University of South Carolina Scholarships 2027 in USA
The University of South Carolina Coastal S.E.E. Lab has openings for scholarships for a Master’s and a PhD student to study the behavior and ecology of coastal invertebrates, starting Fall 2027. The position is based in Georgetown, South Carolina, at the Belle W. Baruch Institute for Marine and Coastal Sciences, with regular travel to USC’s Columbia campus. Salary is listed as commensurate and negotiable rather than a fixed figure, and the deadline to express interest is November 13, 2026. You need a relevant Bachelor’s degree for the Master’s track, or a Master’s for the PhD track — no prior professional experience required.
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Current research directions include how larval dispersal drives species range expansion, how artificial light disrupts larval behavior, and how zooplankton composition is shifting along the South Carolina coast. Academically, students are housed within USC’s School of the Earth, Ocean, and Environment, while spending their actual research time at the coastal field lab in Georgetown.
University of South Carolina Scholarships Summary
| Scholarship Name ⇒ | Graduate Assistantship — Behavior and Ecology of Coastal Invertebrates |
| Host Country ⇒ | United States of America |
| Study Level ⇒ | Masters and PhD |
| Benefits ⇒ | Graduate assistantship, salary listed as commensurate and negotiable rather than a fixed figure |
| Funded By ⇒ | University of South Carolina, Belle W. Baruch Institute for Marine and Coastal Sciences |
| Eligible Countries ⇒ | Not restricted by nationality |
| Application Deadline ⇒ | November 13, 2026 |
What the Position Offers
- Salary: listed as commensurate and negotiable, not a fixed dollar figure
- Hands-on research ownership in a newly established lab, meaning real input into research direction rather than executing an already-fixed project
- Field and lab experience across coastal fieldwork, behavioural and physiological experiments, and data analysis
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What the Research Involves
- Field and lab techniques exploring how and why animals respond to environmental change
- A specific focus on early-life stages of benthic invertebrates
- Potential research directions including larval dispersal’s role in species range expansion, artificial light sources disrupting larval behaviour, and shifting zooplankton composition along coastal South Carolina
University of South Carolina Scholarships Eligibility Requirements
You should have:
- A degree in a related field — ideally a B.S. if you’re applying for the Master’s position, or an M.S. if you’re applying for the PhD position
- The ability to problem-solve, manage your time effectively, and take real ownership over your research project rather than working purely under direction
- Genuine experience with, and interest in, fieldwork in coastal environments
- Strong organizational skills and close attention to detail, especially for data analysis and behavioral or physiological lab experiments
- Strong written and oral communication skills
- The ability to collaborate effectively with fellow students, PIs, and on-site staff
- Willingness and ability to travel regularly between the Georgetown field lab and USC’s Columbia campus
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No prior professional experience is required; this is described as open to strong candidates moving directly from their previous degree.
How to Apply for the University of South Carolina Scholarships
- Complete the graduate student interest form. This is the first step, not a full formal application — it’s how Dr. Charpentier identifies prospective students before the formal graduate admissions process.
- Reach out directly with questions. Contact Dr. Corie Charpentier at [email protected] for anything specific to the position itself, separate from the interest form.
- Submit before November 13, 2026.
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Application Deadline
The deadline is November 13, 2026, for a position starting after August 16, 2027.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this position for a Master’s or a PhD?
Both tracks are open. A B.S. is the ideal background for the Master’s position, and an M.S. is ideal for the PhD position — confirm which track fits your current qualifications when you reach out.
What is the actual salary for this position?
The listing states salary as commensurate and negotiable rather than giving a fixed figure. Raise this directly with Dr. Charpentier when you submit your interest form or reach out with questions.
Do I need prior fieldwork experience to apply?
Genuine interest in coastal fieldwork is required, and experience is listed alongside that interest, but this isn’t framed as requiring extensive prior professional fieldwork — a demonstrated interest and some relevant experience, even from coursework or undergraduate research, is what’s being asked for.
Will I be based in Georgetown or at USC’s main campus?
Primarily Georgetown, at the Baruch Institute’s coastal field lab, with regular travel required to USC’s Columbia campus. This isn’t a fully remote or Columbia-based position.
Is this a newly established lab, or an established research group?
Newly established, led by Dr. Charpentier. This means joining now offers a real say in shaping the lab’s early research direction, rather than joining a lab with years of existing structure and expectations already in place.
Disclaimer: All scholarship details, deadlines, award values, and eligibility criteria in this post were verified from official sources as of September 2026. Information is subject to change without notice. Always confirm the latest details directly with the University of South Carolina before applying. ScholarWaka is not affiliated with the University of South Carolina.
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