Graduate School
Opportunities
Graduate School Opportunities Listings will be kept for a
month after being posted or until their deadline (if
listed). I do not post positions that require a masters
degree, as this site is aimed at undergraduates. Please
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Movement ecology PhD position @FIU, Miami, FL
The Coastal Fisheries lab at Florida International University, in Miami, FL has an open PhD position For Fall 2025 (http://myweb.fiu.edu/rehagej/).
Dates: Desired start date is Fall/Summer 2025 & application deadline is February 1, 2025.
About the position: We seek a motivated student with a passion for coastal recreational fisheries and their movement ecology. Research will focus on the movement, population connectivity, and population status of Crevalle Jacks across the Gulf of Mexico and southeastern United States using acoustic telemetry and catch and abundance data. The project aims to collect actionable science to improve jack management and conservation efforts and stems from a partnership among FIU, Mississippi State University, the American Saltwater Guides Association, and the Lower Keys Guide Association. Competitive support will be a combination of research & teaching assistantships.
Preferred Qualifications: The ideal candidate has interests and/or experience in fish ecology, recreational fisheries, spatial/movement ecology, and population ecology, excellent writing and quantitative skills, and previous fish/fisheries field experience. Interest and/or experience in science co-production, stakeholder engagement and partnerships with anglers and fishing guides are desired. A Master’s degree, previous research experience in population and/or movement ecology, experience coding in R, and prior publications are also a plus.
About our labs: We are a passionate team of ecologists interested in understanding how fishes and recreational fisheries respond to human and natural disturbance. Our approach to tackling fish research focuses on both understanding process and pattern, and we thrive in conducting studies that blend these to inform management, conservation, and restoration efforts in partnership with stakeholders, coproducing science that is both fundamental and actionable. We are part of a highly collaborative south Florida research community, composed of scientists, and federal, state, private partners, and stakeholders (http://fcelter.fiu.edu/).
To apply: Please contact Dr. Jenn Rehage at rehagej@fiu.edu & Dr. Marcus Drymon at marcus.drymon@msstate.edu. In your email, please include 1) a cover letter (describing research interests, experience, and fit to project & lab), 2) a CV and 3) other supporting documents that demonstrate research interests/experience (transcripts, publications/presentations, popular articles/writing samples, etc.). Please combine these into a single PDF and use ‘Jack PhD applicant 2025 + your name’ as the subject line in your email. Deadline for applications in the Earth & Environment Dept at FIU is February 1, 2025. Details on the application process are here: https://case.fiu.edu/earth-environment/phd-in-earth-systems-science/index.html.
About our university: FIU is Miami's public research university and one of the youngest R1 research universities (highest research activity) in the US. FIU is also the largest majority-minority serving institution in the country, and ranked the second most impactful university in the nation, the No. 3 best public university in the US, and among the top 20 public universities contributing to the public good. FIU is leading the science to preserve & protect Life Below Water by being ranked # 3 in the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 14.
J.S. Rehage, PhD
Professor
Coastal Fisheries Research Lab
Earth & Environment Department
Institute of Environment
Florida International University
11200 SW 8th Street, AHC5 365
Miami, FL 33199
(305) 348-3804 office
(305) 348-0181 lab
(954) 873-2641 cell
rehagej@fiu.edu
http://myweb.fiu.edu/rehagej/
https://environment.fiu.edu
Posted 12/20/24
MS Assistantship in Termite Methane Emissions at Utah State University
Position Description
Our group is recruiting a MS student interested in studying termite methane emissions at Utah State University (www.zhoulabusu.weebly.com). This position focuses on studying termite methane emissions at the individual species level and exploring the variations in species-specific termite methane emissions in relation to termite gut microbiomes. Fieldwork will be conducted across tropical savannas and forests in the Republic of Congo. The graduate student will have opportunities to collaborate with diverse groups of researchers at Harvard University, the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, and the Natural History Museum (London).
Preferred qualifications:
BS in ecology or related fields;
Willingness to travel and conduct field research in remote locations;
Research experience in biogeochemistry and/or metagenomics and bioinformatics;
Training in statistical analysis using R or related software.
How to apply
The preferred start date is Fall 2025. Interested candidates should contact Yong Zhou (yong.zhou@usu.edu) with a compiled pdf including:
(1) a cover letter that describes your experience and interests and addresses the preferred position qualifications,
(2) a resume or CV,
(3) contact information for three professional references, and
(4) most recent academic transcript (unofficial).
Our research group at Utah State University is committed to fostering a diverse environment. All qualified applicants will be considered. The selected candidate will be expected to gain acceptance into the Ecology program through the Utah State University Graduate School: https://gradschool.usu.edu/
Benefits:
Successful candidates will be supported with a competitive stipend, tuition coverage, and health coverage.
About Logan and Utah State University
Utah State University is a public land-grant university
and is classified as a Carnegie R1 University with very
high research activity. USU is located in the city of
Logan, Utah, a town with approximately 50,000 residents.
Situated in a valley between the Wellsville and Bear River
Mountain ranges, Logan offers numerous opportunities for
outdoor activities including local ski resorts, biking,
and hiking trails. Logan is just a short drive to Salt
Lake City, as well as many National Parks, Monuments, and
Conservation Areas.
Yong Zhou, PhD
Assistant Professor
Department of Wildland Resources and the Ecology Center
Utah State University
http://zhoulabusu.weebly.com/
Posted 12/20/24
MS Position in Forest Hydrology and Ecophysiology
A two-year funded graduate research assistantship at Mississippi State University (MSU) is available to study the importance of stemflow for tree physiology and growth. Co-advised by Dr. Courtney Siegert of MSU and Dr. Steven Brantley of the Jones Center at Ichauway, the student will combine field observations of canopy hydrology, tree physiology, and soil moisture to disentangle the effects of drought sensitivity of common tree species in longleaf pine ecosystems. The project offers the opportunity to gain experience in field data collection and statistical analysis along with professional development opportunities.
The student will be enrolled in the Department of Forestry
at MSU, an R1 public research university. Work will be in
close collaboration with the Jones Center at Ichauway, a
28,500-acre private research and education center located
between Albany and Bainbridge, Georgia. The Center’s
research, education, and conservation programs focus on
ecology and natural resource management. The site includes
16,000 acres of longleaf pine forests, ~100 wetlands, and
26 miles of stream and river ecosystems. On-site housing
is provided to students as needed for the duration of
their project and the prospective candidate should expect
to spend 1 or 2 summers at Jones Center with additional
short trips as needed. Further information can be found on
the web site at http://www.jonesctr.org/.
A competitive stipend and tuition waiver will be provided
over the two-year duration of project. Expected start date
is fall 2025.
Interested students should contact Steven Brantley (steven.brantley@jonesctr.org)
with a CV, undergraduate transcripts (official or
unofficial), and brief statement of research experience
and interests. The position will be open until filled but
applications submitted by January 21, 2025 will
receive highest consideration.
Posted 12/17/24
MSc and PhD Positions: Population and Conservation Genomics at The University of British Columbia
I am looking for multiple MSc and PhD students to join our research team at The University of British Columbia (Okanagan Campus) to take part in studies investigating the genomic basis of adaptation to environmental change and exploring ways in which this information may be harnessed for conservation for various mammal, reptile and fish species-at-risk. The project offers opportunities for both laboratory and field-based research, and direct collaboration with Provincial, Federal and Indigenous management agencies. Individuals with a population genetics background, bioinformatics experience and strong analytical skills are especially encouraged to apply.
Visit the Ecological and Conservation Genomics laboratory website (https://blogs.ubc.ca/russellolab/) for more information on our current research directions. Additional information about our Biology graduate program at UBC can be found at the following website: http://biol.ok.ubc.ca/graduate/biology.html.
UBC is one of the world’s leading universities, and is consistently ranked in the top 40. The university has two distinct campuses, one in Vancouver and one in Kelowna. UBC’s Okanagan campus, located in the city of Kelowna, has over 10,000 students in seven faculties, with strong undergraduate and graduate programs. Situated in the heart of the Okanagan Valley, one of the most scenic regions in Canada, it offers an intimate learning environment and excellent opportunities for regional, national, and international scholarly activities.
To apply, send me via e-mail (michael.russello@ubc.ca) a CV, unofficial transcripts, writing sample, and contact information for at least two references.
Dr. Michael Russello
Professor, Population and Conservation Genomics
The University of British Columbia, Okanagan Campus
Department of Biology
3247 University Way, FIP346
Kelowna, BC Canada V1V 1V7
michael.russello@ubc.ca
Graduate Research Assistantship (PhD) Available for Remote Sensing of Rangeland Vegetation Structure and Function
We seek a motivated PhD student interested in developing new remote sensing ecology applications for rangeland vegetation science and monitoring. The work will include the use of satellite and/or Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) for quantifying rangeland vegetation structure and function over time and across spatial scales. The focal area will include the Orchard Combat Training Area and the Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area, Idaho. The student is expected to work in a team setting and perform field work.
PhD Program: The student can choose from among a range of PhD programs at Boise State University, including a PhD Ecology and Evolutionary Behavior, PhD Geosciences, PhD Geophysics, or PhD Computing. The student will be advised by Dr. Nancy Glenn and Mr. Josh Enterkine.
Start date: May or August 2025 (or earlier). The review of applications will begin January 2024 and continue until qualified candidates are hired.
Qualifications:
Minimum qualifications:
Bachelor of Science or Arts (BS or BA) in Ecology, Biology, Geoscience, Conservation, Geography, Engineering, or a related field
Experience working with remotely sensed data, ideally including UAS platforms
Strong quantitative skills, including proficiency using Python, R or other
Experience with spatial analysis, modeling, ecology, and/or social-ecological systems, as appropriate for the topics above
Experience and/or interest working in collaborative, transdisciplinary teams grounded in mutual respect and responsibility
Preferred qualifications:
Master of Science or Arts (MS or MA) in Ecology, Biology,
Geoscience, Conservation, Geography, Engineering,
Environmental Management, or a related field and research
or job experience related to the topics above
Experience working in ecology and/or restoration ecology
Expertise collecting, compiling, and analyzing large
datasets
Demonstrated programming experience in Python or other
language
Demonstrated research success through peer-reviewed
publications and / or delivery of results to relevant
stakeholders
Funding: The assistantship will include tuition, benefits,
and a 12-month annual stipend. Funding is expected for a
minimum of 3 years.
To Apply: Please send via email to Dr. Glenn, one PDF with
the following:
cover letter that states why you are interested in this
position and if / how you meet each of the qualifications
listed above;
CV that includes employment history with dates of
employment;
names and contact information for three (3) professional
references; and
copies of transcripts (unofficial are fine).
Please include “PhD application” in the email subject line
and include your last name in the file nancyglenn@boisestate.edu.
Informal inquiries are also welcome.
About Boise: Nestled in the foothills of the Rocky
Mountains and the capital of the state of Idaho, Boise is
frequently featured as a top-ranked metropolis. The city
has ample opportunities for world-class outdoor activities
year-round and a thriving arts and entertainment culture:
http://www.boisechamber.org
Nancy Glenn
Vice President
Research and Economic Development
Boise State University
+1 208 426 5732 | nancyglenn@boisestate.edu
Posted 12/12/24
EPA-funded M.S. opportunity in microbial source tracking at the University of South Alabama and Dauphin Island Sea Lab
We are seeking a motivated student to work with an
interdisciplinary team on microbial source tracking in
Mobile Bay, Alabama. Potential students should be highly
self-motivated and have a strong interest in microbiology,
biogeochemistry, and bioinformatics. The position will be
supported by a recently funded grant from the
Environmental Protection Agency, and departmental teaching
assistantships and fellowships are also available. The
student will matriculate through the USA Stokes School of
Marine and Environmental Sciences (https://www.southalabama.edu/colleges/artsandsci/marinesciences/).
Candidates should demonstrate strong communication skills
and an ability to work both independently and
collaboratively with groups from diverse backgrounds.
Interested candidates should contact Dr. Ruth H.
Carmichael (rcarmichael@disl.org)
and provide a statement of interest, CV, and unofficial
transcript. M.S. applicants should have a B.S. degree in a
relevant field, such as microbiology, biology, or
chemistry, and lab-based research experience; field
experience, including boat time is preferred. We strongly
encourage students from diverse backgrounds levels to
apply.
STOKES SCHOOL OF MARINE AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
Suite 300 | 600 Clinic Drive | Mobile, Alabama 36688-0002
TEL: (251) 460-7136 | FAX: (251) 460-7357 | www.southalabama.edu/marinesciences
Posted 12/12/24
EPA-funded Ph.D. opportunity in microbial source tracking at the University of South Alabama and Dauphin Island Sea Lab
We are seeking a motivated student to work with an
interdisciplinary team on microbial source tracking in
Mobile Bay, Alabama. Potential students should be highly
self-motivated and have a strong interest in microbiology,
biogeochemistry, and bioinformatics. The position will be
supported by a recently funded grant from the
Environmental Protection Agency, and departmental teaching
assistantships and fellowships are also available. The
student will matriculate through the USA Stokes School of
Marine and Environmental Sciences (https://www.southalabama.edu/colleges/artsandsci/marinesciences/).
Candidates should demonstrate strong communication skills
and an ability to work both independently and
collaboratively with groups from diverse backgrounds.
Interested candidates should contact Dr. Brandi Kiel Reese
(bkielreese@disl.org)
and provide a statement of interest, CV, and unofficial
transcript. Previous M.S. degree in a related field is
preferred for this position, but a B.S. degree plus
significant research experience will be considered. We
strongly encourage students from diverse backgrounds
levels to apply.
