MS Assistantship - Small Impoundment Fisheries Management

Job Details

We are seeking applicants for a Graduate Research Assistantship (M.S.) at the School of Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Aquatic Sciences at Auburn University. The student will work on a project that will evaluate the performance of approaches aimed at managing small impoundments for recreational angling. The project will involve a mix of field work and computer modeling to answer research questions. The student will interact regularly with state agency personnel, collaborating scientists, and the angling public. The chosen graduate student will have access to outstanding laboratory and field facilities at Auburn University. Our staff and students travel widely for professional activities and maintain a team approach to research.The student will be expected to conduct a thesis research project and complete required course work. The student will receive a stipend of $24,000/yr, waiver of both in-state and out-of-state tuition, and any required technical help. In addition, funds will cover research costs and travel to scientific meetings. The chosen applicant will be expected to begin field work in the spring of 2026 and potentially start coursework in Summer 2026.

Requirements

 Minimum qualifications are an undergraduate degree in fisheries, the biological sciences, or statistics. Competitive applicants will: be interested in fisheries management and population dynamics; have experience operating boats and other field equipment; have an interest in quantitative aspects of fisheries including statistics and computer modeling; have strong written and verbal communication skills; enjoy collaboration; and work well with others in a lab and field setting. Applicants must meet the minimum admission requirements of the School.

Contact Information

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To Apply: Send a letter of interest, current CV, contact information for three references, unofficial transcripts, and unofficial GRE scores (photocopies are fine) via email to Dr. Matthew Catalano, mjc0028@auburn.edu. The application deadline is 11:59 PM CDT on Friday January 16, 2026, however, applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis prior to the deadline, with interviews scheduled as soon as possible. For additional information, please contact Dr. Catalano via email (above) or telephone: 334/844-7366.