Start date: January 2026
Compensation: Based on experience and employment structure, estimated $57,500 – $70,000 annually
Location: Negotiable, with preference for Lewiston/Moscow, Idaho or Pullman/Clarkston, Washington
Duration: 2 years funding support, fixed duration. Starting on or before January 2026.
Employment Status and Performance of Duties:The manner in which the Services are to be performed and the specific hours to be worked within the limits of the program budget, shall be determined by WAFWA with the successful applicant. The fulfillment of these duties has two options for applicants to consider regarding employment and associated compensation, which is limited to a two-year period, both options require a full-time commitment to achieve the assigned job duties. Employment options include: 1) Full-time Staff position at WAFWA with associated benefits or 2) An Independent Contract Position in service to WAFWA.
Project description and job duties: Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae is a key spillover pathogen driving epizootic pneumonia in bighorn sheep; infection can lead to all age die-offs, low lamb recruitment, and slow or no population growth and recovery. Selective removal (test and remove) of persistently infected individuals is a management tool shown to be effective at improving health and recovery in some populations as one component of a comprehensive bighorn sheep health management program. The successful research scientist/postdoctoral researcher will work with wildlife managers and researchers to describe how test and remove has been implemented across jurisdictions and conduct a meta-analysis of factors associated with disease clearance and population recovery. This will entail working with state, federal, university, and tribal wildlife researchers and managers to design the project, assemble and organize data, conduct analyses, present and publish results, and provide clear information and recommendations for management and future research. This research is being sponsored in partnership with the Wild Sheep Foundation, States and Provinces, and WAFWA, communicating progress and findings to these groups through direct interactions and at the request of WAFWA’s Wild Sheep Initiative is required.
Required qualifications: An MS degree with at least 3 years of experience or a PhD in wildlife biology, biology, natural resources, or related discipline. Expertise in data management and developing and implementing statistical analyses in programming languages such as R is also required. The ability to collaborate, communicate, and work with others is vital.
Preferred skills and experience: Demonstrated experience in applying computational tools for disease modeling, familiarity with using ArcGIS and interfaces such as Shiny App, relational databases (Microsoft Access, SQL), and R Studio. Experience with interdisciplinary research and modeling, broadly including disease ecology, landscape and movement ecology, wildlife ecology, nutritional ecology, immunology, and microbiology is desired. Outstanding candidates must also have excellent written and oral communication skills as evidenced by their work with a diversity of wildlife management stakeholders and scientific publication record.
Application materials and deadline: Applications received by NOVEMBER 14, 2025, at 11:59PM will be considered in the initial review process, however the position will be open until filled. A letter of application addressing your qualifications for the position, curriculum vitae, and names and contact information for three professional references should be submitted to frances.cassirer@idfg.idaho.gov
Primary contacts:
Frances Cassirer, Wildlife Research Biologist, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, frances.cassirer@idfg.idaho.gov.
Daryl Lutz, Lander Region Wildlife Management Coordinator, Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Chair WAFWA Wild Sheep Initiative, daryl.lutz@wyo.gov.
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