Graduate School Opportunities

Graduate School Opportunities

Graduate School Opportunities Listings will be kept for a month after being posted or until their deadline (if listed). I do not post positions that require a masters degree, as this site is aimed at undergraduates. Please send any opportunities not listed here by clicking on this link:

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PhD Offer - Boreal old-growth forests, bryophytes, forest fuels and wildfires

We are currently recruiting for a PhD at the Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Canada, for a project involving the study of fuel structuring and bryophyte communities in old-growth boreal forests.

Context : The expected increase in wildfires in boreal regions as a result of climate change has raised interest in the question of which factors contribute to fire hazard. The place of old-growth forests in these questions is still undetermined, largely because the term “old-growth” refers to stands particularly heterogeneous in terms of disturbance history, structure and composition. At the same time, these forests provide essential habitats and ecosystem services that are distinct from younger forests. A better understanding of their role in forest fire dynamics is therefore essential to develop management solutions that limit the impact of climate change on old-growth forests. To achieve this, it is important to determine how the vulnerability of old-growth forests to fire is structured. The study of forest fuels and their spatial distribution are initial sources of information, but the composition of bryophyte communities could also play an important role in understanding fire history. Bryophytes are indeed an important component of boreal forests, but display a wide diversity of fire adaptation traits. The objectives of this PhD are to 1) quantify fuel heterogeneity in old-growth boreal forests, 2) determine whether bryophyte communities can distinguish different historical fire regimes, and 3) determine how stand vulnerability to fire is spatially structured in old-growth clumps. To answer these questions, we will benefit from a network of over a hundred plots located in old growth boreal forests in Quebec, for which dendrochronological, structural, compositional and habitat data are available. The results of these analyses will be promoted and disseminated in the form of scientific publications, conference presentations and outreach activities.

Project starting dates: Fall 2025 (September - December) or winter 2026 (January - April) sessions

Profile desired: We're looking for someone with a passion for questions related to the ecology of forest ecosystems, natural disturbances and/or bryophytes. A Master's degree in biology, ecology, forest sciences or a related field is required. The quality of the academic record and the demonstration of high research potential will be among the criteria taken into account in the evaluation of applications. However, we attach equal importance to qualities such as curiosity, creativity, autonomy and the ability to work as part of a team. Experience in bryology or forest fires is a plus. Since the Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue is a French-speaking university, proficiency in French or a desire to learn this language will be an advantage in the evaluation of applications. Candidates shortlisted on the basis of their application will then be contacted for an interview.

Scholarship: A research scholarship of $24,000 CAD/year for four years will be awarded to the successful candidate.

Location and direction: The selected candidate will be based at the Institut de recherche sur les forêts (IRF) at the Rouyn-Noranda campus of the Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue (UQAT). He or she will be supervised by Maxence Martin (IRF-UQAT), a specialist in old-growth forest dynamics, Nicole J. Fenton (UQAT), an expert in boreal bryology, and Jonathan Boucher (Canadian Forest Service, Natural Resources Canada), a specialist in forest fire dynamics.

Required documents: To manifest your interest, please send a CV, a cover letter, copies of your transcripts (which may be unofficial) and the contact details of two referees to Maxence Martin (maxence.martin2@uqat.ca; personnal page), Nicole J. Fenton (nicole.fenton@uqat.ca; personnal page) et Jonathan Boucher (jonathan.boucher@NRCan-RNCan.gc.ca).

Maxence Martin – Professeur en écologie forestière appliquée/Professor in applied forest ecology
Institut de recherche sur les forêts (IRF) | Forest Research Institute
Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue
Tel. Office 819 762-0971 poste 2053 – Cell. 581-882-8651 | Bureau F-203 |uqat.ca

Posted 4/22/25

Graduate Research Assistantship in Electric Vehicles (EVs) in the Arctic

This is for a master's student in public policy at the University of Alaska Anchorage.