STOKES SCHOOL OF MARINE AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
Suite 300 | 600 Clinic Drive | Mobile, Alabama 36688-0002
TEL: (251) 460-7136 | FAX: (251) 460-7357 | www.southalabama.edu/marinesciences
Posted 12/12/24
PhD Announcement (Biodiversity and Public Health)
Puneet Dwivedi, Ph.D.
Professor | Glenn ’65 and Heather Hilliard Endowed Chair
in Sustainable Forestry
Clemson University | Department of Forestry and
Environmental Conservation
Email: dwivedi@clemson.edu
| Cell: 706-461-9593
261 Lehotsky Hall Box 3403317 Clemson, SC 29634
Scholar: https://bit.ly/GoogleScholarx
Posted 12/10/24
UWinnipeg MSc position in Quantitative Polar Bear Ecology
The Desforges Lab in Ecotoxicology and Wildlife Stress (https://desforgeslab.weebly.com/) at the University of Winnipeg is excited to advertise for a MSc opportunity in the area of Quantitative Polar Bear Ecology, Global Change Biology, and Ecosystem Dynamics. We are looking for a motivated MSc student to work on a project focused on polar bear and ringed seal teeth analysis starting May or September 2025. The successful candidate will use digital image analysis to measure annual growth layer groups in polar bear and ringed seal teeth and apply statistical models to explore relationships with biological data collected from each animal as well as relevant environmental data on habitat change over time.
Qualifications and Support
Suitable candidates will have a 4-year bachelor’s degree (honours preferred) in a relevant field, such as biology, environmental science, wildlife management, or similar. The main project tasks involve analyzing digital photos of tooth cross-sections and use of statistical modeling approaches. The candidate will also get hands-on training on how to prepare teeth samples for staining and imaging. When possible, the candidate may get opportunities for field-work associated with marine mammal research in the Arctic. The successful candidate will have experience and/or interest in research and data/statistical analysis using R, proven academic excellence, and strong English writing skills. The successful candidate with receive a competitive 2-year funding package with direct support for professional development (e.g., conferences, publications, etc.). Students will also be encouraged to apply to internal and external funding opportunities to support their research projects and career advancement. The candidate will benefit from co-supervision and collaboration with world leading experts in Arctic marine mammal ecology, including at Environment and Climate Change Canada (Dr. Evan Richardson) and Fisheries and Oceans Canada (Dr. Steve Ferguson, Dr. David Yurkowski).
How to Apply
Serious applicants that clearly meet the above qualifications should email Dr. Jean-Pierre Desforges (j.desforges@uwinnipeg.ca) with the subject line “MSc polar bear teeth” and include:
An updated CV
Transcripts (unofficial acceptable)
Statement of interest in the research project and description of qualifications
Posted 12/7/24
Research assistant position in terrestrial ecosystem ecology
I am excited to recruit a Ph.D. student to join my new Terrestrial Ecosystem Ecology Lab (https://hauserlab-staging.webhosting.cals.wisc.edu/) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison! The student will work with me, as well as members of the Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology (https://forestandwildlifeecology.wisc.edu/) and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (https://cals.wisc.edu/) community, to design and implement their own project in the area of ecosystem ecology, biogeochemistry, soils and/or plant root systems. Project ideas could include (but are not limited to): examining root and soil carbon (C) dynamics under global change, investigating the role of competing global change drivers in forest productivity, or linking root traits and processes to ecological models and remotely sensed data. Connecting research to community outreach and science communications will be highly encouraged as a part of the position. Other expectations include attending weekly lab meetings, attending department seminars and activities, developing working relationships with incoming lab members, submitting work to peer reviewed journals, and attending scientific conferences.
A strong candidate will hold a bachelor’s degree, have strong written and oral communication skills, and demonstrate a capacity to work both independently and as a part of a team. They will also demonstrate curiosity toward earth and environmental sciences and be committed to interdisciplinary learning.
The student will be joining a small but welcoming and highly collaborative lab group that is expected to grow over the next two to three years. Work will be based out of Madison, WI, which is regularly voted as one of America’s best college towns and offers many opportunities for music, arts, sports, and outdoor recreation.
As the lab PI, I will offer transparent expectations, research guidance, opportunities to learn lab and field work skills, resources for professional development relevant to the student’s career goals, regular feedback on progress, and overall respect. I am committed to and accountable for advancing diversity in the Earth sciences and welcome applicants of any race, color, nationality, creed, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, religion, age, economic class, ability, military status, family or marital status, pregnancy, political ideas, or genetic information to apply.
The student will be supported by a research assistantship (RA) of at least 3 years with continued RA or teaching assistantship funding for the remainder of the student’s program. Stipend rates are based on Graduate School policies, with expected increases in the coming years (https://grad.wisc.edu/2024/03/21/four-years-of-graduate-assistantship-minimum-stipend-increases-planned/). The position offers a flexible work schedule and the capacity for partial remote work as needed to meet the student’s needs. Start date is anticipated for the fall 2025 semester but an earlier start date is negotiable.
To apply please send the following to emhauser@wisc.edu:
Most recent CV
A letter of interest detailing why the applicant is
interested in pursuing research in the lab
Contact information for 2-3 professional or academic
references
Applications received prior to February 22, 2025
will receive priority in review, but the position will
remain open until filled. If you have additional
questions, please contact Dr. Emma Hauser, emhauser@wisc.edu.
MS Graduate Assistantship in Forest Restoration Ecology
Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, Ga.
An MS graduate assistantship is available with the Department of Ecology, Evolution and Organismal Biology at Kennesaw State University starting in Fall 2025. The position is within the lab of Dr. Matthew Weand, conducting research on use of prescribed fire in restoration of longleaf pine ecosystems in Georgia and Alabama. The successful candidate will be expected to complete an MS degree in Integrative Biology with a thesis related to the research. More information on the MSIB program can be found here:
https://csm.kennesaw.edu/msib/index.php
Up to two full academic years of support are available, with additional support provided through Teaching Assistantships. Applicants should have a BS in biology, ecology, environmental science or related field. Ideal applicants will be highly motivated, with field experience including identification of southeastern forest species, and tolerant of harsh conditions (heat, biting insects) while working with a field crew (1-2 people). The applicant must be able to carry up to 25 lbs of equipment for extended periods of time.
The Department of Ecology, Evolution and Organismal Biology at KSU is comprised of an interdisciplinary group of faculty providing integrative courses, well-equipped research facilities, and external and internal research funding opportunities. More information on the Department can be found here:
https://csm.kennesaw.edu/eeob/
KSU is a comprehensive university of more than 40,000 students located in Kennesaw, Ga, a suburban area within convenient driving distance to Atlanta and abundant outdoor recreational opportunities in the north Georgia mountains.
Interested students are encouraged to email Dr. Matthew Weand at mweand@kennesaw.edu. Please describe your interest, background, extent of qualifications, and include a resume/CV. Please include “MSIB position” in the email subject line.
Posted 12/4/24
Ph.D. Research Assistantship
Analyzing Visitor Experiences across the National Wildlife Refuge System
The Park Solutions Lab at Clemson University is seeking a highly motivated Ph.D. student to join a dynamic, collaborative research project with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) – Human Dimensions Branch. This assistantship offers the unique opportunity to contribute to meaningful research aimed at understanding and enhancing visitor experiences across the National Wildlife Refuge System. Working alongside experts in applied research and public land management, the successful candidate will play an essential role in surveying, analyzing, and interpreting visitor data to aid in the stewardship of these vital public lands.
The successful candidate will engage in comprehensive
research activities, including research design and data
collection, and advanced data analysis to uncover trends
and insights. This role involves characterizing visitor
behaviors, assessing satisfaction with current services
and facilities, and identifying desires for future
improvements. This assistantship offers a unique
opportunity to work at the intersection of science and
environmental management, contributing to meaningful
conservation efforts that impact local communities and
important resources. The ideal candidate will possess
growing research skills, a passion for conservation, and
the ability to thrive in an interdisciplinary team.
Collaborative mentorship from leading experts at Clemson
University and USFWS will support the candidate’s academic
and professional growth. Join us in this exciting endeavor
to become a key player in shaping sustainable and
rewarding visitor experiences across the National Wildlife
Refuge System!
Support: A competitive 9-month stipend, summer wages, full
tuition, and travel support.
Location and mentorship: The position is located at
Clemson University in Clemson, South Carolina (https://discoversouthcarolina.com/clemson)
and will work with Dr. Matt Brownlee (https://www.clemson.edu/cbshs/about/profiles/mbrownl)
in the Parks, Conservation, and Outdoor Recreation (https://www.clemson.edu/cbshs/departments/prtm/degrees/undergraduate/park-conservation-area-management.html)
emphasis area within the Department of Parks Recreation
and Tourism Management (https://www.clemson.edu/cbshs/departments/prtm/index.html).
Qualifications: Excellent writing and analytical skills,
flexibility, ability to work collaboratively on a team,
and a strong desire to learn and grow.
Dates: Letters of interest due before January 5, 2025.
Early submission of materials is encouraged. The
assistantship period is May 2025 (preferred) or August
2025 through May 2029.
To begin the process: Send a cover letter expressing your
interest, a resume/CV, a writing sample, and a list of
three professional references to Dr. Brownlee (mbrownl@clemson.edu).
Additional information here: https://www.clemson.edu/cbshs/departments/prtm/degrees/graduate-degrees/prtm-phd.html
Matthew T.J. Brownlee, Ph.D. | CLEMSON UNIVERSITY |
Associate Professor of Parks, Conservation, and Outdoor
Recreation
Park Solutions Lab | Clemson University Institute for
Parks
Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management
Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation
Sirrine Hall | Clemson, SC 29634 | mbrownl@clemson.edu
Posted 12/4/24
Graduate Position: PhD in Environmental Science on tropical soil ecology / agroecology
https://oneill.indiana.edu/doctoral/degrees/environmental-science.html
The Soil Ecology Lab at Indiana University Bloomington, USA, is searching for a PhD student for Fall 2025. The student will work on a project in southern Bahia, Brazil, assessing soil and plant responses to tree management and links to soil carbon dynamics in cocoa-based agroforestry systems. The research aims to uncover mechanisms and patterns at large spatial scales related to soil fauna and soil carbon dynamics across agroforestry treatments. The student will work in close collaboration with project partners at Mondelez R&D, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz (Brazil), and Western University (Canada).
Interested students are asked to email lab PI Dr. André Franco (franco@iu.edu) with inquiries and a CV.
André Franco, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs
Indiana University Bloomington
https://oneill.indiana.edu/faculty-research/directory/profiles/faculty/full-time/franco-andre.html
Posted 12/4/24
Graduate Research Assistantships (MS and PhD) in Urban Ecology
The Urban Ecology and Sustainability Lab (UESL) at the University of British Columbia invites applications for multiple graduate positions under the supervision of Dr. Melissa McHale. We are recruiting up to two Master's students and/or two PhD students to join our team, conducting innovative and applied research that directly informs urban planning, climate action, and ecosystem management.
Our lab focuses on co-producing actionable science with diverse external partners, including city managers, planners, consulting companies, and non-profit organizations. We value research that drives meaningful change in cities and communities.
Graduate Student Research Projects
We are seeking graduate students who are interested in working on projects tailored to the unique needs of cities in British Columbia.
Project 1: Spatial Analyses of Urban Heat and Complex Social-Ecological Dynamics - Urban heat challenges are intensifying as cities expand, demanding a nuanced understanding of the interplay between urban structure, social factors, and ecological systems. This project focuses on conducting multi-scale spatial analyses to inform practices, planning, and policies for urban heat mitigation. Research will explore social-ecological dynamics across scales, from individual parcels to neighborhoods and entire cities, incorporating both public and private spaces.
Project 2: Navigating Complexity in Tree Species Selection for Urban Resilience - Selecting the right tree for the right place in urban environments is increasingly challenging in the face of climate change, limited nursery stock, and sociocultural considerations. This project focuses on creating a comprehensive database of tree species tailored to urban conditions, with the potential to evolve into a decision-making toolkit. Beyond technical solutions, it will investigate the barriers to urban forest diversification, including logistical, economic, and cultural obstacles. As part of this project, we may have the ability analyze long-term tree inventory data for many different cities to evaluate drivers of tree health and mortality. Key
Project 3: Heat and Water Tradeoffs in Urban Ecosystem Management - Urban heat mitigation strategies often intersect with water management challenges, especially in water-limited regions. This project will investigate the tradeoffs between cooling strategies and water use, examining how different landscape configurations, tree canopy coverage, and irrigation practices influence both thermal comfort and water consumption. The research will aim to uncover practical solutions that balance these competing priorities while fostering sustainable urban ecosystems.
Required Skills
Applicants should have:
A Bachelor’s degree (for a Master’s position) and a Master’s degree (for a PhD position) in a relevant field, such as urban forestry, urban planning, geography, sociology, ecology/biology, environmental science, etc.
Strong GIS, remote sensing, and spatial analysis skills (or some documentable experience with GIS tools and the motivation to develop expert level spatial skills).
Experience with and interest in learning statistical analysis and coding (preferably in R).
Excellent writing and communication skills.
Ability to manage large datasets.
Interest in conducting fieldwork and traveling within British Columbia.
Passion for linking science to real-world challenges through equity-centered approaches.
Experience working within, or a strong understanding of, governance structures and processes in North American contexts, particularly as they relate to urban planning, environmental policy, and community engagement.
A valid driver’s license may be necessary to fulfill required tasks.
Ideal Candidates
We are looking for individuals who are:
Critical Thinkers and Problem Solvers: Capable of
addressing complex challenges creatively and effectively.
