MS Research Assistantship Available
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Project Title: Body Condition and Parasite Loads of Spring-migrating Diving Ducks in
the Upper Midwest
Project Description: Lesser Scaup and Canvasback are focal species of the Upper Mississippi River and
Great Lakes Region Joint Venture and the Illinois Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Plan & Strategy
of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Recent evidence suggests that wetlands in the upper
Midwest may provide limited seed and invertebrate biomass for waterfowl in the spring and some
migrating ducks may fail to replace nutrient reserves used during migration in available foraging habitats.
This project will entail lethal, experimental collection and subsequent necropsy of diving ducks to
determine body condition and intestinal parasite loads. We are seeking a master’s student to begin field
work in February 2014 to address the following objectives:
1. Examine the relationship between intestinal parasites and other metrics of health and wetland
condition for lesser scaup and canvasback
2. Estimate body condition through proximate analysis and compare with other metrics of health
and wetland condition for lesser scaup and canvasback
3. Evaluate blood parameters including hematocrit and serum electrolytes and compare with other
metrics of health and wetland condition for lesser scaup and canvasback
Qualifications: Applicants should have a Bachelor’s degree in ecology, natural resources, wildlife
biology, or a related field before 1 January 2014; demonstrated writing ability; GPA ≥ 3.25 and GRE
scores preferably in the 60th percentile or better. Illinois residents must possess a F.O.I.D. card (compliant
with the Illinois Firearm Owners Identification Card Act) and nonresidents must be registered or able to
legally possess a firearm in their state of residence to be considered. Preferred candidates will have
extensive experience using firearms, completed firearm education and safety courses (e.g., hunters
safety), and interacted with public when using firearms. Preferred candidates should also have previous
experience in wetland and/or large river systems and a strong interest in waterfowl ecology and
management, ecotoxicology, physiology, and/or wetland ecology. Previous experience using ArcGIS,
operating boats, and analyzing data are preferred. Candidates must also have a strong work ethic and be
able to endure the physical demands of field work during winter in the Midwest. The individual must be
able to supervise technicians and work effectively within a team and independently. Self-motivation and a
passion for research are critical personality traits for successful completion of this project. The student
will be required to complete coursework and portions of lab work at the University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign. Field work will be coordinated through the Forbes Biological Station in Havana, IL
(http://www.bellrose.org/) and require extensive travel throughout Illinois and Wisconsin.
Salary and Appointment: 50% Research Assistantship of approximately $19K/yr plus benefits
(http://www.si.uiuc.edu/) and a tuition waiver from July 2014 to June 2016 through the Illinois Natural
History Survey (http://www.inhs.illinois.edu/organization) and the University of Illinois Department of
Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences (NRES). Please contact potential thesis supervisors Dr.
Heath Hagy or Dr. Jeff Levengood (http://wwx.inhs.illinois.edu/directory/ls/scientific) for more information.
MS assistantship and tuition waiver contingent upon admission into NRES. Funds are available to support
the student on an hourly basis until assistantship begins (approximately February through June).
Application: Review will begin immediately and continue until a suitable candidate is identified.
Interested students should send a cover letter, CV, unofficial transcripts and GRE scores, and contact
information for 3 references electronically in a single document to Dr. Heath Hagy (hhagy@illinois.edu)
as soon as possible.