Open Position: Graduate student
Location: Auburn, Alabama
Organization: College of Forestry, Wildlife, and Environment at Auburn University
Stipend: PhD student, $26,500 per year + benefits
MS student, $23,500 per year + benefits
Estimated Start Date: January 2026
Supervisor: Molly Simonis
Job Summary: The Simonis Lab at Auburn University is hiring a graduate student(s) to perform research associated with seasonal pathogen dynamics and bat health throughout various field sites and/or highway culverts throughout Alabama. The graduate student(s) would build their own project within broader lab research to understand 1) year-round shifts in bat infections and coinfections, and 2) seasonal fluctuations in bat immunity under many stressors (e.g., infections, contaminant exposure, land use), and 3) general ecological and conservation research regarding bat health in the southeastern US. Research projects would include field, laboratory and quantitative work. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply. A PhD student is preferred, but highly qualified MS students will also be seriously considered.
For more information regarding Wildlife Sciences PhD and MS programs at the College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment at Auburn University, please visit their website here: https://cfwe.auburn.edu/
Responsibilities: The graduate student will be expected to carry out the following responsibilities:
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Conduct literature reviews
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Organize and manage datasets
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Collaboratively generate and analyze data, which will include the following:
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Collect field data and wildlife samples
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Collect laboratory data via molecular assays and microscopy
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Statistically analyze, and interpret quantitative data using R
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Collaborate with professionals from other institutions and interdisciplinary backgrounds
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Supervising undergraduates necessary
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Write and publish findings in peer reviewed scientific journals
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Present findings at local, state, regional, national, and/or international conferences
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Meet program requirements and deadlines
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Contribute to fostering a supportive, inclusive, and welcoming atmosphere within the lab, classroom, and college as a whole.
Minimum Qualifications: Ideal candidates will have the following:
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Bachelor’s degree in a biology or wildlife-related field
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Motivation and Professionalism
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Ability to work well with others
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Ability to work independently
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Ability to develop research questions
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Meet admission standards for
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AU Graduate School (https://bulletin.auburn.edu/
thegraduateschool/admissions/) , and -
AU College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment (https://cfwe.auburn.edu/
graduate-study/graduate- degrees/)
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Valid driver’s license (or ability to obtain one)
Desired Qualifications: Preference may be given to candidates with any of the following:
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MS degree in biology or wildlife-related field (only if applying for PhD)
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Wildlife and/or bat handling experience
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Biological sampling experience
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Bat survey experience
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Bat identification experience
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Laboratory technical skills
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Quantitative skills
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Previous field, technical, and/or research experience
To apply: Please email the following materials as a single PDF document to Dr. Molly Simonis at molly.simonis@auburn.edu, with the subject line “AU Potential Graduate Student.”
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A cover letter (2 pages max) outlining the wildlife sciences program of interest (PhD or MS), research interests, how your previous experiences have prepared you for graduate school/research, and professional goals
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Resume or CV
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Contact information for 2-3 professional references
Applications will be accepted through July 31, 2025, but applicants are encouraged to apply sooner than later as materials will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Molly Simonis, PhD
Pronouns: she/hers
Assistant Professor
Auburn University
College of Forestry, Wildlife, and Environment
College of Veterinary Medicine