Natural Resources Job Board

Agency - Tennessee Tech University
Location – Cookeville, TN and field sites in central Oklahoma
Job Category – M.S. Graduate Assistantships (2 positions)
Salary - $22,000 per year plus tuition and fee waiver, field housing, and transportation
Start Date – January 15, 2026
Last Date to Apply – August 30, 2025
Description

We are seeking applicants for two M.S. assistantships focused on the ecology and management of resident Canada geese in Oklahoma. These positions are part of a collaborative project with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation to assess resident Canada goose population dynamics and develop management strategies for Oklahoma's growing urban goose populations.

The selected students will work in collaboration with Tennessee Tech University and Oklahoma State University researchers to investigate goose ecology using cutting-edge GPS-GSM collar technology and advanced analytical methods. The project will involve capturing and GPS-tracking resident Canada geese across urban-rural gradients in Oklahoma. Both students will participate in goose capture operations during summer molting seasons and collaborate closely throughout the project.

Position 1: Movement Ecology Focus - This student will specialize in analyzing high-resolution movement data to assess space use patterns, habitat selection, and behavioral responses to hunting pressure. Research will involve deploying GPS-GSM transmitters, evaluating seasonal and annual site fidelity, and quantifying goose responses to human disturbance across urban-rural gradients.

Position 2: Population Ecology Focus - This student will specialize in developing population models that combine field data with long-term harvest and banding datasets. Research will involve estimating survival rates, recruitment, and population vital rates over time.

Students will gain extensive experience with GPS-GSM technology, advanced analytical methods in R, GIS applications, and wildlife management research.

The successful applicants will each receive a $22,000 per year stipend, tuition and fee waiver, field housing, and transportation. Students will be co-advised by Drs. Bradley Cohen and Allison Keever at Tennessee Tech University and Dr. Colter Chitwood at Oklahoma State University, with an expected start date of January 15, 2026.

Required: B.S. degree in wildlife biology, ecology, natural resources, mathematics, statistics, or related discipline; undergraduate GPA ≥ 3.0; valid driver's license; ability to work in challenging field conditions including wetlands, urban environments, and variable weather; physical ability to handle large waterfowl safely.

Additional Preferred Qualifications for Movement Ecology Position: Experience with GPS/telemetry equipment; proficiency in movement analysis and GIS software; knowledge of animal behavior and habitat selection theory.

Additional Preferred Qualifications for Population Ecology Position: Experience with population modeling and statistical analysis; proficiency in R; coursework in population ecology or quantitative methods; familiarity with demographic analysis.

Preferred for Both Positions: Experience with waterfowl capture and handling; strong quantitative and analytical skills; proficiency in R; excellent written and verbal communication skills; prior fieldwork experience with wildlife; knowledge of waterfowl ecology and behavior.

To apply, submit the following documents as a single PDF to Dr. Bradley Cohen (bcohen@tntech.edu), Dr. Allison Keever (akeever@tntech.edu), and Dr. Colter Chitwood (colter.chitwood@okstate.edu) by August 30, 2025:

File naming: Lastname_GooseEcology_MSApplication.pdf
Email subject line: "Canada Goose MS Assistantship - [Movement/Population] Ecology"

The Cohen Lab is committed to increasing representation of traditionally excluded groups and fostering diversity in wildlife research. Students from underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

 

The Forest Growth & Yield Lab at the University of Alberta has an open graduate research assistantship at the Ph.D. level

in Applied Remote Sensing for assessment of forest resilience, under the supervision of Dr. Robert Froese. This PhD

student will address the DIVERSE project theme focused on the assessment and mapping of functional diversity and

redundancy at the national scale, using remote sensing, with the ultimate goal being the development of forest resilience

mapping. The work will combine existing forest plot and remote sensing data to assess functional diversity and resilience

and apply these findings to the landscape scape to identify traits and patterns that maximize forest resilience depending

on forest type and environmental conditions.

DIVERSE is a Pan-Canadian research initiative dedicated to advancing forest management through innovative

approaches that emphasize functional diversity and ecological connectivity. The research encompasses six

interconnected themes that aim to enhance forest resilience and sustainable forest stewardship in the face of global

changes.

