Mood: sharp
Topic: Out in the Field
NEWS RELEASE
The Center for North American Herpetology
St. George Island, Florida
http://www.cnah.org
23 January 2009
GRADUATE RESEARCH POSITION
CONSERVATION OF OKLAHOMA’S FRESHWATER TURTLES
Drs. Stanley Fox and Chip Leslie, Jr., seek a student interested in pursuing a Master’s or
PhD degree in Zoology at Oklahoma State University to begin work in April or May 2009 on
a project to survey the freshwater turtles of eastern Oklahoma and perform field
manipulations to ascertain the effect of commercial turtle harvest. The project will include
field sampling of turtles at sites previously surveyed ten years ago, sampling sites with
suspected low and high previous commercial trapping, and conducting multi-year
experiments on measuring the effects of simulated commercial turtle harvest at selected
natural sites.
Qualifications: B.A. or B.S. in Biology, Zoology, Ecology or related field; GPA of 3.0 or
better; minimal GRE scores for entry as M.S. or Ph.D. of Verbal 450 (M.S.), 550 (Ph.D.),
Quantitative 550 (M.S.), 600 (Ph.D.), Analytical 4.5. The nature of this position requires
applicants be in excellent physical condition and have experience working independently
and as a member of a team in adverse environments including heat, humidity, venomous
snakes, and biting insects. Any field experience including turtle trapping or other
herpetological experience, boat use, hand-held GPS use, and interpreting maps and
orienteering is preferred, although not required. Only extremely motivated individuals who
are interested in gaining valuable and unique experience in the field of herpetology should
apply. A valid driver’s license is required.
Resources: The successful applicant will be provided a boat and motor, hoop nets, a GPS
unit, access to experimental ponds near OSU, and other necessary field equipment. A field
assistant will be assigned to the project for the summer work, supervised by the
successful applicant.
Location: Field work will be conducted throughout eastern Oklahoma and especially at the
Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge.
Project dates: Preference will be given to applicants who can start 1 April 2009, but
otherwise a start date as early after that (early May) is desired. Funding will continue for
three years. Review of applicants will begin 2 March 2009.
Salary and benefits: An RA position is available for the spring semesters and the summers;
a TA position is available for the fall semesters. Together, these total over $15,200 (M.S.)
and $17,200 (Ph.D.) for the year. In-state and out-of-state tuition is waived for up to 6
hours per semester and 3 hours in the summer (standard load for RA or TA). In addition to
the above compensation and tuition benefit, the health insurance premium will be paid by
OSU. This benefit adds $890 to the value of the financial package.
Application: Please mail or email 1) a letter explaining why you want to go to graduate
school, why you want to be involved in this project, and your experience and credentials,
2) a copy of your transcripts and GRE scores (unofficial copies OK), 3) your CV, and 4) the
names and contact information of three references to
Dr. Stanley Fox
Department of Zoology
Oklahoma State University
Stillwater, Oklahoma 74078
405-744-9682
stanley.fox@okstate.edu