PhD Assistantship in Fire Ecology/Wildlife Management (USA)

The Verble Fire Ecology Laboratory (Department of Natural Resources Management) at Texas Tech University seeks a funded Ph.D. student to begin in January 2014.  The position is located in Lubbock, Texas, a city of approximately 225,000 people in the Texas Panhandle.

The student will be part of a large-scale study on the effects of fire and fuels treatments on bobwhite quail and arthropod prey responses.  Working in conjunction with private landowners, the student will be responsible for monitoring fuels treatments and wildlife responses, assisting with prescribed burns, and supervising undergraduate volunteer crews.  The student will additionally also work with the Texas Tech Center for Fire Ecology and Quail Tech Alliance to promote best management practices for native rangelands and bobwhite quail to private landowners.

Required qualifications include a B.S. in Natural Resources, Biology, Ecology or related field, GPA >2.75, at least one statistics course, and the ability to make extended trips to remote locations.

Preferred qualifications include an M.S. degree in a related field, prior prescribed burning experience, experience working in remote conditions, experience handling and/or monitoring wildlife, and a proven record of supervisory experience.  Strong communication and statistical skills are a plus.

Please direct applications and questions to Dr. Robin Verble (robin.verble@ttu.edu).  Required application materials include:

1. Cover letter

2. Resume/CV

3. GRE scores (may send unofficial copies)

4. Wildfire/prescribed burning master record (if applicable)

5. Names, phone numbers and addresses of three references.

 Additional information about the lab, department and programs is available at the following websites:

Texas Tech University:  www.ttu.edu

Department of Natural Resources Mgmt: http://cherokee.tosm.ttu.edu/ttunrm/,

Verble Fire Ecology Lab:  http://fireecologylab.blogspot.com

Quail Tech Alliance:  http://www.quail-tech.org

Review of materials will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.