M.S or Ph.D. Research Assistantship: Invasive Scud on Illinois River
Illinois Natural History Survey
Prairie Research Institute
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Project Description: The Illinois River Natural History Survey is seeking 1 MS or Ph.D. student to conduct research evaluating the distribution and vector of transmission of an invasive amphipod and other select macroinvertebrate communities in the Illinois River Waterway. This will include rock bag surveys throughout the Illinois River, extensive laboratory time identifying macroinvertebrates, and possibly additional projects as they arise. This could involve summer travel to field locations over a large spatial extent. The primary species of interest is the invasive amphipod, Apocorophium lacustre, but other introduced macroinvertebrate species will also be assessed. Selected student will be expected to assist other crews in other field and laboratory duties as applicable. This lab is a cohesive unit and it is imperative that the student is able and willing to work well with others and be versatile.
Qualifications: B.S. in fisheries biology, biology, or related fields. Applicant must have a valid driver’s license, be able to swim, have strong computer, computational, and analytical skills, have a competitive GPA (>3.0), have competitive GRE scores, and ability to work independently and in a group. Experience sampling and keying aquatic macroinvertebrates to species level is preferred. Experience operating small watercraft on riverine systems is preferred. Proficiency using GPS and GIS technology is preferred. The applicant should be available to start fieldwork by mid-June and be prepared to start coursework in August 2020 at the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana (NRES program). Applicant will be required to work long hours in adverse weather conditions. Applicants with a strong background in fisheries and aquatic ecology research, statistical modeling using R and GIS software, and familiarity with Midwestern aquatic organisms are preferred.
Salary and Appointment: This position includes a 50% research assistantship with a tuition waiver through the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Application: Deadline to submit applications is May 15, 2020, however, applications will be accepted until a suitable candidate is identified. Interested students should send a letter of interest, CV, unofficial transcripts, and contact information for 3 references to Dr. Jim Lamer (lamer@illinois.edu) The successful applicant will be expected to enroll at the University of Illinois for the Fall 2020 semester (May 15, 2020 application deadline).
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