M.S. and Ph.D. Positions: Marine Invertebrate Behavior, Ecophysiology, and Fisheries Gulf Coast Research Lab The University of Southern Mississippi Ocean Springs, MS
We seek highly motivated applicants to fill two graduate student positions in the laboratory of Dr. Zachary Darnell at The University of Southern Mississippi’s Gulf Coast Research Laboratory in Ocean Springs, MS. Both positions will begin in August 2018. Students selected for these positions will pursue graduate degrees in the Division of Coastal Sciences and will be supported on research assistantships (details below). Both the M.S. and Ph.D. assistantship will include substantial flexibility in research topic, within the general realms of marine invertebrate behavior, ecophysiology, and fisheries. Our current research focuses on environmental constraints on behavior, performance, and fitness of marine and estuarine invertebrates, and the strategies used by organisms to overcome these constraints. More specifically, this encompasses (1) plastic and adaptive behavioral and physiological responses to environmental change and environmental stress, (2) environmental effects on life histories, distributions, and population dynamics, and (3) anthropogenic impacts on organism-environment interactions. This research also has a strong applied focus, using ecophysiological approaches to address fisheries management and conservation questions. For more information on current research areas, visit http://sites.usm.edu/zdarnell/. Details on each assistantship are below: -M.S. Assistantship: The M.S. assistantship includes a stipend of $22,800 per year, increasing to $23,400 per year following comprehensive exams. A tuition waiver is also included. Required qualifications include a minimum GPA of 3.5 on all undergraduate coursework and GRE scores exceeding the 50th percentile. Prior research experience is preferred. -Ph.D. Assistantship: The Ph.D. assistantship includes a stipend of $23,400 per year, increasing to $24,000 per year following comprehensive exams. A tuition waiver is also included. Required qualifications include a minimum GPA of 3.5 on all undergraduate or graduate (if entering with a M.S.) coursework and GRE scores exceeding the 50th percentile. Prior research experience is preferred. Priority will be given to applicants with an M.S. degree, but exceptional applicants at the B.S. level will also be considered. The Division of Coastal Sciences is a research and graduate education unit within the School of Ocean Science and Technology, offering programs leading to the Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Science degrees. The Division is located at Gulf Coast Research Laboratory (Ocean Springs, MS), a marine laboratory featuring comprehensive basic and applied research programs in coastal and marine biological sciences. Research program support includes state-of-the-art laboratory facilities and instrumentation; a fleet of small and large research vessels, including the R/V Point Sur; the GCRL Museum collection; the Center for Fisheries Research and Development; NSF I/UCRC Science Center for Marine Fisheries, and aquaculture facilities including the Thad Cochran Marine Aquaculture Center. Additional information on graduate programs in the Division of Coastal Sciences can be found here: http://gcrl.usm.edu/coastal_sciences/index.php. Interested students should contact Dr. Zachary Darnell (zachary.darn...@usm.edu). Please include a copy of your CV (including GRE scores), unofficial undergraduate and graduate transcripts, and contact information for three professional references. Review of applicants will begin immediately. For full consideration, submit all materials prior to January 2, 2018.
