The Department of Natural Resource Ecology & Management at Oklahoma State University (OSU) in Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA, is inviting applications for a funded Ph.D. Position in Wetland Ecology and Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration starting in January 2027.
Research Focus & Wetland Restoration Scope
Backwater slough wetlands in the Central Platte River Valley (CPRV) provide critical ecosystem services, including flood attenuation, nutrient and sediment retention, and habitat for diverse aquatic organisms. Key doctoral research objectives include:
- Restoration Trajectories & Indicators: Comparing ecological structure and nutrient retention capabilities between restored, degraded, and reference native sloughs.
- Aquatic Community Dynamics: Monitoring macroinvertebrate, fish, and aquatic plant assemblages across restored wetland habitats.
- Standardized Assessment Frameworks: Developing quantitative ecological key performance indicators (KPIs) to guide future river restoration decisions.
Position Package & Details
- Host Department: Department of Natural Resource Ecology & Management, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, USA.
- Degree Level: Ph.D. degree in Ecology, Environmental Science, or Natural Resources.
- Financial Support: Full graduate research assistantship stipend, health insurance, tuition waiver, and research project funding.
- Start Date: 1 January 2027.
Candidate Requirements
- Master’s degree (M.Sc.) or strong B.Sc. in Wetland Ecology, Aquatic Science, Fisheries, Wildlife Ecology, or related discipline.
- Experience in field sampling (water chemistry, aquatic biota), GIS spatial modeling, or statistical analysis in R.
- Fluency in spoken and written English.
How to Apply
Interested applicants should email a cover letter outlining research experience, academic CV, unofficial transcripts, and contact details for three references to the Department of Natural Resource Ecology & Management at OSU.