Thank you for your interest in joining the Marine Innovation Lab for Leading-edge Oceanography. We are always looking for exceptional, diverse individuals to join our group. We believe that good science is as much about the people we work with as it is about the research itself. As such, we expect all members of the MILLO group to be nice people, treat everyone with respect, collaborate and help others as well as foster a growth mindset.
Successful group members usually possess a combination of some of the following technical skills: coding for data analysis, embedded software design, deep learning, computer-aided design software, soldering and printed circuit board design. Above all, we expect all group members to be MacGyvers. We also value individuals with strong communication, active listening, problem-solving, adaptability, leadership and project management skills.
If you think that you might be a good fit, please read more about the available positions below and complete this interest form. The interest form will ask you these questions and to provide your CV and transcripts as well as an example research/technical project and writing sample. Dr. Pagniello will not respond to email inquiries about opportunities.
We encourage students who are underrepresented in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines to apply. This includes (but is not limited to) racial and ethnic minorities, women, individuals who identify with 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, individuals with disabilities, individuals from lower income backgrounds, and/or first generation college graduates. Given the university's aspirations of becoming a Native Hawaiian Place of Learning, we are particularly interested in supporting students who identify as Native Hawaiians and/or Pacific Islanders as well as those with extensive traditional/local ecological knowledge about the waters around Hawaii and the Pacific Islands gained through either personal experience or through their education.
Unfortunately, we do not have any current opportunities for undergraduate students. If you are interested in hearing about opportunities if they arise, please complete the interest form. Our needs are always changing so please check back!
The MILLO group is based in the Department of Ocean and Resources Engineering (ORE) at the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology (SOEST), University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. As such, we are currently prioritizing students that can be admitted as MS and PhD students in ORE. Prospective students should closely review the admission and degree requirements for a MS and PhD in ORE. The ORE MS degree is ABET-accredited and as such, has extensive undergraduate pre-program requirements.
We recognize that students without formal engineering backgrounds may possess the technical skill set necessary to conduct research within the lab's three overarching themes. Dr. Pagniello does not have an engineering degree herself, for example. For such exceptional prospective students whose research interests closely align with those of the MILLO group, but do not meet the admission requirements in ORE, we will consider accepting students through the Department of Oceanography (OCE). However, these students will typically have their own funding support through scholarships, fellowships and/or grants.
For Fall 2025, we are actively recruiting 1-2 MS/PhD students. These positions include stipend, full tuition support, benefits and travel support. We are prioritizing students whose research interests fit closely to one of our three overarching themes; however, we are always open to supporting students who want to tackle new, challenging ocean-related problems outside of these themes if we feel that we can provide the appropriate support and resources. We plan to specifically recruit one student to design and build autosamplers that could be integrated into surface drifters or uncrewed surface vehicles to measure reef metabolism.
Interested in joining the MILLO group for your graduate studies? Please complete the interest form. Note, completing this interest form is not a formal application to the MS or PhD program in ORE or OCE. We conduct pre-screening of candidates, followed by zoom interviews and then the top candidates are invited to formally apply to the degree program. We do recruitment this way to ensure transparency and save folks application fees. For Fall 2025, please submit the interest form by November 5, 2024 at 5:00 pm HST.
We are also actively looking for postdocs to join the MILLO group and are happy to assist in developing fellowship or grant applications to funding opportunities. Related fellowships include:
We are particularly interested in supporting postdocs who may be able to build on or expand beyond the group's three overarching themes. Postdocs in the MILLO group are expected to take an active role in mentoring junior team members and to essentially run their own lab program within the MILLO group in order to prepare them for their next step (e.g., a faculty position or leadership position in industry, NGO, etc.).
We encourage prospective postdocs to complete the interest form as early as possible (i.e., up to 2 years out from their PhD defense date) as securing funding can be a lengthly process.