Location
United States – Northern Illinois University (NIU)
Level
Masters & PhD (Graduate Study)
Funding
Graduate Assistantship – Fully Funded (tuition, stipend, summer salary, health insurance)
Key Features
- Graduate Assistantships offered annually for international students.
- Opportunity to pursue M.S. or Ph.D. in various fields, with hands-on teaching and research experience.
- Includes tuition coverage, stipend, health insurance, and summer salary support.
- Current opening in the Aquatic Microbiology Lab (NSF-funded project) beginning Spring or Fall 2026.
- Research focus: Marine disease ecology – investigating parasite, host, and environmental drivers of Diadematidae scuticociliatosis, a globally significant sea urchin disease.
- Collaborative project funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF).
Application Deadline
Open until filled (No fixed deadline, early application recommended)
Scholarship Benefits
- Full tuition coverage (Teaching Assistantship lines)
- Research Assistant funding (1 year)
- Summer salary support (1–2 years)
- Health insurance coverage
- Mentorship, training, and fieldwork opportunities
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must have:
- B.S. or M.S. in microbiology, marine biology, environmental science, or related fields.
- Research experience in microbiology/microbial ecology (e.g., culturing, DNA extraction, PCR/qPCR).
- Strong written and oral communication skills.
- Willingness to travel for fieldwork and collaborations.
Preferred Skills:
- Aquatic microbiology or microbial physiology
- Computational or bioinformatics approaches
- Interest in marine microbial ecology and climate change impacts
Required Documents
- Application form (Google Form submission)
- CV (Curriculum Vitae)
- Academic transcripts
- Recommendation letters
- English proficiency certificate (if applicable)
How to Apply (Step by Step)
- Visit the NIU Aquatic Microbiology Lab webpage.
- Submit your information through the official Google Form application (short statement of interest, skills, and background).
- Prepare and upload required documents (CV, transcripts, recommendations, etc.).
- Application review is ongoing – the position will remain open until filled.
