRE scores, and names/phone numbers of 3 references to Dr. David Buehler, Department of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996-4563 (dbuehler@utk.edu).
Requirements
We seek an individual with BS and MS degrees in Wildlife Ecology/Management or a closely related field, experience with monitoring upland gamebird populations including capture and handling and radio-telemetry, a good academic record and GRE scores, a strong desire to conduct field research, analyze data, and write it up for publication and a strong passion for upland gamebird management.