Project Summary
Electric vehicles (EVs) are widely seen as the responsible future of transportation, and the Arctic is seeing increased EV adoption. The National Science Foundation (NSF) has funded a 5-year research effort, Electric Vehicles in the Arctic (EVITA), to determine EVs’ interactions with cold weather, microgrids, people, and policy. The project will advance the knowledge of off-road vehicle end use in rural communities, EV performance in extremely cold temperatures, economic constraints around EV use, and how EVs would integrate with existing vehicle use patterns and needs. This is a collaborative effort, bringing together researchers, tribal community partners, electric utilities, and vocational programs in Kotzebue and Galena, Alaska.

If you are interested, please apply using the link below and email us if you have applied. Include your resume/CV, references, and a cover letter. The deadline for applying is April 30th. We will start interviewing on May 1st.

Job posting where you would apply: https://careers.alaska.edu/jobs/graduate-research-assistant-office-of-research-anchorage-alaska-united-states

Pay
Master's students are paid $24.50 hourly

Program:
Master of Public Policy at the University of Alaska Anchorage

Supervisors (contact after submitting an application)
Jennifer Schmidt (jischmidt@alaska.edu, University of Alaska Anchorage)
Shivani Bhagat (smbhagat@alaska.edu, University of Alaska Fairbanks)

Duration
Fall 2025 - Spring 2027

Preferred Qualities: An ideal candidate would be a master in public policy (MPP) graduate student at the University of Alaska Anchorage and have a passion for community-driven research.

Hours
Academic year 20 hour a week, Summer 40 hours a week

Project Summary
Electric vehicles (EVs) are widely seen as the responsible future of transportation, and the Arctic is seeing increased EV adoption. The National Science Foundation (NSF) has funded a 5-year research effort, Electric Vehicles in the Arctic (EVITA), to determine EVs’ interactions with cold weather, microgrids, people, and policy. The project will advance the knowledge of off-road vehicle end use in rural communities, EV performance in extremely cold temperatures, economic constraints around EV use, and how EVs would integrate with existing vehicle use patterns and needs. This is a collaborative effort, bringing together researchers, tribal community partners, electric utilities, and vocational programs in Kotzebue and Galena, Alaska.

Work Summary
Evaluate pre- and post-questionnaires of participants enrolled in a University of Alaska Anchorage electric vehicle training program
Conduct rate analysis
Assist with processing vehicle logger data
Liaise between the research team and community partners

Knowledge and skills
Experience with qualitative and quantitative methods
Ability to conduct data analysis in R
Familiarity with ArcGIS Pro or QGIS
Ability to work independently
Problem solver
Ability to work with wide-ranging partners and an interdisciplinary team

Jennifer Schmidt (she/her/hers)
Associate Professor of Natural Resource Management and Policy
Institute of Social and Economic Research (ISER)
University of Alaska Anchorage
ISER website: https://iseralaska.org/
My work website: http://alaskanrm.com/
Office Phone: 907-786-5497
Cell Phone: 907-750-3750

Posted 4/20/25

Rangeland Science Master’s Student Position Announcement

The Martyn Lab invites applications for students to the Rangeland Science Master’s program at Oregon State University in the Department of Animal and Rangeland Science to explore drivers of rangeland restoration success in the PNW and Great Basin. The Martyn Lab is based at the Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center in Union, Oregon and has a number of ongoing projects exploring the impacts of climate and other abiotic stressors on emergence and interactions between invasive annual grasses and restoration/native species. To investigate questions on these topics, the lab implements research in a variety of ways including fieldwork, labwork, glasshouse/greenhouse studies, and simulation modeling. See www.martynecologylab.com for more information.

The student’s research would be part of ongoing work on seed-based rangeland restoration and could include exploring:

-       Climate impacts on invasive and native/desired plant species establishment and interactions

-       Seed technologies to enhance plant establishment

-       Understanding the outcomes of plant interactions between invasive annual grasses and native/desired species

The Master’s student and Dr. Martyn will work together to identify research questions for the Master’s research and thesis. The student will be expected to work on all aspects of the research project and lead the preparation of at least one peer-reviewed manuscript. They will have opportunities to identify their own professional development priorities to advance their chosen career path. This position is funded for two years. The expected start date is Fall 2025.

