Student Field Intern - Rocky Mountain Ground Squirrels

Internship Description: We are looking for 4 interns interested in taking part in a field ecology project on Columbian ground squirrels. Two interns will begin Apr 12, 2020 and two will begin May 1, 2020 (1 internship will finish on Mid to late June and the other 3 will finish on August 31,2020). As a member of the study, interns will be involved with monitoring the phenology (when animals emerge from hibernation), reproduction and survival of individuals. Fieldwork will involve live-trapping and handling of animals, radio-telemetry, behavioural observation and assistance with the measurement of physiological (metabolism, body composition) traits on free-ranging animals. This is an excellent opportunity to gain training and experience working with a collaborative research team on a long-term study of a wild mammal. All fieldwork is carried out in the spectacular Rocky Mountains of southwestern Alberta, Canada, home to some of the most majestic wildlife in North America.

International applicants: If applicants are not Canadians or permanent residents, there is the opportunity to enter Canada and complete the internship as a Visiting Research Student. To be eligible for this program, you must be an undergraduate or graduate student or be in between degrees (e.g., following graduation from a bachelors degree). As part of this program, applicants will be registered at the U of S in a non-credit activity and it is expected that you will gain a demonstrable educational benefit from being involved. We are particularly interested in applicants who wish to use this opportunity to pursue an independent research project. Applicants are eligible for this program for a maximum of 6 months per 12 month period. Application forms and information are available at http://grad.usask.ca/admissions/alternateapplicants/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 physiological ecology (the more, the better!). As evidence of this, applicants must either be enrolled in, or have graduated from, a relevant discipline. Successful applicants will need to be able to cope under these field 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 expected. Terms of Employment: These are volunteer positions and a salary is not provided. Accommodation and food are 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 Adriana Guerrero-Chacón, Rebecca Smith and Gabriela Heyer (usaskcgsproject@gmail.com) by January 31, 2020.