M.S. Assistantship – Birds, solar arrays, and native plantings

I am looking for a collaborative and creative master’s student with interests in natural resources management, renewable energy, and birds. The student will be part of the University of Arkansas Department of Biological Sciences, the Arkansas Cooperative Fish & Wildlife Research Unit, and the Living Landscapes Lab. The student will lead a 2-year project on how birds use solar arrays with an understory of native grasses and forbs compared to sites with turf grass as well as reference sites. This project is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy and includes a large team of graduate students and scientists at the University of Arkansas. This position will entail frequent travel for field work across Arkansas and Kansas, and the student will have the opportunity to assist fellow graduate students in collecting reptile, amphibian, mammal, insect, and plant diversity field data. The student’s stipend will be paid via a research assistantship (i.e., no teaching required). Tuition will be waived. The start date is flexible (January – May 2024). Field work will begin May 2024.

Required qualifications: - Strong organizational, leadership, and communication skills to co-produce and conduct a research project with numerous collaborators (e.g., natural resource agencies, university faculty, private land owners, etc.). - Commitment to publishing peer-reviewed scientific articles and present research at conferences. - Fortitude to work in challenging field conditions (e.g., heat, humidity, cold, rain, etc.). - Suitable grades per University of Arkansas Graduate School requirements (https://graduate-and-international.uark.edu/graduate/future-students/applying/degree-seeking.php). - A valid US driver’s license or ability/willingness to obtain one prior to starting this position. - Commitment to principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

https://livinglandscapes.github.io/LivingLandscapes_Website/  

Caleb Roberts <cr065@uark.edu>