The Alberta School of Forest Science and Management is located within the University of

Alberta, which is an internationally recognized research University with over 40,000

students from 156 countries. Located in Edmonton, along the North Saskatchewan River

valley and just a few hours from the Rocky Mountains, the University offers a friendly and

affordable environment with diverse social and outdoor recreation opportunities.

For more information, please see the formal announcement, here: https://irp.cdn-website.com/6c1aa729/files/uploaded/PhD_V2025-07-10.pdf

The Wild Turkey Lab (www.wildturkeylab.com) at the University of Georgia’s Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources is seeking a highly motivated M.S. student to join a collaborative research team investigating the ecology and management of wild turkeys. This work will focus on various ecological and behavioral aspects of wild turkeys.  The field research associated with this position will involve capture of wild turkeys, the use of GPS transmitters, and autonomous recording units to evaluate movements, reproductive ecology, and gobbling activity within the Piedmont region of Georgia.  This work is part of an ongoing, long-term research project that has spanned numerous study sites throughout the southeastern United States.  The successful candidate will have a single field season that will span ~8 months (January-August), followed by intermittent field work, and class work, data analysis, and thesis preparation.  One objective of the project is to investigate the influence of season structure, harvest regimes, and other factors on gobbling activity. Beyond this objective the student will work closely with project PIs to design a thesis that best suits his/her interests and will have access to the most comprehensive dataset collected on wild turkeys.  This dataset includes spatial data on turkeys and other species of interest, genetics, demographic, auditory, and image data from numerous study sites.  This project will also include assistance from field technicians, other graduate students working on the broader field effort, post-doctoral researchers, and collaboration with faculty from Louisiana State University, Tennessee Tech University, the University of Nebraska, and the University of Texas El Paso.  We are seeking applicants with a keen interest in ecology and conservation of wild turkeys, strong work ethic, basic knowledge of radio-telemetry and GPS, an understanding of the capabilities of GIS technology, an ability to safely operate all-terrain vehicles and 4-wheel drive trucks, and comfort climbing trees to deploy ARUs.  

The Forest Soils and Biogeochemistry Lab at Auburn University (AU) is seeking one PhD student and one MS student to perform research associated with soil biogeochemistry and forest health in the Southeast region. The two graduate students will work together and supervise undergraduates in the field and laboratory to 

1. Assess soil physicochemical properties and microbial activities under repeated prescribed fires and forest thinning 

2. Analyze existing, multi-decadal vegetation and litter data to explore plant-soil-microbe interactions in a changing environment 

3. Examine the impact of microplastic pollution on soil nutrients and microbes. 

The hired students are expected to join and lead a three-week field campaign in summer 2026. The team will travel to multiple field sites and research stations in the southeast (AL, GA, NC, SC) to collect and pre-process soil and litter samples. Samples will be brought or shipped back to AU for further laboratory analysis. Students are welcome to build their projects within the scope of soil health and nutrient cycling.  

 

1. Conduct literature reviews and learn/develop experimental protocols 

2. Attend weekly or biweekly lab meetings to share updates and give comments 

3. Generate, organize, and analyze data 

4. Write and publish manuscripts in peer-reviewed scientific journals 

5. Present research findings at local, national, and international conferences 

 

1. BS degree in Forestry, Ecology, Environmental Science, Natural Resources, or a related field; MS degree is required if applying for PhD 

2. Meet admission standards for the Auburn University Graduate School (https://graduate.auburn.edu/); International applicants please visit https://graduate.auburn.edu/prospective-students/general-admission-requirements/ for English language score requirements 

3. Ability to work independently and with others as a team 

 

1. Ability to locate study sites/plots using GPS units and maps 

2. Soil, water, and vegetation sampling experience 

3. Soil geochemical and microbial analysis experience 

4. Quantitative skills and writing experience 

5. Valid driver's license (or ability to obtain one in several months) 

 

PhD student, January 2026, $26,500 per year + tuition remission and benefits 

MS student, June 2026, $23,500 per year + tuition remission and benefits 

Financial support is typically provided for four years for PhD and two years for MS, subject to annual evaluation.  

