Natural Resources Job Board

Responsibilities: We have 2 positions. The first position is evaluating the effect of forward-facing live sonar (e.g., Garmin Livescope) on crappie and bass fisheries in Oklahoma and Arkansas and is a jointly funded by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation and the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.  It will involve creel surveys, delayed hooking mortality study, and sampling crappie populations with multiple gears to get population demographics (including a capture-recapture population size estimate).  Modeling will then be done to evaluate the conditions under which more restrictive bag limits or other regulations might be needed to ensure sustainability, particularly in light of technology increasing angling success.  The second position is evaluating the economic, social, and biological implications of a stocked trout fishery in the lower Illinois River (a cool-water tailwater system currently below Tenkiller Lake, Oklahoma). Changes to water use patterns have made low dissolved oxygen and higher temperatures progressively more common problems for this fishery in recent years, causing the state to consider the viability of the long-term trout stocking program (about 60 years). To help with that effort, this project will be multi-faceted, including a creel survey to obtain harvest information and angler opinions, an economic evaluation of the fishery, climate modeling to predict future water quality, current fishery assessment (all sportfish, not just trout), and use fish abundance sampling and diet data to construct a fish community model to predict likely changes should trout stockings be altered. Both positions will start in the spring 2026 semester (January 2026).

Qualification:  B.S. degree in fisheries, biology, or related field; strong fisheries work experience; international students must be fluent in English (reading, writing, and speaking).

Salary:  $25,500 - 29,000/yr (depending on project and availability of supplemental fellowships) plus full tuition waver and subsidized health insurance.

To apply:  Send 1) Cover letter, 2) Curriculum Vitae, 3) all college transcripts, 4) GRE scores (if available), 5) a scientific writing sample (e.g., manuscript, term paper, lab report), and 6) contact information for 3 references to dshoup@okstate.edu. For international students, we also require TOFEL scores (overall score > 102, with “Advanced” rating in each subject score) or IELTS (all scores > 7.5), and students are responsible for obtaining their own educational Visa. Please specify if you want to be considered for the Livescope project, the lower Illinois River project, or both positions.  

Ad Closing Date:  Review of applicants will begin immediately and will continue until suitable applicant us found

 

Job Posting Title: 

PhD Graduate Assistantship in freshwater mussel ecology, geochemistry and sclerochronolgy 

Department: 

School of Renewable Natural Resources 

Job Description: 

Position description: The School of Renewable Natural Resources at Louisiana State University Agricultural Center are seeking applicants for one PhD assistantship starting as early as 01 August 2025. 

 

Duties and responsibilities: The successful candidate will be supervised by Dr. Garrett Hopper. Students will conduct freshwater mussel assemblage health assessments, mussel age and growth estimates, and quantify heavy metals in mussel shells to test how current and historical environmental conditions impact the growth of mussel species in Louisiana’s coastal rivers. The student will work with a team of geochemists and aquatic ecologists to develop a framework for using freshwater mussel shells as archives of environmental change, emphasizing elements included on the Environmental Protection Agency’s priority pollutants list. 

 

The research will involve extensive investigation of the literature, coordination, and collaboration with state and academic experts, and working outside in sometimes difficult conditions. 

 

The positions will be available until a qualified applicant is selected. Application reviews will begin May 19th, 2025. 

 

The LSU Agricultural Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer 

The LSU Agricultural Center is a statewide campus of the LSU System and provides equal opportunities in programs and employment. 

 

HCM Contact Information: 

Questions or concerns can be directed to the LSU AgCenter Human Resources Management Office at 225-578-2258 or emailed to HRMHelp@agcenter.lsu.edu. 

Minimum Qualification Requirements for PhD assistantship: MS in natural resources management, aquatic biology, biogeochemistry, fisheries or wildlife management, or related biological field; experience with data management and programming in R; ability to work well independently or within teams. Applicants holding an MS degree in the fields listed above will be given priority for the PhD position. Importantly, applicants must be willing to work collaboratively with scientists from a variety of backgrounds. Strong ability to swim in outdoor settings. Ability to skin dive using mask, snorkel, and weight belt. SCUBA diving certification is desirable but not required. Ability to work long hours in sometimes unpleasant outdoor conditions that may include rain, high winds, rough water, heat, cold, low visibility, biting insects, snakes, and alligators. 

