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From: Mammalian Biology <[log in to unmask]> on behalf of Jennifer Frey <[log in to unmask]>
Reply-To: Mammalian Biology <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Tuesday, September 24, 2019 at 3:13 PM
To: "[log in to unmask]" <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Two M.S. or PhD Graduate Assistantships - Mammal Conservation in New Mexico - January 2020

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Please pass on to great students who would like to start a graduate program in January 2020!


SMALL MAMMAL CONSERVATION ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT

Dr. Jennifer Frey is seeking two highly motivated Master’s or PhD students to join her lab in the Department of Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Ecology at New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM.  The successful applications will assist with exciting applied ecological research that will advance the conservation of state threatened chipmunks in New Mexico.  These two studies will rely on robust study designs and modern field methods to insure scientifically defensible results that will serve as basis for conservation and management actions. The student will be involved with the development of the specific objectives and methods of the project.  They also will collaborate with other lab members on group research projects and will have opportunity to engage in other research or experiences.  Both projects will start in January 2020.

Oscura Mountains Chipmunk Radio-telemetry.—The Oscura Mountains chipmunk occurs only in the Oscura Mountains, which is within a US Army installation, White Sands Missile Range, about 2 hours north of Las Cruces. The research will entail investigating habitat selection and other life history characteristics of the chipmunk using radio-telemetry, remote cameras, other field methods, and rigorous statistical analyses. Field work is likely to require extended periods of camping or stays in a communal bunkhouse. The position available for this study is a 2.5 year M.S. graduate research assistant and the study will form the basis of the students Master’s thesis.  This position is only available for US citizens.  The application deadline has been extended to 6 October 2019 and application will be reviewed as received.

Organ Mountains Chipmunk Occupancy Analysis.—This study will use non-invasive remote camera technology in an occupancy modeling framework to investigate landscape level habitat selection and range dynamics.  This chipmunk occurs only in the Organ Mountains, which are located just outside Las Cruces.  The research will require extensive backcountry field work in these rugged mountains necessitating camping and backpacking. There are 3 years of graduate research assistant funding available for this project.  It thus may be used to support a M.S. student and the study would serve as the basis for a Master’s thesis.  Or, the funding may be used as the nucleus to support a PhD student.  A PhD student would be expected to develop additional related lines of research and seek funding for any additional years of funding needed to complete the degree.  The application deadline is 13 October 2019 and applications will be reviewed as received.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

  *   Bachelor’s degree in wildlife science, biology, conservation ecology, or related degree
  *   3.3 GPA
  *   70th percentile on verbal and quantitative portions of GRE is recommended for highest consideration
  *   Must be able to work, carry heavy loads, and camp outdoors at high elevation in steep terrain and in inclement weather.

Preferred Qualifications:

  *   Quantitative aptitude and statistical knowledge (e.g., Statistics minor)
  *   Outdoor experience (wilderness backpacking, first aid, camping, etc)
  *   Small mammal trapping experience
  *   Experience using ArcGIS
  *   Experience conducting research


To apply:

For consideration, please email Dr. Frey ([log in to unmask]) an initial letter of interest, resume, unofficial transcripts, and GRE scores (use the subject line GA Application). The letter of interest must explain your relevant experience, why you are interested in the position, and how it would fit in with your academic and professional goals. Letters that do not address these points will not be considered. Materials will be reviewed as received and the position filled upon finding a suitable applicant. Information about the department can be found at http://aces.nmsu.edu/academics/fws/<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com_-3Furl-3Dhttp-253A-252F-252Faces.nmsu.edu-252Facademics-252Ffws-252F-26data-3D02-257C01-257CMAMMAL-2DL-2540SI-2DLISTSERV.SI.EDU-257C751ad1a100484f5251d508d741233312-257C989b5e2a14e44efe93b78cdd5fc5d11c-257C0-257C0-257C637049491748032830-26sdata-3D3Oyj0KvNJMpnhh3SE8YSHnSGv0GBKkKKsxBaH-252Fd0XiI-253D-26reserved-3D0&d=DwMFAg&c=nE__W8dFE-shTxStwXtp0A&r=Znw7vQJ85zwmeBWJKUyE3A&m=517uVsmh8EOGSkDgCyM9i1yQZHGOiJryoSKXPn5CY9A&s=NHXdzKLI9RUIMJ6EozHdpbABBWTZ7eJlkmaKeD4SgZ0&e=>.  Information about Jennifer Frey can be found at https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Jennifer_Frey3<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com_-3Furl-3Dhttps-253A-252F-252Fwww.researchgate.net-252Fprofile-252FJennifer-5FFrey3-26data-3D02-257C01-257CMAMMAL-2DL-2540SI-2DLISTSERV.SI.EDU-257C751ad1a100484f5251d508d741233312-257C989b5e2a14e44efe93b78cdd5fc5d11c-257C0-257C0-257C637049491748032830-26sdata-3DGoL5pV-252BFnKMKfY-252Bt7unQkgv2-252Bx-252F5Q7UEwmrAubDZN8M-253D-26reserved-3D0&d=DwMFAg&c=nE__W8dFE-shTxStwXtp0A&r=Znw7vQJ85zwmeBWJKUyE3A&m=517uVsmh8EOGSkDgCyM9i1yQZHGOiJryoSKXPn5CY9A&s=CXqs7edAWLQHjYkctCPcT-nvVf6dP17k53OI8ZnwRcI&e=>.



Jennifer K. Frey, PhD
Curator, NMSU Wildlife Museum
College Professor, Dept Fish, Wildlife & Conservation Ecology
P.O. Box 30003, MSC 4901
New Mexico State University
Las Cruces, NM  88003-8003
Office: 575-646-3395
Fax: 575-646-1281
Cell: 575-640-9782
Email: [log in to unmask]