The fish health group (College of Veterinary Medicine/Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Experiment Station) at the Thad Cochran National Warmwater Aquaculture Center in Stoneville, MS is seeking MS applicants to investigate emergent Edwardsiella spp. strains in ornamental and catfish aquaculture in the southeastern United States. The position is supported by a grant from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) Southern Regional Aquaculture Center titled “Increasing Understanding of and Developing Management Strategies for Edwardsiella ictaluri in Ornamental Fish”. This position is ideal for candidates who wish to gain experience in aquaculture, fish disease, bacteriology, molecular biology and bioinformatics.Applicants should be self-motivated, able to work independently or in groups, have a strong scientific curiosity and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment where priorities can change frequently and fluid adaptability is the norm. The successful applicant will evaluate molecular, biological and serological differences between archived and contemporary Edwardsiella ictaluri isolates from catfish and ornamental aquaculture through genome sequencing, plasmid profiling, antimicrobial susceptibility testing and serological analysis. Previous experience in any of the aforementioned techniques is ideal, but not required. There will also be opportunities to work with NWAC researchers on other projects outside the applicant’s specific project, providing a breadth of benchtop and field experience that is atypical for most graduate programs.Required Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology or related areas with a GPA >3.0. Candidates who have successfully completed a DVM may also apply. The GRE must be taken but there is no specific score required for acceptance. The candidate should possess exemplary organization and communication skills, a strong work ethic and the ability to work as part of a team in less than ideal environments.Preferred Qualifications: Demonstrated research experience in microbiology, molecular biology or immunology and evidence of productive scientific communication (conference presentations, peer-reviewed manuscripts, etc.)Terms of Position: Optimally, we are seeking an applicant to begin August 2018, but will accept applications for Spring 2019 as well. We have support for 2 years, although additional years (if needed) may be funded through any combination of additional grant funding, graduate teaching assistantships, and other departmental support.Application Deadline: While applications will be accepted until the position is filled, candidates need to submit their application to the Mississippi State Office of the Graduate School by July 1, 2018 for Fall enrollment, November 1 for Spring. Preference will be given to candidates that can start in Fall.How to apply: Interested candidates should send an email with the subject line “SRAC Edwardsiella MS” to Dr. Suja Aarattuthodiyil (bsa122@msstate.edu) or Dr. Matt Griffin (matt.griffin@msstate.edu) containing the following items: Curriculum vitae, a one page statement of purpose, copy of transcripts, copy of GRE scores and at least one letter of recommendation from someone who can evaluate the applicant’s capacity for graduate research. The successful applicant will then need to apply to the graduate program at Mississippi State University, so interested candidates should act promptly.
