PhD Graduate Assistantship in Freshwater Mussel Ecology, Geochemistry, and Sclerochronology

Salary: $30,667 per year

Position Summary:
The School of Renewable Natural Resources at Louisiana State University Agricultural Center seeks applicants for a PhD Graduate Assistantship in Freshwater Mussel Ecology, Geochemistry, and Sclerochronology beginning August 1, 2025.

The position involves ecological research, focusing on the health assessments, age and growth estimates, and geochemical analyses of freshwater mussel shells to explore environmental impacts in Louisiana’s coastal rivers. Students will work collaboratively with geochemists and aquatic ecologists to develop frameworks for analyzing mussel shells as archives of environmental change, specifically targeting elements on the EPA priority pollutants list.

Key Responsibilities:

• Conduct freshwater mussel assemblage health assessments.
• Estimate mussel age and growth and quantify heavy metals in mussel shells.
• Develop a framework for mussel shells as environmental archives.
• Investigate literature, coordinate with experts, and conduct fieldwork in challenging outdoor conditions.

Qualifications:

Required:

• Master’s degree in natural resources management, aquatic biology, biogeochemistry, fisheries or wildlife management, or related biological fields.
• Experience with data management and programming (R).
• Ability to work independently or collaboratively with scientists from diverse disciplines.
• Comfortable working in outdoor conditions (rain, heat, cold, biting insects, snakes, alligators).
• Ability to swim in outdoor settings and perform skin diving using mask, snorkel, and weight belt.
• Valid U.S. driver’s license or ability to obtain one within 60 days of start.
• Minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA (or 3.5 GPA in the last 60 credit hours).

Preferred:

• SCUBA diving certification (desirable but not required).
• Completion of GRE with satisfactory scores.
• Ability to work extended hours in unpleasant conditions.

Application Instructions:
Applicants should email the following materials in a single PDF packet to Dr. Garrett Hopper at ghopper@agcenter.lsu.edu:

1. Cover Letter detailing interest in the project and credentials.
2. Curriculum Vitae (CV) with no fewer than two academic or professional references.
3. Unofficial undergraduate transcript (including courses from all institutions attended).

Important Note:
Formal application to LSU should not be submitted without prior approval from the principal investigator.

Application Deadline: May 19, 2025

Additional Information:

• Overnight travel is required.
• Offers contingent on satisfactory pre-employment background checks.

Contact Information:
Name: Dr. Garrett Hopper
Phone: 225-578-0771
Email: ghopper@agcenter.lsu.edu
Website: HOME | Garrett Hopper