Graduate Assistantships and Fellowships

Project: Drs. Brittany Mosher (Wildlife Ecology Research Lab) and Mark Henderson (Henderson Lab) at The University of Vermont’s Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources are seeking a master’s-level graduate student to participate in research related to the movement of Spiny Softshells (Apalone spinifera) in Lake Champlain. The position is available beginning in either January or June 2027 and includes two years of funding (stipend, tuition waiver, and health insurance) in the form of both a graduate research assistantship and a graduate teaching assistantship. The student will be co-mentored by Dr. Brittany Mosher (UVM), Dr. Mark Henderson (USGS), and Dr. Luke Groff (Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department).

Project description: The Spiny Softshell is threatened and a Species of Greatest Conservation Need in Vermont and is endangered in Quebec. Native populations of Spiny Softshells are not found elsewhere in the northeastern US. In Vermont, the species has been listed as threatened since 1987 due to shoreline habitat destruction, the rarity of suitable nesting beaches, and small adult population sizes. Spiny softshell reports primarily come from northern Lake Champlain near the mouth of the Lamoille River, in Missisquoi Bay, and recently, near the mouth of the Winooski River. It is unknown whether these three areas represent distinct subpopulations or whether they are connected. Our limited knowledge about population interchange and movement patterns impedes Spiny Softshell management and recovery decision-making.

This project will use the existing Champlain Acoustic Telemetry Observation System (CATOS) to understand Spiny Softshell movement patterns and population connectivity in Lake Champlain and its tributaries. The objectives of this research project are to: 1) Determine whether there is interchange between Vermont’s Spiny Softshell populations. 2) Identify Spiny Softshell movement corridors and barriers. 3) Assess whether the Spiny Softshell has recolonized the Winooski River. 4) Share research findings with K-12 students and with local partners.

Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in ecology, biology, natural resources, environmental sciences or a closely related field. Applicants should have a strong work ethic, experience working as part of a field crew, and a strong interest in data analysis and scientific writing. Training will be provided, but experience working with large and/or spatial ecological datasets (e.g., in R), as well as familiarity with capture methods for freshwater turtle species are highly desirable. Comfort working in and around water and on boats is also desirable.

Application: The University of Vermont is committed to inclusive excellence and its admissions practices reflect that university-wide commitment. Using a nuanced, holistic, and multi-faceted admissions process, we seek to build a campus community with myriad talents, experiences, goals, backgrounds, perspectives, and interests. Applicants are strongly encouraged to share their unique lived experience with us as part of the application process. GRE scores are not required. 

Interest should be expressed using the Google Form listed here: https://forms.gle/1btx2NsuvMVssF34A. On the form, you will be asked to answer three short questions (each 150 words or less) and to submit 1) a cover letter expressing their interest, experience, and qualifications and 2) a CV with contact information for three references. Applications will be reviewed as they are received, until September 15, 2026.

The Bernos F.I.S.H. lab is seeking a motivated graduate student for a funded MSc or PhD research assistantship focused on the human dimensions of fisheries in Lake Champlain, with a preferred start date of January or May 2027. In our multidisciplinary lab, we study the interactions between fish, peoples, and place. Learn more about our work on our website: https://bernoslab.wordpress.com.

The system: Imagine Lake Champlain - a large lake nested between Vermont, New York, and Quebec with five basins differing greatly in environmental conditions and fish communities. These ecological differences support a diverse fishery targeting species such as black basses, Northern Pike, Yellow Perch, Lake Trout, Atlantic Salmon, Walleye, panfish, Bowfin, and more. Some fishers are highly specialized, targeting trophy size salmonid and bass (more than 100 bass tournaments are held on the lake annually!); others are more generalist, targeting diverse fish species close to urban centers. The largest urban centers on the lake’s shorelines are Burlington, Vermont and Plattsburg, New York: both cities are experiencing population growth and are home to an increasingly diverse community, making them a potential source of new and underrepresented participants to the fisheries. Recreational and provisional fishing, which includes both open water and ice fishing, is an important part of the local culture, recreation, and economy. Understanding how fishers interact with the fisheries of Lake Champlain is critical for ensuring both ecological sustainability and positive recreational experiences.

The successful candidate will develop a M.Sc. or Ph.D. thesis focused on one or more aspects of the fisheries of Lake Champlain. They may draw from human dimension research (surveys, interviews, webscrapping, etc.) and fishery techniques (e.g., sampling, telemetry, genetics). While the research questions will be refined collaboratively, the thesis is expected to contribute to our understanding of one (or more) of the following topics:

• The “movement ecology” of fishers and fishes
• Heterogeneity in fishing behaviours, including fishing techniques, harvest rate, motivation, preferences, and decision-making.
• Social and knowledge networks within fisheries systems, including patterns of connections among fishers, management agencies, community organizations, and fishery-related concepts (e.g. stocking, catch and release, commercial harvesting…).

