PhD Graduate Assistantship in Large River Unionid Ecology @ Central Michigan University
A fully-funded PhD assistantship is available under the supervision of Dr. Dave Zanatta and Dr. Daelyn Woolnough in the Institute for Great Lakes Research and Department of Biology at Central Michigan University (CMU). The projects that the student will be involved with are funded by the Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act of the US Fish and Wildlife Service and is a collaboration between CMU, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the Michigan Dept. of Natural Resources, the US Geological Survey, and the NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory (GLERL). The student will be instrumental in designing and helping to implement (with other CMU students and collaborators listed above) large-scale surveys for native freshwater mussels in the Detroit River (in summer 2019) and St. Clair River (summer 2020). The student will also be responsible for developing, implementing, and testing habitat models for native mussels in these large river systems. A full stipend (from grant- and university-funded Research and Teaching Assistantships) and tuition waiver for at least 4 years will be provided. Salary: ~$26,000/yr + tuition waiver. Start date: mid-May 2019 More information about the PhD program in Earth and Ecosystem Science at CMU is available here: https://www.cmich.edu/colleges/se/ees/pages/default.aspx Qualifications for PhD Student: Required: BS in Biology or related field; previous research experience in aquatic ecology; strong background in ecological statistics; background/experience in GIS; valid driver’s license; valid passport and ability to travel to Canada; strong swimmer and comfortable in the water/snorkeling; strong writing and oral communication skills; interest in pursuing a career in academia or research; GPA >3.0; mean GRE scores >50th percentile. Preferred: MS in Biology or related field; research experience with freshwater mussels (unionids); evidence of experience in ecological/habitat/GIS modeling; SCUBA certified and some dive experience; valid recreational boating license and experience piloting and trailering boats; track record in publications and/or conference presentations; GPA >3.5; GRE scores >60th percentile. Before applying the EES PhD program, please email a single PDF document to BOTH Dr. Woolnough ([email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>) AND Dr. Zanatta ([email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>) that contains: (1) a letter of interest describing your qualifications, experience and background, (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 programs, our research, and more specifics about the project (or check out the link below). Emailed applications will be considered by Dr. Woolnough and Dr. Zanatta as they arrive until January 7, 2019. Dave Zanatta, Ph.D. Professor | Biology Department and Institute for Great Lakes Research Biosciences Bldg. 2408 | Central Michigan University 1455 Calumet Court | Mount Pleasant, MI 48859 P: 989-774-7829 | E: [email protected] | F: 989-774-3462 Homepage: people.cst.cmich.edu/zanat1d<http://people.cst.cmich.edu/zanat1d/>
