A Research Specialist is needed to conduct lethal barred owl removals in northern coastal California to prevent the extinction of northern spotted owls – a listed species on the federal endangered species act – and to better understand other ecological effects of the barred owl invasion to West Coast Forest ecosystems. The position will be full-time and will work year-round for at least two years, with the possibility of extension dependent on future grant securement. The Research Specialist is expected to find housing in the Eureka, California area in order to be near the project.

The Research Specialist is responsible for surveying for spotted and barred owls, which have similar calls and appearance and sometimes hybridize with one another. The Specialist will be expected to drive 4x4 trucks and ATVs on rough roads to get to survey locations. They will use a shotgun for removals following a very strict protocol that is approved by the UW Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), and both California and federal entities. This protocol is designed for the humane take of invasive barred owls and to avoid any take of non-target wildlife (i.e. Strix owl) or injury to people.  In addition to the fieldwork, the Research Specialist will also be tasked with lab work, collecting tissues from barred owl specimens for use in other research projects.

A typical workweek includes 40 hours, long drives (1-3 hours one-way) from the Eureka area to various parts of the study area, and occasional camping in remote forest settings. The day schedules will be irregular, with most of the survey work occurring from late afternoon to late at night depending on the time of year, and some of the lab work will occur during the day (morning to late afternoon). The Specialist will primarily work independently from their truck, with occasional ATV use and/or strenuous hiking in steep, forested terrain at night.

Interviews are anticipated to occur after the closing date. Applicants must apply through the UW-Madison website.

https://jobs.wisc.edu/jobs/research-specialist-madison-wisconsin-united-states-0e9df5d1-219f-45f8-8740-cdc86ddbc632

UW-Madison is an AA/EEO employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, status as a protected veteran, and status as a qualified individual with a disability.