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Updated 1/24/12 Ph.D. Assistantships at Virginia Tech in Fish Population Dynamics and Feeding Ecology
Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation Description: Two Graduate Research Assistantships are available to start in August 2012 in Fish Population Dynamics. For more information, please visit the websites of the principal investigators Donald J. Orth and Yan Jiao. Graduate research will focus on the role of introduced blue catfish populations in tidal portions of Atlantic Coast rivers. The most qualified applicants will have a strong quantitative background, strong interest in fish population dynamics, and strong demonstrated skills in diet analysis, simulation modeling, data analysis, and field studies in large rivers. Duties will include writing proposals, implementing sampling surveys, managing and analyzing large data-sets, mentoring undergraduate students, coordinating with other investigators, and preparing reports and presentations for scientific audiences. Applicants must have a M.S. degree in Fisheries, Biology, or similar area for entrance into the program. The position is available pending final budget approval by the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. Stipend: $21,000 per year plus tuition and student health benefits. Closing Date: March 10, 2012 Interested applicants should submit the following: letter of interest, names and contact information of three references, unofficial transcripts, GRE scores, and CV to: Donald J. Orth and Yan Jiao, Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation, Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University, 100 Cheatham Hall (0321), Blacksburg, VA 24061; Phone: 540-231-5919 (Orth) and 540-231-5749 (Jiao); Email: dorth@vt.edu yjiao@vt.edu . Selected applicants will need to apply to the Virginia Tech Graduate School before acceptance. PhD Assistantship at Virginia Tech in Coupled Human – Environmental systems, Water Quality and Health in Africa
Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation Water-restricted environments that experience strong seasonal changes are extremely vulnerable to human landscape alteration and pollution. Increasingly, pollution of limited water resources is identified as an important and urgent problem facing much of the world and, in particular, Africa. This NSF supported project will evaluate coupled human and ecological drivers influencing water quality and the health of human and animal populations in the Chobe River Region of Botswana, a location where human health is seriously impacted and diarrheal disease is a continued problem. Using predictive models calibrated with field samples, existing and potential long-term effects of climatic changes, seasonal variation in hydrology, increases in human populations and landscape modification on human and animal health will be investigated. Project outcomes will contribute to theory and methods for assessing the effects of coupled socioecological systems on water quality and environmental health. Job Description: A graduate student assistantship is available to start summer semester in the Fisheries and Wildlife Conservation Department at Virginia Tech. The position is supported by a recently funded NSF grant aimed at understanding the interaction of human and coupled environmental systems on water quality and health in Africa. Graduate research will focus on application of molecular genetic tools and field studies to understand human-environmental coupled dynamics, water quality and health. The most qualified applicants will have a quantitative background, expertise in statistical computing, a strong interest in water quality and environmental health, strong demonstrated skills in molecular genetics and data assessment (REP PCR, MLST and other similar techniques). Experience in spatial data analysis will be an added advantage. Applicants must have an MS degree for entrance to the program. Interested applicants should submit the following: 1) C.V. with GPA, GREs, and three references 2) Unofficial transcripts (undergraduate and an MS degree), 3) 1-2 page description of research interests and experience, and 4) 1-2 page statement providing an outline of 2 potential research questions for projects aimed at understanding the interaction of coupled human and environmental systems on water quality and the health of human- animal (domestic and wildlife) populations using Escherichia coli and/or another model organism to evaluate microorganism transmission pathways and environmental/landscape drivers. Each of the proposed thesis ideas should include a testable hypothesis, justification for its importance, and a brief description of methods identifying how the research could be carried out to test this hypothesis. Contact: Email your applications as a single file (pdf, or Word) to : Dr. Kathleen Alexander, Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation, Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061-0321; Phone: 540-231-5059; email: kathyalx@vt.edu Salary: Tuition+Stipend Last Date to Apply: March 1, 2012 Website: http://fishwild.vt.edu/faculty/alexander.htm, www.caracal.info, and www.healthbotswana.blogspot.com PhD Project: Piping Plover Population Dynamics on the Missouri River in Relation to Natural and Engineered SandbarsPh.D. project available in an active and collegial shorebird ecology/management lab in Virginia Tech’s Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation. Currently 