An MS graduate position is available with Dr. Steve Travers (Evolutionary Ecolgy, North Dakota State University) starting Fall 2026.  The successful applicant will investigate the adaptation of wild plants to warm climates. The two year project will involve:

Experimentally testing heat tolerance of Brassica rapa collected from a range of latitudes Designing variables to measure reflecting tolerance Synthesizing field work and collaborative work on physiology and genetics Opportunities at leadership

Project Description: Variation in plant thermotolerance can result from multiple factors, including adaptation to local thermal climates. In this project, we will conduct a common garden experiment and measure thermotolerance variables in populations from divergent thermal environments toward the extremes of the Brassica rapa U.S. range. We will test three non-exclusive predictions based on the hypothesis of local thermal adaptation: (1) optimal performance temperatures are positively correlated with mean provenance temperature; (2) plants from more thermally variable environments are more thermally plastic than their counterparts from more stable environments; and (3) plants from more thermally variable environments have the widest thermal niche breadths.

Required Qualifications:

Bachelors degree in ecology, biology, environmental science or related field Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team and be willing to mentor others Research experience

If you are interested in learning more about the research and the position, please contact Steve Travers at steven.travers@ndsu.edu. You can also learn about the lab at: https://sites.google.com/view/evoecobot/home?pli=1

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