Overview:
Dr. Jessica Sanchez, in the Veterinary and Clinical Life Sciences Department at Utah State University, is seeking a highly motivated graduate student to explore cougar movement ecology. This work will be in collaboration with Dr. Julie Young in the USU Department of Wildland Resources.

The student will lead a study examining how female cougar movement ecology changes as kittens grow and become more mobile, and investigate if litter mortality can be detected using maternal behavior patterns. There is potential to explore additional questions related to den site selection and behavior in different habitat types with different predator assemblages. Depending on student goals, this project could be tailored as an MS or PhD position, or start as an MS with the option to convert into a PhD after year 1.

This study will use existing data sets and does not have a field component. The ideal candidate will have a strong background and interest in animal behavior, spatial ecology, and GIS analysis techniques. This job is not eligible for H1B sponsorship. A background check will be performed.

Salary and benefits:

MS student option: $22,000/year stipend over 2 years

PhD student option: $26,000/year stipend over 3 years (there is a possible option to TA if more time is needed)

Either option: tuition, fees, and health insurance are included

Start date:

Spring or fall semester 2026. Applications will be evaluated on a rolling basis as they are received.

Location:

The position will be based in Logan, Utah. Remote work will not be considered.

Responsibilities:

• Design spatial models to identify behavioral states and resource selection.
• Contribute to a collaborative lab environment.
• Publish research in peer-reviewed journals and present at relevant conferences.
• Engage with stakeholders and professional organizations to disseminate research findings.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in in wildlife biology, biological sciences, or related field.
• Strong communication, problem-solving, organizational, and teamwork skills.
• See department website for admission requirements (https://vetmed.usu.edu/vcls/).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated research experience in wildlife biology, quantitative ecology, movement ecology.
• Strong background in spatial analysis and animal tracking data.
• Strong research and writing experience.