Natural Resources Job Board

Application deadline: Application reviews will begin Monday, June 9. The position will remain open until filled. 

Responsibilities: Seeking an enthusiastic candidate to conduct research aimed at developing management strategies for warm- and cool-water fisheries in high-elevation, mountain reservoirs in the southern Blue Ridge Mountains. The MS student will work to quantify community structure, food web dynamics, species-specific abundance estimates, physical habitat, submerged aquatic vegetation abundance, and water quality dynamics in response to management actions. Responsibilities will include leading a crew of students in conducting reservoir fish, habitat, water quality, and aquatic plant surveys; statistical analyses; writing a research proposal and thesis; and completing coursework pursuant to a MS degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Biology. The candidate will work closely with stakeholders to develop lake management plans for managing reservoirs at higher elevations in the southern Blue Ridge Mountains.  

Candidates must have:

•                    A bachelor’s degree in fisheries, ecology, biology, or equivalent 

•                    Competitive practical experience in fisheries management, ecology

•                    Demonstrated excellence in written, verbal, and quantitative skills 

•                    A valid US driver’s license 

 Ideal candidates will have some combination of experience in:

•                    Conducting research or monitoring efforts on lakes and reservoirs 

•                    Leading and working in mobile field crews 

•                    Boat electrofishing

•                    Passive gear surveys with hoop, fyke, and/or trammel nets 

•                    Habitat surveys 

•                    Fish ecology and management

•                    Conducting outreach and engaging with stakeholder groups, general public 

•                    Analysis using R software, GIS, etc. 

•                    Scientific writing and communication

The student will be working toward a graduate degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Biology in the Department of Forestry & Environmental Conservation at Clemson University. Clemson University (http://www.clemson.edu/about/) is a public land-grant Carnegie R1 Research University in a college town atmosphere on Lake Hartwell, South Carolina within view of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Students will take classes on the main campus and conduct fieldwork in the nearby Blue Ridge Mountains.

To apply please send application packets to Dr. Troy Farmer (tmfarme@clemson.edu) with the subject “MS application: mountain lakes fish management”. Packets should include in a single PDF 1) a cover letter describing your interest in the project and career goals, 2) your CV, including at least 3 references, and 3) unofficial transcripts. The GRE is not required for admission to Clemson, but applicants may also include GRE scores if they think it will improve their packet.