These two positions form part of a well-funded, multi-agency statewide wild turkey project and offer one of the stronger fully funded MS graduate assistantship wildlife ecology packages currently available in the Midwest.
Scholarship Summary
- Host Country: United States of America
- Host University: Southern Illinois University (SIU), Carbondale, Illinois
- Scholarship Type: MSC Scholarships (Master’s Graduate Research Assistantships)
- Eligible Countries: All countries (international students are welcome; standard university admission, English proficiency, and visa requirements apply)
- Scholarship Benefits: $22,000 annual stipend, tuition coverage, access to student health care, and up to three years of support
- Application Deadline: November 29, 2026 for full consideration (review begins November 30, 2026; open until filled). Official posting lists a final date of December 4, 2026.
Why These Positions Stand Out Right Now
Wild turkey populations across the eastern United States have shown concerning declines in some regions. Managers need better data on when males gobble and when hens nest so they can set spring harvest seasons that protect breeding birds while still providing hunting opportunity.
The PEASE Lab at Southern Illinois University is addressing exactly these questions with two complementary MS research assistantship wild turkey positions starting in 2027. One student will focus on gobbling chronology using autonomous recording units (ARUs). The other will focus on nesting phenology and spatial ecology using GPS transmitters on hens.
Both students will be co-advised by Dr. Brent Pease (peaselab.com) and Dr. Guillaume Bastille-Rousseau (research site). The work is conducted in partnership with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and is designed to produce management recommendations, not just academic papers.
What You Will Actually Do
Gobbling Chronology Position
- Deploy and maintain autonomous recording units across Illinois
- Analyze spatial and temporal patterns of male gobbling
- Evaluate whether current spring harvest season timing, zoning, and length align with peak gobbling
- Examine environmental drivers of gobbling variation
- Contribute to methodological work on species identification from audio recordings and population estimation using ARUs
Nesting Phenology Position
- Trap and fit GPS transmitters to wild turkey hens
- Monitor survival, nesting success, and brood-rearing success
- Analyze movement, space use, and landscape factors influencing nesting phenology
- Work on general spatial and population ecology questions relevant to turkey management
Both students will help hire and supervise field technicians. Fieldwork is complementary, so you will contribute to both projects even if one is your primary thesis focus. Expect steep terrain, ticks, poison ivy, early mornings, and long days—standard conditions for applied wildlife research.
See More Posts in Jobs, Scholarships, Technology, Career/Motivations, Football News Feeds
Join Job Whatsapp Channel, Scholarship Whatsapp Channel, Tech Whatsapp Channel, Follow Our Twitter (X) Channel.
Funding and Benefits of These Southern Illinois University Graduate Scholarships
Successful applicants receive:
- $22,000 per year stipend
- Tuition coverage
- Access to student health care
- Up to three years of support (typical for these projects)
- Hands-on training in ARU deployment, GPS telemetry, R, QGIS/ArcGIS, and quantitative modeling
- Experience managing technicians and working with state wildlife agencies
These Southern Illinois University graduate scholarships in the form of research assistantships are among the more practical routes for students who want a funded master’s without relying solely on teaching assistantships or external fellowships.
See Also:
- Fully Funded MS Assistantship in Recreational Fisheries at Auburn University 2027 USA
- Fully Funded MS Graduate Assistantships in Wild Turkey Ecology at Southern Illinois University (2027 Start)
- Fully Funded MS and PhD Assistantships at Illinois State University
Who Should Apply for Fully Funded MS Graduate Assistantship Wildlife Ecology USA
Ideal candidates will have:
- A B.S. degree in wildlife, ecology, biology, forestry, zoology, or a closely related field
- Interest in or knowledge of wild turkey ecology
- Desire to build quantitative skills and proficiency in R and spatial software
- A valid driver’s license and willingness to conduct independent fieldwork in challenging conditions
- Strong written and oral communication skills
- A cooperative, team-oriented mindset
Prior field experience with turkeys or ARUs is helpful but not required. The lab explicitly states that experience is not a formal requirement.
Click Here to See other Scholarships.
Get Standard CV and Scholarship Essay/Statement of Purpose/Motivation Letter from a Professional.
- Join this Whatsapp Channel to Get More Infos and Tips
- Join Telegram Channel for Daily Jobs, Scholarships, Business and Career Updates
How to Apply for Fully Funded MS Graduate Assistantship Wildlife Ecology USA
- Complete the official application form: PEASE Lab – Wild Turkey Gobbling Chronology and Nesting Phenology
- Upload your cover letter and CV through the form.
- Submit by November 29, 2026 for full consideration. Review begins November 30.
- No separate email is required to be considered, though questions can be directed to Dr. Brent Pease at bpease1@siu.edu.
Additional information is available on the PEASE Lab website and the SIU Forestry Program homepage.
Start dates fall between May 3, 2027 and August 16, 2027, depending on the selected candidates and project needs. Location is Carbondale, Illinois.
Career Value of This Experience
Graduates of similar applied wildlife assistantships routinely move into positions with state wildlife agencies, federal land-management agencies, conservation NGOs, environmental consulting firms, or competitive Ph.D. programs. The combination of agency-relevant research questions, technical skills (telemetry, acoustics, spatial analysis), and supervisory experience is highly valued by employers.
If you are looking for a fully funded MS graduate assistantship wildlife ecology opportunity that combines real management impact with strong technical training, these two positions at Southern Illinois University are worth serious consideration before the November 29 priority deadline.