Imagine spending your days deploying camera traps deep in longleaf pine forests, live-trapping small mammals along agricultural edges, and building occupancy models that could reshape how we manage a native mesopredator. Then picture returning to campus to lead undergraduate lab sections, sharing the same fieldwork stories that sparked your own passion. That is exactly the dual experience offered by this MS Graduate Teaching Assistantship in Wildlife Ecology at the University of Louisiana at Monroe.
The Biology Program is recruiting a highly motivated master’s student to serve as a Graduate Teaching Assistant while conducting thesis research on the ecology and conservation of the Gray Fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) in Louisiana. Under the supervision of Dr. Anastasia Couvillon, the project examines how small-mammal abundance and diversity influence gray fox occupancy across the state’s major habitat types: longleaf pine forests, bottomland hardwood forests, and agricultural-forest edge ecosystems. Applications are due September 30, 2026, with a start date between January 1 and January 11, 2027.
Scholarship Summary
- Host Country: USA
- Host University: University of Louisiana at Monroe
- Scholarship Type: MSC Scholarships
- Eligible Countries: All Countries
- Scholarship Benefits: Full tuition fee, Living stipend, etc.
Why Gray Fox Research Matters Right Now
Gray foxes occupy a fascinating middle ground in North American food webs. As mesopredators, they help regulate populations of woodrats, cotton rats, mice, and other small mammals while also facing pressure from larger carnivores such as coyotes and bobcats. Unlike most canids, gray foxes can climb trees, giving them unique escape and foraging options. Their diet shifts seasonally between small vertebrates, insects, and fruit, making them sensitive indicators of habitat quality and prey availability.
Louisiana’s landscape mosaic—managed pine forests, bottomland hardwoods, and expanding agricultural edges—creates an ideal natural laboratory. Understanding how prey abundance drives gray fox occupancy can improve wildlife management, inform habitat restoration, and support broader conservation goals for native carnivores. The research combines proven field techniques with modern quantitative tools, giving the selected student a skill set that agencies, NGOs, and doctoral programs actively seek.
What the Research Looks Like Day to Day
The student will lead field data collection across multiple sites throughout Louisiana. Core responsibilities include:
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- Deploying and maintaining camera-trap arrays to detect gray foxes and other wildlife.
- Conducting Sherman and Tomahawk live-trapping surveys to measure small-mammal abundance and diversity.
- Collecting habitat and environmental covariate data.
- Managing ecological datasets and analyzing them in R and GIS software.
- Developing occupancy models and spatial analyses.
- Preparing a master’s thesis and manuscripts for peer-reviewed publication.
- Presenting findings at regional and national scientific conferences.
These methods sit at the heart of contemporary wildlife ecology. Camera trapping and occupancy modeling have become standard for studying elusive species, while live trapping provides the critical prey data that many occupancy studies lack. Students will gain direct experience translating raw field observations into rigorous statistical models—an increasingly valuable combination.
Dr. Couvillon’s Applied Wildlife Ecology & Conservation Research Lab emphasizes quantitative, spatially explicit approaches that support real-world decision making. Her background includes prior work as a Research Ecologist with the U.S. Geological Survey at the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, where she contributed to continental-scale conservation planning under the North American Waterfowl Management Plan. She has published in journals such as Ecological Applications, Journal of Environmental Management, and Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management, and maintains active collaborations with state and federal agencies. Learn more about the lab at https://sites.google.com/view/acouvillon-lab/home and her faculty profile at https://ulmwebservices.ulm.edu/facultyactivities/profile/couvillon.
Teaching Experience That Builds Professional Skills
In addition to research, the student will serve as a Graduate Teaching Assistant in the Biology Program. Duties may include assisting with undergraduate laboratory courses, leading lab sections and review sessions, grading assignments and reports, and helping faculty with course preparation and student mentoring. Teaching experience strengthens communication skills, deepens subject-matter mastery, and prepares students for careers that involve outreach, education, or academic positions. Many wildlife professionals credit their GTA years with teaching them how to explain complex ecological concepts to diverse audiences—an essential ability when working with landowners, agency partners, or the public.
