POSITION TITLE: ms research position

Hiring Organization/Employer:  Michigan State University
Application Deadline:  10/30/26
Education Required:  B.S. 
Location:  Michigan

Description:  

 We seek a motivated master’s student to join the Christensen Lab in the
Department of Fisheries and Wildlife at Michigan State University. The successful applicant will
conduct research on standardized roadside distance sampling for estimating white-tailed deer
density in areas managed for chronic wasting disease (CWD). This position is funded through a
research assistantship on a USDA-funded project. The selected candidate will work with a team
of collaborators from Michigan State University, state wildlife agencies, and USDA partners. 

Compensation & Benefits:  

 Minimum annual stipend starting at $33,276, plus tuition and health
benefits. Start date is January 2027. Funding is available for 2 years, and the option to TA to
cover an additional semester may be considered if the student is in good academic standing.

The selected Master’s Research Assistant will receive:
Full tuition remission, health benefits, and a bi-weekly stipend (see below) for two
years, one semester of Teaching Assistantship may be possible.

Responsibilities:  

 Conducting standardized roadside distance sampling surveys within Michigan treatment
and control units (approximately 36 square miles each).
Contributing to survey protocols, observer training materials, and quality assurance
procedures used across participating states.
Communicating with state agency partners and research collaborators in a timely and
professional manner.
Analyzing survey data using distance sampling methods to estimate detection functions
and deer density with associated measures of precision.
Comparing roadside distance sampling estimates with other available density datasets.
Contributing to centralized data management and the integration of density estimates
with harvest, human dimensions, and CWD surveillance data.
Collaborating with agency partners in Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, and Wisconsin.
Preparing a thesis and manuscripts for publication, and presenting results at
conferences. 

 

Preferred Qualifications:  

 A bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., wildlife biology, ecology, epidemiology,
statistics, or related field).
Experience with distance sampling or other wildlife population survey methods
preferred.
Strong quantitative and analytical skills/aptitude.
Experience with statistical software preferred (e.g., R, Python).
Excellent communication skills, both written and oral.
Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative research team.
Passion for wildlife conservation, management, and research.
Experience working with state wildlife agencies is preferred. 

How to Apply:  

Interested candidates should submit the following materials to Dr. Sonja
Christensen (chris625@msu.edu). IMPORTANT: Submit applications with “MS Application:
Wildlife Estimation and Health” in the subject line (single merged PDF file is preferred):
A cover letter outlining your research interests and goals. A resume or curriculum vitae.
GRE scores preferred but not required
TOEFL scores (for non-native English speakers only).
 Academic transcripts (unofficial copies are acceptable at this stage).
 Contact information for three references.
 One representative first-authored publication or report if one exists.

 For inquiries about the position or the research project, please contact
Dr. Sonja Christensen (chris625@msu.edu) or reach out to members of my lab. Please allow
time for email response.