[ECOLOG-L] MS assistantship on effects of invasive ants on birds

[Christopher A. Lepczyk]

Evaluating Direct and Indirect Impacts of Red-Imported Fire Ants on
Northern Bobwhite Quail in Southeastern Ecosystems

We are seeking a graduate student to pursue an M.S. degree in the School of
Forestry & Wildlife Sciences at Auburn University
(http://wp.auburn.edu/sfws/) in collaboration with Tall Timbers Research
Station and Land Conservancy (http://talltimbers.org/) to work on the
effects of invasive species on a species of conservation concern.

Project Description

Since their accidental introduction to the USA around 1930, red-imported
fire ants (Solenopsis invicta) have spread rapidly and had colonized over
9.3 million square kilometers, including most of Alabama, Florida, Georgia,
Mississippi, and Louisiana, by the late 1980s. Red-imported fire ants are a
source of mortality in southeastern birds, including Northern Bobwhite
Quail, as well as cotton rats, which are an important buffer prey for
predators of quail. Moreover, fire ants have direct and indirect impacts on
invertebrate communities which are ecosystem drivers and important dietary
staples of quail chicks. Because ongoing habitat management practices
(e.g., prescribed fire and disking) intended to benefit quail produce
disturbed areas that may facilitate ease of colonization and spread of fire
ants, there is concern that habitat restoration will lead to increased
impacts on quail populations.

This project will evaluate the effects of fire ants on quail, the
relationship between habitat disturbance and fire ant density, and the
degree to which these interactions may vary among soil types. Study sites
will include areas managed by Tall Timbers in the Florida Panhandle,
southwest Georgia, Alabama, and potential sites in adjacent states. This
is an ideal position for a student with interests in avian conservation and
management, game bird ecology, invasive species, and interactions of native
and invasive species, as the project may include quantifying fire ant
impacts on native invertebrates, small mammals, etc.

Application and Position Details

The M.S. position at Auburn will begin January 2016. The ideal applicant
would be willing and able to complete a fall internship at Tall Timbers
during September to December 2015, as this would give the intern time to
work with us on project development prior to the spring 2016 field season.
The graduate research assistantship position at Auburn includes a stipend
of $16,540 per year for 2.5 years, plus graduate tuition waiver. The fall
internship at Tall Timbers includes a stipend of $230/week and housing.

Minimum qualifications for further consideration include an undergraduate
GPA above 3.0, solid GRE scores (>50th percentile), and an undergraduate
degree in wildlife biology, conservation biology, biology/ecology, or a
related field. Qualified candidates will have significant field experience
and excellent field skills, a strong ability to work effectively as part of
a research team at Tall Timbers and Auburn University, and motivation to
develop as a productive early-career scientist (e.g., strong motivation to
develop professional presentations and scientific manuscripts).

For initial consideration, provide us a cover letter describing your
interest in and suitability for the position, a current professional CV,
undergraduate transcripts (unofficial is fine for initial application), and
names / contact information for 3 professional references. (PDF format is
preferred; include your last name as the first word in each file name.) Be
sure to specify your availability/interest in the internship at Tall
Timbers during fall 2015. Email your initial application to Chris Lepczyk
(lep...@auburn.edu), Bob Gitzen (rag...@auburn.edu), and Theron Terhune
(the...@ttrs.org).

You may also contact Chris Lepczyk if at ESA this week to discuss position.

We will begin reviewing applications on August 19 and continue until a
suitable applicant is found.