Browse below for openings to join our dynamic team! We seek motivated, creative, and hard-working candidates to make the AEL a great place to work and learn. Be sure to follow us on Twitter for updates on job postings!
Graduate Opportunities
At the AEL we seek highly qualified, enthusiastic graduate students that are creative, motivated, and capable of working well both independently and cooperatively. Successful candidates would join a dynamic, interactive group of graduate students, post-docs, visiting scholars, and faculty at The Ohio State University’s Aquatic Ecology Laboratory (AEL) within the Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology (EEOB). Interested applicants should check back for postings (usually in late summer or early fall) or reach out to AEL faculty Lindsey Bruckerhoff, Jim Hood, Stuart Ludsin, or Casey Pennock.
Research Opportunity: The Bruckerhoff-Freshwater Community Ecology Lab is recruiting a PhD student to conduct research on Smallmouth Bass population dynamics in Lake Erie. The successful candidate will develop research projects in close collaboration with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources-Division of Wildlife (ODNR-DOW).
Smallmouth Bass are an important recreational sportfish in Lake Erie, and the ODNR-DOW has collected long-term data regarding the population structure of the fishery. The successful candidate will develop questions related to identifying drivers of population dynamics of Smallmouth Bass. The position will be fully supported as a Graduate Research Assistantship.
The successful candidate will join a dynamic, interactive group of students, technicians, postdoctoral associates, and faculty at The Ohio State University’s Aquatic Ecology Laboratory (AEL) within the Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology.
Qualifications: B.S. degree in biology, ecology, applied mathematics, statistics, or a closely related field. Undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or greater (as required by the Graduate School). Successful applicants will be creative, motivated, and capable of working effectively both independently and in collaborative groups. Previous experience developing age structured population models or statistical catch-at-age models and/or strong desire to learn quantitative skills is desired.
We seek to maintain a productive, diverse, and collaborative lab group. The AEL is committed fostering an environment where diversity of background and thought is accepted and encouraged. We encourage all interested people to apply despite preconceived notions of their own experience as it relates to this project’s objectives.
Stipend: ~$2,625/month plus full tuition wavier and employer supported benefits.
Start date: Fall 2026
How to apply: If interested, please email Dr. Lindsey Bruckerhoff (bruckerhoff.2@osu.edu) and include: 1) a letter of interest that briefly describes your educational and research background, as well as your research interests and career goals; 2) a curriculum vitae (or resume); 3) an unofficial copy of your transcript(s); 4) contact information for at least three professional references; 5) GRE scores (if available, but not required), and if applicable, TOEFL/TSE scores; and 6) a relevant writing sample. Please put “SMB Phd Position” in the subject line. We will begin reviewing candidate applications immediately and ultimately will invite a select subset of candidates to apply to the department. Applicants invited to apply to the department must submit all materials to the OSU graduate school by November 15th.
Additional information: Additional information about application procedures and requirements in EEOB can be found on the department graduate admissions page.
Research opportunities: The Aquatic Conservation and Ecology Lab is recruiting a PhD student to conduct research on the response of fishes to habitat enhancement projects in the San Juan River in the four corners region. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to help design their project to align with their research interests and those of the lab, with the opportunity to conduct fieldwork, carry out experiments, and synthesize existing datasets. Opportunities will also exist to conduct research on other desert rivers in the upper Colorado River basin experiencing habitat changes due to megadrought and invasive woody vegetation. The project will likely require large amounts of time spent in the field, away from Columbus (likely during the summer), and working in remote areas in extreme weather conditions (heat, cold, wind, rain). This position will be fully supported throughout the year with a mix of Graduate Research Assistantship and Graduate Teaching Assistantship depending on available funding.
Location: The successful candidate will join a dynamic, interactive group of students, postdoctoral associates, and faculty at The Ohio State University’s Aquatic Ecology Laboratory within the Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology.
Qualifications: M.S. degree in biology, ecology, fisheries, natural resources, or a closely related or relevant field is strongly preferred. Undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or greater (as required by the Graduate School). Successful applicants will be creative, motivated, and capable of working effectively both independently and in collaborative groups. Experience boating using white-water rafts is desired.
We seek to maintain a productive, diverse, and collaborative lab group and especially encourage students from under-represented groups to consider joining the lab.
Stipend: ~$2, 681/month plus full tuition wavier and employer supported benefits.
Start date: Summer or Fall 2026
How to apply: If interested, please email Dr. Casey Pennock (Pennock.17@osu.edu) and include: 1) a letter of interest that briefly describes your educational and research background, as well as your research interests and goals; 2) a curriculum vitae (or resume); 3) an unofficial copy of your transcript(s); 4) contact information for at least three professional references; and 5) GRE scores (if available, but not required). Please put “Pennock PhD Position” in the subject line. I will begin reviewing candidate applications immediately and ultimately will invite selected candidates to apply to the department. The department’s application deadline is November 15th, 2025.
Additional information: Additional information about application procedures and requirements in EEOB can be found on the department graduate admissions page. For more information about the Aquatic Ecology Laboratory or the Pennock-Aquatic Conservation and Ecology Lab, please visit the websites linked above.
Undergraduate Opportunities
We are looking for qualified students to fill work-study positions at the AEL. Specific tasks for our Work-Study students include field sampling, in-lab sample processing, and data entry. We strive to ensure that Work-Study students also have opportunities to participate in lab and field research associated with other ongoing projects. AEL graduate students and faculty are committed to educating Work-Study students in the art of scientific research in a cooperative and supportive work environment.
Projects with Dr. Lindsey Bruckerhoff: R88697 - apply here
Projects with Dr. Casey Pennock: R88875 - apply here
Projects with Dr. Jim Hood: R98164 - apply here
Projects with Dr. Stuart Ludsin: R84803 - apply here
AEL faculty seek energetic, committed undergraduate students who are interested in conducting research for OSU credit that focuses on ecologically oriented projects in freshwater ecosystems. For all projects, we ask students for, at minimum, a commitment of one year. For more information, please contact Drs. Lindsey Bruckerhoff, Jim Hood, Stuart Ludsin, or Casey Pennock.
If you are interested in volunteering in our lab, please reach out to Jenny Pfaff (pfaff.20@osu.edu).