Funding and Benefits of MS Graduate Teaching Assistantship at University of Louisiana at Monroe
The assistantship provides a competitive graduate stipend (commensurate and negotiable) plus a tuition waiver subject to university policies. Additional support includes opportunities for conference travel and hands-on training in wildlife research methods, GIS, occupancy modeling, and scientific writing. The position runs at least 40 hours per week and is expected to continue through at least January 2029, aligning with a typical two-year master’s timeline.
Beyond the paycheck and waived tuition, the real value lies in the professional network and skill portfolio students build. Collaboration with state and federal wildlife agencies is built into the project. Graduates leave with experience that transfers directly to positions in wildlife management, conservation research, consulting, or competitive doctoral programs. Publication of research findings and conference presentations further strengthen a CV.
For broader context on the Master of Science in Biology at ULM, including admission requirements and program structure, visit https://www.ulm.edu/gradschool/ms_biology.html. The department page at https://www.ulm.edu/biology/ also provides useful background.
See Also:
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- Apply Now for UN Nippon Foundation Fellowship 2027: Your Path to Global Leadership in Ocean Affairs and Law of the Sea
Who Should Apply for MS Graduate Teaching Assistantship at University of Louisiana at Monroe
Preferred applicants hold a B.S. in Biology, Wildlife Ecology, Conservation Biology, Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, or a closely related field. A genuine interest in wildlife ecology, mammalogy, conservation biology, or quantitative ecology is essential. Prior experience with field research, wildlife surveys, GIS, R, or statistical analysis is desirable but not required. Strong organizational, communication, and teamwork skills matter, as does the ability to work independently outdoors for extended periods.
This opportunity is particularly well suited for students who enjoy both the physical demands of fieldwork and the intellectual challenge of modeling. If you thrive when splitting time between muddy boots and a computer screen, this position will feel natural.
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How to Apply For MS Graduate Teaching Assistantship at University of Louisiana at Monroe
Interested candidates should submit a single PDF containing:
- A cover letter describing research interests and career goals.
- Curriculum vitae or résumé.
- Unofficial transcripts.
- Contact information for three references.
Email the complete packet to Dr. Anastasia Couvillon at couvillon@ulm.edu. Review of applications begins immediately and continues until the position is filled. The formal deadline is September 30, 2026.
In your cover letter, be specific. Explain why gray fox ecology or predator-prey dynamics interest you, how the combination of field methods and occupancy modeling aligns with your goals, and what you hope to contribute to and gain from the lab. Mention any relevant coursework, field courses, or independent projects—even if they were modest. Clarity and genuine enthusiasm often stand out more than a long list of technical skills.
Career Pathways After Graduation
Alumni of similar positions frequently move into roles with state wildlife agencies, federal land-management organizations, non-profit conservation groups, environmental consulting firms, or Ph.D. programs. The combination of teaching experience, quantitative skills, and applied field research creates a versatile profile. Skills in camera trapping, live trapping, GIS, R, and occupancy modeling remain in high demand across the wildlife profession.
Students also develop the ability to communicate science effectively—an asset whether the audience is a landowner, a conference audience, or a classroom of undergraduates. For those considering academia or agency leadership, early experience mentoring others and preparing manuscripts accelerates professional growth.
Additional Resources for Prospective Applicants
Readers exploring related topics may find these resources helpful:
- Gray fox natural history overview: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gray_fox
- University of Louisiana at Monroe main site: https://www.ulm.edu/
- Information on occupancy modeling approaches commonly used in wildlife studies (search “unmarked R package” or “occupancy estimation Mackenzie”)
- General guidance on camera-trap study design available through the Wildlife Society and similar professional organizations
These materials provide useful background while you prepare application materials.
Final Thoughts
Louisiana’s forests and field edges still hold many unanswered questions about how gray foxes respond to changing prey communities and human-modified landscapes. This MS Graduate Teaching Assistantship in Wildlife Ecology offers the chance to help answer those questions while gaining teaching experience, quantitative skills, and professional connections. The combination of rigorous research, supportive mentorship, and practical training makes it a standout opportunity for students ready to invest fully in their development as wildlife professionals.
If the idea of contributing to gray fox conservation while building a strong foundation for your career resonates with you, prepare your materials carefully and reach out to Dr. Couvillon. The application window is open now, and review is underway. The next chapter of Louisiana’s gray fox story could begin with your work.