Requirements include a valid US driver’s license and Bachelor’s degree in a related field and other requirements for application to the OSU graduate program (https://anrs.oregonstate.edu/anrs/how-apply). Preferred qualifications would be experience in: working in the field in a variety of weather conditions, designing and implementing research, and statistical analysis (e.g., experience with R).

Interested candidates should email a letter addressing their qualifications, their graduate school and career goals, and their interest in rangeland restoration to Dr. Martyn. In addition, students should also send via email their unofficial transcripts, a curriculum vitae (CV) including publications, and the contact information for two references to the contact information below.

For full consideration please contact Dr. Martyn before June 15, 2025. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Dr. Trace Martyn
Email: martyn.ecology@gmail.com
Email: trace.martyn@oregonstate.edu
Website: Martynecologylab.com

Assistant Professor of Rangeland Science
Oregon State University
Corvallis, Oregon
Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center (EOARC)
Union, Oregon
Eastern Oregon Agriculture and Natural Resource Program (EOANRP)
Eastern Oregon University
La Grande, Oregon

Posted 4/19/25

MS Positions in Conservation Biology at University of South Florida - St. Petersburg - Fall 2025 and Spring 2026

Position Description

My lab group (https://maitnerlab.github.io/) is seeking motivated students interested in conservation biology, community ecology, macroecology, or related areas for the Fall 2025 semester and Spring 2026 semester. Students will be expected to develop their own thesis project as well collaborating on additional projects within our lab and those of collaborators. Thesis work should focus on either field-based studies of plants at the community level utilizing tools from community ecology and trait-based ecology or computational work (on any taxa with data) focusing on questions in community ecology or macroecology.

Required qualifications:

BS in ecology, biology, botany, or related field, and either:

Experience with field botany, including plant identification and other field methods

and/or

Computational skills in R, including geospatial packages (e.g., sf, terra)

Preferred qualifications:

An ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Experience with trait-based ecology

Benefits:

Masters students in the Conservation Biology program at USF are supported with a stipend, tuition coverage, and health insurance.

About USF

The University of South Florida is an R1 University and member of the prestigious Association of American Universities. USF is spread across three campuses in South Florida, with this position being housed at the St. Petersburg campus. More information can be found at https://www.usf.edu/

How to apply:

To gauge fit for the lab, interested candidates should contact Dr. Brian Maitner (bmaitner@usf.edu) and include:

A cover letter that addresses the preferred qualifications, describes your research experience, and discusses the types of research questions and approaches you’re interested in.

A CV (or resume)

Contact information for three professional references

A copy of your academic transcript (unofficial is fine)

Students who seem to be a good fit for the lab will then be encouraged to submit their application materials to the University (https://www.usf.edu/arts-sciences/departments/ib/graduate/how-to-apply.aspx)

Application Deadlines

To apply for Fall 2025, interested students need to contact Brian ASAP and get their application materials submitted to the University by April 30th.

To apply for Spring 2026, interested students should contact Brian and get their application materials submitted to the University by July 1st.

Brian Maitner, PhD
Assistant Professor of Global Change Biology
Department of Integrative Biology
University of South Florida
St. Petersburg Campus

Posted 4/17/25

PhD and PDF opportunities at UBC in Vancouver, BC, Canada

The faculty of Land and Food Systems at the University of British Columbia’s beautiful Vancouver, Canada campus is advertising one PhD position and two postdoctoral positions in insect ecology in agricultural landscapes. The positions are part of a large funded program ‘PERCS: Perennial Ecosystem Restoration for Carbon Sequestration' to study the role of ecological, landscape and socio-economic factors on the adoption and maintenance of ecological restorations in farmlands. The successful candidates will join a large interdisciplinary team of research faculty, students, postdocs, research associates, NGOs and government partners with opportunities for networking and professional development. For more information on the project, the positions, and how to apply, please visit our website (link below). General inquiries can also be sent to the project co-ordinator, Vicky Baker, vicky.baker@ubc.ca.

Opportunities for Students | PERCS
landfood.ubc.ca

The PERCS team

Posted 4/17/25

MS Environmental Biology Program openings in Denver, CO

Over the past decade, the M.S. in Environmental Biology Program at Regis University, located in Denver, Colorado, has prepared students for a diversity of careers in the environmental and ecological workforce.

