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I am currently recruiting graduate students to join my lab as part of the
Ph.D. program at UTK’s Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology.
My research is focused on the building, analysis, and fitting of
multi-scale mathematical models relevant to evolutionary biology.
Specific areas of interest include:

1. Phylogenetics (See Beaulieu et al 2021 MBE and Beaulieu et al 2019
  MBE)
2. Protein translation (See Gilchrist 2007 MBE, Shah and Gilchrist 2011
  PNAS, GIlchrist et al 2015 GBE, Cope and Gilchrist 2022 BMC Genomics)
3. Host-Parasite interactions and evolution (See Gilchrist and Sasaki
  2002 TBP, Gilchrist and Coombs 2006 TPB, and Coombs et al 2007 TPB)

General approaches involve development of multiscale models using coupled
differential or difference equations and data fitting using customized
Bayesian and Likelihood based approaches.  Students benefit from careful
and attentive mentoring within a small lab situatied within a world class
and dynamics EEB department.  Additional collaboration opportunities
also exist with faculty in the Dept. of Microbiology, Dept. Biochemistry
and Molecular Biology within the Division of Biology, as well as other
departments on the UT Ag Campus and labs at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

EEB PhD Program Highlights

Program Highlights

 *   Our graduate students publish dozens of papers annually in
     journals such as Science, Ecology, Systematic Biology, Proceedings
     of the Royal Society B, American Naturalist, Biological Invasions,
     Journal of College Science Teaching, and are awarded external
     research funds (e.g., NSF GRFP and other fellowships).
 *   PhD graduate placement, for all graduates from 2000-2018: 43 tenure-
     track faculty, 22 postdocs, 28 government, with the others in
     NGOs, private business, or non-tenure track jobs. For those at
     least five years after graduation, 57% tenure-track faculty, 3%
     postdoc, 17% government.
 *   Resources to support student research: internal funds, DNA
     sequencing facility, core microscopy, computer clusters,
     greenhouses, and a field station.
 *   Available training in teaching best practices, including a
     certificate in college teaching and training consistent with AAAS
     national recommendations.
 *   Emphasis on creating a positive and welcoming departmental
     climate for all
 *   Grad students receive health insurance, and tuition and campus
     fees are covered.
 *   Outreach and service opportunities, including invasive species
     removal, taxonomic forays with the broader public, participation
     in Darwin Day Tennessee, and mentoring undergraduates and high
     school researchers..
 *   Students commonly develop their research projects in close
     partnership with NGOs and state and federal agencies to ensure
     their research has a real-world impact.
 *   Nearby locations for research: Great Smoky Mountains N.P., a
     biodiversity hotspot; numerous cave systems; campus greenhouses;
     and experimental plots.
 *   Vibrant community: 86 miles of greenways and trails in Knoxville,
     many festivals and parades, museums, and live music.
 *   Active departmental graduate student organization
     (GREBE<https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fgrebeemail.wixsite.com%2Fgrebesite&data=05%7C02%7Ceric.schultz%40uconn.edu%7C1e2482a356494b7cd65f08de1dc9ba88%7C17f1a87e2a254eaab9df9d439034b080%7C0%7C0%7C638980949428064256%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=DvJ4Y3gptMM03kVGlDzivRlt9EiTdaBdSmj73qnzfmA%3D&reserved=0>) to represent and
     help graduate students.


For more information about the EEB PhD program at UTK, please visit:
https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Feeb.utk.edu%2Fgraduate-students&data=05%7C02%7Ceric.schultz%40uconn.edu%7C1e2482a356494b7cd65f08de1dc9ba88%7C17f1a87e2a254eaab9df9d439034b080%7C0%7C0%7C638980949428086765%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=3pA0JbrAYdPdw0I1HYrVZZ2vNKUuhFsqtZ5Ay7VqYk0%3D&reserved=0


Prior to applying, interested students should email me at mikeg@utk.edu
with the following: (1) academic CV, (2) unofficial transcript(s),
(3) contact information for 2-3 references, and (4) a brief statement
describing your research interests, relevant research experience, and
motivation for joining our Ph.D. program.

Application deadline for the Ph.D. program closes Dec 1.

