MS Assistantship: Understanding how cattle foraging behavior influences weight gain in Central Arizona

Starting Date: August 2026 Application Deadline: April 30, 2026 Salary: $27,500 per year and including health insurance Education Required: Bachelor’s in rangeland ecology, animal science, or a related discipline Location: University of Arizona (Tucson, AZ with frequent travel to Rimrock, AZ) Project Background: We are hiring an MS student to examine whether foraging behavior metrics, like grazing bout duration and velocity while grazing, predict diet quality and average daily weight gain of beef cows on central Arizona rangelands. This region contains a wealth of native biodiversity with ecosystems ranging from mixed desert scrub, pinyon-juniper woodlands, and high-elevation ponderosa pine forest. The student will be co-advised by Drs. Jacob Hennig and Flavie Audoin and will be enrolled in the Ecology, Management, and Restoration of Rangelands program within the School of Natural Resources & the Environment (https://snre.arizona.edu/). Funding is available for 2 years and includes salary, tuition, and health insurance. The student will be based in Tucson, AZ but will conduct field work at the University of Arizona V-V Ranch near Rimrock, AZ. Tasks will consist of attaching GPS ear tags to cattle, conducting field behavioral observations, collecting fecal samples, and analysis of movement data. Required Qualifications: • B.S. in rangeland ecology, animal science, ecology, or a related discipline • A valid US driver’s license • Proficiency in English Preferred Qualifications: • Prior experience with livestock handling • Ability to operate 4x4 vehicles • Experience driving and navigating in rugged and remote terrain • Demonstrated written, verbal, and quantitative skills • Field data collection experience • Experience with data management, statistical analysis, and the R programming language • Strong interpersonal skills, with demonstrated ability to work long hours independently and in teams under challenging conditions • Willingness for frequent travel