Ph.D. or M.Sc.- Graduate Assistantship in American Black Duck Movement Ecology
University of Rhode Island (State)
Details
Application Deadline:
09/15/2025
Published:
05/30/2025
Starting Date:
after 1/1/2026
Hours per Week:
20 - 40
Salary:
up to $43,000 per year
Education Required:
Bachelors
Experience Required:
none
Location:
University of Rhode Island (Kingston, Rhode Island)
Tags:
Graduate Opportunities
Description
Ph.D. or M.Sc.- Graduate Assistantship in American Black Duck Movement Ecology
Department of Natural Resources Science, University of Rhode Island
Project title: Effects of shellfish aquaculture disturbances on American black ducks.
A graduate assistantship is available at the Ph.D. or M.Sc. level to study the spatial and movement ecology of American Black Ducks in southern New England. This project will hinge on the capture and marking of individuals with GPS transmitters and implementation of experimental shellfish aquaculture operations to determine the extent to which the presence of pseudo-aquaculture farms influences American black duck space use, energetic costs, and habitat selection behavior, and to quantify the importance of inland water sources to American black ducks responding to the presence of pseudo-aquaculture farms. We expect the results from this project to directly inform waterfowl management. This study is a continuation of a long-term effort between the university and state agency to understand the relationships between shellfish aquaculture and waterfowl ecology in Rhode Island.
Qualifications: Only hard-working, motivated, intelligent, good-natured persons interested in waterfowl ecology and movements need apply. Applicants must have completed an undergraduate degree in animal/wildlife biology or ecology, earned at least a 3.2 GPA, and must have excellent oral and written communication skills. Field experience with waterfowl capture and handling and operating boats is highly desirable. Experience with quantitative analysis and field research is required. If applying for the PhD level assistantship, applicants who have successfully completed a relevant M.Sc. are strongly preferred and those applicants with only a BSc degree must have exceptional and relevant field experience to be considered. If applying for the M.Sc. level assistantship, applicants must have exceptional and relevant field experience to be considered. Ability to work collaboratively and to supervise research assistants and undergraduates working in the field is also required. Stipends are approx. $25,000/academic year dependent on graduate assistantship level, tuition is paid, and an additional summer stipend of approx. $18,000 is provided. Starting date is either January 2026 or September 2026.
To apply submit the following: a letter stating your qualifications and research interests, a resume or CV, unofficial college transcripts, and the names and contact information for 3 references by no later than 15 September 2025 (early application is encouraged) to:
Dr. Scott R. McWilliams
Dept. Natural Resources Science, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881
401-874-7531; srmcwilliams@uri.edu
Graduate students will choose to be trained in the Ecology & Ecosystem Science graduate program (https://web.uri.edu/cels/academics/bes/ecology-and-ecosystem-sciences/) or the Evolution & Marine Biology graduate program (https://web.uri.edu/cels/academics/bes/evolution-and-marine-biology/) at URI. These are interdepartmental graduate groups within our College of the Environment and Life Sciences (https://web.uri.edu/cels/academics/bes/) that are designed to provide students with a strong, interdisciplinary and integrative learning environment.
Department of Natural Resources Science, University of Rhode Island
Project title: Effects of shellfish aquaculture disturbances on American black ducks.
A graduate assistantship is available at the Ph.D. or M.Sc. level to study the spatial and movement ecology of American Black Ducks in southern New England. This project will hinge on the capture and marking of individuals with GPS transmitters and implementation of experimental shellfish aquaculture operations to determine the extent to which the presence of pseudo-aquaculture farms influences American black duck space use, energetic costs, and habitat selection behavior, and to quantify the importance of inland water sources to American black ducks responding to the presence of pseudo-aquaculture farms. We expect the results from this project to directly inform waterfowl management. This study is a continuation of a long-term effort between the university and state agency to understand the relationships between shellfish aquaculture and waterfowl ecology in Rhode Island.
Qualifications: Only hard-working, motivated, intelligent, good-natured persons interested in waterfowl ecology and movements need apply. Applicants must have completed an undergraduate degree in animal/wildlife biology or ecology, earned at least a 3.2 GPA, and must have excellent oral and written communication skills. Field experience with waterfowl capture and handling and operating boats is highly desirable. Experience with quantitative analysis and field research is required. If applying for the PhD level assistantship, applicants who have successfully completed a relevant M.Sc. are strongly preferred and those applicants with only a BSc degree must have exceptional and relevant field experience to be considered. If applying for the M.Sc. level assistantship, applicants must have exceptional and relevant field experience to be considered. Ability to work collaboratively and to supervise research assistants and undergraduates working in the field is also required. Stipends are approx. $25,000/academic year dependent on graduate assistantship level, tuition is paid, and an additional summer stipend of approx. $18,000 is provided. Starting date is either January 2026 or September 2026.
To apply submit the following: a letter stating your qualifications and research interests, a resume or CV, unofficial college transcripts, and the names and contact information for 3 references by no later than 15 September 2025 (early application is encouraged) to:
Dr. Scott R. McWilliams
Dept. Natural Resources Science, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881
401-874-7531; srmcwilliams@uri.edu
Graduate students will choose to be trained in the Ecology & Ecosystem Science graduate program (https://web.uri.edu/cels/academics/bes/ecology-and-ecosystem-sciences/) or the Evolution & Marine Biology graduate program (https://web.uri.edu/cels/academics/bes/evolution-and-marine-biology/) at URI. These are interdepartmental graduate groups within our College of the Environment and Life Sciences (https://web.uri.edu/cels/academics/bes/) that are designed to provide students with a strong, interdisciplinary and integrative learning environment.
Selected candidates will be asked to apply to the Graduate School at the University of Rhode Island.
Contact
Scott McWilliams
srmcwilliams@uri.edu (preferred contact method)