MS or PhD Opportunity - Freshwater Turtle Ecology

[Northeast Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (NEPARC)]

Hello NEPARC,

Please see the attached PDF for information about an MS/PhD opportunity with the Massachusetts Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit at the University of Massachusetts.

Applications are due by the end of Sunday March 3, 2024.

Position Description

North American freshwater turtles are facing several significant threats and stressors, with a notable number of species listed as endangered, threatened, or of concern. Unfortunately, it is not always clear what types of habitats should be protected to help conserve freshwater turtles because we lack information about their habitat use (nesting, foraging, and overwintering grounds), as well as population status. Therefore, in partnership with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS), the U.S. Department of Defense, and the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, we are seeking a MS or PhD level graduate student interested in evaluating habitat use and conducting population surveys of at-risk freshwater turtles in eastern Massachusetts. Specifically, the student will likely be working in and around Fort Devens RFTA and/or Hanscom Air Force Base. This is a heavily field-based project, with the student expected to drive to study site locations and collect data on tagged turtles throughout the year. We highly encourage people from historically underrepresented groups or non-traditional backgrounds to apply. The purpose of this position is to support access to higher education for students who might otherwise find it difficult or impossible to successfully pursue graduate study. The student will work closely with collaborators from the USFWS to design and carry out the study; the project will likely involve trapping, telemetry, GPS, and/or PIT tagging turtles. Focal species of interest include Blanding’s turtle, Wood Turtle, and Spotted Turtle. The successful candidate will enroll in the MS or PhD program in the Department of Environmental Conservation and be part of the MA Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit.