Current lab opportunities:

(1) One postdoctoral (or postmasters) researcher position for: YY brown trout implementation research

Title: Postdoctoral or postmasters research associate

Pay scale: $55,000 – 65,000

Project description: The Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Ecology Department at New Mexico State University is recruiting a research associate to oversee a project focused on the development and implementation of YY Brown Trout for suppression of non-native Brown Trout in New Mexico. The development and release of YY fish has been successful in the suppression of other non-native species like Brook Trout. The research associate will work closely with Dr. Zachary Klein and Dr. Kasey Pregler (NMSU), the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF), and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on a 2-year project (with possible extension) investigating the use of estradiol to create Myy (male fish with two Y chromosomes) Brown Trout broodstock and stock-able YY progeny to be released for non-native species control in the wild. The incumbent will also be expected to collect pre-treatment data on sympatric Brown Trout-Onchorhynchus spp. (Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout, Gila Trout) populations to help NMDGF identify suitable brown trout populations in the wild to target with this tool. In addition, the incumbent will assist with on-going YY Brook Trout field work, data analysis, and potential publications. The successful candidate will be expected to publish peer-reviewed articles based on pre-existing data and data collected in the field (e.g., both genetic & demographic data). The research associate will be based in the Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Ecology department at NMSU in Las Cruces, NM.

The incumbent is expected to be an active participant in the Klein and Pregler labs and will be provided opportunities to engage in mentoring, proposal development, and research collaborations. The research associate will also have the opportunity to teach courses, if interested. The selected candidate will join a vibrant and productive community of graduate students, post-docs, and faculty specializing in applied Fish and Wildlife ecology.

Qualifications:

Minimum qualifications: (1) A M.S. (for postmasters) or Ph.D. (for postdoctoral) in fisheries biology, ecology, conservation ecology, or related fields is required, (2) expertise in R coding language, (3) record of publishing in peer-reviewed literature, (4) excellent written and communication skills, (5) ability to work both independently and collaboratively as a team.

Desired qualifications: Competitive candidates will have considerable experience in aquatic fieldwork, background in quantitative ecology, and familiarity with conservation genetics. The ideal candidate will be detail-oriented, team oriented, and have a strong interest in applied fisheries management.

Salary and benefits: Annual salary will vary from $55,000 to $65,000, dependent on experience. Funding is also available for conference travel and professional development.

To apply: Please email the following documents in a single PDF with the following name format: “Lastname_YYbrowntrout.pdf” (1) a cover letter that describes your qualifications and how this position fits into your career goals, (2) a writing sample (such as a published manuscript or dissertation), (3) a CV that includes contact information for three references to Zach Klein (zklein@nmsu.edu). Interested applicants are encouraged to reach out with questions prior to applying. Applications will be reviewed as submitted with a final deadline of February 17th. The position will be open until filled with the goal of hiring a candidate by April-May (late spring) 2025.      

For other prospective lab members:

Postdoctoral researchers

Availability for postdoctoral researchers is dependent on funding availability, but I am happy to discuss opportunities to collaborate on writing proposals with prospective postdoctoral researchers. Opportunities include NSF-PRFB and the David H. Smith Conservation Research Fellowships.

Graduate students

Prospective graduate students should reach out to me prior to applying to the FWCE graduate program to discuss if research/funding opportunities are available. I am also happy to discuss collaborating on seeking external funding such through the NSF-GRFP.

Undergraduate students

Our lab group is supportive of increasing access to research experiences for NMSU undergraduate students. NMSU undergrads interested in gaining research experience should contact me to see if there are any current opportunities.