Category Archives: Jobs

Field Assistants Required 2017- Kluane Red Squirrel Project, Yukon, Canada

Posted on by

We are looking for volunteers to assist with fieldwork for a number of different time periods: (a) 10 March- 30 April/15-May (b) 1 May-15 July, and (c) 1 September – 15 October. We will also have two positions that extend from 10 March to 15 August.

The positions are part of a long-term study of red squirrel ecology, evolutionary biology and physiology. As a member of the study, assistants will be involved with monitoring the reproduction and survival of individuals. Fieldwork will involve live-trapping and handling of animals, radio-telemetry, behavioural observation, and climbing trees to find young in nests. Some positions will also require handling for physiological assays (e.g., blood sampling) This is an excellent opportunity to gain experience working with a collaborative research team on a long-term study of a wild mammal.

All fieldwork is carried against the beautiful backdrop of southwestern Yukon, Canada. We will be staying at a rustic field station two hours from Whitehorse, and ~30 min to the nearest town (Haines Junction). Food and accommodation are provided. Volunteers are required to provide for their own travel to Edmonton, Alberta; however, travel from Edmonton to the field station (and back again!) is provided.

Training will be provided and no experience is necessary. An on-site head technician will coordinate the project, in coordination with the PIs. Candidates should have an interest in a number of the following (the more the better!): ecology, evolutionary biology, wildlife, field biology, and animal behaviour. The field camp is remote and low tech (no showers, cell phone service, or internet), so successful applicants must enjoy the outdoors and be able to remain a positive and responsible team member under relatively isolated and demanding conditions. Candidates must be in good physical condition, be willing to climb trees, and have an enthusiasm for learning. We work on ‘squirrel time’, which often involves long work days; as such, applicants must have a strong work ethic. That said, the atmosphere at squirrel camp is friendly and inclusive, and this area is one of the most beautiful in Canada. All nationalities are welcome.

If you wish to apply for one of these posts then please send a CV with a cover letter and contact details for three references (with e-mail addresses), by email to Brynlee Thomas (brynlee@ualberta.ca), by January 10, 2017. Please also indicate the time period(s) you are interested in.

Postdoctoral Position in Evolutionary Ecology of North American Red Squirrels

Posted on by

We are seeking a postdoctoral researcher with expertise in evolutionary ecology and quantitative genetics to investigate the importance of social interactions to adaptation in North American red squirrels.

This position will be based at the University of Guelph, but will be part of the Kluane Red Squirrel Project involving close collaboration among 4 other institutions in North America. The position will primarily involve the analysis of our existing data collected over the past 25 years in up to six populations in the southwestern Yukon Territory, Canada. We have extensive individual life history, food abundance and fitness data for these populations, with growing personality, energetics, endocrine and vocalization datasets. An extensive pedigree has been compiled and all data are spatially referenced within our study area. Furthermore, an ongoing food manipulation experiment has been performed on between 1 and 3 populations since 2004.

Salary is available for two years ($40,000 per year) based on continued satisfactory performance, but high-caliber applicants will also be encouraged to apply for a prestigious NSERC Banting award. The start-date is negotiable.

Interested candidates should provide a copy of their CV, including contact information for 3 references, as well as a one-page summary of potential research questions to Andrew McAdam. Applications are due by July 1, 2015.