Opportunities
Graduate Assistantship
Lake Sturgeon Movements & Spawning in the Tennessee River
Dr. Lisa Izzo
We are accepting applications for a M.S. graduate student research assistant. The student’s thesis work will focus on understanding movements of adult lake sturgeon in the Tennessee River using acoustic telemetry, with a particular emphasis on locating potential spawning areas and documenting successful spawning via egg and/or larval drift sampling. This collaborative project will give the student the opportunity to work closely with project partners including the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA), Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), and others.
Applications are due September 7th and review will begin immediately after. Successful candidate will apply formally to the UTK graduate school following the internal application process.
Duties
In addition to classes and other requirements of the M.S. in Wildlife and Fisheries Science, the primary duties of the student will include
- Surgical tagging and active tracking of adult lake sturgeon
- Maintenance of a stationary acoustic receiver array
- Study design and deployment of various gears to sample sturgeon eggs and larvae
- Data management and analysis
- Presentations to project partners and at regional/national conferences
- Writing of a final thesis, at least one manuscript for submission to a peer-reviewed journal, and reports to project funders
The selected applicant will have the opportunity to develop and investigate hypotheses and address objectives of interest within the context of the project. Field work will take place at large river/reservoir sites, so trailering, launching, driving, and working on boats is required. Field work may take place at irregular hours, especially larval sampling.
Successful applicants must have a Bachelor’s degree in Natural Resources, Ecology, Wildlife Science/Management, Fisheries Science/Management, or a closely related field, and meet all other qualifications for admission to the School of Natural Resources Master’s Program (https://naturalresources.tennessee.edu/masters-program/). Please note that GRE scores are optional for admission. Applicants should have an interest in aquatic research and fisheries management, and a strong desire to learn new skills through the graduate school process. The successful candidate must possess a valid driver’s license and be able to lead field work independently. Prior experience in aquatic field work (particularly on boats), minor boat maintenance, acoustic telemetry equipment, and/or data analysis and management in statistical software is preferred but not required.
$37,000/year stipend for 3 years, coverage for tuition, and health insurance benefits. The student will be responsible for paying graduate student fees.
Please submit the following to Dr. Lisa Izzo ([email protected]):
1) Personal statement of research interests and career goals (one page)
2) Curriculum Vitae
3) Unofficial Transcripts
4) Contact information for three references
November 1, 2026 preferred, January 2027 at the latest (Contingent on funding timeline)
Volunteer Sign-Up Form
If you are interested in the projects our lab is working on and want to gain some hands on experience, fill out this form! There are seasonal projects that will provide great learning opportunities and we would love to have you out with us! We encourage all UT students to fill out the form who would be interested to volunteer with us for a day of sampling!
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Deadline: Open all year