Join the Lab

Undergraduate students

Research opportunities are often available for undergraduate students interested in gaining research experience in biological sciences and plant pathology. For more information about current opportunities, contact Lindsey Thiessen. Students can become an undergraduate research assistant, conduct research through NCSU classes, or summer internship opportunities (such as the Kelman Scholars). Research activities include roles in the laboratory and greenhouse during the academic year and assisting in the field during summer months. See descriptions of current and upcoming research projects for more information about research projects.

Fellowships for undergraduate students

American Phytopatological Society fellowship, Mycological Society of America fellowship, American Society for Microbiology fellowship

Graduate students

Highly motivated and creative individuals are sought for Master’s and Ph.D. degrees in Plant Pathology in the Tobacco and Field Crops Pathology Lab. Experience in research through internships, undergraduate research jobs, or other programs is required for students seeking a M.S. degree. Students that are interested in a Ph.D. program will be only considered if they have a M.S. degree as well as peer-reviewed research publications.

Check the NCSU requirements as well as the departmental requirements to apply for and gain acceptance to the graduate school. For questions about departmental requirements, please contact the director of our graduate program. The department’s application deadline for fall semester is January 15. In unique cases, students will be accepted for starting programs in spring term.

Projects for the Tobacco and Field Crops Pathology lab are often collaborative and cross-disciplinary, all with an applied focus to help improve production practices for field crops and tobacco producers. Please contact Lindsey Thiessen prior to application deadlines for project and funding availability. Provide research interests, relevant experience, and a CV outlining your education and research experience. Because funding is limited, graduate students will only be accepted when project funding is available.

Fellowships for graduate students

Students are encouraged to pursue fellowships and other granting opportunities to finance their graduate degree and graduate research projects. Fellowships are an opportunity to gain grant-writing experience, plan research projects, and provide funding for travel to conferences and workshops. Additionally, fellowships help to host international students due to the out of state tuition policy. Should you have questions about funding opportunities and applying to fellowships, please contact Lindsey Thiessen.

Southern SARE graduate student grantNSF GRFP, EPA STAR Fellowship, NIFA pre doctoral fellowship, Ford Foundation pre doctoral fellowshipFord Foundation dissertation fellowshipAmerican Phytopatological Society fellowshipAmerican Society for Microbiology fellowship, Fulbright for international students

Postdocs

Postdoctoral research positions in this lab should apply to advertised positions or contact Lindsey Thiessen via email, attaching a CV and a description of research experience/interests/goals. Search for post-doctoral position postings at the NCSU Employment Site. If an advertised position is unavailable, postdoctoral researchers are encouraged to seek their own funding, which provides grant-writing experience and funding for independent research. If you are interested in seeking independent funding, please specify in correspondence including the funding source as well as the duration of funding.

Fellowships for postdocs

NIFA post doctoral fellowshipFord Foundation post doctoral fellowshipNSF minority postdoctoral research fellowshipNSF postdoctoral fellowships in biology, American Phytopatological Society fellowship, Mycological Society of America fellowshipsAmerican Society for Microbiology fellowship, Life Sciences Research Foundation