Opportunities to be a part of the Patrick Lab
Interested in being a part of the Patrick Lab? Here are the ways in which you can do so:
Undergraduate Researcher
Undergraduate research is an important first step on the path to being a professional scientist. In the Patrick Lab we support undergraduate researchers and are particularly interested in individuals who would like to work with us for multiple semesters and develop independent research projects. There are always opportunities to volunteer for research experience, to do research for academic credit, or paid positions if funding is available. Funding for paid positions is available through the McNair Scholars program, and as lab projects are funded we’ll post related job advertisements here.
Currently, both of my graduate students, Sean Kinard and Fernando Carvallo, are looking for undergraduate researchers to assist them on their respective projects. Please check out their pages on the website to learn more about their projects, and get in touch with them to learn more about undergraduate researcher opportunities in the Patrick Lab.
Currently, both of my graduate students, Sean Kinard and Fernando Carvallo, are looking for undergraduate researchers to assist them on their respective projects. Please check out their pages on the website to learn more about their projects, and get in touch with them to learn more about undergraduate researcher opportunities in the Patrick Lab.
Graduate Reseacher
Positions Available for September 2020
There are currently no open positions for Fall 2020.
General Information
Potential graduate students who are interested in joining my lab group should send me a letter of interest in addition to your CV, transcripts, and GRE scores. In your letter, please tell me about your research interests and why you are pursuing a graduate degree.
I look for several things in prospective students: prior independent research experience, evidence of scientific writing ability, strong quantitative skills, a demonstrated record of being an independent thinking self-starter, and most importantly a passion for scientific research. We don’t do this for the money; successful scientists love what they do!
Graduate students at VIMS are supported through a combination of RAs and some TA support. Graduate student stipend is generous relative to the low cost of living. In addition to institutional funds, I encourage all students to seek external funding. All of my students are encouraged to apply for National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships and Doctoral Dissertation Improvement Grants as well as fellowships and research grants from NOAA, EPA, Professional Societies, and regional academies as appropriate. While these opportunities are competitive, applying for grants is an important skill to develop, and successful students will both improve their curriculum vitae and are then able to be more independent in their research.
Tips for approaching a potential adviser.
There are currently no open positions for Fall 2020.
General Information
Potential graduate students who are interested in joining my lab group should send me a letter of interest in addition to your CV, transcripts, and GRE scores. In your letter, please tell me about your research interests and why you are pursuing a graduate degree.
I look for several things in prospective students: prior independent research experience, evidence of scientific writing ability, strong quantitative skills, a demonstrated record of being an independent thinking self-starter, and most importantly a passion for scientific research. We don’t do this for the money; successful scientists love what they do!
Graduate students at VIMS are supported through a combination of RAs and some TA support. Graduate student stipend is generous relative to the low cost of living. In addition to institutional funds, I encourage all students to seek external funding. All of my students are encouraged to apply for National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships and Doctoral Dissertation Improvement Grants as well as fellowships and research grants from NOAA, EPA, Professional Societies, and regional academies as appropriate. While these opportunities are competitive, applying for grants is an important skill to develop, and successful students will both improve their curriculum vitae and are then able to be more independent in their research.
Tips for approaching a potential adviser.
Post-Doctoral Researcher
Post-Doctoral Researcher– Coastal Rivers Invertebrate Secondary Production and Food-Web Structure: Position responsibilities include using collected data to estimate the secondary production of fish and invertebrate communities through time in 9 coastal rivers, perform statistical analysis of temporally replicated datasets of fish, invertebrates, water quality, and ecosystem functions (GPP, ER, Litter Decomposition, Secondary Production), lead field experiments in south Texas to assess the relative importance of top-down vs bottom-up drivers of riverine communities across the climate gradient, and disseminate scientific results through presentations and publications. The successful applicant will also have the opportunity to contribute to other lab projects in coastal VA and develop independent research consistent with the goals of the Coastal Ecosystem Ecology laboratory group.
Apply by May 4 for Full Consideration, more information here.
Post-Doctoral Researcher – Chesapeake Bay Seagrass Meadows: Position responsibilities include performing analyses of large-scale datasets of seagrass, macrophyte, and associated macrofaunal communities (epifauna, nekton, fish) through both space and time, conducting field and lab work contributing to continued monitoring and understanding of seagrass and associated macrofaunal communities, interacting with and helping mentor graduate students, working with collaborators on ongoing projects, disseminating research through publications and presentations, and developing new independent research consistent with the goals of the Coastal Ecosystem Ecology laboratory group.
Apply by May 4 for Full Consideration, more information here.
General Information:
In addition to advertised positions, I always invite interested post-doctoral collaborators to get in touch if they are looking for a mentor or would like to write a proposal with me. There are several different mechanisms for early career investigators to get post-doctoral funding through the National Science Foundation in Biology, Ocean Sciences, and Earth Sciences as well as fellowships offered through foundations like the Smith Conservation Fellowships.
Please get in touch if you’re interested in working with us!