Supervisory Research Biologist

USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS); Starkville (MS); On-site; USD 106,000 - 138,000; Full time

Job summary

The position is located with the National Wildlife Research Center (NWRC) in Starkville, MS at one of its field stations. You will provide research leadership and supervision of an assigned NWRC Research Project, leading and coordinating research to support the Wildlife Services mission.

Position Start Date: 10/22/2026 and Position Close Date: 10/28/2026. Salary offered ranges from 106,437 to 138,370 USD per year.

Qualifications

• BASIC REQUIREMENT: Degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines.
• OR Combination of education and experience as defined for the position.
• For GS-13 level, one year of specialized experience in leading a research program with staff, budgets and equipment.

Responsibilities

• Lead and advance your own research in reducing human-wildlife conflict.
• Coordinate research conducted by other scientists and support staff.
• Maintain an active research facility at NWRC.
• Field test different applications of control methods and technologies.
• Communicate research findings through publications and presentations.

Skills

Research leadership

Wildlife biology

Project coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in biological sciences or related field

Job description

Find Your Future With Us at USDA – Animal Plant Health Inspection Service

Job Summary

This position is located with the National Wildlife Research Center (NWRC) in Starkville, MS at one of its field stations. The position provides research leadership and supervision of an assigned NWRC Research Project. You will be responsible for leading and advancing your own research in reducing human-wildlife conflict; leading, and coordinating, research conducted by other scientists and support staff to support the Wildlife Services mission; and maintaining an active research facility.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement, including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below.

• BASIC REQUIREMENT: Degree: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.
• OR Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
• In addition to the basic requirement above, applicants must also meet the following: FOR THE GS-13 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-12 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates:
  • Provided strategic direction for a research program and led a team of researchers that includes managing staff, budgets and equipment.
  • Independently planned and conducted research studies in captive and field settings, with an emphasis on wildlife biology and/or ecology of fish-eating birds, that are broad and complex in scope.
  • Studies conducted to provide tools, information and solutions towards an integrated wildlife damage management approach in the areas of protecting agriculture, natural resources, property and human health and safety.
  • Experience communicating research findings through peer-reviewed, scientific publications and reports and presentations to diverse stakeholders.
  Note: There is no education substitution for this grade level. TRANSCRIPTS are required if: This position requires specific coursework or a degree in a specific field to be basically qualified. This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Major Duties

The duties described are for the full-performance level. At developmental grade levels, assignments will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity. The duties may include, but are not limited to:

• Discover, evaluate and develop novel methods and technologies for managing overabundant or pest vertebrate species, with an emphasis on mammals and birds.
• Discover, evaluate and develop effective and economical systems for the delivery of these methods and technologies targeting vertebrate animals.
• Coordinate research and development activities with appropriate NWRC scientific collaborators, regulatory units and managers.
• Field test different applications of control methods and technologies.
• Suggest means of enhancing control technologies (improving efficacy, efficiency and selectivity, or reducing undesirable characteristics) from knowledge of animal behavior, population processes, etc.

Position Start Date: 10/22/2026

Position Close Date: 10/28/2026

Salary Offered: 106437 - 138370 USD Per Year

You can make a difference! The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Marketing and Regulatory Programs (MRP) needs bright, energetic and committed professionals to facilitate the domestic and international marketing of U.S. agricultural products and to protect the health and care of animals and plants in the United States. We operate in domestic and global markets. Be part of an organization that protects the health and agriculture of the American people. Join our team! To learn more about what it's like to work at the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, what the agency does, and the types of careers, please visit the APHIS careers site. APHIS is an emergency response agency. This means that all Agency employees may be asked or assigned to participate in rotating temporary duty assignments to support emergency programs at some time during their careers with APHIS. For details click: APHIS Emergency Response