Assessment of Noninvasive Monitoring Strategies for Mountain Lions in Val Verde County, TX

Position description

The Spatial and Population Ecology of Carnivores (SPEC) Lab at the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute at Texas A&M – Kingsville is pleased to announce an M.S. opportunity to assess noninvasive monitoring strategies for mountain lions in Val Verde County, Texas. This project is part of the Texas Lion Project, for which we are assessing lion movement ecology, demographics, genetics, and foraging ecology to gain a better understanding of mountain lion population status in the State of Texas. This position will be primarily focused on deployment of cameras, hair snares, and scat collection teams to evaluate best practices for determining large-scale presence of a low-density, elusive carnivore in rugged terrain. This student would also serve on the mountain lion live capture team each winter. This position is funded by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and will provide required deliverables on the presence of mountain lions in this understudied county. 

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 working in rugged landscapes in temperatures that 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.

Qualifications

Minimum qualifications:

  1. Bachelor’s degree in Wildlife, Ecology, Statistics, or related field by the anticipated start date (Fall 2026)
  2. Familiarity with the coding language R
  3. Familiarity with the statistical analysis of data from wildlife populations
  4. Ability to conduct fieldwork in challenging environmental conditions
  5. Ability to meet deadlines
  6. Ability to work both independently and collaboratively
  7. Excellent written and personal communication skills

Desired qualifications:

  1. Experience deploying and monitoring camera trap arrays
  2. Experience deploying hair snares
  3. Experience in geospatial analysis (R, ArcGIS, QGIS)
  4. Experience with live-trapping, chemical immobilization, and/or GPS collaring of wildlife

Position supervisors

Dr. Lisanne Petracca, Assistant Professor of Carnivore Ecology, Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute; Dr. Matthew Smith, Research Assistant Professor, 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)

Position location

Kingsville, TX

Start date

August 2026

Deadline to apply: 11:59 PM PST June 7, 2026

HOW TO APPLY:

Please submit a *single .pdf* to Program Manager Alexandra Dart at alexandra.dart@tamuk.edu titled “MS_Position_LionMonitoring_ApplicantLastName_ApplicantFirstName.” For example, if your name is Amanda Clark, your single .pdf will be titled “MS_Position_LionMonitoring _Clark_Amanda.pdf.”
Importantly, this .pdf should have the following:

  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 7th, 2026 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