The Mamoozadeh Lab at North Carolina State University (NC State) is accepting applications for a MSc or PhD student to begin August 2025 (fall semester). The Mamoozadeh Lab leverages genomics and bioinformatics to explore questions related to the ecology and evolutionary biology of aquatic species, particularly fishes of conservation or management concern. Research themes representative of the lab include exploring how genetic diversity is distributed across space and time, evaluating the role of climate and other landscape features in shaping adaptation, and assessing the effectiveness or likely impact of management actions. This research is often conducted in close collaboration with state and federal fisheries management agencies. Students work in lab and field environments, and build transferable skills in creativity, leadership, and communication, as well as highly marketable skills in field biology, genetics/genomics, and bioinformatics. The Mamoozadeh Lab is housed within the Department of Applied Ecology at NC State (https://cals.ncsu.edu/applied-ecology/), which also houses the USGS Southeast Climate Adaptation Science Center and the USGS North Carolina Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, offering abundant opportunities for integrative and applied research in fisheries contexts. The selected applicant will work directly with Dr. Nadya Mamoozadeh on the NC State campus located in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Qualifications: Applicants should have a BSc degree in the field of biology, ecology, evolution, environmental science, fisheries, natural resources, genetics/genomics, bioinformatics, or a related field. The selected applicant will be expected to develop and lead independent research in the fields of fish ecology, conservation genomics, and fisheries management. Prior molecular lab experience is strongly preferred, as well as quantitative skills (such as in R or bioinformatic analyses), or at least an authentic interest in developing these skills. Field experience will be viewed as a plus. Competitive candidates will have strong communication and leadership skills, as well as the ability to work independently. We are a very interactive lab and are looking for an enthusiastic scientist who cares about fisheries conservation and management. We are also a lab that celebrates diversity and inclusion, and we warmly invite lab members to contribute to this culture.
Support: Students in the Mamoozadeh Lab receive a stipend, tuition, and health insurance, as well as support for professional travel. This support may come through a mix of teaching assistantships, research assistantships, and other sources.
How to Apply: Interested students should email the following to Dr. Nadya Mamoozadeh (nmamoozadeh@gmail.com) as a single PDF and using the subject line Fisheries Genomics Student
1) Brief cover letter describing research interests, accomplishments, career goals, and how working in the Mamoozadeh Lab will help you achieve these goals
2) Resume/CV
3) Unofficial transcripts
4) Writing sample (e.g., published paper, manuscript in preparation, MSc or undergraduate thesis, or research paper or essay from a relevant course)
5) Names and email addresses for three professional references
Applications should be received before 25 October 2024 to receive full consideration. Top candidates will be invited to discuss their qualifications and interests in a virtual interview. This informal selection process will be completed before the deadline for the official NC State graduate school application, which is 15 January 2025.
Inquiries: Informal inquiries to learn more about the position are welcomed (but not required) and should be sent to the email listed above.