 

 

Applicants must have 3.0 overall undergraduate GPA or a 3.5 in the last 60 semester hours of undergraduate courses. Completion of GRE with satisfactory scores is preferred. Applicants must have a valid U.S. driver’s license or be able to obtain the same within 60 days of start. Overnight travel is required. An offer is contingent on a satisfactory pre-employment background check. 

 

Please email the following: 1) cover letter describing interest in project and credentials; 2) a CV or resume with no less than two academic and/or professional references; and 3) an unofficial undergraduate transcript with courses from all institutions of higher education attended to Dr. Garrett Hopper (ghopper@agcenter@lsu.edu). Formal application to LSU should not be completed without approval from the principle investigator. 

 

For more information about the graduate programs: 

https://www.lsu.edu/rnr/graduate/index.php 

 

For more information contact: 

 

Dr. Garrett Hopper 

160P Hatcher Hall 

Louisiana State University 

Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70803 

Email: ghopper@agcenterl.lsu.edu 

https://garretthopper.wixsite.com/streamecology 

 

Description

Graduate assistantship focused on population estimation of moose- we are seeking a highly motivated person to pursue a PhD degree in the Environmental and Life Sciences Graduate Program at Trent University in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada. The graduate student will join a large team implementing a field research project on the factors limiting and regulating moose populations in Ontario. The student project will be focused on population estimation techniques for moose using a variety of different field and associated sampling methods including helicopter-based aerial surveys, the development of sightability models, drone surveys, and trail cameras. The field project is a multi-year program that entails the GPS radio collaring of moose and wolves to assess cause-specific mortality, and the successful applicant will be expected to contribute substantially to the overall field efforts in addition to their own research. Data collection for the broader project began in 2023 and will be ongoing throughout the students tenure. This field work is highly varied and will include conducting aerial surveys, deploying collars on adult and calf moose, wolves, and white-tailed deer, deploying and maintaining remotely triggered trail cameras, collecting non-invasive samples for black bear population estimation, vegetation surveys, hunter surveys, and more. The student will be co-supervised by Dr. Joe Northrup and Dr. Brent Patterson both of the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources & Trent University. 

Requirements

M.Sc. degree in ecology, wildlife biology, or related field is desired, but exceptional past experience may be considered in place of a M.Sc. degree. Applicants must meet the minimum entrance requirements for the Environmental & Life Sciences graduate program at Trent University.  Desired qualifications include a GPA >3.5 (4.0 scale). A strong background in ecology, demonstrated analytical capabilities, and passion for wildlife research are required. Strong quantitative, writing, and oral communication skills are also required. The strongest applicants will have demonstrated experience publishing in peer-reviewed journals, and with programming languages commonly used for statistical and scientific applications (e.g., R and Python), and familiarity with geospatial software (e.g., ArcMap, QGIS). Applicants should be physically fit, have significant field experience, be comfortable with flying in small planes and helicopters, and be capable of working in varied terrain for extensive periods in extreme conditions (e.g., temperatures that will range between 30 and -40 C, lots of biting insects etc.).

Application instructions

Initially, all applications are to be sent as follows. Please email a cover letter with an explicit statement of analytical/quantitative AND field experience and abilities, current CV, unofficial transcripts, scientific writing sample and contact info for ≥3 references as a single attachment to moose.project.applications@gmail.com. The successful applicant is expected to begin in fall, 2025. Application deadline is May 9, 2025 but review of applications will begin immediately and continue until a suitable candidate is found. Once a successful applicant has been determined a formal application to the University is required, with a deadline of June 1.

Compensation

Students will receive a funding package of approximately $34,000 CAD per year. This includes a combination of a graduate teaching assistantship, internal fellowships and a research assistantship. Further, during the first 2-3 years of the project, students working fulltime in the field will be provided shared housing. Tuition fees can be found here: https://www.trentu.ca/graduatestudies/financial-matters/student-account-and-tuition/research-and-thesis-based-program-fees. Numerous scholarships are also available and students are encouraged to apply (https://www.trentu.ca/graduatestudies/tuition-awards-funding/graduate-scholarships-and-awards). This funding package will not be reduced if a student is successful in obtaining a scholarship. 

