Opportunities
PhD or MS positions in plant-insect interactions and quantitative/theoretical ecology
Subject: PhD or MS positions in plant-insect interactions and quantitative/theoretical ecology
The Underwood and Inouye labs in the Ecology and Evolution group at Florida State University are seeking graduate students for Fall 2019. Research in our joint lab focuses on using plants, insects, and their interactions to explore the spatial and temporal dynamics and evolution of populations and communities. We work in both natural and agricultural systems, using experiments, natural history, and mathematical models to address a wide range of questions.
Students in the lab may develop independent dissertation research relating to one of our two currently funded projects: “Measuring and modeling the ecological consequences of associational effects (NSF)” and “The RMBL Phenology Project: Drivers and consequences of phenological change at high altitudes” (NSF), or can develop research entirely independent of our projects. We support all students in our group in developing their own research programs, and our students have worked on topics as diverse as the evolution of plasticity in plant defense, effects of herbivores on plant competition, demographic consequences of group size in insects, effects of nitrogen deposition on plant/insect mutualism and effects of prior experience on insect response to host plants at multiple spatial scales.
You can learn more about research in our group at https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https:%2F%2Fwww.bio.fsu.edu%2F~nunderwood%2Fhomepage%2F&data=02%7C01%7Cmiranda.l.davis%40uconn.edu%7Cb0a17c68e3514a2c073e08d61d529c2f%7C17f1a87e2a254eaab9df9d439034b080%7C0%7C0%7C636728637983652489&sdata=RVyx86Pf8J4pyNd2HDPmctNIYNOSBebR8Y0%2FWSMXAsY%3D&reserved=0
https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bio.fsu.edu%2Ffaculty.php%3Ffaculty-id%3Dbdinouye&data=02%7C01%7Cmiranda.l.davis%40uconn.edu%7Cb0a17c68e3514a2c073e08d61d529c2f%7C17f1a87e2a254eaab9df9d439034b080%7C0%7C0%7C636728637983662497&sdata=CesxEbMtPy%2Bf7D%2FosbCENQPFxRab48s%2BqZ0T8trovMA%3D&reserved=0.
Preferred qualifications include prior research experience, quantitative skills or interest in learning them, the ability to work independently and to mentor developing researchers, and strong written communication abilities. The position will be funded through teaching assistantships (guaranteed for 5 years assuming good progress) supplemented with research assistantships through our funded projects. Students will be supported in all aspects of professional development in addition to research including learning to apply for funding, developing teaching and outreach skills and making contacts with additional mentors appropriate for their preferred career path inside or outside of academia.
For more about the EE Graduate Group at FSU see https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bio.fsu.edu%2Fee%2F&data=02%7C01%7Cmiranda.l.davis%40uconn.edu%7Cb0a17c68e3514a2c073e08d61d529c2f%7C17f1a87e2a254eaab9df9d439034b080%7C0%7C0%7C636728637983662497&sdata=wUC3vQg0dPHlFZxg0FB%2FYGEudtEpAuuuBm%2FOIpQleMI%3D&reserved=0.
We strongly encourage applications from students with diverse backgrounds and experiences.
Interested applicants should email i) a cover letter describing research interests and goals for graduate school and ii) a CV including names and contact details of two references to Nora Underwood or Brian Inouye before submitting an official application. This will allow time to discuss your research interests and fit with the group before the priority application date of December 1st for applications to the FSU graduate program. Feel free to also contact us with questions at any time.
Graduate position: UPittsburgh.EvolutionEcol
PhD opportunity in Ecology, Evolution, or Evolutionary Ecology
The Turcotte Lab of Evolutionary Community Ecology at the University of
Pittsburgh is looking for a PhD student interested in ecology, evolution,
or evolutionary-ecology. The lab tests the dynamic interplay between
rapid evolution and community ecology in both lab and field settings.
Many topics can be pursued including but not limited to how plastic
and rapid evolutionary changes impact species coexistence and the
eco-evolutionary responses of communities to environmental change. We
address such topics using various plant and insect study systems and
apply methods such as experimental evolution, community manipulations,
modeling, and genetic analyses.
