M.S. Assistantships to assess freshwater macroinvertebrate species of concern responses to Hurricane Helene - Clemson University
Compensation:
- $30,000 per year (plus 2% annual cost-of-living increase) for up to 5 years
- Full tuition waiver
- Start date: Summer (preferred) or Fall, 2026
Background: Tropical Storm Helene caused widespread flooding, landslides, and destruction across the southern Appalachian region in September 2024. These impacts caused long-term and potentially permanent changes to the distribution, structure, and function of terrestrial and aquatic habitats. Field evaluations and monitoring are required to understand how baseline ecological conditions changed following these large-scale, geological changes in terrestrial and aquatic habitats. M.S. students working on this project will be part of a larger team working to monitor and assess terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems impacted by Tropical Storm Helene. This dynamic and multi-disciplinary team at Clemson University has expertise across the fields of forestry, wildlife, fisheries, entomology, and fire ecology. Team members will work closely with federal, state, and nongovernmental organizations to communicate findings and inform ongoing, on-the-ground restoration and recovery efforts aimed at focal species, ecosystems, and important forest resources.
Position overview: We are seeking 2 enthusiastic M.S. students to assess Hurricane Helene’s impacts on macroinvertebrate Species of Conservation Concern (SoCC) in Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests of North Carolina, and to develop ongoing monitoring protocols that may be implemented by management agencies and any needed remediation measures. The students will enroll in Clemson’s M.S. program in either Plant & Environmental Sciences or Wildlife & Fisheries Biology. Target taxa for this project will include at least two dragonfly SoCC and one caddisfly SoCC specified in the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests Land Management Plan, as well as other species of freshwater insects that may be recommended for evaluation.
The students will design and conduct field sampling and laboratory analysis, aiming to confirm the population status of the target SoCC at previously known locations in the impacted areas of Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests, and will explore similar habitats in the impacted region for additional populations. Studies will incorporate abiotic data layers as potential explanatory variables. The project will inform any needed remediation recommendations and advice for ongoing assessment. This study will be coordinated with parallel assessments of other potentially impacted vertebrate, invertebrate, and abiotic parameters of stream and riparian forest structure and function.
Candidates must have:
- B.S. degree in entomology, biology, wildlife studies, or a closely related field.
- Sufficient qualifications to be accepted for enrollment into the M.S. program in Plant & Environmental Sciences or Wildlife & Fisheries Biology.
- Experience with freshwater macroinvertebrate field sampling, identification, and data analysis (taxonomic and ecological).
- Strong background in statistical analysis/environmental modelling preferred.
Prior to application, interested candidates should contact the PI, Dr. John Morse (jmorse@clemson.edu), to indicate interest and summarize qualifications.
Applications must then be submitted through the Clemson Graduate School portal (https://gradapply.clemson.edu/apply/).
To qualify for supplemental fellowship funding, applications must include a one-page research prospectus (what the applicant envisions doing as a thesis project, e.g., stemming from the project findings or other topics of personal interest) and be submitted by 15 January 2026.
For more details, see: https://www.clemson.edu/cafls/academics/graduate/entomology-awards.html. Non-fellowship applications may be submitted through April 1, 2026.