MS Assistantship: Migration Ecology of West Virginia Woodcock

Description: Drs. Erik Blomberg and Amber Roth seek a graduate student to pursue a MS degree to be completed in association with the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Conservation Biology and School of Forest Resources at the University of Maine. The student will contribute to a data-rich woodcock project, Eastern Woodcock Migration Research Cooperative (EWMRC; see www.woodcockmigration.org), by deploying new GPS-satellite tags on American woodcock in West Virginia. Research objectives will include understanding breeding habitat use, migratory connections to wintering sites, and site fidelity. A decision support tool will be created to support management of woodcock by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources.

This position is supported by a Research Assistantship for up to 3 years. The student has the option to pursue a degree in Wildlife Ecology, Ecology & Environmental Science, or Forest Resources. Peer reviewed publications are expected as a product of this research. The program of study will begin between April 15 and August 28, 2023, with anticipated graduation during the 2024/2025 Academic year. The assistantship stipend is $22,667 per year plus tuition (13 credits per academic year) and includes full health insurance premium.

Qualifications: Qualified applicants will possess a BS/BA degree in biology, ecology, natural resources, environmental science, geography, or other relevant fields, and have strong interpersonal skills. Competitive candidates will also have 1) wild bird capture and banding experience, 2) spatial analysis skills and experience using GIS, 2) strong communication skills to coordinate with agency personnel to develop this project, and 3) interest in a modeling-intensive project using existing and new datasets. Additionally, we seek someone with a strong work ethic and an outgoing personality to be an engaging member of our research team.  To that end, the successful candidate will have the opportunity to collaborate with 4 other graduate students working on woodcock ecology at 3 universities in conjunction with the EWMRC.

To apply: Email your resume, cover letter summarizing your experience and interest in this research and position, college transcripts (unofficial copy is OK), GRE scores (optional), and contact info for three references to Drs. Erik Blomberg (erik.blomberg AT maine.edu) and Amber Roth (amber.roth AT maine.edu)

Review of applications will begin March 17, 2023.

UMaine Woodcock MS Assistantship.pdf