Fwd: Graduate position: NCStateU.eDNA.AquaticSpecies

[Ellen Hostert]

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: <evo...@evol.biology.mcmaster.ca>
Date: Fri, Mar 13, 2026 at 1:16 AM
Subject: Graduate position: NCStateU.eDNA.AquaticSpecies
To: <ehos...@maine.edu>

PhD Graduate Research Assistantship: eDNA Monitoring and Co-Occurrence
Patterns of Imperiled Species & Invasive Predators in North Carolina
Rivers

Description: The federally listed Carolina Madtom & Neuse River Waterdog
have declined across their historical ranges in the Tar??Neuse river
basins of North Carolina. The invasion of non-native Flathead Catfish
is one of the primary factors hypothesized to impact these imperiled
species. This project will develop joint sampling & monitoring approaches
using environmental DNA (eDNA) & occupancy modeling to detect & predict
occurrences of these three priority species across the Tar??Neuse river
systems, with the ultimate aims of 1) clarifying species distributions, 2)
testing species-environmental relationships, 3) evaluating co-occurrence
patterns, & 4) integrating eDNA monitoring into agency frameworks.

The PhD student will work directly with Dr. Corey Dunn (USGS NC
Cooperative Fish & Wildlife Research Unit, NC State University),
Dr. Nadya Mamoozadeh (NC State University, Molecular Ecology Lab) &
management biologists while learning in-demand skills transferable to
broader applications in conservation such as lab development & field
application of eDNA surveillance methods, occupancy modeling, habitat
assessment, & imperiled species management.

Qualifications: Completed bachelor??s degree (master??s degree preferred)
in biology, natural resources, or closely related field before start
date. Prior experience with molecular applications, quantitative methods,
& aquatic conservation. Candidates should have interests in both lab &
field research, species distribution modeling, R programming, & science
communication.

Salary & benefits: Graduate Assistantship >$30,000 per year (Research x
3.5yr, Teaching x 0.5yr) + health insurance, tuition waiver, computer,
professional travel, federal safety training.

Start date: Anticipated start date of July 2026 (preferred).

Apply: Apply here (https://forms.gle/5dmdTxDAQi5aRNou8) by uploading a
single, merged PDF:
1.      brief cover letter describing experiential background, career
        goals, & project interest
2.      resume/CV with GPA
3.      unofficial university transcripts
4.      email & phone numbers for three professional references (we will
        ask before contacting references)
5.      optional (but encouraged) writing example from research or
        coursework

Applications will start being reviewed March 20; position closes
April 5, 2026. Email inquiries about this position are welcome
(corey...@ncsu.edu; nrma...@ncsu.edu).

Helpful links:
Lab webpages: https://bit.ly/riverine_fishes; http://www.mamoozlab.com/
Department of Applied Ecology at NC State:
https://cals.ncsu.edu/applied-ecology


Nadya Mamoozadeh, PhD
Assistant Professor
Dept. of Applied Ecology
http://www.mamoozlab.com/

Nadya Mamoozadeh <nrma...@ncsu.edu>

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Important!  I check email once a day, and often not at all on weekends.  I will respond to your message.  Thank you for your patience.

Ellen E. Hostert, Ph.D. (she/her)
Professor of Biology
University of Maine at Machias
116 O'Brien Avenue
Machias, ME 04654
(207) 255-1301
ehos...@maine.edu