Positions & News
Graduate position - Personality and cognition in wild birds
Grad Positions
Posted May 29
The McCune lab (kelseymccune.com) at Auburn University College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment is hiring a MS or PhD student to research personality and cognition in wild birds. The successful applicant will develop automated technology to support field-based methods for measuring behavioral traits in common native birds in the southeastern US. Specifically, the student will be responsible for designing hardware and programming software for feeder apparatuses. These “smart feeders” will be deployed in backyards and natural areas across Auburn and surrounding sites to assess variation in behavioral traits related to human environmental change and avian disease prevalence.
Basic Responsibilities:
· Conduct literature reviews
· Develop research questions, experimental design and methods
· Design smart feeders, code behavioral programs, manage feeders in the field
· Collaborate with professionals from other institutions and interdisciplinary backgrounds
· Supervise undergraduates, field assistants and interns as necessary
· Write and publish findings in peer reviewed scientific journals
· Present findings at conferences and for public outreach
· Meet Auburn University graduate program requirements and deadlines
· Contribute to fostering a supportive, inclusive, and welcoming atmosphere
Minimum qualifications:
· Candidate must have completed a bachelor’s degree with a GPA > 3.0 prior to starting
· Experience conducting research related to avian behavior, cognition, comparative psychology or ecology
· Strong communication skills in oral and written English
· Ability to work independently and as part of an interdisciplinary team
· Self-motivation, a positive attitude, and strong critical thinking skills
· Candidates applying for the PhD position should have completed a MS degree before beginning this role
Desired qualifications:
· Demonstrated experience using passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags, radio frequency identification (RFID) technology, microcontroller circuit boards, the program Arduino or related software
· Experience working with the programming language R
· Experiencing analyzing PIT tag or RFID tag data
· Record of publication in peer-reviewed journals or professional presentations
Compensation: Stipend of $23,000 - 28,000 per year depending on experience and degree (MS or PhD), plus benefits and a tuition waiver.
How to apply: Fill out this Google Form with your general contact information and upload the following in the application portal as a single PDF document with the file name “LastName_FirstName.pdf”.
1) Statement of interest - maximum of 2 pages (single-spaced, 12-point font) describing your relevant qualifications, your research interests
2) CV
3) Unofficial transcripts from all colleges attended
4) Contact information for 3 professional references
Application deadline is August 31st, but I encourage you to apply early as applications will be evaluated on a rolling basis until a suitable candidate is found. More information about our graduate program can be found here: https://cfwe.auburn.edu/graduate-study/graduate-degrees/.
Competitive candidates will be invited to participate in a virtual interview.The successful applicant will then be asked to apply to Auburn University’s College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment for admission in Spring 2027, and will be expected to arrive prior to the first day of classes (January 6th). Note that GRE scores are not required for admission but may create opportunities for additional funding support (e.g., Auburn Presidential Graduate Opportunity Program). Email Dr. Kelsey McCune ([email protected]) with questions or issues.
Basic Responsibilities:
· Conduct literature reviews
· Develop research questions, experimental design and methods
· Design smart feeders, code behavioral programs, manage feeders in the field
· Collaborate with professionals from other institutions and interdisciplinary backgrounds
· Supervise undergraduates, field assistants and interns as necessary
· Write and publish findings in peer reviewed scientific journals
· Present findings at conferences and for public outreach
· Meet Auburn University graduate program requirements and deadlines
· Contribute to fostering a supportive, inclusive, and welcoming atmosphere
Minimum qualifications:
· Candidate must have completed a bachelor’s degree with a GPA > 3.0 prior to starting
· Experience conducting research related to avian behavior, cognition, comparative psychology or ecology
· Strong communication skills in oral and written English
· Ability to work independently and as part of an interdisciplinary team
· Self-motivation, a positive attitude, and strong critical thinking skills
· Candidates applying for the PhD position should have completed a MS degree before beginning this role
Desired qualifications:
· Demonstrated experience using passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags, radio frequency identification (RFID) technology, microcontroller circuit boards, the program Arduino or related software
· Experience working with the programming language R
· Experiencing analyzing PIT tag or RFID tag data
· Record of publication in peer-reviewed journals or professional presentations
Compensation: Stipend of $23,000 - 28,000 per year depending on experience and degree (MS or PhD), plus benefits and a tuition waiver.
How to apply: Fill out this Google Form with your general contact information and upload the following in the application portal as a single PDF document with the file name “LastName_FirstName.pdf”.
1) Statement of interest - maximum of 2 pages (single-spaced, 12-point font) describing your relevant qualifications, your research interests
2) CV
3) Unofficial transcripts from all colleges attended
4) Contact information for 3 professional references
Application deadline is August 31st, but I encourage you to apply early as applications will be evaluated on a rolling basis until a suitable candidate is found. More information about our graduate program can be found here: https://cfwe.auburn.edu/graduate-study/graduate-degrees/.
Competitive candidates will be invited to participate in a virtual interview.The successful applicant will then be asked to apply to Auburn University’s College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment for admission in Spring 2027, and will be expected to arrive prior to the first day of classes (January 6th). Note that GRE scores are not required for admission but may create opportunities for additional funding support (e.g., Auburn Presidential Graduate Opportunity Program). Email Dr. Kelsey McCune ([email protected]) with questions or issues.
