[Coral-List] Two M.S. Assistantships in Marine Biology

[Daniel Gleason]

Two M.S. Assistantships in Marine Biology
 
Funding is available at Georgia Southern University (GSU) starting May 2008 to support two Master's students to participate in studies of the benthic invertebrate fauna of Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary. The successful applicants will be expected to assist with on-going studies investigating recruitment processes and succession in sessile benthic invertebrate populations. An abstract for this project can be obtained at http://www.bio.georgiasouthern.edu/Bio-home/Gleason/GraysAbstracts.htm
The successful applicants will also be expected to enter the M.S. program in Biology at GSU in fall 2008 and will develop hypothesis-driven research projects investigating some aspect of recruitment in sessile benthic invertebrate species that occur within the Sanctuary. A Scuba diving certification is required and a nitrox certification is a plus. An ability to work in rough sea conditions is highly preferred. Successful applicants will receive a stipend of approximately $12,000/year for two years. This stipend will consist of a research assistantship during the summer and one semester, and a teaching assistantship during the alternate semester. Tuition and basic major medical insurance will also be provided. 
 
Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary is one of the largest near shore live-bottom reefs off the coast of Georgia and is a popular recreational fishing and sport diving destination. It is located 17.5 nautical miles off Sapelo Island, Georgia, is in the 60-90' depth range, and encompasses 17 square nautical miles. Gray's Reef contains a complex habitat of caves, burrows, troughs, and overhangs that house invertebrates, such as sponges, barnacles, sea fans, hard coral, sea stars, crabs, lobsters, snails, and shrimp. This rocky platform also attracts numerous species of fishes, including black sea bass, snapper, grouper, and mackerel. 
 
Interested students should submit aresume, undergraduate transcripts, a statement of interest and career goals, and two letters of reference to Danny Gleason, Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, P.O. Box 8042, Statesboro, GA 30460-8042. The recipient will be selected from the pool of applicants who have submitted all materials by February 4, 2008. More information about the Department of Biology at GSU can be found at http://www.bio.georgiasouthern.edu/ and information on applying to graduate school can be found at http://cogs.georgiasouthern.edu 

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Daniel Gleason
Department of Biology
Georgia Southern University
P.O. Box 8042
Statesboro, GA 30460-8042

Phone: 912-681-5957
FAX: 912-681-0845
Email: dgleason at georgiasouthern.edu
Web page: http://www.bio.georgiasouthern.edu/Bio-home/Gleason/Gleason-home.html
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