Graduate Research Assistantship (M.S. or Ph.D.)
Description: We are seeking a motivated graduate student to oversee daily operations and research activities at the Alkek Ungulate Research Facility. The Alkek Ungulate Research Facility is a 5-acre open air facility housing ~40 adult white-tailed deer. The student will be responsible for managing a team of technicians, ensuring animal welfare and facility compliance, and coordinating ongoing research efforts.
The position provides a unique opportunity to design and conduct novel research projects using a long-term captive population of individually marked white-tailed deer. Potential research projects include aspects of behavioral ecology, nutritional ecology, and thermal ecology. While the student’s research and focus will be relegated to Alkek, additional research opportunities of free-ranging populations are encouraged and supported. The successful candidate will be expected to develop research questions of ecological, behavioral, or physiological significance; conduct statistical analyses; present findings at research and lay seminars and conferences; and publish results in peer-reviewed journals.
Location: Texas A&M University–Kingsville, Kingsville, TX, USA
Start Date: May 2026
Stipend/Salary: $1,800 per month for M.S. and $2,200 per month for Ph.D. 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)
Duties and Responsibilities:
• Manage daily operations of the captive facility and coordinate technician work schedules.
• Ensure high standards of animal care and adherence to IACUC protocols.
• Maintain data quality and oversee recordkeeping for long-term research datasets.
• Develop and lead independent research projects within the scope of the captive population and beyond.
• Conduct literature reviews, statistical analyses, and manuscript preparation.
• Present research findings at professional meetings and contribute to peer-reviewed publications.
Qualifications:
• B.S. in wildlife science, animal science, ecology, biology, or related discipline (M.S. required for Ph.D. applicants).
• Strong organizational and leadership skills, with prior supervisory or team management experience preferred.
• Familiarity with wildlife research methods, captive animal management, or large mammal ecology.
• Demonstrated ability to design and carry out independent research projects.
• Proficiency in statistical analysis software (R preferred).
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Application Deadline:
Review of applications will begin in February 2026 and continue until the position is filled.
To Apply:
Send a single PDF containing:
• Cover letter describing your interest, career goals, and relevant experience
• Curriculum vitae
• Unofficial transcripts
• Contact information for three references
to Michael.cherry@tamuk.edu with subject line: Graduate Research Assistantship – Alkek Ungulate Research Facility.
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.
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