University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee · Wisconsin · posted today
The Gerig Fish Ecology Lab at the School of Freshwater Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee is recruiting a new graduate student. Join a multi-agency effort under the 2026 Cooperative Science and Monitoring Initiative (CSMI) to characterize the trophic structure of Lake Superior. Working alongside Michigan DNR, Minnesota DNR, Wisconsin DNR, tribal, and federal partners, this project analyzes predator–prey diet relationships across Lake Superior, applies DNA barcoding to resolve unidentified prey remains in predator diets, and assesses the food-web consequences of the record 2022 cisco recruitment event. What You'll Do • Process and analyze fish stomach contents from multiple predator and prey species • Identify fish, aquatic invertebrates, and zooplankton from diet and field samples • Support DNA barcoding workflows to resolve unidentified fish remains in predator diets • Participate in agency led field work on Lake Superior • Collaborate with and disseminate research findings to state, tribal, and federal partners • Develop thesis or dissertation research around project goals and objectives Desired Skills • Strong interest in Great Lakes fisheries and food-web ecology • Identification skills for Lake Superior fishes • Zooplankton identification for Lake Superior taxa (e.g., Mysis diluviana, Diporeia, calanoid & cyclopoid copepods, cladocerans, etc.) • Demonstrated writing skills • Experience with data and statistical analysis (e.g. R) • Ability to work in field and laboratory settings (fish surveys, diet analysis, stable isotope prep, DNA barcoding prep) • Effective communication skills (e.g., with external partners, internal collaborators, undergraduate student researchers, PI) • Excellent organization and data management skills (e.g., tracking large numbers of samples, data entry) • Comfortable with fieldwork and boat-based sampling Funding · Research assistantship (~$28,000 per year) with full tuition waiver. 2.5 years of guaranteed funding. Location · University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, with fieldwork across the Lake Superior basin Start Date · Flexible. Preferred start date between January and March 2027. Contact · Dr. Brandon Gerig, PI · https://uwm.edu/freshwater/directory/gerig-brandon/ · gerig@uwm.edu; email to start a conversation
Apply on the employer's site →JobMoo watches every zoo, aquarium, wildlife, and marine source we know and emails you the roles that fit, once a day, with a real human keeping an eye on your search. Built by a dad and his daughter, and it worked: she landed the job.
Start your 7-day trial, $9/mo after