The University of Georgia has opened funded master’s and doctoral research places in aquatic animal health, offering students a chance to work on disease detection, prevention and vaccine research for sustainable aquaculture. The places are based at the Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources in Athens, Georgia, and are linked to the university’s Aquatic One Health Laboratory, led by Dr Jie Jessie Ma.
Aquaculture is growing in importance as a source of food, but disease remains one of its greatest risks. Research that can identify pathogens earlier, understand how infections spread and develop better vaccines can therefore make a real difference to farmers, fisheries and food security. These assistantships are designed for students who want to contribute to that work while gaining advanced research training.
University of Georgia Master’s and PhD Assistantship Details
The assistantships support a project titled Development of Integrated Disease Detection, Prevention, and Vaccine Strategies for Sustainable Aquaculture. The project was announced on 28 October 2026 and will involve laboratory research, collaboration with universities, diagnostic laboratories, government agencies, aquaculture producers and industry partners. Research plans can be tailored to a student’s background and interests, so the work is not limited to a single narrow topic.
Scholarship Benefits and Financial Support
Successful candidates will receive a competitive stipend, tuition support and graduate benefits through a research or teaching assistantship, working at least 20 hours a week. Under the university’s general assistantship policies, eligible appointments may include a tuition waiver that reduces tuition to 25 dollars a semester, although students may still need to pay mandatory fees and health insurance. The advertisement does not state an exact monthly or annual stipend, nor does it guarantee that every personal or educational cost will be covered, so applicants should confirm their final package, assistantship arrangement and available research funding before accepting an offer.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants need a bachelor’s or master’s degree in aquaculture, fisheries, biology, microbiology, veterinary science, animal science, bioinformatics or a closely related discipline. They should have a strong interest in aquatic animal health, microbiology, immunology, molecular biology or bioinformatics, together with strong written and verbal communication skills and attention to detail. The role also requires the ability to work independently and as part of a team, to design experiments, follow protocols, analyse data and contribute to peer-reviewed publications. Previous professional experience is not mandatory.
English Language and GPA Requirements
Applicants must meet the University of Georgia’s language and academic standards. The International English Language Testing System requirement is an overall academic score of at least 6.5, with no band below 6.0. For the Test of English as a Foreign Language, the minimum internet-based score before 21 January 2026 was 80, with at least 20 in speaking and writing, while from 22 January 2026 the revised test requires an overall score of 88, with at least 4 in speaking and writing. The Graduate School generally requires an undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.0 or its equivalent, and applicants must also meet any additional requirements of their chosen graduate programme.
Research Areas and Opportunities
The research covers aquatic animal diseases, pathogen detection and sustainable aquaculture, including the development of molecular diagnostic tools to identify bacterial and viral pathogens. Students may study pathogen isolation, infection dynamics and interactions between pathogens and their hosts, as well as the development and evaluation of vaccines against bacterial and viral diseases. Other work includes research into fish immune responses, vaccinations and immunostimulants, and investigation of environmental factors that influence aquatic animal health and disease transmission. Laboratory experiments and fieldwork may take place at aquaculture farms, hatcheries, diagnostic laboratories and collaborating institutions, giving students a broad view of how research moves from the laboratory to practical use.
Documents Required
Applicants should prepare a cover letter of one to two pages explaining their research interests, relevant experience and career goals, and why they wish to pursue a master’s or doctoral degree in aquatic animal health and sustainable aquaculture. They also need an updated curriculum vitae highlighting their education, research skills and relevant experience, together with contact details for two professional references. These documents are for the initial assistantship application, and successful candidates will also need to meet the separate requirements of the University of Georgia Graduate School.
How to Apply
Applicants should first contact the supervisor before making a formal application, sending their cover letter, updated curriculum vitae and the contact details of two references in a single email to Dr Jie Jessie Ma at jie.ma@uga.edu. The email should explain their academic background and how their research interests relate to the project. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until the places are filled, with a deadline of 1 January 2027. For students interested in animal health, food production and applied science, the opportunity offers a clear path into research that combines laboratory work, field experience and collaboration with the aquaculture industry.
