We invite applicants for two open Ph.D. opportunities at The University of Southern Mississippi’s Gulf Coast Research Laboratory in Ocean Springs, MS. Selected applicants will pursue a Ph.D. through USM’s Division of Coastal Sciences. Both assistantships include a stipend of $28,500/year and a tuition waiver. Additional information on both opportunities can be found at https://www.thecraboratory.
(1) Understanding Drivers of Change in Seagrass Ecosystems to Inform Management of Critical Habitats in the Gulf Islands National Seashore:
This assistantship will be centered on a recently funded project to identify and monitor long-term trends and variability in seagrass-dominated ecosystems in the Gulf Islands National Seashore and identify drivers of change in biodiversity and productivity of these systems to address knowledge gaps and uncertainties prioritized by resource managers. The project will involve substantial field sampling for seagrass and seagrass-associated nekton across the Gulf Islands National Seashore in Florida and Mississippi, as well as laboratory sample processing and analyses of existing long-term datasets. Experience working in seagrass beds and familiarity with coastal nekton communities is preferred but not required. The selected student will be co-advised by Dr. Zachary Darnell and Dr. Kelly Darnell. This assistantship will begin in summer 2026 (exact date TBD based on student availability) and 5 years of funding are available. Interested students should contact Dr. Zachary Darnell (zachary.darnell@usm.edu). Please include a cover letter describing your interests and career goals, a copy of your CV, unofficial undergraduate and graduate transcripts, and contact information for three professional references. For full consideration, submit all required information by February 1, 2026.
(2) Coastal Sciences Doctoral Fellowship:
The Division of Coastal Sciences of The University of Southern Mississippi School of Ocean Science and Engineering is pleased to announce the availability of graduate fellowships to prospective students seeking a Ph.D. degree. These fellowships are awarded competitively and are intended to support the recruitment of graduate students in coastal and marine science who demonstrate scholarly promise. The duration of the fellowship is 4 years. As these fellowships are not tied to specific research grants, students have substantial flexibility in research focus. Applicants are required to identify a faculty advisor in advance of applying. The application deadline for Fall 2026 admission is January 15, 2026. Interested students should contact Dr. Zachary Darnell (zachary.darnell@usm.edu) ASAP to discuss this opportunity.
