The USGS South Dakota Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit was established in 1963 through a cooperative agreement among the US Geological Survey (USGS), South Dakota Department of Game, Fish & Parks (GFP), South Dakota State University (SDSU), US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), and the Wildlife Management Institute (WMI). Coop Unit scientists address research needs of the cooperating natural resource agencies and contribute to graduate academic programs at SDSU.
We seek a research scientist with knowledge and skills in fish biology/physiology, fish culture/nutrition and fisheries management applications as related to freshwater stocking programs. In addition to the basic qualifications, desirable candidates will possess the following:
- demonstrated ability to build an applied research program focused on the use of hatchery products, and fish culture techniques, in relation to the management and conservation of fisheries and inland aquatic systems;
- demonstrated ability to effectively employ statistics, modeling, experimental design, and robust quantitative techniques in applied research;
- demonstrated ability to teach a university-level course focused on applied freshwater fisheries management that incorporates fish culture, stocking evaluations and human dimensions;
- capacity to conduct and facilitate collaborative research at both local and regional scales in partnerships with state, federal, and university research scientists to address fisheries-focused management and conservation questions and improve understanding of stocked fishes including population dynamics, and interactions with their habitats and human populations; capacity to develop and implement novel quantitative tools to generate actionable insights to improve the production and management of stocked fishes and their habitats; and,
- experience in successfully designing, planning, and conducting laboratory and field research resulting in impactful, peer-reviewed synthesis.
The Assistant Unit Leader will serve in a dual capacity employed by USGS and also hold a SDSU graduate faculty appointment without tenure at a professional rank commensurate with experience. The faculty appointment will be made in the Department of Natural Resource Management within the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences (CAFES). All SDSU faculty engage in teaching, research, and service; Unit faculty generally teach one graduate level course per year.
The incumbent is expected to work closely with the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks Fisheries division. The Division’s robust research and management programs provide the prospect of leveraging considerable resources to study aquaculture production and fisheries management in the Northern Great Plains.
Requirements: A Ph.D. that is directly related to fish biology/ physiology, fish culture/nutrition and fisheries management applications as related to freshwater stocking programs.
Salary: $86,962–$113,047 Per Year
Application deadline: March 22, 2024
