Natural Resources Job Board

Position Description: The Alaska Quantitative Ecology Lab is seeking an MS student to evaluate wood bison movement and habitat selection following reintroduction in Alaska. This position will be advised by Dr. Megan Milligan through the Alaska Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit and the Department of Biology and Wildlife. This project is funded by the USGS and the selected student will work closely with biologists from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game on the project. 

Wood bison (Bison bison athabascae) historically occupied Interior and Southwest Alaska before being extirpated in the early 1900s. Wood bison provide important subsistence resources and restoring healthy herds in Alaska could support increased hunting opportunities, as well as economic benefits through tourism and guiding. Beginning in 2015, wood bison were reintroduced to an area along the Innoko River, followed by a second reintroduction to the Minto Flats State Game Refuge. Additional sites are targeted for potential reintroduction in the future. A clear understanding of wood bison movements and distribution post-reintroduction can support recovery efforts and inform future translocation efforts. The intent of this project is to leverage GPS location data from wood bison collected by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game to evaluate the movement behavior, habitat selection, and spatial distribution of reintroduced wood bison. 

Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in biology or related field. Applicants are expected to have a background and strong interest in wildlife ecology and management. The ideal candidate will have strong quantitative, analytical, and computational skills, be motivated, detail-oriented, and capable of working independently and as part of a team. Preference will be given to candidates with a strong interest and expertise in movement ecology, and experience with spatial and movement data analysis using Program R or related software. 

Salary: This project will be covered by a mixture of research and teaching assistantships. Assistantships cover tuition, health insurance, and a stipend (currently $25.17/hr, 20hr/week) during the academic year. 

Location: Students will be based at the University of Alaska Fairbanks in Fairbanks, Alaska. 

Deadline: All applications received by August 15 will receive full consideration. The position will remain open until a suitable candidate is identified. The ideal candidate will start as an enrolled graduate student in January 2027. 

Degree Options: The student will be advised in the Department of Biology and Wildlife, with the option to complete an MS in either Biological Sciences or Wildlife Biology and Conservation. 

Application: Please email a single PDF containing a letter of interest, CV or resume, unofficial copies of transcripts, and contact information for at least 3 references to Dr. Megan Milligan at mcmilligan@alaska.edu with the subject line “Wood bison MS project”. The chosen applicant will be invited to apply to the University of Alaska Fairbanks.