Graduate Assistantship/Bivalve Larval Ecology

An assistantship towards a Master degree of Public Health (MPH) is available in the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV). The candidate will work with on projects on the ecology of quagga mussel (Dreissena bugensis) veligers, test the toxicity of different chemicals on quagga mussels, and collect data on boat decontamination with pressured hot water. Invasive quagga mussels were discovered in Lake Mead on January 6, 2007. It is the first known occurrence of the dreissenid species in the western United States. Now it has been found in many ecosystems in the arid southwest region.

The final candidate needs to do field work and lab tests, enumerate quagga mussels, quantify larval stages, present research results in interagency meetings, and draft report to funding agencies (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service). The funding is available for 2 years. Minimum requirements include 1) a Bachelor’s degree in Ecology, Freshwater or Marine Biology, Limnology, Toxicology, Chemistry, Environmental Sciences, or related field; 2) good physical condition; 3) safe driving history; 4) self-motivated personality; 5) working independently and interactively with a multidisciplinary team.

The position starts from September 2010 depending on the availability of qualified applicant. Interested students should send CV, letter describing their qualifications, contact list of two references, and unofficial transcripts to Dr. David Wong (David.Wong@unlv.edu), Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, University of Nevada at Las Vegas, 4505 Maryland Parkway Box 453064, Las Vegas NV 89154 (Tel: 702-895-2446/Fax: 702-895-5166). Electronic submission is preferred. The due date for application is August 10, 2010. More information about graduate studies at UNLV can be found at http://graduatecollege.unlv.edu/.