TWO PH.D. STUDENTS AND/OR TWO FIELD ASSISTANTS

at University of Mississippi, Oxford, MS

Website:
http://olemiss.edu/depts/biology/people/faculty/day/index.php

Location:
Oxford, MS

Duration:
Work will begin in December 2011 and preference will be given to Graduate School applicants who can start in the Spring Semester.

Job Type:
Student

Job Description:
Successful applicants will be involved in studies analyzing the relationship between neuroanatomy/neuroendocrinology and courtship display complexity in bird species of the manakin family (Pipridae) that have displays from the simple to the highly acrobatic. Fieldwork will take place in the tropical forests of Panama and along the Amazon Basin in Suriname and Guyana. Work will include long hours of mist-netting birds beginning before dawn. Assistance with the processing of tissue samples and some possible behavioral studies will also be needed. GRADUATE STUDENTS: Applicants should be creative, independently motivated, and work well with others. Applicants should have some research experience in biology or psychology. Experience with immunocytochemistry, in situ hybridization, and molecular techniques including PCR is desired. Students will be supported by a Research Assistant stipend and expected to do lab work and work of field assistants. FIELD ASSISTANTS: Compensation for assistants will be dependent on experience. You will likely be expected to pay transportation costs to and from the field sites. Room and board will be provided with the possibility of a small stipend. Housing in Panama is in a non-air conditioned but modern facility with access to shared computer terminals with internet in an air-conditioned room, housing in the Amazon varies from fairly modern to primitive.

To Apply:
GRADUATE STUDENTS: To Apply: 1) Go to http://www.olemiss.edu/depts/graduate_school/ to apply only, 2) Send a letter directly to DR. DAY (EM: lainyday AT olemiss.edu) informing her of your interest in the program with a summary of your GRE scores, GPA, and a one-two page statement of purpose. Information about the Biology Department can be found here (URL: http://www.olemiss.edu/depts/biology/programs/graduate/ap.php). The University of Mississippi is located in Oxford, Mississippi, one of the top college towns in the U.S., and a community known for outstanding educational and cultural opportunities (http://www.oxfordms.com/ and http://www.oxfordcvb.com/). FIELD ASSISTANTS: Compensation for assistants will be dependent on experience. You will likely be expected to pay transportation costs to and from the field sites. Room and board will be provided with the possibility of a small stipend. Housing in Panama is in a non-air conditioned but modern facility with access to shared computer terminals with internet in an air-conditioned room, housing in the Amazon varies from fairly modern to primitive. To Apply: Interested parties should contact LAINY DAY (EM: lainyday AT olemiss.edu). Please send a statement of relevant experience and interests, CV, and contact information of two references.

Qualifications:
General Requirements: Previous mist-netting experience as well as experience living or working in the tropics is preferred but not required. Proficiency in Spanish or Dutch is useful. Applicants must have a valid driver’s license from their country of origin and be able to operate manual transmission.

Number of Openings:
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