[Coral-List] Two graduate student positions in coral ecological physiology and restoration

[Mark Warner]

I have two open positions for Marine BioScience graduate students (MS or possibly PhD, more details below) within the School of Marine Science and Policy at the University of Delaware (https://www.udel.edu/academics/colleges/ceoe/departments/smsp/).

Both positions will focus on the physiology of reef building corals, their photosynthetic symbiotic algae, coral bleaching, and reef restoration. Two current projects are using new methods and open-source instruments for assessing coral physiology and thermal tolerance by chlorophyll a fluorescence in reef-building corals targeted for restoration work in the Florida Keys or Fiji and Guam. Both projects are in collaboration with Dr. Kenneth Hoadley at the University of Alabama and several other colleagues at Mote Marine Lab, the University of Guam, and Fijian NGO partner Reef Explorer Fiji.

One position is open to begin as early as the spring or summer of 2024, while the other project may begin as early as the summer of 2024 (pending funding arrangements). Both positions will be based at the University of Delaware marine campus in Lewes, DE

Desired qualifications of applicants:
–If considering a PhD, a master’s degree in biology, Marine Science, or other relevant field of study, with a record of scientific publication and presenting results at scientific conferences.
–If considering an MS, a bachelor’s degree in biology, Marine Science, or other relevant field of study, with a record of some external (i.e., non-classroom) research-based experience.
–Preferred (though not required) experience includes working with reef building corals, a working knowledge of photosynthesis and/or microalgal physiology, DNA analyses (e.g. DNA extraction, PCR amplification and sequencing), and experience in thermal biology and physiological ecology of plants, algae, or reef corals. Scuba certification and AAUS scientific diving certification are also highly desirable.

The application deadline is December 1st, 2023 (for priority consideration and funding). Interested applicants should contact Mark Warner at mwarner at udel.edu, and send a statement of interest, CV, and transcript.

Kind regards,
Mark Warner

Mark E. Warner, Ph.D.
Professor
School of Marine Science and Policy
University of Delaware