Two graduate student positions are available (M.Sc. or Ph.D.) to conduct research on the behavioral ecology of birds. Research projects will involve extensive field work studying wild bird populations in Ontario, Canada (position #1) or in Guanacaste, Costa Rica (position #2).
Field projects will focus on the communication behavior and mating strategies of non-migratory songbirds. Field work will include mist-netting and colour-banding birds, sound recording, interactive playback, multi-speaker playback, multi-channel array recording, and radiotelemetry.
Research in Ontario (position #1) will focus on communication and mating strategies in territorial songbirds. Research in Costa Rica (position #2) will focus on communication and mating strategies in duetting wrens.
Particular details of research projects will be developed jointly by the student and the advisor. Field work will be complemented by laboratory work and course work in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Windsor in Ontario, Canada. Laboratory tools available include a sound analysis laboratory, a genetics laboratory, and GIS facilities. Funding will be provided though teaching assistantships, research assistantships, or scholarships from the University of Windsor.
QUALIFICATIONS: Applicants must have a Bachelor's degree in biology or psychology, experience with field ornithology or field biology, a love of working outdoors in fairly remote locations, and a strong work ethic.
Experience with mist-netting and re-sighting colour-banded passerine birds is a strong asset. STARTING DATES: Field work will begin in Mar preferred) or Apr 2005. Class work will begin in Sep 2005. CONTACT INFORMATION: Interested applicants should send a letter of interest, resume, names and contact information for three references, and university transcripts (unofficial copies acceptable) to DR. DANIEL MENNILL (EM:
dm268@cornell.edu). More details about these positions can be found at http://biology.queensu.ca/~mennilld/students.html