Banner photo: Dusk light on overhead railroad bridge, Meramec River, Missouri

Research opportunities in my lab

Occasionally I have openings in my research group (listed below).  I welcome any informal inquiries about projects via email ([email protected]), but when contacting me, please include 1) an updated CV/resume, 2) a short description of your background, 3) a short description about why you are interested going to graduate school. This helps me gauge whether a student would be a good fit for my lab and a specific project.
PhD opportunity: PhD Graduate Research Assistantship: eDNA Monitoring and Co-Occurrence Patterns of Imperiled Species & Invasive Predators in North Carolina Rivers

Update [4/30/2026]: Position closed. 
Description: The federally listed Carolina Madtom & Neuse River Waterdog have declined across their historical ranges in the Tar–Neuse river basins of North Carolina. The invasion of non-native Flathead Catfish is one of the primary factors hypothesized to impact these imperiled species. This project will develop joint sampling & monitoring approaches using environmental DNA (eDNA) & occupancy modeling to detect & predict occurrences of these three priority species across the Tar–Neuse river systems, with the ultimate aims of i) clarifying species distributions, ii) testing species-environmental relationships, iii) evaluating co-occurrence patterns, & iv) integrating eDNA monitoring into agency frameworks. The PhD student will work directly with Dr. Corey Dunn (USGS NC Cooperative Fish & Wildlife Research Unit, NC State University), Dr. Nadya Mamoozadeh (NC State University, Molecular Ecology Lab) & management biologists while learning in-demand skills transferable to broader applications in conservation such as lab development & field application of eDNA surveillance methods, occupancy modeling, habitat assessment, & imperiled species management.
Qualifications: Completed bachelor’s degree (master’s degree preferred) in biology, natural resources, or closely related field before start date. Prior experience with molecular applications, quantitative methods, & aquatic conservation. Candidates should have interests in both lab & field research, species distribution modeling, R programming, & science communication.
Salary & benefits: Graduate Assistantship >$30,000 per year (Research x 3.5yr, Teaching x 0.5yr) + health insurance, tuition waiver, computer, professional travel, federal safety training.
Start date: Anticipated start date of July 2026 (preferred).
Apply: Apply here (https://forms.gle/5dmdTxDAQi5aRNou8) by uploading a single, merged PDF: (1) brief cover letter describing experiential background, career goals, & project interest; (2) resume/CV with GPA; (3) unofficial university transcripts; (4) email & phone numbers for three professional references (we will ask before contacting references); (5) optional (but encouraged) writing example from research or coursework. Applications will start being reviewed March 20; position closes April 5, 2026. Email inquiries about this position are welcome ([email protected]; [email protected]).
Picture
Haw River, tributary of Jordan Lake reservoir in central NC
Picture
Carolina Madtom (Norturus furiosus). Credit: NC Museum of Natural Sciences
Master's position: Evaluating impacts of dam removal on stream fishes in western North Carolina

Update [4/30/2026]: Position closed. 
Description: There are 1000s of defunct, old dams in the southeastern US that collectively fragment river systems. Many existing monitoring protocols do not examine impacts of dam removal for fish and wildlife, and there are few recommendations for how best to monitor both positive (enhanced connectivity) and negative (loss of habitat) on stream species. This project would conduct intensive before-after fish sampling at a dam removal site in western North Carolina using study designs that explicitly account for observation processes and spatial extent.
Apply: This is an informal pre-announcement of expected funding. This project likely would start in late spring 2026. If interested in being considered for this project, please email Dr. Corey Dunn ([email protected]) with the subject line “position: dam removal masters.” In your email either in the main text or as an attachment, please include information on your background, career goals, and as an attachment, an updated CV with undergraduate GPA.
Picture
Turquoise Darter, Etheostoma inscriptum. Credit: Brandon Peoples