Ocelot Genomics to Inform Reintroduction Efforts

Position description: The Spatial and Population Ecology of Carnivores (SPEC) Lab at the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute at Texas A&M – Kingsville, in partnership with Dr. Randy DeYoung, is pleased to announce an M.S. opportunity in ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) genomics to inform a planned reintroduction effort in South Texas. South Texas is home to the last two remaining ocelot populations in the United States, and the reintroduction effort is dedicated to establishing a third population. The chosen M.S. student will have the freedom to pursue questions of interest to support conservation and reintroduction efforts. Potential foci include the development of a reduced SNP panel for population monitoring and the reconstruction of demographic histories. The student will use a genomic dataset consisting of wild and zoo-based individuals for analysis and assist with ongoing population monitoring efforts using a panel of microsatellite markers. While this position will be primarily lab-based, this student will have the opportunity to participate in the spring live trapping season for ocelots and bobcats. 

The SPEC Lab is a new and growing lab and we expect to recruit students who are passionate about carnivore conservation AND prepared for the challenges of living and working in an area where temperatures are regularly in the 80s-90s+. Interested applicants should note that a thoughtful cover letter addressing motivations and both minimum and desired qualifications will be the most important factor in choosing the finalist pool.

Position location: Kingsville, TX

Location information: The Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute is a privately endowed research unit embedded within Texas A&M University-Kingsville. The Institute has provided science-based information for enhancing the conservation and management of Texas wildlife and rangelands for over 40 years. The Institute has an award-winning team of ~30 faculty and research staff who work with ~55 M.S. and Ph.D. students to conduct innovative and applied research in partnership with private landowners, state and federal agencies, and non-government organizations. The university enrollment is about 7,000 students and is the oldest, continuously operating public institution of higher learning in South Texas. Kingsville is a friendly, safe city of 25,000 that is the home of the legendary King Ranch. Corpus Christi (population: ~300,000) and its beaches are just 40 miles to the northeast, and the border with Mexico is 120 miles to the south at Brownsville or 119 miles to the west at Laredo. The region boasts world-class birding, fishing, and hunting, access to the longest, undeveloped barrier island in the world (Padre Island National Seashore), and a friendly, diverse community rich in history and culture.

Position supervisors: Dr. Lisanne Petracca, Assistant Professor of Carnivore Ecology and Dr. Randy DeYoung, Professor in Molecular Ecology of Wildlife, Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute

Stipend/Salary: $2,000 per month plus benefits (medical package available after completion of waiting period) and full tuition waiver (nonresident tuition waived; resident tuition fees apply but will be reimbursed to ensure a full tuition waiver)

Start date: August 2025

QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum qualifications:

  1. Bachelor’s degree in Wildlife, Ecology, Biology, Zoology, Statistics, or related field by the anticipated start date (Fall 2025)
  2. Strong work ethic and ability to meet deadlines
  3. Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team environment
  4. Familiarity with programming or coding (R, Python, etc.)
  5. Familiarity with statistical analysis of data from wildlife populations
  6. Excellent written and personal communication skills 

Desired qualifications:

  1. Interest in carnivore conservation, population monitoring, management of small populations
  2. Interest in genetic or genomic analyses of wildlife

Deadline to apply: 11:59 PM PST June 1, 2025


HOW TO APPLY:

Please submit a *single .pdf* to Dr. Lisanne Petracca at lisanne.petracca@tamuk.edu titled “MS_Position_Ocelot_Genomics_ApplicantLastName_ApplicantFirstName.” For example, if your name is Amanda Clark, your single .pdf will be titled “MS_Position_Ocelot_Genomics_Clark_Amanda.pdf.”

Importantly, this .pdf should have 

1.  a (max) one-page, single-spaced letter of interest that describes your qualifications and how this position fits into your career goals

2.  a CV that includes contact information (phone and email) for three references that can attest to your professional and academic abilities 

3.  unofficial transcripts from your undergraduate institution

4.  an example of your scientific writing (e.g., undergraduate thesis, undergraduate capstone project, etc.)

Please apply by 11:59 PM PST June 1st, 2025 for full consideration.

 

 

Texas law requires that males 18 through 25 show proof of compliance with Federal Selective Service law in order to be eligible for employment. Selected candidate must pass a pre-employment background investigation to be hired for this position.

 

EEO/AA/ADA