Research Associate-Fixed Term

Position Summary

Drs. Jared Homola and Michael Booth of the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife and Michigan Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit at Michigan State University invite applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate to lead a multi-jurisdictional pilot project focused on the use of environmental DNA (eDNA) for early detection and rapid response (EDRR) of aquatic invasive species in inland lakes of southwestern Michigan and northeastern Indiana. This position is part of a federally funded initiative in collaboration with the Great Lakes Commission, tribal partners, and state agencies.

About the Role

The successful candidate will play a central role in leading field sampling to deploy eDNA metabarcoding for invasive crayfish surveillance, validating a qPCR marker for Hydrilla verticillata, and contributing to the development of communication tools to improve eDNA literacy among stakeholders and managers. Field sampling will involve coordinating with regional partners as well as trailering and operating a small boat in inland lakes throughout southwest Michigan to facilitate collection of water samples for eDNA analysis.

Responsibilities

• Leading field sampling to deploy eDNA metabarcoding for invasive crayfish surveillance
• Validating a qPCR marker for Hydrilla verticillata
• Contributing to the development of communication tools to improve eDNA literacy among stakeholders and managers
• Coordinating with regional partners
• Trailering and operating a small boat in inland lakes to facilitate collection of water samples for eDNA analysis

Requirements

• Ph.D. with emphasis in conservation genetics, aquatic ecology, fisheries science, or related field
• Demonstrable strong quantitative and analytical skills
• Excellent communication skills and ability to work across academic, agency, and tribal partners
• Commitment to reproducible research and inclusive science practices

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience with eDNA sampling, metabarcoding, and/or qPCR assay development
• Experience with bioinformatics pipelines related to eDNA metabarcoding
• Experience with stakeholder engagement and science communication
• Proficiency in R (tidyverse, ggplot2, adegenet, dartR) and version-controlled workflows

Skills

• Strong quantitative and analytical skills
• Excellent communication skills
• Experience with eDNA sampling, metabarcoding, and/or qPCR assay development
• Experience with bioinformatics pipelines related to eDNA metabarcoding
• Experience with stakeholder engagement and science communication
• Proficiency in R (tidyverse, ggplot2, adegenet, dartR) and version-controlled workflows

Benefits

This position is part of a federally funded initiative in collaboration with the Great Lakes Commission, tribal partners, and state agencies. The successful candidate will have opportunities to contribute to ongoing research and publications in conservation genetics, molecular ecology, and fisheries management.

Pay

Funding is available for 1 year, renewal contingent upon continued funding availability.

Schedule

Review of Applications Begins On 04/15/2026

Summary of Physical Demands

Sampling will involve lifting equipment and water samples that will weight approximately 25 pounds.

Website

https://www.canr.msu.edu/fw/

Department Statement

The Department of Fisheries and Wildlife is a vibrant community of scholars comprising 40 core faculty (tenure stream and fixed-term faculty, and academic specialists), 80 graduate and 240 undergraduate students, and 30 research associates. Our Mission is to build local, national, and international capacities to conserve ecosystems that support fish, wildlife, and society through integrated programs in research, education and engagement. We are committed to the integrative nature of natural resources conservation and management, with our expertise ranging from disciplinary areas with a long-standing history in the domain of fisheries and wildlife to those emerging more recently.

MSU Statement

Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.