Position Description and Application Information
The Cooperative Wildlife Research Lab at Southern Illinois University is hiring 16 research technicians for projects investigating the impacts of habitat structure on grassland community interactions and grassland bird productivity. The field season will begin in May 15th (start date is flexible) and continue until August 11th. Fieldwork will include nest searching for grassland birds (via rope dragging), nest monitoring, avian point counts, vegetation surveys, snake surveys using coverboards, small mammal trapping, invertebrate sampling, and mesopredator identification from motion-sensor cameras. We will also be trapping and tracking Northern bobwhite quails (Colinus virginianus) using radio telemetry.
Fieldwork will be conducted at Burning Star State Wildlife Management Area and Pyramid State park, both are located approximately 20 miles north of Carbondale, Illinois. This position is a great opportunity to gain more experience with a variety of survey methods, and investigate important questions related to grassland restoration and community ecology.
Carbondale provides many outdoor recreation opportunities, with several state parks, wildlife areas, and national forests located nearby. Salary is $2,000/month. Housing is not included, though we can help those from out of town find a place to stay. There are plenty of affordable short-term options in the Carbondale area.
To be considered for this position, applicants should have previous fieldwork experience, and have or be working towards a Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Natural Resources, Environmental Science, or a related field. Preferred applicants will have field experience in grassland systems, as well as experience with one or more of the survey methods described above. Applicants must be comfortable with the rigors of fieldwork, including working long and irregular hours in hot and buggy conditions, and being an integral part of a field crew consisting of several other technicians and grad students.