Natural Resources Job Board

Call for applicants for a PhD in Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Sciences

Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Sciences, 

Oregon State University 

 

Project title: How interactions between predators, parasites, and the environment influence the population dynamics of a cyclical endemic vole.

Summary:  The Twining Applied Quantitative Ecology Lab at Oregon State University is seeking a highly motivated PhD student to conduct applied ecological research focused on understanding the population dynamics of endemic voles (gray-tailed voles, Microtus canicaudus) in the Willamette Valley.

Position description: Population dynamics emerge from the interplay of intrinsic species-specific traits, environmental factors including habitat and climate, and interactions between competition, predation, and disease. Two of the greatest contemporary issues facing ecologists are determining how and to what extent intra- and inter-specific interactions drive system dynamics, and what the impacts of climate change will be on said dynamics. Gray-tailed voles display as-yet uncharacterized and unpredictable cyclical population dynamics. Anecdotally, frequency and amplitude of peaks are increasing, associated with changes in climate and environment. This program will establish and conduct multi-species sampling with the primary goal of producing empirical data to test ecological theory regarding the drivers and mechanisms of interannual population dynamics in gray-tailed voles. The research will include scope to assess the impacts of weather, season, predators (e.g. long-tailed weasels, skunks, coyotes), parasites (Nematoda spp., Ixodes spp.), and pathogens (including pathogens of human concern that the species serves as a reservoir host for i.e. Leptospira spp.) on key demographic parameters (abundance, survival, recruitment). Depending on students’ interest, there will be scope to develop lines of research within the system on the interactions between any of the components. 

 

This PhD program will involve extensive field work (planning, establishing, and managing multiple live trapping grids, capturing and handling small mammals and their predators, biologging) as well as quantitative model development and application. This work will develop and test novel ecological theory regarding the role of intra- and inter-specific interactions and the environment in driving population dynamics in a case study of high societal importance. 

 

The student will join a growing and supportive lab group and have the opportunity to work closely with both key stakeholders including state agency partners, local NGOs, and growers and producers in the agricultural community. The student will be expected to play an active role in collaborative research and project management. They will develop and implement a project-related dissertation under the mentorship of their advisor, Dr. Joshua P. Twining. 

 

Start date: September 01, 2025 

 

Funding: Fully funded, including 12 months of salary (~$30-33k) and covering the costs of tuition, fees, and benefits each year. A minimum of 9 quarters the student will be supported via graduate research assistantships (GRA), and for the remaining time the student would be employed as a graduate teaching assistant (GTA). 

 

Core location: Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR. 

·         Applicants must meet the OSU Graduate School minimum requirements for admission (found at: https://gradschool.oregonstate.edu/admissions/academic-requirements). 

·         BSc in Ecology or an associated field by the expected start date. E.g. wildlife, conservation, biology, or allied fields. 

·         Strong quantitative base (i.e. statistical training and competency in R) 

·         Aptitude and enthusiasm for fieldwork under variety of conditions 

·         Strong written and oral communication skills across different types of audiences. 

·         Resilience and adaptability 

·         Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a team 

 

Preferred skills and qualifications: 

·         MSc in Ecology or an associated field by the expected start date. E.g. wildlife, conservation, biology, or allied fields 

·         The ability to take projects from planning and implementation through to completion with written products (e.g. peer reviewed publications). 

·         Trapping and handling mammals 

·         Hierarchical modelling and/or integrated population modelling 

·         Experience with Bayesian inference (and familiarity with relevant software). 

 

To apply: The department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Sciences uses a holistic admissions process. Please submit the following to me via email as a single PDF document: 

1.      A 2-page single-spaced cover letter describing how you meet the minimum and preferred requirements for this role, your research interests and experiences, what you ultimately hope to do achieve within and after the PhD. 

2.      A current resume or curriculum vitae 

3.      Transcripts (unofficial copy is okay) 

4.      The names and contact information of three academic or professional references 

 

Please email your application packet to Dr. Joshua P. Twining, joshua.twining@oregonstate.edu with the email title “PhD Application.” Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with priority given to applications received by February 15th. Please reach out with any questions.