5 Recruitment
Welcome to the Quantitative Marine Ecology Lab at UNH!
Please explore this lab manual and the lab website. If you are still interested in joining the lab, read deails below submit an interest form.
5.1 All 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. 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.
5.2 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.
If you are interested in joining the lab, head to link to complete an interest survey and send a brief email to qmel.admin@unh.edu.
5.3 Graduate students
I will likely accept 1-2 students (MS or PhD) in Fall 2026. Students could work on a variety of projects, but most of the lab’s current funding is focused on 1) mathematical modeling of aquaculture or 2) 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). After completing this head to this link to complete an interest survey and send a brief email to qmel.admin@unh.edu. 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.
- Simons Graduate Fellowships in Ecology and Evolution - new funding source for PhD students in ecology/evolution with quantitative background - proposal due July 31st, 2025, so get in touch ASAP
- Quad fellowship - $20,000 award for graduate students. Due in March each year.
- Fulbright Program - this is for non-US residents to study and work in the US - due in October (depends a bit on the country) each year
- NSF GRFP - Award is for three years of funding - lots of restrictions on who can apply - due in October each year
- Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans - Due in November each year
- NOAA-NMFS Population Dynamics Fellowship - The fellowship can provide support for up to three years for highly qualified graduate students working towards a Ph.D. in quantitative programs
- Hertz Fellowship - Fellowships to PhD students in the applied physical and biological sciences, mathematics, or engineering - due in October each year
- Gillam Fellows Program - program to advance equity and inclusion in science. Each adviser-student pair receives an annual award of $53,000 for up to three years.
- Ford Foundation Fellowship
- DOE Computational Science Graduate Fellowship
- List of other fellowships
- Another fellowship database
- And yet another database
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 others in the Biology Department or within the College of Life Science And Agriculture.
5.4 Lab manager
We’re seeking a highly organized and motivated Lab Manager to join our team. As a key member of our research team, you’ll play a critical role in helping us achieve our goals and objectives. As a Lab Manager at QMEL, your primary responsibilities will include:
- Managing multiple projects simultaneously, prioritizing tasks and deadlines effectively
- Working independently with minimal supervision, while also contributing to team goals and objectives
- Assisting with field and lab work as needed, but with a primary focus on computer-based projects
- Maintaining accurate records, reports, and data management systems
- Collaborating with research team members to achieve project objectives
What We Offer:
- A one-year contract with potential for renewal
- A dynamic and supportive research environment
- Opportunities for professional growth and development
Who We’re Looking For:
- Someone with a strong work ethic and a passion for learning
- An individual with excellent organizational and time management skills
- A team player who is comfortable working independently and as part of a team
- Someone with a strong computer skills and experience with relevant software and tools
We’re looking for someone to start as soon as possible. If you’re interested in this role and have the skills and qualifications we’re looking for, please submit your application. Head to link to complete an interest survey and send a brief email to qmel.admin@unh.edu.
5.5 Postdoctoral fellows
We are currently recruiting several postdoctoral fellows (or research associate if only a MS) to start immediately, in January, or mid 2026. Position descriptions below with official postings to come soon.
5.5.1 Seafood demographics postdoc/research associate
The position is funded by a New Hampshire Sea Grant and is for one year with the possibility of extension. Remote applicants will be considered and the priority is to hire this Fall. Head to link to complete an interest survey and send a brief email to qmel.admin@unh.edu.
Preferred qualifications include:
- Experience working with public demographic data (e.g., BLS)
- Strong statistical (using R) experience
- Background coordinating teams of researchers
- Experience or background in mentoring students
5.5.2 Environmental monitoring postdoc
This position (1-3 years) is funded by a NSF grant focused on the optimal design of long-term monitoring programs. Head to link to complete an interest survey and send a brief email to qmel.admin@unh.edu.
Preferred qualifications include:
- Experience working with databases of time series (e.g., eBird, BioTime)
- Strong statistical (using R) and/or mathematical modeling experience
- Expertise in decision science
- Experience teaching or facilitating workshops in data science and programming
- Experience or background in mentoring students
5.5.3 Other possibilities
I am also open to collaboratively working on proposals to help fund independent postdoctoral fellow positions through several different programs.
- NSF Postdoctoral Research Fellowships in Biology (PRFB) Program: Biological Research, Understanding and Solutions for a Resilient Planet - starts in Fall 2025
- Shoals Marine Lab Scientist-in-Residence Fellowship - due Apr 22nd
- Gund postdoctoral fellow program (based at the University of Vermont) - due Nov 11th
- NSF Ocean Sciences postdoctoral fellow program (based anywhere) - Due Nov 11th each year
- Fulbright Program - this is for non-US residents to study and work in the US - due in October each year
- Human Frontier Science Program postdoctoral fellowship - intended for interdisciplinary scholars working in the life sciences - due August of each year
- Schmidt Science Fellows postdoctoral program
- Smith Fellowship program - Conservation-focused award due in October each year
- JSMF’s Understanding Dynamic and Multi-scale Systems program - Postdoc fellowship due in June each year
- JHU Early career researcher funding database
- Life Sciences Research Foundation - opens in August each year
- L’Oréal USA For Women in Science fellowship - Applications open in Fall each year
5.6 Other positions at UNH
Additional staff and faculty positions at UNH are posted to an online job platform.