>BOBCAT GENETICS FIELD INTERNSHIP

>LOCATION: Pigeon River State Forest, Northern Lower Peninsula, Michigan.

>DURATION:  August 14th through November 14th.

>COMPENSATION:  $1000/month stipend and housing 
>provided.  Technician is responsible for 
>transportation to field site, food, and personal expenses.
>
>PROJECT DESCRIPTION:  We will be developing 
>methods to collect noninvasive genetic samples 
>from bobcats in the NLP, MI.  The project is the 
>first step in developing a method for genetic 
>mark-recapture population estimation and habitat use assessment.

>PRIMARY DUTIES:  Collection of non-invasive 
>genetic samples from hair-snares and 
>scat-transects.  Checking hair-snares will 
>involve a lot of solo 4WD driving between 
>stations with short hikes 
>(.5km).  Scat-transects are run as a team 
>(technician and graduate-student) through 
>backcountry.  Transects will be through 
>EXTREMELY dense vegetation at times (swamps and 
>thickets).  A working dog trained to detect 
>bobcat scat will accompany team along 
>transects.  TECHNICIAN WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR 
>MAINTAINING ORIENTATION ALONG TRANSECTS THROUGH 
>BACKCOUNTRY.  There are opportunities for 
>technician to take initiative to test additional 
>hair-snare methods and/or learn genetic laboratory techniques.
>
>REQUIREMENTS:  Ability to maintain a positive 
>attitude in heat, rain, snow, swarms of biting 
>insects, muddy roads, stuck trucks, hours of 
>solo work, bunk-house style accommodations, and 
>LONG weeks.  Strong orienteering skills 
>required.  4WD experience required (the roads 
>can be bad!).  Previous field experience 
>strongly desired.  Attention to detail a must! ­ 
>Noninvasive genetic samples are very sensitive 
>to contamination and must be handled with 
>extreme attention to protocol.  Meticulous field 
>notes and sample organization.  A desire to 
>learn about wildlife genetics and molecular 
>ecology is a plus.  Individual must be easy to 
>get along with and companionable with others 
>living in close quarters.  POSITIVE ATTITUDE and 
>SELF MOTIVATION are the most important requirements.
>
>PERKS:  Beautiful area of Michigan with 
>fantastic fishing opportunities!  Bunkhouse, 
>while rustic, overlooks Pigeon River.  Perfect 
>location for Elk viewing in fall.  Sleeping Bear 
>Dunes, Traverse City, Upper Peninsula, and 
>beaches all within a few hours drive.
>
>TO APPLY:  Please send ELECTRONIC copies of the 
>following materials to [log in to unmask]:
>1. Letter of Interest (this can be in the body 
>of an email or attached separately)
>2. Resume
>3. Contact information (phone preferred) for three references.
>
>APPLICATION DEADLINE is FRIDAY, JULY 21st.
>
>PROJECT COORDINATOR:  Jennifer White.  Fisheries 
>and Wildlife; Michigan State University.  [log in to unmask]  203.464.3400



Jim Schneider - Academic Adviser
Undergraduate Advising Center
Department of Fisheries and Wildlife
Michigan State University
40 Natural Resources Building
East Lansing, MI 48824-1222
Office:      517-353-9091
Fax:         517-432-1699
E-Mail:      [log in to unmask]
FW Web Site: http://www.fw.msu.edu/

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To schedule an appointment to meet with me, go to the
web-based Advising Appointment System at
http://www.fw.msu.edu/undergraduates/advising.htm

OR

call the FW Academic Advising Center: 517-353-9091
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