Self-Driven and Motivated: Proactive in advancing research
goals independently and collaboratively.
Team-Oriented: Skilled at working in interdisciplinary
teams and engaging with external stakeholders.
Adaptable and Resilient: Comfortable navigating the
dynamic nature of applied research.
Organized and Communicative: Able to coordinate meetings
and communicate findings effectively.
Why Join UESL?
Our lab is committed to impactful research, blending
rigorous science with applied solutions to urban
challenges. We address pressing issues such as urban heat
islands, climate resilience, and ecosystem services, while
emphasizing equity and community engagement. Learn more
about our work here: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/cd59679e2ca143438512ee54257cc339
Compensation and Requirements
Students must reside in the Metro Vancouver area for the
duration of their program and qualify for the appropriate
Visa (if applicable). Master’s students will receive
a minimum stipend of $22,000 per year for 2 years.
PhD students will receive a minimum stipend of $24,000 per
year for 4 years. Housing and tuition are not included in
the stipend. Students will also have the opportunity
to apply for additional income by working as a Teaching
Assistant at UBC. UBC offers various merit-based
scholarships and awards. Students are encouraged to
explore these and other options to supplement their
funding: https://www.grad.ubc.ca/scholarships-awards-funding
Application Process
Qualified applicants must apply to UBC Faculty of Forestry
for a thesis-based degree before the deadline Feb 1, 2025
for a September 2025 start date. Please review the
criteria, ensure you meet the required admission
standards, and begin the process immediately. We can
only consider applicants who have applied and are accepted
to UBC in our final assessments. https://forestry.ubc.ca/future-students/graduate/
Also, while you are starting your application to graduate
school, email Dr. Melissa McHale (melissa.mchale@ubc.ca):
Please write “UESL Graduate Student Application 2025” in
the Subject Line – any other subject heading may be
misplaced and therefore not reviewed.
Include a brief cover letter highlighting your research
interests, relevant skills, and motivation. Please
address the full list of required skills (above) in bullet
format within your letter.
Attach a CV or resume detailing your academic skill and
achievements and professional background.
Include contact information for three references. We
will not contact your references without first receiving
confirmation from you it is ok to proceed with the review
process.
Unofficial transcripts and a writing sample are valuable
indicators in our assessment process. If you have them
available, please include one or both of these attachments
as well.
Emailed applications (e.g., #2 above) will be reviewed on
a rolling basis. Priority will be given to applicants that
have sent an email with all of the required information by
December 31, 2024. After you send an email
with the required documentation, please do not send follow
up emails regarding this application process. We
already receive a large number of advising requests and
unfortunately do not have the capacity to respond to every
email. We will contact you if your skills and
interests align well with our project goals.
Posted 12/3/24
Graduate Positions: MS in insect-plant evolutionary ecology at James Madison University
The Hembry Lab in the Department of Biology at James Madison University (JMU) is recruiting two (2) master’s students to fill paid research positions in the evolutionary ecology of insect-plant interactions, supported by an NSF BRC-BIO grant to Dr. David Hembry. I am expecting to fill 1-2 positions in Fall 2025 and the remaining position (if needed) in Spring 2026 and/or Fall 2026.
Research in the Hembry Lab (https://hembrylab.com) primarily focuses on the evolution and ecology of species interactions, with particular focus on brood pollination symbioses between leafflower plants (family Phyllanthaceae) and leafflower moths (genus Epicephala). This relationship is usually mutualistic, with the moths pollinating their host
plants and the moths’ caterpillars eating a subset of the host’s seeds. However, this mutualism has also repeatedly evolved to become parasitic, in which the moths cease to pollinate their host plants. Both open master’s positions concern the biology of this mutualism-parasitism transition, and especially focus on the biology of parasitic leafflower moths found in the United States.
We are recruiting applicants to work on the following two projects:
- One MS student will conduct research on the population genomics and phylogeography of leafflower moths and their host plants in the southern United States. This student will examine host-associated population divergence of an undescribed leafflower moth species on its three host plants (native leafflowers Phyllanthus evanescens and Moeroris abnormis and the recently introduced Moeroris fraternus) in Texas, Louisiana, and Florida. This student will have a training visit to the laboratory of Dr. Katrina Dlugosch (University of Arizona). This project will involve a roughly equal mixture of fieldwork, labwork, and computer-based analyses.
- One MS student will conduct research on the bacterial microbiomes of leafflower moths, examining variation in microbiomes among host plant genera and across the mutualism-parasitism transition. This student will be co-advised by Dr. David Hembry and Dr. Athenia Oldham (Department of Biology, University of Texas Permian Basin), and will have a training visit to the laboratory of Dr. Gordon Bennett (University of California, Merced). This project will primarily consist of labwork and computer-based analyses, with some fieldwork.
Each of the two master’s projects is designed to result in a single first-authored peer-reviewed manuscript for the student.
These are paid positions for which recruited applicants will receive four semesters of stipend, two years of summer salary, and have four semesters of tuition and fees covered. Costs associated with fieldwork, labwork, and the training visits to larger institutions for each student are also covered by the grant. Each student will also have the opportunity to mentor a JMU undergraduate for at least one summer in research.
Desired qualifications:
- Interest in evolution, ecology, species interactions, symbiosis, or coevolution
- Undergraduate degree (received or expected) in biology or a related field
- Prior research experience, especially in biology (fieldwork or labwork) or another natural science
- Knowledge of statistics or programming (especially R or Python) is fantastic but neither expected nor required.
- Prior field experience in the southeastern United States is beneficial for the population genomics project, but is neither expected nor required.
These are good positions for applicants interested in:
- Evolutionary ecology, species interactions, coevolution, mutualism, parasitism, and evolution
- Insects and/or native plants
- Fieldwork in the southeastern United States
- Pursuing a master’s degree in evolution or ecology in advance of applying to a PhD program
- Learning about bioinformatic methods and the use of next-generation sequence data in the lab and on the computer
- Mentoring of undergraduate students in research
James Madison University is a public research university (R2 Carnegie classification) located in the city of Harrisonburg in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Harrisonburg is a diverse college town that has been a beneficiary of the US State Department’s Refugee Resettlement Program and is surrounded by public lands. JMU is 30 minutes from Shenandoah National Park and George Washington National Forest, two hours from Richmond, Virginia, and two and a half hours from the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.
To apply, please send Dr. David Hembry (hembrydh@jmu.edu) the following via e-mail: (1) a short statement (1-2 paragraphs) explaining past research experiences and reasons for interest in the position; (2) an up-to-date academic CV or resume; and (3) names and e-mail addresses of two references who are prior mentors in biology or other natural sciences. For full consideration, please send these materials by January 1, 2025. Informal inquiries before applying are welcomed, and very strongly encouraged. I am very happy to chat on Zoom with prospective applicants. Please write to Dr. David Hembry at hembrydh@jmu.edu to express interest and to ask questions.
David Hembry (he/him)
Assistant Professor, Department of Biology
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA 22807
USA
https://hembrylab.com
Posted 12/3/24
PhD Opportunity in Ecological Restoration
The Rangeland Restoration Ecology Lab (https://www.umt.edu/faist-lab/default.php) at the University of Montana has a PhD position to understand forb-based restoration actions across biotic and environmental conditions in the Graduate Program in Systems Ecology (https://www.umt.edu/environment/grad/systems-ecology/). The student will aid in development of a project that explores creative restoration actions to enhance forb biodiversity in grassland communities. Based out of the University of Montana in Missoula, the field portion of the project will primarily be working with our partners at MPG Ranch as well as additional field sites in the Bitterroot and Blackfoot valleys in western Montana. Applicants must be interested in restoration ecology with an emphasis on plant and/or soil relationships as they relate to increasing forb biodiversity. The anticipated start date is August 2025, with the potential to begin field work as early as May of 2025 if it fits within the top candidate's schedule. This project includes an annual graduate stipend, tuition, fees, and health insurance.
Qualifications:
Applicant must have a Bachelor’s degree in natural resources, environmental sciences, ecology, or a related field. A Master’s degree in a similar field is strongly encouraged. Experience working in remote areas, supervising field technicians, and working across stakeholder groups is preferred. Quantitative skills and programming experience in R (or a desire to learn these skills) is also preferred. To be fully considered, the successful candidate must satisfy all requirements for Systems Ecology.
Diversity Statement: The University of Montana values leadership, engagement, diversity, and sustainability, because our institution is committed to respecting, welcoming, encouraging, and celebrating the differences among us. As members of the University of Montana community, we aspire to: (1) Respect the dignity and rights of all persons. (2) Practice honesty, trustworthiness, and academic integrity. (3) Promote justice, learning, individual success, and service. (4) Act as good stewards of institutional resources. (5) Respect the natural environment
How to apply:
Interested individuals should complete the first step of the application process by emailing the following information as an attached file (PDF is preferred) with “Forb Restoration” in the subject line to akasha.faist@umontana.edu.
Cover letter – briefly describe your interest in the position and highlight and any qualifications, motivation to obtain a PhD, and abilities that you feel would be useful within the focal area of Rangeland Restoration Ecology.
Resume/CV
Three references including, names, email address(es), affiliation, and relationship to the reference.
Transcripts (unofficial are acceptable for this stage)
Any additional information you feel is relevant to this position.
Applications will be reviewed starting January 10th, 2025 and will remain open until filled. Top applicant(s) will be asked to apply to the Graduate Program in Systems Ecology within the UM Graduate School as the second step of the process. Application materials may or may not be the same as the first step of the process. This position can only be offered after applicants are accepted into Systems Ecology.
Ph.D. position in Amphibian Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
The Hantak lab (https://maggiehantak.weebly.com) in the Department of Biology at the University of Dayton is recruiting a fully-funded PhD student beginning in the fall of 2025.
Current research interests in the Hantak lab include the ecology and evolution of color polymorphism in amphibians, global drivers of species trait change, and evolutionary patterns of phenotypic trait variation. Graduate students are encouraged to develop independent projects that align with the research themes in the lab.
The University of Dayton is a mid-sized university, located in the city, and has a low cost of living. There are many metroparks, state forests, and state parks in the area.
The position is fully-funded through a teaching assistantship. The salary is set as $21,642/year for PhD students. There are also competitive fellowships through the university that can increase the stipend, and support for research and conference travel.
All qualified applicants should first get in contact with me. Please email me at mhantak1@udayton.edu with your interest in the lab. In this email, please provide descriptions of your previous research experience, your future interests, your motivation for joining a graduate program, and your CV.
The Hantak lab is committed to creating a safe, inclusive, and supportive working environment for all members.
Preferred qualifications:
· Strong communication skills and ability to work collaboratively
· MS degree in biology or related field
· Ability to manage large datasets and perform data analysis using R
· Valid US driver’s license
Assistant Professor
Department of Biology
University of Dayton
https://maggiehantak.weebly.com
MS Position Iowa State University--Plants in Reconstructed Prairies
Apply by: 1/31/2025
Start date: 5/19/2025
Salary: start at $27,000
Project description: We are seeking an M.S. student to work on a research project to determine how plant communities differ between remnant and reconstructed prairies. This project is being funded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to guide decisions on management and reconstruction efforts in the Prairie Pothole Region of Minnesota. The student will enroll in the Wildlife Ecology program in the Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management or the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology program in the Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology at Iowa State University.
Duties: The student will conduct fieldwork, run statistical analyses, and interpret and communicate results to meet project objectives. They will also be expected to develop additional research questions within their expertise. Fieldwork will take place in Minnesota from May-August 2025-2026. The student will collect plant data using a variety of techniques and established protocols to deliver highly detailed plant community composition data. This student will work in tandem with another M.S. student collecting butterfly data at the same sites. Academic responsibilities will include taking classes and writing a thesis based on research findings.
Qualifications: B.S. in Plant Science, Wildlife Sciences, Biology, Ecology, or a related field with an undergraduate GPA ≥ 3.0. An ideal candidate has a positive attitude, inclusive mindset, good organizational skills, attention to detail, strong work ethic, excellent communication skills, and the ability to work well both independently and on a team. Applicants with experience with plant survey methods and quantitative methods will be most competitive. Applicants from underrepresented and historically excluded groups are encouraged to apply. GRE scores are not required. Candidates must have a valid driver's license (or ability to get one) and a clean driving record.
Funding: The student will be supported by a research assistantship with a stipend of approximately $27,000 per year. Benefits include health insurance and a tuition waiver.
To apply: Please apply by completing this form: https://forms.gle/ZXMnGstVE8E5ArGB6. You will need to upload a single pdf document containing 1) a one-page cover letter describing your background, interest in this position, and career goals; 2) your CV or resume; 3) unofficial transcripts; and 4) contact information for three professional references. Contact Dr. Katherine Kral-O’Brien (kralob@iastate.edu) with questions.
Katherine Kral-O'Brien, PhD
Assistant Professor
Pollinator Ecology and Conservation
Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management
she/her
107 Science II
2310 Pammel Drive
Ames, Iowa 50011-1130
Phone: 515-294-7315
Posted 11/21/24
MS opportunities at Eastern Washington University
Eastern Washington University invites applicants for our Master of Science program in Biology!
https://www.ewu.edu/cstem/biology/biology-ms/
The EWU Biology MS is a thesis-based program emphasizing research. A variety of specialties are available within the department, including aquatic and riparian ecology, cell biology, fisheries, genetics, microbiology, molecular ecology, physiology, restoration ecology, and wildlife (see https://www.ewu.edu/cstem/biology/faculty-staff/). We welcome applicants from a diversity of backgrounds interested in any of these fields, including those underrepresented in biology.
