MS Graduate Research Assistantship
Department of Watershed Sciences and the Ecology Center
Utah State University
We are recruiting a talented MS student to begin in Spring 2022. This position will be co-advised by Dr. Phaedra Budy and Dr. Casey Pennock. Our research focuses broadly on conservation and ecology of freshwater ecosystems (http://www.usu.edu/fel/; https://caseypennock.wixsite.com/pennock). This project will contribute to a larger collaborative effort working with biologists from the Bureau of Reclamation and researchers with Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center and Utah State University (USU) to understand the risk of nonnative fish entrainment in reservoir outflows and potential establishment in the Colorado River downstream of Glen Canyon Dam. The student will be responsible for conducting seasonal fish sampling using multiple types of gears including gill nets, trawls, light traps, and hydroacoustics at multiple sites in the reservoir and in the Glen Canyon Dam forebay. Additional components to the project may include using otolith microchemistry to identify the source of non-natives captured below the dam and a planned release of tagged fishes in the reservoir, near the dam. There will be opportunities for the student to develop additional questions related to the project. The successful applicant will have ample opportunities, and will be expected, to engage with stakeholders and colleagues from academia, state and federal management agencies, and non-government organizations.
Qualifications: B.S. in fisheries or aquatic ecology, zoology or biology, or a related field and a minimum 3.2 GPA. A good work ethic, writing, organizational and data management skills are required, as well as the ability to maintain positive working relationships with members of the lab, department, and stakeholder groups. A willingness to work and camp in the field under harsh environmental conditions (heat, cold, wind, rain, snow) is required. Experience using boats and/or collecting data on lakes or reservoirs preferred but not required. Utah State University does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy, Title IX, or any other federal, state, or local law.
Location: The successful applicant will be based out of the Department of Watershed Sciences at Utah State University in Logan, UT. Logan is a small college town located at the base of the Bear River Range and the Cache National Forest, offering a diversity of outdoor recreation opportunities, as well as being within a short drive of Salt Lake City and its many amenities. For additional information describing the department, graduate school requirements, faculty, and programs see http://www.cnr.usu.edu/wats/.
Support: $1,650 per month stipend, plus tuition, fees and health insurance (total award ~$30,000/year).
Closing date: Until filled. Potential applicants should submit materials as soon as possible to be considered.
Starting date: January 1, 2022 with potential to begin working on the project in Fall 2021.
Contact: Please e-mail a letter of interest, CV, a writing sample, unofficial copies of undergraduate transcripts, GRE scores if you have them, and the names and contact information for three professional references to Dr. Phaedra Budy, e-mail: phaedra.budy@usu.edu, Department of Watershed Sciences, Utah State University, 5210 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322.