 

Research in the Forest Soils and Biogeochemistry Lab investigates the fate of carbon and other elements in forest soil and its surrounding environment to address soil conservation issues and develop sustainable practices. We integrate field measurements, laboratory experiments, and computational statistics to examine soil biogeochemical responses under warmer climate, shifted precipitation regimes, and disturbances in forest ecosystems. The lab consists of a main laboratory room, a soil texture room, two storage rooms with field equipment, and a shared walk-in refrigerator. The main laboratory room houses a Biological Digital Microscope, a Deionized Water System, a Shimadzu Total Organic Carbon Analyzer, an Electronic Thermostat Hova-Bator Incubator, an Isotemp Programmable Muffle Furnace, a Chloroform fumigation-extraction station, and a brand-new FlashSmart Elemental Analyzer.

Visit Dr. Yang’s profile to learn more about the lab and research activities. Information regarding PhD and MS programs in the college of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment can be found at https://cfwe.auburn.edu/graduate-study/graduate-degrees/. 

 

Please email the following materials as a single PDF document to Dr. Yang Yang at yangy@auburn.edu, with the subject line “Potential Graduate Student at AU.” 

1. A cover letter (1 page max) outlining the research interests, relevant experience, and professional goals 

2. Resume/CV and contact information only from three professional references 

3. Unofficial transcripts 

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and accepted through August 31, 2025. If selected, the applicant(s) will be invited for a short virtual interview before submitting a complete application. A complete application includes a cover letter, Resume/CV, official transcripts, English language score (International students only), and three letters of recommendation. Please reach out with any questions. 

Organization: University of Idaho – College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Nancy M. Cummings Research, Extension and Education Center 

Job title: MS Graduate Research Assistantship: Virtual Herding – Sheep

Salary: $25,000/year 

Start Date: Fall 2025 or Spring 2026

Location: Salmon, ID 

Application Deadline: Applications will be reviewed until position is filled; preference will be given to applications received by August 18, 2025.

 

This position will be seated in the University of Idaho (UI) College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Department of Animal, Veterinary and Food Sciences; however, will be based at the UI Nancy M. Cummings Research, Extension and Education Center (NMCREEC) near Salmon, Idaho. Research activities will be in collaboration with the USDA-ARS-US Sheep Experiment Station (USSES) near Dubois, Idaho and the Idaho Wild Sheep Foundation. Applicants should be aware that although research activities associated with this position are local to NMCREEC and USSES, coursework will predominantly be completed remotely. As part of a grant funded research project, this position will be responsible for carrying out research in developing, testing, and applying novel domestic sheep-specific virtual/remote monitoring and herding technology for application in remote rangelands. The outcomes of this research will contribute to understanding sheep behavior using virtual herding tools and ultimately provide management solutions for grazing sheep on open ranges; in particular, in areas where habitat overlap conflicts may occur with wild sheep. Through this project, the successful candidate will have the opportunity to work on a uniquely diverse, multidisciplinary project to gain skills and networks in the disciplines of range science, livestock management, agricultural technology, geospatial mapping, and wildlife habitat. Within reason, coursework and additional project objectives will be personalized to fit the student’s interests and career objectives.  The successful candidate may have the opportunity to develop and execute their own relevant research objective(s) that will complement the funded research. Professional development opportunities will include scientific design and implementation, scientific writing for peer-reviewed journals, attending and presenting at scientific and stakeholder meetings, stakeholder engagement and outreach, multidisciplinary training and networking, team leadership and management, and project coordination, among others. 