Graduate Student Opportunities in Arctic Carbon and Climate Change

Position Description: How fast is the permafrost carbon climate feedback happening and what can be done? Graduate student positions available to build the Arctic Carbon Warning Network, providing real-time carbon cycle updates to society. The research spans both field work and data synthesis, including a primary field location near Denali National Park, Alaska. The experimental research foci are (1) net ecosystem carbon exchange (eddy covariance) from a gradient of sites undergoing permafrost thaw, and (2) coupled radiocarbon measurements to detect loss of old carbon. Related projects apply these research tools to understand how land management can reduce permafrost carbon loss and store organic matter in soil. We are recruiting motivated PhD or MS students to join the Schuur lab in the Center for Ecosystem Science and Society at Northern Arizona University. Please contact Ted Schuur (ted.schuur@nau.edu) and provide CV and cover letter.

A M.S. or Ph.D. Research Assistantship at The University of Florida in the Soil, Water and Ecosystem Sciences Department is available to study nitrogen biogeochemistry at clam–seagrass co-restoration sites along Florida’s Gulf Coast. The student will be co-advised by Drs. Ashley Smyth and Laura Reynolds and based at the Tropical Research and Education Center in Homestead, FL and. The student will join an interdisciplinary project with a team of graduate students and PIs to better understand linkages between seagrass and shellfish restoration and nitrogen biogeochemistry. Students will also work closely with the Gulf Shellfish Institute’s research and education team and have opportunities to participate in outreach activities.

Applicants from various backgrounds will be considered, including environmental science, biology, chemistry, ecology, or related disciplines. Experience in aquatic and coastal ecosystems, and analytical chemistry is preferred. Preference for Ph.D. positions will be given to students that have completed a M.S. degree by the project start date. A competitive stipend, benefits, and tuition waiver will be provided over the project’s duration. The expected start date is Fall 2026, but is flexible.

Interested candidates should send a CV and statement of research interests to Dr. Ashley Smyth (ashley.smyth@ufl.edu) and Dr. Laura Reynolds (lkreynolds@ufl.edu) with the subject line: “Graduate Position- Nitrogen Cycling” by 12/5/2025 for consideration. Application packets are due January 2, 2026 for fall admission. Application instructions can be found at soils.ifas.ufl.edu/academics/graduate-studies/apply.

We’re Seeking a New Generation of Global Leaders in Coastal Sustainability.

Applications are open for Fall 2026 entry into the CSP Masters Program!

Details are here, including virtual info sessions, fellowship opportunities, application tips & more – US and international students are encouraged to apply – https://csp.ucsc.edu/prospective-students/ 

This unique Masters of Science program is tailored for rising leaders to to identify, innovate, and implement scalable interdisciplinary solutions to challenges facing coastal communities and ecosystems around the world. Fellowships are available for students entering the program in Fall 2026.

Year 1-Located on UCSC’s campus

Students take interdisciplinary courses in natural and social sciences, economics, policy analysis, coastal governance, leadership, innovation, and methods for designing scalable solutions to complex problems.

Year 2-Locate near your capstone project site anywhere around the globe

Students engage with partner organizations to co-design and pursue individual capstone projects that develop solutions for real problems and partner needs. Projects may be based around the world.

Funding and fellowships are available for students entering the program in Fall 2026. These include: thematic fellowships working on Central Valley Salmon Restoration Policies; Coastal Conservation with the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s conservation, science, and policy initiatives; and Monterey Bay Coastal Climate Resilience, as well as programmatic fellowships that are not theme-based.

Coastal Science & Policy Graduate Program

UC Santa Cruz

csp.ucsc.edu

csp@ucsc.edu

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BlueSky

Environmental Education and Science Communication Fellowship – Master of Natural Resources

This 10.5-month position starts in August and includes free housing and financial support.

Build the skills to change the world. A University of Idaho – Environmental Education and Science Communication (EESC) graduate student earns a Masters of Natural Resources in 10.5 months.  While living at our incredible McCall Field Campus grads develop an array of professional skills and expertise.

