Ecotoxicology Modeling
Graduate student assistantship (Master of Science)
University of Georgia’s Savannah River Ecology Lab
The University of Georgia’s Savannah River Ecology Laboratory is seeking a highly motivated student with strong academic credentials to join a collaborative research team working on modeling of contaminant uptake in aquatic turtles. The successful applicant would be enrolled in UGA’s Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources starting Spring or Fall 2018, and stationed at the Savannah River Ecology Lab in Aiken, SC when not taking classes. The selected student will primarily work on a project aimed at improving our understanding of contaminant exposure risk (primarily heavy metals) in aquatic turtles. The project’s primary goal is to develop a spatially explicit, individual-based Monte-Carlo simulation model that incorporates prior information on the spatial heterogeneity and trophic transfer of contaminants, as well as parameters associated with turtle ecology that likely influence exposure risk (e.g., habitat utilization and demography).
Qualifications: Minimum qualifications for this position include:
1. A B.S. degree in wildlife ecology, ecology, toxicology or a related discipline.
2. A minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 and GRE scores of 1000 (~300 in new scoring system).
3. Candidates with a working knowledge of programming (especially programming using R) will be given preference.
4. While prior experience in modeling is not essential, preference will be given to candidates with experience using spatial, toxicological and/or individual based modeling.
5. The candidate should have excellent organizational skills must be able to work in the field under adverse conditions.
6. A security clearance is required to work on the Department of Energy's Savannah River Site, and applicants must be able and willing to pass a background investigation.
Stipend and Benefits: This assistantship is based on a 40% stipend. Position will offer $20,138/year. The student will receive a full-tuition waiver but will be expected to pay some mandated fees (details can be found at http://busfin.uga.edu/bursar/). All students on assistantship are required to have health insurance, and a portion of the premium for the University System’s health insurance plan is paid by the University of Georgia.
Further information:
1. The main faculty involved in the project include Dr. Tracey Tuberville and Dr. Guha Dharmarajan. Details on their lab groups can be found at can be found at https://srel.uga.edu/directory/faculty/
2. Details on the Savannah River Ecology Laboratory can be found at https://srel.uga.edu/
3. Details on the Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources can be found at www.warnell.uga.edu.
4. Details on the University of Georgia can be found at www.uga.edu
5. Details about the graduate program are available at https://www.warnell.uga.edu/graduate.
Application details:
1. Interested candidates must follow instructions below prior to submitting an application to Warnell
2. Review of candidates will begin immediately and continue until a suitable candidate is found.
3. Applicants should submit a letter of interest, CV (including GPA and GRE scores), work experience (including duration at each position) and contact information for three references in A SINGLE PDF attachment to Dr. Guha Dharmarajan (guha[AT]srel[DOT]uga[DOT]edu ). Please ensure the name of your PDF document contains your last name.
4. Short-listed candidates will be contacted and requested to submit an application to Warnell
Contact: Guha Dharmarajan, Ph.D., Assistant Research Scientist
The University of Georgia’s Savannah River Ecology Laboratory
Phone: 803-725-3241; Email: guha[AT]srel[DOT]uga[DOT]edu
UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION INSTITUTION.