The successful candidate must hold a completed Bachelor’s degree in a related field prior to starting this position. This position will require excellent leadership and communication skills. Applicants must also have excellent interpersonal skills, attention to detail, a strong work ethic, a valid driver’s license, a willingness to conduct field research under rigorous and remote conditions during variable weather conditions, and a willingness to drive to and stay at field site locations. Preference will be given to applicants that demonstrate a passion for the livestock ranching industry, have working knowledge in grazing livestock behavior, and have experience in livestock handling, remote-sensing technologies, geographic mapping (such as ArcGIS or onX) and/or vegetation monitoring. Preference will also be given to applicants with skills in horse riding, backcountry hiking, camping, and survival. Applicants with an established history of publication and/or experience presenting research findings or to stakeholder groups will also be given preference. Experience with any of the following is also beneficial: working/living in rural areas, working on ranching/farming operations and/or as a range technician, and operating ATV/UTVs and 4WD vehicles, and towing trailers.

 

In addition to the stipend, this position offers housing in an on-site dormitory with individual sleeping area and a common living area with other graduate students or seasonal interns/technicians (successful candidate will not be required to stay in the dormitory).  

 

To apply, please send the following materials to Melinda Ellison (ellison@uidaho.edu) with “Sheep GRA” in the subject line: (1) a cover letter, (2) a resume, and (3) contact information for at least 3 references. 

 

The University of Idaho (U of I) is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer committed to assembling a diverse, broadly trained faculty and staff. Women, minorities, people with disabilities, and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply. In compliance with applicable laws and in furtherance of its commitment to fostering an environment that welcomes and embraces diversity, U of I does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, genetic information or status as any protected veteran or military status in its programs or activities, including employment, admissions, and educational programs.

Ph.D. position in Arthropod Biodiversity & Ecosystem Function 

University of Arkansas, Fayetteville  

 

The Forest Ecology & Health Lab at the University of Arkansas is seeking a student interested in pursuing a Ph.D. studying arthropod biodiversity and forest ecosystem function.  The focal project will be to sample arthropods from high-elevation sites in the Ouachita Mountains of Arkansas and Oklahoma, employ high-throughput DNA barcoding methods to uncover biodiversity patterns, and relate those patterns to environmental variables and ecosystem function.  Prospective applicants should have research interests in entomology, ecology, and evolutionary biology, and should have strong field, lab, and analytical skills.  Applicants with previous experience using molecular techniques (e.g., PCR, NGS library preparation, metabarcoding, etc.) and bioinformatics are preferred.  Experience with GIS and/or R is also desirable. 

 

Financial support will be provided through a combination of teaching and research assistantships.  Assistantships come with a full tuition (not fees) waiver and 67% of the student health insurance paid for by the university.  The selected applicant would need to be admitted to a Ph.D. program at the University of Arkansas for the Spring 2026 semester, which begins January 12, 2026.  Students admitted to a Ph.D. program may also be eligible for a U of A Doctoral Fellowship that adds to their assistantship stipend for 4 years.  More information about these fellowships can be found at: https://graduate-students.uark.edu/cost-and-funding/index.php.  Note that applications for these fellowships require the GRE General Test even if it is not required for admission to a graduate program.  Applicants who would be competitive for a doctoral fellowship will be viewed favorably.  Continued support will be contingent on satisfactory performance and progress. 

 

Research in the Forest Ecology & Health Lab uses field experiments and naturally occurring environmental gradients to examine how biogeochemistry and nutrients impact community structure and trophic interactions among soil arthropods and ant species primarily in forest ecosystems.  This project is in collaboration with Dr. Donald Shepard in the University of Arkansas, Department of Biological Sciences, and Dr. Ashley Dowling in the University of Arkansas, Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology.  More information about their research and labs can be found at: https://shepardlab.wixsite.com/home and https://adowling.hosted.uark.edu/index.html.  Information about the Ph.D. in Entomology program and its requirements is provided here: https://enpl.uark.edu/programs/phd-program.php. Depending on their interests and goals, the selected applicant may have the option to apply through the Ph.D. in Biology program: https://biology.uark.edu/academics/graduate/index.php. 

 

To apply, send an email to Dr. Natalie Clay (nclay@uark.edu) that includes as attachments: 1) a cover letter expressing your interest and highlighting your qualifications for the position as well as your future career goals, 2) your curriculum vitae, 3) an unofficial copy of your college transcripts, and 4) names and contact information for three professional references.  To receive full consideration, submit your application by August 1, 2025; however, applications will be considered until the position is filled.  Note: the selected applicant will still need to apply to and be accepted into a Ph.D. program at the University of Arkansas.  The application deadline for Spring 2026 admission is September 1 for Entomology and October 1 for Biology.  Please email Dr. Clay (nclay@uark.edu) with any questions or concerns about the project/position.  

