Research Associate

Position Function:

The successful candidate will lead data analyses and subsequent manuscript preparation for a five-year long white-tailed deer movement and survival study conducted in southern Minnesota. Duty station for this position will be located in Minneapolis MN. We are seeking a motivated personable and knowledgeable research associate to join the Mississippi State University Deer Ecology and Management Lab working in conjunction with wildlife biologists and research scientists from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. The successful candidate will lead data analyses and subsequent manuscript preparation for a five-year long white-tailed deer movement and survival study conducted in southern Minnesota. This position will help contribute to our understanding of fawn ecology and deer management in Minnesota.

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:

The Southeastern U.S. hosts some of the greatest biodiversity in North America including numerous endangered and threatened species. Mississippi is characterized by diverse terrains including broadleaf forests oak savannas prairie grasslands temperate pine forests and delta wetlands along with abundant waterways. These rich landscapes provide habitat for hundreds of species of mammals birds reptiles and amphibians. White-tailed deer are the number one game species in the Southeast and account for about $1 billion in annual economic impact in the state. Mississippi is home to 11 national wildlife refuges
6 national forests Gulf Islands National Seashore Natchez Scenic Trail multiple national monuments military parks battlefields several US Army Corps of Engineer reservoirs. 25 state parks the Mississippi River and 53 Wildlife Management areas. Mississippi State University is ranked as one of the top research institutions in the United States. The Carnegie Institute has designated MSU as an R1 - very high research activity doctoral granting institution. The National Science Foundation has MSU as ranked No. 12 nationally in Agriculture and Natural Resources Conservation research expenditures with more than $109 million spent annually. The 43-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. We are home to the Mississippi USGS Coop Unit of scientists the Center for Human-Wildlife Conflict the USDA Wildlife Services National Training Academy and three endowed faculty chairs. The department has a highly collegial and interdisciplinary group of faculty post-doctoral fellows and Research and Extension Associates that help make the department one of the premier institutions for applied wildlife fisheries and aquaculture science in the nation. Annually the department faculty bring in $15-20 million in extramural funding. As one of the fastest growing undergraduate programs in the region our 320 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 mentors over 100 graduate students across a variety of programs with high job placement following receipt of a graduate degree.

Area of Specialization:

white-tailed deer ecology and movement

Anticipated Appointment Date:

July 1 2026.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Leading final tasks of a 5-year research project
2. Analyzing white-tailed deer fawn survival data
3. Publication development
4. Communicating with project team members and stakeholders

Minimum Qualifications:

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

Preferred Qualifications:

M.S. in wildlife ecology natural resources or closely related field. Demonstrated experience or capabilities regarding animal movement analyses including assessing space use analyzing step selection functions creative thinking publication development and/or effective communication among multiple stakeholder groups.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

Applicants should be self-motivated fit well within a multidisciplinary team environment and exhibit excellent oral and written communication skills.

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

Travel may be frequent during sampling periods with overnight stays.
100% of year: No unusual physical requirements. Requires no heavy lifting and nearly all work is performed in a comfortable indoor facility.
Routine deadlines; usually sufficient lead time; variance in work volume seasonal and predictable; priorities can be anticipated; some interruptions are present; involves occasional exposure to demands and pressures from persons other than immediate supervisor.
Job frequently requires sitting talking hearing.
Vision requirements: Ability to see information in print and/or electronically ability to distinguish colors.

Instructions for Applying:

Link to apply: applicants must apply online at by submitting a cover letter and copy of your transcripts (unofficial is acceptable for screening; official transcripts required to extend an offer). Applicant should redact their social security number if it appears on their academic transcript prior to submitting it online. For additional information please e-mail Dr. Eric Michel at

Screening Date:

June 5 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 .

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