The following ecology and natural resource faculty are specifically inviting applications for Fall 2025 admission, although other faculty have open positions as well.
The Brown Plant Ecology Lab (https://inside.ewu.edu/rbrown/people/) at Eastern Washington University is recruiting graduate students to study Palouse Prairie restoration approaches focused around increasing native biodiversity using cost-efficient strategies. Please reach out to Rebecca Brown (rbrown@ewu.edu) for more information about the project.
Dr. Krisztian Magori (kmagori@ewu.edu) is recruiting graduate students to study infectious disease threats to animals and people in relation to climate, land use and biodiversity change in the Inland Northwest; as well as to develop and disseminate best practices to integrate AI into biological data analysis.
Camille McNeely (fmcneely@ewu.edu) is recruiting students interested in stream or wetland ecology, with a focus on invertebrates, restoration, and/or food webs. One possible MS thesis would examine the effects of trace metals on secondary production of benthic invertebrates in the Spokane River. I am also willing to work with a student in developing their own research ideas. Please contact Dr. McNeely for more information.
Charlotte Milling (cmilling@ewu.edu) is evaluating candidates for MS positions in the field of wildlife ecology and management. The Milling Lab at EWU investigates questions related to behavioral ecology, thermal physiology, and animal-habitat relationships to inform conservation of wildlife populations and their habitat. Applied research projects that address contemporary challenges of regional relevance (e.g., responses to wildfire, habitat quality assessments for Species of Greatest Conservation Need, adaptive capacity) are of particular interest. Research is conducted in both field and lab settings.
Financial support is available through Graduate Service Appointments (GSAs, https://www.ewu.edu/apply/graduate/tuition-aid/), which provide tuition-waiver and wages for a 20 hour per week teaching responsibility. Additional funding may be available through grants or contracts to individual faculty advisors. For full GSA consideration for fall 2025 admission, applications are due February 10, 2025. Admission requires an undergraduate degree in Biology or a related field, 3.0 GPA, and approval of an EWU faculty member willing to serve as the thesis advisor. We recommend contacting potential advisors as early as possible in the application process. The GRE is not required.
Application information: https://www.ewu.edu/apply/graduate/
Biology Department website: https://www.ewu.edu/cstem/biology/
EWU Graduate Programs website: https://www.ewu.edu/grad/
For questions contact: fmcneely@ewu.edu (Camille McNeely, M.S. Program Director, Biology, Eastern Washington University)
EWU does not discriminate in its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, genetic information, age, marital status, families with children, protected veteran or military status, HIV or hepatitis C, status as a mother breastfeeding her child, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal by a person with a disability, as provided for and to the extent required by state and federal laws.
Location
EWU’s 300-acre main campus is located in Cheney, a community of 11,000 residents 16 miles southwest of the state’s second largest city, Spokane. Our area combines small-town charm and big-city life, floatable rivers and award-winning urban parks, Instagrammable nature spots and downtown market. The metro area is home to more than 600,000 people with nightlife, malls, an international airport, movie theaters, and museums. We also have cafes, restaurants, parks, art galleries, sports teams, concerts and enough coffee for even the fiercest java hounds.
EWU has a strong commitment to supporting students from diverse backgrounds. Resources include active Multicultural (https://inside.ewu.edu/mcc/) and Pride (https://inside.ewu.edu/pridecenter/) Centers. EWU maintains a strong Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (https://inside.ewu.edu/diversityandinclusion/), a Writer’s Center that works with many of our Biology M.S. students (https://inside.ewu.edu/writerscenter/), and a robust Student Accommodations and Support team (https://inside.ewu.edu/sass/).
Posted 11/20/24
Ph.D. and M.S. research opportunities at Ecoss, Northern Arizona University
Come join us! The Center for Ecosystem Science and Society (Ecoss) at Northern Arizona University (NAU) is seeking applicants to Ph.D. and M.S. positions. We are looking for creative and dedicated individuals who will be tomorrow's leaders in ecosystem science.
The Ecoss mission is to conduct high-impact, innovative
research on ecosystems and how they respond to and shape
environmental change to train next-gen scientists and to
communicate discovery and its relevance to people. Our
faculty are at the top of their fields, working in diverse
subject areas spanning the molecular to the global scale
and in settings ranging from the guts of insects to the
warming Arctic to the tops of redwoods.
We believe that diversity and inclusivity lead to
innovative thinking, bolstering the quality and impact of
our science. NAU is a rapidly diversifying Hispanic and
Native American Serving institution and dedicated to
making its degrees accessible to all kinds of people. You
belong at Ecoss and NAU.
To our graduate students, we offer teaching or research
assistantships which provide a stipend and health
insurance, in addition to payment of your tuition and
other fees. We also offer a student-centered seminar
series and a travel grant program.
The first step to applying is to explore our current
opportunities webpage (ecoss.nau.edu/prospective-students/)
to find a project suited to your interests and experience.
The second step is to contact the faculty member(s) listed
with that opportunity to inquire for detailed
instructions. In your inquiry, please include a cover
letter describing your background, research interests, and
qualifications, as well as a current resumé or curriculum
vitae. Finally, program applications should be submitted
to the home Department or School recommended by the
prospective advisor that you contact (Biology,
Informatics, Computing & Cyber Systems, Earth &
Sustainability, Forestry, or Sociology) by Jan 15th.
Applications submitted early (by December 1) may be
considered for a prestigious NAU Presidential Fellowship.
Posted 11/19/24
Funded Ph.D. Assistantships in Geospatial Analytics at NC State University
The interdisciplinary Ph.D. program in Geospatial Analytics at the Center for Geospatial Analytics (geospatial.ncsu.edu) at North Carolina State University is now accepting applications for Fall 2025 enrollment. We expect to admit a cohort of ten students, all with fully funded graduate research assistantships with minimum $30,000 salary, health insurance, and tuition waiver, renewable for up to four years.
The application deadline is February 1, 2025.
Our program includes:
Collaborative, cross-disciplinary teamwork uniting students and faculty from many research fields
Core courses in topics such as remote sensing, geovisualization and data mining
Experiential learning including a professional seminar, conference travel funding and internship opportunities
Prioritizing mental health, work/life balance, open data and a strong commitment to community and collaboration
Learn more at our website: https://cnr.ncsu.edu/geospatial/academics/phd/
Assistantship positions available for Fall 2025 include:
Sweetpotato Analytics for Produce Provenance
Aquatic Species Distribution Modeling to Inform Recovery and Conservation
Greenhouse Gas Source Estimates
Data Democracy and Justice in Environmental Management
Environmental Remote Sensing
Mapping Compound Flooding with Satellite Data
Leveraging AI with Mechanistic Models to Predict Plant Disease
Environmental Impacts of Wood Pellet Production Plants in the Rural US South
We welcome applicants with quantitative and computational backgrounds interested in pushing the boundaries of geospatial analytics and technology from a variety of perspectives, including natural resources and the environment, social and behavioral sciences, computer science, engineering, design and more. Competitive applicants are encouraged to apply even if they do not fit with one of the above assistantships, as a select number of students will be admitted on internal program funding.
Rachel Kasten
University Program Specialist | Center for Geospatial Analytics
Pronouns: she/her/hers
College of Natural Resources
Jordan Hall 5105B | Campus Box 7106
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, NC 27695 USA
Posted 11/14/24
3 PhD positions in marine ecology at the University of Virginia
(1) PhD position in seagrass community ecology at University of Virginia / Virginia Coast Reserve LTER
Link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RhrMq7aXW73WfRdhoDTgd9XuzEVvYEPB/view?usp=share_link
The Castorani Lab at the University of Virginia is recruiting a PhD student to study seagrass biodiversity and community ecology at the Virginia Coast Reserve Long Term Ecological Research project (VCR LTER; https://vcrlter.virginia.edu/). The Virginia Coast Reserve is a temperate coastal lagoon with a 20-year legacy of seagrass restoration led by The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and studied by researchers at UVA and beyond (https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/united-states/virginia/stories-in-virginia/vcr-marine-restoration/). The interdisciplinary VCR LTER research program has been supported by the National Science Foundation for >40 years to study the long-term dynamics of this coastal barrier-island landscape. The student will use field studies and long-term data from VCR LTER to study the processes structuring assemblages of fishes and invertebrates across the world’s largest restored seagrass meadow.
Research in the Castorani Lab focuses on three major themes: community ecology and biodiversity; disturbance ecology and restoration; and spatial connectivity and synchrony. The student will be advised by professor Max Castorani (https://castorani.evsc.virginia.edu/) and join UVA's Department of Environmental Sciences (https://evsc.as.virginia.edu/). The student will have the opportunity to interact with a large community of VCR LTER scientists, TNC restoration practitioners and educators, and the broader LTER Network (https://lternet.edu).
The student will join the UVA Graduate Program in Environmental Sciences (https://evsc.as.virginia.edu/prospective-graduate-students), which offers interdisciplinary training and conducts research in ecology, hydrology, geology, and atmospheric science. Graduate students accepted into the program are typically supported through teaching and research assistantships that provide a competitive stipend, tuition, and health insurance.
At the time of enrollment, highly qualified applicants will have an undergraduate or master's degree in biology, ecology, oceanography, fisheries, or a related field. Ideal candidates will have interests in seagrass biodiversity, food webs, or species interactions; experience in field ecology; and demonstrated quantitative skills, such as data analysis or scientific programming (or a motivation to acquire such skills).
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(2) PhD position in oyster reef ecology at University of Virginia / Virginia Coast Reserve LTER
Link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Rt_eCmT9qOmQAfHFg_GVVM2lopCSTTnh/view?usp=share_link
The Castorani Lab at the University of Virginia is recruiting a PhD student to study the population dynamics of oysters on restored reefs at the Virginia Coast Reserve Long Term Ecological Research project (VCR LTER; https://vcrlter.virginia.edu/). The Virginia Coast Reserve is a temperate coastal lagoon with a 20-year legacy of oyster restoration led by The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and studied by researchers at UVA and beyond (https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/united-states/virginia/stories-in-virginia/vcr-marine-restoration/). The interdisciplinary VCR LTER research program has been supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) for >40 years to study the long-term dynamics of this coastal barrier-island landscape. The student will use field studies and long-term data and models from VCR LTER to study the dispersal and demography of oyster populations, contributing towards the broader goal of informing TNC restoration planning in a changing climate.
Research in the Castorani Lab focuses on three major themes: community ecology and biodiversity; disturbance ecology and restoration; and spatial connectivity and synchrony. The student will be advised by professor Max Castorani (https://castorani.evsc.virginia.edu/) and join UVA's Department of Environmental Sciences (https://evsc.as.virginia.edu/). The student will have the opportunity to interact with a large community of VCR LTER scientists, restoration practitioners and educators at TNC, and the broader LTER Network (https://lternet.edu).
The student will join the UVA Graduate Program in Environmental Sciences (https://evsc.as.virginia.edu/prospective-graduate-students), which offers interdisciplinary training and conducts research in ecology, hydrology, geology, and atmospheric science. Graduate students accepted into the program are typically supported through teaching and research assistantships that provide a competitive stipend, tuition, and health insurance.
At the time of enrollment, highly qualified applicants will have an undergraduate or master's degree in biology, ecology, oceanography, fisheries, or a related field. Ideal candidates will have interests in oyster reef ecology and restoration; experience in field ecology; and demonstrated quantitative skills, such as data analysis or scientific programming (or a motivation to acquire such skills).
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(3) PhD position in kelp forest community ecology at University of Virginia / Santa Barbara Coastal LTER
Link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Sj7l1R5bCjlXyc9ifj67ggN4cV9k6Z77/view?usp=share_link
The Castorani Lab at the University of Virginia is recruiting a PhD student to study the drivers of kelp forest ecosystem structure and function at the Santa Barbara Coastal Long Term Ecological Research project (SBC LTER; http://sbc.lternet.edu/). The interdisciplinary SBC LTER research program has been supported by the National Science Foundation for 25 years to study the long-term dynamics of kelp forest ecosystems. The student will use data from SBC LTER and other ecological research programs to study the processes maintaining biodiversity and stability in kelp communities from local to regional scales (this position does not include support for field work).
Research in the Castorani Lab focuses on three major themes: community ecology and biodiversity; disturbance ecology and restoration; and spatial connectivity and synchrony. The student will be advised by professor Max Castorani (https://castorani.evsc.virginia.edu/) and join UVA's Department of Environmental Sciences (https://evsc.as.virginia.edu/). The student will have the opportunity to interact with a large community of SBC LTER scientists, and be a part of the broader LTER Network (https://lternet.edu).
The student will join the UVA Graduate Program in Environmental Sciences (https://evsc.as.virginia.edu/prospective-graduate-students), which offers interdisciplinary training and conducts research in ecology, hydrology, geology, and atmospheric science. Graduate students accepted into the program are typically supported through teaching and research assistantships that provide a competitive stipend, tuition, and health insurance.
At the time of enrollment, highly-qualified applicants will have an undergraduate or master's degree in biology, ecology, oceanography, statistics, computer science, mathematics, or a related field. Ideal candidates will have interests in kelp forest ecology at the scale of populations, communities, ecosystems, or landscapes, and demonstrated quantitative skills, such as data analysis, ecological modeling, or scientific programming (or motivation to acquire such skills).
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TO APPLY:
Those interested should send the following items, as a single PDF, to Dr. Max Castorani (castorani@virginia.edu): (1) a brief description of their background, career goals, motivations for pursuing a PhD, research ideas, and why they are specifically interested in joining the Castorani Lab; (2) a CV with academic and professional experience (including GPA); (3) contact information for 3 references; and (4) a writing sample, if available.
