Graduate Research Assistantships, Michigan State University

Position Announcements
Graduate Research Assistantships, Michigan State University, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife
Two graduate research assistant positions (M.S. level) to study Great Lakes nearshore community ecology are currently open in the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife at Michigan State University. The first position will involve collection of nearshore macroinvertebrate, zooplankton, and water chemistry data to begin a monitoring plan for Michigan's nearshore waters. This student will have the flexibility to develop and test novel hypotheses related to the monitoring data (e.g., spatio-temporal dynamics, relationships with shoreline land cover/use, etc.). The second position will involve work on a US EPA-funded project designed to examine relationships between nearshore benthos/fish communities and physical habitat characteristics of western Lake Michigan nearshore waters. Based on these relationships and larger-scale spatial datasets (e.g., shoreline land cover/use, geomorphology, etc.), the student will develop predictive models of aquatic communities and habitat for larger areas of the western Lake Michigan Basin.
Financial support for both positions will be provided through research assistantships that provide a stipend for living expenses, full tuition coverage, and an insurance package. Interested candidates should have a background in aquatic sciences, including species and community ecology and biology, and should be prepared to conduct independent scientific research. The students will be encouraged to incorporate field, laboratory, and theoretical approaches in their work. Travel throughout Michigan and eastern Wisconsin will be necessary, and the positions will require long periods in the field (travel expenses covered by project monies). Experience with boat operation and SCUBA desirable but not absolutely necessary. Students will work closely with Michigan Natural Features Inventory (the Natural Heritage Program for Michigan) Aquatic Ecology staff members and faculty in the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife at Michigan State University. The positions will ideally begin in January 2005, although it is also possible for students to start in May or June 2005. More information on the graduate program at Michigan State University is available at: http://www.fw.msu.edu/academics/grad.htm. For consideration, please send a letter/email of intent (electronic submissions strongly encouraged), including a statement of interests, resume, names and addresses of 3 references, and transcripts (photocopies or scans okay)
to:
Reuben R. Goforth, Ph.D.
13 Natural Resources Building
Department of Fisheries and Wildlife
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI 48824
Voice: 517-432-3091 FAX: 517-432-1699
E-mail: goforthr@msu.edu