Our program differs from more traditional, thesis-based master’s programs in that we:
1. Emphasize learning and applying skills demanded by employers to ecosystem management. These skills include GIS, statistical computing in R, professional writing, environmental policy, wetland delineation, and advanced ecology.
2. Emphasize field-based research during both a 100-hour internship at an external agency and a cohort-based field research project with ecosystem managers at partner agencies including Denver Mountain Parks.
3. Offer a flexible timeline. You can earn your master’s degree in an intensive, one-year program or up to three years as it fits with your needs and goals.
4. Offer small class sizes and a cohort experience that enables students to build close relationships
with other students and faculty members who are focused on helping each student navigate their own career pathway.

Our alumni have indicated that the program’s applied skills-based emphasis has prepared them well for securing and maintaining employment. Not only do program experiences enrich their resumes, but the content focus and gained experience make our students highly competitive applicants.  Within several months of graduation, the majority of our graduates obtain employment in a wide array of jobs in the governmental, private, and non-profit sectors.

We are excited to offer generous scholarships up to $5,000 to all eligible applicants to the M.S. Environmental Biology Program for the 2025-2026 academic year.
If you want to learn more, visit REGIS.EDU/ENVIRONMENT for more information about our program, admission, application details! Our program does not require the GRE for admission.

Tyler Imfeld, Ph.D. (he/him/his)
timfeld@regis.edu
+1 303 458 3594
Assistant Professor of Biology
M.S. Environmental Biology Program Director
226 Pomponio Science Center
Regis University | Denver, CO 80221

Posted 4/17/25

PhD Student in Coral Reef Resilience

A PhD student position is available in the Altieri Lab (www.altierilab.org) at the University of Florida to examine the response of coral communities to disturbance. The official start date for enrollment could be as early as Fall 2025, but there will be an opportunity to jump start field work in the Summer 2025 field season.

The student will join a team that is generally focused on global stressors on coral reefs and the community level responses that determine resilience and trajectories of recovery, and is expected to develop independent research interests that complement these themes. The PhD student will be based at UF’s main campus in Gainesville, FL, with primary field work likely on the Caribbean coast of Panama, and the opportunity to work with related long-term monitoring data sets. The student may also have opportunity to collaborate on other projects including those in coastal Florida.

Ideal applicants will have a strong background in ecology and/or marine science (bachelor’s or master’s degree), excellent quantitative and communication (written and oral) skills, and a demonstrated potential to conduct intensive field (and laboratory research) both independently and as part of an interdisciplinary team. Scientific diving certification and experience, as well as experience working internationally, is desired.

The student will join the Altieri Lab in UF’s Environmental Engineering Sciences Department and will be affiliated with the Coastal Ecosystem Dynamics group within the Engineering School of Sustainable Infrastructure and Environment (ESSIE) (https://faculty.eng.ufl.edu/ced/) and the Center for Coastal Solutions (https://ccs.eng.ufl.edu/). The position includes stipend, tuition, and benefits.

This opportunity is not following the typical academic year application cycle. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with start date negotiable. Interested applicants are encouraged to submit their application to the Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences through the portal found on the ESSIE website.
https://www.essie.ufl.edu/admissions/graduate-admissions/

Inquiries about the position can be sent to Dr. Andrew Altieri (andrew.altieri@essie.ufl.edu) or Stacey Dolan (sdolan@ufl.edu).

Stacey Dolan, AWB | she/her
Research Coordinator I
Center for Coastal Solutions
University of Florida
sdolan@ufl.edu

Posted 4/16/25

PhD Position: Wildfire & Watershed Research at Utah State

We’re recruiting a PhD student to join the Watershed & Wildfires Research Collaborative (WWRC) at Utah State University starting in 2025. The WWRC is a multi-university collaborative with expertise spanning geomorphology, hydrology, fire ecology, engineering, data science, and modeling. You’ll work closely with my group at Utah State and Brendan Murphy (Simon Fraser), as well as other collaborators, Belize Lane, Larissa Yocom, and Jon Czuba (Virginia Tech) on basic and applied research at the forefront of climate resilience and wildfire science.

