A PhD track position is available within the department of Marine, Earth, and Atmospheric Sciences at NC State University (Raleigh, NC, USA) starting January 2027 within the Paerl Lab. The position is associated with a larger NOAA ECOHAB project investigating factors influencing brown tide (Aureoumbra lagunensis) formation and persistence in coastal waters, in collaboration with the Wetz (Texas A&M University; Lead institution) and Osburn (NC State, co-lead) labs. Three years of research assistantship support are available for this position. The Paerl lab is located on the NC State main campus in Raleigh, NC (USA), which is within the growing Research Triangle of North Carolina.
At the time of enrollment, highly qualified applicants will have an undergraduate or master’s degree in biology, ecology, oceanography, microbiology, (bio)chemistry, or a related field. Highly competitive candidates will possess: knowledge of marine ecosystems and harmful algal blooms (HABs), analytical chemistry experience with solid phase extraction (SPE) techniques, wet-lab skills including algal cultivation and micropipette skills, research career ambition, data organization/analyses skills, excellent written and spoken communication skills, and the ability to work within a team framework.
Specific expectations of the position include leading laboratory experiments with algal cultures, processing seawater samples for vitamin measurements, timely data analysis, coordination with Wetz and Osburn labs in regard to field sampling and data sharing, undergraduate mentoring, and contributing to collective Paerl Lab efforts such as lab activities, collaborative sampling, and outreach efforts.
The PhD candidate is expected to pursue a Marine Science degree through the Department of Marine, Earth, and Atmospheric Sciences (MEAS; https://meas.sciences.ncsu.edu/), which offers interdisciplinary training and conducts research in ecology, hydrology, oceanography, geology, and atmospheric science. Numerous opportunities will be available to collaborate and develop one’s skillset regarding in-silico, in-situ, and in-vivo tools via the PhD program.
Broadly, the Paerl lab encourages a healthy work/life balance for all its members and maintains a welcoming environment for people of all backgrounds.
To Apply: Please send the following items as a single PDF to Dr. Ryan Paerl ([email protected]) by Oct. 1, 2026:
- Contact information for two professional references
- CV plus undergraduate/graduate transcript
- Writing sample (e.g. published journal article, technical report, etc.)
- Response to the following prompt (no more than 2 pgs., single spaced): Briefly highlight a problem and testable hypothesis related to HABs as well as how it could be experimentally tested.
Best candidates will be encouraged to apply for spring admission to MEAS, please see details here: https://meas.sciences.ncsu.edu/graduate/apply-to-meas/. Spring admission deadlines for international applicants has passed.
