Graduate Assistantships
A Ph.D. Assistantship is available Fall 2026 or Spring of 2027 This EPA funded assistantship is focused on Phosphorus Dynamics in a Coastal Watershed and will involve River station sampling, sediment sampling from small boats and laboratory analyses of water and sediment. The stipend is $30,667 per year and includes a full tuition waiver. Students pay no additional university fees except for 25% of the Health Insurance premium while the university covers the other 75%. Interested candidates should see the “How to Apply” section below to be considered when new opportunities arise, and direct any questions to Dr. John White.
Qualifications: B.S. in Biology, Chemistry, Coastal Environmental Science, Geology, Soil Science, Renewable & Natural Resources or other related disciplines. Demonstrated excellence in course work, good written and oral communication skills, and the ability to work well as a team member is required. For Ph.D. Assistantships, a conferred Masters degree is preferred.
Stipend and Fees: For 2026, minimum annual pay stipend for Masters is $25,000, and for Ph.D., the minimum pay Stipend is $30,667 per year. Fellowships typically carry larger stipends (your application must be completed early, to be considered for Fellowships and Scholarships, typically by early Feb for Fall admission). Graduate Research/Teaching Assistantship tuition is fully covered in addition to the annual pay stipend, as well as 75% of the healthcare stipend is covered, if you need it. Students pay no university fees other than the 25% of the healthcare premium (~900 per annum). There are also a number of scholarships, both recruitment and for current students, available for strong candidates which supplement assistantships and provide money directly to student. These scholarships include two different recruitment schlolarships ($4,000) , the Joseph Lipsey, Sr. Memorial Scholarship Award for an LSU undergrad seeking a graduate degree in the College as well as the Richard A. & Joseph Lipsey, Jr. Graduate Student Incentive Award for any student recruited to the College ($2,000). There are also several College scholarships available for students specifically studying wetlands including the Dr. James Gosselink Scholarship Fund, William H. Patrick, Jr., PhD Scholarship for Wetlands Expertise ($4,000), and Warren "Whip" Mermilliod Scholarship which provide anywhere from $500 up to $4,000 per year paid directly to the student.
How to apply: Complete a free pre-application, which can be obtained from: the LSU DOCS website. Remaining application information can also be found on the website.
Contact:
Dr. John R White
Professor and Associate Dean of Research
Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences
Energy Coast and Environment Building Room 3239
Louisiana State University (225) 578-8792