Graduate Student Assistantship: Phytoplankton Ecology and Harmful Algal Blooms

A graduate student assistantship is available for a highly motivated and competitive student with an interest in pursuing a Masters or Ph.D. degree starting in the fall 2009 or later in the area of phytoplankton ecology and harmful algal blooms at the the Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences, Louisiana State University in the laboratory of Sibel Bargu. Areas of phytoplankton research include (harmful) algal blooms, their ecology and toxicity, eutrophication and food web implications. Research will involve sea going field work and laboratory aspects. Please e-mail CV (including GPA and GRE scores) and a cover letter with research interests and research experience to Sibel Bargu at sbargu@lsu.edu. The Bargu lab consists of a group of highly motivated researchers passionate about phytoplankton ecology. Please indicate why you think you would be a great addition to our team. Three reference letters are needed for final decision. Applicants should indicate their desire to be considered for a fellowship on the standard application form for the M.S. and Ph.D. program, which can be obtained online at http://appl003.lsu.edu/grad/gradschool.nsf/index. The successful applicant will gain experience in identification of marine phytoplankton from Gulf of Mexico, molecular probe assays for toxic microalgae and chemical and/or biological assays of algal toxins and electron microscopy. Research will be done in conjunction with Dr. Sibel Bargu, Assistant Professor at LSU.