Position Function:
The Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture (WFA) atMississippi State University (MSU) invites applications for theNational Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) Endowed Professorship inWild Turkey Management, Research and Outreach. We are seeking aninnovative wildlife biologist to develop a robust applied-researchprogram in wild turkey ecology and management, with emphasis on thedemographic, ecological, and management factors influencing wildturkey populations across private and public lands.
Salary Grade
UC
Please see Staff Compensation Structure or Skilled Crafts and Service Maintenance Compensation Schedule for salary ranges. For salarygrade UC, these positions are "Unclassified" and salary ranges aredetermined by the hiring department.
Department Profile:
TheSoutheastern U.S. hosts some of the greatest biodiversity inNorthAmerica including numerous endangered and threatened species.Mississippi is characterized by diverse terrains includingbroadleaf forests, oak savannas, prairie grasslands, temperate pineforests and delta wetlands, along with abundant waterways. Theserich landscapes provide habitat for hundreds of species of mammals,birds, reptiles, and amphibians. Wild turkey are the second mosthunted game species in the Southeast, and account for about $125million in annual economic impact in the state. Mississippi is hometo 11 national wildlife refuges, 6 national forests, Gulf IslandsNational Seashore, Natchez Scenic Trail, multiple nationalmonuments, military parks, battlefields, several US Army Corps ofEngineer reservoirs, 25 state parks, the Mississippi River, and 53Wildlife Man-agement areas. Mississippi State University is rankedas one of the top research institutions in the United States. TheCarnegie Institute has designated MSU as an “R1 – very highresearch activity” doctoral granting institution. The NationalScience Foundation has MSU as ranked No. 12 nationally inAgriculture and Natural Resources Conser-vation researchexpenditures with more than $109 million spent annually. The43-member faculty within the De-partment of Wildlife, Fisheries andAquaculture leads one of the most productive research programs inthe Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine atMississippi State University. We are home to the Mississippi USGSCoop Unit of scientists, the Center for Human-Wildlife Conflict,the USDA Wildlife Services National Training Academy and fiveendowed faculty professorships. The department has a highlycollegial and interdisciplinary group of faculty, post-doctoralfellows, and Research and Extension Associates that help make thedepartment one of the premier in-stitutions for applied wildlife,fisheries and aquaculture science in the nation. Annually, thedepartment faculty bring in $15-20 million in extramural funding.As one of the fastest growing undergraduate programs in the region,our 330 undergraduate students concentrate in wildlife agriculturescience, human-wildlife interactions, conservation biology,wildlife veterinary medicine, conservation law enforcement, andwildlife, fisheries and aquaculture science. The department alsomentors over 120 graduate students across a variety of programs,with high job placement following receipt of a graduatedegree.
Information related to upland game bird research and outreach activities at MSU can be found here:
Area of Specialization:
wild turkey ecology and management
Anticipated Appointment Date:
January 1, 2027.
Tenure Track Status:
Yes.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
This position will operate with support from the Endowed programestablished to advance wild turkey science and management at MSUand through the generous contributions of the NWTF and otherprivate donors. Consistent with current priorities in wild turkeyconservation, the successful candidate is expected to develop anintegrated research program addressing one or more of the followingareas: 1) demographic drivers of population change, 2) habitatmanagement and landscape ecology, 3) harvest management and seasonstructure, and 4) disease, health, and other emerging constraintson productivity and survival. Research should generatehigh-quality, peer-reviewed science and produce practical outcomesthat directly inform decision-making by natural resource agencies,private landowners, and conservation organizations. Collaborationwith scientists in the Forest and Wildlife Research Center (FWRC),MSU Extension Service, the NWTF, the Mississippi Department ofWildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP), and other state and federalwildlife agencies is expected. The successful candidate will beexpected to work with MSU Extension Gamebird Program to transferresearch outcomes to stakeholders, inform decisions in managedlandscapes, private and public lands. and support the land-grantmission of MSU through teaching, research, and service. The newteam member should be able to contribute to a diverse faculty groupand demonstrate how their research and teaching program willcomplement and enrich the department. The primary responsibilitiesof this position will be the development of a productive,externally funded, and nationally/internationally recognizedresearch program; publication of high-impact journal articles;effective mentoring of graduate and undergraduate students;training of post-doctoral fellows; service on departmental, college, anduniversity committees; participation in professional societies;organization of outreach activities to stakeholders and potentialdonors; and teaching within the WFA program. Teachingresponsibilities may include one or more undergraduate or graduatecourses per semester consistent with the candidate’s appointment level, expertise, and departmentalneed. Additional expectations may include development of outreachprogramming related to wild turkey management, preparation of theannual endowed professorship report, coordination of collaborativeresearch and outreach activities with partner organizations, andsupervision of field, laboratory, and student research activities associatedwith the wild turkey research program.
Minimum Qualifications:
Ph.D. with expertise in Galliformes ecology and management.Excellence in teaching, communication and organizational skills,procurement of extramural funds to accomplish publication ofpeer-reviewed manuscripts, and a commitment to outreach, teachingand service are expected.
Preferred Qualifications:
Additionally, preference will be given to a candidate thatdemonstrates the capacity for developing wildlife managementprograms on private and public lands. The acceptable candidate musthave outstanding verbal and written communication skills, and anability to effectively deliver information to various clientelegroups.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
The candidate must demonstrate the ability to collaborate withdiverse science disciplines and stakeholder groups, and to workclosely with regulatory agencies to support long-term partnerships.The candidate must be able to work in a team environment and have astrong record of developing multidisciplinary partnerships toachieve educational management objectives.
Working Conditions and Physical Effort
Regularly involves lifting, bending or other physical exertion.Often exposed to one or more elements such as heat, cold, noise,dust, dirt, chemicals, etc., with one often to the point of beingobjectionable. Injuries may require professional treatment.
Screening Date:
August 17, 2026, until filled.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:
Mississippi State University is an equal opportunity institution.Discrimination is prohibited in university employment, programs oractivities 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 statusto the extent protected by applicable law. Questions about equalopportunity programs or compliance should be directed to the Officeof Civil Rights Compliance, 231 Famous Maroon Band Street, P.O.6044, Mississippi State, MS 39762, .
What do I do if I need an accommodation?
In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADA), if you have adisability and would like to request an accommodation in order toapply for a position with Mississippi State University, pleasecontact the Department of Human Resources Management at or . If you have any questions regarding this policy, contact theDepartment of Human Resources Management at or . Uponrequest, sections of this job listing are available in large print,and readers are available to assist the visually impaired.
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