Employment Opportunities

Positions and Opportunities

The University of Oklahoma Sutton Avian Research Center Lab/Research Tech I Job Requisition: 04664
$12.82/hr. + OU benefits

B.S. degree preferred, animal handling and care may be substituted, valid driver's license required. Position entails raising and shipping Japanese quail, and grounds-keeping/maintenance duties in Bartlesville, OK area. Must be able to repeatedly lift and load up to 75 pounds.

Applicants can get more information for this position, and MUST APPLY ONLINE at https://jobs.ou.edu Search OU job listings for Job Requisition # 04664. Computers and personal assistance are available at the Office of Human Resources, 905 Asp Avenue, Room 205, Norman, OK 73019.

A cover letter, resume, and 3 letters of recommendation are required. The University of Oklahoma is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and encourages diversity in the workplace

Graduate Student Opportunities

The Sutton Avian Research Center is affiliated with the University of Oklahoma, through the Oklahoma Biological Survey. Accordingly, any graduate students working with the Center must be enrolled in good standing at the University and therefore must meet the University's enrollment standards. Graduate students most likely would be enrolled through the Department of Zoology; see http://www.ou.edu/cas/zoology/graduate.htm for information on applying, obtaining financial aid, and other matters.

The Sutton Center has active research programs in several fields relating to evolutionary ecology and conservation biology, chiefly of birds and other vertebrates but also of whole ecosystems, such as the tallgrass prairie. Key current research involves:

! conservation and ecology of the Lesser Prairie-Chicken (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus), including studies of habitat use, life history, and demography

! winter bird distribution in Oklahoma, as part of a 5-year effort to mount a statewide winter bird atlas

Research on reproductive ecology and demography of grassland passerines is likely to begin in the near future. This project will not only provide comparative data to the Center's past research in this field but will allow us to ask additional questions generated from the analyses of those data. Funding for additional research, ranging from behavioral studies of species limits to community ecology in shortgrass prairie, is currently being pursued.

Additional research projects will be considered on a case-by-case basis to determine if funding may be obtainable and if the work fits well with the Center's goals. Graduate students, whether at the M.S. or Ph.D. level, would be working directly with the Center's Director of Research, Michael A. Patten (mpatten@ou.edu), who may serve either as the student's advisor or serve on the student's committee. Dr. Patten's interests are varied. Prospective students are encouraged to peruse a list of his recent publications (.pdfs of some of these can be found on the publications page) to determine if your educational goals seem like a good fit.

Seasonal Employment Opportunities

Each year, the Sutton Avian Research Center hires a number of seasonal field technicians. These positions may include mist netting/banding, nest searching/monitoring, surveys, and radio telemetry. Most positions are for periods running from April through July, but we occasionally need technicians for other times of the year, and we sometimes have positions that need to be filled immediately.

NEST SEARCHING, SURVEY, OR TELEMETRY: Anywhere from three to 20 technicians needed, depending on current research projects. Most positions start in mid-April and run through July, although we occasionally need people at other times. All positions require long, hard days in the field, often under harsh conditions. Prior nest searching and bird identification experience is helpful, but we can train enthusiastic newcomers. If interested, please send resume, with names and phone numbers of three references to DON WOLFE, SUTTON AVIAN RESEARCH CENTER, P.O. BOX 2007, BARTLESVILLE, OK 74005. We often start filling upcoming positions several months prior to the time the work begins, so applying early will increase the likelihood of being hired.

EDUCATION PROGRAM INTERNSHIPS: The Sutton Avian Research Center , located about 40 minutes north of Tulsa near Bartlesville , Oklahoma , currently has internships available to assist with the production of our educational, free-flighted bird shows for Oklahoma schools. These interns will learn about and be involved in many parts of avian training, husbandry, environmental education, and show production. We provide modest housing and a monthly stipend. Email, mail, or fax a cover letter, resume, and 3 references to: Education Program Internships, Sutton Avian Research Center , P.O. Box 2007 , Bartlesville , OK 74005; Phone: 918-336-7778; Fax: 918-336-7783; E-mail: rvanzant at ou.edu.

Other Job Opportunities: GMSARC has a number of full-time employees in various capacities. Employment opportunities for these positions depend largely on turn-over rate and funding. If you would like to be considered for future openings, please send resume with three references to ALAN JENKINS, SUTTON AVIAN RESEARCH CENTER, P.O. BOX 2007, BARTLESVILLE, OK 74005. When any of these positions open, a posting will be made here. Until then, all applications will be filed for future consideration.

If you have any questions regarding availability, requirements, or responsibilities of any positions, please call 918-336-7778 weekdays.

For a listing of other ornithological opportunities, try OSNA's Ornithological Positions.

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