Student Field Intern - Grasslands Wildlife

Job Description and Duties: We are looking for 3-4 interns to be involved with a field ecology project on black-tailed prairie dogs and coyotes for the period of Mar 1 to Aug 31, 2018. The project primarily focuses on the ecology of a wild population of prairie dogs in Grasslands National Park, SK and will consist of live-trapping, handling and monitoring. Pilot work will also begin on coyotes that will consist of assisting with collaring and trapping. Grasslands National Park represents one of the largest remaining tracts of native prairie in Canada, and prairie dog towns are home to a diversity of iconic grassland species (e.g., burrowing owls, swift fox, bison). Interns will have the opportunity of seeing all of these species, plus the many more resident in the Park. This is an excellent opportunity to gain experience working with a population of wild mammals in a spectacular setting and in collaboration with university, park and zoo researchers.

International applicants: If applicants are not Canadians or permanent residents, they will be required to apply to enter Canada as Visiting Research Students. This is a simple and straight-forward procedure and both current (graduate and undergraduate) and recently graduated (i.e. ‘in between’ degrees) students are eligible. Application forms and information are available at  http://grad.usask.ca/admissions/alternate-applicants/visiting-research-student.php If you are interested in this program, please contact us (contact details below) and we will guide you through the process.

Skills Required: These positions are best suited to applicants with interests in ecology, evolutionary biology, wildlife, field biology, and/or conservation biology. As evidence of this, applicants must either be enrolled in, or have graduated from, a relevant discipline. The field house and study population are isolated (the nearest town is approx. 45 min away) and, as such, successful applicants need to be able to cope under these conditions, enjoy the outdoors, be up-beat, positive, responsible and work well as a member of a team. Evidence of these abilities (gained, for example, through previous involvement on field projects or extended back-packing trips) is required.  

Terms of Employment: These are volunteer positions and a salary is not provided. We will be staying in Parks Canada housing in the heart of the park and food is provided. Volunteers are required to provide for their own travel to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Travel between the field station and Saskatoon is provided. 

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 Jeff Lane (contact info below) by January 21, 2018. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.     

Contact:    

Dr. Jeff Lane                                                                  

Department of Biology                                                       

University of Saskatchewan

uofsbtpdproject@gmail.com

www.lanelab.ca