The Department of Biological Sciences is a dynamic and growing team of
enthusiastic researchers and educators. Within the last 2 years we have
hired 6 new assistant professors in ecology or evolution! The department
also runs the Pymatuning Lab of Ecology, which is equipped with lab
space and housing to facilitate field-based research in northwestern
Pennsylvania. The City of Pittsburgh is a vibrant and beautiful place
to live. It is often voted the ?Most Livable city in the U.S.?. All
graduate students in the department are provided with a competitive
stipend and benefits for 5 years through a combination of fellowships,
TAships, and research assistantships. Although funding from the lab
itself is available, I expect all prospective students to apply for
external funding.
Prospective students should email me turcotte@pitt.edu with a few short
paragraphs stating why you are interested in the lab and describe your
past research experience. Please include your C.V., any publications,
and contact information for a few references.
Martin Turcotte, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Department of Biological Sciences
University of Pittsburgh
turcotte@pitt.edu
“Turcotte, Martin” <TURCOTTE@pitt.edu>
Graduate position: GeorgiaSouthernU.InsectEvolution
The Gibson lab in the Department of Biology at Georgia Southern University
in Statesboro, GA invites applications for a Master?s Degree in insect
evolutionary genetics to begin Spring 2019. The research focus of the
lab is on the genetic/genomic basis of traits in social and solitary
Hymenopteran insects. Current projects/systems in the lab include:
1) speciation and physiology in Nasonia parasitoid wasps
(2) the genetic basis of aggression in honey bees (Apis mellifera)
3) studies investigating genetics and chemical ecology of invasive
Argentine ants (Linepithema humile).
Students are welcome to join existing projects or to develop projects
within the scope of the lab. For more information, visit the Gibson Lab
website (http://secure-web.cisco.com/1iref3kYwWLgkWOaIVamHIM9BC_AcvD7SOsMoMl3zvKVHvLUc_9rsrfIH6hSfrGsAPmNeURDJ_eBU1xCofarGwnPz8qoZKkXXNDHpO2uX2gO41r7l-QDhzdlLOrdMDnKFu1vSF4LvTG4dlIPxhQo3souRpX_gxz_gcH1Fa-v4GbSaEGNRjvMGIpdZcv8Y6bjz7n_fCFs2WLfOYxf4lJNBVZCbQf8xKOTHphgKQFV-U4EQCho4ycyH0b5ECsKPuNmrITPZ16-kRDoqe0QzYK5wGP7vX9wDzHEc19Pm_6B0lTqeRHKoFByRcQm_WCJ4wz66Y1PI0pRzDNZQKnXho0GfsGlwGJt6UidB09NjgoerSJI4Ddd_TB7kf-DRhX3hlmbqwbOU0jiX3so8-tFINUl8fTrRRbtP7iMdUSxR6URWFtSsW_2VbRbb5P3IZIjOyO1-lVp0JTo_8g5icfki6YjW3A/http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insectevolution.org).
Student support is available through teaching and research
assistantships. In addition, there are competitive fellowships available
through the Department and the College of Science and Mathematics. The
application deadline for full consideration is October 1st, 2018.
Georgia Southern is a 27,000-student comprehensive
research university with three campuses in southeast Georgia
(http://www.georgiasouthern.edu/). The Department of Biology at the
Statesboro campus has many resources available to students, including a
new LEED certified research and teaching building, many possibilities for
collaboration with our >40 faculty, and facilities for insect rearing,
high throughput sequencing preparation, and microscopy.
Interested students should contact Dr. Josh Gibson at
jgibson@georgiasouthern.edu prior to applying to the program. Additional
information about the graduate program and the department can be found
in the links below.
