The WCSU Pinou Lab, in collaboration CT DEEP Wildlife Division, and Connecticut DOT, is looking for a student interested in pursuing a MS to join our Copperhead Survey Team to collect survey data of copperhead snakes in Connecticut as part of a population census associated with Pinou’s urban land use project. The student is expected to have prior experience handling and measuring venomous snakes, and able to spend long hot days in the field on rocky slopes. Experience pit tagging is preferred but not required. We are particularly interested in motivated students with an interest in integrating land use ecology with community science and road mortality mitigation. The student will be responsible for managing all spatial and temporal data, as well as for working with community scientist spotters. The project will provide the student experience in geographic information systems (GIS) and in road mitigation initiatives. This project can be applied towards the stewardship requirement for the MS degree and can be used to develop a research thesis that explores frameworks in wildlife conservation genetics, landscape and urban ecology, and conservation outreach and policy. Student support includes university assistantships, and fellowships (internal and external), and the student will be expected to try to raise external funding. Interested students should contact the PI at pinout@wcsu.edu and include a cover letter describing your research experience and interest in Copperhead Snakes, as well as a CV immediately.
All interested students must hold a driver’s license and be accepted into the MS in Integrated Biological Diversity program by April in time for seasonal fieldwork (https://www.wcsu.edu/biology-msbiodiversity/how-to-apply/).
