Graduate Student (PhD or MS) Opening in Bird Conservation and Ecosystem Services by Smith, Olivia (21 Oct 2026 11:42 EDT)
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Position summary: The Global Change Ecology Lab led by Dr. Miriam Johnston at the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science (UMCES) invites applications for a graduate student position (MS or PhD) in forest ecology. We combine diverse measurements and models to understand and predict the response of terrestrial ecosystems to climate, disturbance, and management, with the ultimate goal of supporting sustainability. In collaboration with The Nature Conservancy, the student will explore the relationship between forest ecosystem resilience and carbon sequestration in the Central Appalachians. There is flexibility in the research question to be addressed; key methods may include remote sensing, dendroecology, eddy covariance, and/or ecosystem modeling, depending on student interest. 

Start date: Fall 2027

About the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science: UMCES comprises a network of research laboratories located across the state with a shared mission to advance scientific knowledge of the environment and to educate the next generation of environmental scientists and professionals. The Appalachian Laboratory (AL) is in Frostburg, Maryland, in the western part of the state. The AL has a highly collaborative and interdisciplinary environment. We prioritize an inclusive and collegial lab culture and look forward to welcoming new students. Students matriculate through the Marine, Estuarine, and Environmental Sciences program. They are affiliated both with UMCES and The University of Maryland, College Park; degrees are joint between these two universities.

*****MS or PhD Opportunity in Animal Behavior and the Evolution of Mate Choice*****

The Dopman Laboratory in the Department of Biology at Tufts University is seeking an MS or PhD student interested in animal behavior, mate choice, and sexual selection. The student will use the European corn borer moth, Ostrinia nubilalis, to investigate how variation in sexual signals and mating preferences affects mate choice, assortative mating, and the evolution of reproductive isolation.

*****Project background*****

Mate choice can shape evolution by determining which individuals reproduce and which combinations of traits and preferences are transmitted to the next generation. Fisherian models of sexual selection predict that mating preferences generate nonrandom mating, creating genetic covariance between sexual traits and preferences and allowing positive feedback in their coevolution. Although this process is well established theoretically, the behavioral steps connecting preference, mating patterns, genetic covariance, and coevolution have been incompletely explored empirically.

The European corn borer provides an unusually tractable system for studying these questions. Females produce alternative sex-pheromone blends, and males differ in their behavioral preferences for those blends. Variation in the female pheromone signal is associated with the locus pgFAR, whereas variation in male preference for the female pheromone is associated with the locus bab. These genes occur on different chromosomes but nevertheless show strong genetic covariance in some natural populations. These findings establish a foundation for studying how individual mating decisions scale up to produce population-level evolutionary change.

*****Graduate research*****

The student will develop an independent project centered on the behavior and evolution of mate choice. Possible questions include:

* How does genetic variation in female signals and male preferences affect sexual selection and assortative mating?

* How consistent are mating preferences across individuals, populations, and environmental conditions?

* How do experience, social context, or population composition alter mate choice?

* How do climate, artificial light, air pollution, host plants, or natural enemies affect pheromone communication?

* Does sexual selection act more strongly on female signals, male preferences, or both?

* How do sexual selection and genetic drift interact to maintain—or eliminate—variation in female signals and male preferences within populations?

* How does divergence in mate choice contribute to reproductive isolation between populations?

Research may involve controlled behavioral assays, population-cage experiments, pheromone manipulations, insect rearing, field experiments, and quantitative analysis of behavior. Genetic or genomic approaches may be incorporated to connect behavioral variation with the underlying signal and preference loci, but prior molecular experience is not required. The precise direction of the project will be developed collaboratively based on the student’s interests.

*****Desired qualifications*****

Applicants must have a strong interest in animal behavior and mate choice. Students interested in behavioral ecology, sexual selection, animal communication, sensory ecology, evolutionary biology, or entomology are especially encouraged to apply.

Previous experience with behavioral experiments, insect husbandry, field biology, experimental design, video or observational data, or statistical analysis would be helpful. More important are curiosity about animal behavior, careful observational skills, patience with experimental work, and enthusiasm for developing independent research questions. Students must also have an ability to work with others and a strong sense of humor, both of which are needed to make science fun and worthwhile.

*****Research environment*****

The Dopman Laboratory combines behavioral experiments with genetic, genomic, and evolutionary approaches to understand how ecological and behavioral differences arise. The student will join the Department of Biology at Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts.

*****How to apply*****

Initial inquiries can be made by contacting:

Erik Dopman

Department of Biology

Tufts University

Erik.Dopman (at) tufts.edu

Please include:

* A brief description of your interests in animal behavior, mate choice, or sexual selection.

* A curriculum vitae or resume.

* A description of relevant research, coursework, field, laboratory, or quantitative experience.

* An indication of whether you are interested in the MS or PhD program.

Applicants from a broad range of academic backgrounds are encouraged to inquire. Direct experience with animal behavior is welcome but not essential. Applicants should explain why they are interested in studying mate choice and how graduate research fits their longer-term goals.

* Anticipated start: Fall 2027

* Tufts application information: https://as.tufts.edu/biology/prospective-students/graduate-admissions-and-aid

Full job posting here https://usnh.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/Careers/job/QMEL-Manager_JR10196

The White Lab and Jellison Lab at the University of New Hampshire (UNH) are seeking a motivated and skilled ResearchTechnician / Lab Manager to support a NOAA Saltonstall-Kennedy-funded project focused on developing and deploying a network of oyster biosensors to improve aquaculture yield and food safety in the Gulf of Maine. The position is a two-year, grant-funded role beginning in Fall 2026, working under the primary guidance of PI Dr. Easton White and co-PI Dr. Brittany Jellison.

