Title: TWO PhD Graduate Assistantships at OSU - Greater-sage grouse in SE Oregon
Location: Department of Fisheries & Wildlife, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR
1). Position Description: Greater-sage grouse response to wildfire. Drs. Hagen and Dugger
are seeking a graduate student to pursue a PhD in Wildlife Sciences at Oregon State University
to study the ecology of greater sage-grouse in Southeastern Oregon in cooperation with Oregon
Department of Fish and Wildlife and Bureau of Land Management. This position includes 4
years of Graduate Research Assistantship funding at approximately $2400/month plus basic
medical coverage while enrolled and a tuition waiver. The study will focus on two primary
objectives: (1) response of sage-grouse demography and (2) habitat selection to catastrophic
wildfire. Within this framework the student is expected to develop an innovative research
project including a written dissertation as partial fulfillment of the requirements of a Ph.D.
degree. The study will build upon a baseline dataset collected from 2012-2014. The study will
use GPS transmitters to track female sage-grouse year-round, and field work will be required to
locate nest sites, determine brood survival, and collect vegetation data.
2). Position Description: Greater sage-grouse response to large-scale juniper removal. Dr.
Hagen is seeking a graduate student to pursue a PhD in Wildlife Sciences at Oregon State
University to study greater sage-grouse ecology in Southeastern Oregon in cooperation with
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Bureau
of Land Management. This position includes 4 years of Graduate Research Assistantship
funding at approximately $2400/month plus basic medical coverage while enrolled and a tuition
waiver. The study will focus on two primary objectives: (1) response of sage-grouse
demography and (2) habitat selection to removal of encroaching juniper. Within this framework
the student is expected to develop an innovative research project including a written dissertation
as partial fulfillment of the requirements of a Ph.D. degree. The study will build upon a baseline
dataset and BACI study design collected from 2009-2014. The study will use GPS transmitters
to track female sage-grouse year-round, and field work will be required to locate nest sites,
determine brood survival, and collect vegetation data.
Qualifications: Applicants must have a strong academic background in vertebrate ecology or
closely related field; field experience with wildlife studies in extremely remote, rugged terrain
under inclement weather; ability to interact with the public on controversial issues; and a strong
interest or experience in landscape ecology or spatial ecology. Preference will be given to
applicants that have an M.S. degree, a strong quantitative (particularly modeling) background,
and experience working with avian species. The successful applicant will be expected to enroll
at Oregon State University in spring or fall 2015.
Send cover letter, resume, GRE scores, copies of academic records, and the project you are
interested in (#1, #2 or both) to Drs. Christian Hagen (Christian.hagen@oregonstate.edu) AND
Katie Dugger (Katie.Dugger@oregonstate.edu) by November 30, 2014.