Opportunities
PhD Graduate Assistantships at Clemson University: Tropical Storm Helene and Fishes
Compensation:
Start date: January 2026
Application deadline: Application reviews will begin on 15 November. The position will remain open until filled.
Responsibilities: We are seeking enthusiastic candidates for two PhD positions to conduct field evaluations, monitoring, and assessments aimed at understanding the post-disaster status of stream fish populations and communities in Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests of North Carolina. Responsibilities will include leading a field crew conducting stream fish and habitat surveys; geospatial and statistical analyses; writing a PhD proposal, dissertation, and technical reports; and completing coursework pursuant to a PhD degree. The candidate will work closely with a large group of university, private, and agency collaborators.
Project Description: Tropical Storm Helene caused widespread flooding, landslides, and destruction across the southern Appalachian region in September 2024. These impacts caused long-term and potentially permanent changes to terrestrial and aquatic habitat distribution, ecosystem structure, and function. Field evaluations and monitoring are required to understand how baseline ecological conditions changed following these large-scale, geological changes in terrestrial and aquatic habitats. PhD students working on this project will be part of a dynamic and multi-disciplinary team at Clemson University with expertise across the fields of forestry, wildlife, fisheries, and fire ecology. Team members will work closely with federal, state, and non-governmental organizations to communicate findings and inform ongoing, on-the-ground restoration and recovery efforts aimed at focal species, ecosystems and important forest resources.
Candidates must have:
- $35,000 per year for 5 years
- Positions include full tuition waiver and eligibility for university health benefits package.
Start date: January 2026
Application deadline: Application reviews will begin on 15 November. The position will remain open until filled.
Responsibilities: We are seeking enthusiastic candidates for two PhD positions to conduct field evaluations, monitoring, and assessments aimed at understanding the post-disaster status of stream fish populations and communities in Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests of North Carolina. Responsibilities will include leading a field crew conducting stream fish and habitat surveys; geospatial and statistical analyses; writing a PhD proposal, dissertation, and technical reports; and completing coursework pursuant to a PhD degree. The candidate will work closely with a large group of university, private, and agency collaborators.
Project Description: Tropical Storm Helene caused widespread flooding, landslides, and destruction across the southern Appalachian region in September 2024. These impacts caused long-term and potentially permanent changes to terrestrial and aquatic habitat distribution, ecosystem structure, and function. Field evaluations and monitoring are required to understand how baseline ecological conditions changed following these large-scale, geological changes in terrestrial and aquatic habitats. PhD students working on this project will be part of a dynamic and multi-disciplinary team at Clemson University with expertise across the fields of forestry, wildlife, fisheries, and fire ecology. Team members will work closely with federal, state, and non-governmental organizations to communicate findings and inform ongoing, on-the-ground restoration and recovery efforts aimed at focal species, ecosystems and important forest resources.
Candidates must have:
- A bachelor’s degree in fisheries, ecology, biology, or equivalent
- Competitive practical experience in fish/stream/freshwater research
- Demonstrated excellence in written, verbal, and quantitative skills
- A valid US driver’s license
- A MS degree in fisheries, ecology, biology, or equivalent
- Working in streams, particularly in the southeastern US
- Working in remote areas under adverse conditions
- Leading and working in mobile field crews
- Backpack electrofishing
- Habitat surveys
- Fish ecology
- Working with staff from agencies, nongovernmental organizations, landowners, etc.
- Analysis using R software, GIS, etc.
- Scientific writing and communication
Undergraduate Research Opportunities
Clemson University undergraduates interested in gaining experience in fisheries research can enroll in one of several creative inquiry courses taught by Dr. Farmer and his graduate students. Interested students can contact Dr. Farmer at [email protected] to find out more about Creative Inquiry classes being offered for the upcoming semester.
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