Employment Opportunities




This page announces any opportunities to be involved with the Patch-Burn Grazing Research Team. Please check back often for updates!

Grassland Bird Research Assistant

Summer 2009

2 Positions: We are seeking two well qualified and highly motivated field technicians to assist in surveying bird communities in native and restored grasslands in the Grand River Grasslands area of south-central Iowa. This work is part of a larger project examining wildlife and habitat responses to a fire-grazing approach to ecologically sound landscape management. Position will begin in early May and continue through the end of July. Duties will include monitoring grassland birds along line transects, territory mapping, nest monitoring, and vegetation sampling. Preference will be given to those with strong skills in bird identification by sight and song/call and experience with behavioral observations. Experience with prescribed fire, grazing animals, GPS, and a working knowledge of grassland plants is desirable, but not required. Applicants should possess an ability to work well independently as well as in a team setting, and must be willing to spend long hours in the field under variable weather conditions, while maintaining the highest degree of patience, accuracy, and consistency in data collection. Tolerance of heat, insects, and an ability to hike over rough terrain is important. Applicants must possess or be able to obtain a valid driver’s license and be able to operate vehicles in off-road settings. Work vehicles and housing are provided. Salary range $1,600 to $2,080 per month commensurate with experience. Applications accepted until positions filled, priority given to those received by 27 February 2009. Positions expected to begin on or near 1 May 2009 and continue through 1 August 2009.

Please send a CV, cover letter, and contact information for three references to:

Finn Pillsbury
Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management
339 Science II
Iowa State University
Ames, IA 50011 USA

Email: finnp@iastate.edu

Download Announcement

Graduate Research Assistantship

Due March 2, 2009

Description:
One Graduate Research Assistantship is available to study avian response to a fire-grazing interaction in the Grand River Grasslands of southern Iowa and northern Missouri. This project is part of an ongoing multi-disciplinary effort involving scientists at the University of Illinois, Iowa State University, and Oklahoma State University. The successful candidate will work as part of a team including other faculty, research associates, graduate students, resource managers, technicians, and undergraduates. This is an excellent opportunity for integrative research at the PhD level, but I will consider a highly qualified MS student.

Potential applicants should send a cover letter outlining their research interests, a CV detailing their academic and professional backgrounds, GRE scores (need not be an official copy at this point), and the names and contact information (including email) for three references. Once a suitable candidate is identified, they will formally apply for admission to either the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences (http://www.nres.uiuc.edu/) or the Program in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology (http://www.life.uiuc.edu/peeb/).

Qualifications:
The ideal candidate will have a degree in ecology, conservation biology, wildlife ecology, natural resource management, zoology, or a related discipline. Previous experience in avian field studies, a strong quantitative background, and excellent writing skills are essential. Prairie plant identification skills and experience with GIS are preferred.

Salary: $18,000

Last date to apply: March 2, 2009

Website: http://millerlab.nres.uiuc.edu

Contact:
Dr. Jim Miller
E-mail: jrmillr@illinois.edu(Preferred)
Phone: 217-244-3896

Download Announcement