Postdoctoral Fellowship in population ecology and harvest management of a migratory game species at the University of Missouri

The School of Natural Resources at the University of Missouri is seeking a postdoctoral fellow to lead a project developing novel population models for mourning doves in Missouri to guide harvest and conservation decisions. This project is a collaboration with Drs. Tom Bonnot, Mitch Weegman (University of Missouri), and Tom Thompson (Missouri Department of Conservation). The postdoc will focus on estimating demographics, including survival, productivity, harvest and movements. In addition, we seek to prioritize collection of data sets that contribute most strongly to demographic estimation and monitoring in future years. The objectives for this postdoctoral fellowship include:

1. Develop a quantitative framework to dove harvest management based on the application of integrated population modeling approaches to state and national data on mourning doves.

2. Compare demographic results for management areas with regional (or state) estimates to assess representativeness of dove harvest management on these areas to state and regional levels and the effects of harvest on these areas on the overall state population.

3. Use the framework to conduct simulations to identify more strategic designs for monitoring efforts such as banding and wing data collection.

We anticipate this work will result in multiple papers. There are also other opportunities to collaborate on projects in movement and population ecology in the Bonnot and Weegman labs. The postdoc will have access to devoted office space, campus resources and required technology.

For additional policies for post-doctoral associates at the University of Missouri, please see https://gradstudies.missouri.edu/postdoctoral-education/postdoctoral-policies/.

Minimum qualifications:

• Ph.D. in statistics, wildlife ecology or closely related field
• Skills in Program R
• Demonstrated excellence in verbal and written communication
• Ability to work independently and as part of a research team

Preferred qualifications: 

• Skills in JAGS, MARK
• Experience forming and running Bayesian integrated population models
• Knowledge and experience in avian ecology

Salary and benefits:  $50,000 per year and full benefits

Start date: Spring 2021

Duration: The appointment will run for 18 months with the potential to extend to 2 years.

Will begin reviewing applicants on: February 18, 2021

To be considered for this position, please send a cover letter, curriculum vitae, research statement and contact information for three references to Drs. Tom Bonnot (bonnott@missouri.edu) and Mitch Weegman (weegmanm@missouri.edu).