Marshall University · West Virginia · posted 16 days ago
The Palmquist Lab at Marshall University is recruiting for a funded MS position at Marshall University in vegetation dynamics and plant community change in coastal ecosystems. Our research focuses on quantifying vegetation dynamics over space and time and identifying how the relative importance of ecological processes structuring plant communities changes with spatial and temporal scale. In addition, a key goal of our research is to understand how pattern and process in plant communities will be altered in the face of global environmental change. An important motivation for our work is to address ecological questions at large spatial scales to inform landscape conservation. We collect field data, use existing large observational data sets, and implement simulation modeling to address these goals in temperate shrublands, wetlands, woodlands, and forests. Additional information about the lab can be found at http://www.kylepalmquist.org/. RESEARCH FOCUS: The successful candidate will explore plant community patterns and short-term vegetation change and dynamics in coastal ecosystems on Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island (MCRDPI), a sea-island in South Carolina. Coastal vegetation provides important ecosystem services, including storm protection, erosion control, and habitat for wildlife. These complex, highly zoned plant communities are structured by multiple environmental factors including salinity, elevation, soil texture, soil moisture, exposure, and light availability. The project will leverage an existing network of 57 permanent vegetation plots located throughout the island that were installed and sampled in 2022. The successful candidate will re-sample these plots in summer 2027 to evaluate plant community change. In addition, there is a rich plant community data set from 2022 that has yet to be fully explored. Finally, the student will be able to leverage and potentially improve existing vegetation maps of the island that were created from an integration of remotely sensed products and field validation points. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: A background and relevant course work in plant ecology, knowledge and experience with the vegetation of the southeastern US, strong communication skills, and strong quantitative skills. Experience with plant community analysis and an interest in questions that evaluate plant community patterns over space and time. EXPECTATIONS: The successful candidate will be expected to conduct high-quality research, serve as a teaching assistant within the Department of Biological Sciences, present their research to the scientific community at regional and national meetings, and publish in peer-reviewed scientific journals. TIMELINE: The preferred start date is January 2027. The student must start no later than May 2027. FUNDING: Funding will be provided by teaching assistantships for two years, along with supplemental pay to conduct research during the academic year and summer. The 12-month pay for this position is $24,000 and a full tuition waiver will be provided. The student is responsible for covering University fees and health insurance. HOW TO APPLY: Interested students should apply by submitting the following to Dr. Kyle Palmquist (palmquist@marshall.edu): 1) short statement of research interests and career goals (no longer than 1 page), 2) CV, 3) unofficial transcripts, and 4) contact information for threeprofessional references. Please include: “MS position – coastal vegetation” and your name in the email subject. DEADLINE TO APPLY: No later than October 16, 2026. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until a candidate is selected. I will contact you to discuss your research interests and goals for graduate school if I determine you would be a good fit for the lab. If selected, a full application must be submitted to the Department of Biological Sciences at Marshall University, Huntington, WV. Faculty in the Department of Biological Sciences have expertise in a variety of biological fields, including but not limited to ecology, evolution, herpetology, and physiology. More information about the Department and its programs can be found here: https://www.marshall.edu/biology/. Application requirements for admission to the DBS graduate program can be found here: https://www.marshall.edu/biology/admission/. Marshall University is located in Huntington, an affordable college town located on the Ohio River in the beautiful state of West Virginia. The town is small enough to get around on foot and bike, but large enough to support a variety of restaurants and other cultural activities. Huntington and the surrounding area offer ample recreational opportunities (hiking, skiing, rafting), along with proximity to larger cities, including Louisville, KY, Cincinnati, OH, and Columbus, OH. In the Palmquist Lab, we highly value and encourage work-life balance. I strongly encourage students from diverse backgrounds and experiences to apply. Feel free to contact me with questions at any time.
Apply on the employer's site →JobMoo watches every zoo, aquarium, wildlife, and marine source we know and emails you the roles that fit, once a day, with a real human keeping an eye on your search. Built by a dad and his daughter, and it worked: she landed the job.
Start your 7-day trial, $9/mo after