Dr. Stuart Ludsin (https://u.osu.edu/ludsinlab/) has an opening for a Ph.D. student to begin during the summer or autumn of 2025. This student would work closely with the Ohio Division of Wildlife biologists and managers to help understand the cause(s) of reduced yellow perch recruitment to central Lake Erie�s fisheries. This recruitment decline is arguably the most pressing fisheries management issue in the Lake Erie basin, and I expect this project to garner a lot of interest from federal and state agencies and the public. The opportunity exists to design a modeling-, field-, lab-based project akin to those used in marine ecosystems, with ample support available for technical help, meeting travel, and computing needs. While the exact approaches and activities will be decided after the student is on board, I expect the project to have statistical and biophysical modeling components to it, the results of which will be used to guide field collections and possible laboratory experiments. A wealth of historical physical, chemical, and biological data from monitoring programs will be available for analysis, as will access to decades of simulated habitat conditions in three dimensions from coupled hydrodynamics and lower food web models. These data can be used to explore the role of human-driven environmental change on egg, larval, and juvenile survival, as well as parental effects.

The successful candidate will join a dynamic, interactive group of students, post-docs, and faculty at The Ohio State University�s Aquatic Ecology Laboratory (http://ael.osu.edu/) within the Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology (http://eeob.osu.edu/).

Qualifications:

I am seeking someone creative, curious, motivated, and capable of working effectively both independently and in collaborative groups. A bachelor�s degree in biology, ecology, fisheries, general aquatic sciences, biostatistics, or a related field is required, with preference given to those with a M.S. degree. Strong quantitative, communication (written and oral), and people-management skills are essential, as is a desire to learn. An interest in conducting statistical and/or computer modeling is essential.

Stipend: ~$2,625/month plus full tuition waiver and health benefits. Graduate Research Assistantship (GRA) support will exist for the entire degree program, with Graduate Teaching Assistantship support available (if teaching opportunities are desired).

Start date: Summer or fall 2025, depending on the student�s desire.

How to apply: If interested in the position, email me (apps.AEL@gmail.com): 1) a 1-2 page letter of interest that describes your educational and research background, as well as your research interests and career goals; 2) a curriculum vitae (Academic CV); 3) unofficial copies of your college/graduate school transcripts; 4) contact information for at least 3 professional references; 5) your GRE scores if so desired (they are not required); and if applicable, 6) your TOEFL/TSE scores. Please put "Lake Erie Yellow Perch PhD Position" in the subject line of your email. I will evaluate applications as they arrive to potentially start the interview process early. EEOB will begin reviewing applications on Nov. 15 to identify students eligible to compete for University and College Fellowships (https://gradsch.osu.edu/faculty-and-staff/fellowship-program); however, applications sent after this date will be considered until a suitable candidate is found.