 

Natalie A. Clay
Associate Professor
Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology
University of Arkansas 

Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA
Email: nclay@uark.edu 

Lab website: https://natalieclay.weebly.com/ 

 

A Teaching Assistantship is available beginning in the Spring 2026 semester for the Master of Science in Marine and Environmental Biology program at Nicholls State University in Dr. Chris Bonvillain’s Aquatic Ecology and Astacology Lab (https://labs.nicholls.edu/bonvillain/).  The Teaching Assistantships include tuition and out of state fee waivers and a stipend of $20,000/yr.  For more information about the graduate program visit https://www.nicholls.edu/biology/master-of-science-degree-program/. 

 

Project Description
The Atchafalaya River Basin in south-central Louisiana is the largest bottomland hardwood river-floodplain and swamp in North America and provides over 90% of the wild crayfish harvest in Louisiana, the most valuable fishery in the state.  The successful applicants will conduct a two-year field research project to examine crayfish population characteristics, oocyte maturation, and gill surface area in normoxic and hypoxic areas in the Atchafalaya River Basin.  Specifically, the research will focus on the effects of chronic environmental hypoxia crayfish oocyte maturation and gill surface area. 

This is a field intense project that includes crayfish trapping and handling, habitat assessments, and quantification of physiological biomarkers.  Additionally, the student will work with research partners at The Nature Conservancy and participate in various project communication and reporting activities.  Applicants must possess a valid driver’s license, have experience operating outboard engine boats, and able to tolerate harsh field conditions (hot, humid, rain, bugs, etc.).  

Start Date and Stipend
Start Date:  The assistantship begins on 14 January 2026 and the project is scheduled to begin immediately.  
Stipend:  $20,000/year plus tuition and out-of-state fee waivers. 

Qualifications
Applicants must:
·         Possess a valid driver’s license

·         Be able to tolerate harsh field conditions (cold, hot, humid, rain, bugs)

·         Have experience operating outboard engine boats (preferred)

 Admission requirements include:
·         B.S. degree in a life science curriculum

·         Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0

·         Combined GRE (verbal + quantitative) of 300 if GPA < 3.5 (GRE not required if GPA > 3.5)

 Application procedure includes an online application and fee (http://www.nicholls.edu/apply/). A cover letter, CV, official GRE scores, academic transcripts, and departmental application package (under admission requirements & application information) (https://www.nicholls.edu/biology/master-of-science-degree-program/) including three letters of recommendation (forms included in departmental application) can be sent to Dr. Bonvillain (chris.bonvillain@nicholls.edu).

 

Deadline for applying is October 1, 2025 or until a suitable applicant is selected. Application materials and questions regarding the program should be sent to Dr. Chris Bonvillain, chris.bonvillain@nicholls.edu.

Project Title: The Spatial-Temporal Activities, Habitat Selection, and Diet of the Understudied, Species of Greatest Conservation Need, the Western Massasauga Rattlesnake (Sistrurus tergeminus).

 

Start Date: Preferred M.S. enrollment beginning in January 2026.

 

Description: I am seeking TWO highly motivated M.S. students interested in herpetology, spatial ecology, and behavioral ecology to work on a field project involving Western Massasauga Rattlesnakes (Sistrurus tergeminus). These positions will be advised by Dr. Dylan Maag in the Department of Life, Earth, and Environmental Sciences at WTAMU. This project will be a highly collaborative effort requiring both graduate assistants to work simultaneously and with summer field technicians on all aspects of field data collection. Students will then focus separately on the analysis of spatial ecology and hunting behavior/diet, while working together on habitat selection for their theses, manuscripts, and project reports.

