**PhD or Masters Positions at The Ohio State University**
The Whelan Lab at The Ohio State University is seeking graduate students to join the lab in August 2026. The lab is part of the Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology and is recruiting up to two graduate students at either the masters or PhD level. Potential masters and PhD projects include conservation genetics and molecular ecology of freshwater mollusks, phylogenetics and systematics of freshwater gastropods, and genomics of freshwater mollusks. Students interested in freshwater gastropods are especially encouraged to apply. Students will work in museum, lab, and field environments.
The Whelan Lab is located at the Museum of Biological Diversity on the main campus of The Ohio State University. The lab’s research includes both basic and applied science, and students work in an academic and museum research environment while collaborating with government researchers and on-the-ground conservation scientists. Students will have the opportunity to work directly with conservation practitioners and perform cutting-edge research. Current research projects in the lab include (1) phylogenomics of freshwater gastropods, with an emphasis on Pleuroceridae, (2) conservation genomics and molecular ecology of freshwater mollusks, including threatened and endangered mussels and snails, (3) taxonomy of terrestrial snails, freshwater mussels, and freshwater snails, and (4) freshwater gastropod life history evolution.
The Ohio State University is a public land grant institution with internationally recognized research and academics. Columbus, Ohio is a vibrant town with excellent quality of life.
**Stipends and Start Dates: Students will receive a stipend of at least $2,681/month and a tuition waiver. Students will likely serve as Graduate Teaching Assistants for their stipend, but competitive fellowships may be available. Health insurance, including vision and dental, are provided to graduate students at no cost. Available start dates are August 2025.
**To apply: All potential graduate students will need to apply to The Ohio State University and be accepted by the Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology. The deadline for applicants is November 15, 2025. Before applying to OSU, students interested in working in the Whelan lab should contact Dr. Nathan Whelan to discuss potential graduate student projects. If you are interested in joining the Whelan Lab, please send a letter of interest, current CV, contact information for 2-3 references, and unofficial transcripts to: Dr. Nathan Whelan, Whelan.105@osu.edu.
Nathan Whelan, PhD
Director, Museum of Biological Diversity Associate Professor, Dept. of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology The Ohio State University Whelan.105@osu.edu