For prospective lab members,
Thanks for your interest in the lab! Please see below for any open lab opportunities, lab and advisor expectations, and information on the programs at University of Florida. Please email a.braswell (at) ufl.edu if you have any questions or inquiries.
Previous Opportunities (NOT CURRENT)
The Braswell Coastal Ecosystems and Watersheds Lab at the University of Florida is hiring 1-2 graduate students (Ph.D. or M.S.) to join the lab fall of 2021.
The Braswell Lab studies the connections between upland, coastal and human systems. The lab’s research program focuses on the formation, persistence and degradation of coastal ecosystems within the context of the surrounding terrestrial, marine and urban systems. We use a variety of approaches to understand these complex socio-environmental systems, including geospatial data analysis and collection of empirical field data. Linking ecological, geomorphic, and demographic data, the lab’s interdisciplinary research seeks to understand coastal ecosystems within a macroscale ecology framework. The lab also works with stakeholders and managers to create tools and produce knowledge to better manage and understand coastal watersheds and ecosystems.
There will be opportunity for the student(s) to develop their research program with guidance from Dr. Braswell and other mentors. If you have a research idea – let Dr. Braswell know what you are interested in studying. Potential research topics include (but are not limited to):
The home department of the candidate will be the Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences Program, School of Forest Resources and Conservation in UF/IFAS (http://sfrc.ufl.edu/). The position will be fully funded (2 yrs for M.S., 4 yrs for PhD) through research assistantships. Additional fellowships are available for students from diverse backgrounds (http://graduateschool.ufl.edu/prospective-students/funding/diversity-fellowships/).
To apply, please contact Dr. Anna Braswell at a.braswell@ufl.edu by November 20th, 2020 with the following attachments: 1) A one-page cover letter describing your interest in the position and your background, 2) Resume/CV, 3) Contact information for at least two professional references, and 4) Unofficial transcripts. Complete applications to the graduate program at SFRC are due January 1st, 2021.
The Braswell Lab studies the connections between upland, coastal and human systems. The lab’s research program focuses on the formation, persistence and degradation of coastal ecosystems within the context of the surrounding terrestrial, marine and urban systems. We use a variety of approaches to understand these complex socio-environmental systems, including geospatial data analysis and collection of empirical field data. Linking ecological, geomorphic, and demographic data, the lab’s interdisciplinary research seeks to understand coastal ecosystems within a macroscale ecology framework. The lab also works with stakeholders and managers to create tools and produce knowledge to better manage and understand coastal watersheds and ecosystems.
There will be opportunity for the student(s) to develop their research program with guidance from Dr. Braswell and other mentors. If you have a research idea – let Dr. Braswell know what you are interested in studying. Potential research topics include (but are not limited to):
- Legacy effects of agricultural land use on water quality in coastal communities
- Understanding sediment transport from coastal watersheds into coastal wetlands through remote sensing analysis
- Researching the effects of human modification on geomorphic landforms in coastal wetlands
- Exploring the connections between urbanization and ecosystem services in coastal socio-environmental systems
The home department of the candidate will be the Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences Program, School of Forest Resources and Conservation in UF/IFAS (http://sfrc.ufl.edu/). The position will be fully funded (2 yrs for M.S., 4 yrs for PhD) through research assistantships. Additional fellowships are available for students from diverse backgrounds (http://graduateschool.ufl.edu/prospective-students/funding/diversity-fellowships/).
To apply, please contact Dr. Anna Braswell at a.braswell@ufl.edu by November 20th, 2020 with the following attachments: 1) A one-page cover letter describing your interest in the position and your background, 2) Resume/CV, 3) Contact information for at least two professional references, and 4) Unofficial transcripts. Complete applications to the graduate program at SFRC are due January 1st, 2021.
Lab Expectations
The information below has been adapted from the websites of my colleagues and mentors including: Joanna Blaszczak, Margaret Zimmer, Richard Marinos, and Emily Bernhardt.
I also highly recommend giving Emily Bernhardt's open letter to prospective students a read. Graduate school in the natural sciences is not easy, does not make you rich, and the job market is hard. So knowing your motivating reasons for going to grad school is essential for success.
