MSc and PhD Student

Join the Seagrass Lab at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev — We're Hiring!

2–3 M.Sc. + 1 Ph.D. | Funded Positions | Start: Spring 2026 | Eilat, Israel

The Seagrass Lab (www.gidon-winters.com) has just relocated to the BGU Eilat campus — right on the shores of the northern Red Sea — and we're building something new from the ground up.

We're looking for motivated, curious graduate students to join us.

What We're Working On

Our research spans a wide range of questions at the intersection of marine ecology, plant biology, and conservation:

• Climate resilience — How does Halophila stipulacea survive extreme thermal conditions in one of the fastest-warming coastal seas on Earth?
• Invasion ecology — What drives its spread into the Mediterranean and Caribbean Seas?
• Mapping & remote sensing — Using autonomous vehicles and AI-driven tools to map seagrass meadows
• Biotechnology — Bioprospecting from seagrass microbiomes, nurseries, and active restoration
• Population genetics — Connectivity, local adaptation, and invasion dynamics
• Blue Carbon — Quantifying carbon uptake and sequestration in tropical seagrass ecosystems

Where You'll Be

Eilat, Israel — year-round sunshine, world-class diving, and direct access to Red Sea field sites and our mesocosm facility. The Gulf of Aqaba is one of the most dynamic and rapidly changing marine environments on the planet. There's no better place to do this work.

Who We're Looking For

We welcome applicants from plant science, ecology, molecular biology, biotechnology, genetics, and bioinformatics.

For M.Sc. candidates: Some experience in both field and lab settings, and a GPA equivalent of at least 85. Curiosity and drive matter more than a perfect CV.

For Ph.D. candidates: Experience in omics, population genetics, qRT-PCR, RNA analysis, bioinformatics, GIS, or statistics. At least 1–2 publications from your M.Sc. thesis.

For all candidates: SCUBA advanced certification is a significant plus!

What Matters to Us

More than credentials, we care about:

• Enthusiasm and a genuine willingness to learn
• Independence and the initiative to take ownership of your work
• The ability to ask good questions — and sit with hard ones

What We Offer

• Fully funded positions with stipend
• Red Sea field access and mesocosm research facilities
• The opportunity to help build a brand-new lab from scratch
• Affiliation with Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, one of Israel's leading research institutions, within its thriving graduate programs in life and environmental sciences

How to Apply

Send your CV and a short paragraph (~200 words) explaining why this research excites you to [email protected] by March 31, 2026.

Applicants must hold a relevant undergraduate or master's degree and meet BGU's graduate admissions criteria.

BGU is an equal opportunity institution. Students of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.