PhD and MSc Opportunity: Eastern Whip-poor-will Research in Southern Ontario

The McGuire Lab and Birds Canada are recruiting 2 highly motivated students (1 PhD and 1 Masters) to work on a collaborative research project to resolve key knowledge gaps and promote the conservation of Eastern Whip-poor-will in Ontario. Research will encompass questions about nest-site selection preferences on the breeding grounds, migratory movement and home range dynamics, insect prey availability, and diet. Depending on the interests and skills of the students, the thesis could also include elements of nest success, predation monitoring, and thermal biology, among other topics. The field work will be completed in Southern Ontario with potential opportunities for additional training and collaboration on various projects with partner organizations (Birds Canada, Nature Conservancy of Canada, Ontario Parks and others).

Start Date: May 1, 2024

Both positions will start in the spring term at the University of Waterloo, Ontario, with field research completed in southern Ontario, between May – August. Housing will be provided during the field seasons. Compensation to be discussed with successful applicants.

Qualifications and Skills

Candidates with a strong motivation to answer tangible conservation questions for an understudied species at risk are encouraged to apply. Students must be comfortable working long hours outdoors, often at night, in buggy, humid conditions, and as part of a team. Experience with radio tracking, nest searching, and capturing and handling birds is preferred. Strong writing and oral communication skills, and data analysis skills are valuable assets, particularly for the PhD position.

Additional preferred assets:

• Class G Ontario driver’s license
• Ability to be permitted to capture, band, and attach radio transmitters to birds
• Experience with manual and automated telemetry systems (Motus Wildlife Tracking System)
• Insect identification, particularly with nocturnal moths in southern Ontario
• Plant identification in southern Ontario
• First Aid training

How to Apply

Interested individuals should send the materials listed below in a single email to Dr. Liam McGuire (liam.mcguire@uwaterloo.ca) and Natasha Barlow (nbarlow@birdscanada.org), with the subject line “Candidates Name - EWPW Application”. Please include:

1.      A brief statement describing their interest in the project and a summary of relevant experience

2.      CV or resume

3.      University transcripts from your current or most recent degree (unofficial transcripts are fine)

4.      Contact information for 2 references

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the positions are filled. While the hiring committee welcomes all applications, only those applicants who are selected for an interview will be contacted.

The University of Waterloo regards Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion as an integral part of academic excellence and we encourage applicants from all backgrounds. We welcome international students in our group, however the funds available to support the current opportunity are not sufficient to support international student fees.

Birds Canada is committed to improving levels of diversity among its volunteers, membership, staff, and board that reflects the diversity of communities across the country. In an effort to do so, we are actively seeking to improve our ability to reach all candidates with our job postings. Applicants belonging to racialized groups, who identify as Indigenous, 2SLGBTQIA+, or who have differing abilities are therefore welcome to self-identify in their cover letter, if they feel comfortable, although this is not a requirement.