3 faculty and 3 graduate students are focusing of coast/riverine bird species, including piping plovers, Wilson’s plovers, snowy plovers, least terns, common terns, skimmers and red knots. This project is the fourth in a series of projects in a long term study of the ecology and conservation of piping plovers on the Missouri River (Le Fer et al. 2007, Le Fer et al. 2008, Catlin 2009, Catlin et al. 2010, Catlin et al. 2011a, catlin et al. 2011b) and one of many previous studies on various shorebird/coastal species Eg. Cohen et al. 2009a, Cohen et al. 2009b). This will be an excellent project for a student wishing to hone skills in population dynamics, avian ecology, large project management and scientific writing. The problem The Missouri River is the longest river in North America. Prehistorically, piping plovers likely nested in abundance on sandbars deposited during periods of high flows. However, in the Mid-20th Century, a series of dams were built that reduced the number of high flows. This reduced the rate of sandbar deposition, and this, plus sandbar erosion has resulted in reduced nesting habitat. Other changes in flood plain habitat likely increased rates of predation which have reduced chick survival on the sandbars. Starting in 2004, the Corps of Engineers began building sandbars to mitigate for the loss of naturally occurring habitat. These sandbars attracted many plovers, and initially the daily survival rate of plover chicks was higher on engineered sandbars than on natural sandbars. However, chick survival showed a density dependent decrease over time, perhaps due to density dependent predation, especially by great horned owls. In the summer of 2011, extensive flooding occurred in the Missouri River Flood Plain. This flooding resulted in extensive new sandbar deposits. Project Goal Evaluate the population dynamical response of piping plovers to this change in habitat availability and, especially, to compare population dynamics on new, naturally formed sandbars, with the dynamics recorded by Catlin (2009) on engineered and old natural sandbars. Duties All duties will be conducted in close collaboration with project P.I.s. Write a working proposal to conduct this research. Implement work on the ground, including supervision of circa 14 crew/crew leaders. Interact with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service with respect to endangered species permits. Interact with the funding agency (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers) on all aspects of the project, including on the ground coordination of crew activities. Write annual reports and other interim reports. Give papers at scientific meetings about this research. Other activities as needed to make the project run smoothly and efficiently and to provide high quality science. The successful candidate will be expected to publish results as senior author with project PI’s as junior authors. Qualifications M.S. in Wildlife Science, Biology, Conservation Biology or similar. Significant fieldwork. Demonstrated quantitative skills. Demonstrated leadership and management skills. Excellent academic record and GRE’s. Significant interaction with resource management and/or other public agencies, experience in population analysis, program MARK, and publication of M.S. or other science helpful. To apply Send C.V., publication list, and list of references to Jim Fraser and Dan Catlin (Fraser@vt.edu , Dcatlin@vt.edu ). Fraser and Catlin will be at the TWS meeting if you wish to make an appointment with us. Co-PI Sarah Karpanty will be at the Waterbirds meeting. PhD Assistantship: Spatial Modeling & Prediction of Fish-Habitat RelationsDepartment of Fish and Wildlife Conservation Project and Responsibilities: Support is available for an academically outstanding and professionally motivated student to pursue a PhD in the Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation at Virginia Tech. The student will be funded through a US Geological Survey (USGS)-sponsored project to model the spatial distribution and response of freshwater fishes to habitat changes, using a trait-based approach. Expected products include HUC-based maps of current freshwater fish trait distributions in the eastern US and specific basins, predictive models of habitat determinants of trait distribution in space, and projected impacts of future land use, hydrologic alterations, and climate change on trait and species distributions. Dissertation project will involve extensive literature reviews and use of existing state and federal agency fish monitoring databases to calibrate trait-habitat relations. Frequent travels for data gathering, cooperation with USGS and state agency professionals, technician supervision, and significant participation in online fish traits database development are expected. Required qualifications: BS and MS in Fish Ecology/Biology, Aquatic Ecology, Conservation Biology, Geography or a closely related discipline; solid foundation in fish biology, multivariate statistics, and GIS; research productivity and technical writing ability evidenced in publications; excellent public speaking; knowledge of SQL programming and web development are advantageous. Stipend: $21,000/year plus tuition and student health benefits Closing date: November 6, 2011 Starting date: January 1, 2012 or earlier Contact: Email letter of interest, academic resume (with names and contacts of three references, GRE scores, unofficial transcripts (BS & MS) to: