Ph.D. Assistantship: Conservation Genomics in Grassland Avian Systems

We are seeking a candidate for Doctor of Philosophy assistantship
at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The students will develop
large multi-locus genomic datasets to conduct analyses to evaluate the
influence of grassland conservation efforts, specifically the Conservation
Reserve Program (CRP), on greater prairie-chicken populations in Kansas
and Nebraska. The US Department of Agriculture's CRP is considered
the most effective large-scale conservation effort to increase the
utility of working landscapes for wildlife. As with many grassland
birds, greater prairie chickens are in decline with Kansas and Nebraska
supporting the majority of extant populations. The project will produce
actionable science with the results of this multi-faceted study informing
CRP enrollment as well as Greater Prairie Chicken management in the
region. The successful candidate will be involved in field (capture,
monitoring of transmittered individuals and nests, and vegetation
surveys) and laboratory (genomic data collection) components. This is a
collaborative project, as such, the successful candidate will work with
a team of students, technicians, private landowners, university faculty,
and state biologists.

Start Date: January - August 2025 (flexible depending on applicant)

Salary: $30,000/year graduate research assistantship for 4 years. Tuition
and health insurance will be covered by the project. Students are
responsible for student fees outside of tuition.

Qualifications: Master of Science in biology, ecology, evolution,
wildlife, spatial science, or other relevant discipline. Experience
with molecular biology techniques, avian capture methods, and coding in
R or python is desirable. A willingness to learn, attention to detail,
and a strong work ethic are essential.

How to Apply: Please e-mail a cover letter, CV, unofficial transcripts,
and names and contact information of three references (preferably
as a single PDF) to Sarah Sonsthagen (ssonsthagen2@unl.edu) and Dan
Sullins (sullins@ksu.edu) with the subject line as "Prairie-chicken GRA
last name". If possible, please include a writing example (published
manuscript, official report, etc). Review of applications will begin
immediately and continue until a suitable candidate is identified.

UNL and NECFWRU values equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Sarah Sonsthagen ssonsthagen2@unl.edu

Sarah Sonsthagen <ssonsthagen2@unl.edu>

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ssonsthagen2@unl.edu

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