Positions Available
MS | PhD | Postdoc
MS Positions
None at this time.
PhD Positions – NEW 11/20/2025
Thermal imagery-based analyses of fish habitat
Responsibilities: The incumbent will develop a research project aimed at understanding the thermal environments experienced by cold water species such as Atlantic salmon and brook trout in Maine. This may include areas of significant restoration importance, such as the Piscataquis River, and other regions with dams. There will be significant flexibility in developing study questions, and approaches using thermal imagery. Work may be collaboratively developed with national, international and tribal researchers. Experience in field ecology, GIS and database management, are desirable –a willingness to learn is a necessity. Good communication skills are essential. The incumbent will work with many partners (State of Maine, federal, tribal and NGOs), and be responsible for frequent reporting. The student will be advised by both Drs. Christina Murphy and Joe Zydlewski. One to two semesters of TA support are anticipated. All interested individuals, including non-traditional and underrepresented groups, are encouraged to apply.
Qualifications: M.S. in biology, ecology, GIS, or similar, quantitative skills, interest in landscape and aquatic science and excellent work ethics. Must have a desire to work in a collaborative and supportive graduate student community. GPA of 3.2+ is desired.
Salary: $30,000 per year, $3,157 health, and $7,241 tuition (estimated). Funding is renewed annually; 4.5 years is anticipated.
Closing date: Review will begin December 31, 2025, anticipated starting date of May 1, 2026, or as arranged.
Contact: Please send cover letter, CV, transcripts, three references (names and contact only) and GRE scores/percentiles (optional). Please direct questions and applications to Joe Zydlewski (email josephz@maine.edu) with heading “Thermal”.
Links: https://umaine.edu/mainecoopunit/; https://umaine.edu/graduate/
Atlantic Salmon Bioenergetics
Responsibilities: The incumbent will develop a collaborative project aimed at understanding the costs of delays in migration for upstream migrating adult Atlantic salmon in Maine. The project will use respirometry, telemetry, physiological monitoring and thermal experience to construct a bioenergetic model characterizing migratory, reproductive, and survival costs of delays. This is a quantitatively intense study. While telemetry, fish culture, and modeling experience would be desirable, a willingness to learn is a necessity. Good communication skills are essential. The incumbent will work with many other partners (e.g., federal and NGOs), and be responsible for frequent reporting. The student will be advised by Joe Zydlewski. One to two semesters of TA support are anticipated. Individuals from underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply.
Qualifications: M.S. in biology or equivalent, quantitative skills, interest in fisheries science and excellent work ethics. Must have a desire to work in a collaborative and supportive graduate student community. GPA of 3.2+ is desired.
Salary: $30,000 per year, $3,157 health, and $7,241 tuition (estimated). Funding is renewed annually; 4.5 years is anticipated.
Closing date: Review will begin December 31, 2025; anticipated starting date of May 1, 2026 or as arranged.
Contact: Please send cover letter, CV, transcripts, three references (names and contact only) and GRE scores/percentiles (optional). Please direct questions and applications to Joe Zydlewski (email josephz@maine.edu) with heading “Atlantic Salmon”.
Links: https://umaine.edu/mainecoopunit/; https://umaine.edu/graduate/
Postdoc Positions
None at this time.
Updated 11/19/2025
