Title: M.S. Graduate Research Assistantship
Agency/Institution: Department of Environmental and Forest Biology, SUNY College of Environmental
Science and Forestry
Location: Syracuse, NY
Job Description: One M.S. Graduate Assistantship will be available to start in August 2015 studying
American Black Duck and Mallard interactions and habitat separation during winter in the Finger Lakes
region of central NY. Graduate research will focus on GPS and conventional radio-tracking of waterfowl,
counts and behavioral observations of flocks, and habitat assessment. Successful applicant will teach for
one fall semester and be supported on a Graduate Research Assistantship for one spring semester plus
up to two full years. The most qualified applicants will have strong wildlife field skills and strong
demonstrated skills in data management and analysis. Duties will include writing a study plan, fieldwork
related to the above objectives, supervising technicians and undergraduate assistants, close
coordination with state and federal wildlife agency biologists, and preparing reports and presentations
for scientific audiences. Long hours working in cold and inclement weather conditions will be required.
Student will be part of a lab with several other M.S. and Ph.D. students focused on wildlife conservation
research.
Qualifications: Applicants must have a Bachelor’s degree in Wildlife, Conservation Biology, Biology, or
similar area. Field experience, including waterfowl identification, trapping and handling of birds or
radio-telemetry, is highly desirable. Applicant must have a valid U.S. driver’s license.
For more information, contact either Dr. Jonathan Cohen (jcohen14@esf.edu) or Dr. Michael Schummer
(michael.schummer@oswego.edu). Interested applicants should submit a letter of interest, names and
contact information of three references, unofficial transcripts, GRE scores, and resume to Dr. Jonathan
Cohen (jcohen14@esf.edu). Selected applicants will need to apply to the SUNY ESF Graduate School
before acceptance.
Salary: Fall 2015: $5,530 teaching assistantship; Spring 2016 and after: research assistantship starting at
$17,000 per year plus tuition and health benefits
Last Date to apply: March 1, 2014
Contact: Dr. Jonathan Cohen (jcohen14@esf.edu) and Dr. Michael Schummer
(michael.schummer@oswego.edu)
E-mail: jcohen14@esf.edu(Preferred)
Phone: 315-470-6737 (Cohen); 585-319-6763 (Schummer)