Postdoc in Shorebird Demography

[B.K. Sandercock]

Postdoctoral Research Associate

The Division of Biology at Kansas State University is seeking to recruit an exceptional Postdoctoral Research Fellow to join a long-term project investigating temporal and spatial variation in the demographic performance of arctic-breeding species of migratory shorebirds. The Arctic Shorebird Demographics Network is a distributed network of 12 arctic sites in northern Alaska, Canada, and Russia. In the 4-year period from 2010-2013, network participants have used standardized protocols to collect field data on shorebird reproduction and survival, and environmental conditions that include climate, invertebrate abundance, small mammals, and predator activity. Samples available for analysis include >3,000 nests and >3500 banded birds from 16 species of shorebirds, including seven common species that are widely distributed among the network field sites. The goals of the project are to obtain estimates of key demographic rates for arctic-breeding shorebirds, investigate patterns of spatial and temporal variability in demographic rates, determine the key environmental factors that contribute to variation, and integrate estimates into population models of the entire annual cycle. The project will offer specialized training in quantitative techniques for wildlife ecology, including development and maintenance of relational databases, techniques for estimation of demographic rates, analyses of movement data, and matrix models of population dynamics.

Job Responsibilities
The postdoctoral research fellow will be expected to coordinate activities with Network scientists at Kansas State University, Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The key job responsibility will be to prepare a series of peer-reviewed publications on the demography of shorebirds and to present research results at professional conferences. The fellow will also work with different participants in the Arctic Shorebird Demographics Network to ensure timely submission and screening of field data. The research fellow will be expected to manage a small budget, ensure compliance with the scientific permits needed for wildlife research, and abide by memorandums of understanding signed by the participating partners in the Network. The project is funded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the research fellow will be expected to prepare annual reports and research products for the funding sponsor.

Required Qualifications
Applicants must have a PhD in biostatistics, ecology, wildlife biology, or a related discipline. The position requires evidence of experience with demographic analyses for vertebrate populations, which may include mark-recapture statistics, hierarchical models, matrix population models, or population viability analyses. Applicants must have a foundation of programming skills with R, Matlab, SAS, WinBugs, or other statistical software. Applicants must be highly motivated, well-organized, and effective at completing complex tasks in a timely manner. Applicants must demonstrate exceptional scientific writing and presentation skills, that include evidence of peer-reviewed articles published in the ecological literature, and previous presentations at national or regional scientific meetings of ornithological or wildlife societies.

Preferred Qualifications
Evidence of leadership in collaborative projects, good organizational and communication skills is desirable. The research fellow will be working with a diverse range of network participants, including nongovernmental organizations, federal and state wildlife agencies. Applicants should have previous experience working with different stakeholders with interests in management or conservation of natural resources. Previous field experience working with arctic-breeding shorebirds or migratory birds is an asset but is not essential.

Application:
Interested individuals should submit an application package with four items: a 2-4 page cover letter describing research interests and professional experience, a current curriculum vitae, copies of up to five publications, and contact information for three references. Applications should be submitted by email as a single compiled PDF file to biology@ksu.edu. Review of applications will begin on August 10, 2013, and will continue until a suitable candidate is identified.

Annual Stipend: Postdoctoral Fellow: $48,000 per year plus health care and other benefits.
Send Questions to: Brett K. Sandercock, Professor of Wildlife Biology (email: bsanderc@ksu.edu )

Kansas State University is an equal opportunity employer. Kansas State University actively seeks diversity among its employees and applications from underrepresented groups are welcomed. Background checks are required for all new employees.