Interested in Joining the Lab?
Thanks for your interest in the Manning lab. Although my lab is generally full, I’m always looking out for strong M.S. and Ph.D. candidates. For more general information on the graduate programs in Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences at WSU’s School of the Environment, visit WSU graduate studies.
Prospective graduate students — Send a single pdf that includes a letter of interest outlining your research interests and goals, current CV, GPA, GRE scores, and degree(s) to Dr. Manning (jeff.manning«at»wsu.edu).
*** Below, see posted new graduate student opportunities
Prospective undergraduate researchers, interns, and temporary biological assistants — Send your resume and a cover letter that outlines your research interests and goals to Dr. Manning (jeff.manning«at»wsu.edu).
Interested in applying for an advertised position? — see below for open student and technician positions and directions for applying.
–– A few thoughts about applying to graduate school for applied wildlife research opportunities. — This can be a challenging process, in part because it can be hard to communicate who you are via email or phone. Contacting a professor directly is a critical step in the process, and conveying your research interests is another. While you can expect that your skills and understanding of ecological research will grow during your graduate training,, it is important to demonstrate that you can formulate and articulate research ideas and concepts in your communications and application. Providing only a general statement that you are interested in conservation or carnivore ecology for example doesn’t provide a professor with a clear understanding of who you are. Rather, focus on articulating what interests you about conservation and/or management in particular and how your experiences have led you towards that path. This will provide an opportunity for you to demonstrate that you understand the process of identifying a research topic that expands scientific knowledge and potential ways of tackling that research.
Graduate Student Opportunities
Open — September 2021 — Funded Ph.D. Assistantship in Mountain Quail Ecology and Conservation at Washington State University
To begin Fall semester 2022
The Quantitative Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Lab (https://labs.wsu.edu/manning/) in the School of the Environment at Washington State University is inviting applications for a Ph.D. student to join the new comprehensive southeast Washington State mountain quail ecology research program in collaboration with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Mountain Quail are ranked by the state as Critically Imperiled and included on the Priority Habitats and Species list.
The Ph.D. student will be advised by Dr. Jeff Manning and will lead research aimed at expanding our understanding of the status and habitat conditions of quail populations. This research will build off of over 600 incidental and monitoring sightings that have been recorded since the 1990s and will involve developing and evaluating evidence for individual behavior and population-level hypotheses involving the landscapes of fear, energy, competition, and resources under a Bayesian hierarchical modeling framework to determine factors that limit these populations and inform translocation and habitat management strategies across southeast Washington and neighboring Idaho and Oregon regions.
This position provides an excellent opportunity for a student interested in avian ecology, behavioral ecology, and spatial ecology to conduct applied research of high conservation importance. This student will work collaboratively with Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife biologists and biologists in neighboring states. Activities will include multi-season fieldwork involving hiking (and possibly snowshoeing) in remote, rugged terrain, and the capture, radio-tagging, and tracking of quail. Other facets of field work will include using audio recording devices, game cameras, visual/auditory surveys, vegetation sampling, nest searches and monitoring, avian and mammalian predator surveys, and quantification of resources.
Support for this project includes 4 years of Research Assistantship. This assistantship is ~$25,000 per year with benefits and a tuition waver. Funding for research-related expenses (vehicle, field housing, field supplies, etc.) will be provided by WDFW.
Qualifications — An M.S. degree in wildlife biology or related field, strong academic record, ornithological field research experience, strong quantitative skills, and experience publishing in peer-reviewed journals. The student must work well in a collaborative team as well as independently and be able to manage a multi-faceted field project with summer and winter fieldwork in mountainous SE Washington environments.
To apply
Submit a single pdf that includes a 1-page cover letter summarizing how you meet the qualifications described above, current CV, unofficial college transcripts, GRE percentiles (if available), and contact information for 3 references to Dr. Jeff Manning at jeff. manning@wsu.edu. Specify in the email subject line Mountain Quail Ph.D. application. Last date to apply – open until filled.
