The UNDerwater Lab in the Department of Biology at the University of North Dakota (UND) is seeking an MS level graduate student to evaluate Ducks Unlimiteds working lands program. Ducks Unlimiteds working lands program is designed to protect important areas for wildlife by working directly with private landowners and other conservation partners. This project will specifically investigate the importance of small and temporarily ponded wetlands that are embedded in agricultural landscapes in the Prairie Pothole Region. Project goals include 1) assessing water quality and nutrient levels between wetlands in regenerative agriculture fields versus conventionally farmed fields, and 2) quantifying invertebrate communities and 3) habitat availability and habitat use of breeding pairs and duck broods among study wetlands.
The successful candidate will be expected to participate in field work (water sampling, invertebrate collection, duck surveys), work with Ducks Unlimited and the US Geological Survey as part of a larger cross-disciplinary team (hydrology, aquatic ecology), and communicate their work to multiple stakeholders (state, federal, and private landowners). The successful candidate will be supported on a Graduate Research Assistantship (plus tuition waiver) and will also contribute to the teaching mission of the Department of Biology (https://arts-sciences.und.edu/academics/biology/) by serving as a Graduate Teaching Assistant. The project is flexible, and the student is encouraged to outline opportunities that align with their career goals.
The ideal candidate will have an interest in taking a cross-disciplinary approach to understand wetland ecology and how to use this information to inform policy. The desired start date is March 2024 or August 2024.
To begin the application process, please submit 1) a letter of interest, 2) resume or CV, 3) a writing sample, 4) unofficial transcripts, and 5) a list of three references and their contact information. Email the file in one PDF document to Dr. Mark Kaemingk (mark.kaemingk@und.edu) using the subject line Graduate position in wetland ecology. Applications will be screened immediately and continue until the position is filled.
