The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) has announced a graduate assistantship for a master’s student in the United States, offering a stipend of $4,500 per semester along with a $4,806 maintenance and tuition fee waiver.
The position will begin in January 2027 and may continue for up to six academic semesters, depending on the student’s performance. The deadline to apply is October 2, 2026.
The selected student will work with the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Herbarium, supporting botanical research and managing its plant collection. The work will include handling plant specimens, digitising records, maintaining collections and supporting research projects.
What the assistantship offers
The student will receive $4,500 per semester, equivalent to $18,600 per year, along with a $4,806 maintenance and tuition fee waiver.
The funding may continue for up to three years. The university may also offer separate summer work for field and herbarium projects, although this is not included in the advertised assistantship.
Applicants should note that the funding does not cover all expenses. According to the position details, students may still have around $1,100 in maintenance fees to pay, in addition to costs such as books and parking.
Research and practical experience
The student will help manage and expand the university’s herbarium, which currently holds more than 50,000 plant specimens. The university aims to increase the collection to around 65,000 specimens.
The role will involve preparing specimens, processing existing collections and digitising herbarium records. The student will also have the opportunity to develop a master’s thesis in areas including plant studies, invasive species, rare plants, conservation and herbarium research.
The assistant will also help organise the 73rd annual Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage, including event planning, operations and report writing.
Who can apply?
Applicants must hold an undergraduate degree in a relevant field and have a GPA above 3.0.
The university also requires applicants to have a background in botany. Candidates should have completed at least one undergraduate botany course, relevant training or have strong practical experience in the field.
The university does not require previous professional experience. However, knowledge of Symbiota/SERNEC portals, basic R or Python skills and experience working with researchers, conservation groups or the public can strengthen an application.
Documents required
Applicants must combine the following documents into a single PDF:
- One-page cover letter
- CV
- Contact details of four references
How to apply
Interested candidates should email their application to Joey Shaw at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga using the email address listed in the official job announcement.
Applicants should write “UCHT Herbarium Assistantship” in the subject line.
The successful candidate will also need to apply separately to the UTC Graduate Program after being selected for the assistantship.