Closed (position filled) — September 2021 — Funded M.S. in Mountain Quail Ecology and Conservation at Washington State University
To begin Fall semester 2022
I am recruiting for a M.S. position in my Quantitative Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Lab at Washington State University (Pullman campus) to collaboratively work on mountain quail population ecology in southeast Washington state. This is a collaborative project between WSU and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. The mountain quail’s range within the U.S. extends northward into Washington State, where it was broadly distributed in the early 20th century. Their populations have declined in recent decades, and the status of populations in southeast Washington is largely unknown. Mountain Quail are ranked by the state as Critically Imperiled and included on the Priority Habitats and Species list. This research will build off of over 600 incidental and monitoring sightings that have been recorded since the 1990s and develop survey methods to estimate mountain quail abundance, examine the current status of populations, estimate vital rates, and determine factors that limit their populations in order to inform translocation and habitat management strategies.
Position description — The M.S. student will conduct research involving the development and comparison of field survey methods to estimate population size while accounting for imperfect detection. This position will include multi-season fieldwork involving hiking (and possibly snowshoeing) in remote, rugged terrain, and the capture, radio-tagging, and tracking of quail. Other facets of field work will include using audio recording devices, visual/auditory surveys, and vegetation sampling. This student will work collaboratively with Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife biologists. This position will consist of 100% research assistantship, including a 12-month ~24K stipend per year plus tuition and benefits.
Qualifications — A B.S. degree in wildlife biology or related field, strong academic record, >1 year of field experience in avian ecology, strong quantitative and writing skills. The student must work well in a collaborative team as well as independently and be able to manage a multi-faceted field project with summer and winter fieldwork.
To apply
Submit a single pdf that includes a 1-page cover letter summarizing how you meet the qualifications described above, current CV, unofficial college transcripts, GRE percentiles (if available), and contact information for 3 references to Dr. Jeff Manning at jeff.manning<<<at>>>wsu.edu. Specify in the email subject line and your cover letter whether you are applying for the Ph.D. or M.S. position.
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Closed (position filled) — July 2021 — Ph.D. opportunity at Washington State University Pullman Campus: Carnivore ecology
To begin Fall semester 2021
— This Ph.D. position is for a study examining the spatial ecology, resource and prey selection, and species interactions of Cascade red fox. The Cascade red fox is a rare subspecies endemic to Washington State, where it occupies alpine and subalpine habitats of the Cascade Range. Ongoing climate change may affect the Cascade red fox through changes to the seasonal phenology of resources and weather conditions, as well as possible elevational range expansion of coyotes into alpine and subalpine regions where they may outcompete or kill the smaller fox. This study is part of a collaborative effort, and the student will work closely with biologists at Mount Rainier National Park (Dr. Tara Chestnut), Cascades Carnivore Project (Dr. Jocelyn Akins), and other collaborators.
This project will include summer and winter fieldwork on snowmobiles, backcountry skiing, and hiking in remote, rugged terrain throughout the Cascade Range in southern Washington, and involve the capture, collaring, and tracking of foxes. Other facets of field work may include capture and collaring of coyotes, scat collection, small mammal trapping, and sampling of vegetation and other food resources.
Funding will include a combination of teaching and research assistantships (with teaching assistantships including a 9-month ~$18,000 stipend per year plus full tuition and benefits). The student will also apply for additional grant and fellowship funding in collaboration with Dr. Manning.
An M.S. degree in wildlife biology or related field, strong academic record, and previous fieldwork experience are required. The student must work well in a collaborative team as well as independently and be able to manage a multi-faceted field project with summer and winter fieldwork. Strong quantitative skills and a record of publishing in peer-reviewed journals are highly desirable.
To apply: Submit a single pdf that includes a cover letter summarizing your qualifications, current CV, unofficial college transcripts, GRE percentiles (if available), and contact information for 3 references to Dr. Jeff Manning at jeff.manning«at»wsu.edu. Applications will be reviewed in the order received.
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Closed (position filled) — January 6, 2019 — 2 M.S. Assistantship positions in avian and carnivore ecology.
Number of applications received for the positions that closed January 31, 2019.
