Title: Analyzing Indiana Acoustic Data to Inform Bat Conservation
Institution: Purdue University, Department of Forestry and Natural Resources
Location: West Lafayette, IN
Job Category: MS Graduate Assistantship
Salary: Year-round funding (full tuition waiver and salary of ~$22,000/year as a Graduate Research Assistant (MS level) in the Forestry and Natural Resources Department at Purdue University.
Pertinent Websites: https://www.purdue.
Start Date: August 15, 2022.
Last Day to Apply: Application review will begin at 8:00 AM EST on June 6, 2022 the candidate selected from that pool of applicants will need to submit an official application to Purdue’s graduate school after they are notified that they are the top candidate.
Description: The Indiana Department of Natural Resources collected summer acoustic survey data for bats between 2011 and 2019 along routes that encompasses much of Indiana geographically. Temporally, this data spans a critical time period beginning before white-nose syndrome and wind energy development caused major changes to Indiana’s bat community. As a consequence, analysis of this data presents the opportunity to address important questions for Indiana’s bat populations. Broad topics that could be addressed with this data range from habitat modeling for specific species through estimating species activity patterns, as well species and community level responses to changing conditions due to factors such as white-nose outbreaks, wind energy development and climate change. The student hired for this position will lead the analysis of this data using cutting edge Bayesian approaches to develop models and evaluate their performance with independently collected data to provide insights regarding bat conservation. The results will be incorporated into their MS thesis and the student will be expected to submit at least two publications to relevant peer reviewed scientific journals. While there is no required field component to this project, opportunities to engage in bat field work are available should the student have interest.
The goal of the project is to assess bat communities, before and after a novel disease affecting bats (white-nose syndrome; WNS) established in the state. This will be accomplished using acoustic data collected from 2011 – 2019, to elucidate how bat species associate with habitat and each other overtime. The expected results of this project include an improved understanding of interspecific interactions between bat species and their environment as the community composition changed from pre-WNS to post-WNS conditions. The inference gained from this work will help Indiana DNR provide better informed comments on Environmental Reviews, research proposals, forest management, and Federal inquiries for species status assessments or even incidental take permits for mitigation efforts.
This is a unique opportunity for individuals interested in statistical modeling, quantitative ecology, wildlife biology, landscape ecology, conservation biology, mammalogy and bat ecology. The position provides applied experience for a career trajectory in local, state, or federal agencies or a research career focused on the fields of quantitative ecology or conservation biology. The student will be located in Dr. Patrick Zollner’s lab within the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources at Purdue University. The student’s research will be a collaboration with Dr. Scott M. Bergeson of Purdue University Fort Wayne, Dr. Laura D’Acunto of the U.S. Geological Survey and Mr. Brad Westrich (Indiana DNR state mammologist).
To Apply: Interested applicants should compile all of the following materials into a single pdf file; copies of unofficial transcripts, a CV that includes contact information for three professional references, a 1-page statement of interest, and responses to the following 5 questions (each of these responses should be 250 words or less).
- Describe a situation that demonstrates your work ethic and ability to complete complex tasks in a timely manner.
- Provide an example of a work/academic situation that typifies how you handle adversity when striving to attain a goal.
- What motivates you to pursue your proposed graduate studies, and how will completion of these studies prepare you to achieve your career goals?
- Please describe a specific example from your work/academic experience that demonstrates your curiosity and creativity.
- What are your strengths and weaknesses with regard to achieving goals individually and in collaboration with others?
That single pdf should be attached to an email that has a subject line of “Application for MS Position Analyzing Bat Activity”. That email should be sent to Dr. Patrick Zollner (pzollner@purdue.edu) and applicants should understand that their application materials may be reviewed by other project collaborators as part of application evaluation.
Qualifications: BS in Wildlife Biology, Ecological Modelling or a related discipline.
When preparing materials (statement of interest & response to 5 questions) applicants should explicitly address their demonstrated organizational skills, interest/background in statistical analysis and specifically Bayesian modeling, interest/background in spatial analysis and processing, and their ability to mentor others. Applicants should be highly motivated with a demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively. The student we hire should be able to readily interact with partners including government agencies. Applicants with experience publishing peer-reviewed journal articles, a strong work ethic, demonstrated technical writing ability, training in ecological modeling, excellent interpersonal skills, demonstrated skill or skill potential in quantitative ecology and proficiency in R will be most competitive. Experience using Bayesian approaches and familiarity with conservation challenges faced by bats in the Midwestern United States, as well as candidates who bring unique contributions to the diverse perspectives within the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources are all additional elements that will make applicants more competitive.
Purdue is a land-grant university of over 40,000 students and ranked the 10th best public university in the U.S. The Department of Forestry and Natural Resources is housed administratively in the College of Agriculture (#7 US ranking) and offers vibrant, nationally ranked graduate programs in wildlife and ecology. Located in West Lafayette, Indiana, Purdue is an easy drive from Indianapolis and Chicago. The West Lafayette-Lafayette area is home to a diverse community of 174,000, with good schools, safe neighborhoods, over 40 parks and extensive trail systems, active Farmers Markets, and year-long community festivals and art events.
Contact Persons: Dr. Patrick Zollner
Contact Phones: (765) 430-7858
Contact e-mails: pzollner@purdue.edu