Graduate Research Assistant Bat Acoustic Project; beg Fall

JOB SUMMARY

The GRA will be responsible for conducting field surveys using ultrasonic acoustic monitoring equipment to detect bat calls (particularly northern long-eared bats) in various forested and coastal habitats of coastal Alabama. They will successfully work with team members, including the PI, undergraduate researchers, and external collaborators. Duties include

• 50% – Set up and maintain acoustic equipment in remote sites, ensuring data integrity and equipment functionality.
• 30% – Perform data processing and analysis of acoustic data using specialized software (e.g., Sono Bat) and manually vetting to identify bat species.
• 10% – Conduct habitat assessments and contribute to habitat mapping to support site-level and landscape-level analysis.
• 10% – Assist in the preparation and delivery of reports, presentations, and peer-reviewed publications related to the project.

To be considered for a graduate assistantship at the University of West Georgia (UWG), students must meet the following criteria:

• Be fully admitted to a graduate degree program ase note:
  Students admitted provisionally are not eligible for assistantship positions.
• Hold a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
• Be enrolled full‑time in a UWG graduate program during the assistantship period.
• Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in all previous and current graduate coursework and remain in good academic standing.
• Meet eligibility requirements for employment in the United States.
• Licensed driver

• Enrolled in the M.S. Biology - Thesis Program.
• Strong experience in ecological research at the undergraduate or post‑baccalaureate level
• Excellent quantitative, writing, and oral communication skills
• Orienteering skills including use of maps, compass, and GPS.
• Excellent data management and analytic skills
• Ability to drive 4WD vehicle
• Basic training in GIS and statistics
• Familiarity with regional plant taxonomy and habitat measurement techniques
• Ability to collaborate with federal and state agency personnel
• Experience in bat acoustic sampling and call analysis
• Bachelor’s degree in biology, ecology, natural resources, or a closely related scientific field.

A monthly stipend of $1,000.00 per month. A tuition waiver, reducing your semester rate to $25 plus mandatory fees as long as you are employed in your assistantship.