Assistant Unit Leader – USGS Cooperative Research Unit Wildlife and/or Fisheries Management

The Mississippi Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research unit is seeking a research scientist with the ability and/or experience to develop a research program on ecological and evolutionary drivers of invasion biology. Importantly, science-based products of this research should provide applied solutions for managers and cooperators of the Unit. The incumbent research program should address aspects such as: (1) species, habitat, and ecosystem impacts of invasive species and responses to directed management; (2) mechanisms of invasion; (3) invasion dynamics; (4) understanding the causes and consequences of large-scale environmental changes (past, present or projected) on species invasions and management, and (5) restoration solutions for post-invasion resilience in communities and ecosystems. Preference will be given to candidates able to address invasion biology of both aquatic and terrestrial systems.  The candidate will teach graduate level classes in their area of expertise, supervise graduate students and/or post-doctoral fellows and may pursue additional research relevant to applied fish and wildlife management.

The Mississippi Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit works closely with state and federal cooperators to conduct research that supports management of fish and wildlife populations in Mississippi and throughout North America. Unit scientists also train graduate students at Mississippi State University (MSU) for careers in state and federal agencies and in academia. The Unit offers a unique partnership among the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, Mississippi State University, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Wildlife Management Institute, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service whereby partners work together to design and conduct research that helps solve complex environmental issues.

The Assistant Unit Leader (AUL) will serve in a dual capacity, employed and paid by the USGS, yet holding a separate MSU faculty appointment, without tenure, commensurate with experience and starting at the Assistant, Associate or Full Professor level. The academic appointment will be made in the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Aquaculture. All MSU faculty engage in teaching, research, and service, with research programs supplemented or supported by extramural funding.

Requirements: A Ph.D. in fish or wildlife science or management, natural resources, conservation biology, ecology, or related fields. This is a federal position with USGS. Application procedures follow federal regulations on the USA jobs website as described in the vacancy announcement and will be posted for 30 days from 5/14/20 to 6/13/20.

DEU - https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/568256400

Merit - https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/568256200

 About Mississippi State: Mississippi State University is ranked as one of the top research institutions in the United States. The Carnegie Institute has designated MSU as a "higher research activity" doctoral granting institution. We are also ranked among the nation's top 100 research institutions based on the most recent National Science Foundation survey. 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 has a highly collegial and interdisciplinary group of 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 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 houses over 70 graduate students across a variety of programs, with nearly 100% job placement rate following receipt of a graduate degree.  Located in Starkville, MS, Mississippi State is the centerpiece of a growing college town with a vibrant and diverse community and economy, a low cost-of-living, main street family atmosphere and connections to over a hundred thousand acres of national forests, national wildlife refuges, state recreational lands, and coastal ecosystems.  For more information on the Starkville community visit: https://www.starkville.org/