[Pollinator] grad student position, urban butterfly conservation, NC State University

[Elsa Youngsteadt]

Good morning!
My lab is recruiting a grad student to work on conservation biology of the
Crystal skipper butterfly in NC; please see the ad below and attached.
Please note: I'm posting from my gmail, but if you have questions about the
position, please contact me at ekyoungs at ncsu.edu. (I may not see messages
sent to my gmail in a timely manner!)
Thanks so much,
Elsa

The Youngsteadt Urban Ecology Lab <http://youngsteadtlab.org/> in the
Department
of Applied Ecology <https://cals.ncsu.edu/applied-ecology/> at North
Carolina State University seeks applications for a graduate student
position starting in fall 2023. The student will lead funded research to
examine effects of urbanization and climate change on the Crystal skipper
<https://cmast.ncsu.edu/people-at-cmast/seals-price/crystal-skipper/>
butterfly, a rare species endemic to 50 km of NC coastal barrier islands.
This position is on a rapid recruitment timeline. Review of applications
will begin on December 21, 2022, and competitive applicants will be invited
to apply to the NCSU Graduate School by January 15, 2023. A spring 2024
start date is also negotiable.

Key components of the research project include collecting butterfly
demographic data, developing mechanistic population models for the Crystal
skipper, and using a combination of aerial imagery and on-site sampling to
determine how landscape-scale nectar availability influences butterfly
habitat use. The student will work closely with a team of research and
conservation partners at NC State University (Department of Applied Ecology
and Center for Geospatial Analytics
<https://cnr.ncsu.edu/geospatial/>), the USGS
Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit
<https://www1.usgs.gov/coopunits/unit/NorthCarolina>, and the NC Aquariums
<https://www.ncaquariums.com/conservation>. The student will be part of a
team that develops public outreach and communication products and
prioritizes conservation actions for the Crystal skipper.

This position will be based at the coast during fieldwork (roughly April -
August, 2024, 2025, and 2026), and in Raleigh, NC, during the academic
year. The student will be supported by a combination of grant funds
(current funds cover a competitive stipend, health insurance, and tuition
for five semesters and three summers) and teaching assistantships. The
student is also encouraged to apply for external fellowships.

Members of the Urban Ecology Lab work at the interface of urbanization and
climate change. We focus on a variety of study systems, with an emphasis on
invertebrates, plant-insect interactions, and thermal biology. Our goal is
to understand and manage ecological responses to anthropogenic stressors,
such as changes in climate, air quality, and habitat structure. The lab is
committed to public outreach and extension based on research results.

NC State University provides a vibrant research and learning community,
including a broad group of scholars studying urban systems from
interdisciplinary perspectives, as well as proximity to UNC Chapel Hill,
Duke University, the NC Museum of Natural Sciences, and Research Triangle
Park. Raleigh is a great place to live and work, with a high quality of
life and diverse cultural and recreational opportunities.

 Competitive applicants for this position will have:

   -

   Interest in urban ecosystems and conservation biology with a background
   in biology, ecology, entomology, remote sensing, or a related field
   -

   Research and career goals that align with activities of the funded
   project
   -

   Prior experience in research and data analysis
   -

   Strong quantitative skills
   -

   Ability to conduct fieldwork under rigorous conditions (hot, sunny,
   sandy, prickly)
   -

   Well-developed communication and organizational skills
   -

   Enthusiasm for public outreach and extension

Additional preferences:

   -

   Applicants who have experience with GIS, remote sensing, demographic
   models, or landscape connectivity models should highlight this background
   in their cover letter.
   -

   Candidates seeking a PhD are preferred, but those seeking an MS will be
   considered.
   -

   A fall 2023 enrollment date is preferred, but candidates seeking a
   spring 2024 start date should mention this in their application.

To apply, please send a cover letter (1-2 pages) stating your research
interests and qualifications, a CV, and the names and contact information
for three references to Elsa Youngsteadt (ekyoungs at ncsu.edu) with subject
line “Crystal skipper graduate position.” Include your last name in the
file name of all attachments. If possible, please compile materials into a
single pdf.

Review of applications will begin on December 21, 2022. For full
consideration, please send materials by this date and no later than
December 28, 2022. Top candidates will be invited to apply to the NCSU
Graduate Program in Biology
<https://bio.sciences.ncsu.edu/graduate/graduate-programs/> or FWCB
<https://cals.ncsu.edu/applied-ecology/students/graduate/fisheries-wildlife-conservation-biology/>,
with a deadline of January 15, 2023.

We seek candidates from diverse backgrounds, and members of
underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply. NC State is an
equal opportunity and affirmative action employer, and welcomes all persons
without regard to sexual orientation or genetic information.
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