Two funded projects you could contribute to include:
Advancing watershed and wildfire proactive planning tools that predict burn severity, streamflow response, and erosion/sedimentation, with direct applications to forest, fire, and water management planning.
Developing geospatial and machine-learning tools to assess post-wildfire sediment hazards to transportation infrastructure.

Our goal is to improve how we anticipate, plan for, and manage wildfire-related risks across western landscapes. Simultaneously, we are working with stakeholder groups to change perceptions about the important role of wildfire in western US ecosystems. These projects offer myriad opportunities to publish impactful research, build technical skills, and engage with federal and state agency partners, private landowners, and non-profit organizations.

Watershed Sciences at USU has a supportive, collaborative culture and our group emphasizes developing both durable and technical skills while maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Logan, Utah is a gem of a mountain town—small enough to feel connected, big enough to have what you need, and surrounded by spectacular outdoor access year-round. This position is funded with a research assistantship of $27,000/year, plus tuition, fees, and health insurance.

If you’re excited by the intersection of wildfire, water, humans, and data, please get in touch! Reach out with a CV and a short note about your interests.

Patrick Belmont
patrick.belmont@usu.edu

Posted 4/16/25

Urban Ecology PhD // UBC US Applicant Week

The University of British Columbia is extending the deadline for US students to apply to graduate programs.

Also, the Urban Ecology Lab at UBC is still looking for a new, highly qualified, PhD student to start in Sept 2025 or January 2026, under the supervision of Dr. Melissa R McHale.

PhD Opportunity in Urban Ecology and Sustainability

The Urban Ecology and Sustainability Lab at UBC is still recruiting a PhD student to join our dynamic team. We collaborate closely with city planners, consulting firms, and community organizations to co-produce actionable science that drives meaningful change in urban environments.

Current research opportunities include:

Urban Heat & Social-Ecological Systems: Multi-scale spatial analyses to inform urban heat mitigation policies.
Tree Species Selection & Urban Resilience: Building a climate-adapted tree database and exploring barriers to urban forest diversification.
Heat & Water Tradeoffs in Cities: Investigating landscape design strategies that balance cooling and water use in water-limited regions.
Projects are focused on real-world applications in British Columbia.

Ideal candidates will have: Strong spatial analysis and GIS skills; demonstrated experience with statistics and quantitative method; evidence of high-quality research outputs, such as publications or strong writing samples; a passion for collaborative, applied research with real-world impact.

Serious candidates should apply to Forestry Graduate School before the deadlines: https://forestry.ubc.ca/future-students/graduate/

Check out the Urban Ecology and Sustainability Lab: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/cd59679e2ca143438512ee54257cc339

For more information on urban forestry at UBC: https://www.urbanforestryhub.com/

US Applicant Week Information from UBC

US Applicant Week (April 14-18) provides an opportunity to US students to apply during an extended application period for graduate studies at UBC. During this week, sixty of our graduate programs will be reopening applications for US applicants for September 2025 and January 2026 start dates, offering quick admissions decisions.

We’ve created a US Applicant Week webpage with all the details for prospective students, including information on Vancouver, UBC, our programs, tuition, funding, and study permits.

https://www.grad.ubc.ca/us-applicant-week

We’re also hosting two live information sessions on April 15, where prospective students can learn more and hear from current American graduate students at UBC.

Info Sessions

April 15, 10 AM PST | RSVP Link
April 15, 4 PM PST | RSVP Link

Posted 4/11/25

PhD Position in Aquatic Ecology, Oakland University (Michigan)

The Aquatic Ecology Lab (PI, Scott Tiegs) in the Department of Biological Sciences (https://www.oakland.edu/biology/) at Oakland University (https://www.oakland.edu/biology/; Rochester, Michigan) seeks a highly motivated PhD student in the area of aquatic ecology to start in August, 2025.

