Five to six fully funded PhD student positions in a Water-Environment core group-Departments of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Chemical and Materials Engineering, The University of Nevada, Reno.

School: University of Nevada

Location: Reno, NV

Job Category: Graduate Assistantships

Description: 

     The University of Nevada, Reno Departments of Civil and Environmental Engineering (www.unr.edu/cee) and Chemical and Materials Engineering (www.unr.edu/cme) are seeking to fill five to six fully funded PhD student positions in a Water-Environment core group, starting in Spring or Fall 2017. Ideal candidates will fall into one or more of the three focus areas below.

1) Water Treatment and Environmental Chemistry – Dr. David Hanigan joined the department in Fall of 2016 and will fill one to two PhD positions in the following year. Dr. Hanigan’s expertise is in disinfection by-products and he plans to expand his breadth to include research related to trace organic chemical (antibiotics, synthetic estrogen, flame retardants, etc.) transport and treatment/removal in direct and indirect potable reuse scenarios, treatment of fracking fluids, and CO2 sequestration from the atmosphere. More information can be found at http://www.dhanigan.com. A background in environmental engineering or environmental chemistry is preferred. Prospective applicants should email the materials listed below to DHanigan@UNR.edu.

2) Water Reuse and Environmental Biotechnology – Dr. Krishna Pagilla is seeking to fill two PhD positions starting in Fall 2017 or sooner. Dr. Pagilla’s research is currently focused on water reuse including pilot and near full scale demonstration of indirect potable reuse treatment systems, food-energy-water nexus, and resource recovery from wastewater (nutrients, water, energy). Prospective students with background in biomolecular methods are desired. Interested students should e-mail at pagilla@unr.edu.

3) Membrane-Based Separations – Dr. Sage Hiibel joined the Chemical and Materials Engineering Department in Fall of 2016 and will fill one to two PhD positions in aqueous-phase membrane-based separation processes. Dr. Hiibel’s research group is focused on indirect potable reuse in renewable energy applications, with an emphasis on coupling advanced separation processes with waste product streams (heat, water, by-products) to produce sustainable energy products. Prospective applicants should email the materials listed below to shiibel@unr.edu.

4) Environmental Chemistry and Climate Change-Dr. Yu (Frank) Yang is seeking to fill one PhD position starting in Fall 2017. Dr. Yang’s research is currently focused on the soil carbon stability during redox reactions, biogeochemistry of Tundra soil carbon, fate of nano-particles in plant-soil system, and reductive degradation of emergent contaminants (antimicrobial agents). More information is available at http://www.unr.edu/~yuy. Please email yuy@unr.edu for questions.

Qualifications:

     Candidates that currently hold MS degrees are preferred. Other requirements include GRE > 310 TOEFL > 550 (paper) or 79 (internet) (if nonnative English speaker), GPA > 3.3/4.0. Pre-application materials may be sent to the professor of interest above and should include a cover letter, CV/resume, TOEFL, transcripts, GRE, contact information for three references, and a writing sample. Pre-application materials must be submitted as a single PDF.

M.S. Research Assistantship – Effects of longleaf pine management on habitat suitability for game and non-game species: Auburn University

School: Auburn University

Location: Auburn, AL

Job Category: Graduate Assistantships

Website: http://wp.auburn.edu/sfws/

Salary: $16,540 including tuition waiver

Start Date: 01/09/2017

Last Date to Apply: 11/15/2016

 

Description:

     We are seeking an M.S.-level graduate student to investigate the effects of longleaf pine planting density on understory plant community composition and structure. Results will be used to determine habitat suitability for game species including northern bobwhites, white-tailed deer, and eastern wild turkey, as well as select non-game species associated with longleaf pine ecosystems. Findings will also be used to inform a decision-making tool for landowners to implement when making decisions pertaining to joint management for wildlife habitat and forestry-related objectives.

 

Qualifications:

     Prospective students should be highly motivated, demonstrate good communication skills (written and verbal), and be willing to conduct extensive field work in difficult conditions. Experience in one or more of the following areas preferred, but not required:
- Identification of forest plants of the Southeast
- Vegetation sampling
- Habitat management for Southeastern wildlife
- Southeastern silvicultural practices
- Conducting point counts

     A B.S. (GPA >3.0) in wildlife science or a related field is required. A valid U.S. driver's license is also necessary. The ideal candidate would be available to start in January 2017.

     The 2-year research assistantship is through the Auburn University School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences (SFWS), and includes tuition waiver and annual stipend ($16,540). Further details regarding graduate education, application, and admission to Auburn University and the SFWS can be found at (http://www.grad.auburn.edu/) and (http://wp.auburn.edu/sfws/). Applications should be sent to Dr. Will Gulsby (wdg0010@auburn.edu), and include a cover letter, resume or CV, academic transcripts, and GRE results. Additional information on the Gulsby Wildlife Lab available upon request.

PhD Opportunity – Tidal Marsh Bird Ecology and Conservation: University of Delaware

School: University of Delaware

Location: University of Delaware

Job Category: Graduate Assistantships

Website: http://canr.udel.edu/enwc/

Salary: $24,000

Start Date: 01/16/2017

Last Date to Apply: 11/04/2016

 

Description:

     A graduate teaching assistantship is available in the Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Delaware. The successful applicant will be responsible for assisting with wildlife ecology labs during the fall semesters and ornithology lab in the spring semesters. The primary research focus for this PhD will be on the conservation and ecology of tidal marsh bird populations in the Northeast and is directly integrated into the Salt Marsh Habitat and Avian Research Program (www.tidalmarshbirds.org). The successful candidate will use existing tidal marsh bird community data to ask novel questions related to tidal marsh bird community structure and the factors (i.e. sea level rise, landscape context) that influence patterns in bird community diversity. The candidate will also develop their own field research component to the dissertation related to tidal marsh bird ecology and conservation.

 

Qualifications:

     A successful applicant should have: 

(1) B.S. and M.S. in wildlife science or related field. 

(2) At least one peer reviewed publication.

(3) Demonstrated experience using R and an interest in working with large datasets.

(4) The ability to teach ornithology lab and other wildlife ecology labs. Students are expected to assist with teaching wildlife ecology labs, conduct their dissertation research project, and successfully complete required course work. Students will receive a stipend (currently approx. $24,000/year), waiver of both in‐state and out‐of‐state tuition, and health benefits. 

 

To apply:

     To apply, please send a single PDF file with the subject line “PhD Assistantship” containing:

(1) A cover letter outlining your interests, experience, and contact information.

(2) A CV. 

(3) GRE scores. 

(4) Undergraduate/graduate transcripts.

(5) Contact information for 3 references to: Greg Shriver (gshriver@udel.edu) Deadline for applications is            November 4, 2016.