University of Missouri Masters Student Assistantship in USA

A fully funded master’s Graduate Research Assistantship is available at the Missouri Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, School of Natural Resources, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri.

This exciting project is part of a larger effort by state, university, and federal partners to advance recovery actions for Grotto Sculpin, a federally threatened and cave-adapted fish species known from only 5 cave systems in southeastern Missouri.

The successful applicant will pursue their master’s degree at the University of Missouri while developing valuable field, writing, quantitative, and professional skills.

To be considered for the University of Missouri Graduate Scholarship, you must:

• Have an undergraduate degree in natural resources or a related field,

• Have strong written and verbal communication abilities,

• Possess the ability to work effectively in a team with agency biologists, and a passion for conservation of aquatic species.

Preferred qualifications include;

• A background in mark-recapture analysis, occupancy analysis, and experience with passive integrated transponder tags and antennas,

• Interest in cave ecology, good organizational skills, and ability to develop strong quantitative skills.

• This is a field-based project and will require sampling in subterranean systems, an ability to move through confined spaces, and leading/coordinating hourly field technicians.

• The GRA will provide an annual stipend of $27,000/year plus benefits and tuition waiver.

• Position will ideally be for 2.5 years but will be based on funding allocations and student performance.

To apply, candidates must be ready to submit the following documents;

• letter of interest,

• resume or CV,

• unofficial transcripts, and

• contact information for three references

To apply for the University of Missouri Scholarship to study in the USA, interested and qualified candidates should;

• 1

  Click the green button below to visit the program’s webpage.

• 2

  Submit the required documents (mentioned above) to Jacob Westhoff, Missouri Cooperative Research Unit, University of Missouri-Columbia. 573-884-8464; westhoffj@missouri.edu;

• 3

  Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled, but preference will be given to applications received by October 9, 2026.