PH.D. GRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANTSHIP: LAKE STURGEON RECRUITMENT
Missouri Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit
The School of Natural Resources, University of Missouri
Position title: PhD Research Assistantship evaluating the spawning and recruitment of Lake Sturgeon in Missouri River tributaries
Agency/location: Missouri Cooperative Fish/Wildlife Research Unit, The School of Natural Resources, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
Responsibilities: We seek a PhD student to help determine 1) the location and environmental conditions of Lake Sturgeon spawning and 2) the summer and fall distribution and habitat use of age-0 Lake Sturgeon in the Osage and Gasconade rivers. Adult Lake Sturgeon occupy both of these tributaries of the Missouri River and make migrations upriver presumably to spawn. The selected candidate will build on previous Lake Sturgeon distribution and movement study but focus on identifying spawning conditions and locations through telemetry and larval fish sampling, and determine recruitment through bottom trawling for juvenile Lake Sturgeon. The hired candidate will work directly with Dr. Craig Paukert (U.S. Geological Survey, University of Missouri), but will expected to interact regularly with biologists with the Missouri Department on Conservation or other agencies. The selected student will be expected to conduct field work in river in central Missouri, operate motorized boats, collaborate with state agency biologists, and present/publish their work. The position includes a full-time technician. Selection of student contingent on final funding approval.
Qualifications: MS in fisheries, ecology, or related program, minimum of GPA of 3.2 in last 2 years. Preference will be given to candidates with experience operating boats, interest in using research to solve management problems, demonstrated ability or interest to work with agencies, and demonstrated ability to present/publish research results.
Stipend: 24,394/year; includes tuition waiver and health insurance.
Closing date: Review begins June 15, 2022 and open until filled. Start date of August 2022 or January 2023.
Contact: Send letter of interest, resume, contact information for three references, and copy of transcripts (unofficial and email OK) in one document to Craig Paukert, Missouri Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, The School of Natural Resources, University of Missouri-Columbia. 573-355-6900; paukertc@missouri.edu; webpage: http://riverstudies.com/. Please label email “Lake sturgeon PhD” as I am announcing two PhD positions.