Graduate Research Assistant LSU

Funding Opportunities

Graduate Research Assistant: Freshwater Mussel Morphological and Physiological Responses to Multiple Stressors

Department:

School of Renewable Natural Resources

Job Description:

Position description: The School of Renewable Natural Resources at Louisiana State University Agricultural Center is seeking applicants for one PhD assistantship starting as early as 01 January 2027. The PhD assistantship is half time (20 hours per week) for 12 months and includes an annual stipend of $30,667.00 and full tuition coverage for 4 years and includes coverage of graduate fees, and 75% of graduate student health care.

Project:

The goal of this project is to investigate responses of two freshwater mussel species to changes in water temperature and sedimentation regimes to better inform mussel conservation and management. The student will be supervised by Dr. Garrett Hopper. The student will conduct freshwater mussel surveys, mussel age and growth estimates, and assess morphological variation associated with feeding structures of mussel species exposed to disturbance gradients (e.g., temperature and suspended solids). The student will also work with Dr. Romain Lavaud to integrate mussel fitness and physiological plasticity into bioenergetic modeling and become familiar with Dynamic Energy Budget theory. The student will contribute to developing a framework to evaluate potential trade-offs and fitness consequences of phenotypic plasticity in freshwater mussels in contemporary rivers. The research will involve extensive investigation of the literature, coordination, and collaboration with state and academic experts, and working outside in sometimes difficult environmental conditions.

The position will be available until a qualified applicant is selected. Application reviews will begin August 31st, 2026.

The LSU Agricultural Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer The LSU Agricultural Center is a statewide campus of the LSU System and provides equal opportunities in programs and employment.

HCM Contact Information:

Questions or concerns can be directed to the LSU AgCenter Human Resources Management Office at 225-578-2258 or emailed to HRMHelp@agcenter.lsu.edu.

Minimum Qualification Requirements for PhD assistantship:

BS in natural resource ecology and management, biology, fisheries or wildlife management, or related field; experience with data management and programming; ability to work well independently or within teams. Importantly, applicants must be willing to work collaboratively with scientists from a variety of backgrounds. Previous experience working with freshwater mussel is preferred. Strong ability to swim in outdoor settings. Ability to skin dive using mask, snorkel, and weight belt. SCUBA diving certification is desirable but not required. Ability to work long hours in sometimes unpleasant outdoor conditions that may include rain, high winds, rough water, heat, cold, low visibility, biting insects, snakes, and alligators.

Preferred Qualification Requirements for PhD assistantship:

MS in natural resources management, biology, fisheries or wildlife management, or related field; experience with data management and programming; experience presenting or publishing scientific papers; Open water SCUBA certification; surveying and field identification of freshwater mussels; experience operating watercraft.

Applicants must have 3.0 overall undergraduate GPA or a 3.5 in the last 60 semester hours of undergraduate courses. Completion of GRE with satisfactory scores is preferred but not required. Applicants must have a valid U.S. driver’s license or be able to obtain the same within 60 days of start. Overnight travel is required. Offer is contingent upon a satisfactory pre-employment background check.

Please email the following:

1. cover letter describing interest in the project and credentials; 2) a CV or resume with no less than two academic and/or professional references; and 3) unofficial transcripts with courses from all institutions of higher education attended to Dr. Garrett Hopper (ghopper@agcenter@lsu.edu). Formal application to LSU is contingent upon an offer.

For more information about the graduate programs: https://www.lsu.edu/rnr/graduate/index.php

For more information contact:

Dr. Garrett Hopper 227 Renewable Natural Resources Building Louisiana State University Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70803 Email: ghopper@agcenter.lsu.edu https://garretthopper.wixsite.com/streamecology