 

S. tergeminus is currently a Species of Greatest Conservation Need in Texas and is native to Texas grasslands (one of the most endangered habitats in TX). This project is funded by the Texas Office of the Comptroller through their Endangered Species Management Research. Students will use a combination of mark-recapture, radiotelemetry, animal-borne accelerometry, field videography, habitat sampling, and diet analysis in the field starting in late spring 2026 to early fall 2028 to achieve the following objectives: 1) Obtain basic demographic statistics for the population of S. tergeminus. 2) Estimate the spatial ecology of adult S. tergeminus. 3) Quantify diel and seasonal activity, and species-typical behaviors of adult snakes. 4) Model S. tergeminus habitat selection at multiple scales. 5) Measure critical spatial, temporal, selection, and social variables associated with overwintering. 6) Estimate and measure the snakes’ diets and hunting behaviors.

 

Prospective students should be comfortable working alone and in teams in the field and will be expected to mentor research technicians and undergraduate volunteers throughout the project. Students should also be comfortable with being trained to safety handle venomous snakes with the goal of them handling the snakes themselves. Students should also expect to regularly interact with both TX state biologists and managers, and private landowners throughout the project.

 

Qualifications: B.S. in Biology, Wildlife Biology, Zoology, or a related field is required. Students must meet the qualifications of WTAMU’s graduate program for MS, Biology, https://www.wtamu.edu/academics/college-agriculture-natural-sciences/department-life-earth-environmental-sciences/programs/graduate/biology-graduate-program.html (3.0 GPA in all undergraduate related science courses, etc.). Students must also possess a valid Driver’s License. Experience handling venomous snakes is NOT required but is preferred. Students must be willing to be trained to safely handle venomous snakes and demonstrate proficiency in doing so. Experience working within the R coding language, GIS programs, and radiotelemetry are preferred but not required. Lastly, this project is set to last for 38 months thus, students must be prepared to devote 2.5–3 years towards this project and their MS degree at WTAMU.

 

Compensation: These are fully funded graduate research assistant positions (i.e., no teaching) that comes with a stipend of $26,159–27,794 per year for 6 consecutive semesters, starting in Spring 2026. WTAMU graduate assistants also qualify for a partial tuition waiver and medical insurance coverage. For more information please visit WTAMU’s LEES department webpage, https://www.wtamu.edu/academics/college-agriculture-natural-sciences/department-life-earth-environmental-sciences/index.html, and WTAMU’s Graduate School webpage, https://www.wtamu.edu/academics/graduate-school/index.html. 

 

How to Apply: Interested applicants should submit a single PDF document, which includes the following: 1) A letter of interest. 2) CV. 3) A copy of unofficial transcripts. 4) Contact information for three academic/professional references. Applications should be sent to Dr. Dylan Maag at dmaag@wtamu.edu and include “M.S. MASSASAUGA APPLICATION” in the subject line.

Applications will be reviewed starting on August 4th, 2025 applications submitted after that deadline will be reviewed as first-come-first-served basis until both positions are filled. Interviews (via Zoom or phone) of the short-listed applicants will begin within 2 weeks after the deadline of August 4th, 2025.

I am inviting applications for a graduate position (MSc) that includes support as a graduate assistant. The appointment is to begin this Summer or Fall 2025 in the School of Earth, Environmental, and Marine Sciences at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. This position includes a research component aimed at investigating water movements and fish populations over artificial reefs via sonar surveys, ROV surveys, and acoustic doppler current profilers (ADCPs). Duties will include collection, processing, and analysis of samples, and ROV and sonar survey data over several artificial reef placements along the Texas coast.

The successful applicant will be expected to enroll full time in the UTRGV Ocean, Coastal and Earth Sciences program pursuing the thesis option. The available assistantship has a stipend of $1,333 per month and includes tuition support.

Interested applicants should send to Dr. Richard Kline (richard.kline@utrgv.edu) a copy of their CV or resume, GPA, a written statement of graduate research interests, and contact information for two references. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

Qualifications:

Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree in marine biology, ecology or a related field and have experience working in the marine environment. Successful candidates must demonstrate an aptitude for research and ability to work independently. Prior experience working with sonar equipment or ROVs is preferred. SCUBA certification and diving experience is preferred. A minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.3.