Postdoc in feral wildboar ecology (Canada)

A post-doctoral position is available in the Wildlife Ecology and Community Engagement Lab of Dr. Ryan Brook at the University of Saskatchewan. Our research group is part of larger North American collaborative effort to better understand and manage feral wild boar, which are a highly invasive species. Feral boar are destructive to natural ecosystems, cause considerable crop damage, harass livestock, have considerable potential for disease transmission, and are found extensively in many areas of Canada. The research for this position will focus on documenting and modelling the spatial distribution of feral wild boar and overlap with domestic livestock.

The philosophy of our research group is to recruit bright, mature, and most importantly, nice people and give them considerable latitude to develop the project in ways that best fit their skills and career aspirations while achieving overall project goals. The successful applicant will become an active partner in our larger research program, engaging with communities, the North American team of collaborators, other researchers, industry, and government.  Methods will include using a social science survey of wildlife and agriculture professionals, as well as fine scale collection of trail camera data and GPS-satellite collaring of feral boar. We also have large datasets from GPS-collared elk, white-tailed deer, and farmland moose for additional complementary publications.

Interviews for this position will begin November 12, 2015 and will continue until the position is filled. Start date is negotiable. Applicants must have completed their PhD at the time the position begins from a recognized university in a relevant discipline. Strong experience with GIS, spatial modelling and proven ability to produce resource selection function modes, and statistical analysis using R, are essential skills. Funding is available for a minimum of one year, with up to three years of renewal subject to budget allocation and upon review of progress.  Salary will be $45,000–$50,000/year, depending on qualifications.

Interested candidates should email Ryan Brook (ryan.brook@usask.ca), along with a letter of interest, CV, and two recent peer-reviewed publications in which the applicant is senior author.