Natural Resources Job Board

Drs. Kelsey McCune and Allie McCreary at the College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment (https://cfwe.auburn.edu/) at Auburn University are seeking qualified candidates committed to pursuing a Master of Science (MS, in Natural Resources Management, Forestry, or Wildlife Management). The successful applicant will primarily assist Drs. McCune and McCreary with a two-year study focusing on the human dimensions of wildfire impact on avian ecosystem services and public outreach.

This interdisciplinary research aims to explore how human activities, such as food supplementation (e.g., backyard bird feeding), influence the behavior of Clark’s nutcrackers and their role in the regeneration of white bark pine forests affected by severe wildfires in British Columbia, Canada. The applicant will also work with Drs. Jeffrey Katz (Auburn University) and Dr. Debbie Kelly (University of Manitoba) to integrate movement ecology and animal cognition with human dimensions findings and to develop sustainable conservation strategies. The candidate will collaborate closely with Dr. Kelly on aspects of the project related to field work in Canada.

This project is funded by the New Frontiers in Research Fund, a Canadian funding program that supports high-risk, high-reward, interdisciplinary research and is committed to fostering applicants that may need accessibility or other accommodations and to creating an inclusive and diverse academic environment. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including those from underrepresented groups such as Indigenous peoples, individuals with mobility challenges, first-generation college students, and others who bring diverse perspectives to our research team. We strive to create a supportive and accessible environment for all team members.

Responsibilities:
•Conduct literature reviews.
•Organize project files and datasets.
•A willingness to collaboratively generate data for the project, which will include one or more of the following:
oCollect, analyze, and interpret quantitative data (e.g., survey responses, demographic data).
oGather, analyze, and interpret qualitative data (e.g., interviews, observational data).
oConduct field work such as monitoring bird behavior.
•Collaborate with professionals from international institutions and diverse, interdisciplinary backgrounds including supervising undergraduates and field assistants.
•Share findings with academic and non-academic audiences through papers or presentations.
•Travel from campus (Auburn, Alabama) to field sites in British Columbia.

Qualifications:
•Candidate must have completed a bachelor’s degree prior to starting, preferably in a related field such as Human Dimensions of Natural Resource Management, Conservation Social Science, Parks & Recreation Management, Biology, Animal Behavior, Wildlife, Ecology, Environmental Studies, or similar programs.
•Demonstrate excellent communication skills in oral and written English.
•Ability to work independently and as part of a team and demonstrate cultural sensitivity in groups with people from different backgrounds.
•Prior experience in research or evaluation, including scientific writing, data collection, and data analysis, is desired.
•Willingness to participate in field-based research in remote areas and previous experiences working or traveling in rugged/remote areas (e.g., backcountry camping).
•Meet admission standards for the Auburn University Graduate School (https://graduate.auburn.edu/).

Compensation: $22,000 per year, plus tuition remission and benefits. Supplemental fellowships may be available.

How to Apply: Interested individuals should contact Drs. Kelsey McCune (kbm0054@auburn.edu) and Allie McCreary (aem0200@auburn.edu) with any questions and to 
apply. To apply, please send a single email to both Drs. McCune and McCreary and state “Human Dimensions MS Assistantship” in the email subject line. Include a single PDF document with the following:
•Current resume or CV,
•Statement of interest (maximum 2 pages, single-spaced, 12-point font, that includes: (1) how you meet the qualifications for the position; (2) how your experiences have prepared you to take on the listed responsibilities; and (3) why you are interested in this research project),
•TOEFL or IELTS scores (if applicable)
•Unofficial transcripts, and
•The names and email addresses of three professional references.

Key Dates: Applications are due by May 15, but you are encouraged to apply as soon as possible because applications will be evaluated on a rolling basis.
A start date of August 1, 2025, is expected and the person selected for this assistantship will be supported for two academic years (through May 2027), based on annual evaluations.