Graduate Research Assistant (M.Sc.)

Job Details

The Kentucky State University (KYSU) School of Aquaculture and Aquatic Science (SAAS) seeks applicants for a graduate student (M.S.) supported through a research assistantship to start in the fall of 2026. The student will work in Dr. Patrick Erbland’s lab.

The successful candidate will be expected to conduct research focused on behavioral observation of fish to estimate their level of appetite. The candidate will also develop and build a prototype feeding system that dispenses food based on this appetite estimate. The candidate will focus on low-cost sensors (i.e. video, audio, motion, etc.) The student will be expected to fulfill all KYSU graduate school requirements and assist with other work and SAAS activities.

Salary: $30,000/ yr, tuition and benefits are not covered, however grants to cover tuition may be pursued

Requirements

Required – B.S. in Engineering, Biology or related field; A valid US driver’s license; Willingness to work long hours (including some weekends and holidays) and tolerate harsh field conditions (e.g., heat/cold, humidity, rain, insects); Ability to follow protocols and a strong attention to detail; Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple tasks and timelines; Strong verbal and written communication skills

Preferred – Experience conducting field and lab work related to aquaculture; experience designing and building prototype equipment; proficiency with computer programming language(s) such as python; able to work independently and in collaboration with other researchers; commitment to publish findings in peer-reviewed journals; interest in aquaculture

Contact Information

Prior to applying to the Graduate School, qualified applicants should send a single email containing: 1) cover letter describing professional interests (1-page max), 2) a resume, 3) unofficial transcripts of college-level work, and 4) contact information for 3 professional references to Dr. Patrick Erbland (patrick.erbland@kysu.edu) with “Smart Feeder MS application” in the subject line. Open until filled. Review of applications will begin on June 15th, 2026. Start date is August 2026, pending successful funding of the project.