Job Description

Position: Graduate Research Assistant

Status: 12-month, Part-time, (20 hrs/week)

Department: Adirondack Watershed Institute (AWI)

Reports to: AWI Senior Research Scientist

Compensation: $18,720/year Stipend, Tuition Remission, and Room

Position Description:

Paul Smith’s College is seeking a Graduate Research Assistant for a 2-year appointment to assist the Adirondack Watershed Institute with a shoreline biodiversity study on Upper Saranac Lake. The student will work on a 2-year grant funded project through the Lake Champlain Sea Grant to document the diversity and abundance of wildlife using the lakeshore environment and understand the benefits to wildlife from recommended management practices. The assistant will help document bird, mammal, and amphibian occurrences along the lakeshore using a combination of active and passive methods including listening surveys and automated acoustic monitoring for documenting birds and calling frogs, as well as camera trapping and snow track surveys for locating mammals. The assistant will work with Senior Research Scientist Michale Glennon and will also assist with broader Adirondack Watershed Institute research and field operations.

The assistant is expected to enroll in the Paul Smith’s College Masters of Natural Resource Conservation program.

Responsibilities:

• • Assist in the development of field protocols, methods, and data capture methods for all taxa.
  • Produce a literature review focused on management of lakeshore environments and relatedness to wildlife occurrence and habitat use.
  • Develop a database of existing lakeshore regulations pertaining to Upper Saranac Lake, recommended best management practices, and potential improvements to support wildlife habitat, shoreline intactness, and water quality.
  • Assist with analysis of collected data pertaining to lakeshore habitat structure and wildlife occurrence and habitat use.
  • Develop and submit one manuscript for publication in a peer-reviewed journal.
• Collect physical, chemical, and biological samples from lakes and streams
• Participate in daily operations in support of wildlife and watershed research at AWI.
• Other duties relating to the mission of AWI as needed.

Term of Appointment:

May 2025 through August 2027, up to 20 hours per week during the semester and 40 hours per week during summer. Flexibility on hours worked, work schedule, and remote work will be provided to meet a balance between graduate coursework and job responsibilities.

Required Qualifications:

• Earned B.S. or B.A. Degree in environmental science, wildlife biology, ecology, or a natural science-based discipline.
• Undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher.
• Experience conducting data analysis and developing maps with ESRI ArcGIS or similar software.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel).
• A strong interest in wildlife and terrestrial and aquatic ecology research.

Desired Qualifications:

• Familiarity with data analysis using R.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.
• Demonstrated positive attitudes towards cultural differences and skills for communication and interaction across cultures.
• Ability to work with a broad range of diverse individuals and groups to form a safe and inclusive campus community.
• Good interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to work some weekends and holidays.
• Driver’s license and driving record acceptable to PSC insurance carrier and AWI, which will enable authorization to drive College-owned vehicles.

To Apply:

Applicants should complete the online application and submit a cover letter, resume or CV, and three letters of reference with at least two letters from current or recent professors or academic mentors that speak to the applicant’s ability to succeed with an academic research project.

Inquiries about this position should be directed to Dr. Michale Glennon, mglennon@paulsmiths.edu, 518-327-6475.

Paul Smith’s College values diversity in the College community and seeks to assure equal opportunity through its continued Affirmative Action program. EOE/AA/M/F/D/V

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