PhD Assistantship — Baylor University
Dr. Caleb Robbins is recruiting a PhD Student to start in Fall 2026 to research topics in streams and reservoirs related to one or all of:
- Ecological modeling and forecasting of aquatic ecosystems and water quality
- Carbon and nutrient cycling, especially litter decomposition
- Benthic invertebrate community ecology and biomonitoring
Successful applicants will have previous research and/or scientific writing experience, a desire to work both independently and in collaboration with research teams, and a willingness to combine field and laboratory work with data science and quantitatively-oriented ecology. Applicants with programming experience (especially R) are strongly encouraged to apply. Completion of a Master’s degree is desired, but applicants will be considered that have strong undergraduate research experience, or strong coursework in biology with associated strengths in mathematics, programming, or data science.
The PhD Student will earn a degree in the Department of Biology and work with the Center for Reservoir and Aquatic Systems Research (CRASR). The student will be co-advised by Dr. Thad Scott.
Stipends start at $32,000 annually with full tuition waiver and no student fees. Support will be available for at least 5 years through either research or teaching assistantships.
If interested, submit a CV or resume and a letter of interest to Dr. Robbins (Caleb_Robbins@baylor.edu). In your letter of interest, include some detail on your research interests and why you might want to pursue a PhD at Baylor, including long-term goals. Please feel free to email Dr. Robbins with any questions, as well. Applicants will be interviewed in late Fall on a rolling basis, and invited applicants may participate in a Baylor-funded campus visit in early Spring.