West Virginia University · Virginia · posted 19 days ago
The School of Natural Resources and the Environment at West Virginia University is searching for a master’s student to join a research team monitoring Ruffed Grouse populations in response to different landscape contexts and disturbances, including varying levels of timber harvests, prescribed fire, and cut-back borders. The students will use Autonomous Recording Units (ARUs) and spring drumming counts to determine occupancy and abundance of Ruffed Grouse. The students will also be responsible for sampling mosquitoes for West Nile Virus. Finally, the student will identify through ArcGISPro geospatial and landscape variables affecting Ruffed Grouse distribution, and model scenarios predicting Ruffed Grouse responses to future conditions. This project will occur across West Virginia on private and public lands. Ruffed Grouse and bird species utilizing young forests have declined precipitously, and the goal of this project is to identify landscape scale management strategies to improve populations via occupancy or abundance. Additionally, West Nile Virus could be a contributing factor in Ruffed Grouse declines, and in West Virginia data are lacking about the distribution and prevalence of the virus or mosquitoes. The students will also have opportunities and flexibility to develop and design additional research projects if they are within the scope of the main project questions. Additional questions about landscape context, conservation planning, and applicability to other ecoregions are potential options. The project will occur on multiple state wildlife management areas, state forests, and on Weyerhaeuser property. There will be significant traveling and potential for camping or living in rustic state field houses. The students should also have experience driving on gravel or dirt roads and with 4x4 vehicles. The data collection will begin in April and continue into August. Students should expect to be flexible with scheduling and work together to coordinate data collection schedules. Results should inform landscape level planning and management strategies for Ruffed Grouse and other young forest species. The research is funded through the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, Ruffed Grouse Society, and National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. The student will be working towards a master’s in Wildlife and Fisheries Resources at West Virginia University. STARTING DATE: January 2027. The ideal applicant should have experience with geospatial modeling tools specifically ArcGISPro, ARUs and analyzing acoustic data, must be able to identify central Appalachian avian species by sight and by sound and have experience conducting point count surveys. Applicants should also be familiar with collecting structural habitat measurements including but not limited to; DBH, canopy cover (using spherical densitometers), Robel pole, Daubenmire frame, etc. Applicants should be comfortable working long days in the field during hot summer months, ready to travel, and energetic and excited about applied avian conservation research. Applicants will also be responsible for hiring and supervising research technicians to assist with research duties. Applicants must have completed a BS in Wildlife Biology, Ecology, or a closely related field. If submitting GRE scores, a minimum of 300 combined (V+Q) or 1100 on the previous scale is preferred. Minimum 3.25 overall GPA is preferred. To apply, send an electronic application as a single file including: 1) a cover letter outlining any relevant work experiences with Ruffed Grouse, GIS, ARUs and acoustic monitoring, avian point counts, 2) resumé including an unofficial copy of transcripts and GRE scores (if submitting), and 3) contact information for 3 references to Dr. Chris Lituma; cml0017@mail.wvu.edu
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