Ph.D. or M.S. Graduate Research Assistantship – Developing Anuran, Avian, Macroinvertebrate, and Vegetative Indices of Biotic Integrity for Isolated Wetlands in South Carolina

The James C. Kennedy Waterfowl and Wetlands Conservation Center at Clemson University is recruiting a highly motivated Ph.D. or M.S. student interested in wetland wildlife ecology. Our overarching goal is to develop anuran, bird, macroinvertebrate, and vegetative indices of biotic integrity for isolated Carolina Bays in South Carolina.

Carolina Bay wetlands vary in size from a few meters to a few kilometers across, share a common northwest-to-southeast alignment, have elevated sandy rims, and are shallow. Precipitation primarily governs their hydrology, resulting in unpredictable and varied hydrologic periods. The interplay of moisture cycles and soil composition renders Carolina Bays a favorable habitat for a diverse array of plants and wildlife. The student will 1) conduct an in-depth literature review, 2) randomly select wetlands (30/year for two years) from a 13-county area, 3) seasonally sample macroinvertebrates, vegetation, frogs, toads, and birds, 4) develop a wetland disturbance gradient to score human impairment, 5) collect a host of abiotic characteristics to inform wildlife community metrics, and 6) develop a series of indices of biotic integrity. These data will be used to make management and policy recommendations.

The student will be working toward a graduate degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Biology at Clemson University (Wildlife and Fisheries Biology (MWFR, M.S., Ph.D.) (clemson.edu)). Clemson University (http://www.clemson.edu/about/) is a public land-grant Carnegie R1 Research University in a college town atmosphere on Lake Hartwell within view of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Students will take classes on the main campus and conduct fieldwork along South Carolina’s coast near the Baruch Institute of Coastal Ecology and Forest Science, located on the 16,000-acre Hobcaw Barony property, which is dedicated to research and education. Hobcaw Barony is 5 miles north of Georgetown, SC, and 35 miles south of Myrtle Beach, SC. Temporary housing in cottages is available on-site while you conduct research. Clemson University does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender, pregnancy, national origin, age, or disability. We encourage applications from minorities, women, veterans, and all other qualified applicants.

QUALIFICATIONS: B.S. (for M.S.) and M.S. (for Ph.D.) in wetlands, wildlife, ecology, or a closely related field. Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.25. A strong interest and experience in identifying and surveying multiple wetland taxa is crucial. Interest in climate change, policy, ecological modeling, GIS, wetlands, statistics, and publishing is a plus.  

STIPEND: $25,000 (Ph.D.) or $23,000 (M.S.) plus tuition waiver.