Wild pigs (also known as feral swine or feral hogs) rank among the most destructive invasive species in North America. They cause more than a billion dollars in agricultural and environmental damage annually, destroy native habitats through rooting, compete with wildlife, and carry diseases that threaten livestock and people. Controlling them requires more than traditional methods—it demands innovative, science-based strategies grounded in real field data.
That is exactly the work underway at the Beasley Lab at the University of Georgia’s Savannah River Ecology Laboratory (SREL). The lab is hiring a Lead Wild Pig Research Technician to help evaluate cutting-edge management tools across study sites in the Southeast. If you hold a bachelor’s degree in wildlife ecology or a related field, have at least one year of professional experience (or an M.S.), and want to spend your days in the field advancing invasive species control, this position offers a rare combination of applied research, technical responsibility, and career-building collaboration.
Scholarship Summary
- Host Country: USA
- Host University: University of Georgia Beasley Lab
- Job Type: Research Technician Position (Full-time Lead Research Technician Job Opportunity)
- Eligible Countries: All Countries
- Scholarship Benefits: Salary of $35,000 to $38,000 per year plus medical and retirement benefits, etc.
Why This Role Matters
Wild pig populations continue to expand across the United States. Research from the Beasley Lab and partners has already demonstrated that sustained professional control can reduce relative abundance by roughly 70 percent and cut environmental rooting damage by nearly 99 percent within two years in South Carolina study areas. The new technician will help refine the next generation of tools that make those results more efficient and scalable.
The position supports four core research efforts based at SREL in Aiken, South Carolina:
- Development and field testing of lures and attractants to improve trapping efficiency.
- Evaluation of Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) thermal technology to increase the success and efficiency of aerial removal operations.
- Estimation of wild pig populations using remote camera arrays.
- Attachment of GPS collars to study movement ecology, space use, and social dynamics.
Additional opportunities may arise to assist with spatial ecology and population dynamics work on white-tailed deer. The technician will collect and process attractant performance data, operate camera grids, coordinate logistics for FLIR-guided aerial work, capture and handle wild pigs for collaring, process video and image data, and provide oversight for other technicians. Close collaboration with university researchers and federal agency staff is expected.
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Position duration depends on performance and funding but is anticipated to last at least 1–2 years. The anticipated start date is early fall after October 1, 2026. Hours are full-time (40 per week).
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Qualifications for Wild Pig Research Technician Jobs and What Success Looks Like
A B.S. in wildlife ecology or a closely related field is required, along with at least one year of professional experience or an M.S. in wildlife research or management. Candidates must show strong interest in applied wildlife ecology, invasive species management, and the use of bioacoustics or thermal technology.
Essential attributes include:
- High organization and strong mechanical/problem-solving skills
- Good physical condition for demanding field work
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively
- Valid driver’s license and experience operating 4×4 vehicles
Preferred experience includes prior capture and handling of ungulates or large mammals, management of audio or camera data, work with acoustic monitoring equipment, and collaboration on multi-agency projects.
The role sits at the intersection of fieldwork and data management. You will spend time in mixed forest-agricultural landscapes, operate specialized equipment, handle animals safely, and turn raw camera and collar data into usable information for management recommendations. Physical demands are real—field conditions can be hot, humid, and physically taxing—so candidates who thrive outdoors and can maintain attention to detail under pressure will excel.
Location and Institutional Context
The position is based at the University of Georgia’s Savannah River Ecology Laboratory in Aiken, South Carolina. SREL operates on the U.S. Department of Energy’s Savannah River Site, a large protected landscape that functions as a National Environmental Research Park. The setting provides access to extensive forests, wetlands, and study sites ideal for wild pig research while remaining within a region that has active agricultural and conservation interests.
The Beasley Lab, led by Dr. Jim Beasley (Terrell Distinguished Professor of Wildlife Management), focuses on applied questions in wildlife ecology and management. Major themes include invasive species management (especially wild pigs), spatial ecology and population dynamics, carnivore ecology, scavenging ecology, human-wildlife interactions, and ecotoxicology. The lab’s wild pig program has produced peer-reviewed work on social structure, movement, reproductive ecology, bait and trap efficacy, disease risk, and the outcomes of control efforts. More information is available on the Beasley Lab website and the Warnell School page.
Working here means contributing to research that informs federal and state agencies, landowners, and conservation partners. Collaborations frequently involve USDA-APHIS, the U.S. Forest Service, and other entities, giving technicians exposure to multi-agency science and management.
Compensation, Benefits, and Practical Details
Salary ranges from $35,000 to $38,000 per year. Medical and retirement benefits are included. Housing is not provided. The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, or protected veteran status.
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How to Apply
Applications are reviewed as they are received and will continue until a suitable candidate is identified. The formal deadline listed is August 27, 2026, so early submission is strongly advised.
Prepare a single PDF containing:
- A cover letter summarizing your qualifications and interest in the position
- Your CV
- Names and contact information for three references
Email the PDF to Dr. Jim Beasley at beasley@srel.uga.edu (preferred contact method).
Original posting details are available on the Natural Resources Job Board: https://jobs.rwfm.tamu.edu/view-job/?id=118091.
Why Apply Now
Few technician positions combine direct involvement in lure development, thermal-aided aerial operations, camera-based population estimation, and GPS movement studies on one of North America’s most problematic invasive mammals. The work sits at the front line of applied wildlife management and offers clear pathways to deeper research experience, publications, and professional networks.
If you are organized, field-ready, mechanically inclined, and motivated by the challenge of invasive species control, this role provides meaningful responsibility and the chance to generate data that improves management outcomes across the Southeast and beyond. Review the Beasley Lab research pages, prepare a strong cover letter that highlights relevant capture, camera, or multi-agency experience, and submit your application promptly.
For additional background on wild pig ecology and management challenges in the region, explore resources from the Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, the Beasley Lab, and the Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources. USDA APHIS also maintains extensive information on feral swine damage management programs.
This is a concrete opportunity to move from academic training or early-career experience into a lead technician role that directly shapes the tools used against one of the most economically and ecologically costly invasive species in the United States. Applications are open now.