MSU Listserv

From: Mammalian Biology <[log in to unmask]> on behalf of Jacob R. Goheen <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Tuesday, December 17, 2024 at 6:36 PM
To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: MSc position at Iowa State University
External Email - Exercise Caution
Dear mammalogists,

Please find below information about an MSc position about elephant browsing and community/ecosystem resilience.

Thanks,

Jake Goheen

MSc Assistantship in the Ecology and Restoration of Savanna Ecosystems
Description: Our research group (goheenresearchgroup.com) at Iowa State University seeks a creative, enthusiastic, and dedicated MSc student to develop thesis research on the ecology and restoration of African savannas. The successful applicant would join a team of collaborators to quantify the restoration of an ant-plant mutualism and interactions with mammalian browsers following removal of the invasive big-headed ant. The MSc student will be supported through a research assistantship funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation and (potentially) 1-2 semesters of teaching assistantship at the Iowa State University. The work will be conducted with a collaborative team of U.S. and Kenyan citizens, including Drs. Todd Palmer (http://thepalmerlab.com/) and Patrick Milligan (https://www.savannaecology.com/). We envision a field-based MSc with significant analytical components, involving some combination of (1) occupancy modeling and camera trapping; (2) abundance estimation via line transect methods; and (3) demographic analyses. The student will spend significant (4-6 months annually) in Laikipia, Kenya. The student will also contribute to project deliverables (annual progress reports, project summaries, manuscript drafts) and will co-lead project management and logistics. Discoveries and research findings from this work can be found through papers by Hays et al 2022 Ecology, Kamaru et al 2024 Science, and Pietrek et al 2021 Oecologia.
Qualifications: The successful applicant will have earned a BSc in ecology, environmental science, wildlife biology, or a comparable field prior to commencing MSc studies. In addition, the successful applicant should have excellent written and oral communication skills, excellent interpersonal skills, experience working independently in remote locales, experience working with a diversity of stakeholders, experience operating and maintaining 4WD vehicles, and experience with quantitative tools and/or GIS (or a strong desire to learn).
Application Materials: please email the following in a merged pdf with the subject header “MSc position”: (1) a cover letter stating your interest in the position and your career goals; (2) a vita or resume; (3) copies of your transcripts; and (4) contact information for three references. GRE scores are optional. Please name your file “LASTNAME_MSC_POSITION”. We will contact applicants within one week of the deadline regarding the status of their applications.
Application deadline: 15 January 2025
Start date: May or August 2025
To apply or for further information, please email Jake Goheen ([log in to unmask]).




Jacob R. Goheen
Department of Zoology and Physiology
Berry Center, #4304
University of Wyoming
Laramie, WY 82071
Wyoming phone: 307-509-0280
Kenya phone: +254 020 232 6359
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