-----Original Message-----
From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Carissa Brown
Sent: Tuesday, April 05, 2011 11:01 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [ECOLOG-L] Two Masters Projects on Chronic Wasting Disease Ecology
and Management

Masters Research Opportunity at the University of Saskatchewan

Integrating Resource Selection, Movement, and Group Size Models to Predict
and Communicate Chronic Wasting Disease Risk for Elk with Co-occurring
White-tailed Deer

Two well-funded Masters level research projects on the Northern Prairie Elk
Project are available in the Wildlife Ecology and Community Resilience Lab
of Dr. Ryan Brook at the University of Saskatchewan. Our research group has
initiated a large-scale interdisciplinary study investigating the ecology
and management of northern prairie elk populations across Saskatchewan and
Manitoba with a focus on disease risk at the interface of elk and
white-tailed deer. We have an existing long-term database of >400
radio-collared elk and deer from our model system in southwestern Manitoba
in addition to extensive data on crop damage claims and disease testing. 
The two Masters projects will involve determining the spatial distribution
of elk and their dietary overlap with deer on agricultural lands in order to
predict and mitigate transmission of Chronic Wasting Disease. The philosophy
of our research group is to recruit bright, mature students and train them
in research design by giving each student considerable latitude to develop
the project in ways that best fit their skills and career aspirations.

In addition to an education with a focus on strong science, natural history,
and critical thinking, students will gain valuable practical experience in
Geographic Information Systems and spatial analysis. Fieldwork will include
participation in collecting additional radio-collar data, validating GIS
layers, as well as community consultation and knowledge translation to share
project objectives and outcomes. Students will also participate in our
school-based education module to teach rural and aboriginal youth about
wildlife and Chronic Wasting Disease and will contribute to media relations.
Our interdisciplinary research program incorporates fully funded specialized
training modules with partners from Canadian and US institutions - academic
and provincial, national and international wildlife agencies, presenting
strong opportunities to network with potential employers and develop a broad
skill set. The project also provides support for conference attendance.

The successful applicants will ideally begin September 2011, though there is
some flexibility. During the first autumn and winter terms the students will
be expected to seek scholarships, analyze data, and complete coursework.
Stipend is $16,500/year and this can be supplemented with additional
scholarships. Applicants must have a B.Sc. or equivalent in biology,
ecology, geography, environmental science, veterinary medicine, or a related
field and must meet the admission requirements for the College of
Agriculture & Bioresources (http://agbio.usask.ca/).

Interested candidates should email Dr. Ryan Brook ([log in to unmask])
based in the Indigenous Land Management Institute, the Department of Animal
and Poultry Science, and the School of Environment and Sustainability, along
with a letter of interest, CV, and indication of academic performance
(unofficial transcripts acceptable at this stage). Application review will
begin June 15, 2011 and will continue until the positions are filled.