The Maine-eDNA EPSCoR program seeks up to 3 doctoral (PhD) students to join the $20 million NSF-Funded Maine-eDNA program. Maine-eDNA is a multi-institution EPSCoR program focused on using eDNA approaches to advance coastal ecosystem science and sustainability. (https://umaine.edu/edna/).
The program seeks a diverse pool of applicants with backgrounds and interests in aquatic ecology, marine science, bioinformatics, data science, communications, and team science, among other areas. Graduate students will conduct research within or across three research themes: 1) Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture; 2) Harmful and Shifting Species; 3) Macrosystem eDNA Integration. Further information on these themes is available at https://umaine.edu/edna/thematic-goals/
Students will receive up to 2 initial years of stipend, tuition, and health insurance coverage from Maine-eDNA, with additional years of support arranged by the student’s research advisor. Interested students should contact prospective Maine-eDNA research advisors (https://umaine.edu/edna/) to discuss potential research and support plans, and to develop an application package that includes:
From the applicant:
- Prospective Student Resume/CV
- Undergraduate and graduate transcripts (unofficial versions are acceptable for initial application)
- A letter from the applicant that indicates: 1) why they are interested in participating in the Maine-eDNA program, 2) whether they have experience working with eDNA and in interdisciplinary teams, and 3) their qualifications or interests in some specific research project planned with their prospective advisor.
From the prospective graduate advisor:
- A letter providing: 1) a statement supporting the applicant’s recruitment and proposed contributions to Maine-eDNA, 2) a plan for student support beyond the period of Maine-eDNA funding, and 3) outlining diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) strategies the prospective advisor implemented in their recruiting.
Application materials should be sent to maine.epscor@maine.edu. Review of applications will begin August 1, 2022, and continue until positions are filled. Questions about this program should be sent to the Chair of the Maine-eDNA Graduate Education Committee, Dr. Jasmine Saros, jasmine.saros@maine.edu.