Patterson and Northrup Labs

More information about the research groups of Drs. Brent Patterson and Joe Northrup can be found here: http://www.canidungulatelab.wixsite.com/brentpatterson and here: https://www.joenorthrup.com/. More information on the project can be found here: https://www.ontariomooseproject.ca/

Drs. Kelsey McCune and Allie McCreary at the College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment (https://cfwe.auburn.edu/) at Auburn University are seeking qualified candidates committed to pursuing a Master of Science (MS, in Natural Resources Management, Forestry, or Wildlife Management). The successful applicant will primarily assist Drs. McCune and McCreary with a two-year study focusing on the human dimensions of wildfire impact on avian ecosystem services and public outreach.

This interdisciplinary research aims to explore how human activities, such as food supplementation (e.g., backyard bird feeding), influence the behavior of Clark’s nutcrackers and their role in the regeneration of white bark pine forests affected by severe wildfires in British Columbia, Canada. The applicant will also work with Drs. Jeffrey Katz (Auburn University) and Dr. Debbie Kelly (University of Manitoba) to integrate movement ecology and animal cognition with human dimensions findings and to develop sustainable conservation strategies. The candidate will collaborate closely with Dr. Kelly on aspects of the project related to field work in Canada.

This project is funded by the New Frontiers in Research Fund, a Canadian funding program that supports high-risk, high-reward, interdisciplinary research and is committed to fostering applicants that may need accessibility or other accommodations and to creating an inclusive and diverse academic environment. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including those from underrepresented groups such as Indigenous peoples, individuals with mobility challenges, first-generation college students, and others who bring diverse perspectives to our research team. We strive to create a supportive and accessible environment for all team members.

Responsibilities:
•Conduct literature reviews.
•Organize project files and datasets.
•A willingness to collaboratively generate data for the project, which will include one or more of the following:
oCollect, analyze, and interpret quantitative data (e.g., survey responses, demographic data).
oGather, analyze, and interpret qualitative data (e.g., interviews, observational data).
oConduct field work such as monitoring bird behavior.
•Collaborate with professionals from international institutions and diverse, interdisciplinary backgrounds including supervising undergraduates and field assistants.
•Share findings with academic and non-academic audiences through papers or presentations.
•Travel from campus (Auburn, Alabama) to field sites in British Columbia.

Qualifications:
•Candidate must have completed a bachelor’s degree prior to starting, preferably in a related field such as Human Dimensions of Natural Resource Management, Conservation Social Science, Parks & Recreation Management, Biology, Animal Behavior, Wildlife, Ecology, Environmental Studies, or similar programs.
•Demonstrate excellent communication skills in oral and written English.
•Ability to work independently and as part of a team and demonstrate cultural sensitivity in groups with people from different backgrounds.
•Prior experience in research or evaluation, including scientific writing, data collection, and data analysis, is desired.
•Willingness to participate in field-based research in remote areas and previous experiences working or traveling in rugged/remote areas (e.g., backcountry camping).
•Meet admission standards for the Auburn University Graduate School (https://graduate.auburn.edu/).

Compensation: $22,000 per year, plus tuition remission and benefits. Supplemental fellowships may be available.

How to Apply: Interested individuals should contact Drs. Kelsey McCune (kbm0054@auburn.edu) and Allie McCreary (aem0200@auburn.edu) with any questions and to 
apply. To apply, please send a single email to both Drs. McCune and McCreary and state “Human Dimensions MS Assistantship” in the email subject line. Include a single PDF document with the following:
•Current resume or CV,
•Statement of interest (maximum 2 pages, single-spaced, 12-point font, that includes: (1) how you meet the qualifications for the position; (2) how your experiences have prepared you to take on the listed responsibilities; and (3) why you are interested in this research project),
•TOEFL or IELTS scores (if applicable)
•Unofficial transcripts, and
•The names and email addresses of three professional references.

