MS or PhD Assistantship on Nutrition and Spider Cannibalism

The Wilder lab at Oklahoma State University is searching for a MS or PhD student to work on an NSF funded project studying the nutritional ecology of sexual cannibalism in spiders. The overall goal of the project is to identify if there are nutrients concentrated in the male spider body that act as a dietary supplement to cannibalistic females and enhance the success of their offspring. This project will involve fieldwork collecting large numbers of spiders, and laboratory experiments testing how cannibalism and various nutrient manipulations affect offspring production. The position will be funded through a combination of teaching and research assistantships. The start date is either the summer or fall of 2025.

The successful candidate should have:

–       a strong interest in working with spiders,

–       prior research experience either as an undergraduate or MS student,

–       the ability to work independently in the field and laboratory, and

–       strong writing skills.

To apply, please send the following items as a single pdf to Dr. Shawn Wilder (shawn.wilder@okstate.edu): (1) a current CV, (2) a statement on why you are interested in this position and your future career plans, (3) contact information for 3 references, and (4) unofficial copies of your transcripts.