Oklahoma State University, Department of Natural Resource Ecology & Management · Oklahoma · assistantship · posted today
MS Assistantship–Birds, Ticks, and Tick-borne Pathogens Description A fully funded master’s assistantship is available in Oklahoma State University’s Department of Natural Resource Ecology & Management (NREM), co-advised by Dr. Scott Loss (NREM) and Dr. Bruce Noden (OSU Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology). The graduate student will address research questions related to the role of birds in carrying ticks and tick-borne pathogens in the U.S. Great Plains, a region with a high incidence of several tick-borne diseases and where birds are known to be important carriers of ticks. The MS student will lead research that includes: (1) field work to mist-net wild birds—primarily passerines (songbirds) and near-passerines (e.g., cuckoos and woodpeckers)—to search them for ticks and collect blood samples, and (2) laboratory work to test ticks and bird blood samples for the presence of bacterial pathogens. The student will also have the opportunity to work with Drs. Noden and Loss to identify and refine specific research questions related to birds, ticks, and disease ecology. This project will expand knowledge about the ecology of tick borne diseases, including the role of birds as tick bloodmeal hosts and reservoir hosts for tick-borne pathogens. The student will complete coursework and labwork on the OSU campus in Stillwater, with fieldwork in parks and greenspaces in and around Stillwater. Ideally, the graduate student will be available by March or April of 2027 to begin planning and leading the first season of fieldwork in spring/summer of 2027 before matriculating in classes at OSU starting in August 2027. However, there is some flexibility in this schedule and we are willing to consider alternative start dates (e.g., beginning coursework as early as January 2027 or beginning coursework in August 2027 and completing the first field season in the following spring/summer). Regardless of start date, full funding will be available for 2.5 years (5 academic semesters plus 2 field seasons). Funding will be through a research assistantship, but the student may also have an opportunity to TA for one or more semesters (course TA assignment to be determined, but the student may be able to TA in Dr. Loss’s field ecology course or in NREM’s ornithology course). A stipend of $2,083/month ($25,000/yr) will be provided along with full tuition waiver and health insurance at $20/month. Required qualifications Applicants must possess: an undergraduate degree in Natural Resource Management, Wildlife Ecology/Management, Ecology, Biology, Entomology, or a related field; a strong work ethic and sense of self-motivation; an ability to work both independently and collegially with others; strong written and oral communication skills; strong quantitative analysis skills and/or an ability to quickly learn and apply quantitative skills; and an interest in disease ecology and wildlife ecology and management. Applicants also must be able to identify bird species of the central United States, and have experience with fieldwork focused on birds, including mist netting and banding of wild birds (as the graduate student will lead bird netting as a subpermittee under Dr. Loss’s master banding permit). However, this experience does not need to include previous independent leadership of bird mist-netting efforts, and we will provide support and needed training to ensure the student is ready to work independently. Preferred qualifications Candidates with one or several of the following skills and experiences will be particularly competitive: past independent leadership of bird mist-netting and banding activities; experience conducting, presenting, and/or publishing mentored research; experience coordinating and supervising research projects; experience independently conducting statistical and/or spatial analyses using programs such as R and ArcGIS. To Apply Please send applications to Dr. Scott Loss (scott.loss@okstate.edu) by Nov 20, 2026. Applications should consist of a single zip file or merged pdf file (with the file name format: Your Last Name_BirdTickMS) that includes: (1) a cover letter outlining how you meet required and preferred qualifications, and noting what your preferred start date is, (2) a CV, and (3) contact information for three references. We are committed to fostering an environment where diversity of background and thought is accepted and encouraged, and we encourage all interested people to apply despite preconceived notions of their own experience as it relates to this project’s objectives. About the Loss and Noden Labs Dr. Loss’s lab leads a wide range of research projects in natural resource ecology and management, with emphases on global change ecology, disease ecology, biodiversity, and the conservation of migratory birds. Dr. Noden’s lab focuses on the effect of ecological and environmental factors on arthropod vector populations and the pathogens they transmit, including work with ticks, mosquitoes, and fleas. Drs. Loss and Noden have collaborated collegially for more than a decade to mentor graduate students conducting research at the interface of disease ecology, avian ecology, and natural resource management. For more information about our labs, see: Scott Loss’s Lab: https://scottrloss.wixsite.com/losslab Bruce Noden’s Lab: https://experts.okstate.edu/bruce.noden About Oklahoma and OSU Oklahoma is one of the most ecologically diverse states, with ecosystems ranging from forested mountains in the east to mesas and canyons in the west, and including some of the largest remaining tracts of prairies in the world. Recreational opportunities abound, with national forests, grasslands, and wildlife refuges within 2-3 hours of Stillwater, where OSU is located. Stillwater is 1 hour from both Oklahoma City and Tulsa, which have additional opportunities for recreation, sporting events, music, the arts, restaurants, etc. OSU is a land-grant institution with an enrollment of ~25,000 students and is located on the ancestral lands of the Kickapoo, Osage, Kiowa, and Quapaw peoples. Indigenous people from other Native nations also reside here, many of whom were forcibly removed from their ancestral lands. They all contribute to the history and current vitality of our region. The Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management is part of the Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources and conducts interdisciplinary research, instruction, and extension education to address the sustainable management and conservation of the wildlife, forest, rangeland, and fishery resources of Oklahoma and beyond. The Department is a source of cutting-edge research, quality instruction, and effective outreach to students, landowners, managers, and public agencies. Any offer of employment is contingent on the university’s verification of credentials and other information required by law and/or university policies, including but not limited to a criminal background check. Oklahoma State University, as an equal opportunity employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding non-discrimination and affirmative action. Oklahoma State University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all individuals and does not discriminate based on race, religion, age, sex, color, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, or veteran status with regard to employment, educational programs and activities, and/or admissions. Scott R. Loss, Ph.D. (he/him) Professor and Bollenbach Chair in Wildlife Management OSU Agriculture Sarkey's Distinguished Professor Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management Oklahoma State University 380 Agricultural Hall scott.loss@okstate.edu
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