28-Jul-20 12:56 PM
URL: https://www.utrgv.edu/graduate/for-future-students/graduate-programs/program-requirements/ocean-coastal-and-earth-sciences-ms/in
Company / Organization: University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Pay Rate: $15,000 per year
Type: Part-time
City: Port Isabel
State or Country if outside US: Texas
Application Deadline: 10-Aug-20
Duration: 2 years
Description:

I am inviting applications for a graduate position (MSc) that includes support as a research assistant. The appointment is to begin this Fall 2020 in the School of Earth, Environmental, and Marine Sciences at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. This position includes a research component aimed at characterizing the benthic communities of the seamounts of the Salas y Gomez Ridge based on analyses of towed-video-camera footage and environmental data collected in 2019. This characterization will be supplemented with genetic barcode data on a subset of collected samples. This opportunity may also include a research experiential opportunity on a southeast Pacific cruise or at a collaborating lab in Chile; however, those opportunities are dependent on whether additional funding is obtained and travel is feasible. Duties will include habitat and community characterization based on video data, statistical analyses of these data and the collected environmental data, and production and analyses of genetic barcodes. Applicants must have a Bachelor's degree in biology, ecology, marine sciences, or a related field. Successful candidates must demonstrate an aptitude for research and ability to work independently. Prior laboratory experience working with genetic markers, marine or ecology research, video analyses, and statistical analyses is preferred. The successful applicant will be expected to enroll full time in the UTRGV Ocean, Coastal, and Earth Sciences Master of Science program pursuing the thesis option. The available assistantship has a stipend of $15000 per year and a tuition scholarship of ~$7000 for a period of two years. Interested applicants should send to Dr. Erin E. Easton (erin.easton@utrgv.edu) a copy of their CV or resume, GPA and GRE scores, a written statement of graduate research interests, and contact information for two references. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

Requirements:

Applicants must have a Bachelor's degree in biology, ecology, marine sciences, or a related field. Successful candidates must demonstrate an aptitude for research and ability to work independently. Prior laboratory experience working with genetic markers, marine or ecology research, video analyses, and statistical analyses is preferred. A minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.2 and minimum new GRE scores of: verbal 150 and quantitative 153 are required.

Point of Contact: Dr. Erin E. Easton