Competitive candidates will have experience in some combination of the following areas: statistical analysis in program R; field/lab work in aquatic ecology; community ecology; ecosystem ecology; nutrient cycling; anthropogenic impacts; GIS; scientific writing; stream ecology; macroinvertebrate ID; carbon cycling/organic-matter decomposition and ecological restoration. Applicants with a Master’s degree are preferred, but those with a Bachelor’s degree will be considered, especially if they have research experience. Research will consist of a combination of analyzing existing data sets, generating novel data through the execution of field and lab experiments, and performing observational studies.

Interested candidates should send their CV and letter of interest to Scott Tiegs: tiegs@oakland.edu by May 20th to receive full consideration.

Posted 4/10/25

MS positions in Marine Conservation and Resource Management

Advance Your Career with a Master’s in Marine Conservation & Resource Management

The University of South Alabama’s Stokes School of Marine & Environmental Sciences offers a Master of Science in Marine Conservation and Resource Management, designed for students seeking advanced professional development in marine science and resource management.

This non-thesis program provides flexibility by allowing students to fulfill degree requirements through coursework and hands-on professional training. Students can choose from a professional internship with conservation/academic organizations or state/federal resource agencies, a capstone project, or skill certifications in areas like GIS or statistics. The program is also well-suited for working professionals looking to enhance their expertise.

Funding opportunities may be available through internships, and limited scholarships can help offset out-of-state tuition costs. Additional financial aid options are available through the USA Office of Financial Aid.

Take the next step in your career—join us in shaping the future of marine conservation and resource management! Applications are due by June 1 for the Fall semester and October 1 for the Spring semester, although most students start during the Fall semester.

For further information, inquiries about the program, please send us a message and visit our webpage: https://www.southalabama.edu/colleges/artsandsci/marinesciences/ConservationandResourceManagement.html.

Posted 4/10/25

SOIL SCIENCE GRADUATE TEACHING ASSISTANT POSITION at WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY

SUMMARY: A graduate teaching assistant position at the PhD level is available within the Environmental Soil and Water Sciences program at West Virginia University. The graduate student will identify an area of research interest in soil science that aligns with faculty expertise. Topics of potential interest include forest restoration, soil reclamation with various amendments, carbon storage, riparian and wetland systems, and forest soil health metrics.

Teaching responsibilities will include serving as a teaching assistant in the Principles of Soil Science lab, with an expected work effort of 20 hours per week throughout fall and spring semesters. You will be responsible for leading lab activities, working with students, and grading lab materials. This position is supported by the School of Natural Resources and Environment within the Davis College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and will be co-advised by Drs. Charley Kelly and James Thompson.

TUITION WAIVER AND STIPEND: The successful applicant will be awarded a tuition waiver, an annual stipend ($28,500) and health insurance benefits for the duration of the 3-4-year program, to begin August 2025.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS: A B.S. or M.S. in soil science, ecology, or natural resource-related field, demonstrated field research experience through undergraduate education or employment, strong data management and analytical skills for laboratory and statistical analyses, strong written and oral communication skills, and a GPA of at least 3.2 during the last two years of school.

TO APPLY: In a single pdf document, please send: 1) a current CV; 2) a 1-page statement of your research interests; 3) a short statement of your career goals; 4) unofficial transcripts of all previous education; 5) contact information for at least 2 references; and 5) current GRE scores (optional) to Dr. Charley Kelly (ckelly1@mail.wvu.edu) by May 1, 2025.

UNIVERSITY and COMMUNITY: WVU is located in Morgantown, WV (pop. 31,073) and is routinely recognized as one of the best small college towns in the country (www.wvu.edu). The School’s faculty and active graduate student population conduct research in a wide range of natural resource disciplines, and have ready access to West Virginia’s forests and working lands for natural laboratories and recreational activities, and a local WVU-owned 8,000 acre research forest.