The application deadline is January 15, 2025, for enrollment in Fall 2025. However, serious applicants should express their interest by email as soon as possible.
Posted 11/13/24
MS Position Iowa State University: Butterflies
Apply by: 1/31/2025
Start date: 5/19/2025
Salary: start at $27,000
Project description: We are seeking an M.S. student to work on a research project to determine how butterfly communities differ between remnant and reconstructed prairies. This project is being funded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to guide decisions on management and reconstruction efforts in the Prairie Pothole Region of Minnesota. The student will enroll in either the Wildlife Ecology program in the Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management or the Entomology program in the Department of Plant Pathology, Entomology, and Microbiology at Iowa State University.
Duties: The student will conduct fieldwork, run statistical analyses, and interpret and communicate results to meet project objectives. They will also be expected to develop additional research questions within their expertise. Fieldwork will take place in Minnesota from May-August 2025-2026. The student will collect butterfly and plant data using line transects and quadrat frames, along with additional site information related to disturbance management and landscape context. This student will work in tandem with another M.S. student collecting butterfly data at the same sites. Academic responsibilities will include taking classes and writing a thesis based on research findings.
Qualifications: B.S. in Entomology, Wildlife Sciences, Biology, Ecology, or a related field with an undergraduate GPA ≥ 3.0. An ideal candidate has a positive attitude, inclusive mindset, good organizational skills, attention to detail, strong work ethic, excellent communication skills, and the ability to work well both independently and on a team. Applicants with experience with pollinator survey methods and quantitative methods will be most competitive. Applicants from underrepresented and historically excluded groups are encouraged to apply. GRE scores are not required. Candidates must have a valid driver’s license (or ability to get one) and a clean driving record.
Funding: The student will be supported by a research assistantship with a stipend of approximately $27,000 per year. Benefits include health insurance and a tuition waiver.
To apply: Please apply by completing this form: https://forms.gle/ZXMnGstVE8E5ArGB6. You will need to upload a single pdf document containing 1) a one-page cover letter describing your background, interest in this position, and career goals; 2) your CV or resume; 3) unofficial transcripts; and 4) contact information for three professional references. Contact Dr. Katherine Kral-O’Brien (kralob@iastate.edu) with questions.
Katherine Kral-O'Brien, PhD
Assistant Professor
Pollinator Ecology and Conservation
Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management
she/her
107 Science II
2310 Pammel Drive
Ames, Iowa 50011-1130
Phone: 515-294-7315
MS Graduate Assistantship in Natural Resource Management at South Dakota State University
Position Title: MS Graduate Assistantship in Natural Resource Management – Remote Sensing and Ecological Modeling of Rangeland Plant Communities
Key Responsibilities:
• Remote Sensing Data Acquisition: Collection and
processing of remote sensing datasets to assess vegetation
cover, biomass, and species composition on rangelands.
• Ecological Modeling: Assist in the integration of remote
sensing data into ecological models (e.g., APEX,
process-based models) to simulate plant community
dynamics.
• Data Analysis: Utilize GIS and statistical tools (e.g.,
R, Python) to analyze spatial and temporal patterns in
plant communities and correlate them with environmental
drivers and management regimes.
• Dissemination: Work with advisor on peer-reviewed
publications, presentations, and reports based on research
findings. Present research at scientific conferences and
stakeholder meetings.
Required Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree in Range Science, Natural Resources,
Ecology, Environmental Science, Geography, or a related
field.
• Familiarity with remote sensing techniques and tools
(e.g., UAVs, satellite imagery).
• Strong interest in rangeland ecosystems, plant ecology,
and sustainable land management.
• Ability to collaborate effectively in a team setting.
Preferred Qualifications:
• Some experience with GIS software (e.g., ArcGIS, QGIS)
and/or programming languages (e.g., R, Python).
• Prior research experience in remote sensing, ecological
modeling, or rangeland ecology.
• Knowledge of process-based ecological models (e.g.,
APEX, DayCent) or other spatially explicit models.
• Experience in statistical data analysis and technical
writing.
Funding and Support:
• Full tuition waiver and stipend for two years (pending
satisfactory performance).
• Opportunities for conference travel, professional
development, and networking with interdisciplinary
research teams.
Location: South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD
Start Date: Fall 2025 (or earlier if available)
Application Process: Interested applicants should submit
the following materials:
• A cover letter describing your research interests and
career goals, and how they align with this position.
• Curriculum vitae (CV).
• Contact information for three professional references.
• Unofficial academic transcripts (official transcripts
will be required upon acceptance).
Application Deadline: Applications will be reviewed
starting January 2025 and will continue until the
position is filled.
Contact Information: For more information or to submit
your application materials, contact:
Dr. Sean Di Stéfano, Natural Resource Management, SDSU, sean.distefano@sdstate.edu,
(605) 688-5122
Posted 11/8/24
M.S. Assistantship in the
Feeding Ecology of Native Freshwater Mussels in the
Columbia River to begin in August 2025
Dr. Gretchen Rollwagen-Bollens and Dr. Stephen Bollens,
Co-Directors of the Aquatic Ecology Lab at Washington State
University, Vancouver, WA, USA have one paid position
available for a new master’s degree student in Environmental
and Natural Resources Sciences (ENRS) to start in August
2025. Note: The priority deadline to apply for the
M.S. in ENRS is January 10, 2025.
In addition, see below for information about an exciting
NSF-supported National Research Trainee (NRT) opportunity
that is also available starting in August 2025. (Note: NRT
fellowship applications are due November 7, 2024; which is
BEFORE the M.S. assistantship priority deadline of January
10, 2025.)
The M.S. assistantship will specifically support a student
to conduct research related to the feeding dynamics of
native freshwater mussels (i.e., grazing on phytoplankton
and microzooplankton) in the lower Columbia River. The
academic position will officially begin on August 16, 2025;
however, there is an opportunity to begin the position
earlier in summer 2025, prior to the start of the Fall 2025
semester.
The successful graduate student will be supported on a
combination of Research Assistantships and Teaching
Assistantships, and possibly Fellowships (see below), plus
full tuition waivers and health benefits. Graduate
students at WSU are now unionized as Academic Student
Employees (https://wsucase.org/before-and-after-union/),
and
students on the Vancouver campus receive a competitive
stipend ($2,974/month, equivalent to ~$35,000 annually).
Please visit our website for more information about the
Aquatic Ecology Lab and our research (https://labs.wsu.edu/aquatic-ecology/).
Our
group is committed to supporting the professional
development of diverse students in aquatic science, with a
focus on equity and inclusion in all aspects of our
research, collaboration, and mentoring. We welcome
applications from students who will contribute to this
mission.
Degree program: M.S. in Environmental and Natural
Resource Sciences
Deadline: For admission to our graduate program, we
are currently accepting applications, with priority given to
those who apply by January 10, 2025. For further
information about the graduate programs in Environmental
Science, and for instructions on how to apply, please visit
the website (https://cas.vancouver.wsu.edu/science-graduate-programs).
NSF-supported NRT fellowship opportunity: In addition,
there is an exciting fellowship opportunity available
through the National Science Foundation's National Research
Traineeship (NRT) Program on "Rivers, Watersheds &
Communities: Training an Innovative, Cross-Sector Workforce
for Equitable, Multi-Scale Decision-Making Towards Human and
Ecosystem Health" (RWC NRT) at WSU. This program
trains graduate students to do research that tackles water
challenges in the Columbia River Basin hand-in-hand with the
communities impacted. For more information on how to
apply, please follow this link: https://nrt-rwc.wsu.edu/how-to-apply/.
**Please
note the RWC deadline of November 7, 2024, which is separate
from the priority due date for applications to the MS
Environmental and Natural Resources Science graduate
program. Please contact us prior to submitting an
application.
Contact: Please contact Dr. Gretchen Rollwagen-Bollens
(rollboll@wsu.edu)
and/or Dr. Stephen Bollens (sbollens@wsu.edu) for
further information and before applying to one or both
programs.
Campus and Facilities: Washington State University
Vancouver is one of six campuses in the WSU system, and is
located within the greater Portland, OR-Vancouver, WA
metropolitan area, near the Columbia River, Cascade
Mountains and coastal ocean. The 351-acre campus
offers new, state-of-the-art classroom and research
facilities, where teaching and research are conducted in an
interdisciplinary and collaborative atmosphere. WSU
Vancouver is a welcoming campus to faculty, students and
staff of all backgrounds, is actively dedicated to equity
and diversity, and is a recipient of the Higher Education
Excellence in Diversity Award from Insight Into Diversity
Magazine in 2019 and 2023.
Gretchen Rollwagen-Bollens, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
School of the Environment
Washington State University
Office: 360-546-9115
Email: rollboll@wsu.edu
Lab website: https://labs.wsu.edu/aquatic-ecology/
Posted 10/12/24
Graduate position available in
acoustic ecology
Graduate Position in Acoustic Amphibian Ecology
Starting Fall 2025 (application deadline January 1)
We are recruiting a highly motivated applicant to join our
labs and to work on the acoustic ecology of desert breeding
amphibians co-advised by Dr. Nancy McIntyre (Biological
Sciences) and Dr. Kerry Griffis-Kyle (Natural Resources
Management) at Texas Tech University.
Prospective students will be funded by a 9-month/year
Biology Department Teaching Assistantship (3 years for M.S.
students, 5 years for Ph.D. students) and possibly by
additional graduate school fellowships with awards ranging
from $2500 for 1 year to $30,000/yr for 3 years.
Skills that will be acquired:
Experience analyzing audio data
Indices of biotic diversity
Time series analyses
Experience with R
Scientific communication
Science publication
Preference will be given to motivated candidates with
excellent communication skills and an interest in amphibian
ecology.
Applications are due to the TTU Graduate School by 1 January
2025 but space is limited, so early applications are
encouraged! Interested applicants should email both Dr.
Griffis-Kyle (kerry.griffis-kyle@ttu.edu)
and Dr. Nancy McIntyre (nancy.mcintyre@ttu.edu)
and have “Graduate opportunity – acoustic ecology” in the
subject line. Please include in the email:
A statement about your research interests
How this position will help you fulfill your career goals
Resume or CV including a summary of research experience and
skills and contact information
Unofficial transcripts
GRE scores (not required, but encouraged)
Contact information (names, addresses, phone numbers, and
emails) for three references
Further instructions on applying can be found on Dr.
McIntyre’s website: https://sites.google.com/view/nancy-e-mcintyre/join-my-lab
For additional information:
Department of Biological Sciences https://www.depts.ttu.edu/biology/
Dr. Griffis-Kyle: http://myweb.ttu.edu/kerrgrif/default.html
Dr. Nancy McIntyre: https://sites.google.com/view/nancy-e-mcintyre/home
Posted 10/10/24
PhD Position: Biology Education
Research at Auburn University
The Ballen lab at Auburn University seeks a PhD student to
develop projects centered around Biology Education Research
(the start date would be Fall of 2025). The position would
be partially supported by an NSF-funded study on scientist
role models in biology.
We are specifically looking for students who have a Biology
Undergraduate/M.S. degree and are interested in applying
their knowledge of biology to improve undergraduate biology
education.
While students are encouraged to pursue their own specific
research interests, current work in the lab can be split
into two broad avenues of inquiry: (1) The impacts of
promoting counter-stereotypical role models on student
outcomes and (2) The impacts of contextualizing societal and
ethical considerations into biology curricula. Through
large-scale collaboration across many institutions, work in
the lab advances understanding of effective and inclusive
teaching through integrating research and education in STEM.
Check us out here! Ballenlab.com
The Department of Biological Sciences (DBS) hosts a
Recruitment Weekend Event in mid-January and I would be
happy to bring folks out who are interested in joining the
lab Fall 2025. The deadline to apply for the graduate
program is February 1. Email me for more
details!
More info on DBS: https://www.auburn.edu/cosam/departments/biology/index.htm
More info on our graduate program: https://www.auburn.edu/cosam/departments/biology/graduate_programs/index.htm
Potential applicants should email the following to: mjb0100@auburn.edu
• Cover letter highlighting your relevant research
experience, why you are interested joining the lab, as well
as any additional information you'd like us to know about
you
• Curriculum vitae (CV)
Posted 10/10/24
Graduate position available in
acoustic ecology
Graduate Position in Acoustic Amphibian Ecology
Starting Fall 2025 (application deadline January 1)
We are recruiting a highly motivated applicant to join our
labs and to work on the acoustic ecology of desert breeding
amphibians co-advised by Dr. Nancy McIntyre (Biology) and
Dr. Kerry Griffis-Kyle (Natural Resources Management) at
Texas Tech University.
Prospective students will be funded by a 9-month/year
Biology Department Teaching Assistantship (3 years for M.S.
students, 5 years for Ph.D. students) and possibly by
additional graduate school fellowships with awards ranging
from $2500 for 1 year to $30,000/yr for 3 years.
Skills that will be acquired:
Experience analyzing audio data
Indices of biotic diversity
Time series analyses
Experience with R
Scientific communication
Science publication
Preference will be given to motivated candidates with
excellent communication skills and an interest in amphibian
ecology.
Applications are due to the TTU Graduate School by 1
January 2025 but space is limited, so early
applications are encouraged!
Interested applicants should email both Dr. Griffis-Kyle (kerry.griffis-kyle@ttu.edu)
and Dr. Nancy McIntyre (nancy.mcintyre@ttu.edu)
and have “Graduate opportunity – acoustic ecology” in the
subject line. Please include in the email:
A statement about your research interests
How this position will help you fulfill your career goals
Resume or CV including a summary of research experience and
skills and contact information
Unofficial transcripts
GRE scores (not required, but encouraged)
Contact information (names, addresses, phone numbers, and
emails) for three references
Further instructions on applying can be found on Dr.
