Florida International University · Florida · assistantship · posted today
Graduate Research Assistantship opportunity at Florida International University (Miami, FL) working in Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR) Seeking a PhD student to join a project investigating the effects of surface water quality on submerged aquatic vegetation in the Ten Thousand Islands region of south Florida, with a specific focus on the downstream effects of the recently completed Picayune Strand Restoration Project (PSRP), a component of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP). The 4-year project is funded by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) South Florida Program and has the goal of understanding the impact of the restoration on water quality and benthic habitats. Located within the boundaries of Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (RBNERR, Naples, FL), the proposed study area spans several bays having a range of historical impacts from hydrologic management. The proposed data collection would occur over 3 years (2027 – 2030) and includes the following collaborators and their scientific disciplines: • Dr. Danielle Ogurcak, FIU Research Assistant Professor and Rookery Bay Interdisciplinary Science Liaison (disturbance and coastal vegetation ecology) • Dr. Johannes Krause, FIU Research Assistant Professor (seagrass ecology & remote sensing) • Dr. René Price, FIU Professor (chemical hydrogeology) • Dr. Nerea Ubierna, Rookery Bay NERR Research Coordinator (plant ecophysiology) The successful applicant will work as a Research Assistant (20 hours per week) in the first 2 years of the project while developing and conducting their own related investigation within the project footprint. Applicants must be admitted to FIU starting in Fall 2027. Applicants can choose a degree program in either the Department of Earth and Environment or Department of Biology at FIU depending on their research interests. Deadline for application to Biology is 12/1/26 and Earth and Environment is 2/1/27. Applicants will have the opportunity for an additional 2 years of support through Teaching Assistantships (TA) and are expected to pursue additional external fellowships to support their research. Applicants should have a Bachelor’s degree or above in the field of ecology, geology, environmental sciences, or similar. Applicants should have an interest in water quality impacts to submerged aquatic vegetation, as well as an interest in understanding the broader effects of hydrologic management and restoration on estuaries. Interest in remote-sensing and mapping technologies or the analysis of water sources through geochemical tracers is sought. The position requires field work in remote locations of the Ten Thousand Islands of south Florida and conditions include hot, humid, inclement weather and mosquitos. Applicant should have experience or interest in gaining skills in boating, drone (UAV) operation, and SCUBA diving and should possess and maintain a valid state motor vehicle operator’s license. The current GA rate at FIU is $30,625 annually for PhD students and positions include health insurance. Tuition is covered by the GA. The successful applicant is responsible for semester fees. For more information about graduate assistantships at FIU visit the FIU Graduate School. For more information about this opportunity, please email the Project Lead Principal Investigator, Dr. Danielle Ogurcak, dogurcak@fiu.edu. To submit an application for consideration, please complete the Google Form by November 23rd, 2026: https://forms.gle/vMzDRwwqjC8crmoFA
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