University of North Carolina Wilmington
2 months ago
MS and PhD Assistantships in Sensory Ecology, Behavioral Ecology, and Neuroethology at the University of North Carolina Wilmington University of North Carolina Wilmington in United States
Degree Level
Master's, PhD
Field of study
Environmental Science
Funding
The post advertises MS and PhD assistantships with salary listed as commensurate/negotiable. It implies graduate assistantship support for the positions, but no exact stipend, tuition coverage, or funding package details are provided.
Deadline
Apr 19, 2027
Country
United States
University
University of North Carolina Wilmington
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About this position
Two graduate assistantship opportunities are available in the Schweikert Lab in the Department of Biology and Marine Biology at the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW). The openings are centered on sensory ecology, marine biology, behavioral ecology, neuroethology, and the study of adaptive camouflage and dynamic color change in fishes.
One position is for an MSc in Marine Biology focused on Behavioral Ecology of Dynamic Color Change in Reef Fishes (starting Spring or Summer 2027). The second is a PhD in Integrative, Comparative, and Marine Biology focused on Neuroethology of Adaptive Camouflage in Flatfishes (starting Fall 2027).
The lab studies how color-changing marine fishes gather and process visual information, including the role of dermal photoreception and how skin may function as a sensory system for monitoring the environment or the animal’s own coloration. The broader project connects animal sensory biology with bioinspired sensing and material science.
Applicants with experience in neurophysiological or behavioral approaches are preferred, but this is not required. A bachelor’s degree is required. Interested students should first email Dr. Lorian Schweikert with a 1-page statement of career goals and research interests, a CV or resume, unofficial transcripts, and contact information for three references.
Priority contact deadlines are August 16, 2026 for the MSc position and September 13, 2026 for the PhD position. The UNCW application deadlines are October 15, 2026 for the MSc and February 15, 2027 for the PhD. The post lists the salary as commensurate/negotiable and indicates assistantship support, but does not specify stipend amount or tuition coverage.
More information is available on the Schweikert Lab website and the UNCW Biology/Marine Biology and Center for Marine Science pages.
Funding details
The post advertises MS and PhD assistantships with salary listed as commensurate/negotiable. It implies graduate assistantship support for the positions, but no exact stipend, tuition coverage, or funding package details are provided.
What's required
Applicants should have at least a bachelor's degree. Experience with neurophysiological or behavioral approaches is preferred but not required. Interested students should prepare a 1-page statement of career goals and research interests, a resume or CV, unofficial transcripts, and contact information for three references. Students must apply to the UNCW graduate program after contacting the supervisor.
How to apply
Email Dr. Lorian Schweikert with your statement of career goals and research interests, CV, unofficial transcripts, and three references. Then apply to the UNCW graduate program by the relevant deadline for the MSc or PhD track.
Make your next move.
Prepare your application
Review drafts and confirm requirements with the university.
Make your next move.
Prepare your application
Review drafts and confirm requirements with the university.