The Ecotoxicology and Risk Assessment Laboratory in the School of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences at Auburn University has open positions for MS and PhD students. The field of research will be the mixture effect of metals and herbicides to algae, fish, and other aquatic organisms. Research on the effect of microplastics on aquatic organisms is also available. The positions can be started in summer or fall 2023. Candidates for the MS positions must have a BS degree in a relevant field of science, such as environmental science, environmental toxicology, environmental biology, environmental chemistry, ecology, etc. A MS degree in one of these science fields is needed for the PhD positions.
The students are expected to be hard-working, self-motivated, enjoy teamwork, and honest. Interested students are encouraged to email (1) a letter of interest and qualification, (2) resume including contact information for three references, (3) an unofficial copy of your transcripts to Dr. Tham Hoang at tch0047@auburn.edu for full consideration. Applications will be reviewed immediately for starting in fall 2023.
The Ecotoxicology and Risk Assessment Laboratory at Auburn University is a state-of-the-arts science facility for training undergraduate and graduate students in ecotoxicology and risk assessment. The lab facility is designed for conducting ecotoxicology research to determine the fate and effects of inorganic and organic contaminants in the ecosystem. The laboratory has a water flow-through and a water recycle culture systems with the light recycling and temperature control to raise different aquatic organisms for research. The organisms include standard and nonstandard species. The laboratory also has testing facilities that are equipped with an automatic water exchange system with computer control for conducting water and sediment toxicology research and outdoor pond systems for field relevant study. The testing facilities are under temperature and light cycle control and based on the standard test methods. A Noldus behavioral monitoring systems is also available for studying behavior of organisms. In addition, the laboratory is also equipped with an in-house analytical facility to support ecotoxicology research. The analytical facilities include an ICP-MS for metal analysis, an IC for ion analysis, a TOC analyzer for analysis of total and dissolved organic carbons in water, and a FTIR-microscope for analysis of microplastics. LC-MS/GC-MS for analysis of organic contaminants are also available in other labs. Hot Block for tissue digestion, and other instruments for measuring water quality characteristics (e.g., pH, DO, conductivity, turbidity, hardness, alkalinity, etc.) are also available.