Research Associate in coastal streamflow and water quality monitoring - Mississippi State
Allen Rutherford
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. This 14,000-acre tract along the Wolf River, in Harrison and Hancock Counties, MS, is part of the Coastal Headwaters Protection initiative. This property is crucial for the conservation and protection of longleaf pine forests and riparian areas, which have a direct impact on terrestrial, coastal, and marine systems on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Overnight travel of 2-3 days per month will be required.
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 a 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 a 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 computer skills, including but not limited to Microsoft Office, geospatial software, and 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, or chemicals, to the point of being objectionable. Injuries may require professional treatment.
· Routine deadlines; usually sufficient lead time; variance in work volume is seasonal and predictable; priorities can be anticipated; some interruptions are present; involves occasional exposure to demands and pressures from persons other than the 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.
Other Information:
Review of applications will begin on September 23, 2025, and will continue until a suitable candidate is found. Anticipated appointment date is October 2025.
Apply online at https://explore.msujobs.msstate.edu/en-us/job/509716/research-associate by submitting a resume, cover letter, and the complete contact information for at least 3 references.
Mississippi State University is a Carnegie Very High Research Activity (R1) institution and a land grant university located in Starkville, a medium-sized college town in northeast Mississippi (www.msstate.edu/web/about). For more information about the position, please contact Dr. Courtney Siegert at courtney...@msstate.edu.
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 to apply for a position with Mississippi State University, please contact the Department of Human Resources Management at tel: (662) 325-3713 or a...@hrm.msstate.edu.
If you have any questions regarding this policy, contact the Department of Human Resources Management at (662) 325-3713 or a...@hrm.msstate.edu. Upon request, sections of this job listing are available in large print, and readers are available to assist individuals with visual impairments.
Courtney M. Siegert (she/her)
Professor of Forest Hydrology
Undergraduate Coordinator
369 Thompson Hall
Department of Forestry
College of Forest Resources
Mississippi State University
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