MS Assistantship: Conservation Genetics and Landscape Connectivity of Ruffed Grouse

Masters Assistantship: Conservation Genetics and Landscape Connectivity of Ruffed Grouse

The Bothwell Conservation Genetics Lab seeks a highly motivated Masters student with interest in conservation genetics, landscape ecology, and wildlife management.  The student will lead a project investigating the effects of management practices on population genetic structure, diversity, and landscape connectivity of ruffed grouse.  Grouse populations reach the southern extent of their distribution in north Georgia, where they are restricted to high-elevations in the Appalachian Mountains.  Grouse populations have been declining in this region, yet the impacts of landscape-scale changes in forest management and hunter harvest rates on genetic diversity and connectivity are unknown.  This research is part of a larger collaborative project with Dr. Richard Chandler (Chandler Wildlife Conservation Lab), Dr. James Martin (Martin GAME Lab), and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.  

Qualifications:  A B.S. in Genetics, Conservation Biology, Wildlife Management, Ecology or closely related field is required.  Preference will be given to applicants with strong quantitative skills, experience in genetics, and familiarity with GIS and R programming language.  The successful applicant will have demonstrated excellent written and oral communication skills, be self-motivated and able to work both independently and as part of a collaborative team.  The student will be expected to co-produce high quality research, present their work at professional conferences, and publish their findings in peer-reviewed journals.

Salary & Benefits:  The Masters Assistantship provides two years of support inclusive of summer salary ($23,824/year), plus tuition waver and 50% healthcare coverage.  Start date 1 August 2025.

How to apply:  Please email a single PDF file to Helen.Bothwell@uga.edu including a (1) brief cover letter detailing your professional interests, goals, and relevant experience (one page max), (2) CV including contact information for three references, (3) unofficial transcripts, and (4) a writing sample.  Review of applicants will begin 15 December 2024 and continue until the position is filled. 

Location:  The Masters student will join the Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources at the University of Georgia, Athens.  Warnell hosts 69 faculty, 100 support staff, more than 300 undergraduates, and 230 graduate students.  UGA is ranked among the top 20 public universities, and is a high caliber R1 institution that surpassed half a billion dollars in research spending in 2023.  UGA enrolls a diverse student body, including 43,146 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students from more than 80 countries.  As a land, sea, and space grant institution, UGA has a strong mission of public service and outreach.  Students will have the opportunity to engage in service-learning opportunities, and are encouraged and supported in contributing research that serves the state’s economic, social, and community needs.  Athens is a diverse community of ~150,000 people located 65 miles from Atlanta.  Athens is known for its vibrant music and arts scene, and the Bulldogs back-to-back National Football Champions.  Georgia is well-known for its quality of life, both in terms of outdoor and urban activities, from the Appalachian Trail in the northern mountains to the beaches and barrier islands of the east coast and the rich cultural history of Atlanta and Savannah.