Imagine contributing to real-world conservation while earning your master’s degree in one of the most scenic and scientifically rich settings in the American West. Utah State University’s Quantitative Fisheries and Aquatic Ecology Lab is offering a fully funded MS Research Assistant position in aquatic ecology for Fall 2026. This opportunity lets you explore how large shallow lakes respond to environmental shifts and management actions, with direct implications for recovering the threatened June sucker (Chasmistes liorus) in Utah Lake.
The position comes with a competitive compensation package valued at approximately $40,000 per year, including a $2,417 monthly stipend, tuition and fees waiver, and subsidized health insurance. If you hold a bachelor’s degree in biology, ecology, fisheries, or a related field and are ready for impactful, hands-on research, this could be the graduate experience that launches your career in aquatic science and conservation.
Scholarship Summary
- Host Country: USA
- Host University: Utah State University
- Scholarship Type: MSC Scholarships
- Eligible Countries: All Countries
- Scholarship Benefits: Full tuition fee, Living stipend, etc.
Why This MS Position Stands Out in Aquatic Ecology Graduate Opportunities
Most master’s programs in ecology or fisheries offer classroom learning and a thesis. This assistantship goes further. You will work with a long-term dataset collected since 2012 through collaboration between Utah State University and the June Sucker Recovery Implementation Program. That continuity is rare and valuable. It allows examination of ecosystem-level questions that shorter projects simply cannot address.
Your research will help managers understand how native fish, non-native piscivores, zooplankton, macroinvertebrates, and aquatic plants interact under changing conditions in Utah Lake. The findings can guide ongoing recovery efforts for the June sucker while contributing to broader understanding of shallow lake ecology worldwide.
The Quantitative Fisheries and Aquatic Ecology Lab, led by Dr. Timothy Walsworth, specializes in quantitative approaches to fish population and community dynamics. The lab uses modeling to predict how systems respond to environmental change and management decisions, skills that are increasingly essential in today’s data-driven conservation landscape.
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The Ecological Stakes: Utah Lake and the June Sucker
Utah Lake is a large, shallow freshwater body in central Utah that has faced decades of pressure from invasive species, altered hydrology, and habitat degradation. Once home to 13 native fish species, only a handful remain. The June sucker, a lake-adapted fish found nowhere else, became a focal point for recovery efforts because its status reflects the health of the entire ecosystem.
Through coordinated work by the June Sucker Recovery Implementation Program, progress has included population augmentation, habitat restoration projects such as the Provo River Delta, and non-native fish management. Long-term monitoring by Utah State University researchers has created an exceptional record of ecosystem conditions. Your MS project will build directly on that foundation.
Potential research topics include:
- Predation pressure on juvenile June sucker and its influence on recruitment
- Environmental drivers that determine which tributaries June sucker choose for spawning
- How rearing habitat conditions vary across space and time
- Synchrony (or lack of it) in zooplankton and macroinvertebrate communities among different lake sites
Each of these questions has immediate management relevance. Your results could inform stocking strategies, habitat improvement priorities, or water management decisions that affect both people and wildlife in the region.
What You Will Actually Do as the MS Research Assistant
This is not a purely desk-based degree. You will spend time in the field, often on boats, sampling under a range of conditions from hot summer days to cold, windy, or snowy periods. Field experience in challenging environments builds resilience and practical skills that employers value highly.
Back in the lab and office, you will manage and analyze complex ecological datasets, apply quantitative methods, and develop strong scientific writing. The lab emphasizes clear communication with stakeholders, so you will gain experience translating technical findings into recommendations that matter to recovery program partners.
By the end of the program you will have:
- A completed thesis with real conservation impact
- Experience collaborating across academic, agency, and stakeholder groups
- Quantitative and data management skills that transfer to PhD programs or professional roles
- A professional network that includes leaders in western fisheries and aquatic ecology
Life in Logan, Utah: The Perfect Setting for Field-Based Graduate Work
Utah State University sits in Logan, a classic college town at the base of the Bear River Range and Cache National Forest. Outdoor recreation is literally at your doorstep—hiking, fishing, skiing, and boating are all within easy reach. The location offers the best of both worlds: a tight-knit academic community with access to the amenities of Salt Lake City roughly 80 miles south.
Cost of living in Logan remains reasonable compared with many university towns, which helps stretch your stipend further. The surrounding landscapes also provide endless inspiration for someone studying aquatic systems. Many students find that the quality of life and access to nature enhance both their research productivity and personal well-being during graduate school.
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Who Should Apply for The Fully Funded MS Aquatic Ecology at Utah State University
The position is open to candidates with a B.S. in biology, ecology, fisheries, or a closely related discipline and a minimum 3.2 GPA. No prior professional experience is required, making it accessible to strong recent graduates or those returning to academia with relevant coursework and motivation.
Successful applicants typically demonstrate:
- Solid mathematical and statistical aptitude
- Strong writing and organizational skills
- Comfort working both independently and as part of collaborative teams
- Genuine enthusiasm for field work in variable weather conditions
- Interest in using data to solve applied conservation problems
If you have taken courses in ecology, statistics, GIS, or fisheries science, or if you have any undergraduate research or field experience, highlight those elements in your application materials.
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How to Apply for the Fully Funded MS Aquatic Ecology at Utah State University
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled, but the posted deadline is June 12, 2026. Early submission is strongly encouraged.
Prepare and email the following materials to Dr. Timothy Walsworth at timothy.walsworth@usu.edu:
- A letter of interest that explains why you want this specific position and outlines any research ideas or questions that excite you within the described topics
- Your current CV or resume
- A professional or academic writing sample (undergraduate thesis chapter, class paper, or technical report)
- Contact information for three professional or academic references
Take time with the letter of interest. Connect your background and career goals to the June sucker recovery work and the lab’s quantitative focus. If you have questions about the position or your fit, reach out to Dr. Walsworth before submitting.
Official Assistantship Opportunity Page: https://jobs.rwfm.tamu.edu/view-job/?id=116696
Why This Opportunity Can Transform Your Career Trajectory
Graduates from strong applied ecology and fisheries programs move into roles with state and federal agencies (Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Reclamation), environmental consulting firms, non-governmental organizations, and academic institutions. The combination of field experience, quantitative skills, and direct conservation impact from this project will make your CV stand out.
Many students use an MS like this as a stepping stone to competitive PhD programs or immediate professional positions in natural resource management. The stakeholder engagement component is especially valuable—employers increasingly seek scientists who can work effectively at the science-policy interface.
Take the Next Step Toward Your Future in Aquatic Ecology
This fully funded MS Research Assistant position in aquatic ecology at Utah State University offers more than financial support and a degree. It offers the chance to contribute meaningful science to one of the West’s most important freshwater conservation stories while developing skills and connections that will serve you for decades.
With the June 12, 2026 deadline approaching quickly, now is the moment to gather your materials and reach out. Visit the official position listing for reference and explore the Walsworth Lab website to learn more about ongoing work.
Qualified candidates who act promptly give themselves the best chance to join a dynamic lab and make a tangible difference in aquatic ecosystem science and management.
For more graduate opportunities, fully funded positions, and career resources in ecology, fisheries, and natural resources, explore additional guides and listings on techschoolinfo.com. Share this opportunity with professors, advisors, and peers who might be the right fit. The right research experience at the right time can open doors you have not yet imagined.