Ph.D. Assistantship

Loading... Ph.D. Assistantship Save Job Mississippi State University Starkville,, Mississippi Facebook Email Copy URL Job Type Student Salary $28,000 per year Benefits Position includes $28,000/yr stipend, tuition waiver and health insurance Min. Experience 2

• 4 years

Save Job Facebook Email Copy URL Description :

We are seeking a Ph.D. student with an interest in the intersections of drone-based LiDAR technology and bird habitat conservation to lead an assessment of microtopography in Gulf high marsh systems in association with prescribed fire. The study is part of the second phase of the multi-institutional Firebird project, sponsored by the

NOAA RESTORE

Science Program and will be co-led out of the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture and Geosystems Research Institute at Mississippi State University. The study will include field data collection of very fine spatial resolution LiDAR and ground-based vegetation surveys in estuarine high marsh areas occupied and unoccupied by the federally threatened Eastern Black Rail on sites in Florida and Texas. The aim of this study is to: 1) assess species-habitat associations with fine-scale differences in marsh microtopography; 2) understand effects of prescribed fire on microtopographical structure in these systems; and 3) optimize methods of drone-based LiDAR data collection across different sensors and flight parameters. Field data collection will take place during winter and summer of 2027-2030. The student will learn advanced fundamentals of small uncrewed aerial systems (sUAS), LiDAR sensor calibration and data post-processing, vegetation data collection, and statistical modeling of species-habitat associations. The student will interact closely with partners in the Firebird project, which represents an active collaboration among multiple federal and state agencies, non-profit organizations and universities and will have the opportunity to present at regional and national meetings and conferences. Although the research will primarily be focused on advanced remote sensing analyses, the ideal candidate will have an interest in applying remote sensing to questions to assessing characteristics of Eastern Black Rail habitat. Data will be used to help inform recovery efforts for Eastern Black Rail and high marsh restoration efforts in Gulf ecosystems. The student will also be part of the Quantitative Ecology and Spatial Technologies Lab at Mississippi State University, which is a is a research consortium of spatial and quantitative ecologists dedicated to the management and conservation of wildlife from individuals to communities and their associated landscapes. The position requires strong remote sensing, field, and quantitative skills, along with the ability to work and think independently. The position also requires strong writing skills for proposal and dissertation/publication development.

Qualifications :

M.S. or equivalent degree in geosciences, remote sensing, geomatics, wildlife and fisheries sciences, biological sciences, natural resource science, conservation biology, or other related fields with GPA >3.0. Applicants must be self-motivated, safety-oriented, able to work independently in both cold and hot/humid weather conditions. The student must have extensive experience with remote sensing data, quantitative analysis, and scientific writing. Experience with sUAS (drone

• based field operations, LiDAR data post-processing, and research in coastal marsh environments is preferred but not required.

Please indicate if you currently hold a FAA sUAS Part 107 remote pilot certification in your application. How To Apply To apply please email the following materials to Kristine Evans ( kristine.evans@msstate.edu ) with a subject line as follows: (YOURNAME_HighMarshMicrotopographyAssistantship), and attachments including: 1) a cover letter describing interest and professional goals; 2) a resume/CV; 3) contact information for three references; 4) copies of academic transcripts (unofficial are acceptable), and GRE scores (if applicable). A writing sample will be requested following interviews. Application review will begin in June 2026 and will continue until a suitable candidate is identified.

Contact Person:

Dr. Kristine Evans (Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture)

Contact Phone:

662-325-3167 Contact email (preferred): kristine.evans@msstate.edu 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. When you apply, please indicate that you are responding to the posting on Conservation Job Board. Category Ecology , Fisheries , Wildlife Tags GIS Related Jobs Seed Bank Field Supervisor Full-Time, Grant-Funded Term Position — Approximately 9 Months Mojave Desert Land Trust Joshua Tree, CA Job type :

Temporary Salary :

$25.22

• $28.

39 per hour

Deadline :

Jun 05, 2026 Min.

Experience :

2

• 4 years 19 days ago Scarborough Marsh Project Director Scarborough Land Trust Scarborough, ME Job type :

Permanent Salary :

$65,000

• $70,000 per year

Deadline :

Jul 03, 2026 Min.

