Assistant​/Associate​/Full Professor & Endowed Professorship

National Wild Turkey Federation Endowed Professorship in Wild Turkey Management, Research and Outreach

The Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture (WFA) at Mississippi State University (MSU) invites applications for the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) Endowed Professorship in Wild Turkey Management, Research and Outreach. We are seeking an innovative wildlife biologist to develop a robust applied-research program in wild turkey ecology and management, with emphasis on the demographic, ecological, and management factors influencing wild turkey 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 salary grade UC, these positions are "Unclassified" and salary ranges are determined by the hiring department.

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 program established to advance wild turkey science and management at MSU and through the generous contributions of the NWTF and other private donors. Consistent with current priorities in wild turkey conservation, the successful candidate is expected to develop an integrated research program addressing one or more of the following areas:
1) demographic drivers of population change,
2) habitat management and landscape ecology,
3) harvest management and season structure, and
4) disease, health, and other emerging constraints on productivity and survival. Research should generate high-quality, peer-reviewed science and produce practical outcomes that directly inform decision-making by natural resource agencies, private landowners, and conservation organizations. Collaboration with scientists in the Forest and Wildlife Research Center (FWRC), MSU Extension Service, the NWTF, the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP), and other state and federal wildlife agencies is expected.

The successful candidate will be expected to work with MSU Extension Gamebird Program to transfer research outcomes to stakeholders, inform decisions in managed landscapes, private and public lands. and support the land-grant mission of MSU through teaching, research, and service. The new team member should be able to contribute to a diverse faculty group and demonstrate how their research and teaching program will complement and enrich the department.

The primary responsibilities of this position will be the development of a productive, externally funded, and nationally/internationally recognized research program; publication of high-impact journal articles; effective mentoring of graduate and undergraduate students; training of post-doctoral fellows; service on departmental, college, and university committees; participation in professional societies; organization of outreach activities to stakeholders and potential donors; and teaching within the WFA program.

Teaching responsibilities may include one or more undergraduate or graduate courses per semester consistent with the candidate's appointment level, expertise, and departmental need. Additional expectations may include development of outreach programming related to wild turkey management, preparation of the annual endowed professorship report, coordination of collaborative research and outreach activities with partner organizations, and supervision of field, laboratory, and student research activities associated with 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 of peer-reviewed manuscripts, and a commitment to outreach, teaching and service are expected.

Preferred Qualifications:

Additionally, preference will be given to a candidate that demonstrates the capacity for developing wildlife management programs on private and public lands. The acceptable candidate must have outstanding verbal and written communication skills, and an ability to effectively deliver information to various clientele groups.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
The candidate must demonstrate the ability to collaborate with diverse science disciplines and stakeholder groups, and to work closely with regulatory agencies to support long-term partnerships. The candidate must be able to work in a team environment and have a strong record of developing multidisciplinary partnerships to achieve 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 being objectionable. Injuries may require professional treatment.

Instructions for…