BinghamtonUniv.EvolEco.GallerParastieInteractions
The Prior Lab in the Biological Sciences Department at Binghamton University (BU) (priorecologylab.com) seeks a Ph.D. student to join the lab in the Fall (or Spring) of 2025 to work on a project examining how evolutionary history and ecological dimensions influence oak gall wasp-parasite interactions. This project is funded by the National Science Foundation, and the student will be responsible for contributing to the larger collaborative aims of the project to create cophylogenies and document trait space of oak gall wasps and parasite associates throughout North America. The PhD student in the Prior lab will contribute to concentrated collections in the northeast and northwest of North America, along with measuring gall traits and assessing how dimensions of gall trait space influence parasite diversity. There will also be flexibility to form their ideas within the project’s scope. This project collaborates with the Forbes (forbes.lab.uiowa.edu) and Hood
(sites.google.com/view/hood-lab) labs and the founders of gallformers.org.
Requirements: We seek a candidate with an undergraduate degree (or MS) in ecology, evolution, entomology, or a related field and experience with DNA-based laboratory research. We prefer candidates with fieldwork experience, some experience in R or a similar statistical program, strong verbal and written communication skills, and the ability to work independently and as a research team member.
Funding:The student will be funded during semesters by a Teaching Assistantship at BU, with two semesters of Graduate Assistantship funding to aid in field collections. Summer funding will also be provided.
To apply, please email Prof. Kirsten Prior, kprior@binghamton.edu, and include “oak gall wasp-parasite Ph.D. position” in the subject line. Please include (1) a cover letter detailing how you meet the required and preferred qualifications, outlining your existing research interests, personal background, and career goals;(2) a CV; (3) an unofficial copy of all transcripts from completed or ongoing degrees;
(4) contact information for three references. Please send materials by October 15th, and if you are invited to apply to the program, materials will be due on Dec. 15th. GRE scores are not required to apply to Binghamton University.