Thread by @MichAdebayo

PhD position - Ecological effects of beaver on biodiversity GYE - University of Wyoming

PhD Graduate Assistantship available to work with Dr. Melanie Murphy (Department of Ecosystem Science and Management/Program in Ecology) at University of Wyoming in collaboration with

Dr. Andrew Ray (Greater Yellowstone Network) and Dr. Blake Hossack (USGS Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center)

Beavers (Castor canadensis) are keystone species that increase landscape heterogeneity by felling trees, building dams, and creating wetlands along streams and rivers

. By increasing the structural complexity, size, and hydroperiods of wetlands, beaver support a wide range of biodiversity. With recent increases in beaver abundance across many landscapes, there is a growing need to understand the relationship between beaver and biodiversity

across landscapes. In conjunction with on-going monitoring efforts within the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE), the graduate student will survey beaver habitats with visual encounter surveys (VES) for amphibians and collect concurrent environmental DNA (eDNA) samples to

detect amphibians and other high priority wetland dependent species.

Prospective students with a background in wildlife, natural resources, ecology, wetland ecology and/or population genetics are encouraged to apply. Evidence of robust analytical skills, ability to work

independently under stochastic field conditions, strong work ethic, scientific writing, passion for scientific inquiry, and aptitude for collaborative research are expected. Additional skills in wetland field work, population genetics laboratory skills (particularly using low

quality/low quantity DNA) and occupancy modeling will be preferred but not required. Fieldwork will involve working in wetland field conditions at high elevation, hiking up drainages, solo field activities, compliance with COVID-19 restrictions and driving a 4WD vehicle.

To apply, please send a statement of interest, complete CV, unofficial transcripts, and contact information for three professional references as a single PDF file (LastName_GYE.pdf) to [e-mail]. Application deadline is February 22, 2021,

although review of applicants will begin immediately. Preferred start date is summer 2021 to collect preliminary data. Position is pending funding.

Support of graduate student may be through the University of Wyoming Under-Represented Domestic Minority Graduate Assistantships

(URDM) fellowship, which are intended to increase access and opportunities to graduate education for U.S. students from under-represented/ under-served communities and to increase student diversity in our graduate degree programs on a competitive basis. For students

interested in bioinformatics questions as an aspect of the research, support of graduate student may be through the University of Wyoming Women in Graduate Education (WGE) Graduate Assistantships (GWE) fellowship. Statement of interest should address if applicant would qualify

for URDM and/or GWE. The URDM awards are funded through a partnership of the Office of Academic Affairs, Program in Ecology (PiE) and the faculty mentor. The University of Wyoming is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will

receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability or protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law and University policy. Please see uwyo.edu/diversity/fair…

Area and Institution: University of

Wyoming (uwyo.edu) is ideally located in Laramie, Wyoming with easy access to varied field sites and outdoor recreation opportunities. In addition, the campus is only 1 hour from Fort Collins and ~2 hours from an international airport (Denver, CO).

Applicants are encouraged to investigate the Program in Ecology (uwyo.edu/pie), an integrated, interdepartmental PhD program in ecological science.

@AaronAkpuPhilip @olumuyiwaayo @Jamaticulus @Oludeewon @arawu_samuel @SamdGreat01