Overview: Louisiana State University is currently looking for a highly motivated M.S. student to join a research project focused on evaluating the impact of disturbance on the movement and habitat use of wintering waterfowl in southwest Louisiana. This assistantship position will be co-advised by Dr. Drew Fowler and Dr. Kevin Ringelman at Louisiana State University, in collaboration with the Louisiana Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit and the School of Renewable Natural Resources. The research project is generously funded by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.

Responsibilities: The selected candidate will play a crucial role in designing and executing research to quantify hunting and other landscape-scale disturbances using automated recording units (ARUs) in southwest Louisiana. This project will involve close collaboration with another M.S. student who is studying the habitat use of pintail and mallards marked with GPS-GSM satellite transmitters in the same agricultural system. By combining data from both students, the research aims to analyze the factors influencing waterfowl movement and behavior. The student will be actively involved in fieldwork during the fall and winter in southwest Louisiana, which includes deploying and monitoring ARUs and ground-truthing field characteristics of habitats used by marked individuals. There will also be opportunities to work with biologists from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and private landowners.

Qualifications: To be eligible for this assistantship, candidates should possess a B.S. degree in wildlife, ecology, or a related field. A minimum GPA of 3.0 and a competitive GRE score are required. Additionally, applicants must hold a valid driver’s license with a clean driving record. A strong background in waterfowl ecology and management is preferred, and candidates with experience in acoustic ecology, working with ARUs, and familiarity with GIS, program R, and spatial data analysis will be given preference.

Application and Deadline: The application review process is ongoing, and the position will be filled as soon as a suitable candidate is identified. The successful candidate is expected to begin as a technician on September 1, 2023, and enroll as a graduate student in January 2024. Interested applicants should submit a single PDF containing a letter of interest, CV or resume, unofficial transcripts and GRE scores, and contact information for at least three references to: Dr. Drew Fowler at dfowler@agcenter.lsu.edu and Dr. Kevin Ringelman at kringelman@agcenter.lsu.edu.

Salary and Benefits: The MSc Graduate Assistantship offers a competitive salary of $28,000 annually, along with a full tuition waiver.

Contact Information: For further inquiries or additional information, please feel free to reach out to Dr. Drew Fowler at dfowler@agcenter.lsu.edu.

Application Deadline: The deadline for applying to the MSc Graduate Assistantship is July 28, 2023.

Join this exciting research opportunity at Louisiana State University and contribute to the understanding of waterfowl ecology in the picturesque landscape of southwest Louisiana. This assistantship offers a valuable opportunity for students to gain hands-on research experience and work with esteemed faculty members in the field of wildlife ecology. Apply now to seize this promising opportunity!