Natural Resources Job Board

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

Job title: PhD Graduate Research Assistantship: Virtual Fence – Range Cattle

Salary: $27,000/year 

Start Date: Flexible between January – April 2026

Location: Salmon, ID 

Application Deadline: Until filled; preference will be given to applications received before November 15, 2025. Applications will be reviewed as they are received; some applicants may be selected for interviews before the deadline.

 

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. Applicants should be aware that although research activities associated with this position are local to NMCREEC, coursework will predominantly be completed remotely. As part of a grant funded research project, this position will be responsible for carrying out research investigating the effectiveness of virtual fence in large, rugged rangeland pastures to contain cattle within or outside of virtual fence boundaries in sensitive riparian and upland areas, post wildfire-burn areas, and invasive grasses and weeds. Collection of data for this project will include metrics on virtual fence containment or exclusion effectiveness, cattle movement and behavior, grazing utilization of forages, and pasture vegetation characteristics. 

 

The successful candidate will part of a team of graduate students and seasonal technicians and work closely with cattle producers to achieve project goals. Additionally, there will be regular engagement with other scientists and state and federal land management agency personnel. Through this project, the successful candidate will have the opportunity to work on a uniquely diverse, multidisciplinary project to gain skills and networks across the disciplines of range science, livestock management, agricultural technology, geospatial mapping, wildlife habitat, rural economics and sociology. Within reason, coursework and project objectives will be personalized to fit the student’s interests and career objectives.  Professional development opportunities will include scientific study implementation, scientific writing for peer-reviewed journals, attending and presenting at scientific and stakeholder meetings, stakeholder engagement and outreach, multidisciplinary training and networking, and team leadership, among others. 

The successful candidate must hold a completed Bachelor’s degree in a related field within 3 months of 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. Preference will be given to applicants that demonstrate a passion for the industry and have experience in vegetation monitoring, livestock handling, agricultural technologies, and/or geographic mapping (such as ArcGIS or onX). Applicants with an established history of publication, grant writing, and 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 “Cattle VF-MS” in the subject line: (1) a cover letter, (2) a resume, and (3) contact information for at least 3 references. Applications will be reviewed as they are received; some applicants may be selected for initial interviews before the deadline.