Inquire directly with Rubenstein School graduate faculty members of specific interest, or contact the Graduate Program Coordinator to learn more about our programs, application process, and which faculty may be accepting new students.
Multiple Fisheries Graduate Student Assistantships (PhD & M.S)
Project: The Henderson Lab at the USGS Vermont Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research unit in the Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources at ̽̽ is seeking highly motivated applicants for multiple graduate student positions focused on both genomics and acoustic telemetry. The funded projects will use both acoustic telemetry and genomics to better understand the population structure, spawning behavior, and habitat usage of multiple fish species (i.e., Lake Sturgeon, Lake Whitefish, and Walleye) in Lake Champlain. The graduate student’s primary duties will include fieldwork to implant acoustic transmitters and collect genetic samples, conducting genetic analyses in the lab, statistical analyses, and manuscript preparation.
Requirements: Applicants require a B.Sc. degree in biology, ecology, fisheries, marine science, or a related field. The positions have an anticipated start date of August 2025, but a summer start date is also possible. There is currently funding available for two PhDs and one M.Sc. and each position includes an annual stipend of $35,000, tuition, and health insurance.
Application: The Henderson Lab, and the Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources, are deeply committed to inclusive excellence and creating a welcoming and supportive environment for everyone. Using a nuanced, holistic, and multi-faceted admissions process, we seek to build a campus community with myriad talents, experiences, goals, backgrounds, perspectives, and interests. Applicants are strongly encouraged to share their unique lived experience with us as part of the application process.
To apply, please submit a 1-page letter of interest, CV, and transcripts to Dr. Mark Henderson (mark.henderson@uvm.edu). Review of applications will begin on January 15th and continue until the position is filled.
M.S. Research Assistantship in Extension Forestry
Project: The University of Vermont Extension Forestry program has an opening for an M.S.-level graduate student to work on an Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) funded project investigating climate-focused forest management in Vermont. This research is part of a larger project to develop resources, outreach, and scientific information to promote actions that foster forest resilience under global change.
The MS student’s project will focus on establishing long-term forest monitoring plots throughout Vermont to assess current conditions, evaluate how landowners and foresters are implementing climate-focused forest management strategies, and investigate if these actions are creating conditions that confer resilience. A primary goal of this project is to provide landowners and practitioners easy to understand guidelines for advancing forest resilience. The MS student will work closely with Dr. Kosiba, student interns, landowners, foresters, and a team of state agency and non-profit partners. The student will have opportunities to be involved in a diverse array of research and outreach efforts through the ̽̽ Forestry Extension program.
Applications will be considered for Summer or Fall 2025, and includes two guaranteed years of funding (stipend, tuition waiver, and health insurance).
Application: Interested applicants should supply all application materials to the by February 1, 2025. When applying, please state your interest in this position in the “Statement of Purpose”.
Contact: Dr. Ali Kosiba (alexandra.kosiba@uvm.edu)
PhD Assistantships Examining Biodiversity, Ecosystem Service, Cultural, and Economic Benefits and Tradeoffs Across Forest Adaptation Approaches
Relatively little is known about best adaptation strategies for addressing climate change impacts on forests in ways that balance key ecosystem services like carbon storage with other desired outcomes, including sustaining biodiversity and cultural and economic values.
To address this knowledge gap, ̽̽ (Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources) seeks two PhD-level graduate students to participate in a research project focused on evaluating the biodiversity, ecosystem service, cultural, and economic benefits and tradeoffs across forest adaptation approaches in northern New England. The PhD students will work closely together and will join a team of collaborators from ̽̽ and Northern Institute of Applied Climate Science and an extensive group of partners from Tribal, State, and Federal agencies and non-profit organizations. One student will focus on understanding the biodiversity, carbon, and resilience outcomes of forest adaptation strategies. The other will focus on understanding how cultural, economic, and public values are affected by different adaptation approaches. A primary goal is to synthesize the actionable science needed to develop best adaptation practices and sound policies that sustain services, values, and species for diverse partners across the region.
These positions are available for Summer 2025 and include four guaranteed years of funding (stipend, tuition waiver, and health insurance).
Interested applicants should supply all application materials to the ̽̽ Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources (RSENR) Program (PhD in Natural Resources) by February 1, 2025 – when applying, please state your interest in this position in the "Statement of Purpose.“
Contacts: Dr. Anthony D’Amato (awdamato@uvm.edu, 802-656-8030), Dr. Rachelle Gould (rgould@uvm.edu), Dr. Carol Adair (carol.adair@uvm.edu), Dr. Brendan Fisher (bfisher@uvm.edu)
Rubenstein Doctoral Assistantship
This funding opportunity provided by the Rubenstein Graduate Program will support 1 to 2 new PhD students each year with 3 full years of assistantship funding to increase the number of highly qualified doctoral students who will bring unique perspectives, experience, and skills to the PhD in Natural Resources program. Please see the attachment for further details on the qualifications, funding, and application process.
̽̽ is committed to inclusive excellence and its admissions practices reflect that university-wide commitment. Using a nuanced, holistic, and multi-faceted admissions process, we seek to build a campus community with myriad talents, experiences, goals, backgrounds, perspectives, and interests. Applicants are strongly encouraged to share their unique lived experience with us as part of the application process.
Prospective students must complete and submit an application to the ̽̽ Graduate College on or before January 1st for our Fall start term cycle. Students should specifically reference conversations that have taken place with their intended faculty advisor in their Statement of Purpose.
Students must be nominated by a RSENR Graduate Faculty member, who will serve as your advisor, to be considered for this funding opportunity. Advisors will complete and submit the Request Form (see pg. 3 of attachment) to RSENR_Grad_Coord@uvm.edu by January 24thof the calendar year in which the student intends to matriculate.
Gund Institute Ph.D. Fellowships
The at ̽̽ supports outstanding PhD applicants interested in conducting interdisciplinary research on major global environmental challenges. With Gund PhD Fellowships, students receive attractive funding packages, world-class faculty mentors, real-world experience collaborating with leaders in government and business – and a deep understanding of complex global sustainability issues.
Biological Data Science (BilDS) Program for Doctoral Students
BilDS is a training program, a training program that integrates with existing Ph.D. programs across the ̽̽ campus in biology, plant biology, plant and soil sciences, mathematics, computer science, engineering, natural resources, and cellular, molecular and biomedical sciences. Traineeships provide core courses, a variety of quantitative electives, an applied internship with a non-academic organization, and extensive professional development training in computation, communication, and cultural awareness and inclusion.
Rubenstein School Teaching Assistantships
Responsibilities
The Rubenstein School has many teaching assistantships available each academic year starting in September. Graduate teaching assistants lead field and indoor laboratories, facilitate discussion sessions among small groups of undergraduates, assist with evaluation and grading, and run workshops and help sessions. Typical assignments are for ten hours a week.
Qualifications
Teaching Assistantship assignments are competitive and based on undergraduate GPA, letters of recommendation, and requests from student advisors.
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