The Herpetology and Applied Conservation Lab in the Department of Biological Sciences at Marshall University (Huntington, West Virginia, USA) is seeking two highly motivated M.S. graduate students to join externally funded research on eastern hellbenders (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis) in West Virginia.
This is a fully funded graduate research assistantship (often referred to as the Marshall University Scholarship for this project), offering full tuition remission (excluding fees), an annual stipend of $18,000, and a three-year minimum commitment starting in August 2026.
Successful applicants will work under the mentorship of Dr Jayme Waldron (Principal Investigator) and with support from Dr Shane Welch and senior lab personnel. You will develop and implement an independent M.S. thesis within the broader funded hellbender project.
Research will involve close collaboration with state, federal, and NGO partners. Graduate students are expected to communicate effectively and work alongside collaborators throughout the project.
Key Field and Research Activities
Fieldwork will include:
- Visual surveys for hellbenders (snorkelling)
- Mark-recapture surveys
- Nest surveys
- eDNA sampling
- Other related ecological studies
Students will serve as Graduate Teaching Assistants, teaching biology laboratories in the Department of Biological Sciences. You may also manage and train field technicians as required.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible, applicants must:
- Hold (or expect) a bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0 (strongly preferred).
- Be able to swim confidently.
- Possess a valid state motor vehicle operator’s licence.
- Have prior experience in field research and a strong interest in hellbender ecology.
- Demonstrate interest in population ecology and demographic modelling (encouraged).
- Be committed to strict safety protocols.
- Tolerate physically demanding and uncomfortable field conditions (e.g., wet, cold, remote environments).
- Show maturity, excellent teamwork skills (with peers and technicians), and the ability to work independently when needed.
For full details on graduate programme admission, visit the Marshall University Biological Sciences degree requirements page.
Benefits of the Position
- Annual stipend: $18,000 per year
- Full tuition waiver (excluding fees)
- Three-year funding commitment (starting August 2026)
- Opportunity to conduct impactful conservation research on a declining amphibian species
- Mentorship in herpetology, ecology, and applied conservation
Required Application Documents
Prepare a single PDF containing:
- 1-page statement of interest
- CV/résumé (including contact details for three references)
- Unofficial transcripts
How to Apply
Email your application documents to Dr Jayme Waldron at: [email protected], cc: [email protected],u and [email protected]
Review of applications begins immediately and will continue until the positions are filled.
Don’t miss this opportunity to contribute to hellbender conservation while earning a funded Master’s degree in Biological Sciences at Marshall University!