Dr. Emmanuel Frimpong, Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation, Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061-0321; Phone: 540-231-6880; email: frimp@vt.edu M.S. Assistantship in Freshwater Mussel Conservation Genetics Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation Project and Responsibilities: Support is available for a student to pursue an M.S. degree in the Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation at Virginia Tech University. The student will be funded through a Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF)-sponsored project to study phenotypic and molecular genetic variation of “look-alike” freshwater mussel species belonging to the genera Fusconaia, Lexingtonia and Pleurobema, including three non-listed species, F. barnesiana, F. subrotunda, and P. oviforme, one federal candidate species, L. dolabelloides, and two federally endangered mussels, F. cor and F. cuneolus. These species exhibit diagnostic phenotypic variation in their shell shape and color, soft-part anatomy color (e.g., foot and gills), number of marsupial gills (4 vs. 2) and shape of glochidia. However, some of this variation overlaps among species and therefore does not offer definitive and consistent species-level diagnoses. This trait overlap has led to inconsistent identification of mussels collected at field sites by biologists, including recognized experts. These species are of conservation concern and routinely monitored by state and federal natural resource agencies. Hence, development of a probabilistic trait-based key would support a higher rate of positive identifications for this group of “look-alike” species. The key will serve as a training tool for biologists, helping them to consistently apply the most reliable traits to identify each species. The focal area of the project is the Powell, Clinch, North Fork Holston and Middle Fork Holston rivers in Virginia and Tennessee, where scattered populations of these species remain and are in need of various management actions, such as population monitoring, habitat protection and population augmentation and expansion. However, populations of these species from the middle (e.g., Paint Rock River, AL) and lower (e.g., Duck River, TN) sections of the Tennessee River system may be investigated as needed to more broadly quantify the phenotypic and genetic variation of each species. The incumbent will be expected to manage and analyze large data-sets, prepare reports and manuscripts, present research at professional meetings, mentor undergraduates, help with other projects in the lab and field, work closely with VDGIF biologists and complete coursework pursuant to an M.S. degree. The student will be co-advised by Drs. Jess Jones and Eric Hallerman.
Stipend: $19,000/year plus tuition
PhD or MS Assistantship in Freshwater Mussel Histopathology and ConservationDepartment of Fish and Wildlife Conservation Project and Responsibilities: Support is available for a student to pursue a PhD or MS degree in the Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation at Virginia Tech. The student will be funded through a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service sponsored project to study freshwater mussel declines in the Clinch and North Fork Holston Rivers using histological evaluations of vital organ tissues. The study is part of a larger collaborative effort guided by the The Nature Conservancy and other organizations to identify specific stressors responsible for the biological decline of globally rare freshwater mussels in the Upper Tennessee River watershed. The incumbent will assess the health of mussels by quantitatively evaluating organ tissues, including digestive glands, gills, kidneys, and gonads of caged adult mussels held at sites in the Clinch River and of sub-adult mussels held in laboratory experimental settings in water recirculating tank systems and mesocosms to examine the influence of various contaminants on histological response. The incumbent will help with recruitment and supervision of field and laboratory crew, manage and analyze data, prepare reports and manuscripts, present research at professional meetings, mentor undergraduates and help with other projects in the lab, and complete coursework pursuant to a PhD or MS degree. The student will be co-advised by Dr. Jess Jones and Dr. Bill Henley. Required qualifications: BS and/or MS in Fisheries, Aquatic Ecotoxicology, Conservation Biology or a closely related discipline; desired experience performing laboratory experiments, histology, fieldwork in streams, mussel sampling techniques and identification; excellent technical writing ability as demonstrated by publication of peer-reviewed journal articles and preparation of project reports; excellent public speaking skills; strong background in experimental design and statistical analysis. Stipend: $$19,000-$21,000/year plus tuition Closing date: July 15, 2011 Starting date: August 15, 2011 or earlier Contact: Email letter of interest, resume, names of three references, GRE scores, and unofficial transcripts to: Dr. Jess Jones, Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation, Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061-0321; Phone: 540-231-2266; email: Jess_Jones@fws.gov. Selected applicant will need to apply to the Virginia Tech Graduate School before acceptance. PhD Assistantship in Mapping Ecosystem ServicesGraduate Research Assistantship
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