Natural Resources Job Board

Two Research Assistantships (in the labs of Drs. Chris Bonvillain and Gary LaFleur) will be available for the Spring 2025 semester for the Master of Science in Marine and Environmental Biology program at Nicholls State University.  The assistantships include a stipend of $20,000/yr plus tuition and out-of-state-fee waiver.   For more information about the graduate program visit https://www.nicholls.edu/biology/master-of-science-degree-program/. 

Project Description
The successful applicants will work together on a funded multidisciplinary research grant to develop and examine methods to measure flotant marsh extent and stability in the Barataria-Terrebonne estuary system in south Louisiana.  The project will develop remote sensing-based, non-invasive methods for assessing mat cohesiveness in a range of flotant sites.  Geospatial analysis and vegetative assessment from aerial imagery, conventional vegetative sampling, eDNA analysis, and fisheries and invertebrate samples will be used to determine plant identification and composition within flotant mats and flotant mat use by aquatic biota. Researchers will score marshes on whether the flotant mat is stable, threatened, or unstable, allowing better predictions on whether sites are in danger of mat separation.  See the specific projects and faculty listed below and contact the faculty member for the position you are interested in.   

This is a field intense project that includes aquatic and flotant marsh habitat assessments.  The applicants should have previous field experience aquatic, terrestrial, or estuarine ecosystems.  Previous experience trailering and operating outboard engine boats is strongly preferred.  
 

FACULTY AND SPECIFIC POSITIONS:
Dr. Chris Bonvillain (chris.bonvillain@nicholls.edu): 

The successful applicant will be advised by Dr. Bonvillain in the Aquatic Ecology and Astacology Lab (https://labs.nicholls.edu/bonvillain/).  The student will conduct a two-year research project to characterize the aquatic faunal community, primarily fish and crustaceans, with multiple gear types at flotant marshes with varying stability and composition in the Barataria-Terrebonne Estuary.  Additionally, stable isotope analysis will be used to compare trophic ecology of aquatic fauna among flotant marshes. 

 

Applicants must possess a valid driver’s license and be able to tolerate harsh south Louisiana field conditions (cold, hot, humid, rain, bugs).  Experience identifying fish and/or aquatic invertebrates and trailering and operating outboard engine boats is strongly preferred. 

Dr. Gary LaFleur (gary.lafleur@nicholls.edu): 

The assistantship is part of a collaborative project that will characterize flotant marsh within the Barataria-Terrebonne Estuary System including freshwater and brackish wetlands in SE Louisiana. This position will require the student to obtain skills and knowledge in geomatics analysis, and participate in geomatic surveys using hyperspectral and LiDar sensors mounted on uncrewed aerial systems platforms. The student will also be expected to assist two other students in their plant and animal characterization of the flotant environment. Students will be expected to maintain a 3.5 gpa or higher while conducting a substantial amount of field work and lab work ranging from boat operation, environmental sampling, data analysis, and geospatial computer analysis that will contribute to an MS Thesis. 

Desired Qualifications: We are seeking students with field experience, boat and trailer operating experience, and scholarly interests in monitoring wetland ecosystems. Candidates are expected to have earned a BS degree in Biology, Ecology, or a related field. The project will require students to conduct field work in the challenging environment of south Louisiana wetlands, through year-round field work on their project as well as assisting other students. Students that can demonstrate a combination of strengths including field experience, data analysis and statistics, with teamwork, and strong communication skills will receive a high priority. 

Start Date:  The assistantships begin on 15 January 2025 and the project is scheduled to begin immediately.  
Stipend:  $20,000/year plus tuition and out-of-state fee waivers. 

Qualifications
Applicants must: 
·         Possess a valid driver’s license 

·         Be able to tolerate harsh field conditions (cold, hot, humid, rain, bugs) 

·         Have previous field experience (preferred) 

·         Have previous experience trailering and operating outboard engine boats (highly desirable) 

 Admission requirements include: 
·         B.S. degree in a life science curriculum 

·         Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 

·         Combined GRE (verbal + quantitative) of 300  

Application procedure includes an online application and fee (http://www.nicholls.edu/apply/). A cover letter, CV, official GRE scores, academic transcripts, and departmental application package (under admission requirements & application information) (https://www.nicholls.edu/biology/master-of-science-degree-program/) including three letters of recommendation (forms included in departmental application) can be sent to Dr. Bonvillain (chris.bonvillain@nicholls.edu) if applying for his position or Dr. LaFleur (gary.lafleur@nicholls.edu) if applying for his lab's position. 

 

Deadline for applying is October 15, 2024 or until suitable applicants are selected. Application materials and questions regarding the program should be sent (email is preferred) to Dr. Chris Bonvillain at chris.bonvillain@nicholls.edu.