The Research Assistantship in Applied Rangeland Ecology and Livestock Grazing Systems 2026 is a funded graduate research opportunity offered through the Department of Agronomy at Kansas State University (K-State), United States. The assistantship is available for students pursuing a Master of Science (MS) degree under the supervision of Dr. Colin Tobin, Assistant Professor of Range Management. The research programme focuses on applied rangeland ecology, livestock grazing systems, and precision livestock management across the Great Plains region.
About the Research Assistantship in Applied Rangeland Ecology and Livestock Grazing Systems
Kansas State University offers this graduate research assistantship through its Department of Agronomy. The programme provides students with opportunities to conduct research in one of North America’s most important grassland ecosystems, the Flint Hills tallgrass prairie.
The research programme focuses on:
- Livestock foraging behavior and grazing distribution
- Targeted grazing for invasive species management
- Precision livestock technologies
- GPS collar applications
- Virtual fencing systems
- Remote sensing in grazing management
- Fire-grazing interactions in grassland ecosystems
- Livestock-wildlife relationships on working landscapes
- Sustainable rangeland management practices
Students develop independent research projects while contributing to collaborative field studies. The programme encourages interdisciplinary research involving a range of science, ecology, animal science, soil science, precision agriculture, and data analytics.
Why Choose The Research Assistantship in Applied Rangeland Ecology and Livestock Grazing Systems?
This assistantship allows you to conduct applied research that directly influences livestock production and grassland conservation.
You benefit from:
- Funded graduate education at a leading agricultural university
- Access to the Flint Hills, the largest remaining tallgrass prairie ecosystem in North America
- Training in precision livestock technologies
- Experience with GPS tracking, virtual fencing, and remote sensing
- Opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration
- Strong field-based and quantitative research training
The programme prepares students for careers in:
- Rangeland management
- Livestock production systems
- Precision agriculture
- Natural resource conservation
- Extension and outreach
- Government agencies
- Academic research
Research Assistantship in Applied Rangeland Ecology and Livestock Grazing Systems Summary
- Host Country: United States
- Host University: Kansas State University
- Department: Department of Agronomy
- Scholarship Name: Research Assistantship in Applied Rangeland Ecology and Livestock Grazing Systems
- Study Level: Master of Science (MS)
- Funding Type: Graduate Research Assistantship
- Research Supervisor: Colin Tobin
- Research Area: Applied Rangeland Ecology and Livestock Grazing Systems
- Location: Manhattan, Kansas, USA
- Start Date: Fall 2026 or Spring 2027
- Application Deadline: 31 December 2026
- Work Requirement: Minimum 20 hours per week
- Funding: Competitive stipend (commensurate with qualifications and experience)
Scholarship Benefits
The MS assistantship provides:
- Competitive graduate stipend
- Graduate research assistantship support
- Opportunities for field and applied research
- Access to precision livestock technologies
- Professional development opportunities
- Collaboration with researchers across multiple disciplines
- Training in quantitative ecology and grazing management
Tuition support is typically included through graduate assistantship appointments, subject to university policies.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the MS assistantship, you should:
- Hold a bachelor’s degree in:
- Range Science
- Animal Science
- Natural Resources
- Ecology
- Agronomy
- Wildlife Biology
- Related disciplines
- Demonstrate strong written and oral communication skills
- Show interest in field-based research
- Possess quantitative data analysis skills
- Be willing to work in outdoor field conditions
Preferred qualifications include experience with:
- Livestock systems
- GIS
- Drone technologies
- Statistical software
- Ecological field research
Required Documents
Applicants must submit:
- Cover letter describing research interests and career goals
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Unofficial academic transcripts
- Names and contact information for three professional references
Applicants should combine all documents into a single PDF file before submission.
Application Process & Timeline
Follow these steps:
- Review the research programme and project areas.
- Prepare a cover letter explaining your interests and career goals.
- Update your CV and gather academic transcripts.
- Obtain contact information for three professional references.
- Combine all documents into a single PDF.
- Email the application package to Dr. Colin Tobin.
- Use the subject line: “Tallgrass prairie GRA opportunity at KSU”.
- Complete university graduate admission requirements if selected.