McIntyre’s website: https://sites.google.com/view/nancy-e-mcintyre/join-my-lab
For additional information:
Department of Biological Sciences https://www.depts.ttu.edu/biology/
Dr. Griffis-Kyle: http://myweb.ttu.edu/kerrgrif/default.html
Dr. Nancy McIntyre: https://sites.google.com/view/nancy-e-mcintyre/home
Dr. Kerry Griffis-Kyle
Professor
Department of Natural Resources Management
Texas Tech University
806-834-2619
kerry.griffis-kyle@ttu.edu
http://myweb.ttu.edu/kerrgrif/default.html
Pronouns: she, her, hers
Posted 10/8/24
Graduate opportunities at
Northern Illinois University
The Ecology, Evolution, Behavior, and Conservation faculty
in the Department of Biological Sciences at Northern
Illinois University are seeking applicants to the M.S. and
Ph.D. graduate programs starting Fall 2025.
Research interests among the faculty are diverse and include
community ecology, restoration ecology, conservation
genetics, vertebrate and invertebrate evolution, behavioral
ecology, and microbial ecology.
EEBC faculty that are taking graduate students for Fall 2025
are:
Michael W. Henson, Combining lab-based experiments and omic
approaches to explore Earth's First Responders. Research
topics: Aquatic Microbiology; Microbial genomics; Microbial
Physiology; Molecular Biology; Microbial Ecology;
Computational Biology https://www.theaquaticmicrobiologylab.com/
Holly P. Jones, restoration ecology and conservation
biology https://hjones82.wixsite.com/website
Jennifer A.H. Koop, ecology and evolution of host-parasite
interactions; invasion biology https://jenniferkoop.weebly.com/
Karen E. Samonds, paleontology, skeletal biology and
paleobiogeography http://www.sadabe.org/Samonds/Index.html
Details of the graduate program and application process are
available at https://www.niu.edu/clas/biology/academics/graduate-studies/index.shtml The
department
offers teaching assistantships including stipend and tuition
waiver, on a competitive basis. The deadline for application
materials is January 1, 2025. However,
prospective students should contact potential faculty
advisors well in advance of applying to discuss research
interests and relevant qualifications. Visit faculty lab
websites for the materials to include when contacting them.
Northern Illinois University is a ~15,000-student research
university situated an hour from downtown Chicago in DeKalb,
Illinois, a diverse community of 50,000 with a low cost of
living. Regional research resources include The Field
Museum, Burpee Museum of Natural History, Nachusa
Grasslands, Morton Arboretum, Fermilab, Argonne National
Laboratory, the NIU Lorado Taft campus, and numerous local
county forest preserves and state parks.
Posted 10/4/24
Miami University Grad School
Opportunity
I am seeking a motivated student to complete a master's
degree with a thesis that examines the impact of land use,
stream geomorphology, and/or hydrology on stream water
quality in southwest Ohio starting in August 2025. The
project will be supported with an NSF-funded grant and a
teaching/research assistantship through the Department of
Geology and Environmental Earth Science at Miami University
(Ohio). Student applicants with backgrounds in water
quality, hydrology, fluvial geomorphology, land use
analyses, fieldwork, and statistics will be most
competitive.
Project, graduate program, and advisor details can be found
at the links below:
https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1930655&HistoricalAwards=false
https://miamioh.edu/cas/graduate-programs/geology/index.html
https://miamioh.edu/profiles/cas/bartosz-grudzinski.html
https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=ea6rAccAAAAJ&hl=en
-This interdisciplinary project will be completed in close
collaboration with the Departments of Geology and
Environmental Earth Science, Geography, Biology, and
Statistics at Miami University.
- The student will work within the newly renovated Water
Resources Lab and the Center for Aquatic and Watershed
Science at Miami University.
-Student travel funding will also provided to present
research at local, regional, and/or national conferences.
Degree: Master of Science in Geology
Application Deadline: January 10th, 2025. GRE
scores are not required.
For additional information or to schedule a visit to the
department please contact Dr. Bartosz Grudzinski at grudzibp@maimioh.edu
.
Posted 10/3/24
Apps now open! M.S. in
Environmental Biology at Regis University, Denver CO
Over the last nine years, the M.S. in Environmental Biology
Program at Regis University, located in Denver, Colorado,
has prepared students for careers in the environmental and
ecological workforce.
Our program differs from more traditional thesis-based
master's programs in that we:
1. Emphasize learning and applying skills demanded by
employers to ecosystem management. These skills include GIS,
statistical computing in R, professional writing,
environmental policy, wetland delineation, and advanced
ecology.
2. Emphasize field-based research during both a 100-hour
internship at an external agency and a cohort-based field
research project with ecosystem managers at partner agencies
including Denver Mountain Parks.
3. Offer a flexible timeline. You can earn your master's
degree in an intensive, one-year program or up to three
years as it fits with your needs and goals.
4. Offer small class sizes and a cohort experience that
enables students to build close relationships with other
students and faculty members who are focused on helping each
student navigate their own career pathway.
Our alumni have indicated that the program's applied
skills-based emphasis has prepared them well for securing
and maintaining employment. Not only do program experiences
enrich their resumes, but the content focus and gained
experience make our students highly competitive applicants.
Within several months of graduation, most of our graduates
obtain employment in a wide array of jobs in the
governmental, private, and non-profit sectors.
We have Teaching Fellowships available for the 2025-2026
academic year, which provide valuable teaching experience
and offset tuition expenses for competitive applicants. If
interested, you can apply for a fellowship when you apply to
the program. Teaching fellowship applications will be
reviewed beginning on March 15th, 2025.
We also offer generous scholarships up to $6,000 to all
eligible applicants to the M.S. Environmental Biology
Program for the 2025-2026 academic year.
If you want to learn more, visit: REGIS.EDU/ENVIRONMENT for
more
information on admission, application details, and the
teaching fellowship. Our program does not require the GRE
for admission.
Posted 10/2/24
GRADUATE OPPORTUNITIES IN
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION AT STONY BROOK UNIVERSITY
The Graduate Program in Ecology and Evolution at Stony Brook
University is recruiting doctoral and master's level
graduate students for Fall 2024.
The department has a productive and diverse faculty working
on a broad array of questions involving humans and primates,
microbes, plants, vertebrate and invertebrate animals and
whole ecosystems. Field locales span the globe from the Old
and New World tropics to the Arctic and Antarctic polar
regions, as well as the uplands, wetlands, and coastal areas
of Long Island and New York. Within a train ride of New York
City, Stony Brook is a diverse campus, and we are
implementing programs to build an even more diverse program
in the future.
Upon admission, PhD students are guaranteed teaching
assistantships, with additional support available through
fellowships and research assistantships, as they become
available. The deadline for applications for the PhD program
is December 1, 2024. The priority deadline for the MA
program is January 15, 2024; MA applications are
considered on a rolling basis until April 15, 2025.
Application fees may be forgiven for applicants that meet
specific guidelines.
It is highly recommended that applicants contact faculty and
identify potential advisors before applying. Faculty are
more than willing to entertain questions about the general
program and about their own specific labs and research. A
listing of graduate program faculty can be found here: https://www.stonybrook.edu/commcms/ecoevo/_people/
We provide specific guidance about your application,
describe the evaluation process and outline specifics of
funding on the application webpages for the programs.
Ph.D.: https://www.stonybrook.edu/commcms/ecoevo/_program/apply_to_phd_program.php
M.A.: https://www.stonybrook.edu/commcms/ecoevo/_program/apply_to_masters_program.php
For questions or assistance with the application process,
please e-mail our Graduate Program Coordinator, Melissa
Cohen: melissa.j.cohen@stonybrook.edu.
Posted 9/21/24
Seeking a MS ecology student for
a funded prescribed fire ecology research position
California and the west are in the midst of a wildfire crisis
due to an increase in catastrophic fires and decrease in good
fire. One solution to these dueling crises is prescribed fire,
and there is broad political support to increase its use. As
the number of prescribed fires and their acreage increase in
California, understanding their goals and effects are
important. This research may help California Central Coast
managers conduct better prescribed fires with their limited
burn windows and capacity.
The student will be part of a collaborative, interdisciplinary
team who evaluates prescribed fire effects on existing
research and monitoring projects, which could be a MS thesis
and peer-reviewed publication. Potential prescribed fire
partners include Cal Fire units, UC Cooperative Extension,
Prescribed Burn Associations, non-profits, private landowners,
state and federal parks, Tribes, and more. Students may have
an opportunity to pursue a prescribed fire project outside of
the current research scope. Projects will generally be focused
in the South Bay and Central Coast.
MS students would work with Dr. Kate Wilkin in the Biological
Sciences Department's Ecology and Evolution program. Students
would participate in the new Wildfire Interdisciplinary
Research Center, which was recently awarded a NSF
Industry-University Cooperative Research Center (IUCRC). WIRC
provides potential internal research funding and
interdisciplinary collaborations between ecology and social
scientists, climatologists, fire weather, fire behavior
modeling, combustion engineer, fire behavior monitoring, and
remote sensing.
Prescribed fire research includes:
Evaluate efficacy of novel field-based and remote
sensing-based monitoring methods
Coastal prairie restoration
Chaparral fire management
Other research and projects in the lab includes:
Home Ignition Zone (HIZ)
Fuel breaks and evacuation route clearance
Pyrodiversity
Youth fire education
Funding:
1st year funds available through existing grants. We will
apply for 2nd year funds together. Summer 2025 funding and
internship may be available through a SJSU-NASA FireSage
internship program (https://www.nasa.gov/firesage-program/).
Students
are expected to seek additional funding and tuition stipends
may be available through competitive Biology Department
teaching positions. Competitive internal research funding
available through the new Wildfire Interdisciplinary Research
Center, which is a NSF Industry-University Cooperative
Research Center. Students are expected to apply to CalFire,
Joint Fire Science Program, California Native Grasslands
Association, Association for Fire Ecology, CSUBIOTECH, SJSU
Biology Department Scholarships, and other student grant
programs. Total funding is dependent on the project, and
students will be trained in internal and external grant
writing.
Start date: Start as student in January 2025 OR Start as
technician April 2025, and as student in August 2025.
Application Process:
Applicants should also email Kate Wilkin (kate.wilkin@sjsu.edu)
well in advance, and include some of the items needed for a
formal application to SJSU.
Your research interests and long-term career goals in a cover
letter
CV with software, lab and field methods and equipment
(especially botanical identification and vegetation
monitoring), language (especially Spanish), and other skills,
and publications and presentations listed
Scores: GPA, transcript, GRE if taken
One writing sample (report, published paper, technical report,
or class research project)
Funding needs: Do you have a grant in-hand? What are your
needs?
Contact information for 3+ references
Interested applicants must apply to the graduate school at San
Jose State University using their application.
Spring 2025 applicants must apply by October 1, 2024.
Fall 2025 applicants must apply by March 1, 2025.
Posted
9/12/24
PhD Position in Ecosystem
Ecology at UTEP
The McLaren Lab at the University of Texas at El Paso is
looking for graduate students interested in working at the
intersection of ecosystem and community ecology. A PhD
position is available on an USDA-funded project examining
interactions between shrub encroachment and permafrost
dynamics and their effects on carbon cycling in coastal
sub-arctic Alaska. The project will involve summer or fall
field work in Unalakleet, Alaska. The PhD student will
assist with data collection for the larger project while
developing his/her own dissertation project in conjunction
with our research questions. The student will be support
through a combination of RAships and TAships.
Qualified candidates should have a B.S. or M.S. (preferred)
in Ecology, Biology, Environmental Science or related field,
and show a strong interest in plant ecology, ecosystem
ecology or biogeochemistry. Ideal candidates will have some
previous research experience in field ecology, a strong work
ethic, be able to work independently and with a field crew,
and availability to begin in June 2025 or earlier.
More information about my lab at UT El Paso is available
at www.jenniemclaren.com More
information
about the Department of Biological Sciences and its graduate
programs can be found at https://www.utep.edu/science/biology/and https://www.utep.edu/science/eeb/
Applications for graduate school are due Nov 1, 2025 for
Spring 2025 admission, and Feb 1, 2025 for
Fall 2025 admission, but students are encouraged to
contact me well in advance of that date. Interested students
should send a c.v. and short statement of research interests
to Jennie McLaren at jrmclaren@utep.edu prior
to
applying.
Jennie R. McLaren
Associate Professor
Department of Biological Sciences
The University of Texas at El Paso
Office: 915-747-8903
www.jenniemclaren.com
Posted 9/11/24
Graduate position available in
landscape ecology
Graduate student project in landscape ecology (to start Fall
2025):
I am seeking a graduate student to join my lab to conduct
research on geospatial dynamics of ephemeral wetlands as a
function of land-cover change, with subsequent
characterization of dynamic landscape connectivity.
Prospective students will be funded by a 9-month/year
departmental Teaching Assistantship (3 years for M.S.
students, 5 years for Ph.D. students) and possibly by
additional graduate school fellowships with awards ranging
from $2500 for 1 year to $30,000/yr for 3 years.
Preference will be given to students with
experience/coursework in landscape ecology, remote sensing,
and GIS.
Skills that will be acquired:
Experience with ArcGIS
Experience with Google Earth Engine
Experience with R
Connectivity analyses
Curation of spatial datasets
Scientific communication
To apply to my lab: https://sites.google.com/view/nancy-e-mcintyre/join-my-lab
Applications are due by 1 January 2025 but
space is limited, so early applications are encouraged!