Mission Statement
The mission of our lab is to produce outstanding research in the coastal sciences while preparing lab members for diverse careers including research, teaching, management, extension, and environmental policy. We aim to create a welcoming, inclusive and stimulating intellectual environment that allows people from diverse backgrounds and with varied career aims to succeed. We are committed to fostering a lab community that values an inclusive, respectful, happy, and supportive environment in all aspects of our work as scientists regardless of any member's race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender-identity, physical ability, or socio-economic status
Dr. Braswell’s responsibilities as a graduate advisor:
Lab expectations for graduate students in the Braswell Lab:
I also highly recommend giving Emily Bernhardt's open letter to prospective students a read. Graduate school in the natural sciences is not easy, does not make you rich, and the job market is hard. So knowing your motivating reasons for going to grad school is essential for success.
Mission Statement
The mission of our lab is to produce outstanding research in the coastal sciences while preparing lab members for diverse careers including research, teaching, management, extension, and environmental policy. We aim to create a welcoming, inclusive and stimulating intellectual environment that allows people from diverse backgrounds and with varied career aims to succeed. We are committed to fostering a lab community that values an inclusive, respectful, happy, and supportive environment in all aspects of our work as scientists regardless of any member's race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender-identity, physical ability, or socio-economic status
Dr. Braswell’s responsibilities as a graduate advisor:
- Work collaboratively with students to identify, design and address research questions and objectives through a thesis or dissertation project.
- Provide financial support throughout graduate school, including travel support for at least one conference a year when resources are available.
- Discuss future career goals and work to towards career goals (to the best of my ability). Connect students to other resources and networks to foster understanding of the job landscape in and outside of academia.
- Hold regular lab meetings and foster a collaborative and supportive lab group for feedback, professional development, skills training, and science discussions (theory, diversity, etc.).
- Provide one on one weekly or bi-monthly meetings to discuss progress and plans during all stages of graduate career.
- Solicit and be open to feedback. Listen to concerns, and lab conflicts. Work to resolve all issues through clear communication.
- Be flexible during difficult times (including but not limited to mental health, family emergencies and sickness).
- Provide feedback on manuscript drafts and proposals within two weeks (with exceptions for field work or travel).
Lab expectations for graduate students in the Braswell Lab:
- Be open and eager to learn and work collaboratively.
- Be willing to engage with all members of the lab in an open, respectful, flexible and professional manner.
- Maintain a posture of zero tolerance for harassment and violence against any member of the community.
- Take ownership of your professional development and communicate your expectations for yourself and your working relationships honestly and often.
- Participate actively in lab meetings and departmental events (i.e. FAS Seminar).
- Follow through on weekly meetings and short-term goals and plans.
- Apply for outside funding with assistance from lab. This exercise is important both inside and outside academia to future employers and is an imperative skill to learn.
- Conduct rigorous and serious science. Maintain an “open science” model for all data, code and deliverables when possible.
- At the minimum, submit at least one manuscript before your thesis or dissertation defense (does not need to be accepted; preferable two manuscripts or more for PhD students). The lab and PI will work closely throughout your tenure to make sure this is an attainable goal.
- Conduct yourself always in a safe manner. Safety in the laboratory and field is a matter of professional integrity and should be the foremost concern in any undertaking. No experiment is worth one’s health. Similarly, no lab member should risk the health of others by coming to work when sick.
- Treat your work as a full-time job, but one that may require less or more than 40h/wk, depending on where one is in their path.
- Put your physical health, mental health and family first. Try your best to develop a healthy work-life balance so that you can enjoy doing research and not burn out. There are times when this is not possible, but make sure to take of yourself and communicate your those needs.
Degree Programs at the University of Florida
School of Forest Resources and Conservation:
The SFRC’s program in Fisheries & Aquatic Sciences conducts research, teaching, and extension programs in four broad areas:
Graduate studies in the Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences program emphasizes the needs and interests of individual students. Graduate students work closely with their faculty advisers to develop comprehensive programs of study. Admission to graduate study is based on the individual merits and interests of the applicant, fulfillment of the general admission requirements of the Graduate School, and acceptance by a faculty adviser.
School of Natural Resources and Environment
https://snre.ifas.ufl.edu/
The SFRC’s program in Fisheries & Aquatic Sciences conducts research, teaching, and extension programs in four broad areas:
- Sustainable fisheries
- Aquaculture
- Aquatic animal health
- Conservation and management of aquatic environments
Graduate studies in the Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences program emphasizes the needs and interests of individual students. Graduate students work closely with their faculty advisers to develop comprehensive programs of study. Admission to graduate study is based on the individual merits and interests of the applicant, fulfillment of the general admission requirements of the Graduate School, and acceptance by a faculty adviser.
School of Natural Resources and Environment
https://snre.ifas.ufl.edu/
