Opportunity:

The TAMU-CC marine biomedical sciences lab is looking for an excellent and highly motivated graduate student at M.S. level to join the team and conduct a research thesis on the toxic effects of plastic pollution at different life stages in fish, with special focus on the organism’s immune competence. The thesis research is fully funded for two years.

The student is expected to design and conduct microplastic exposure experiments using the ecotoxicological model marine medaka (Oryzias melastigma) in the lab and to measure immune-related endpoints at different biological levels with the final goal to prepare a M.S. thesis. The research project will be presented at scientific meetings and a manuscript for publication in a scientific journal will be prepared.

Requirements:

A strong background and training records of marine biology (ideally fish biology), and a basic knowledge of (eco)toxicology and immunology is required.

A GPA of 3.0 (last 60hrs) is the minimum requirement to be eligible for graduate assistantships at TAMU-CC. Higher GPA and above average GRE scores enhance the competitiveness of a candidate.

Additionally, the ideal candidate has some prior experiences in fish husbandry, molecular and histological techniques, working in a research lab, proven ability of working on a self-directed research study including a written publication or report, presentations at scientific meetings.

The selected student is expected to enroll in the Biology M.S. program (thesis track, http://sci.tamucc.edu/LSCI/BIOL/ms/index.html) or Marine Biology M.S. program (thesis track, http://gradcollege.tamucc.edu/degrees/science/marine_biology_ms_phd.html), to ideally start in Fall 2018 (latest Spring 2019) under the supervision of Dr. Frauke Seemann, designated Assistant Professor for Marine Biomedical Sciences, TAMU-CC.