Key Dates: Applications are due by May 15, but you are encouraged to apply as soon as possible because applications will be evaluated on a rolling basis.
A start date of August 1, 2025, is expected and the person selected for this assistantship will be supported for two academic years (through May 2027), based on annual evaluations.

I am seeking applicants for one graduate teaching assistantship (Master’s) that will be focused on surveying water bodies for alligator snapping turtles (AST; Macrochelys temminckii) on wildlife management areas in Louisiana. The knowledge gained through this project will provide insight into the status of ASTs on state owned/managed properties that have historically received little to no research attention. The successful candidate will be enrolled as a Master’s student in the Biology Department of the University of Louisiana at Monroe, and tuition and most fees are waived.    

By the start date, candidates must hold a Bachelor’s degree in wildlife management, environmental biology, ecology, conservation biology, forestry, or other relevant majors. Prior experience with the safe operation of small motorboats and with trapping/handling of aquatic turtles is preferred but not required. Must be an effective leader and able to work well with others as this will be a large endeavor that will require the assistance of a technician, undergraduate researchers, etc. The ability to conduct rigorous fieldwork under extreme conditions (e.g., heat, humidity, alligators, venomous snakes) will be necessary. Excellent communication and time-management skills, a strong work ethic, and attention to detail also are essential. The candidate must also have a valid Louisiana driver’s license, or be able to obtain a valid Louisiana driver’s license immediately upon starting. A reliable vehicle is required for field work.

Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Communications should be directed to Dr. Ross Couvillon (rcouvillon@ulm.edu). To apply, please send an email with the subject line “Alligator Snapping Turtle MS Assistantship” that includes a single PDF file containing a cover letter, resume or CV, unofficial transcripts, unofficial GRE scores (if available), and contact information for three references. A start date of August 2025 and enrollment for the Fall 2025 semester is anticipated.

The College of Natural Resources (CNR) at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point invites applications for an M.S.-level assistantship beginning in fall 2025. This research project will focus on the environmental, economic, and social components of pulp produced in Wisconsin verses pulp produced internationally. This graduate assistantship provides opportunities to teach undergraduate students in the CNR and to interact and contribute to programming at the Wisconsin Forestry Center (WisconsinForestry Center - University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point). The Graduate Assistant will complete a master’s thesis research project that examines the impact of pulp production in Wisconsin within the framework of sustainability. The successful applicant will work under the supervision of Dr. Steven Hubbard, Assistant Professor of Forestry at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
 
 

Department of Biology at Georgia Southern University invites qualified candidates to apply for a PhD position, with research focus on environmental microbiology and fungal genomics. The PhD position will be supervised by Dr. Yong Zhang

 

The PhD position starts in Fall 2025. Teaching & research assistantship is available for competitive candidates. We are seeking motivated candidates with a strong interest in the following research areas:

 

·       Genomic evolutionary mechanisms underlying fungal adaptation to changing environment 

·       Functional diversity of host immune receptors conferring disease resistance to fungal infection

·       Analysis of OMICS data generated from high-throughput technology

 

·       B.S. or M.S. in Microbiology, Plant Pathology, Ecology, Plant Science, Molecular Biology or related disciplines

·       Knowledge in bioinformatics, computational biology

·       Familiar with Python (or R, Perl)

·       Strong communications skills, self-motivation, and passion for research

 

·       Hands on experience in OMICS data analysis

·       Proficiency in computer programming and big data management

 

If you are proficient and experienced in at least one or more of the areas listed above, please send emails with your resume/CV, academic transcripts, and a short paragraph of personal statement to Dr. Zhang (yongzhang@georgiasouthern.edu)

 

 

Join Our Team at Georgia Southern!
 
 Georgia Southern is a dynamic university with three vibrant campuses in Hinesville, Savannah and Statesboro serving the communities in Southeast Georgia. With more than 26,000 students and 141 degree programs, Georgia Southern University is the largest comprehensive university south of Atlanta. Whether you are seeking the charm of a small town, the traditions of a historical/urban destination near the beach or supporting our military service members and their families, Georgia Southern offers its students the best of all worlds!
 Beyond an ideal location, the Department of Biology is an aspiring leader in biological research and is committed to expanding its faculty expertise in support of the anticipated expansion of biological and biomedical jobs in Southeast Georgia. The department provides a foundation for life-long learning and appreciation of biological processes and biological diversity through teaching, research, and outreach. Three campuses and a variety of off-campus research facilities offer Biology students and faculty access to state-of-the-art equipment in the department (including a genomics core lab) and the COSM Core Research Lab (CCRL).