Available Positions: Washington State University’s new Quantitative Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Lab within The School of the Environment is recruiting 2 new Master’s degree students to begin 2019 (Summer or Fall semester). One student will join an ongoing study in collaboration with the Southern Sierra Research Station (http://www.southernsierraresearch.org/) that focuses on avian responses to multi-state habitat components in restored and natural riparian systems in the Kern River Valley, California. This position will involve a strong field component, and include analyzing a 5-yr dataset from point counts, nest monitoring, spot-mapping, and vegetation monitoring. The other student will begin a newly developed study to predict the distribution and habitat associations of apex and meso-carnivores in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park in California. This project will involve site-occupancy sampling and modeling, with extensive data collection using trail camera arrays.
Location: Washington State University, Pullman, WA
Salary: Both students will be supported for two years by a combination of research and teaching assistantships, which include a 9-month academic year stipend ($17,400) plus summer salary, full tuition, and benefits.
Qualifications:
- B.S. degree in biology, ecology, wildlife science, or related field.
- Strong quantitative abilities (e.g., calculus and/or statistics coursework and GRE Quantitative Reasoning scores).
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Demonstrated ability to successfully work independently and in a team-oriented environment.
To apply: Submit a single pdf that includes a cover letter summarizing your qualifications, current CV, unofficial college transcripts, GRE scores, and the names and contact information for three references to Dr. Jeff Manning at jeff.manning«at»wsu.edu. Applications will be reviewed in the order received.
WSU Undergraduate Internship Opportunities
Closed — November 2020 — WSU undergraduates, the lab has a paid CAHNRS Internship available for Summer 2020 to study black bears in North Cascades National Park, Washington. The intern will collaboratively design the field experiment, deploy cameras, and collect and analyze behavioral and count data from bear encounters recorded by trail cameras. This work could involve assessing external factors (e.g., time of day, presence of hikers, habitat) or comparing bear responses among bear age classes. Specific experiences gained will include backpacking, applying a field experiment in a wilderness setting, field sampling, animal behavior observations, and habitat measurements. The intern will be mentored by Dr. Jeff Manning and M.S. student Cullen Anderson and will present results at the WSU Showcase for Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities. The intern will also have opportunities to interact with National Park Service biologists and gain understanding of the park’s mission and research partnerships between academia and government agencies. This internship will provide substantial experience for students interested in non-invasive species detection and monitoring using trail camera technology, large mammal biology, animal behavior, and resource management/conservation, which will make them highly competitive in many wildlife and natural resource career paths. Successful completion of the internship could also lead to opportunities for a technician position in the WSU Quantitative Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Lab (https://labs.wsu.edu/manning/), presentations of results at external conferences, and peer-reviewed papers. Students should apply by 5:00pm PST on November 25 through Handshake.
Temporary Field Assistant Opportunities
Open — March 2022 — The lab has an immediate opening for a paid field technician to join the southeast Washington Mountain Quail Project. This position starts as soon as possible and runs through July. It will involve conducting field surveys to determine the presence and locations of quail in and around the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Asotin Creek, George Creek, and Chief Joseph Wildlife Management Areas. It will also involve conducting a field experiment to test automated recording units (ARUs). This position is full time for 4 months at $14.49/hr. Field housing and work vehicle are available during work days. The nearest towns are Asotin and Clarkston, WA and Lewiston, ID. To apply, send a cover letter, resume, and contact information for 3 references to Kylie Denny (kylie.denny@wsu.edu). Applications will be reviewed in the order received.
Closed — April 2019 — WSU undergraduates, the lab has a paid wildlife research field position available this summer in the Southern Sierras of California. This position will involve installing and maintaining wildlife trail cameras in natural and restored riparian forests to detect mammals as part of a larger study on avian and mammal responses to habitat restoration in California’s Kern River Valley. This position is funded at half-time (20 hrs/week) for 12 weeks at an hourly wage of $12.00/hr. Field housing is provided with the Southern Sierra Research Station/Audubon Kern River Preserve. Dates: May 27 – August 9. A personal vehicle is necessary to get to the area and for personal errands – the nearest town is Lake Isabella. Riding a bicycle will also be helpful to get around and access field sites. There will also be opportunities to volunteer with local avian ecologists during off hours to survey for threatened and endangered birds. To apply, send a cover letter and resume to Dr. Jeff Manning (jeff.manning@wsu.edu) by May 5th.