Graduate Student at Auburn University, Alabama
The Simonis Lab at Auburn University is hiring a graduate student(s) to perform research associated with seasonal pathogen dynamics and bat health throughout various field sites and/or highway culverts throughout Alabama.
The graduate student(s) would build their own project within broader lab research to understand;
- year-round shifts in bat infections and coinfections,
- seasonal fluctuations in bat immunity under many stressors (e.g., infections, contaminant exposure, land use), and 3) general ecological and conservation research regarding bat health in the southeastern US.
Research projects would include field, laboratory and quantitative work. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply.
A PhD student is preferred, but highly qualified MS students will also be seriously considered.
Overview of the Graduate Student at Auburn University
- Type: Research Job – Masters and PhD
- Country to work: United States of America (USA)
- Sponsored by: Simonis Lab
- Eligible Countries: All Countries
- Job Benefits: PhD student, $26,500 per year + benefits, MS student, $23,500 per year + benefits and full tuition.
- Deadline: July 31, 2025
Eligibility Criterias for the Graduate Student at Auburn University
To be considered for the Auburn State University Scholarship, you must meet the following criteria:
Minimum Qualifications:
Ideal candidates will have the following:
- Bachelor’s degree in a biology or wildlife-related field
- Motivation and Professionalism
- Ability to work well with others
- Ability to work independently
- Ability to develop research questions
- Meet admission standards for
- AU Graduate School (https://bulletin.auburn.edu/thegraduateschool/admissions/), and
- AU College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment (https://cfwe.auburn.edu/graduate-study/graduate-degrees/)
- Valid driver’s license (or ability to obtain one)
Desired Qualifications:
Preference may be given to candidates with any of the following:
- MS degree in biology or wildlife-related field (only if applying for PhD)
- Wildlife and/or bat handling experience
- Biological sampling experience
- Bat survey experience
- Bat identification experience
- Laboratory technical skills
- Quantitative skills
- Previous field, technical, and/or research experience.
The Auburn University Scholarship/Job covers;
- Full tuition fees
- PhD student, $26,500 per year + benefits
- MS student, $23,500 per year + benefits.
The Graduate Student will be expected to carry out the following responsibilities:
- Conduct literature reviews
- Organize and manage datasets
- Collaboratively generate and analyze data, which will include the following:
- Collect field data and wildlife samples
- Collect laboratory data via molecular assays and microscopy
- Statistically analyze, and interpret quantitative data using R
- Collaborate with professionals from other institutions and interdisciplinary backgrounds
- Supervising undergraduates necessary
- Write and publish findings in peer reviewed scientific journals
- Present findings at local, state, regional, national, and/or international conferences
- Meet program requirements and deadlines
- Contribute to fostering a supportive, inclusive, and welcoming atmosphere within the lab, classroom, and college as a whole.
How to Apply for the Role of the Graduate Student at Auburn University
To apply for the Auburn University Scholarship, interested and qualified candidates should;
- Email the following materials as a single PDF document to Dr. Molly Simonis at [email protected], with the subject line “AU Potential Graduate Student.”
- A cover letter (2 pages max) outlining the wildlife sciences program of interest (PhD or MS), research interests, how your previous experiences have prepared you for graduate school/research, and professional goals
- Resume or CV
- Contact information for 2-3 professional references
- Applications will be accepted through July 31, 2025, but applicants are encouraged to apply sooner than later as materials will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Deadline: July 31st, 2025