Dr. Charlene Kelly, Ph.D
Teaching Associate Professor
West Virginia University
School of Natural Resources & Environment
Research & Mentoring Program One Health WV
Office Phone: (304) 293 - 6465

Posted 4/9/25

MS Assistantship available in Aquatic Ecology

The Wagner Limnology Lab (https://sites.google.com/oakland.edu/wagnerlab/home) at Oakland University (https://www.oakland.edu/biology/) in Rochester, MI, is seeking a motivated MS student to begin in the fall of 2025. The student will focus on one of two areas: examining the stoichiometric ecotoxicology of cyanobacteria or exploring traits in nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria across various environmental gradients. While these projects are predominantly laboratory-based, opportunities for fieldwork in local streams and lakes will be available. The student will enroll in the Biological and Biomedical Sciences graduate program at Oakland University (https://catalog.oakland.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=66&poid=13995). This position is supported by a teaching assistantship, which includes a full tuition waiver and a stipend.

Interested applicants, please send a brief statement of interest, unofficial transcripts, and a CV to nicolewagner at (@) Oakland.edu. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until filled.

Nicole Wagner Ph.D (she/her)
Assistant Professor
Department of Biological Sciences
Oakland University

Posted 4/3/25

M.S. Position in Social Insect Immunity

M.S. Position: The Penick Lab at Auburn University is seeking a fully funded M.S. student to begin Fall 2025 to study social immunity in ants, focusing on how antimicrobial defenses influence microbial communities across species. We are looking for a highly motivated student with a strong interest in ants, social evolution, microbiology, and host-microbe interactions. Ideal candidates will have experience or enthusiasm for microbial culturing, molecular techniques—particularly DNA metabarcoding—and fieldwork. An interest in science communication is also a plus, as the Penick Lab places a strong emphasis on public outreach and encourages students to share their research through media and creative projects.

To apply, email a statement of interest, CV/resume, and contact info for two references to Dr. Clint Penick (czp0134@auburn.edu) by April 30, 2025. More info: penicklab.com.

Clint Penick, PhD
Assistant Professor
Entomology & Plant Pathology
Auburn University
www.penicklab.com

Posted 3/27/25

Graduate Research Assistantship – Crayfish Distribution and Ecological Modeling

Location: Texas A&M University-Kingsville
Position Start Date: Fall 2025

Application Deadline: Open until filled, but applications received before April 30th will receive full consideration.

Position Description

The Mitchell Aquatic Ecology Lab at Texas A&M University-Kingsville is seeking a motivated Master’s student to join a research project focused on the distribution, habitat use, and ecological modeling of data-deficient Texas crayfish species. This student will play a key role in extensive field surveys across South Texas and assist in the development of ecological niche models to assess habitat suitability. The research will contribute directly to conservation planning for six focal crayfish species. The position is fully funded, including a stipend, tuition waiver, and research support.

Responsibilities

Conduct extensive field surveys across South Texas to assess crayfish distributions and habitat associations.
Collect environmental and spatial data using standardized sampling methods.
Participate in ecological niche modeling using R and GIS-based tools.
Collaborate with a multidisciplinary research team, including faculty and graduate students.
Present research findings at scientific conferences and contribute to manuscript preparation for peer-reviewed journals.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in biology, ecology, fisheries, or a related field.
Strong work ethic and ability to conduct fieldwork in challenging conditions (e.g., long days in hot and humid South Texas summers).
Ability to camp for multiple days in remote areas during summer fieldwork.
Interest in ecological research and conservation biology.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience working with crayfish or freshwater invertebrates.
Ability to operate trucks and small watercraft (e.g., kayaks, canoes).
Background in data analysis and statistical modeling (R or Python).
Proficiency in GIS software (ArcGIS or QGIS) for spatial analysis and mapping.
Strong scientific writing skills with experience in manuscript preparation or technical reports.

Funding & Benefits

Salary of $15,000/year for two years
Full tuition/fees waiver + fringe benefits

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit the following materials as a single PDF to Dr. Zachary Mitchell at zachary.mitchell@tamuk.edu:

Cover letter detailing research interests and relevant experience.
CV or résumé.
Unofficial transcripts.
Contact information for three references.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

For more information about our research, visit aquatic-ecology.org.