Nancy McIntyre, Ph.D.
Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University
Lubbock, TX 79409-3131 USA
Tel. 1-806-834-7977
nancy.mcintyre@ttu.edu
https://sites.google.com/view/nancy-e-mcintyre/home
Posted 9/11/24
Graduate Assistantship at UVA in
Forest Response to Climate
We have two PhD openings in the Blumstein Lab in
Environmental Sciences at UVA.
Please check out UVA Environmental Science Department’s
graduate website (https://evsc.as.virginia.edu/graduate)
for more information on applying and requirements. If you
are interested in joining the lab, please reach out to me by
email prior to the application due date (January 2025)
with a short statement of interest and a copy of the
resume/cv. I also welcome students interested in
collaborating on an NSF Graduate Research Fellowship
application (reach out if you want to learn more!).
About the Lab
We use tools from both ecological and evolutionary fields to
examine how forests trees will respond to the next century
of stress and beyond. Below are two great references that
give a broad overview to the types of tools and questions
utilized by the lab.
1. Cocciardi, J., A. Hoffman, D. Alvardo-Seranno, J.
Anderson,. , M. Blumstein, …, M. Avolio. 2024. Nature
Ecology & Evolution. The value of long-term ecological
research for evolutionary insights.
2. Blumstein, M. 2024. American Journal of Botany. The
drivers of intraspecific trait variation and their
implications for future plant productivity and survival.
Please be in touch if you are interested in joining!
Meghan Blumstein
She/her
Assistant Professor
Environmental Sciences & Landscape Architecture
E ycv4vb@virginia.edu
P 610.331.6584
University of Virginia
Environmental Sciences
291 McCormick Rd
Clark Hall 216
Charlottesville , VA 22904
blumsteinm.github.io
Posted 9/11/24
Grad Assistantship - Forest
Growth Modeling - Univ Montana
The University of Montana's Department of Forest Management
and the Inland Northwest Growth & Yield Cooperative
invite applications for a graduate assistantship on a
project focused on quantitative forest modeling. Regulation
of tree density early in stand development has important
ecological and economic consequences for forest management.
Despite this, there is a lack of reliable, quantitative
tools to characterize the short- and long-term response of
trees and stands to forest spacing or thinning treatments in
the mixed-conifer forests of the inland northwest. This
project will draw on and extend a broad network of long-term
experimental installations distributed across western
Montana and north Idaho to characterize the impacts of
density manipulation on tree and stand attributes as well as
to develop decision-support tools for forest managers.
The graduate student will conduct research to develop models
of tree and/or stand response to early thinning, to identify
key drivers, and to compare outcomes against projections
from regional growth models. They will also participate in
field research to extend the measurement schedule of
existing experimental trials. Responsibilities include
collaborative work with UM faculty and staff, as well as
with cooperating researchers and land managers;
communicating results through presentations and other
formats; and publication of results in peer-reviewed
journals.
Four semesters and two summers of support are available,
including salary, tuition, mandatory fees, and health
insurance. Travel funds are available for field work and
scientific conference presentation.
Required Qualifications
- Ability to meet the requirements for admission to the
relevant graduate degree program
- Ability to implement applied statistical analyses in R or
Python
- Excellent communication and time management skills
- Ability to work independently and to manage multiple
responsibilities and deadlines
Preferred Qualifications
- Academic background in forestry or familiarity with
silvicultural practices and forest stand dynamics
- Experience with forest measurements and field sampling,
including logistics and off-trail navigation
- Advanced training and coursework in statistics and
mathematics
- A record of publication in the peer-reviewed literature
Application Procedure
Please send a single pdf file containing a cover letter
describing your interest and how you meet the position
qualifications, current CV, unofficial transcripts, and
names and contacts of three professional references to Dr.
David Affleck at david.affleck@umontana.edu.
Submit your materials by 10 January 2025 for
full consideration.
About UM and Missoula
The University of Montana is a place where top-tier
students, educators, and researchers thrive. UM is located
in Missoula, Montana's second-largest city with a
population of 80,000 residents. Missoula offers a high
quality of life, with multiple rivers, trails, and
wilderness areas within minutes of campus, and a vibrant
arts community including frequent performances by national
musical acts. Missoula and the surrounding area host an
impactful land management and conservation science community
including major federal research labs, land management
agencies, and significant conservation and environmental
NGOs.
Posted 9/10/24
PhD student opportunity:
Phytoplankton ecology & HABs @ UL Lafayette
PhD Graduate Student Opportunity
The Stauffer Lab (http://www.staufferlab.com/)
in the Department of Biology at University of Louisiana at
Lafayette is recruiting for one Ph.D.-level graduate student
to begin in Summer or Fall 2025. Interested applicants
should have research interests in the areas of phytoplankton
community dynamics, harmful algae, and plankton and marine
food webs. Current funded projects in the lab focus on
bottom-up and top-down controls on phytoplankton communities
in nearshore, coastal, and oceanic environments. Our lab
uses a variety of techniques including the classical
(microscopy, etc.) and the modern (flow cytometry,
continuous nutrient sensors, etc.) both in the lab and in
the field and works heavily in the Gulf of Mexico. Students
should have relevant previous research experience and/or a
Masters degree in a relevant field.
Please email Dr. Stauffer (beth.stauffer@louisiana.edu)
directly if you're interested in this opportunity, including
a brief description of your research interests, relevant
experience, and current CV or resume. Graduate student
support is available through several projects funded by
state- and federal agencies, and qualified students are
eligible for competitive Fellowships (https://louisiana.edu/graduateschool/admissions/tuition-funding/assistantships-fellowships/graduate-fellowships)
through the Graduate School. All student funding comes with
tuition and fee waivers, in addition to a monthly stipend.
Students from minoritized groups in science and
first-generation students are encouraged to apply (see our
Lab Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity Statement here).
The Department of Biology has approximately 75 graduate
students and 30 graduate faculty members conducting research
on a wide variety of topics. We have an active group of
researchers doing important work on coastal and marine
ecology both in our backyard and worldwide. Find out more
about the department (https://biology.louisiana.edu/),
Graduate
School (https://louisiana.edu/graduateschool),
and
Stauffer Lab (www.staufferlab.com).
The
deadline to apply to the graduate program for Fall 2025
is 1 Feb 2024.
Beth A. Stauffer, Ph.D.(she/her)
Associate Professor, Department of Biology
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
SLEMCO/BORSF Endowed Professor in General Studies
Lead PI, LO-SPAT Project
(337) 482-5232
beth.stauffer@louisiana.edu
www.staufferlab.com
Posted 9/10/24
Gradaute Fellowship in Ecology
and Evolutionary Biology
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.
Most of our empirical work is with damselflies, a voracious
and awesome predatory insect.
Graduate research fellowships ($30,000 - 40,000, plus health
insurance and tuition waiver) are available for highly
competitive candidates. Please see https://graduate-and-international.uark.edu/graduate/costs-and-funding/doctoral-fellowships.php 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 2025 admission into our
program is January 15, 2025. 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.
Posted 9/10/24
PhD Assistantships Examining
Biodiversity, Ecosystem Service, Cultural, and Economic
Benefits and Tradeoffs Across Forest Adaptation Approaches
at the University of Vermont
PhD Assistantships Examining Biodiversity, Ecosystem
Service, Cultural, and Economic Benefits and Tradeoffs
Across Forest Adaptation Approaches at the University of
Vermont
Project: Relatively little is known about best adaptation
strategies for addressing climate change impacts on forests
in ways that balance key ecosystem services like carbon
storage with other desired outcomes, including sustaining
biodiversity and cultural and economic values. To address
this knowledge gap, The University of Vermont (Rubenstein
School of Environment and Natural Resources) seeks two
PhD-level graduate students to participate in a research
project focused on evaluating the biodiversity, ecosystem
service, cultural, and economic benefits and tradeoffs
across forest adaptation approaches in northern New England.
The PhD students will work closely together and will join a
team of collaborators from the University of Vermont and
Northern Institute of Applied Climate Science and an
extensive group of partners from Tribal, State, and Federal
agencies and non-profit organizations. One student will
focus on understanding the biodiversity, carbon, and
resilience outcomes of forest adaptation strategies. The
other will focus on understanding how cultural, economic,
and public values are affected by different adaptation
approaches. A primary goal is to synthesize the actionable
science needed to develop best adaptation practices and
sound policies that sustain services, values, and species
for diverse partners across the region.
These positions are available for Summer 2025 and include
four guaranteed years of funding (stipend, tuition waiver,
and health insurance).
Application: Interested applicants should supply all
application materials to the UVM Rubenstein School of
Environment and Natural Resources (RSENR) Program (PhD in
Natural Resources) by February 1, 2025 –
when applying, please state your interest in this position
in the "Statement of Purpose.“
Contact:
Dr. Anthony D’Amato (awdamato@uvm.edu,
802-656-8030)
Dr. Rachelle Gould (rgould@uvm.edu)
Dr. Carol Adair (carol.adair@uvm.edu)
Dr. Brendan Fisher (bfisher@uvm.edu)
Posted 9/6/24
M.Sc. Thesis Opportunities in
Behavioral Ecology
M.Sc. Thesis opportunities in Behavioral Ecology. Graduate
student applications are being accepted in the Lab of Avian
Ecology in the School of Integrative Biological &
Chemical Sciences, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
(UTRGV), Brownsville, Texas. More about our work can be
found here https://www.utrgv.edu/avianecology/index.htmSuccessful
candidates
will develop thesis projects within the realm of avian
behavioral ecology. Preference will be given to applicants
that can demonstrate a genuine interest in behavioral
ecology of birds, especially visual and acoustic
communication in parrots. Research and course work will take
place on the historic, scenic and subtropical UTRGV
Brownsville campus, a few kilometers from the Delta of Rio
Grande and Gulf of Mexico. Applicants with a background or
interest in the Tropics, ecology, animal cognition,
endocrinology, audio-video, sound spectrographic,
bioinformatics and statistical analysis are encouraged to
apply. Expected outcomes include co-authorship in
peer-reviewed scientific papers, presentations and
preparation of grant proposals.
Applicants should have a Bachelor's degree in Biology or
related field with a minimum GPA of 3.0; minimum GRE scores
of 153 (verbal) and 144 (quantitative); experience or
demonstrated interest in studying animal behavior in nature
and excellent written and oral communication skills.
Qualified individuals who are interested should send an
updated CV, unofficial GREs and undergraduate transcripts, a
writing sample and letter of interest to Dr. Karl
Berg, karl.berg@utrgv.edu.
Applicants will be reviewed as they are received and
preference for Teaching/Research Assistantships will be
given to those applicants that can meet University admission
requirements for Spring 2025 (Oct 15th, 2024) or for Fall
2025 (March 1st 2025). More information can be found
at https://www.utrgv.edu/programs/ms-biology.htm and https://www.utrgv.edu/graduate/for-future-students/traditional-application-deadlines/index.htm
Posted 9/4/24
MS and PhD opportunities in
forest ecology at Louisiana State University
Research assistantships in Renewable Natural Resources are
available starting Fall semester 2025. Students will work
with Dr. Brett Wolfe in the School of Renewable Natural
Resources at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge,
Louisiana, and collaborators. Research will focus on
environmental drivers of tree-community dynamics within
floodplain forests in the Southeastern United States. In
this region, floodplain forests provide globally important
ecosystem services, yet they are impacted by local
hydrologic modifications and extreme weather associated with
climate change. The situation puts forests in novel
conditions that challenge our ability to predict
species-level performance and to manage for desired site
characteristics. Students will develop projects that
addresses these challenges through forest monitoring and
experimentation. Funding, including a competitive annual
stipend and tuition waiver, is available for MS and PhD
students through the LSU School of Renewable Natural
Resources' Gilbert Foundation Research Assistantship.
Qualifications: Applicants should be self-motivated and
eager to learn about forest ecology, hydrology, and tree
eco-physiology. An undergraduate degree and GRE test report
are required. Research experience is preferred. For
prospective PhD students, completion of an MS degree with a
cumulative graduate GPA of 3.6 on a 4-point scale (or
equivalent) is required. For prospective MS students, an
undergraduate GPA of 3.0 overall and 3.25 (or equivalent)
for last two years. GRE test score requirements are 310
overall and 153, 144, 4.0 on the verbal, quantitative and
writing sections, respectively. For international students
with English as a second language, minimum scores are TOEFL,
550 (paper-based exam), 213 (computer-based exam), 79
(internet-based exam); IELTS, 6.5; or Pearson (PTE), 59.
Inquiries should be sent to Brett Wolfe (bwolfe@agcenter.lsu.edu).
Email a letter of interest, CV including GRE scores
(required), and unofficial transcripts. Applications for the
funding are due February 1, 2025.
Posted 8/29/24
3 PhD positions in marine
ecology at the University of Virginia
The Castorani Lab at the University of Virginia is
recruiting 3 PhD students to study coastal marine ecology
starting in August 2025. Please pass along this
advertisement to people in your network that would be
interested.
(1) PhD position in kelp forest community ecology at
University of Virginia / Santa Barbara Coastal LTER
Link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Sj7l1R5bCjlXyc9ifj67ggN4cV9k6Z77/view?usp=share_link
The Castorani Lab at the University of Virginia is
recruiting a PhD student to study the drivers of kelp forest
ecosystem structure and function at the Santa Barbara
Coastal Long Term Ecological Research project (SBC LTER;
http://sbc.lternet.edu/). The interdisciplinary SBC LTER
research program has been supported by the National Science
Foundation for 25 years to study the long-term dynamics of
kelp forest ecosystems. The student will use data from SBC
LTER and other ecological research programs to study the
processes maintaining biodiversity and stability in kelp
communities from local to regional scales (this position
does not include support for field work).