Applied coursework and targeted study in science communication, leadership, place-based education, and ecology, give our students what they need to earn a degree, make a difference, and find your place. Check out our program at https://www.uidaho.edu/mccall-field-campus/academics or contact Leslie Dorsey at ldorsey@uidaho.edu if you have questions or would like to apply.

NOTE: F1 and J1 visas are not eligible for this program.

Drotch_2025_small

M.S. project on the spatial ecology of desert wetlands

Starting Fall 2026; application deadline 1 January 2026

We are seeking a highly motivated applicant to join our labs to conduct M.S. research on geospatial dynamics of desert wetlands across environmental gradients, co-advised by Dr. Nancy McIntyre (Biological Sciences) and Dr. Kerry Griffis-Kyle (Natural Resources Management), Texas Tech University.

Prospective students will be funded for three years by a 9-month/year departmental Teaching Assistantship and possibly by additional graduate school fellowships (with awards ranging from $2500 for 1 year to $30,000/yr for 3 years).

Applicants must be US citizens and be able to pass a military background check. Preference will be given to students with experience/coursework in landscape ecology,  remote sensing, and GIS and with experience in hot desert field conditions.

Skills that will be acquired:

• Experience with ArcGIS

• Experience with R

• Curation of spatial datasets

• Scientific communication

Applications are due by 1 January 2026 but space is limited, so early applications are encouraged.

Interested applicants should email both Dr. McIntyre (nancy.mcintyre@ttu.edu) and Dr. Griffis-Kyle (kerry.griffis-kyle@ttu.edu) with “Graduate application – desert wetlands” in the subject line. Please include

all of the following in your email:

1. A statement of your research interests

2. How this position will help you fulfill your career goals

3. Resume/CV with a summary of your research experiences and skills and your contact info

4. Unofficial transcripts

5. GRE scores (optional but encouraged)

6. Contact information (names, addresses, phone numbers, emails) of three references

Graduate Position in Freshwater Ecology – Northern Michigan University

Description: The Tumolo lab (https://www.benjamintumolo.com) is seeking interested and qualified applicants for a MS Graduate Assistantship in the Biology Department at Northern Michigan University. The start date for this position will be Fall 2026. The student will be supported by an institutional Graduate Teaching Assistantship. The successful candidate’s Masters (MS) thesis research will encompass freshwater ecology topics focused on linkages between macroinvertebrates and aquatic ecosystem functions. Many potential research topics are available, including aquatic insect community response to environmental change, stream macroinvertebrates as ecosystem engineers, species interactions and their roles in ecosystem functions.

Qualifications: B.S. or B.A. in Biology, Environmental Science, or related fields. Minimum GPA of 3.0. The applicant must have the ability to work independently, and collaboratively on a team. Strong applicants will have prior research experience in either field or laboratory settings.

Expectations: The successful candidate will begin classes and their assistantship in Fall 2026. The student will have support for two years. Students will conduct a thesis research project and complete required course work. Students will receive a stipend, a tuition and fee waivers, along with opportunities for additional funding through the university. Additional funds are available to support travel and attending professional conferences. Northern Michigan University has a strong M.S. graduate program in Biology (~ 35 students). The student will also benefit from assistance from a vibrant undergraduate community and collaborating with colleagues of the Tumolo lab. NMU is located in Marquette, Michigan, the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Marquette is a small city on the shore of Lake Superior and has excellent access to beautiful natural areas and trails. The location of NMU is a great place to live and offers excellent access to water bodies, along with state and public wildlands that serve as natural laboratories to integrate global issues with freshwater conservation.

To apply: Send a C.V. or resume, cover letter, transcripts (unofficial is OK), and contact information for three references to Dr. Ben Tumolo (btumolo@nmu.edu) with the email subject line “GA Position (last name)”. All applications received by December 16, 2025 will receive full consideration. For more information on the graduate program at Northern Michigan University, please see here: https://nmu.edu/biology/masters-science-biology

—

Graduate student opportunities in evolutionary genomics of speciation
and adaptation at the University of Arizona.

The Matzkin Lab  at the University of Arizona,
Department of Entomology is currently recruiting graduate students to join
our diverse lab.  Our integrative and interdisciplinary lab has several
themes focusing mostly on the exciting cactophilic Drosophila system.

