Oklahoma Water

Resources Center

MS Description – Water Resource Benefits of Regenerative Ag Practices

 

Location:Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK

Effective Date: Fall 2025/Spring 2026

 

Responsibilities:

• The student will work collaboratively with Dr. Kevin Wagner and other faculty at Oklahoma State University, Texas A&M University, Texas Tech University, and West Texas A&M University on a USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture funded project to evaluate the impact of regenerative agricultural practices including cover cropping, crop rotation, no-tillage, and prescriptive grazing on soil, water, crop yields, greenhouse gases, carbon sequestration, and economics. Our goal is to intensify agricultural production while simultaneously maximizing ecosystem benefits and environmental sustainability.   
• We are seeking a graduate student that will focus on evaluating the impacts of regenerative agricultural practices on soil moisture, infiltration, and surface runoff water quality and quantityin southwestern Oklahoma. The student will be responsible forsoil and water monitoringand data collection,experimental site maintenance including maintaining automated samplers,and delivering water quality samplesto the lab for water quality tests.In addition to field work, the student is expected to analyze data and interpret results, present at local, regional, and national meetings, and prepare a manuscript for publication in a peer-reviewed journal. The research from this project will help inform producers on cost-effective and environmentally friendly practices to enhance water and other natural resources.

Stipend and Qualifications:

• Applicants should possess a B.S. degree in Plant and Soil Sciences, Water Resources Management, Natural Resources Ecology and Management, Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, Environmental Science, Biology, or a related field. This position requires a moderate degree of physical labor and strongattention to detail. The applicant will also be expected to possess a driver’s license and be comfortable working bothindependently and in a team environment.Effective writtenand oral communication skills are also required. Preference will be given to those with field experience working with water quality sondes and automated samplers, experience with statistical analysis, and those that have a background in agriculture. Admission to Oklahoma State University is required. View the requirements for admission to Oklahoma state. 
• This graduate research assistantship includes a monthly stipend and tuition and fee waivers. A student health insurance plan is also included.

Respond By: Sending a cover letter describing research interests and experience, resume or CV, academic writing sample, and the names and contact information of three references to:

Dr. Kevin Wagner, kevin.wagner@okstate.edu

320 Ag Hall, Stillwater, OK 74078

 

Deadline of Application: 11/15/2025