Study in USA -Apply now for the Troy University MS Graduate Assistantship 2027.
If you hold a background in Computer Science, Data Science, Statistics, Environmental Science, or Biology, and want to combine computational tools with ecological research, Troy University in Alabama, USA, offers a specialized master's position.
The Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences at Troy University is recruiting an M.S. student for a thesis-track project focused on Developing and Applying a New Computational Tool for Large-Scale Biogeography, Ecology, and Evolution (BEE) Research.
This fully supported position provides a 2-year Graduate Teaching Assistantship (GTA) along with tuition assistance. The selected scholar will work directly on integrating citizen science and ecological datasets into phylogenetically informed formats for large-scale biodiversity analysis.
At a Glance: Scholarship Summary
Here is a quick overview of what the Troy University M.S. Assistantship package includes:
- Host Institution: Troy University
- Location: Troy, Alabama, USA
- Department: Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences
- Degree Level: Master of Science (M.S.) in Environmental and Biological Sciences (Thesis Track)
- Research Focus: Biogeography, Ecology, and Evolution (BEE) / Computational Ecology
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Financial Package:
- Annual Teaching Assistantship: \$13,000 per year (comprising an \$8,000 stipend plus \$5,000 in direct tuition support).
- Support Duration: 2 full years of funding.
- Potential Supplements: Contingent on pending grant applications and departmental supplemental funding.
- Role Duties: Graduate Teaching Assistant (assisting with or teaching undergraduate biological and statistical laboratory courses).
- Application Pathway: Direct email submission of an initial application PDF to the lead project supervisor.
What is the Research Project About?
The core project aims to solve a major challenge in modern ecology: how to standardize heterogeneous citizen science, biogeographic, and ecological datasets into phylogenetically informed formats.
The successful candidate will help develop new computational methods and software tools to perform large-scale ecological and evolutionary analyses.
Preferred Research Interests:
While open to candidates from various quantitative backgrounds, enthusiasm for birds and ornithological science, strong scientific writing skills, and a high motivation to master the R programming language are highly valued.
Eligibility & Admission Requirements
To be considered for this assistantship, candidates must satisfy both the specific project requirements and Troy University's general graduate entry criteria.
1. Project-Specific Requirements
- Educational Background: Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Computer Science, Data Science, Statistics, Wildlife Biology, Environmental Science, or a related field.
- GPA Benchmark: Minimum GPA of 3.50 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
- Programming Skills: Familiarity with computer programming—basic familiarity with R is required, along with proficiency in at least one programming language (such as R, Python, or C).
- Analytical Ability: Strong background and interest in statistical data analysis.
2. General Graduate School Admission Standards
- A B.S./B.A. degree from a regionally accredited institution (Minimum GPA of 2.5 overall or 3.0 on the last 30 credit hours).
- Coursework equivalent to Chemistry I & II, Ecology, Statistics, and upper-level Biology (some prerequisites may be waived depending on candidate profile).
- Minimum GRE Score of 290.
Required Application Documents
Candidates must assemble a single, well-organized PDF dossier containing the following materials:
- Letter of Interest: A personal statement describing how your background and programming/analytical experience align with the project requirements, as well as why this research resonates with you.
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) / Resume: Including your educational history and unofficial transcripts.
- GRE Scores: Attach scores if available.
- Professional References: Names, emails, and phone numbers of at least two academic or professional references who are familiar with your work.
Step-by-Step Application Guide
Unlike standard open university admissions, this position requires contacting the project's Principal Investigator directly first:
Step 1: Assemble Your PDF Dossier
Combine your Letter of Interest, CV/Resume with unofficial transcripts, GRE scores (if available), and contact details for two references into a single PDF document.
Step 2: Format File Name and Subject Line
- Name your PDF file as: Last Name_First Name_MS BEE (e.g., Smith_John_MS BEE.pdf).
- Set your email subject line strictly to: MS BEE.
Step 3: Submit via Email
Send your complete application package directly to Dr. Alban Guillaumet at aguillaumet@troy.edu.
Step 4: Graduate School Application
Shortlisted candidates who pass the initial faculty evaluation will be invited to submit a formal online admission application to the Troy University Graduate School.