The Zhang Lab (visit https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fzhanglabgwu.weebly.com%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cmid14018%40ad.uconn.edu%7C89650eb1b4994a30209508ddfc21212b%7C17f1a87e2a254eaab9df9d439034b080%7C0%7C0%7C638943941449795356%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=%2FAK206JrwV8u5mFqSvcEljZNjWcMC1ImHR%2FWq%2F2Q61k%3D&reserved=0 for more information) is currently seeking a highly motivated PhD student to join our team in the Department of Biological Sciences at George Washington University, with the expected start date in the fall of 2026. The deadline for application is December 1 st, 2025.
The Zhang lab focuses on understanding two fundamental evolutionary
processes: adaptation and speciation. Current research topics in the lab include, but are not limited to, understanding evolutionary responses to environmental change and the mechanisms of speciation. We are broadly interested in how populations adapt to shifting climates and novel habitats, and how these adaptive processes contribute to the origin and maintenance of biodiversity. Projects in the lab often integrate ecological fieldwork, genomic analyses, and experimental approaches to address questions such as: How do environmental gradients shape patterns of adaptation? What genetic and phenotypic mechanisms underlie reproductive isolation? And how do interactions between species (e.g., hosts, natural
enemies) influence evolutionary trajectories?
The successful applicant has the chance to develop their own projects that are within PI’s realm of interests in evolutionary biology. Experience in field work, programming language (e.g. R, python, unix), molecular biology skills (DNA-based lab work), and quantitative analysis are strongly preferred. This position is guaranteed for five years of funding including summer stipends. It consists of two years of TA and three years of fellowship. Detailed application documents can be found here (
https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fbulletin.gwu.edu%2Farts-sciences%2Fbiological-sciences%2Fphd%2F%23admissionstext&data=05%7C02%7Cmid14018%40ad.uconn.edu%7C89650eb1b4994a30209508ddfc21212b%7C17f1a87e2a254eaab9df9d439034b080%7C0%7C0%7C638943941449820171%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=w%2FSegpi0gXzGYxYYPAA1pVsRRrK2hoj2LPcE7CwYR4Y%3D&reserved=0
).
Prior to applying to the department of Biological Science at GWU, please contact Dr. Zhang at linyi.zhang@gwu.edu. In the email, please include (1) CV, (2) an unofficial transcript, (3) a brief statement describing your research interests, relevant research experience, and motivation for joining the lab, (4) your referees’ contact information, (5) a writing sample.