Chelsea Sabrina Obeidy

Multiple fully funded MS and PhD positions are available in Environmental Science, Biology, Forestry, Ecology, Plant Science, Fisheries, Agronomy, and related fields at various universities in the United States. These opportunities are highlighted by the New Life Research Foundation (NELIREF) and include research in areas such as soil and environmental geochemistry, reptile immunology, wildlife ecology, and conservation biology. One MS position at California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt, focuses on the impact of fire on hexavalent chromium formation in serpentine soils, integrating controlled burn experiments, environmental geochemistry, and GIS-based hazard mapping. The student will receive training in soil chemistry and GIS-based modeling. Another PhD position at Arkansas State University, in collaboration with the Memphis Zoo, is centered on reptile immunology, involving sample analysis, collaboration with zoo staff, and science communication. The University of Florida offers PhD assistantships in wildlife ecology, including long-term research on endangered raptors (Everglade Snail Kite) and red-cockaded woodpeckers, with opportunities for independent research and fieldwork. Applicants should have a relevant undergraduate degree (Biology, Environmental Science, Ecology, Forestry, or related fields). Some positions prefer or require a Master's degree, research experience, programming skills (R or Python), publication record, and/or molecular lab skills. Strong quantitative background, organizational and communication skills, and the ability to work independently and as part of a team are valued. Field experience and teaching or TA experience are preferred for some positions. All positions are fully funded, with support from grants and assistantships, including tuition coverage, stipend, and in some cases, travel and professional development support. The typical duration for PhD positions is four years. Application deadlines vary, with some positions beginning review on January 7, 2026, or January 15, 2026. Interested candidates should prepare a cover letter, CV, and contact information for references, and email application materials to the listed supervisor or contact. For more details and specific application instructions, refer to the provided links.

The Department of Forestry, Fire, and Rangeland Management at California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt is offering a funded MS position in the Soil & Environmental Quality Lab, starting Fall 2026. The research focuses on environmental geochemistry, specifically investigating how fire intensity and duration influence the formation of hexavalent chromium, a Class A carcinogen, in serpentine soils. This project is highly relevant to environmental science, soil chemistry, and geochemistry, with a strong emphasis on understanding toxic metal contamination risks in northern California and southern Oregon. The successful candidate will participate in controlled burn experiments, environmental geochemistry research, and GIS-based hazard mapping. Training will be provided in soil chemistry, including chemical extractions and spectroscopic analyses, as well as GIS-based modeling. The project aims to map and mitigate the risk of toxic metal contamination resulting from wildfires, integrating laboratory and fieldwork components. Applicants should have a background in environmental science, chemistry, geology, or a related field, and demonstrate motivation for research in environmental geochemistry and soil science. Experience with soil chemistry, geochemistry, GIS, or spectroscopic analysis is preferred but not strictly required. The position is funded, though specific details about the funding package are not provided. To apply, interested students should contact Dr. Chelsea Sabrina Obeidy, Assistant Professor of Soil Science, via email. The application window is open for Fall 2026 entry, and candidates are encouraged to review the recent publication linked in the announcement for additional context on the research topic.