Quantitative Marine Ecology Lab

Join the Lab

Our lab handbook is a living document and lays out expectations of lab members.

All lab members must:

  • Be decent human beings (we don’t work with jerks)
  • Have an interest in ecological systems and using quantitative tools (e.g., mathematical models, statistics, R)
  • Want to change the world

Members of the lab are strongly committed to anti-racist practices, real diversity and inclusion efforts, and moving science beyond the ivory tower.

Commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equity

One of my main commitments as a faculty member is promoting and supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion in STEM. Please consider applying for a position in my lab if you are a first-generation college student, a student from a low-income background, a member of a racial or ethnic minority group, if you identify as a woman or as LGBTQ+, and/or if you have a disability.

Lab opening - research scientist

The lab is currently hiring a masters or PhD level research scientist (which could be a postdoc if at the PhD level). The scientist will also work closely with the Jellison Lab at UNH. We are currently accepting applications for someone to start in at the end of 2024 or start of 2025 The scientist will help lead our oyster research program. The work involves using big data and sensors to understand how oysters are affected by stressors in the lab and the field.

We are also considering hiring a someone at the MS or PhD level interested in small-scale fisheries and socio-ecological dynamics (see below in the postdoc section).

Applicants that will be the most competitive for a position will have expertise using R and quantitative tools (e.g., mathematical modeling, statistics), mentoring, and project management.

After completing this form, please send Easton.White@unh.edu a CV and brief introduction, including details of your prior research experience, as well as your research interests and goals and how you think these align with my research program. If you are at the postdoc level, you can read more below about postdocs in the lab (see below).

Undergraduate students

We are not currently actively recruiting undergraduate students. However, you can still put in a general inquiry below.

The lab often has openings for undergraduate students to contribute to projects or design a project for an undergraduate thesis/research experience. All students are paid or receive course credits. These projects are typically co-designed by the student, QMEL graduate students, and Professor Easton White. The undergraduate researcher role in the lab is more detailed in the lab handbook.

We take applications at any time, but interns typically start in January, June, or August. There are UNH student specific opportunities, but we also have openings for non-UNH students and recent graduates. The students most likely to be accepted for a position are those with a keen interest in developing quantitative skills in the context of marine systems.

After completing this form, please send Easton.White@unh.edu a CV and brief introduction, including details of your prior research experience, as well as your research interests and goals and how you think these align with my research program.

Graduate students

Interviews currently in progress for Fall 2025. I am unlikely to accept any additional applications. Feel free to reach out if you are interested in joining in a future year.

I will likely accept 1-2 students in 2025. Students could work on a variety of projects, including the socio-ecological dynamics of small-scale fisheries, aquaculture mathematical modeling, or decision science related to how to optimize ecological monitoring programs. The applicant would be expected to have a strong data science or mathematical modeling background. Applicants that will be the most competitive for a position will have experience (and willingness to learn more) with R and quantitative skills (e.g., mathematical modeling, statistics). A basic understanding of Spanish, French, or American Sign Language is a plus for some of the lab’s projects. If you are interested, please fill out this brief survey and then send Easton.White@unh.edu a CV and brief introduction, including details of your prior research experience, as well as your research interests and graduate school goals and how you think these align with my research program. It is important to emphasize why you are interested in working in my lab specifically. I am also open to chatting about the topics above or potential projects related to other areas of my research program.

Our lab handbook is a living document and lays out expectations of lab members.

I can accept students through UNH’s Biological Sciences MS and PhD programs. There are specific programs in Integrative Biology (IB) and Marine Biology (MB). The priority deadline for Fall admission is January 15th each year. Although less common, I can also accept student through the Oceanography, Natural Resources & Earth Systems Science, and Integrated Applied Mathematics programs at UNH. If you are interested in working with me, I strongly recommended that you reach out to me before applying for graduate study. Graduate work is typically funded through a combination of fellowships, research positions, and teaching assistantships. For students starting in Fall 2025, the minimum yearly salary is $31,520 per year (including summer). The salary increases each year and is higher if you already have a MS degree. Health insurance and tuition are also covered by the lab/university. When we make an offer to a graduate student, their funding is described in detail in an offer letter.

I encourage my own students and applicants to apply for various grants and fellowships. I can help applicants apply for these opportunities.

The curriculum in the biology graduate programs is flexible. Graduate students work with their advisor and committee to choose a set of courses. In my lab, it is common for students to take a mix of the following courses in their first two years. All incoming students take BIOL 901: Introductory Graduate Seminar. BIOL 901 is designed for you to build community within your cohort and learn about UNH.

  • BIOL 806: Data Science with R for the Life Sciences
  • BIOL 895: Theoretical Ecology
  • OE 895: Marine Ecosystem Modeling
  • NR 807: Environmental Modeling
  • BIOL 902: Scientific Writing
  • NR 905: Grant Writing
  • NR 909: Multivariate Statistics
  • NR 913: Hierarchical modeling and Bayesian Statistics
  • ANFS 933: Design, Analysis, and Interpretation of Experiments

Depending on your specific interests, I might not be the best advisor for you at UNH. You may also want to reach out to Dr. Melissa Aikens (plants, biology education), Dr. Elizabeth Fairchild (fish, fisheries), Dr. Nathan Furey (fishes, sharks, animal movement), Dr. Elizabeth Harvey (phytoplankton, harmful algal blooms), Dr. Brittany Jellison (marine invertebrates, intertidal systems, climate change), Dr. Gregg Moore (marine plants, restoration), and others in the Biology Department or within the College of Life Science And Agriculture.

Postdoctoral fellows

In 2025, I may recruit for an additional postdoctoral fellow. The applicant would be expected to have a strong data science or mathematical background. There is a lot of flexibility for a postdoc to choose their own specific projects. Projects will revolve around small-scale and industrial fisheries questions, especially in relation to our ongoing work in Madagascar. I will begin reviewing applications on Nov 25, 2024. The position start date is flexible, but January 2025 is ideal. Applicants must have a desire to mentor and promote an inclusive environment. If you are interested, please send an email and CV to Easton White (Easton.White@unh.edu).

I am also open to collaboratively working on proposals to help fund independent postdoctoral fellow positions through several different programs.

If you are interested, please send an email and CV to Easton White (Easton.White@unh.edu).

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