A MS and/or PhD level research assistantship is available in the La Peyre lab located in the School of Renewable Natural Resources, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center to contribute to a funded multi-investigator project examining persistence and trophic transfer of algal toxins in benthic-pelagic coupled food webs. The student will participate as a team member in a multi-institution cross-regional project (Gulf of Mexico, Chesapeake Bay) project exploring the persistence and trophic transfer of algal toxins within estuaries. The successful applicant will work closely with other lab members, collaborators and federal, state and non-governmental organizations in Louisiana, Florida and Virginia. The student will contribute to project development, data collection, experimental studies, lab analyses, project communication, and development of peer-reviewed publications.
 Required Experience: Applicants should have experience working in the field, including the ability to work in, on, and around water, be self-motivated, and have a strong background in biology and natural resource issues. Applicants must have excellent writing and speaking skills.
Experience trailering & boating highly desired. Familiarity with GIS software, R and other statistical software is a plus.
To apply, submit a letter of interest, CV, and the names and contact information for at least three references in one pdf by email to mlapeyre@agcenter.lsu.edu. Student applicants must meet the minimum requirements for acceptance into the School of Renewable Natural Resources, LSU.
Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.
The assistantship starts at $32,000 year with tuition covered (estimated value > $12,000), and health care. Student will be enrolled in the School of Renewable Natural Resources (www.rnr.lsu.edu), and associated with the U.S. Geological Survey’s Louisiana Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit (www.coopunits.org/Louisiana).
