Graduate Fellowship – Environmental DNA

The Desert Research Institute (DRI), University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV) School of Life Sciences (SoLS) and the Sulo and Aileen Maki Endowment announce a Ph.D. fellowship with options for immediate starting dates in the fast-growing field of environmental DNA (eDNA). Our student will work at the cutting edge of conservation R&D through application of advanced sampling methodologies, species-specific qPCR, and DNA-sequence-based technologies (meta-omics and metabarcoding) in support of real-world projects focused on endemic fish stewardship and control of invasive species. The successful candidate will join an interagency team involved in all aspects of endangered species conservation, including scientists, resource managers and field technicians from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Nevada Division of Wildlife, National Park Service, Southern Nevada Water Authority, The Nature Conservancy, and others. This unique position offers the opportunity to make a difference at the front lines of environmental protection from day-one while paving the path to a rewarding career in conservation biology, wildlife ecology, and/or molecular biosciences.

QUALIFICATIONS

• B.S. or M.S. in a related discipline (required)
• Laboratory experience, especially with DNA and/or bioinformatics
• Ability to work under desert field conditions and valid driver’s license
• Strong work ethic and dedication to academic excellence
• Excellent communication skills – spoken and written English
• Personal commitment to natural resource preservation

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS: Our competitive support package includes three years of research support and a one-year teaching assistantship. DRI offers a half-time monthly salary of $2,250 for PhD students with the possibility of full-time status over the summer ($27,000 – $33,750 per year) and includes health insurance, grant-in-aid covering 100% of tuition, and waiver of non-resident tuition.