The Mississippi Museum of Natural Science (MMNS), a Bureau of the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, is currently seeking qualified applicants for a Conservation Resources Biologist position with a Molecular Biology emphasis. Start date will be sometime after July 1, 2008.

The Museum of Natural Science is responsible for documenting, studying, preserving, and enhancing Mississippi's living natural resources. Much of this effort falls upon the staff of the Museum's Conservation Biology Section which is comprised of three broad, overlapping programs: the Natural Heritage Program, Biological Collections, and Research. Collectively, these programs are staffed by nearly 20 research biologists and technicians whose chief directive is to document, monitor and protect our state's native biodiversity. However, most efforts are focused on monitoring and protecting our state's rare and endangered species which are often viewed as "indicators" of environmental health. The staff also administers research grants funded through both federal and state agencies, and maintains the Mississippi Natural Heritage Database.

The applicant would be expected to collaborate with existing Museum staff on molecular based projects while also developing an independent program that complements existing staff and programs.

Responsibilities for this position involve:
• Conservation-based studies dealing primarily with non-game fauna
and flora within Mississippi.
• Research into systematics, taxonomy and population genetics-based
questions providing data needed for the successful management of threatened and endangered species.
• Maintenance and oversight for existing tissue collections (i.e.,
ichthyology, malacology).
• Development and maintenance of associated tissue collections for
the remaining MMNS biological collections (e.g, herpetology, mammalogy, herbarium).
• Networking with other regional and national government agencies
and academicians

Equipment and supplies necessary for the operation of a fully functional small-scale molecular laboratory have been purchased over the course of the past 12-15 months (e.g. thermocylcer, electrophoresis rigs, LI-COR 4300S DNA Analyzer). A Power Mac G5 is also available with the software necessary for sequence alignment and analysis (e.g. Sequencher & PAUP*).

Experience/Educational Requirements:

Education:
A Master's Degree from an accredited four-year college or university in wildlife/fisheries ecology/biology or in wildlife/fisheries conservation/management;

AND

Experience:
One (1) year of work experience directly related to the described duties.

Substitution Statement
Directly related education above the Master's Degree and directly related experience may be substituted on an equal basis.

Required Document(s): Applicant must provide employing agency evidence of completion of education requirements and a valid copy of his/her transcript to verify course work, when applicable.

Starting salary $39,236

Please contact Lisa Yager, MMNS Research Coordinator at (601-354-7303) or lisa.yager@mmns.state.ms.us for specific information pertaining to the position. For additional information about the Museum and its programs, please refer to our website (http://www.mdwfp.com/museum/).