Fully Funded M.S. Biology Assistantships at WTAMU – Herpetology & Spatial Ecology Research (2026 Start) 

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Fully Funded M.S. Biology Assistantships at WTAMU: Overview

West Texas A&M University (WTAMU) is offering two fully funded Graduate Research Assistantship (GRA) positions for highly motivated M.S. students interested in herpetology, spatial ecology, and behavioral ecology. The project focuses on the Western Massasauga Rattlesnake (Sistrurus terminus)—a species of conservation concern in Texas.

• Start Date: January 2026
• Location: Canyon, Texas
• Project Duration: ~38 months
• Stipend: $26,159–$27,794/year (6 semesters)
• Degree: M.S. in Biology

Project Title

The Spatial-Temporal Activities, Habitat Selection, and Diet of the Understudied Species of Greatest Conservation Need, the Western Massasauga Rattlesnake (Sistrurus tergeminus).

Research Components

Students will engage in:

• Fieldwork (mark-recapture, radiotelemetry, videography, accelerometry)

• Behavioral observation & diet analysis

• Habitat modeling and spatial ecology analysis

• Overwintering behavior and demographic estimation

Fully Funded M.S. Biology Assistantships at WTAMU: Eligibility Requirements

• B.S. in Biology, Zoology, Wildlife Biology, or related field

• Minimum 3.0 GPA in undergraduate science courses

• Valid Driver’s License

• Willingness to handle venomous snakes (training provided)

• Strong teamwork and communication skills

Preferred (not required):

• R programming or GIS experience

• Radiotelemetry or previous fieldwork

• Prior experience with venomous reptiles

Academic & Financial Support

• Fully funded GRA positions (no teaching duties)

• Stipend: $26,159–$27,794/year

• Partial tuition waiver & health insurance

• Mentorship from Dr. Dylan Maag

• Collaboration with state biologists, landowners, and conservation entities