The Marine Innovation Lab for Leading-edge Oceanography (MILLŌ Group) is now accepting applications for Fall 2025 MS and PhD scholarship admissions, welcoming driven individuals eager to advance oceanographic research.
Situated within the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s Department of Ocean and Resources Engineering (ORE) at the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology (SOEST), the MILLO Group champions a culture of inclusivity, collaboration, and respect, actively seeking diverse applicants who embody a strong growth mindset and commitment to teamwork.
Who Should Apply?
Ideal candidates for the MILLO Group bring a combination of technical skills essential to the lab’s innovative research focus areas and prospective members are encouraged to have experience in:
- Coding for data analysis
- Embedded software design
- Deep learning applications
- Computer-aided design software
- Soldering and printed circuit board design
Additionally, candidates should possess strong problem-solving, communication, and leadership skills, along with adaptability and a MacGyver-like approach to tackling challenges. The lab prioritizes individuals passionate about marine science who demonstrate technical proficiency, regardless of formal engineering backgrounds.
MS and PhD Program Highlights
The MILLO Group’s MS and PhD positions offer substantial support, including a stipend, full tuition, benefits, and travel support. In particular, the group is looking for students whose research aligns with MILLO’s core themes but remains open to those interested in pioneering new, impactful oceanic studies. One sought-after project for this recruitment cycle involves designing and building autosamplers for reef metabolism studies—an exciting opportunity for those interested in cutting-edge marine technology.
For Fall 2025, students must be eligible for admission into the MS and PhD programs at ORE, which holds ABET accreditation. However, non-engineering students with relevant technical backgrounds can also be considered for entry through the Department of Oceanography (OCE), contingent on external funding through scholarships, grants, or fellowships.
How to Apply?
Interested students are invited to submit the Interest Form (https://pagniello-lab.github.io/join-us.html) by November 5, 2024, 5:00 pm HST. The initial process involves pre-screening, Zoom interviews, and final selections before formal applications to ORE or OCE.
Postdoctoral Opportunities Also Available at MILLO Group for 2025
In addition to graduate positions, the MILLO Group is seeking postdoctoral researchers interested in advancing their independent research within the lab’s collaborative environment. Postdocs at MILLO are expected to mentor junior researchers and may even establish their own lab programs to prepare for leadership roles in academia, industry, or NGOs. The group encourages postdocs to apply as early as two years before completing their PhDs to facilitate fellowship or grant funding processes.
Fellowships of interest for postdocs include the David H. Smith Conservation Research Fellowship Program, NSF Ocean Sciences Postdoctoral Research Fellowship, Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Postdoctoral Fellowships, and others.