Graduate Research Assistantship - VA Tech

http://www.fishwild....portunities.htm

MS Research Assistantship
The Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech), Blacksburg, Virginia is offering a Master of Science assistantship to conduct research on endangered freshwater mussels, beginning August 1, 2010. The graduate student’s major professor will be Dr. Eric Hallerman, and the student will be co-advised by Dr. Jess Jones. Per the student’s request, Dr. Richard Neves is also available to serve as an advisor. The graduate student would design and implement quantitative surveys to assess the effectiveness of release techniques to restore the endangered oyster mussel (Epioblasma capsaeformis) to the upper Clinch River, Virginia. A multi-partner project was initiated in 2006 by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, Virginia Tech, and The Nature Conservancy to address the effectiveness of several common population restoration practices for mussels. Project partners have conducted annual releases at several locations of translocated adults, laboratory-reared 1-year old sub-adults and 60-day old juveniles, and host fishes infested with mussel larvae. The student also would evaluate the effects of temperature on growth and survival of E. capsaeformis and E. brevidens. The position includes an $18,700 annual stipend and waiver of tuition. Applicants must have a valid driver's license, ability to swim, be willing to travel throughout southwestern Virginia and northeastern Tennessee to conduct field work, and must feel comfortable working in rivers collecting mussels and fish. Occasional overnight stays will be required. Qualified applicants should have a B.S. in Fisheries Science or a related field of study, preferably with experience in sampling and identifying freshwater fauna, data collection and analysis using computer software, and writing project reports. Supervision of 1-2 undergraduate summer technicians is expected. This is an excellent opportunity for a student to obtain field and laboratory experience in freshwater mussel conservation in the southeastern United States. To apply for the assistantship, send a cover letter and resume to Dr. Eric Hallerman (ehallerm@vt.edu) by March 1, 2010.

Are they thinking that someone working with mussels wouldn't want Neves as an advisor? Whatever floats your goat!

Yeah. I was like "Can I get a DO OVER?!?"

Well I think technically he is emeritus/semi retired. The ability to swim qualification is kind of funny, except we had a Ph.D. at the TN Coop who couldn't swim and almost drown during a hydropeaking event.