We seek a prospective student interested in pursuing a graduate degree in partnership with an
interdisciplinary project focused on human dimensions of urban human-wildlife interactions
(particularly carnivores). The assistantship is available through the Department of Natural
Resources & the Environment at University of Connecticut. Start date is August 2024. A
Master of Science student is preferred and the likely hire, but PhD students will be considered.
This position is part of a larger interdisciplinary effort focused on social-ecological drivers and
outcomes of urban human-carnivore interactions across four US metro regions to examine spatial
and temporal patterns of those interactions, and public and managerial factors that influence use
and acceptability of wildlife management strategies. Planned focal species are coyotes and
raccoons. The project is led by the Lincoln Park Zoo, and leverages wildlife data and
relationships through the Urban Wildlife Information Network (UWIN). The selected candidate
will work most closely with the social science project sub-team: Anita Morzillo (UConn), Anne
Short Gianotti (Boston University), Kelli Larson (Arizona State University), Julie Young (Utah
State University), and Maureen Murray (Lincoln Park Zoo).
Planned work for this assistantship will focus on stakeholder interviews, mapping of interview
data in relation to ecological (e.g., camera trap) data, understanding tipping points that affect
human response to wildlife-related events, and decision-making about response to those events
and wildlife management policy. Results will contribute to broader understanding of human-
wildlife dynamics within urban regions, and how characteristics of the urban landscape influence
those dynamics. There is some flexibility in the thesis or dissertation topic emphasis, to be
determined based on the interests of the selected applicant. However, it should be noted that data
collection associated with this assistantship will focus on human dimensions (social science).
Applicants should have: 1) a background in natural resources, human dimensions of wildlife,
human-wildlife interactions, geography, landscape ecology, urban ecosystems, and/or a related
discipline, 2) interest in contributing to socio-ecological or coupled natural-human systems
research, 3) interest in social science data collection and analysis (qualitative and quantitative),
and 4) the ability to work both independently and as part of a research team. The student will be
expected to present research results at professional conferences, publish research results in peer-
reviewed scientific outlets, and pursue extramural funding to supplement their assistantship, as
appropriate. A working knowledge of qualitative social science methodologies, GIS, and/or any
related programming languages (e.g., Python, R) is preferred but not essential.
Interested students are asked to send the following materials directly to me (Anita Morzillo;
anita.morzillo@uconn.edu) as a single *.pdf document: 1) a cover letter describing their
professional background, relevant research experience and interests, career goals, and reasons for
seeking a Master’s or Doctoral degree, 2) names and contact information for three references, 3)
a current curriculum vitae, and 4) copies of transcripts, and 5) GRE scores (if available).
Unofficial copies of transcripts are sufficient for initial contact. GRE scores are not required for
program admission, but helpful for overall application evaluation. Potential students must have
received a GPA equivalent to a 3.0/4.0 in the last 90 term (or 60 semester) hours of their
Bachelor’s degree program. Do not submit materials to the NRE department or UConn Graduate
School at this time.
Application review will begin 15 April 2024, and continue until a candidate is selected.
Further information about the UConn Department of Natural Resources and the Environment
may be found at https://nre.uconn.edu/
