Ohio State University Graduate Scholarships -Student Assistantships

The Whelan Lab is located at the Museum of Biological Diversity on the main campus of The Ohio State University. The lab’s research includes both basic and applied science, and students work in an academic and museum research environment while collaborating with government researchers and on-the-ground conservation scientists.

Students will have the opportunity to work directly with conservation practitioners and perform cutting-edge research. Current research projects in the lab include;

• phylogenomics and biogeography of freshwater gastropods, with an emphasis on Pleuroceridae,

• conservation genomics and molecular ecology of freshwater molluscs, including threatened and endangered mussels and snails,

• taxonomy of terrestrial snails, freshwater mussels, and freshwater snails,

• freshwater mollusc life history evolution, and

• computational research on phylogenetic methods. 

The Ohio State University is a public land-grant institution with internationally recognised research and academics. Columbus, Ohio, is a vibrant town with an excellent quality of life. 

To be considered, all potential graduate students will

• have a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field

• meet the entry and English Language requirements of the Ohio State University.

• need to apply to The Ohio State University and be accepted by the Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology. The deadline for applicants is November 15, 2026.

Students will receive a stipend of at least $2,897/month and a tuition waiver. Students will likely serve as Graduate Teaching Assistants for their stipend, but competitive fellowships may be available. Health insurance, including vision and dental, is provided to graduate students at no cost. Available start dates are in August 2027.

Before applying to OSU, students interested in working in the Whelan Lab should contact Dr Nathan Whelan to discuss potential graduate student projects. If you are interested in joining the Whelan Lab, please send a letter of interest, current CV, contact information for 2-3 references, and unofficial transcripts to Dr Nathan Whelan at Whelan.105@osu.edu.