Graduate Program
http://cogs.georgiasouthern.edu/admission/master-of-science-biology/
http://cosm.georgiasouthern.edu/biology/graduate-program-2/
Department of Biology
http://cosm.georgiasouthern.edu/biology/
Joshua D. Gibson, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Department of Biology
P.O. Box 8042-1
Georgia Southern University
Statesboro, GA 30460
Office: (912) 478-7826
insectevolution.org
Joshua Gibson <jgibson@georgiasouthern.edu>
Graduate Fellowships in Freshwater Ecology and Phycology
– Ecology and evolution of brown algae (Phaeophyceae) in freshwater habitats
Graduate Student Opportunities — Texas State University
Subject: Graduate Student Opportunities — Texas State University
The Nowlin Aquatic Ecology Lab (https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnowlinaquatecollab.wp.txstate.edu%2F&data=02%7C01%7Cmiranda.l.davis%40uconn.edu%7C809ed0be33744aacaf9508d61974843a%7C17f1a87e2a254eaab9df9d439034b080%7C0%7C0%7C636724385597355722&sdata=eFA1czRMBulmL1qvejoCe6jPLPfzevmaQtfbx0tMfY4%3D&reserved=0)
invites applications for graduate students to the lab and the Aquatic Resources graduate programs at Texas State University. The lab currently has funding to conduct several multi-year studies on the community and ecosystem ecology of spring systems and their biota in semi-arid and arid regions of central and west Texas. The Nowlin Lab is seeking well-qualified applicants to start in Spring and/or Fall 2019. The lab is located in the Aquatic Station and has a variety of research resources, including water quality analytical equipment, field instrumentation, scopes, boats, field vehicles, a wet lab, and an outdoor experimental stream facility. Graduate students will be funded through a combination of research and instructional assistantships. Interested applicants should contact Dr. Weston Nowlin
(wn11@txstate.edu) by email and submit: (1) a letter of research interests and career goals, (2) a current CV, (3) unofficial undergraduate transcripts and GRE scores (if taken), and (4) a list of references. A formal application package must also be submitted to the Graduate College at Texas State University by October 30, 2018 or January 15, 2019 for full consideration in the Spring 2018 or Fall 2019 semesters, respectively.
Job: UVirginia.ResTech.ParasiteEvolution
The Gibson lab in the Biology Department at the University of Virginia
is hiring a research technician to help in lab management and research.
The lab studies parasites as drivers of evolutionary change in wild,
artificial, and agricultural systems. To test evolutionary and ecological
hypotheses, we synthesize data from field observations and experimental
manipulations, with guidance from theoretical models and experimental
evolution. Our current study organisms include the free-living nematode
Caenorhabditis elegans and its natural parasites, plus plant-parasitic
nematodes of the genus Meloidogyne and their bacterial parasite Pasteuria
penetrans. The person in this position will be responsible for assisting
with the lab’s research projects by conducting experiments and field
collections, coordinating team members, and collecting and analyzing
data. This person will also manage the day-to-day operations of the lab
by maintaining host populations, training and managing undergraduate
researchers, ensuring compliance with environmental safety standards,
and maintaining protocols, lab supplies, and equipment. Start date:
January 2019.
Visit the complete posting (#0623982) on Jobs@UVA at:
jobs.virginia.edu/applicants/Central?quickFind
424
Contact Ashley Cochran at alc6dk@virginia.edu with questions
Amanda Kyle Gibson, Ph.D.
https://amandakylegibson.wordpress.com/
Assistant Professor
Department of Biology
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, VA, USA
Wissenschaftskolleg zu Berlin
Institute for Advanced Study
Berlin, Germany
“Gibson, Amanda Kyle (akg5nq)” <akg5nq@virginia.edu>
Graduate Assistantship – Plant Invasions in the Mojave Desert
We seek a highly motivated graduate student to examine the interactions among native and invasive plant species in the Mojave Desert. Invasive annual species, including red brome (Bromus rubens), Mediteranean grass (Schismus barbatos), and Russian thistle (Salsola spp.) have become prevalent in the Mojave Desert. This has severe consequences for native wildlife habitat, including the desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii), as well as rare plant species (ex. white-margined penstemon – Penstemon albomarginatus). The Bureau of Land Management is interested in investigating the effects of rehabilitation treatments (herbicide, seeding, etc.) on native and rare plant species, as well as desert tortoise habitat. Research questions will focus on plant-plant, plant-soil, and plant-animal interactions. Research will be in conjunction with the Las Vegas office of the Bureau of Land Management.
