Master of Science Opportunity

Position Overview

Mississippi State University and partners are seeking a Master of Science student to evaluate harnessing surface water for irrigation to reduce groundwater withdrawals, a major strategy in protecting the region’s alluvial aquifer. Since 2019, over 200 surface water irrigation projects have been built on farms, covering over 40,000 acres, with an investment of partners and producers of over $25 million. The incumbent will evaluate the efficacy and impact of these projects and institute recommendations for this important strategy going forward.

Responsibilities

Evaluation Strategies: This project will build upon ongoing evaluation strategies as well as introducing new ideas from the incumbent, advisory committee, and agricultural producers. Below is a beginning list of challenges to be tackled by this project:
•Assemble and Involve Advisory Committee – The advisory committee will be composed of project sponsor Ducks Unlimited, Mississippi NRCS, representative participating agriculture producers, along with university professors supporting the research.
•Define individual project success - Successful projects are those that are first used regularly for irrigation, and that result in much less use of groundwater for irrigation. A 50% reduction in groundwater use is a benchmark for success.
•Monitoring sites – Continue with existing and add new monitoring sites to define average groundwater savings by implementing surface water irrigation projects.
•Surface water site selection – Define or characterize sites that are best for surface water projects. And conversely, characterize sites that should be avoided.
•Producer or farm operator selection - Define or characterize agricultural producers or farm operators that are best for surface water projects. And conversely, characterize operators that should be avoided.
•Improve Return on Investment (ROI) model – Update, improve, or completely redo ROI model composed in preliminary project delivery. Provide estimates of payback times using surface water and pumping cost savings.
•Evaluate automation technologies – Evaluate implementation and effectiveness of mechanical and electronic pump automation technologies and recommend best practices for future project sites.
•Publish Results and Recommendations – Influence improvements in future surface water projects by publishing results of this research in appropriate scientific and/or extension venues.

Qualifications

Requirements: bachelor's degree

Benefits Offered

Graduation is anticipated by December 2027. Student stipend, full tuition coverage, and project operation budget secured. Location is National Center for Alluvial Aquifer Research, Delta Research and Extension Center, Stoneville, MS. Project sites are located in southwest Louisiana, throughout the Mississippi Delta, and eastern Arkansas. This opportunity offers excellent exposure to future employers, including Mississippi State University, Ducks Unlimited, NRCS, agriculture technology companies, and others.

How to Apply

Interested students, please send cover letter of interest, resume, and contact information for 3 professional references, to: 
Drew M. Gholson, Ph.D. Assistant Professor & Extension Irrigation Specialist Coordinator, National Center for Alluvial Aquifer Research Delta Research and Extension Center P.O. Box 197 Stoneville, MS 38776 drew.gholson@msstate.edu Cell: 979-255-7018
Questions and inquiries for more information are also welcomed by contact above.

Application deadline: August 1, 2025

Equal Employment Opportunity

Mississippi State University is an equal opportunity institution. Discrimination is prohibited in university employment, programs or activities based on race, color, ethnicity, sex, pregnancy, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, or any other status to the extent protected by applicable law. Questions about equal opportunity programs or compliance should be directed to the Office of Civil Rights Compliance, 231 Famous Maroon Band Street, P.O. 6044, Mississippi State, MS 39762, (662) 325-5839.