Experience :

2

• 4 years 8 days ago Area Wildlife Manager (Wildlife Biologist 3) Alaska Department of Fish and Game
• Division of Wildlife Conservation Dillingham, AK Job type :

Permanent Salary :

$7,915.20 per month

Deadline :

Jun 08, 2026 Min.

Experience :

2

• 4 years 19 days ago Senior Habitat Specialist (Crew Lead) Pheasants Forever, Inc.

, and Quail Forever Springfield Area, IL Job type :

Permanent Salary :

$55,000

• $75,000 per year

Deadline :

Jul 05, 2026 Min.

Experience :

2

• 4 years 6 days ago Vegetation Management Field Director EnviroSystems Management, Inc.

Flagstaff, AZ Job type :

Permanent Salary :

$28

• $30 per hour Min.

Experience :

2

• 4 years 21 days ago Biodiversity Conservation and Management
• Online University of Wisconsin-Green Bay 100% Online Flexibility to earn your master's degree in Biodiversity Conservation and Management or graduate certificate in biodiversity science, data management, or conservation leadership. Sponsored Program Specialist
• Bison Operations American Prairie Malta, MT Job type :

Permanent Salary :

$20.75

• $23 per hour Min.

Experience :

2

• 4 years 21 days ago Santa Fe Agreement Assistant Project Manager Bat Conservation International Inc.

Santa Fe, NM Job type :

Temporary Salary :

$55,000

• $65,000 per year

Deadline :

Jun 20, 2026 Min.

Experience :

2

• 4 years 11 days ago Regulatory Biologist (Environmental) VESTRA Resources, Inc.

Redding, CA Job type :

Permanent Salary :

$60,000

• $100,000 per year Min.

Experience :

2

• 4 years 4 days ago Regional Biologist Ducks Unlimited Easton, MD Job type :

Permanent Salary :

$65,000

• $74,000 per year

Deadline :

Jun 11, 2026 Min.

Experience :

2

• 4 years 4 days ago Executive Assistant/Bear Co-Existence Coordinator BEAR League Homewood, CA Job type :

Permanent Salary :

$3,500

• $4,000 per month Min.

Experience :

2

• 4 years 8 days ago Bachelor's Degree in Energy and Sustainability Policy Penn State World Campus Online Learn to analyze and create energy policies that impact the environment and our planet.

Earn a respected bachelor's degree online from Penn State, a global leader in sustainability. Sponsored Senior Scientific Specialist, Land-Stream Conservation Illinois Natural History Survey at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Springfield, IL Job type :

Permanent Salary :

$62,000 per year

Deadline :

Jun 09, 2026 Min.

Experience :

2

• 4 years 4 days ago Fisheries Biologist Saltwater Inc Anchorage, AK Job type :

Permanent Salary :

$35

• $45 per hour Min.

Experience :

2

• 4 years 26 days ago Soil Scientist Provost & Pritchard Consulting Group Visalia, CA Job type :

Permanent Salary :

$35

• $50 per hour Min.

Experience :

2

• 4 years 12 days ago Environmental Program Educator Solano Resource Conservation District Dixon, CA Job type :

Temporary Salary :

$26.82

• $30.

48 per hour

Deadline :

Jun 15, 2026 Min.

Experience :

2

• 4 years 18 days ago City Planner The City of Ocean Shores Ocean Shores, WA Job type :

Permanent Salary :

$6,135.69 per month Min.

Experience :

2

• 4 years 5 days ago Program Director, Environment Margaret A.

Cargill Philanthropies Eden Prairie, MN Job type :

Permanent Salary :

$226,000

• $269,000 per year Min.

Experience :

2

• 4 years 14 days ago Outdoor Environmental Science Instructor Catalina Environmental Leadership Program Catalina Island, CA Job type :

Temporary Salary :

$105 per day

Deadline :

Jun 15, 2026 Min.

Experience :

2

• 4 years 15 days ago Stewardship Coordinator Ausbon Sargent Land Preservation Trust New London, NH Job type :

Permanent Salary :

$45,000

• $55,000 per year

Deadline :

Jun 26, 2026 Min.

Experience :

2

• 4 years Yesterday Conservatory Specialist The Huntington San Marino, CA Job type :

Permanent Salary :

$21

• $23 per hour Min.

Experience :

2

• 4 years Today Great Lakes Tourism Specialist New York Sea Grant
• Cornell University Oswego, NY Job type :

Permanent Salary :

$80,000 per year

Deadline :

Jun 29, 2026 Min.

