[ECOLOG-L] PhD Assistantship - animal movement ecology

[Robert McCleery]

PhD Assistantship

We are looking for a motivated Ph.D. student to work on an NSF-funded
project to use the latest technology to link the fine scale movements of fox
squirrels to equally fine-scaled environmental data collected by the Nation
Ecological Observation Network (http://www.neoninc.org/). The student will
use novel tracking devices to locate fox squirrel in three dimensions. They
will then evaluate and model squirrel microhabitat selection by integrate
weather patterns, seasonal changes vegetation and an unmatched array of
environmental data. The chosen student will also be free to develop research
on any number of questions about fox squirrel ecology, including but not
limited to; behavioral and social interactions, foraging behaviors, response
to predators and fear, competition with gray squirrels. Ultimately, this
project will serve as an example of ecological advances that are possible
through integration of modern animal tracking technology with data products
generated by the NEON platform.
This project is a collaborative effort between Dr. Mike Conner at the Jones
Ecological Research Center (http://www.jonesctr.org/), and Dr. Bob McCleery
at the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation at the University of
Florida (http://www.wec.ufl.edu/) who will jointly supervise the selected
student. We will provide an assistantship covering salary ($20,000),
tuition, and insurance for 4 years. Additionally, housing will be provided
when the student is conducting field work at the Jones Center. We are
looking for a self-motivated, independent student with a previous record of
academic achievement and field experience. Applicants should have a minimum
3.2 GPA, greater than 1200 on the GRE (310 on the new scale) and
considerable field experience. To apply, send a resume, GRE scores,
transcripts, and a list of 3 references along with brief statements
describing how you are prepared for PhD program and your career goals to Dr.
Robert McCleery at ramcc...@ufl.edu by October 15, 2015. We are looking
for a student to start in January 2016 or earlier.