Coastal Ecology and Seagrass Biology Lab

Welcome to the Coastal Ecology and Seagrass Biology Lab! We are part of the School of Ocean Science and Engineering and Division of Coastal Sciences at The University of Southern Mississippi and are located at the Gulf Coastal Research Laboratory in Ocean Springs, MS. 

Research in the Coastal Ecology and Seagrass Biology Lab focuses on:

1) The role of submerged, floating, and emergent coastal plants as habitat and food for nearshore animals

2) Seagrass reproductive ecology, including controls on reproductive timing and output, seed dispersal and seedling recruitment, and

3) Spatial and temporal patterns and environmental drivers of plant and animal distribution and condition

We use a combination of laboratory and field experiments and surveys to address hypothesis-driven questions related to coastal and benthic processes and relevant to coastal management, conservation and restoration.

We’re hiring a post doc!

We are hiring a postdoctoral researcher with expertise in seagrass biology and ecology for studies to include trends in seagrass distribution and condition over time, reproductive ecology and physiology, and restoration. The successful candidate should have experience with a range of statistical methods and spatial analysis tools including GIS or a related software (such as Q-GIS), experience working on small vessels and in shallow coastal ecosystems, strong writing and presentation skills, and interest in exploring seagrass ecosystems throughout the Gulf of Mexico.

Interested candidates should email a cover letter, CV, and contact information for three references to Dr. Kelly Darnell (Kelly.Darnell@usm.edu) by December 20, 2024 for full consideration.