Visiting Professor/Research Scientist - Big Game Ecology
Sul Ross State University (State) | https://www.sulross.edu/
Details
Application Deadline:
12/20/2025
Published:
05/08/2025
Starting Date:
after 8/20/2025
Ending Date:
after 9/30/2029
Hours per Week:
40
Salary:
Commensurate / Negotiable
Education Required:
Doctorate
Experience Required:
at least 1 year
Location:
Alpine, Texas
Tags:
Faculty / Post-Doc Appointments
Description
Required | Qualifications:
• A Ph.D. in Ecology, Wildlife Biology, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team environment.
• Basic programming skills in the R language.
• Strong publication record in reputable, peer-reviewed journals.
• Commitment to teaching and student mentorship.
Preferred | Preferred Qualifications:
• Familiarity with PostgreSQL and relational databases.
• Familiarity with version control systems, specifically GitHub.
• Strong programming skills in R, Python, and/or other common languages used in ecology.
Primary Responsibilities:
Borderlands Research Institute (BRI) at Sul Ross State University (SRSU) is seeking a Visiting Professor/Research Scientist specializing in Big Game Ecology, with an anticipated start in Fall 2025. We seek a scholar to conduct research on long- term pronghorn habitat change across ecoregion scales as part of an ongoing research and restoration project. Once a framework is established with pronghorn, responsibilities will shift to similar work on mule deer, desert bighorn, elk, and aoudad. These projects are based on large, long-term GPS data sets and satellite imagery products. A background in animal movement ecology with strong statistical analysis and R programming skills are preferred, but we are committed to helping the right candidate grow in these areas. The successful applicant will work alongside faculty to explore how these species respond to changing habitat conditions, each other, restoration efforts, and management practices in the Chihuahuan Desert. The candidate will collaborate closely with BRI partners (e.g., private landowners, NGOs, universities, etc.) to support sustainable big game management practices within the Chihuahuan Desert ecosystem.
Key Responsibilities:
• Integrate within a multidisciplinary team, collaborating with experts in various fields to advance BRl’s mission.
• Supervise field activities and graduate students associated with 5+ big game field projects.
• Help direct an established research program focused on how wildlife responds to large scale management efforts, with a particular emphasis on the Chihuahuan Desert ecosystem.
• Mentor undergraduate and graduate students, guiding their research projects and academic development.
• Secure external funding through grant writing to support research initiatives.
• Publish research findings in high-impact scientific journals, contributing significantly to community and restoration ecology.
About SRSU | Sul Ross State University, located in Alpine, Texas (www.alpinetexas.com), is in the Scenic Davis Mountains of West Texas, is a member of the Texas State University System, is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees, and has an enrollment of approximately 2,000 students on campus in Alpine, Texas. At an elevation of 4,480 feet, and on the periphery of the Chihuahuan Desert, Alpine enjoys mild winters and cool summers. Davis Mountains State Park, Fort Davis National Historic Site, Big Bend National Park, and Guadalupe Mountains National Park, are all within one to three hours driving distance from Alpine. More information is available regarding Sul Ross State University and position openings through our website (http://www.sulross.edu).
• A Ph.D. in Ecology, Wildlife Biology, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team environment.
• Basic programming skills in the R language.
• Strong publication record in reputable, peer-reviewed journals.
• Commitment to teaching and student mentorship.
Preferred | Preferred Qualifications:
• Familiarity with PostgreSQL and relational databases.
• Familiarity with version control systems, specifically GitHub.
• Strong programming skills in R, Python, and/or other common languages used in ecology.
Primary Responsibilities:
Borderlands Research Institute (BRI) at Sul Ross State University (SRSU) is seeking a Visiting Professor/Research Scientist specializing in Big Game Ecology, with an anticipated start in Fall 2025. We seek a scholar to conduct research on long- term pronghorn habitat change across ecoregion scales as part of an ongoing research and restoration project. Once a framework is established with pronghorn, responsibilities will shift to similar work on mule deer, desert bighorn, elk, and aoudad. These projects are based on large, long-term GPS data sets and satellite imagery products. A background in animal movement ecology with strong statistical analysis and R programming skills are preferred, but we are committed to helping the right candidate grow in these areas. The successful applicant will work alongside faculty to explore how these species respond to changing habitat conditions, each other, restoration efforts, and management practices in the Chihuahuan Desert. The candidate will collaborate closely with BRI partners (e.g., private landowners, NGOs, universities, etc.) to support sustainable big game management practices within the Chihuahuan Desert ecosystem.
Key Responsibilities:
• Integrate within a multidisciplinary team, collaborating with experts in various fields to advance BRl’s mission.
• Supervise field activities and graduate students associated with 5+ big game field projects.
• Help direct an established research program focused on how wildlife responds to large scale management efforts, with a particular emphasis on the Chihuahuan Desert ecosystem.
• Mentor undergraduate and graduate students, guiding their research projects and academic development.
• Secure external funding through grant writing to support research initiatives.
• Publish research findings in high-impact scientific journals, contributing significantly to community and restoration ecology.
About SRSU | Sul Ross State University, located in Alpine, Texas (www.alpinetexas.com), is in the Scenic Davis Mountains of West Texas, is a member of the Texas State University System, is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees, and has an enrollment of approximately 2,000 students on campus in Alpine, Texas. At an elevation of 4,480 feet, and on the periphery of the Chihuahuan Desert, Alpine enjoys mild winters and cool summers. Davis Mountains State Park, Fort Davis National Historic Site, Big Bend National Park, and Guadalupe Mountains National Park, are all within one to three hours driving distance from Alpine. More information is available regarding Sul Ross State University and position openings through our website (http://www.sulross.edu).
Contact
Dr. Justin T. French
justin.french@sulross.edu (preferred contact method)