M.S./Ph.D. Graduate Assistantship – Movement Ecology of Colonial Waterbirds

Position Description: The Waterfowl and Wetland Bird Lab (http://www.bartballardlab.com) at the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute at Texas A&M University-Kingsville invites applications from highly motivated individuals to pursue a M.S. or Ph.D. degree within our collaborative lab.

Student will work directly with collaborators at Harte Research Institute of Gulf of Mexico Studies, Coastal Bend Bays and Estuaries Program, and other entities to address several questions relevant to colonial waterbird ecology. Specifically: 1) Examine foraging habitat selection of waterbirds that nest in coastal bays and estuaries of Texas; 2) Investigate the relationship between energy expenditure and environmental factors during breeding season (distance to foraging areas, colony size, etc.); 3) Delineate important stopover and wintering sites for migratory individuals. The student will also have the opportunity to develop their own questions using information from locations and accelerometer bursts of Great Egrets (Ardea alba), Tricolored Herons (Egretta tricolor) and Reddish Egrets (Egretta refescens). Research data will be used by the successful applicant for their thesis/dissertation. The successful applicant will work under the supervision of Drs. Bart Ballard and Jordan Giese. Applicant will be expected to publish manuscripts in internationally recognized peer-reviewed journals and present papers at scientific conferences.

Location: Texas A&M University-Kingsville, Kingsville, Texas (approx. 45 miles south of Corpus Christi, Texas). Research will be conducted along Texas coast from Galveston to South Padre Island.

Qualifications Required: B.S./M.S. in ecology, wildlife science, biology, or closely related fields. A strong work ethic, good verbal and written communication skills that allow effective interactions with collaborators, and the ability to work independently and as a productive member of a research team. Competitive applicants will ideally have strong quantitative skills and coding experience in R or similar programs. Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 GPA.

Stipend/Salary: $1,800/month for M.S. student. $2,200/month for Ph.D. student. Medical package available after completion of waiting period. Nonresident tuition waived (resident tuition fees apply but will be reimbursed to ensure full tuition waiver).

Start Date: January 2025

Application Deadline: 1 July 2024 (or until qualified candidate is identified)

To Apply: Send via email a single pdf file that includes 1) a cover letter, 2) career goals, 3) resume/CV, 4) transcripts (can be unofficial), and 5) contact information of 3 references to:

Dr. Jordan Giese

Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute

Texas A&M University-Kingsville

700 University Blvd., MSC 218

Kingsville, TX 78363

Phone: 402-719-7475

Email: jordan.giese@tamuk.edu