Natural Resources Job Board

 

A graduate research assistantship (M.S.) is available in the Biology department at Bemidji State University beginning August 2025. The research is a collaborative project with the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa and will involve capture and GPS collaring of adult white-tailed deer on the Fond du Lac Reservation and surrounding areas of the 1854 Ceded Territory. The student will be responsible for coordinating and conducting fieldwork associated with the project, including winter capture of deer using Clover traps, rocket nets, and drop nets. The selected candidate will also be responsible for data entry, analysis, and writing reports. The student will be expected to work collaboratively with other graduate students on the project, including assisting with summer fawn capture. Our objectives will be to assess cause-specific mortality rates, habitat use, and population health of adult deer prior to planned elk reintroduction. The development of additional research objectives by the student will be encouraged. The selected candidate will be expected to prepare manuscripts for publication and to present the results of their work at local and national conferences as well as for local public audiences. The student will enroll in courses at Bemidji State University but will spend much of the winter and summer at the field site. The project is fully funded through a grant from the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resource Trust Fund. A stipend of $28,000/year plus tuition remission is provided.

 

I am seeking a highly motivated and qualified student interested in pursuing an M.S. in Biology. To be considered, applicants must have a B.S. degree in wildlife biology or closely related discipline. Minimum requirements are an undergraduate GPA of ≥3.0. The GRE is not required. Competitive candidates will have experience capturing deer, supervising technician, and using relevant statistical packages to analyze wildlife spatial data in program R. The student must be a self-starter, reliable, punctual, able to work long hours in extreme cold, heat and bugs, and be willing to work with a diverse group of collaborators (Tribal biologists and band members, students, technicians, hunters, landowners, etc.). Candidates must have a valid driver’s license and a personal vehicle. Work vehicles will be provided for field use, but the need for occasional use of personal vehicles with mileage reimbursement may arise. Applicants should email a cover letter outlining their qualifications for the project, resume/CV, unofficial transcript(s), and contact information for 3 references as a single PDF document. Application review will begin immediately. 

 

Applicants of Native American decent are strongly encouraged to apply.