POSITION TYPE: Full-Time 12-Month

DEPARTMENT: Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Aquaculture, Mississippi State University

SALARY: $25,000 + benefits

DESCRIPTION: The Wildlife Habitat and Human Interactions Lab (i.e., Iglay Lab) at Mississippi State University is seeking a motivated, personable, and knowledgeable individual. This lab has focused on developing best practices for aerial monitoring of wildlife with drones (i.e., small Unmanned Aircraft Systems) including exploring biases associated with using this sampling method. The lab has also explored computer vision improvements with multidisciplinary team members from the Geosystems Research Institute on campus. The proposed Ph.D. position will focus on continuing to modify efforts to quantify bias (through agent-based modelling; ABM) for developing best practices associated with aerial wildlife monitoring. The current ABM explores multiple drone flight patterns, animal movements, and animal distributions in an open area (100% detection probability). Building on this, current project objectives include [1] extending the current ABM to explore other types of bias in drone surveys, [2] conducting field validation experiments between visual and thermal sensors, and [3] assisting the state agency in their wildlife monitoring efforts. Despite these objectives, expansions to this ABM are limitless considering student interests, questions derived from current efforts, and the lab’s access to the university’s high-powered computer consortium. Therefore, the incumbent can expect a great degree of flexibility regarding dissertation objectives and plenty of guidance among their advisors and committee members (including Drs. Kristine Evans and Melanie Boudreau). 

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Core tenets of the department are teamwork and leadership development. We have an interdisciplinary team of researchers including members of the home department and researchers from the Geosystems Research Institute. The incumbent will have the opportunity to collaborate with other graduate students, mentor undergraduate researchers, work closely with postdoctoral research associates, and gain teaching experience through a teaching assistantship. Scientific communication of project outcomes will be expected through a variety of outlets including publications, presentations, and public outreach. The incumbent will also be encouraged to collaborate with lab members and faculty on projects outside their dissertation and be involved with seeking funding which will allow for CV diversification, conditioned upon maintaining primary dissertation responsibilities. Applicants should be self-motivated, fit well within a multidisciplinary team environment, and exhibit excellent oral and written communication skills. For more information on MSU’s Graduate School admissions policies, please visit https://www.grad.msstate.edu/students/admissions. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• M.S. degree completed by the start date.

• At least one degree (B.S. or M.S.) should be in wildlife science, ecology, wildlife damage management, natural resource management, conservation biology, or a related field.

• Degree holders in a technology-related field are also encouraged to apply if at least one degree is related to the above list.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS  

• experience with Python coding language, ABMs, drones, computer vision, or other technologies related to natural resource monitoring.

• demonstrated abilities in designing and managing field research projects, managing and analyzing data, creative thinking, publication development, and/or effective communication among multiple stakeholder groups. 

 

To apply, please submit a single PDF including a cover letter, CV, one-page statement of research interests with emphasis on how this opportunity aligns with career goals and interests, and complete contact information for three references to Dr. Ray Iglay at  ray.iglay@msstate.edu (Subject: “ABM PhD”).  The position is slated to begin January 1, 2025, but the start date is negotiable.

PLEASE APPLY ASAP as applications will be reviewed when received.