A major role of the lab focuses on the role of both seminal
fluid proteins (SFPs) and male-derived female-translated proteins
(mdFTPs) in the evolution of reproductive incompatibilities using
the cactophilic Drosophila system. This NIH-funded project examines
the role mdFTPs performed within females, leveraging the use of
our newly generated transgenic system in cactophilic Drosophila,
(funded by an NSF award).

Other ongoing projects are:
– Genomic evolution across cactophilic Drosophila.
– Quantitative genetics of behavioral strategies, life history
 characteristics, morphology associated with local ecological
 adaptation
– Ecological genomics of adaptation in cactophilic Drosophila (cactus
 host chemistry, nutrition, desiccation, thermal stress,
 aestivation, etc.)
– Evolutionary genomics of plasticity and transgenerational effects

The fact that we are located in the Sonoran Desert also facilitates
field focused projects. If you are interested in these or other related
topics, please contact Luciano Matzkin (lmatzkin@arizona.edu) and provide
a brief overview of your interests and CV.

Graduate students can apply to work in the Matzkin lab via the
Entomology and Insect Science (EIS) Interdisciplinary Graduate Program
, the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
Graduate Program .
The application deadline for all programs is December 1st.


Dr. Luciano M. Matzkin (he/him/el)
Professor
University of Arizona
Department of Entomology
BIO5 Institute
Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
520-621-1955
Marley 641F

lmatzkin@arizona.edu

A PhD position is available on human evolutionary genomics. The position
will be based at the School of Biological Sciences at the University of
East Anglia (UEA) in Norwich, UK, as part of the 4-year Norwich Research
Park doctoral training program, and supervised by Dr. Anders Bergström.

Modern humans are unique as a species, having spread widely and
transformed the world with technology and large-scale societies. But
until relatively recently (~50,000 years ago), there were many other
types of humans on earth, including Neanderthals and Denisovans. What
was it about modern human biology—if anything—that set us apart from
these extinct relatives and made our ancestors take over the world? This
fundamental question remains unsolved.

We can now tackle this from a new angle, leveraging the unprecedented
genetic data available in biobank-scale datasets. Genome sequences are
now available from half to a million people, meaning that we can expect
to observe rare mutations at a large fraction of sites in the human
genome. We can use this to try to narrow down what parts of our genome
are actually important for defining modern human-specific biology.

This project will analyse data from these ultra-large datasets, alongside
data from our great apes relatives and ancient DNA from Neanderthals
and Denisovans, to address the genetic basis of modern human biological
uniqueness. Interrogating the genome through the lens of genetic variation
observed across a million individuals has never before been possible in
genetics research, not even in model organisms, and promises to transform
the way we think about evolution.

The student will receive broad training in genomics, evolutionary biology,
bioinformatics and population genetics. They will develop skills in
large-scale data analysis and scientific programming. The student will
take part in journal clubs and departmental seminars, present their work
at conferences, and strengthen their abilities in critical thinking and
science communication.

The ideal candidate will have a background in a biological science
(e.g. genetics, molecular biology, evolutionary biology) or a quantitative
science (e.g. computer science, statistics, physics), and have strong
interests in genomics, data analysis and evolution.

Application deadline: 2 December 2025. Start date: 1st October
2026. Fully funded through the NRPDTP, open to applicants of all
nationalities. For more information, including on how to apply, see:
https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fbiodtp.norwichresearchpark.ac.uk%2Fprojects%2Fthe-genomics-of-modern-human-biological-uniqueness-bergstrom_u26dtp%2F&data=05%7C02%7Ceric.schultz%40uconn.edu%7Cb83bdc94f44143877d7608de11238aa3%7C17f1a87e2a254eaab9df9d439034b080%7C0%7C0%7C638967041515946236%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=KtyB%2FA0%2FmfTMiOkLaEn5YxdqQuDi6IbwftCcMT5ZOVQ%3D&reserved=0

For informal inquiries please contact Anders Bergström:
a.bergstrom@uea.ac.uk



“Anders Bergstrom (BIO – Staff)” <A.Bergstrom@uea.ac.uk>