This is a full-time position with opportunities for professional growth, collaboration across multiple research projects, and contributions to cutting-edge ecological science.

Requirements

Minimum Acceptable Education & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in marine science, biology, environmental science, engineering, or a closely related field (Master’s degree preferred). Experience with field and/or laboratory research in marine or aquatic systems. Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to coordinate multiple tasks and personnel simultaneously. Ability and willingness to conduct fieldwork in coastal marine environments, including work on boats and in variable weather conditions. Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with electronics, Arduino microcontrollers, or similar embedded systems. Familiarity with bivalve biology, aquaculture, or shellfish physiology. Experience with data analysis in R, Python, or similar programming environments. Experience with physiological assays (e.g., enzyme activity, condition index measurements). Experience mentoring undergraduate students or working in a team research environment. Familiarity with open-source data and code practices.

The Qiu Lab at Duke University is recruiting one fully funded Ph.D. student to begin in Fall 2027 (application deadline: December 1, 2026). Our research aims to understand and predict changes in biodiversity and ecosystem functioning across spatial and temporal scales. The student will develop an independent research direction within or across the themes below, with opportunities to contribute to ongoing projects supported by NASA, NSF, and private foundations. Learn more about our ongoing research projects and future research directions at www.tongqiulab.com.

Research Directions

1.  Ecological remote sensing for forest and savanna ecosystems. Characterize and understand the spatial and temporal variation in the structure, functioning, and dynamics of forests and savannas. Integrate emerging remote sensing technologies, including imaging spectroscopy, LiDAR, and satellite-based time series, to investigate ecosystem responses to environmental change.

2. Biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. Investigate how interactions between plants and wildlife shape ecosystem processes, including carbon and nutrient cycling. Combine remote sensing, field inventories, wildlife monitoring, and statistical models to understand how fire, grazing, and the reintroduction of large herbivores (e.g., rhinos and elephants) influence biodiversity and its contributions to ecosystem functioning.

3. AI for Ecology. Develop and apply advanced AI methods, including deep learning and foundation models, to uncover ecological patterns and improve ecological predictions using large-scale Earth observation data and long-term ecological monitoring datasets.

Preferred Candidate Expertise

Backgrounds in ecology, environmental science, remote sensing, geography, statistics, computer science, or related fields are welcome. Preferred qualifications include:

•  Experience with LiDAR, hyperspectral data, statistical ecology, or machine/deep learning.

•  Experience with R and/or Python and quantitative/statistical analysis

•  Research initiative, intellectual curiosity, willingness to learn, and a collaborative mindset.

Lab Resources

Remote Sensing Equipment:  RIEGL VZ-400i Terrestrial Laser Scanner; NaturaSpec UV–Vis–NIR–SWIR field spectroradiometers; HySpex airborne hyperspectral imaging system. Computing:  individual research workstations and access to high-performance computing clusters and GPU resources.

How to Apply

Formal applications:  Apply to Duke’s Ph.D. in Environment or University Program in Ecology (UPE), depending on your research interests. Ecology emphasizes biodiversity and ecological processes; Environment also accommodates environmental remote sensing and interdisciplinary work. For Fall 2027 admission, the Ecology deadline is December 1, 2026, and the Environment deadline is December 3, 2026.

Initial inquiry:  Email tong.qiu@duke.edu with subject “application for PhD 2027 – [Your Name]”. Please provide:

•  Your current CV and undergraduate/graduate transcripts (as applicable).

•  An approximately one-page statement describing previous research, questions you hope to pursue, and why the Qiu Lab is a good fit.

•  A research paper or writing sample, if available.

•  Names and contact information for three potential references.

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. 

Graduate fellowship in ecology and evolutionary biology are available for Ph.D. students in the Siepielski Lab in the Department of Biological Sciences and the Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology group at the University of Arkansas. https://asiepielski.wordpress.com

Our lab focuses on questions at the intersection of ecology and evolutionary biology. Current projects include: the contribution of evolution in shaping species coexistence, how species evolve in response to multi-species interactions such as competition, predation, and parasitism, and how extreme ecological events drive eco-evolutionary change. To explore these topics, we use a combination of observational, experimental, meta-analytical, and theoretical approaches.

Graduate research fellowships ($32,000 – 42,000, plus health insurance and tuition waiver) are available for highly competitive candidates. Please see https://graduate-students.uark.edu/for additional information on fellowship funding opportunities.

Prospective students should check out our lab website https://asiepielski.wordpress.com for additional information. If interested in considering joining our lab group, please contact me via email (amsiepie@uark.edu). In your email, please include the following: 1) a brief description of your overall research interests, career goals, and why you think our lab would be a good fit for you, and 2) your CV. Ideal candidates will be hard-working, highly motivated, and excited about studying questions at the interface of ecology and evolutionary biology. Please note that the deadline for Fall 2027 admission into our program is January 15, 2027. All materials should be submitted well before then.

The University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, is a Tier I research university located in the beautiful Ozark Mountains. The faculty and graduate students at UARK are highly interactive and include an internationally known group of evolutionary biologists and ecologists. We are located in an ideal setting for field-based projects in aquatic systems (AR has more than 2,300 lakes and thousands of smaller ponds, and equally impressive numbers of rivers, streams and creeks). Fayetteville, located in northwest Arkansas, offers a high quality of living at a low cost, an excellent climate, and is a large enough city to offer diverse activities and amenities. Rock climbing, hiking, kayaking, canoeing, and especially mountain biking (tons of amazing mountain bike trails, and more every year!) opportunities are in close proximity.