The University of Georgia in the United States has announced funded Master’s and PhD research assistantship opportunities for students interested in aquatic animal health, microbiology, disease prevention, and sustainable aquaculture.
The opportunity is available through the Aquatic One Health Lab at the university’s Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources in Athens, Georgia.
According to the research announcement published on October 28, 2026, the university will provide a competitive stipend, tuition support, and graduate student benefits through research and teaching assistantships.
The position requires at least 20 hours of work per week, while previous professional experience is not mandatory.
Interested candidates can apply until January 1, 2027, although the university will review applications on a rolling basis until it fills the position.
University of Georgia Master’s and PhD Assistantship Details
The graduate assistantship is part of a research project titled Development of Integrated Disease Detection, Prevention, and Vaccine Strategies for Sustainable Aquaculture.
The selected student will join the Aquatic One Health Lab under the supervision of Dr. Jie Jessie Ma, Assistant Professor of Aquaculture and Fish Health at the University of Georgia.
The project focuses on developing improved methods for detecting aquatic diseases, preventing infections, studying fish immune responses, and creating vaccines to support sustainable aquaculture.
The selected candidate will conduct laboratory research and may collaborate with universities, diagnostic laboratories, government agencies, aquaculture producers, and industry partners.
The university will develop the student’s specific research project according to their academic background, interests, and the laboratory’s ongoing research activities.
Scholarship Benefits and Financial Support
The University of Georgia will support the selected graduate student through research and teaching assistantships.
The advertised funding package includes a competitive stipend, tuition support, and graduate student benefits.
The University of Georgia’s general assistantship policies also provide tuition waivers for eligible appointments, reducing tuition to $25 per semester. However, students may still have to pay mandatory fees and health insurance costs.
The research advertisement does not specify an exact monthly or annual stipend or guarantee that all personal and educational expenses will be covered.
The final financial package will depend on the assistantship arrangement, university policies, and available research funding.
Eligibility Criteria for Master’s and PhD Applicants
Candidates must hold a Bachelor of Science (BS) or Master of Science (MS) degree in a relevant discipline.
The university has identified Aquaculture, Fisheries, Biology, Microbiology, Veterinary Science, Animal Science, and Bioinformatics among the eligible academic fields.
Applicants with qualifications in closely related disciplines can also apply.
Candidates should demonstrate a strong interest in aquatic animal health, microbiology, immunology, molecular biology, bioinformatics, or related research areas.
The university also requires applicants to have strong written and verbal communication skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work independently and collaboratively.
Applicants should be willing to design experiments, follow research protocols, analyze scientific data, and contribute to peer-reviewed publications.
English Language and GPA Requirements
The University of Georgia requires international applicants who are subject to English language proficiency requirements to submit acceptable IELTS or TOEFL results.
The university accepts an IELTS Academic overall score of at least 6.5, with no individual band below 6.0.
For TOEFL iBT examinations taken before January 21, 2026, the minimum overall score is 80, with at least 20 in speaking and writing.
For examinations taken on or after January 22, 2026, the university requires an overall score of at least 4.5 on the revised TOEFL scale, including at least 4 in speaking and writing.
The Graduate School generally requires an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 or its equivalent for admission eligibility.
Applicants must also meet any additional academic requirements established by their selected graduate program.
Research Areas and Opportunities
The selected student will contribute to research involving aquatic animal diseases, pathogen detection, and sustainable aquaculture practices.
The project will focus on developing molecular diagnostic tools to identify bacterial and viral pathogens affecting aquatic animals.
Researchers will also study pathogen isolation, infection dynamics, and interactions between aquatic pathogens and their hosts.
Another major area involves developing and evaluating vaccines against important bacterial and viral diseases affecting aquaculture species.
The research may examine fish immune responses to infections, vaccinations, and immunostimulants.
Students may also investigate how environmental conditions influence aquatic animal health and disease transmission.
Depending on the research project, the selected candidate may conduct laboratory experiments and fieldwork at aquaculture farms, hatcheries, diagnostic laboratories, and collaborating institutions.
Documents Required for Application
Interested applicants must prepare the documents specified in the research advertisement before contacting the supervisor.
Candidates need a cover letter of one to two pages explaining their research interests, relevant research experience, career goals, and reasons for pursuing a Master’s or PhD degree in aquatic animal health and sustainable aquaculture.
They must also prepare an updated curriculum vitae (CV) highlighting their educational background, research skills, and relevant academic experience.
Applicants must provide contact information for two professional references.
These documents are required for the initial research assistantship application. Candidates who proceed to formal graduate admission must also complete the University of Georgia Graduate School’s separate application requirements.
How to Apply for the University of Georgia Assistantship
Interested candidates must first contact the research supervisor before submitting a formal application to the University of Georgia Graduate School.
Applicants should send their cover letter, updated CV, and contact information for two professional references in a single email to Dr. Jie Jessie Ma at jie.ma@uga.edu.
Applicants should include the required documents and clearly explain how their academic background and research interests relate to the advertised opportunity.
After the initial application process, successful candidates must secure admission to the University of Georgia Graduate School.
Find out more details about the Graduate Research Assistantship in Aquatic Animal Health and Sustainable Aquaculture (Master’s) and Graduate Research Assistantship in Aquatic Animal Health and Sustainable Aquaculture (PhD)
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