Posted 3/26/25

Graduate Assistantships: Mussel Ecology – Texas A&M University

Description
We are looking for highly motivated, hardworking students who have a passion for the conservation of freshwater ecosystems to join the NRI Mussel Lab. We have one PhD graduate assistantship and one MS graduate assistantships available under the supervision of Dr. Charles Randklev and Dr. Roel Lopez in the Texas A&M Natural Resource Institute and Department of Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management. The PhD assistantship will focus on evaluating how water quality shapes mussel growth and survival. For the MS assistantship, this project will focus on field surveys in east and central Texas.

Position Location: Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Dallas.

Funding: support for these projects come from state and federal natural resource agencies.

For the PhD assistantship a full stipend (grant funded Research Assistantship) for 4 years will be provided: ~$35,000/yr (tuition + salary; ~$9,000 per year + $26,000).

For the MS assistantships a full stipend (grant funded Research Assistantship) for 2 years will be provided: ~$32,000/yr (~$9,000 + $23,000).

Additional scholarship and funding opportunities may be available.

Start Date: Fall 2025 for classes but can begin working on research project in Spring/Summer of 2025.

Last Date to Apply: 05/31/2025.

More information about the graduate program in the Department of Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management - https://rwfm.tamu.edu/graduate-programs/
More information about the mussel research program at NRI-TAMU: https://dallas.tamu.edu/research/mussels/

Qualifications:
Required: For PhD assistantship – MS in Biology or related field; previous research experience in environmental modeling and statistics; GPA >3.5; GRE scores >70th percentile (156 verbal and 159 quantitative). PADI, or equivalent, SCUBA certification. For MS assistantship – BS in Biology or related field; previous research experience in aquatic ecology, community ecology, or ecotoxicology; GPA >3.0; GRE scores > 60th percentile (153 verbal and 156 quantitative).
All applicants should have strong analytical, oral, and written communication skills, plus detail oriented and can work independently; valid driver’s license and insurance are required; must be comfortable in the water and outdoors in both the heat and cold.

Before applying, please email a single PDF document to BOTH Dr. Randklev (crandklev@ag.tamu.edu) AND Dr. Lopez (roel.lopez@ag.tamu.edu) that contains: (1) a letter of interest describing your qualifications, experience and background, and which position you are applying to (2) your CV, (3) GRE scores, (4) GPA and unofficial transcripts, and (5) contact information for 3 academic/research references. Feel free to contact us for more information about the graduate program, our research, and specifics about the project.

Contact
Charles Randklev
817-966-3235
crandklev@ag.tamu.edu (preferred contact method)

Posted 2/12/25

Take Action: Final Call for MS in Environmental Conservation Applications!

Final Call for MS in Environmental Conservation Applications!

The Environmental Conservation (EC; https://nelson.wisc.edu/graduate/professional-programs/environmental-conservation/) and Environmental Observation and Informatics (EOI; https://nelson.wisc.edu/graduate/professional-programs/environmental-observation-and-informatics/) MS degrees from the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, is your key to making an impact and opening new doors to job opportunities. Our MS program does more than just prepare you for a job, they create leaders in the field.

Final Application Deadlines:
International Applicants: February 1
Domestic Applicants: May 1

Why Choose the EC/EOI Program?

Accelerated: Complete your degree in just 15 months with a 32-credit curriculum that accelerates your career journey without compromising academic excellence or learning experience.
Real-life Experience: Tailored coursework culminating in a final hands-on project with a professional organization. Through individual planning sessions, you’ll partner with your ideal organization where you get to apply your conservation skills and knowledge. Partnerships from last summer include:
The Nature Conservancy, Organic Valley, Nasa Develop, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Sea Grant, Portland Parks and Recreation, The International Crane Foundation, and more!
Collaborative: From day one, you’ll build lasting relationships with renowned faculty, advisors, and peers. Our cohort-based MS program is designed to foster collaboration, leading to higher engagement and better learning.
Affordability: Receive top-tier environmental education with strong program support, all at a more affordable tuition compared to other competitive programs.

Who Should Apply?

We welcome applicants from all disciplines and professional backgrounds, whether you are just beginning your career or are seeking to advance your expertise.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Visit our website for more details on how to apply or contact us if you want to learn more about being part of a professional community of environmental leaders.

Posted 1/22/25

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