Two graduate student positions are available to work with Dr. Kelly Dorgan at Dauphin Island Sea Lab. I am looking for students with broad interests in benthic ecology and/or invertebrate biomechanics. Research in the lab integrates ecology, biomechanics, and invertebrate behavior, morphology and physiology. My main focus is on animal-sediment interactions, including mechanics and energetics of burrowing and functional morphology of burrowers. Potential projects could focus on (but are not limited to) functional diversity of benthic communities, burrowing mechanics and behaviors, sub-lethal effects of hypoxia on worm behaviors and sediment structure, feeding by infaunal invertebrates, or sediment mechanics. More information is available at http://polychaetes.org.
Applicants should have a degree in biology, marine science, or a similar field and independent research experience. The students will join the Department of Marine Sciences at the University of South Alabama, and must meet eligibility requirements for the department (http://www.southalabama.edu/marinesciences/students.html). One position comes with two years of research assistantship stipend (including tuition and fees); funding in subsequent years could be through either research or teaching assistantships. A PhD student is preferred, but highly qualified MS students will be considered. The other position will be funded through a project focused on benthic diversity and ecosystem responses to oil pollution, and both perspective PhD and MS students are encouraged to apply. Interested students should contact Dr. Kelly Dorgan ([email protected]) with a CV and brief statement of research interests and experience.
