Auburn University
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PhD assistantship in genomics and disease ecology at Auburn University Auburn University in United States
Degree Level
PhD
Field of study
Computer Science
Funding
Fully funded PhD assistantship with a competitive stipend, tuition remission, and opportunities for professional development. Salary starts at $30,000 per year.
Deadline
Nov 15, 2026
Country
United States
University
Auburn University
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About this position
PhD assistantship in genomics and disease ecology at Auburn University (College of Forestry, Wildlife, and Environment).
The Willoughby lab is seeking a PhD student for a fully funded assistantship beginning January or May 2027. The project focuses on brown-spot needle blight, an emerging threat to loblolly pine forests and timber production in the southeastern United States. Research will examine how genomic characteristics of pine-associated fungi, environmental stress responses, and fungal community composition influence disease severity.
Planned methods may include whole-genome sequencing, RNA sequencing, controlled experiments, bioinformatics, comparative genomics, gene-expression analysis, predictive modeling, and integration of genomic, environmental, and ecological data. The student will gain training in fungal culturing, genomics, quantitative analysis, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Applicants should have a master’s degree. Helpful experience includes molecular lab methods, fungal biology, genomics, bioinformatics, statistics, or programming, but the PI emphasizes that candidates do not need to arrive with all of these skills. Strong curiosity, persistence, willingness to learn, clear communication, and the ability to work both independently and in a team are important.
The position is based at Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama, United States. Funding includes a competitive stipend, tuition remission, and professional development opportunities. The salary starts at $30,000 per year.
Interested candidates should email Dr. Janna Willoughby with a brief background and research-interest statement, a short explanation of fit with the project, and a PDF CV. The PI will interview prospective students before a formal graduate application is submitted. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and interviews are expected no later than October 1, 2026.
Funding details
Fully funded PhD assistantship with a competitive stipend, tuition remission, and opportunities for professional development. Salary starts at $30,000 per year.
What's required
Applicants must have a master's degree. Desired background includes molecular laboratory methods, fungal biology, genomics, bioinformatics, statistics, or programming, but applicants are not expected to have experience in all or most of these areas. The student should be intellectually curious, persistent, willing to learn unfamiliar methods, able to communicate clearly across disciplines, and able to work independently and collaboratively.
How to apply
Email Dr. Janna Willoughby with a brief description of your background and research interests, an explanation of why the project interests you, and a PDF of your CV. Prospective students will be interviewed before submitting a formal application to Auburn’s graduate program. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
More information can be found here
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