Upland Gamebird PhD Assistantship 2024

The Rangeland Wildlife Ecology Lab at North Dakota State University (NDSU) is searching for a PhD graduate research assistant to investigate multiple facets of upland gamebird ecology in North Dakota. The student will be part of an inter-disciplinary team investigating sharp-tailed grouse and ring-necked pheasants in southwest and central parts of North Dakota.

• Host: North Dakota State University
• Open To: Postgraduate Students (PhD)
• Benefits: Salary starting at $26,500 per year | Full tuition waiver
• Eligible Countries: All Countries
• Deadline: January 31, 2024

Both of these species are economically important gamebirds in the state and have suffered population declines from loss of conservation reserve program and native grasslands. This research will use radio telemetry to track pheasants and grouse throughout the year to better understand land use impacts on survival and selection patterns. Additionally, this region of the Great Plains is one of the few places were pheasants and sharp-tailed grouse distributions overlap, allowing for unique opportunities to investigate habitat selection and the influence of landcover and management on their populations.

The School of Natural Resource Sciences at NDSU has 23 full-time faculty members with diverse expertise. We also have 19 research staff and strong administrative support. The Natural Resource Management undergraduate and graduate programs serve approximately 100 and 70 students, respectively. NDSU offers a state-of-the-art greenhouse complex, laboratory space, and seven Research Extension Centers throughout the state.

Eligibility Requirements

Minimum qualifications:

Valid driver’s license
Ability to lift 50 lbs and walk >2 miles over rough terrain
GPA > 3.0
Master of Science degree in Natural Resource Management or closely related field

Preferred qualifications:

• A strong passion for ecological research and upland gamebirds
• Evidence of peer-reviewed publication
• Strong analytical and GIS capabilities
• Previous experience with upland gamebirds and telemetry

Benefits:

How to Apply

To apply: Please send:

• Unofficial transcripts
• A cover letter expressing your interests, qualifications, and career goals
• Curriculum vitae
• Three professional references in a single pdf to torre.hovick@ndsu.edu.

Timeline:

Start Date: Spring 2024 (flexible)

Close Date: January 31st, 2024 (open until a suitable candidate is found)

FIND OUT MORE AND APPLY

Deadline:

January 31, 2024