Position Function:
The Forest Hydrology and Soils Lab at Mississippi State University is seeking a Research Associate to support streamflow and water quality monitoring efforts at the Wolf River Coastal Forest Research and Education Center. Overnight travel of 2-3 days per month will be required.
Salary Grade: 13
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.
Department Profile:
The Department of Forestry is one of three departments in the College of Forest Resources and the Mississippi State University’s Forest and Wildlife Research Center. Departmental activities include undergraduate and graduate instruction, research, and extension programs in forestry and natural resources. The Department has excellent facilities in Thompson Hall on the campus of Mississippi State University. A new multi-million dollar greenhouse complex dedicated to forestry is now in the construction phase and will provide multiple environments for a variety of studies. The MSU John W. Starr Memorial Forest, an 8,244-acre research and teaching forest, and the Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge and Tombigbee National Forest are near the university and are used for teaching and research activities.
Mississippi State University is a Carnegie High Research Activity institution and a land grant university which includes the Mississippi State University Extension Service. The university is located in Starkville, a beautiful college town in northeast Mississippi (www.msstate.edu/web/about).
Anticipated Appointment Date:
October 2025.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
• Watershed delineation and monitoring plan: work with land managers to delineate watersheds for monitoring that align with forest management plans.
• Streamflow and water quality monitoring: assist in installation and maintenance of streamflow and water quality monitoring equipment. Overnight travel of 2-3 days per month is expected.
• Sample collection: collect water samples following established protocols. Adhere to QA/QC requirements.
• Sample analysis: conduct field and laboratory tests to analyze water samples.
• Data processing: compile and analyze data.
• Reporting: write reports summarizing findings that can be shared with different stakeholder groups.
Minimum Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree in Forestry, Environmental Science, Hydrology, or closely related field
• A valid U.S. driver’s license
• Salary commensurate with experience.
Preferred Qualifications:
• Master’s degree in Forestry, Ecology, Environmental Science, Hydrology, or closely related field
• Experience in maintaining and calibrating water sensors
• Experience (or advanced familiarity) in wet analytical chemistry including elemental combustion analysis, colorimetric analysis, and/or chromatography
• Experience in writing and publishing peer-reviewed manuscripts
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
• Familiarity with collecting and analyzing environmental water samples.
• Ability to follow streamflow and water quality monitoring protocols.
• Ability to work independently and to conduct physical work in all types of weather, navigate remote terrain, and lift heavy equipment
• Ability to maintain accurate, neat, and well-organized data records
• Strong written and oral communication skills for reporting and interacting with project personnel
• Proficiency in general computers skills, including but not limited to Microsoft Office, geospatial software, statistical software
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.
• Routine deadlines; usually sufficient lead time; variance in work volume seasonal and predictable; priorities can be anticipated; some interruptions are present; involves occasional exposure to demands and pressures from persons other than immediate supervisor.
• Job frequently requires standing, walking, talking, hearing, handling objects with hands, and lifting up to 25 pounds.
• Job occasionally requires standing, walking, sitting, climbing or balancing, stooping/kneeling/crouching/ crawling, talking, and lifting up to 50 pounds.
• Vision requirements: Ability to see information in print and/or electronically.
Overnight travel of 2-3 days per month will be required.
Instructions for Applying:
Link to apply: http://explore.msujobs.msstate.edu/
Link to apply: http://explore.msujobs.msstate.edu/
Apply online and submit a resume, cover letter, and the complete contact information for at least 3 references.
For questions, contact Dr. Courtney Siegert at courtney.siegert@msstate.edu
Screening Date:
September 22, 2025, until filled.
Restricted Clause:
Position is contingent upon continued availability of funding.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:
Mississippi State University is an equal opportunity institution. Discrimination is prohibited in university employment, programs or activities 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 status to the extent protected by applicable law. Questions about equal opportunity programs or compliance should be directed to the Office of Civil Rights Compliance, 231 Famous Maroon Band Street, P.O. 6044, Mississippi State, MS 39762, (662) 325-5839.
What do I do if I need an accommodation?
In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with Mississippi State University, please contact the Department of Human Resources Management at tel: (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu.
If you have any questions regarding this policy, contact the Department of Human Resources Management at (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu. Upon request, sections of this job listing are available in large print, and readers are available to assist the visually impaired.
