TL;DR: Bridgewater State University (BSU) is offering a funded Master of Science (M.S.) Graduate Assistantship in Urban Wildlife Ecology through the Surasinghe Lab in the Department of Biological Sciences. The role supports a National Science Foundation (NSF) Ecology and Evolution of Infectious Diseases (EEID) project on urbanization, wildlife communities, and tick-borne disease risk in the Greater Boston region. The assistantship is expected to begin in January 2027 and provides two years of support through December 2028. Apply by emailing one PDF to Dr. Thilina Surasinghe; review begins in early October and continues until the position is filled.
Quick facts
- Programme: M.S. Graduate Assistantship in Urban Wildlife Ecology
- Institution: Bridgewater State University (BSU), Massachusetts, United States
- Lab / department: Surasinghe Lab, Department of Biological Sciences
- Level: Master’s (M.S. in Biology)
- Host country: United States
- Funding type: Funded graduate assistantship (two years of support, contingent on admission, progress, and continued funding)
- Programme window: Expected start January 2027 through December 2028
- Application review: Begins early October; continues until filled
- Listed application deadline (job boards): 30 November 2026
- How to apply: Email a single PDF to the faculty supervisor (details below)
What the funding covers
According to the official Surasinghe Lab opportunities page, this is a funded M.S. Graduate Assistantship that provides two years of support (January 2027 through December 2028). Support is contingent upon:
- Admission to the Biology M.S. program at Bridgewater State University
- Satisfactory academic progress
- Continued funding
The official lab posting does not publish a fixed stipend amount or an itemised tuition list on the opportunities page. Treat the award as a funded research assistantship and confirm the exact package (stipend, tuition remission, hours, and any fees) directly with Dr. Surasinghe and the College of Graduate Studies before you accept an offer. Related postings on academic job boards describe the role as at least 20 hours per week with salary commensurate or negotiable; verify those details with the lab.
Research focus
The student joins an NSF EEID project investigating how urbanization influences wildlife communities and their role in shaping tick-borne disease risk across the Greater Boston region. Collaborators listed by the lab include teams linked to Columbia University, Boston University, Tufts University, and the University of Sussex / University of Bath.
The successful applicant will develop an M.S. thesis in urban wildlife ecology, using mammals and birds as focal taxa. Typical themes include wildlife occurrence, habitat use, community composition, and responses to urbanization. Methods highlighted by the lab include:
- Camera-trap surveys
- Passive acoustic monitoring (AudioMoths)
- Environmental and landscape covariates and Geographic Information System (GIS) analysis
- Training in hierarchical ecological modeling, AI-assisted species identification, and reproducible research workflows
Responsibilities also include fieldwork (trail cameras and acoustic recorders), assisting with wildlife and tick sampling, dataset quality control, quantitative analysis in R under faculty mentorship, and contributing to manuscripts and presentations.
Eligibility
Applicants must hold (or complete before enrollment) a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Biology, Ecology, Wildlife Biology, Environmental Science, Geography, or a closely related discipline, and must be eligible for admission to the M.S. in Biology program at Bridgewater State University.
The lab seeks highly motivated students with strong interests in wildlife ecology, urban ecology, landscape ecology, or quantitative ecology. Experience with ecological fieldwork, wildlife monitoring, camera traps, passive acoustic monitoring, GIS, R, or ecological statistics is highly desirable. Applicants should be ready to develop quantitative skills, conduct fieldwork under variable conditions, and work in a multidisciplinary team.
Domestic and international candidates who meet BSU graduate admission rules may be considered; always confirm current international admission, visa, and English-language requirements on the official Bridgewater State University graduate admissions pages.
Fields of study
This assistantship sits within the Biology M.S. pathway at Bridgewater State University, with research emphasis areas including:
- Wildlife ecology
- Urban ecology
- Landscape ecology
- Quantitative ecology
- Related host–vector and wildlife disease ecology themes within the NSF EEID project
Key dates
- Inquiry / application review: Begins in early October; continues until the position is filled
- Listed closing date on academic job boards: 30 November 2026
- Expected start: January 2027
- Supported through: December 2028 (two years), subject to the contingencies above
Prospective students are encouraged to contact Dr. Surasinghe before submitting a formal application to the BSU Biology M.S. program.
How to apply
Email a single PDF containing:
- A statement of interest
- A Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Unofficial transcripts
- Contact information for two or three references
Send materials (or questions) to:
Dr. Thilina Surasinghe
Department of Biological Sciences
Bridgewater State University
Email: [email protected]
Read the live posting on the Surasinghe Lab opportunities page, then review the Master’s Degree in Biological Sciences and Graduate Funding Opportunities pages on the Bridgewater State University website before you apply.
FAQ
Is this a named university-wide scholarship?
No. This is a funded M.S. Graduate Assistantship tied to the Surasinghe Lab and an NSF EEID research project. It is separate from general College of Graduate Studies scholarships listed on BSU’s graduate funding page.
Does the official page list exact tuition and stipend amounts?
No. The official opportunities page describes two years of funded support but does not publish a fixed stipend or tuition figure. Confirm the package with the supervisor and graduate school.
Can international students apply?
Candidates who meet BSU Biology M.S. admission requirements may be considered. Confirm current international admission, English proficiency, and visa rules on Bridgewater State University’s official graduate admissions pages.
Is there an online application portal for the assistantship?
For the assistantship itself, the lab asks you to email one PDF to Dr. Surasinghe. You still need to follow Bridgewater State University’s formal Biology M.S. admissions process if invited to apply.
When does the position start?
The assistantship is expected to begin in January 2027 and provide support through December 2028, contingent on admission, academic progress, and continued funding.