Experience :

2

• 4 years 14 days ago Social Studies/Language Arts Teacher Northwest Youth Corps/Twin River Charter School Eugene, OR Job type :

Permanent Salary :

$43,888 per year Min.

Experience :

2

• 4 years 6 days ago Activities Maintenance Technician Vermejo, Ted Turner Reserve Raton, NM Job type :

Temporary Salary :

$12.50

• $15 per hour

Deadline :

Jun 15, 2026 Min.

Experience :

2

• 4 years 15 days ago Coalition Director Oregon League of Conservation Voters Portland, OR Job type :

Permanent Salary :

$68,000

• $72,000 per year

Deadline :

Jun 21, 2026 Min.

Experience :

2

• 4 years 11 days ago Prescribed Fire & Stewardship Technician The Nature Conservancy Morehead, KY Job type :

Permanent Salary :

$55,000

• $57,000 per year Min.

Experience :

2

• 4 years 15 days ago Urban Forestry Manager Casey Trees Washington, DC Job type :

Permanent Salary :

$95,000

• $110,000 per year Min.

Experience :

2

• 4 years 19 days ago Operations Manager Native Resource Preservation West Saint Paul, MN Job type :

Permanent Salary :

$31

• $35 per hour

Deadline :

Jul 01, 2026 Min.

Experience :

2

• 4 years 27 days ago Educator/ Challenge Course Coordinator Hidden Villa Los Altos, CA Job type :

Permanent Salary :

$28.50 per hour Min.

Experience :

2

• 4 years 19 days ago Activities Maintenance Technician Ted Turner Reserves Raton, NM Job type :

Temporary Salary :

$12.50

• $15 per hour

Deadline :

Jun 07, 2026 Min.

Experience :

2

• 4 years 26 days ago Environmental Educator in Residence Grand Canyon Conservancy Grand Canyon, AZ Job type :

Temporary Salary :

$600 per week

Deadline :

Jul 15, 2026 Min.

Experience :

2

• 4 years 6 days ago Environmental Science Educator NatureBridge Port Angeles, WA Job type :

Permanent Salary :

$17.14 per hour Min.

Experience :

2

• 4 years 28 days ago Operations Manager NatureBridge Sausalito, CA Job type :

Permanent Salary :

$27.50 per hour Min.

Experience :

2

• 4 years 4 days ago Communications Specialist Glacier-Two Medicine Alliance East Glacier Park, MT Job type :

Permanent Salary :

$55,000

• $62,000 per year

Deadline :

Jun 30, 2026 Min.

Experience :

2

• 4 years 13 days ago Executive Director Concord Land Conservation Trust Concord, MA Job type :

Permanent Salary :

$75,000

• $85,000 per year Min.

Experience :

2

• 4 years 5 days ago Program Coordinator MobilizeGreen Washington, DC Job type :

Permanent Salary :

$23

• $26 per hour Min.

Experience :

2

• 4 years Today Contracts & Grants Associate HERA US-Based (East Coast Preferred), Remote Job type :

Permanent Salary :

The minimum starting salary range for this position is $75,000 annually, with an actual starting salary dependent upon the hired candidate's location, qualifications, background, and experience.

Deadline :

Jun 12, 2026 Min.

Experience :

2

• 4 years 21 days ago Staff Accountant Sonoma Land Trust Santa Rosa, CA Job type :

Permanent Salary :

$38

• $48 per hour

Deadline :

Jun 12, 2026 Min.

Experience :

2

• 4 years 5 days ago Conference Operations Manager NatureBridge Sausalito, CA Job type :

Permanent Salary :

$27.50 per hour Min.

Experience :

2

• 4 years 4 days ago Community Gardens Coordinator Capital Roots, Inc.

Troy, NY Job type :

Permanent Salary :

$17 per hour Min.

Experience :

2

• 4 years 22 days ago Trail Crew Leader AntFarm Youth Services Sandy, OR Job type :

Temporary Salary :

$18

• $28 per hour

Deadline :

Jun 05, 2026 Min.

Experience :

2

• 4 years 21 days ago Land Steward Ventura Land Trust Ventura, CA Job type :

Permanent Salary :

$19

• $23 per hour

Deadline :

Jun 05, 2026 Min.

