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A graduate student research assistantship for participation in a NOAA-funded research project
for a period of 2.5 years is available to start January 2007 for M.Sc. or Ph.D. candidates. Applications
(see below for list of required documentation) should be submitted preferably before November 30,
2006, but early application might receive preference to commit the position as soon as possible.
Project Description: A 3-years project was funded by NOAA for high-resolution mapping of
living resources on the Louisiana shelf, Gulf of Mexico, to assess the effects of seasonal hypoxia
on organism distributions. Water column organisms from bacteria to fish will be surveyed on two
research cruises annually (June, August) with state-of-the-art technology. FIU's responsibility is
the mapping of bacteria and small (<20 µm) phytoplankton by analytical flow cytometry. In addition,
microbial communities shall be characterized by molecular methods (e.g. genetic fingerprinting,
quantitative real-time PCR) and trophic interactions within the microbial food web in oxic and
anoxic regions assessed by grazing experiments.
Position: A Research Asssistantship is available with an annual salary
plus 90% of graduate tuition costs and basic health care. Employment is contigent on
admission into the graduate program of the Department of Biological Sciences by the university's
Graduate School. Primary working place will be the brand new Marine Biology Program building on
the Biscayne Bay Campus of FIU, located directly on the waterfront of Biscayne Bay in North
Miami. New, modern, and well-equipped graduate student office and lab facilities are available,
as are recreational offers for graduate students (on-campus pool, kayaking, FIU dive program with
certification, small boat operator's course, etc.). Graduate students should expect to take some
of their courses at FIU's main University Park campus in Miami/Clearwater and are encouraged to
maintain contact to graduate students on the main campus.
Qualifications: Ph.D. Applicants must have either completed their M.Sc. or have a B.Sc. and a
GRE score (verbal + quantitative) of 1250 or higher and a GPA of 3.0 or higher. M.Sc. candidates must
have their B.Sc. completed with a GPA of 3.0 or higher and provide a GRE (verbal + quantitative) of
1150 or higher. A solid background
in marine sciences and ecology is expected and must be demonstrated by transcripts; experience in
molecular techniques are beneficial. Applicants must be fit for extended work at sea; demonstrated
experience is of advantage. Service as research assistant beside the direct thesis work and
assistance in project development, planning, and logistics are expected. According to university
rules, graduate students supported by assistantships may not engage in any other income-earning
activity.
Applications: Candidates shall submit their applications by mail or email as early as
possible. For preliminary screening of applications, candidates must submit (1) a cover letter
stating their career goals ("Letter of Intent"); (2) a complete CV; (3) inofficial copies of
undergraduate and graduate transcripts and B.Sc. and M.Sc. diplomas; (4) a minimum of three
reference letters, of which one must be from the M.Sc. supervisor (if applicable). Candidates who
have published in peer-reviewed journals should include reprints (PDF files) of their publications.
Address for applications is given on the left side of this screen. The selected candidate will be
contacted for submission of full and official application forms at due time; all communication
will be performed by email. Only complete applications will be responded.
Foreign Candidates: This position is open to foreign candidates, however additional
documentation is required by the university's Graduate School: All foreign candidates from non-
English speaking countries must provide a TOEFL language test (scores 550 paper-based = 220
computer-based) at the time of application. Demonstrating good spoken English skills (e.g. by a
"Test of Spoken English", TSE, test score) will be highly valuable. Foreign students will receive
a J-1 student visa through the university's Graduate School. Students are responsible for knowing
of and adhering strictly to all applicable immigration rules.
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