Black tailed prairie dog Field Research Intern

Internship Description: We are looking for 3 interns to be involved with a field ecology project on black-tailed prairie dogs. The preferred start date is Mar 1, 2017, but we do have some flexibility to start dates later in March or early April. The end date is Aug 31, 2017. The project investigates the ecology of a wild population of prairie dogs in Grasslands National Park, SK and will involve live-trapping, handling and monitoring. 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. 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. 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/alternate-applicants/visiting-research-student.php If you are interested in this program, please contact us (contact details below). There is a short application form, but 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 housing 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 Jeff Lane (contact info below) ASAP. We will evaluate applications as we receive them, so please apply soon so as to receive full consideration. We thank all for applying, but only those who are selected for interviews will be contacted.

Contact:    

Dr. Jeff Lane                                                                 

Department of Biology                                                      

University of Saskatchewan

uofsbtpdproject@gmail.com

www.lanelab.ca