Graduate Assistantship in Urban Wildlife Ecology (MS) – Eligibility, Benefits & How to Apply

🌟 About the Scholarship

Opens
Closes30 Nov, 2026

The Graduate Assistantship in Urban Wildlife Ecology is a funded master’s research assistantship offered through the Surasinghe Lab in the Department of Biological Sciences at Bridgewater State University, Massachusetts, USA. The assistantship provides financial support throughout the two-year master’s program. As a result, students can focus on research while gaining valuable professional experience. The program also offers advanced training in urban ecology, quantitative ecology, wildlife monitoring, geographic information systems (GIS), ecological modelling, statistical analysis, and scientific communication. Furthermore, recipients collaborate with leading researchers and gain opportunities to publish research findings and present their work at scientific conferences.

🎓 Scholarship Snapshot

Here’s everything you need at a glance: the documents to prepare, what the award covers, and key dates so you don’t miss a beat. From transcripts and essays to tuition and living support, this gives you a clear picture of the Graduate Assistantship in Urban Wildlife Ecology (MS) before you apply.

Eligible Countries

Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, East Timor, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Greenland, Grenada, Guam, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Niue, North Korea, North Macedonia, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Palestine, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Seirra Leone, Senegal, Serbia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Korea, South Sudan, South-Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syrian Arab Republic, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tokelau, Trinidad-Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Vatican City, Venezuela, Vietnam, Wales, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Study Fields

Biology

GPA / Grade

GPA 3.0

Languages

DuoLingo English Test 110, IELTS 6.5, PTE A 53, TOEFL iBT 79

Tests

Study Levels

Master's, MS

Total Scholarships

Transcripts

Yes

Degrees

Yes

Essay

Yes

Passport ID

Recommendation Letters

Yes (2-3)

Result Date

Program Start

January 2027

Tuition Fee

Covered

Living Allowance

Yes

Travel Allowance

Research Grant

Health Insurance

Visa Assistance

📞 Contact Information

Call if you want a quick answer, send an email for detailed questions, or follow the university’s social channels to keep an eye on updates and reminders. Use whatever fits your style and timezone.

Scholarship Summary

Award Amount
Deadline30 Nov, 2026
LevelMaster's, MS
InstitutionBridgewater State University
CountryUnited States
ModeOnline
TypeFully funded

Apply Now

The Graduate Assistantship in Urban Wildlife Ecology is a funded master’s research assistantship offered through the Surasinghe Lab in the Department of Biological Sciences at Bridgewater State University, Massachusetts, USA. The assistantship supports one graduate student pursuing a Master of Science in Biology while contributing to a National Science Foundation (NSF) Ecology and Evolution of Infectious Diseases (EEID)-funded research project. Moreover, the program enables students to investigate urban wildlife ecology, host-vector interactions, and tick-borne disease risk across urbanization gradients in southeastern Massachusetts.

Background and Purpose

The assistantship aims to improve understanding of how urbanization influences wildlife communities and disease transmission. Therefore, the selected student completes an M.S. thesis that examines wildlife occurrence, relative abundance, habitat use, and community patterns across urban and peri-urban landscapes. The research uses camera-trap data, Audiomoth acoustic recordings, environmental and landscape variables, and quantitative ecological models to evaluate wildlife activity and distribution. In addition, the student integrates wildlife monitoring data with tick ecology, landscape characteristics, and disease-risk datasets to strengthen ecological and public health research.

Graduate Assistantship in Urban Wildlife Ecology Benefits

The assistantship provides financial support throughout the two-year master’s program. As a result, students can focus on research while gaining valuable professional experience. The program also offers advanced training in urban ecology, quantitative ecology, wildlife monitoring, geographic information systems (GIS), ecological modelling, statistical analysis, and scientific communication. Furthermore, recipients collaborate with leading researchers and gain opportunities to publish research findings and present their work at scientific conferences.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the admission requirements for the Master of Science in Biology program at Bridgewater State University. A background in biology, wildlife ecology, environmental science, zoology, conservation biology, ecology, or a closely related discipline is highly desirable. In addition, applicants should demonstrate strong academic performance, an interest in the field and quantitative research, and experience or willingness to learn statistical analysis using R and geographic information systems (GIS).

Graduate Assistantship in Urban Wildlife Ecology Application Process

Applicants must apply for admission to the Master of Science in Biology program and submit all required academic documents and supporting materials according to the University’s application procedures. Afterwards, the selection committee evaluates candidates based on their academic achievements, research experience, technical skills, and overall suitability for the research project. The review of applications begins in early October 2026 and continues until the position is filled.

Opportunities for Scholars

The assistantship enables students to work closely with the Surasinghe Lab while collaborating with researchers from Columbia University, Boston University, Tufts University, and the Universities of Sussex and Bath. Moreover, scholars conduct fieldwork throughout the Greater Boston region, analyze ecological data, prepare scientific publications, and present research at professional conferences. Consequently, graduates develop advanced expertise in urban wildlife ecology, ecological modelling, GIS, and quantitative analysis while preparing for successful careers in wildlife conservation, environmental consulting, government agencies, research institutions, and doctoral studies.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who can apply?

Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree in Biology, Wildlife Ecology, Conservation Biology, Environmental Science, Natural Resources, or a related field, with at least one year of relevant experience preferred.

How do I apply?

Applicants should email a single PDF containing a statement of interest, CV, unofficial transcripts, and contact information for two or three references to Dr. Thilina Surasinghe at [email protected].

What skills are preferred for applicants?

Experience with field research, camera traps, GIS, R, statistical modelling, ARUs, or wildlife surveys is desirable but not mandatory.

What research will the student conduct?

The student will investigate urban wildlife ecology by analyzing camera-trap and acoustic data to study wildlife occurrence, habitat use, and the effects of urbanization on wildlife communities in southeastern Massachusetts.

What teaching responsibilities are included?

In addition to research, the graduate assistant will support undergraduate biology laboratory courses, assist with grading, help prepare course materials, and mentor students as a Teaching Assistant.