University of Vermont Scholarships in USA 2027

The Bernos F.I.S.H. lab is seeking a motivated graduate student for a funded MSc or PhD research assistantship focused on the human dimensions of fisheries in Lake Champlain, with a preferred start date of January or May 2027.

The successful candidate will develop a M.Sc. or Ph.D. thesis focused on one or more aspects of the fisheries of Lake Champlain. They may draw from human dimension research (surveys, interviews, webscrapping, etc.) and fishery techniques (e.g., sampling, telemetry, genetics).

While the research questions will be refined collaboratively, the thesis is expected to contribute to the understanding of one (or more) of the following topics:

• The “movement ecology” of fishers and fishes.

• Heterogeneity in fishing behaviours, including fishing techniques, harvest rate, motivation, preferences, and decision-making.

• Social and knowledge networks within fisheries systems, including patterns of connections among fishers, management agencies, community organizations, and fishery-related concepts (e.g. stocking, catch and release, commercial harvesting).

To be considered for the UVM Graduate Scholarship, you must:

• be from the following range of disciplines, including fisheries science, ecology, natural resources, human dimensions of natural resources, environmental studies, geography, sociology, anthropology, data science and network analysis, and other related disciplines.

• have interests in interdisciplinary research, quantitative and qualitative methods, modeling and simulations, stakeholder engagement, and social-ecological systems

• Applicants may apply for either an MSc or PhD position. PhD applicants are typically expected to demonstrate a strong foundation for independent research, which many students develop through a master’s degree, research experience, professional work, or other relevant experiences.

• Applicants of all backgrounds, identities, and nationalities are welcomed (i.e., international applicants are encouraged to apply).

The University of Vermont Scholarship includes;

• full tuition coverage

• $37,000 stipend per year

• research and conference costs

• support, supervision, and mentorship from top researchers and experts

To apply, candidates must be ready to;

• upload your CV as a .pdf. If you encounter any issue uploading it, you can send it directly to Dr. Thais Bernos (thais.bernos@uvm.edu) with the email title; “Application to Human dimension position” 

To apply for the University of Vermont Scholarship, interested and qualified candidates should;

• 1

  Click the green button below to proceed to the scholarship webpage.

• 2

  Fill out a brief Google Form (Click here) as part of the initial screening stage.

• 3

  Following this review, selected candidates will be invited for an interview.

• 4

  Review of applications will begin on September 1 and continue on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

• 5

  Applicants are encouraged to submit their materials by September 1 for full consideration.

• 6

  If you are encountering issues accessing the form, please contact Dr. Thais Bernos (thais.bernos@uvm.edu) directly.