Overview
I am recruiting a highly-motivated M.S. student interested in pursuing a Wildlife Ecology degree at Texas State University to assist in a bat ecology project at various sites in west Texas. Texas State University has >40,000 students and is situated between Austin and San Antonio on the I-35 corridor. The town is home to the beautiful San Marcos River, with headwaters on a Department of Biology property. 

The position requires teaching two lab sections during the long semesters with a research assistantship for two summers. Although the State of Texas does not allow for direct tuition waivers, out-of-state students awarded assistantships only pay the Texas resident tuition rate. I am providing $500/month additional to the teaching assistant salary to cover tuition and fee costs. Additional competitive graduate student scholarship opportunities are available annually.

Research Focus
The position requires working with a team of ~6 to mist-net bats across West Texas to assess species distributions, community ecology, and activity. The student also will use acoustic recordings to compare to mist-net captures. Lodging while in the field will be a mix of camping and hotels.

Qualification
A BS degree in wildlife biology/management or closely-related field is required. Mist netting and acoustic experience with bats are strongly preferred. Demonstrated field experience such as capturing and handling bats and driving a 4WD truck is required. The ability to conduct rigorous fieldwork under extreme conditions (e.g., heat, humidity, insects) will be necessary. Excellent communication and time-management skills, a strong work ethic, and attention to detail also are essential. The candidate must also have a valid Texas driver’s license, or be able to obtain a valid Texas driver’s license immediately upon starting.  This is a fully-immersive M.S. program and the student must reside in San Marcos when not in the field. The student also is expected to present their work at a variety of conferences and be a part of The Wildlife Society at Texas State University.

 Deadline

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. The candidates are expected to begin in August 2025.

Please send only one PDF file with a cover letter outlining your qualifications, research interests and experiences, copy of all transcripts that also includes coursework and overall GPA, GRE scores (if available), a CV, contact details of three references, and an example of your writing to Dr. Fritts (fritts.sarah@txstate.edu). 

 

 

A Teaching Assistantships in the lab of Dr. Quenton Fontenot's Bayousphere Research Lab will be available for the Fall 2025 semester for the Master of Science in Marine and Environmental Biology program at Nicholls State University.  The assistantship includes a teaching stipend of $4,800/semester (Fall and Spring) and a tuition and out-of-state fee waiver.  Additionally, a summer salary of $3,000 is also included for a total of $12,600/yr.  For more information about the graduate program visit https://www.nicholls.edu/biology/master-of-science-degree-program/.  
 
Admission requirements include: 

·         A graduate faculty member in the Department of Biological Sciences agrees to serve as major professor 

·         B.S. degree in a life science curriculum 

·         Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 

·         Combined GRE (verbal + quantitative) of 300 if GPA < 3.5 or international applicant (GRE not required if GPA > 3.5)
 
 Application procedure includes an online application and fee (http://www.nicholls.edu/apply/), and cover letter, CV, official GRE scores and academic transcripts, and departmental application package (https://www.nicholls.edu/biology/master-of-science-degree-program/) including three letters of recommendation (forms included in departmental application). 

 

Deadline for applying is May 2, 2025.  Applicants should contact Dr. Quenton Fontenot.  After contacting the graduate faculty listed below, application materials and questions regarding the program should be sent (email is preferred) to Dr. Chris Bonvillain, Department of Biological Sciences, P.O. Box 2021, Nicholls State University, Thibodaux, LA 70310, 985-449-7116, chris.bonvillain@nicholls.edu. See Research Labs (https://www.nicholls.edu/biology/) for more information on faculty research interests. Research projects associated with the positions are listed below:

Dr. Quenton Fontenot (quenton.fontenot@nicholls.edu):