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This position is part of a larger interdisciplinary effort focused on social-ecological drivers and outcomes of urban human-carnivore interactions across four US metro regions to examine spatial and temporal patterns of those interactions, and public and managerial factors that influence use and acceptability of wildlife management strategies. Planned focal species are coyotes and raccoons. The project is led by the Lincoln Park Zoo, and leverages wildlife data and relationships through the Urban Wildlife Information Network (UWIN). The selected candidate will work most closely with the social science project sub-team: Anita Morzillo (UConn), Anne Short Gianotti (Boston University), Kelli Larson (Arizona State University), Julie Young (Utah State University), and Maureen Murray (Lincoln Park Zoo).
Planned work for this assistantship will focus on stakeholder interviews, mapping of interview data in relation to ecological (e.g., camera trap) data, understanding tipping points that affect human response to wildlife-related events, and decision-making about response to those events and wildlife management policy. Results will contribute to broader understanding of human- wildlife dynamics within urban regions, and how characteristics of the urban landscape influence those dynamics. There is some flexibility in the thesis or dissertation topic emphasis, to be determined based on the interests of the selected applicant. However, it should be noted that data collection associated with this assistantship will focus on human dimensions (social science).
Applicants should have: 1) a background in natural resources, human dimensions of wildlife, human-wildlife interactions, geography, landscape ecology, urban ecosystems, and/or a related discipline, 2) interest in contributing to socio-ecological or coupled natural-human systems research, 3) interest in social science data collection and analysis (qualitative and quantitative), and 4) the ability to work both independently and as part of a research team. The student will be expected to present research results at professional conferences, publish research results in peer- reviewed scientific outlets, and pursue extramural funding to supplement their assistantship, as appropriate. A working knowledge of qualitative social science methodologies, GIS, and/or any related programming languages (e.g., Python, R) is preferred but not essential.
Interested students are asked to send the following materials directly to me (Anita Morzillo; anita.morzillo@uconn.edu) as a single *.pdf document: 1) a cover letter describing their professional background, relevant research experience and interests, career goals, and reasons for seeking a Master’s or Doctoral degree, 2) names and contact information for three references, 3) a current curriculum vitae, and 4) copies of transcripts, and 5) GRE scores (if available).
Unofficial copies of transcripts are sufficient for initial contact. GRE scores are not required for program admission, but helpful for overall application evaluation. Potential students must have received a GPA equivalent to a 3.0/4.0 in the last 90 term (or 60 semester) hours of their Bachelor’s degree program. Do not submit materials to the NRE department or UConn Graduate School at this time.
Application review will begin 15 April 2024, and continue until a candidate is selected.
Further information about the UConn Department of Natural Resources and the Environment may be found at https://nre.uconn.edu/