The University of Vermont is committed to inclusive excellence and its admissions practices reflect that university-wide commitment. Using a nuanced, holistic, and multi-faceted admissions process, we seek to build a campus community with myriad talents, experiences, goals, backgrounds, perspectives, and interests. Applicants are strongly encouraged to share their unique lived experience with us as part of the application process. 

Qualifications: We welcome applicants of all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. International students are encouraged to apply. Candidates from a range of disciplines will be considered, including fisheries science, ecology, natural resources, human dimensions of natural resources, environmental studies, geography, sociology, anthropology, data science and network analysis, and other related disciplines. Students with interests in interdisciplinary research, quantitative and qualitative methods, modeling and simulations, stakeholder engagement, and social-ecological systems are especially encouraged to apply. 

Applicants may apply for either an MSc or PhD position. PhD applicants are typically expected to demonstrate a strong foundation for independent research, which many students develop through a master's degree, research experience, professional work, or other relevant experiences.

How to apply: To promote a transparent and equitable selection process, we ask applicants to complete a brief Google Form (Click here) during the initial screening stage. Following this review, selected candidates will be invited for an interview. Finalists will formally apply through the UVM Graduate Application. The questions are designed to help us understand your research interests and long-term career aspirations, and to determine whether this position is a match for your goals and experience. Review of applications will begin on September 1 and continue on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Applicants are encouraged to submit their materials by September 1 for full consideration. If you are encountering issues accessing the form, please contact Dr. Thais Bernos (thais.bernos@uvm.edu) directly.

Rubenstein Doctoral Assistantship Overview

This funding opportunity provided by the Rubenstein Graduate Program will support at least 3 new PhD students each year with 3 full years of assistantship funding to increase the number of highly qualified doctoral students who will bring unique perspectives, experience, and skills to the PhD in Natural Resources program. Please see the Overview attachment (linked above) for further details on the qualifications, funding, and application process. 

The University of Vermont is committed to inclusive excellence and its admissions practices reflect that university-wide commitment. Using a nuanced, holistic, and multi-faceted admissions process, we seek to build a campus community with myriad talents, experiences, goals, backgrounds, perspectives, and interests. Applicants are strongly encouraged to share their unique lived experience with us as part of the application process. 

Prospective students must complete and submit an application to the UVM Graduate College on or before January 1^st for our Fall start term cycle. Students should specifically reference conversations that have taken place with their intended faculty advisor in their Statement of Purpose. 

Students must be nominated by a RSENR Graduate Faculty member, who will serve as your advisor, to be considered for this funding opportunity. 

Advisors will complete and submit the Request Form by January 23rd of the calendar year in which the student intends to matriculate. 

The Gund Institute for Environment at the University of Vermont supports outstanding PhD applicants interested in conducting interdisciplinary research on major global environmental challenges. With Gund PhD Fellowships, students receive attractive funding packages, world-class faculty mentors, real-world experience collaborating with leaders in government and business – and a deep understanding of complex global sustainability issues.

Learn more about Gund Research Fellowships

Leadership for the Ecozoic (L4E) is a transdisciplinary initiative based at the University of Vermont (UVM) and McGill University that advances collaborative research, teaching, and leadership for a just and sustainable future. L4E at UVM fosters scholarship that explores economics through the lens of sustainable scale and just distribution over efficient allocation.

To apply for a Fellowship, please review the Fall 2026 Application. Please connect with Julie Starr (julie.starr@uvm.edu) with any questions.Learn more about L4E

BilDS is a training program, a training program that integrates with existing Ph.D. programs across the UVM campus in biology, plant biology, plant and soil sciences, mathematics, computer science, engineering, natural resources, and cellular, molecular and biomedical sciences. Traineeships provide core courses, a variety of quantitative electives, an applied internship with a non-academic organization, and extensive professional development training in computation, communication, and cultural awareness and inclusion. 

Learn more about BilDS

Responsibilities

The Rubenstein School has many teaching assistantships available each academic year (Fall & Spring semesters) in support of our RSENR undergraduate curriculum. Graduate teaching assistants may lead field and indoor laboratories, facilitate discussion sessions among small groups of undergraduates, assist with evaluation and grading, run workshops and help sessions, and more. Typical assignments are for 10 hours a week.

Qualifications

Teaching Assistantship positions are prioritized in supplement to additional advisor-secured Research Assistantship funding, and may be a component of one or several semesters of a student's funding offer. Incoming students may not apply for this support, as these positions are allocated based on faculty advisor requests and supplemental funding needs.