PhD Opportunity: Fish Stress Genomics & Microbiome – University of Maryland
Posted on Jan 08, 2026
by Mohamed (Moh) Salem
This post will be displayed
until Mar 31, 2026
until Mar 31, 2026
PhD Opportunity: Fish Stress Genomics & Microbiome – University of Maryland
Posted by: Mohamed (Moh) Salem (mosalem 
umd.edu)
Post date: Jan 08, 2026
umd.edu)Post date: Jan 08, 2026
Greetings,
Applications are invited for a fully funded PhD Graduate Assistantship focused
on the intersection of fish stress biology, microbiome metagenomics, and host
functional genomics. This position offers the opportunity to join a high-impact
research program at the University of Maryland starting in Fall 2026.
Research Focus
This interdisciplinary program focuses on stress biology in aquaculture fish.
The project integrates microbiome metagenomics with host functional genomics to
uncover the mechanisms underlying stress resilience, health, and performance.
The successful candidate will examine how stressors such as temperature,
salinity, hypoxia, and stocking density influence fish outcomes through
coordinated changes in host molecular responses and microbial function.
The Training Environment
The student will be based at the University of Maryland, gaining access to:
• State-of-the-art sequencing resources and high-performance computing.
• Expertise in aquaculture genomics, microbiome science, and bioinformatics.
• Comprehensive training in reproducible analysis workflows, scientific writing,
and professional development.
Key Responsibilities
• Research: Conducting experiments using shotgun metagenomics and host long-read
RNA-seq.
• Teaching: Serving as a Teaching Assistant for an Introduction to Aquaculture
course, providing valuable pedagogical experience.
Candidate Qualifications
• Required: M.S. degree in aquaculture, fisheries, marine biology, or a related
field.
• Interests: Strong interest in fish stress physiology and genomics.
• Technical: Experience with (or a strong desire to learn) high-throughput
sequencing, Linux, and data analysis in R or Python.
• Soft Skills: Strong communication, organizational, and teamwork skills.
Funding and Benefits
This position is fully funded, providing:
• Competitive annual stipend.
• Tuition remission.
• Health insurance.
How to Apply
Interested applicants should email the following materials as a single PDF to
Dr. Mohamed Salem at mosalem@umd.edu:
1. Statement of Interest: A brief summary of research interests and teaching
experience.
2. Curriculum Vitae (CV).
3. References: Contact information for 2–3 professional references.
Applications will be reviewed immediately and will continue until the position
is filled.
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