Funding: The competitive stipend for the research assistantship is $19,200 per year for four years, which includes a tuition and fee waiver. PhD candidates are preferred although MS students may be considered.
Qualifications:
* BS degree in biology, ecology, or related field
* Field experience and coursework in plant and soil ecology
* Desire to interact with land managers and help improve land management decisions
* Previous research experience with good experimental and field skills
* Strong verbal and written communication skills
* Evidence of statistical knowledge, laboratory analytic skills, and ability to publish
research results in refereed journals is highly desired.
Personal Qualifications: The candidate should be self-motivated, focused, and able to work independently and as part of a team. You should be capable of driving to remote sites on 4WD roads, hiking several kilometers, withstanding harsh field conditions, and willing to camp in primitive areas with no facilities. Fieldwork will be located outside of Las Vegas, NV.
How to Apply: Please email the following to Beth Newingham at
beth.newingham@ars.usda.gov: (1) your resume or CV (including GRE scores and percentiles); (2) a letter of interest, including research interests, professional goals and prior experience, and (3) contact information for three references.
Further questions can be directed to Dr. Newingham at beth.newingham@ars.usda.gov. The student would be a UNR student although housed with the USDA Agricultural Research Service on campus. Information about the University of Nevada, Reno’s graduate programs in the Natural Resources and Environmental Science department can be found athttps://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.unr.edu%2Fnres%2Fgraduate-degrees&data=02%7C01%7Cmiranda.l.davis%40uconn.edu%7C9578087139924017983308d618af37f4%7C17f1a87e2a254eaab9df9d439034b080%7C0%7C0%7C636723538170368970&sdata=kzvORpv5TY70LKhZK7o27%2B0ZZg%2BlL9XOXD4%2Fs96DzcE%3D&reserved=0. Information about the Newingham Lab can be found athttps://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnewinghamlab.weebly.com&data=02%7C01%7Cmiranda.l.davis%40uconn.edu%7C9578087139924017983308d618af37f4%7C17f1a87e2a254eaab9df9d439034b080%7C0%7C0%7C636723538170368970&sdata=TaZ6Ap8aBoiSWG2%2Fbl7StRy6JvRhB6JweZmLBRaKvCA%3D&reserved=0.
Applications will be considered starting immediately and will continue until the position is filled. The preferred start date is November or December 2018 as a technician to assure sampling for the spring and summer of 2019. Student status may start when appropriate.
Job: UMontana.LabManager.EvolutionaryGenomics
*Laboratory Manager ?V Evolutionary Genomics, University of Montana*
The laboratory of Jeffrey Good at the University of Montana seeks a full
time research lab manager. The Good lab uses diverse genomic and genetic
approaches to understand mammalian development, adaptation, and speciation. We
seek a highly motivated candidate with good organizational skills, a strong
background in molecular biology, genetics, evolution, and/or genomics. The
successful candidate will lead data collection for large-scale comparative
and population genomic experiments in diverse mammalian systems, systems
genetic experiments in rodent models, and contribute to the overall
intellectual environment of the lab. A B.S. or equivalent in biology or a
related field and previous experience with molecular research are required.
Candidates with previous experience working on mammalian reproduction and
development, or collecting and/or analyzing genomic data (e.g., WGS, WGBS,
exome sequencing, RADseq, RNAseq, ATACseq) are strongly encouraged to
apply.
The University of Montana offers a vibrant research community. The Good lab
shares newly constructed molecular and computational space with five other
outstanding groups, as part of an entire floor dedicated to evolutionary
genomics research. For more information on our research please visit
thegoodlab.org. Interested applicants are encouraged to contact Jeff (
jeffrey.good@umontana.edu; @jeffreymgood) to discuss the position prior to
applying.
To apply, visit http://bit.ly/2066umjobs and upload a single PDF containing a
cover letter describing your interest in the position and qualifications, a
current CV, and the names and contact information for three references.
Applications will be reviewed upon receipt and the position will remain
open until filled. The position is available immediately with a flexible
start date contingent on the needs of the preferred candidate.
*ADA/EOE/AA/Veteran’s Preference Employer*