Conservation Expedition Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Special Instructions to Applicants
Applications for Teaching Assistant will be accepted on an ongoing basisand will be reviewed as needed.

Applicants should upload:
1) Curriculum Vitae.
2) Unofficial transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutionsattended (official transcripts may be required if applicant is selected for aposition).
3) Cover letter describing relevant education, research, and/or work experiencerelated to the marine/coastal science field. Course(s) an applicant wishes toTA must be specified in cover letter.
Applicants must be currently authorized to work in theUnited States on a full-time basis without the need for visa sponsorship. TheUniversity will not sponsor applicants for work visas (e.g., H-1B).

Job Summary
The University of Southern Mississippi's Department of Coastal Sciences invitesapplications for teaching assistants to aid instructors in teaching fieldintensive marine science courses at the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory in OceanSprings, Mississippi.  The courses will be offered as a part of the GulfCoast Research Laboratory's Summer Field Program during the summerintersession, first summer term, and second summer term. Class meets everyweekday during the course term.  However, due to weather impacts on fieldactivities, schedule flexibility is necessary. Possible overnight travelrequired.  Modification of teaching platform from field and lab intensiveto virtual may be required. For information about the Summer Field Program, visit www.usm.edu/ocean-science-engineering/summer-field-program.php.
We anticipate filling thefollowing Teacher Assistant vacancies as needed:

Barrier Island Ecology -COA 448/448L three credit hours (2 lecture, 1 lab).
Course Description: This field course will familiarizestudents with concepts of coastal ecology with emphasis on the diversity ofplant and animal communities unique to the northern Gulf of Mexico barrierislands. Students will take field excursions to barrier islands during thiscourse. Topics covered include marsh, submerged, and barrier island vegetation,aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates, mammals, birds and reptiles, intertidaland shallow subtidal communities, and geologic processes of island dynamics.

Cetacean Behavior- COA 444three credit hours (3 lecture).
Course description: Students will learn tools and techniquesused in the systematic observation and documentation of delphinid behavior inthe wild. Course includes both classroom lecture and field studies focusedprimarily on dolphins of the Mississippi Sound.

Elasmobranch Biology -COA 422/522, 422L/522L six credit hours (3 lecture, 3 lab).
Course Description: This specialized course will providestudents with an overview of elasmobranch (sharks, skates and rays) biology,ecology and taxonomy. Lectures will cover such topics as evolution, anatomy andphysiology, sensory systems, behavior and ecology. Students will be introducedto the diversity of elasmobranchs and will learn how to identify species.Special emphasis will be given to the species common to the Gulf of Mexico.Laboratory work will consist of several inshore and offshore collecting trips,as well as dissections.

Marine Conservation -COA 450/550, 450L/550L, five credit hours (3 lecture, 2 lab).
Course Description: This course will introduce students toconservation biology and ecology with a focus on marine and coastal ecosystems.Topics may include biodiversity, marine ecosystems processes and threats,conservation of habitat and species, and human impacts, solutions, and policy.The course will consist of lectures, field trips, and laboratory exercisesdesigned to provide students with hands-on experience in marine conservationbiology.

Marine Ichthyology -COA 421/521, COA 421L/521L, six credit hours (3 lecture, 3 lab).
Course Description: is an intensive marine biological fieldcourse, which engages students to collect and identify marine fishes innumerous habitats in the Gulf of Mexico. Students experience a variety ofland-based and vessel-based collection techniques, such as seining, castnetting, hook and line fishing, trawling, trolling, dip netting and manyothers. Students must work effectively alone and in teams and participate infield expeditions to complete the course objectives. Successful students gain anappreciation for taxonomic identities of fishes and the synergism betweenabiotic and biotic factors that drive marine fish distribution and faunaldiversity in the northern Gulf of Mexico.

Marine Invertebrate Zoology-COA 428/528, 428L/528L, six credit hours (3 lecture/3 lab).
Course description: This course is a concentrated study ofthe marine and estuarine invertebrates from the Mississippi Sound andcontiguous continental shelf of the northeastern Gulf of Mexico. Emphasis is onstructure, classification, phylogenic relationships, larval development, andfunctional processes. Prerequisites: Two semesters of biology or permission ofinstructor.

Marine Mammals - COA443/543, 443L/543L, five credit hours (3 lecture, 2 lab).
Course Description: This course isan overview of the biology of marine mammals (cetaceans, pinnipeds, sirenians,sea otters and the polar bear), including their classification, evolutionaryhistory, anatomy, physiology, behavior, conservation and management. Course will be online in 2026.
Marine Sciences I:Oceanography - COA 300/300L, five credit hours (3 lecture, 2 lab).
Course Description: This course provides a multidisciplinaryfoundation in oceanography, specifically the terminology, principles,processes, relationships and phenomena pertaining to its sub-disciplines:physical, geological, biological and chemical oceanography. The importance ofthe interaction of biotic and abiotic processes in the ocean will be addressedthrough exploration of timely issues in ocean science.

Marine Sciences II: MarineBiology - COA 301/301L, five credit hours (3 lecture, 2 lab).
Course Description: An ecological approach is taken tounderstand the biology of marine systems with emphasis on local organisms,their habitats, life cycles and survival strategies.
Marine Toxicology -COA 490/590: Special Topics - Marine Toxicology, five credit hours.
Course Description: This coursewill introduce students to the concepts of aquatic toxicology. Lectures willcover history and basic concepts of toxicology with a focus on aquatic issues,modern molecular techniques commonly used in modern toxicology applications, anoverview of common xenobiotics, and experimental design. Lab activities willfocus on basic toxicological skills, including exposure setup and monitoring,endpoint selection and basic molecular techniques. Course will be onlinein 2026.

The Culture of the Coast-COA 490: Special Topics- The Culture of the Coast, five credit hours.
Course Description: This course examines how coastalprocesses and habitats shape human communities along the coast throughliterature, music, and visual arts. Lectures introduce cultural perspectives onadaptation, resilience, and environmental change in coastal regions. Fieldworkin natural and built settings allows students to connect these concepts throughfirsthand exploration of local landscapes and cultural sites.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities

1. Gather and prepare necessary supplies and lab equipment for lab and field activities. Return equipment to be ready for use by another course after lab or field trip.
2. Coordinate field experiences, including field lunches from the GCRL cafeteria, vehicle and vessel use, and temporary use of community resources.
3. Follow laboratory safety rules; ensure students follow laboratory safety rules.
4. Assist instructor with administering tests, quizzes, grading, and delivering course content in lecture, laboratory, discussion, and online formats, etc.
5. Maintain communication with Summer Field Program staff members. Follow the policies and procedures of the University of Southern Mississippi.
6. Performs other duties as required.