[Date Prev][Date Next][Date Index]
MSc Conservation Genetics - UW-Madison
*MSc position available in Conservation Genetics*
I am seeking an outstanding MSc student in the field of conservation
genetics in the Department
of Forest and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Wisconsin, Madison.
Current research in my lab
focuses on characterizing demographic history and understanding the
effects of habitat fragmentation on
threatened species. In doing so, we typically integrate field, genetic,
and population modeling
approaches to identify factors limiting populations, understand/predict
the genetic and demographic
consequences of limiting factors, and provide managers and policy makers
with the information needed to
make informed management decisions.
The student’s thesis will involve characterizing adaptive genetic
variation in the Marbled Murrelet,
specifically at the major histocompatibility complex (MHC). The Marbled
Murrelet is a federally
threatened seabird that nests primarily in coastal old-growth forests
along the west coast of North
America. Fragmentation of old-growth forests and increasing predator
populations have resulted in a
number of geographically isolated and declining populations. Previous
work based on neutral
(microsatellite) genetic markers has detected little genetic variation
across the species range. Adaptive
markers, such as MHC, that are under the influence of natural selection
may yield finer-scale amongpopulation
differentiation and have implications for the current proposal to remove
murrelets from the
threatened species list. Samples have already been collected and this
will be a lab based project. This
work will be conducted in collaboration with Dr. Vicki Friesen at
Queen’s University. Applicants should
possess a B.Sc. in Conservation Biology or closely related field and
have a strong background in
molecular laboratory techniques, particularly bacterial cloning and DNA
sequencing. Funding is in place
for two years of graduate student support ($19,000/year + tuition
waiver) and laboratory expenses, with
potential for additional funding through teaching assistantships.
To be considered for this position, please send a cover letter outlining
your interests and research
background, a curriculum vitae (including GPA and GRE scores), and
contact information for three
professional references (name, email, phone, address) as either a PDF or
MS Word file to
mpeery@xxxxxxxx with ‘Marbled Murrelet MHC Application’ in the subject
line. The selected student is
expected to enroll in the Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology in
August 2009 for the fall semester.
Applicants must also apply to the MSc program in the Department of
Forest and Wildlife Ecology
(http://forestandwildlifeecology.wisc.edu/grad.htm) and the UW Graduate
School
(http://info.gradsch.wisc.edu/education/admissions/).
Application materials will be accepted until April 1, 2009 or until a
suitable candidate is found.
For more info, contact:
Zach Peery
Assistant Professor
Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology
University of Wisconsin, Madison
Madison, WI 53706
Phone: 608-890-2766
mpeery@xxxxxxxx
http://forestandwildlifeecology.wisc.edu/facstaff/peery.html