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Paid positions to study snakes, turtles, or salamanders

Posted: October 8th, 2016, 8:37 am
by Hadar
Hi Everyone,

For any of you herpers thinking of going to graduate school, here are some assistantships for M.Sc. and PhD:

Subject: PhD position on Blanding's turtles in Ontario
Supervisors : Dennis Murray (Trent University : http://www.dennismurray.ca) Gabriel Blouin-Demers (University of
Ottawa : http://mysite.science.uottawa.ca/gblouin)
Project : Spatial ecology and ecophysiology of Blanding’s turtles near Ottawa, Ontario
We are initiating a PhD project on the spatial ecology and ecophysiology of Blanding’s turtles within the city limits of
Ottawa, Ontario. Blanding’s turtles are at their northern limit in southern Ontario, which presents interesting challenges to
turtle ecology, behaviour and population dynamics. Using VHF and GPS telemetry, accelerometry, and temperature
logging, the student will monitor turtles in the field and develop bioenergetics models describing factors limiting survival
and productivity in a northern environment. Because Blanding’s are listed as Threatened in Ontario, the work also has
important conservation implications and there is an applied component that is mandated by the research contract.
Specifically, the work will document spatial ecology and habitat use of turtles within the semi-urban setting and relative to
rapid residential development; we will test the efficacy of mitigation such as road underpasses and fences on turtle
survival. The PhD student will have the opportunity to develop additional research questions within the scope of the
broader project.
The funding package includes a competitive stipend, foreign tuition waiver (if the student is not a Canadian citizen or
permanent resident) as well as coverage of field-related travel and other expenses.
Successful candidates will have an MSc in Ecology, Conservation, or related field, demonstrated evidence of peerreviewed
publications, strong field skills, and an interest in working collaboratively in a large and diverse research group.
Additional desirable skills include turtle research experience, GPS telemetry data analysis, and communication with
stakeholders.
To apply, please send a cover letter, curriculum vitae, unofficial academic transcript, and contact information for 3
references to Dennis Murray ([email protected]). The successful candidate should begin enrolment at Trent
University by January 2017, and we will accept applications until a suitable candidate is found, so apply early.


Subject: Ph.D. or M.S. Research Assistantship- Reproductive Ecology/Conservation Physiology of
Amphibians
The Wildlife Ecotoxicology and Physiological Ecology Lab at Virginia Tech
(http://www.ecophys.fishwild.vt.edu) seeks to fill a Ph.D. and/or M.S. position focused on the reproductive ecology and
conservation physiology of an imperiled salamander in Appalachian streams. The student’s research will focus on how
habitat quality relates to parental behavior, reproductive physiology, and reproductive success of the eastern hellbender
under field conditions. The research will build upon our ongoing pilot work seeking to determine the feasibility of using
artificial nest boxes as a conservation/management tool. The student will be encouraged to develop additional areas of
related inquiry that complement this core research focus. The successful candidate will work as part of an
interdisciplinary team of scientists from several Universities and interact with diverse stakeholders including scientists in
multiple state and federal agencies.
The successful candidate will be fully funded (tuition and stipend) for up to 24 months (M.S.) or 48 months (Ph.D.) on a
graduate research assistantship, but additional graduate teaching assistantships are also available for students who seek
teaching experience. Field and laboratory research expenses are covered for the next 4 years through external state and
federal grants and support from the University.
Virginia Tech is in Blacksburg, VA, a college town in an idyllic mountain setting and is the #1 ranked college/university in
the U.S. for quality of life (Princeton Review, 8/2016). The Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation is one of the
top five departments at Virginia Tech based on research funding, and is housed in the #1 ranked Natural Resources
College in the U.S. (for the second straight year, USA Today, 9/2016).
Qualifications
Applicants should have a strong interest and a prior degree in conservation biology, ecology, physiology or related
discipline. Applicants should have extensive past research experience, an outstanding academic record and GRE scores,
and evidence of strong writing and quantitative skills. Applicants for a M.S. position will have the option to transition to
a Ph.D. position after meeting departmental criteria.
Applicants for a Ph.D. position must possess a M.S. degree and experience publishing their research.
Ph.D. applicants will also be encouraged to enroll in the Interfaces of Global Change Interdisciplinary Graduate Program
(http://www.globalchange.vt.edu/igc/) which provides additional training on the role of science in society, sciencepolicy,
and science communication.
Start date for the assistantship is negotiable, ranging from January 10th to August 10th, 2017. Deadline for applications
for early start dates is November 1st, 2016, and for later start dates is January 15th, 2017. However, applications will be
reviewed as they are received.
To apply, please email a single PDF file to Dr. William A. Hopkins at [email protected] containing (1) a cover letter
outlining your research interests, career goals, relevant experience, preference for M.S. or Ph.D. position, and preferred
start date; (2) your CV; (3) undergraduate/graduate transcripts and GRE scores; and (4) full contact information for at
least 3 professional references. The subject line of the email should read: Reproductive Ecology Graduate Position.


Subject: Graduate Position U Central Florida. Squamate Evolution
Ph.D. positions in Evolution, Systematics and Biogeography of Squamates Lab of Christopher L. Parkinson
Department of Biology,
University of Central Florida
Orlando, Florida
The Parkinson lab is interested in recruiting multiple Ph.D. students to begin fall 2017. Our goal is to find students
interested in carrying out dissertation research that focuses on snake evolution, biogeography, systematics, and/or
venom diversification & evolution.
The students would be part of an active group conducting research in the above areas and also other
systematics/conservation of vertebrate studies. The students would also have the opportunity to be involved in a
recently awarded NSF Dimensions of Biodiversity grant on snake venom evolution that involves collaborations with
Florida State University and the Ohio State University as well as international collaboration with researchers in Brazil,
Costa Rica, and Mexico.
The ideal applicant would have prior research experience; including field experience, strong quantitative skills, the ability
or potential ability to communicate in either Spanish or Portuguese and an interest in learning bioinformatic and
phylogenomic techniques. A Master's degree is preferred but not required.
The student would join a vibrant lab which utilizes phylogenetics, phylogenomics, transcriptomics and other molecular
evolutionary techniques to investigate a wide range of evolutionary biology and conservation related questions with
snakes & lizards.
Interested students should contact Dr. Christopher L. Parkinson ([email protected]), Dept. of Biology, 4110 Libra Dr.
University of Central Florida, Orlando 32816 with a statement of interest, a CV, their transcripts and their GRE scores. I
will start review of applicants Nov. 1, 2016. Please see our lab's website (http://parkinson.cos.ucf.edu/parkinson-lab/)
and the department website (https://biology.cos.ucf.edu/graduate-pr ... d-program/) for additional information.
Christopher L. Parkinson, Ph.D.
Professor, and
Special Assistant to the Provost on Faculty Cluster Initiatives Dept. of Biology Rm 424.
University of Central Florida
4110 Libra Dr.
Orlando, FL 32816-2368
office: 407-823-4847 fax: 407-823-5769
http://parkinson.cos.ucf.edu/
[email protected]


Cheers, Heather