I am seeking a motivated student to fill a graduate assistantship at the M.S. or Ph.D. level in the Marine Biology Program at Texas A&M University- Corpus Christi (http://marinebiology.tamucc.edu/). The position is available beginning in either late August, 2010, or January 1, 2011. The research project will focus on the role of top-down (i.e., grazing) vs. bottom-up (i.e., light, nutrients) environmental factors in determining estuarine phytoplankton bloom potentials and community composition. My lab conducts research on estuarine/coastal phytoplankton ecology, nutrient & organic matter cycling in the coastal zone, food-web dynamics, and impacts of anthropogenic & climate change on coastal ecosystems. TAMU-CC is affiliated with the Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies (http://harteresearchinstitute.org/), which is where our research labs are located. This study will require the student to spend some time during spring and summer of the next few years at a field station in Morehead City, NC. I would also envision a spin-off of this work to develop in coastal Texas waters.
Candidates should have a background in ecology or marine science and should possess strong quantitative skills. The assistantship will be grant-supported and has an excellent stipend relative to the cost-of- living. 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. Interested candidates should email me, Dr. Mike Wetz at mw...@fsu.edu, by July 24th, 2010. Please include a letter of interest, C.V., unofficial transcripts and GRE scores.