Research in the Castorani Lab focuses on three major themes:
community ecology and biodiversity; disturbance ecology and
restoration; and spatial connectivity and synchrony. The
student will be advised by professor Max Castorani (https://castorani.evsc.virginia.edu/)
and join UVA's Department of Environmental Sciences (https://evsc.as.virginia.edu/).
The student will have the opportunity to interact with a
large community of SBC LTER scientists, and be a part of the
broader LTER Network (https://lternet.edu).
The student will join the UVA Graduate Program in
Environmental Sciences
(https://evsc.as.virginia.edu/prospective-graduate-students),
which offers interdisciplinary training and conducts
research in ecology, hydrology, geology, and atmospheric
science. Graduate students accepted into the program are
typically supported through teaching and research
assistantships that provide a competitive stipend, tuition,
and health insurance.
At the time of enrollment, highly-qualified applicants will
have an undergraduate or master's degree in biology,
ecology, oceanography, statistics, computer science,
mathematics, or a related field. Ideal candidates will have
interests in kelp forest ecology at the scale of
populations, communities, ecosystems, or landscapes, and
demonstrated quantitative skills, such as data analysis,
ecological modeling, or scientific programming (or
motivation to acquire such skills).
(2) PhD position in seagrass community ecology at University
of Virginia / Virginia Coast Reserve LTER
Link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RhrMq7aXW73WfRdhoDTgd9XuzEVvYEPB/view?usp=share_link
The Castorani Lab at the University of Virginia is
recruiting a PhD student to study seagrass biodiversity and
community ecology at the Virginia Coast Reserve Long Term
Ecological Research project (VCR LTER; https://vcrlter.virginia.edu/).
The Virginia Coast Reserve is a temperate coastal lagoon
with a 20-year legacy of seagrass restoration led by The
Nature Conservancy (TNC) and studied by researchers at UVA
and beyond (https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/united-states/virginia/stories-in-virginia/vcr-marine-restoration/).
The
interdisciplinary VCR LTER research program has been
supported by the National Science Foundation for >40
years to study the long-term dynamics of this coastal
barrier-island landscape. The student will use field studies
and long-term data from VCR LTER to study the processes
structuring assemblages of fishes and invertebrates across
the world's largest restored seagrass meadow.
Research in the Castorani Lab focuses on three major themes:
community ecology and biodiversity; disturbance ecology and
restoration; and spatial connectivity and synchrony. The
student will be advised by professor Max Castorani (https://castorani.evsc.virginia.edu/)
and join UVA's Department of Environmental Sciences (https://evsc.as.virginia.edu/).
The student will have the opportunity to interact with a
large community of VCR LTER scientists, TNC restoration
practitioners and educators, and the broader LTER Network (https://lternet.edu).
The student will join the UVA Graduate Program in
Environmental Sciences (https://evsc.as.virginia.edu/prospective-graduate-students),
which
offers interdisciplinary training and conducts research in
ecology, hydrology, geology, and atmospheric science.
Graduate students accepted into the program are typically
supported through teaching and research assistantships that
provide a competitive stipend, tuition, and health
insurance.
At the time of enrollment, highly qualified applicants will
have an undergraduate or master's degree in biology,
ecology, oceanography, fisheries, or a related field. Ideal
candidates will have interests in seagrass biodiversity,
food webs, or species interactions; experience in field
ecology; and demonstrated quantitative skills, such as data
analysis or scientific programming (or a motivation to
acquire such skills).
(3) PhD position in oyster reef ecology at University of
Virginia / Virginia Coast Reserve LTER
Link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Rt_eCmT9qOmQAfHFg_GVVM2lopCSTTnh/view?usp=share_link
The Castorani Lab at the University of Virginia is
recruiting a PhD student to study the population dynamics of
oysters on restored reefs at the Virginia Coast Reserve Long
Term Ecological Research project (VCR LTER; https://vcrlter.virginia.edu/).
The Virginia Coast Reserve is a temperate coastal lagoon
with a 20-year legacy of oyster restoration led by The
Nature Conservancy (TNC) and studied by researchers at UVA
and beyond (https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/united-states/virginia/stories-in-virginia/vcr-marine-restoration/).
The
interdisciplinary VCR LTER research program has been
supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) for
>40 years to study the long-term dynamics of this coastal
barrier-island landscape. The student will use field studies
and long-term data and models from VCR LTER to study the
dispersal and demography of oyster populations, contributing
towards the broader goal of informing TNC restoration
planning in a changing climate.
Research in the Castorani Lab focuses on three major themes:
community ecology and biodiversity; disturbance ecology and
restoration; and spatial connectivity and synchrony. The
student will be advised by professor Max Castorani (https://castorani.evsc.virginia.edu/)
and join UVA's Department of Environmental Sciences (https://evsc.as.virginia.edu/).
The student will have the opportunity to interact with a
large community of VCR LTER scientists, restoration
practitioners and educators at TNC, and the broader LTER
Network (https://lternet.edu).
The student will join the UVA Graduate Program in
Environmental Sciences (https://evsc.as.virginia.edu/prospective-graduate-students),
which
offers interdisciplinary training and conducts research in
ecology, hydrology, geology, and atmospheric science.
Graduate students accepted into the program are typically
supported through teaching and research assistantships that
provide a competitive stipend, tuition, and health
insurance.
At the time of enrollment, highly qualified applicants will
have an undergraduate or master's degree in biology,
ecology, oceanography, fisheries, or a related field. Ideal
candidates will have interests in oyster reef ecology and
restoration; experience in field ecology; and demonstrated
quantitative skills, such as data analysis or scientific
programming (or a motivation to acquire such skills).
TO APPLY:
Those interested should send the following items, as a
single PDF, to Dr. Max Castorani (castorani@virginia.edu):
(1)
a brief description of their background, career goals,
motivations for pursuing a PhD, research ideas, and why they
are specifically interested in joining the Castorani Lab;
(2) a CV with academic and professional experience
(including GPA); (3) contact information for 3 references;
and (4) a writing sample, if available.
The application deadline is January 15, 2025,
for enrollment in Fall 2025. However, serious applicants
should express their interest by email as soon as possible.
Posted 8/15/24
3 PhD positions in marine
ecology at the University of Virginia
The Castorani Lab at the University of Virginia is
recruiting 3 PhD students to study coastal marine ecology
starting in August 2025.
(1) PhD position in kelp forest community ecology at
University of Virginia / Santa Barbara Coastal LTER
Link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Sj7l1R5bCjlXyc9ifj67ggN4cV9k6Z77/view?usp=share_link
The Castorani Lab at the University of Virginia is
recruiting a PhD student to study the drivers of kelp forest
ecosystem structure and function at the Santa Barbara
Coastal Long Term Ecological Research project (SBC
LTER; http://sbc.lternet.edu/).
The interdisciplinary SBC LTER research program has been
supported by the National Science Foundation for 25 years to
study the long-term dynamics of kelp forest ecosystems. The
student will use data from SBC LTER and other ecological
research programs to study the processes maintaining
biodiversity and stability in kelp communities from local to
regional scales (this position does not include support for
field work).
Research in the Castorani Lab focuses on three major themes:
community ecology and biodiversity; disturbance ecology and
restoration; and spatial connectivity and synchrony. The
student will be advised by professor Max Castorani (https://castorani.evsc.virginia.edu/)
and join UVA's Department of Environmental Sciences (https://evsc.as.virginia.edu/).
The student will have the opportunity to interact with a
large community of SBC LTER scientists, and be a part of the
broader LTER Network (https://lternet.edu).
The student will join the UVA Graduate Program in
Environmental Sciences (https://evsc.as.virginia.edu/prospective-graduate-students),
which
offers interdisciplinary training and conducts research in
ecology, hydrology, geology, and atmospheric science.
Graduate students accepted into the program are typically
supported through teaching and research assistantships that
provide a competitive stipend, tuition, and health
insurance.
At the time of enrollment, highly-qualified applicants will
have an undergraduate or master's degree in biology,
ecology, oceanography, statistics, computer science,
mathematics, or a related field. Ideal candidates will have
interests in kelp forest ecology at the scale of
populations, communities, ecosystems, or landscapes, and
demonstrated quantitative skills, such as data analysis,
ecological modeling, or scientific programming (or
motivation to acquire such skills).
(2) PhD position in seagrass community ecology at University
of Virginia / Virginia Coast Reserve LTER
Link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RhrMq7aXW73WfRdhoDTgd9XuzEVvYEPB/view?usp=share_link
The Castorani Lab at the University of Virginia is
recruiting a PhD student to study seagrass biodiversity and
community ecology at the Virginia Coast Reserve Long Term
Ecological Research project (VCR LTER; https://vcrlter.virginia.edu/).
The Virginia Coast Reserve is a temperate coastal lagoon
with a 20-year legacy of seagrass restoration led by The
Nature Conservancy (TNC) and studied by researchers at UVA
and beyond (https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/united-states/virginia/stories-in-virginia/vcr-marine-restoration/).
The
interdisciplinary VCR LTER research program has been
supported by the National Science Foundation for >40
years to study the long-term dynamics of this coastal
barrier-island landscape. The student will use field studies
and long-term data from VCR LTER to study the processes
structuring assemblages of fishes and invertebrates across
the world's largest restored seagrass meadow.
Research in the Castorani Lab focuses on three major themes:
community ecology and biodiversity; disturbance ecology and
restoration; and spatial connectivity and synchrony. The
student will be advised by professor Max Castorani (https://castorani.evsc.virginia.edu/)
and join UVA's Department of Environmental Sciences (https://evsc.as.virginia.edu/).
The student will have the opportunity to interact with a
large community of VCR LTER scientists, TNC restoration
practitioners and educators, and the broader LTER Network (https://lternet.edu).
The student will join the UVA Graduate Program in
Environmental Sciences (https://evsc.as.virginia.edu/prospective-graduate-students),
which
offers interdisciplinary training and conducts research in
ecology, hydrology, geology, and atmospheric science.
Graduate students accepted into the program are typically
supported through teaching and research assistantships that
provide a competitive stipend, tuition, and health
insurance.
At the time of enrollment, highly qualified applicants will
have an undergraduate or master's degree in biology,
ecology, oceanography, fisheries, or a related field. Ideal
candidates will have interests in seagrass biodiversity,
food webs, or species interactions; experience in field
ecology; and demonstrated quantitative skills, such as data
analysis or scientific programming (or a motivation to
acquire such skills).
(3) PhD position in oyster reef ecology at University of
Virginia / Virginia Coast Reserve LTER
Link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Rt_eCmT9qOmQAfHFg_GVVM2lopCSTTnh/view?usp=share_link
The Castorani Lab at the University of Virginia is
recruiting a PhD student to study the population dynamics of
oysters on restored reefs at the Virginia Coast Reserve Long
Term Ecological Research project (VCR LTER; https://vcrlter.virginia.edu/).
The Virginia Coast Reserve is a temperate coastal lagoon
with a 20-year legacy of oyster restoration led by The
Nature Conservancy (TNC) and studied by researchers at UVA
and beyond (https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/united-states/virginia/stories-in-virginia/vcr-marine-restoration/).
The
interdisciplinary VCR LTER research program has been
supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) for
>40 years to study the long-term dynamics of this coastal
barrier-island landscape. The student will use field studies
and long-term data and models from VCR LTER to study the
dispersal and demography of oyster populations, contributing
towards the broader goal of informing TNC restoration
planning in a changing climate.
Research in the Castorani Lab focuses on three major themes:
community ecology and biodiversity; disturbance ecology and
restoration; and spatial connectivity and synchrony. The
student will be advised by professor Max Castorani (https://castorani.evsc.virginia.edu/)
and join UVA's Department of Environmental Sciences (https://evsc.as.virginia.edu/).
The student will have the opportunity to interact with a
large community of VCR LTER scientists, restoration
practitioners and educators at TNC, and the broader LTER
Network (https://lternet.edu).
The student will join the UVA Graduate Program in
Environmental Sciences (https://evsc.as.virginia.edu/prospective-graduate-students),
which
offers interdisciplinary training and conducts research in
ecology, hydrology, geology, and atmospheric science.
Graduate students accepted into the program are typically
supported through teaching and research assistantships that
provide a competitive stipend, tuition, and health
insurance.
At the time of enrollment, highly qualified applicants will
have an undergraduate or master's degree in biology,
ecology, oceanography, fisheries, or a related field. Ideal
candidates will have interests in oyster reef ecology and
restoration; experience in field ecology; and demonstrated
quantitative skills, such as data analysis or scientific
programming (or a motivation to acquire such skills).
TO APPLY:
Those interested should send the following items, as a
single PDF, to Dr. Max Castorani (castorani@virginia.edu
):
(1) a brief description of their background, career goals,
motivations for pursuing a PhD, research ideas, and why they
are specifically interested in joining the Castorani Lab;
(2) a CV with academic and professional experience
(including GPA); (3) contact information for 3 references;
and (4) a writing sample, if available.
The application deadline is January 15, 2025,
for enrollment in Fall 2025. However, serious applicants
should express their interest by email as soon as possible.
Max Castorani | Associate Professor | Dept. of Environmental
Sciences | University of Virginia | castorani@virginia.edu
| https://castorani.evsc.virginia.edu
Posted 7/17/24
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