Experience :

2

• 4 years 11 days ago Forest Fire Response Lead Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry Eveleth, MN Job type :

Temporary Salary :

$20.96

• $26.16 / hourly; $43,764
• $54,622 / annually

Deadline :

Jun 05, 2026 Min.

Experience :

2

• 4 years 12 days ago Tractor Operator
• Carpenter Turner Enterprises Management Albany, GA Job type :

Permanent Salary :

Commensurate with Experience Min.

Experience :

2

• 4 years 5 days ago Trail Specialist Southern Appalachian Wilderness Stewards Blairsville, GA Job type :

Permanent Salary :

$23 per hour Min.

Experience :

2

• 4 years 4 days ago Director of Development Steep Rock Association New Preston, CT Job type :

Permanent Salary :

$90,000

• $120,000 per year Min.

Experience :

2

• 4 years 20 days ago Brand & Engagement Specialist Oregon Hunters Association Remote, OR Job type :

Permanent Salary :

$58,000

• $78,000 per year Min.

Experience :

2

• 4 years 5 days ago Part-Time Real Estate Closing Specialist New Jersey Farmland Preservation Program/State Agriculture Development Committee (SADC) Trenton, NJ Job type :

Temporary Salary :

$40

• $60 per hour

Deadline :

Jun 30, 2026 Min.

Experience :

2

• 4 years 5 days ago Turf Field Technician Mariani Landscape Lake Bluff, IL Job type :

Permanent Salary :

$20

• $21 per hour Min.

Experience :

2

• 4 years 20 days ago Wildland Firefighter Engine Boss NRP West Saint Paul, MN Job type :

Permanent Salary :

$21

• $40 per hour Min.

Experience :

2

• 4 years 8 days ago Supervisor I, Natural Resource Management San Jose Conservation Corps + Charter School San Jose, CA Job type :

Permanent Salary :

$29.50

• $32.

64 per hour Min.

Experience :

2

• 4 years 13 days ago Land Protection Specialist Sudbury Valley Trustees Sudbury, MA Job type :

Permanent Salary :

$65,000

• $75,000 per year

Deadline :

Jun 15, 2026 Min.

Experience :

2

• 4 years 20 days ago Field Coordinator American Youthworks Springdale, AR Job type :

Permanent Salary :

$22

• $23 per hour

Deadline :

Jun 12, 2026 Min.

Experience :

2

• 4 years 7 days ago Restoration Project Manager Native Resource Preservation LLC West Saint Paul, MN Job type :

Permanent Salary :

$24 per hour Min.

Experience :

2

• 4 years 21 days ago Residential Camp Homeschool Instructor Catalina Environmental Leadership Program Catalina Island, CA Job type :

Temporary Salary :

$18.95 per hour

Deadline :

Jun 15, 2026 Min.

Experience :

2

• 4 years 15 days ago Installation Team Manager Helia Land Design West Stockbridge, MA Job type :

Permanent Salary :

$25

• $30 per hour Min.

Experience :

2

• 4 years 4 days ago Cooperative Extension Nutrient Management and Forage Systems Advisor Serving Stanislaus, San Joaquin, and Merced Counties (25-37) University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources Modesto, CA Job type :

Permanent Salary :

$85,600

• $108,600 per year Min.

Experience :

2

• 4 years 13 days ago Texas Regional Liaison
• Western Fire and Forest Resilience Collaborative Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies Remote, TX Job type :

Permanent Salary :

$68,000

• $72,000 per year

Deadline :

Jun 15, 2026 Min.

Experience :

2

• 4 years 4 days ago Water Resources Engineer MAD Scientist Associates Westerville, OH Job type :

Permanent Salary :

$90,000

• $120,000 per year Min.

Experience :

2

• 4 years 19 days ago Consulting Forester Eastern Forest Consultants Christiansburg, VA Job type :

Permanent Salary :

$40,000

• $50,000 per year Min.

Experience :

2

• 4 years 7 days ago Trail Specialist Southern Appalachian Wilderness Stewards Franklin, NC Job type :

Permanent Salary :

$23 per hour Min.

Experience :

2

• 4 years 4 days ago Natural Areas Stewardship Coordinator Grand Prairie Friends Charleston, IL Job type :

Permanent Salary :

$50,000 per year Min.

Experience :

2

• 4 years 21 days ago