Position Filled, thanks for your interest!
We are hiring a Water Snake Project Specialist (preferably early-phase postdoc) with skills that intersect genetics/genomics, disease ecology, and field biology. Applicants should have strong interests in herpetology, conservation, and applying integrative methods in ecology and evolutionary biology.
This person will be responsible for the following main tasks:
- Leading a field team focused on mark/recapture of water snakes in the Brazos and Colorado drainages in Texas during peak water snake season (usually April-May and August-September).
- Collecting and organizing data, performing statistical analyses, and contributing to status report meetings with the funder/stakeholders.
- Testing for fungal pathogens via qPCR, sequencing/genotyping the snakes and pathogens, and analyzing genetic data.
- Communicating science through social media/websites for the general public, status reports to the funder, scientific presentations, and manuscripts for peer-review.
- Engaging with our diverse academic community.
- Training field technicians, undergraduates, and graduate students.
Requirements: US permanent residency or citizenship, a valid US driver’s license, the ability to operate a motor vehicle, the ability to carry at least 50 lbs., the ability to physically search for and trap snakes in and around aquatic environments, and residence in beautiful San Marcos, TX. Other qualifications: a Ph.D. in any field related to ecology and evolution, and evidence of scholarly activity broadly related to the project. Preference will be given to applicants that have experience synergistic with the project.
The position is available for up to two years pending satisfactory progress on the main tasks during the first year, with a 3% raise in the second year. Starting salary is $54,000. Start date is somewhat flexible but should be between 8/1/23 and 8/21/23.
To be considered, please send your CV with at least two professional references (letters will only be requested for finalists) to drdz(at)txstate(dot)edu with Water Snake Project Specialist as the subject line.
Please DM/email me for additional questions.
David Rodriguez, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Texas State University
twitter @texcroc