A PhD position in the field of fish immunology/ ecotoxicology/ epigenetics is available in the lab of Dr. Frauke Seemann at Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi (TAMU-CC). Starting in spring 2019, the research should be directed either towards the investigation of critical windows during immune system development for pollutant exposure or the study of epigenetic mechanisms underlying transgenerational toxicity in fish.

The PhD position will be supported through the Marine Biology degree program at TAMU-CC. Information about this program can be found online at http://marinebiology.tamucc.edu/. Full funding is available for the initial two years.

ABOUT THE LAB: The research projects conducted in the lab are related to fish toxicology, notably developmental toxicology, immunotoxicology and transgenerational toxicology. Using the medaka fish model, we investigate pollutant-induced impacts on the molecular, cellular, tissue and organismic level and over generations. This approach allows us to identify potential molecular key markers, which may be employed to obtain information about the individual fitness upon exposure and subsequently population health. Identified marker are tested for robustness in commercially or ecologically important species in the field.

We are located at Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi in the Department of Life Sciences. Access to genomic, isotope and microscope core facilities allow the employment of state-of-the-art methodologies to achieve the research goals.

Ideally, the candidate will hold a MS degree in (marine) biology, immunology, (eco)toxicology or a closely related discipline with prior research experience in fish exposure experiments and molecular biology/omics skills.