Graduate Assistantships

Current Graduate Research Opportunities

Graduate Research Assistant in Biogeochemistry

The School for Marine Science & Technology (SMAST) at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth invites applications from qualified students to our master's and doctoral programs to work on research projects relating to biogeochemical particle fluxes and sedimentation, ocean particle dynamics, and the interplay between major nutrient cycles and plankton ecology. Possible research areas include, but are not limited to the following:

geochemical analyses of sediment trap samples
micropaleontology and elemental studies of sediment cores
computer-based image analysis of ocean particles and plankton
benthic nepheloid layer resuspension dynamics and modeling
benthic-pelagic coupling of biogeochemical cycles
development of autonomous vehicles for marine research (new/working on with some engineers)

Student research projects will be highly interdisciplinary and most will consist of laboratory as well as field-based activities. A bachelor's or master's degree in physical and/or earth sciences or oceanography is required. Applicants should possess moderate to strong computer and mathematical skills, depending on the graduate project selected. Review of applications is ongoing. Admissions procedures and application information are available on the IMS website. For more information, please contact Dr. Cindy Pilskaln at 508.910.6327 (ph), 508.910.6371 (fax), or via email at cpilskaln@umassd.edu.

Interested applicants should also send a statement of interest and current resume to:

Graduate Research Assistant in Biogeochemistry
Attn: Dr. Cindy Pilskaln
School for Marine Science & Technology
706 South Rodney French Blvd.
New Bedford, MA 02744-1221

Graduate Research Assistantship in Fishing Gear Modeling

An MS track research assistantship in the UMass Intercampus Marine Science Graduate Program is available at the School for Marine Science & Technology at UMass Dartmouth with a primary focus on modeling fishing gear.

The research project, funded for one year, seeks to model the flow around a dredge to better understand the influence of dredge geometry on fishing selectivity and bycatch. Applicants should have an accredited undergraduate degree in engineering, biology, or related discipline. Candidates having documented prior experience with numerical modeling are strongly preferred. Additionally, professional competence and good command of oral and written English are essential. The appointment is contingent upon the acceptance of the applicant into the UMass Intercampus Marine Science Graduate Program.

To find out more and to be considered for this position please send your CV/resume to Professor Geoffrey Cowles (gcowles@umassd.edu). Further information about policies and entrance requirements pertaining to program admission can be found at .

PhD-level graduate assistantship in ocean turbulence & biogeochemical fluxes

The University of Massachusetts Intercampus Marine Science (IMS) Graduate Program invites applications for a PhD-level graduate research assistantship to study ocean turbulence and biogeochemical fluxes in ocean oxygen-deficient zones starting fall 2021.

This assistantship opportunity is part of an Office of Naval Research-supported study and is fully funded for three years. Research will be conducted at the School for Marine Science & Technology at UMass Dartmouth and will examine the use of sustained autonomous observations for estimating the regional horizontal and vertical fluxes required by biogeochemical budgets. Candidates with a background in oceanography, physics, engineering, applied mathematics, environmental sciences, or a related field are encouraged to apply.

Requirements

Strong quantitative, analytical, and data organization skills
Mathematical analysis & computer programming experience (e.g. Matlab, Fortran, Python)
Good command of oral and written English

To find out more and to be considered for this position please send a letter describing your interests and qualifications for the position, your CV/resume, and contact information for 3 academic/professional references to Professor Mark Altabet (maltabet@umassd.edu).

Please include your GPA and GRE scores (if available). Further information about policies and entrance requirements pertaining to program admission can be found at https://marine.massachusetts.edu/. SMAST is located in the beautiful coastal city of New Bedford, known for its fisheries, seafood industry, and the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park.

NUWC Student Programs

The Naval Undersea Warfare Center in Newport, Rhode Island, offers a suite of research and employment opportunities for students that can be dovetailed with graduate studies at SMAST.