Coastal ecosystems sit at the crossroads of some of the most urgent environmental challenges of our time. Rising seas, stronger storms, and shifting fire regimes are reshaping plant communities that protect shorelines, store carbon, and support wildlife. If you want to contribute directly to understanding these changes while building a strong foundation for a career in ecology, a fully funded MS position at Marshall University offers exactly that opportunity.
The Palmquist Lab in the Department of Biological Sciences is recruiting a motivated master’s student to investigate how sea-level rise, storm surge, and prescribed fire interact to shape coastal vegetation on Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island in South Carolina. This two-year position comes with a competitive $21,000 annual stipend, full tuition waiver, and the chance to develop high-demand skills in remote sensing, quantitative ecology, and fire-effects monitoring.
Applications are under rolling review right now. Early applicants have the best chance of securing this rare combination of impactful research, solid funding, and supportive mentorship.
Scholarship Summary
- Host Country: USA
- Host University: Marshall University
- Scholarship Type: MSC Scholarships
- Eligible Countries: All Countries
- Scholarship Benefits: Full tuition fee, Living stipend, etc.
Why Coastal Vegetation Research Matters Right Now
Coastal plant communities deliver outsized ecosystem services. They buffer inland areas from storm surge, stabilize shorelines against erosion, provide critical habitat for migratory birds and fisheries, and sequester carbon in soils and biomass. Yet these same communities face compounding pressures.
Sea-level rise drives saltwater intrusion that kills freshwater-dependent trees and shrubs, creating “ghost forests” visible along many southeastern U.S. coasts. More frequent and intense storms deliver sudden salinity spikes and physical damage. At the same time, land managers increasingly rely on prescribed fire to restore open pine woodlands, reduce wildfire risk, and enhance ecosystem resilience. The problem is that scientists still do not fully understand how fire interacts with the legacy effects of storms and salvage logging.
See More Posts in Jobs, Scholarships, Technology, Career/Motivations, Football News Feeds
Join Job Whatsapp Channel, Scholarship Whatsapp Channel, Tech Whatsapp Channel, Follow Our Twitter (X) Channel.
This knowledge gap is exactly what the new MS student will help close. The work has direct implications for landscape conservation and adaptive management on military installations and other coastal lands.
The Research Project You Will Lead
The successful candidate will examine two interconnected questions:
- How do sea-level rise and increased storm surge alter the distribution and composition of coastal vegetation?
- How does prescribed fire affect pine-dominated vegetation on Parris Island, and how do prior storm events and salvage logging modify plant community responses to fire?
You will combine multiple approaches:
- Remote sensing to track vegetation change across the island over time
- Field-based fire effects monitoring and plant community sampling
- Integration of existing large observational datasets
This project fits squarely within the Palmquist Lab’s core mission: quantifying vegetation dynamics across spatial and temporal scales and understanding how global environmental change alters the processes that structure plant communities. The lab works in temperate shrublands, wetlands, woodlands, and forests, always with an eye toward informing real-world conservation.
Fieldwork will take you to Parris Island, a unique sea-island environment where ecological management supports both biodiversity and the mission of the Marine Corps. Back in the lab at Marshall University, you will analyze data, prepare manuscripts for peer-reviewed journals, and present your findings at regional and national meetings.
Learn more about the lab’s ongoing work here: http://www.kylepalmquist.org/
See Also:
- NUS Research Scholarship 2026: Complete Guide to Eligibility, Benefits, and Application for Fully Funded Graduate Research at NUS
- A*STAR ACIS Scholarship 2026: Your Pathway to a Fully Funded PhD in Computing and Information Science at NUS
- The Canon Foundation Japan Africa Exchange Scholarship 2027 – Your Gateway to Transformative Research and Cross-Continental Collaboration
Funding Package and Professional Development
This position is fully funded for two years through a combination of research and teaching assistantships. You will receive:
- A 12-month competitive stipend of $21,000 per year
- Full tuition waiver
- Teaching assistant experience within the Department of Biological Sciences
You are responsible only for university fees. The package provides financial stability while you focus on producing high-quality research, building your publication record, and developing the quantitative and communication skills employers and PhD programs value.
The Palmquist Lab and the broader department actively support work-life balance, an important consideration for long-term success in graduate school.
Ideal Candidate Profile
Strong applicants will bring:
- Coursework or research experience in plant ecology and/or fire ecology
- Solid quantitative and communication skills
Highly desirable qualifications include:
- Experience with remote sensing and GIS
- Knowledge of southeastern U.S. flora
Students from all backgrounds and experiences are strongly encouraged to apply. Dr. Palmquist particularly welcomes applicants who are excited by large-scale ecological questions and motivated to produce science that informs conservation.
Life as a Graduate Student in Huntington, West Virginia
Marshall University is located in Huntington, an affordable, walkable college town on the Ohio River. The small-city atmosphere makes daily life easy, while restaurants, cultural events, and outdoor recreation are plentiful. Hiking, skiing, and whitewater rafting are all within reach in the surrounding Appalachian landscape. Larger cities including Columbus, Cincinnati, and Louisville are a short drive away for weekend exploration.
The Department of Biological Sciences offers a collegial environment with faculty expertise spanning ecology, evolution, herpetology, physiology, and more. You can explore the department and its graduate programs here: https://www.marshall.edu/biology/
Click Here to See other Scholarships.
Get Standard CV and Scholarship Essay/Statement of Purpose/Motivation Letter from a Professional.
- Join this Whatsapp Channel to Get More Infos and Tips
- Join Telegram Channel for Daily Jobs, Scholarships, Business and Career Updates
Step-by-Step Guide to Applying
Review of applications begins immediately and continues until a candidate is selected. Apply early for the strongest consideration.
Prepare and email the following materials to Dr. Kyle Palmquist at palmquist@marshall.edu:
- A short statement of research interests and career goals (no longer than one page)
- Current CV
- Unofficial transcripts
- Contact information for three professional references
Use this exact email subject line: MS position – coastal vegetation [Your Full Name]
Example: MS position – coastal vegetation – Alex Rivera
Dr. Palmquist will reach out to discuss fit if your background aligns with the lab’s needs. If selected, you will then submit a full application to the Department of Biological Sciences graduate program. Admission requirements are available here: https://www.marshall.edu/biology/admission/
You can view the original position announcement here: https://jobs.rwfm.tamu.edu/view-job/?id=116947
Why This Opportunity Stands Out
Most funded ecology MS positions require students to develop their own project ideas from scratch. This position comes with a clearly defined, high-impact research focus, established field sites, existing datasets, and active prescribed-fire management on a working military installation. You will gain rare experience integrating remote sensing with ground-based ecology while addressing questions that matter for coastal resilience.
Whether your long-term goal is a PhD, a position with a federal agency, an environmental consulting role, or work in conservation nonprofits, the skills and publications you develop here will open doors.
Ready to Apply?
This fully funded MS position in ecology represents a genuine opportunity to advance both your career and scientific understanding of how coastal ecosystems respond to climate change and management interventions.
If you are excited by plant ecology, fire ecology, remote sensing, or global change biology, reach out to Dr. Kyle Palmquist today.
The position starts after August 17, 2026, with possible entry in August 2026 or January 2027. Funding and support are guaranteed for two years.
Take the next step toward becoming a leader in coastal ecosystem science. Email your materials now and help shape the future of these vital landscapes.
For more fully funded graduate opportunities and ecology career resources, explore additional posts on our site. Good luck with your application!