I am seeking a motivated student to fill a graduate assistantship at the Ph.D. level in the Coastal & Marine System Science Program at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi (http://pens.tamucc.edu/cmss/). The position is available beginning in Fall, 2010. The research project will focus on the impact of hydrologic variability, especially droughts, on phytoplankton productivity and biogeochemical cycles in estuaries. My lab conducts research on estuarine/coastal phytoplankton ecology, nutrient & organic matter cycling in the coastal zone, food-web dynamics, and anthropogenic & climate change impacts on estuarine/coastal ecosystem function.
Interested students should have a background in ecology, marine science/oceanography, or aquatic environmental science and possess strong quantitative skills. Candidates with experience in GIS and/or spatial ecology/spatial analysis will be viewed favorably. The assistantship will have an excellent stipend relative to the cost-of-living. The University is affiliated with the Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies (http://harteresearchinstitute.org/), which is where the student in this position will be housed. It is expected that the person will collaborate with scientists at TAMU-CC, but opportunities will also exist for collaboration with scientists at the nearby University of Texas Marine Science Institute, Mission-Aransas National Estuarine Research Reserve, and other regional institutes. Cost-of-living in Corpus Christi, Texas, is inexpensive and ample opportunities exist for cultural/artistic and outdoor activities. San Antonio is approximately 2 hours to the northwest, Austin 3 hours to the northwest, and Houston 3 hours to the northeast. I am looking to fill this position rather quickly, so to be considered for the position, please email me, Dr. Mike Wetz at mw...@fsu.edu, as soon as possible. Along with a letter of interest, please include a C.V., unofficial transcripts and GRE scores.