We're Hiring!

Position Function:

This position will oversee a black bear population study in Oklahoma as a Research Associate in the Carnivore and Population Ecology Lab at Mississippi State University. The successful candidate will perform or oversee all duties, both in the field and laboratory to support this work and be able to independently conduct projects to this end. Because this is a new project, the successful candidate will be responsible for helping design and conduct research activities with a high degree of independence, in collaboration and consultation with the lead PI, collaborators, and state agency biologists. The position will be primarily located at Mississippi State University (Starkville, MS) and requires long-term travel to Oklahoma in the lead up and during the field season (May - August 2027; shared housing available and work vehicle provided). The successful candidate will also have the opportunity to contribute to concurrent black bear research in Mississippi and Louisiana. Title level and salary commensurate with qualifications.

Salary Grade:  13

Please see Staff Compensation Structure or Skilled Crafts and Service Maintenance Compensation Schedule for salary ranges.  For salary grade UC, these positions are "Unclassified" and salary ranges are determined by the hiring department.

Department Profile:

Mississippi State University is a top-ranked research institution, and the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture (WFA) has a strong applied focus in wildlife conservation and management. The 35-member faculty within the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture leads one of the most productive research programs in the Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine at Mississippi State University. The department is well-known for its highly collegial and interdisciplinary faculty, post-doctoral fellows, research and extension associates that help make the department one of the premier institutions for applied wildlife and fisheries science in the nation. As one of the fastest growing undergraduate programs in the region, our 300 undergraduate students concentrate in wildlife agriculture science, human-wildlife interactions, conservation biology, wildlife veterinary medicine, conservation law enforcement, and wildlife, fisheries and aquaculture science. The department also houses 60 graduate students across a variety of programs. For additional information see
www.cfr.msstate.edu/wildlife

Area of Specialization:

carnivore and population ecology

Anticipated Appointment Date:

October 1, 2026. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Essential job duties include, but are not limited to:
• Independently support, develop, design, and execute research activities, included but not limited to data collection, processing, organization, and day-to-day management of multiple technicians.
• Oversee field work, including landowner outreach, hiring technicians (up to 6 seasonal technicians), ordering supplies, field data collection, maintenance of hair snares, and organization of data.
• Communicate project results by leading reports, presentations, and co-authoring publications.
• Perform and oversee lab technicians in DNA extraction from low quantity samples (training provided) with opportunities to train and implement GT-seq methods to identify individuals.

Minimum Qualifications:

B.S. in wildlife ecology, natural resources, or closely related field
Valid U.S. driver's license
Rank and salary will be commensurate with the education and/or experience of the candidate.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in ecology, wildlife, or related field.
• Field work experience, preferably managing multiple technicians
• Understanding of good field survey practices and research design in order to independently respond to a changing environment and modify schedules to ensure collection of quality data.
• Must understand scientific principles to design, plan and carry out research projects in collaboration with Lead PI
• Previous laboratory experience or a strong desire to learn methods
• Experience with GIS and R.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

•Must have the knowledge and ability to work with minimal supervision necessary to perform duties at a high level, oversee technicians in routine operational duties, and prioritize day-to-day workloads.
•Strong interpersonal skills as daily interactions with landowners, state agency personnel, and other stakeholders will occur

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

Willingness to work early mornings, late nights, and weekends when necessary. Position is based in Starkville, MS, but requires long-term field season travel to Oklahoma. Position includes supervision of and collaborative work with technicians in both laboratory and field settings, with associated potential exposure to lab chemicals and biological samples, inclement weather, mud, insects, and native flora and fauna.

Job frequently requires standing, walking, talking, hearing, handling objects with hands, and lifting up to 25 pounds.

Job occasionally requires standing, walking, sitting, climbing or balancing, stooping/kneeling/crouching/crawling, talking, and lifting up to 50 pounds.

Instructions for Applying:

Link to apply:  http://explore.msujobs.msstate.edu/

Applications must be completed online at www.jobs.msstate.edu (PARF# 510961) and must include cover letter, resume/CV, contact information for 3 professional references, and transcripts. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable for the screening process. Applicants should redact their social security number if it appears on their academic transcript prior to submitting it online.

Screening Date:

August 6, 2026, until filled. 

Restricted Clause:

Position is contingent upon continued availability of funding.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

Mississippi State University is an equal opportunity institution. Discrimination is prohibited in university employment, programs or activities based on race, color, ethnicity, sex, pregnancy, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, or any other status to the extent protected by applicable law. Questions about equal opportunity programs or compliance should be directed to the Office of Civil Rights Compliance, 231 Famous Maroon Band Street, P.O. 6044, Mississippi State, MS 39762, (662) 325-5839.

What do I do if I need an accommodation?

In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with Mississippi State University, please contact the Department of Human Resources Management at tel: (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu.

If you have any questions regarding this policy, contact the Department of Human Resources Management at (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu. Upon request, sections of this job listing are available in large print, and readers are available to assist the visually impaired.