PhD Assistantship in Aquatic Ecology and Habitat Modeling at the University of Vermont University of Vermont in United States

PhD Student Assistantship in Aquatic Ecology and Habitat Modeling at the University of Vermont, within the Henderson Lab and the USGS Vermont Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit in the Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources.

This PhD project focuses on modeling water quality and habitat characteristics in Lake Champlain. The research will use aquatic drones to conduct water quality and benthic habitat surveys across the lake, with the goal of understanding habitat abundance, distribution, and connectivity for fish, and how habitat availability relates to fish distributions.

Core research and training areas include aquatic ecology, habitat modeling, water quality modeling, fisheries ecology, spatial analysis, and statistical analysis. The position also includes fieldwork, data analysis, and manuscript preparation.

Eligibility: Applicants should have an M.Sc. degree in biology, ecology, fisheries, marine science, or a related field. The post is aimed at highly motivated candidates with interest in environmental and aquatic systems research.

Funding: The assistantship includes an annual stipend of $33,000, tuition coverage, and health insurance.

Application: Send a 1-page letter of interest, academic CV, and transcripts to Dr. Mark Henderson at [email protected]. The post also includes a short application link for submission details.

Timing: The start date is August 2026, with a summer start also possible.