The Tarwater Lab at the University of Wyoming seeks a highly motivated and curious Ph.D. student to study tropical birds in Panama, ideally starting Fall 2027. The student may address questions in behavior, demography, or species interactions. Projects can build on ongoing work on army ant swarms, mixed-species flocks, plant-disperser interactions, population declines, and multi-taxon interactions among birds, bats, fruits, and insects. Projects may examine environmental variation across space, using Panama’s precipitation gradient, or through time, using long-term data from a single site. A key strength of this position is access to datasets already collected in Panama. The student will divide their time between collecting new field data and analyzing existing data, allowing them to start publishing early while developing their own fieldwork. The student will have flexibility to shape the focus of their dissertation within these themes. Successful applicants will be expected to contribute to a collaborative team, present results at professional conferences, publish results in peer-reviewed journals in a timely manner, and assist with grant proposals. Support is provided through a combination of Research Assistantship and Teaching Assistantships, which include a living wage, tuition, and benefits.
Qualifications: Candidates must possess a B.S. or M.S. degree in biology, wildlife ecology, natural resource management, or a related field. Ideal candidates would have 1+ years of field experience, including experience in the mist-netting of birds, and some experience in analyses and writing manuscripts. Preference will be given to applicants with proficiency in Spanish and experience in tropical avian ecology.
To apply: Email Dr. Corey E. Tarwater (corey.tarwater@uwyo.edu) with the subject line “PhD Application – Tropical Bird Ecology” and attach a single document containing: 1) a cover letter outlining experience and specific interests related to tropical avian ecology and species interactions; 2) curriculum vitae; 3) unofficial transcripts; and 4) contact information for 3 references familiar with your experience and qualifications. If you are an international student, please include your TOEFL scores. Review of applications will begin November 1, 2026, and continue until filled.
The University of Wyoming is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution and is committed to creating an inclusive environment in which all members of the university community can learn, work, and thrive.