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 send any
opportunities not listed here by clicking on this link:
Email
PhD Opportunity: Long-Term Changes
in Pollinator Biodiversity and Ecological Networks— University
of Oregon
The Ponisio Lab at the University of Oregon is recruiting a PhD
student to join an NSF-funded project examining how
plant–pollinator communities have changed over the past 50 years
in response to climate and land-use change.
The project builds on a historical dataset collected by Andrew
Moldenke in the late 1960s and early 1970s, documenting hundreds
of thousands of plant–insect interactions across California. By
resurveying these same communities, we aim to understand how
plant and pollinator diversity, species interactions, and
ecological network structure have changed over half a
century—and why some species have been more vulnerable than
others.
Research opportunities and responsibilities
The student will take a leading role in the Northern California
component of the project, which includes field sites spanning
the San Francisco Bay Area (Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve)
and the eastern Sierra Nevada (near Saddlebag Lake, Dore Pass).
Responsibilities will include:
Organizing and managing seasonal field teams, including
technician training, field logistics, scheduling, and data
quality assurance.
Traveling throughout Northern California to conduct
plant–pollinator surveys across diverse habitats and elevational
gradients.
Collecting data on bee communities, floral resources, phenology,
and plant–pollinator interactions.
Contributing to specimen processing, identification, and
management of large ecological datasets.
Developing independent research questions related to
biodiversity change, species vulnerability, or ecological
networks.
The student will also have opportunities to collaborate on
publications integrating the Northern and Southern California
datasets, allowing us to examine large-scale patterns of
biodiversity and interaction change across latitudinal,
elevational, and land-use gradients. Potential research
directions include the effects of climate and urbanization on
pollinator communities, changes in ecological network structure,
and the role of species interactions in mediating vulnerability
to global change.
Funding and benefits
The position includes year-round financial support. Summer
research support is fully funded through the NSF grant, allowing
the student to focus on fieldwork and research throughout the
summer. Field station housing and a lab vehicle are also fully
funded on the grant. Academic-year funding will be provided
through a combination of teaching assistantships and
grant-funded research assistantships.
The University of Oregon Biology PhD program provides:
12-month financial support: The most recently published Biology
stipend is $32,871.60 annually (2024–25), with rates adjusted
periodically. Final compensation will follow the rates in effect
at appointment (and has only increased annually).
Five years of guaranteed funding, contingent upon satisfactory
academic progress.
Comprehensive graduate employee health insurance, coverage
includes medical, dental, and vision benefits, with dependent
coverage options.
Graduate employees at UO are union-represented by the Graduate
Teaching Fellows Federation (GTFF).
More information about funding and benefits is available through
the UO Biology Graduate Program.
Qualifications
We seek a curious, motivated student interested in community
ecology, pollinator conservation, global change biology, or
ecological networks. Applicants should have field ecology
experience, strong organizational and communication skills, and
an interest in quantitative ecology. We also desire students
with an interest in learning or previous experience with plant
or insect identification, programming, ecological data analysis,
or supervising field crews.
Because this position involves substantial fieldwork at
geographically dispersed sites, applicants should be comfortable
with extended field trips, variable field conditions, and
coordinating teams in remote locations.
Research environment
The Ponisio Lab studies how global change affects biodiversity,
species interactions, and ecosystem functioning, with a
particular emphasis on wild bees. The student will receive
mentorship in research design, quantitative analysis, scientific
writing, and professional development, and will work with
collaborators across the broader California resurvey project
(including Ruben Alarcon, CSU Channel Islands). The position is
based at the University of Oregon in Eugene, Oregon, within the
Department of Biology and the Institute of Ecology and
Evolution.
To apply
Interested applicants should contact us at ponisiolab@gmail.com
with a brief description of their research interests, relevant
experience, and a CV. Please use the subject line "Northern
California Pollinator PhD Position."
More information about our research is available at ponisiolab.com
including the rubric we use to valuate candidates.
Lauren Ponisio
Associate professor,
University of Oregon
Posted 10/17/26
MS Position in Plant Ecophysiology,
Fall 2027
The O’Keefe Plant Ecophysiology Lab (https://kimokeefe.weebly.com/)
at Northern Michigan University (Marquette, MI) is recruiting an
MS student to start in August 2027. The research focus of this
position is flexible within the realm of plant physiological
responses to environmental stress associated with climate
change. This position includes a full tuition waiver and a
teaching assistantship stipend guaranteed for two years.
Research Setting
The lab conducts research within forests of Michigan’s Upper
Peninsula, as well as in our on-campus greenhouse. This
combination allows students to pair field studies in natural
settings with controlled experiments. The O’Keefe lab has access
to a variety of equipment used in plant ecophysiology research,
including photosynthetic gas analyzers, pressure chambers, an
osmometer, and other hydraulic equipment. The lab is committed
to maintaining a supportive research environment, including
clear expectations, field safety training, and accommodations
for field work where needed.
Qualifications
Applicants with strong interests in plant ecology, plant
physiology, climate change biology, or related fields are
encouraged to apply. This position requires a bachelor’s degree
in biology, ecology, or related fields. Desired qualifications
include:
· Ability to balance working
independently and collaboratively
· Comfort working in remote field
settings
· Strong writing skills
· Experience with, or a strong
desire to learn, plant ecophysiology measurements
· Experience with, or interest in
learning, ecological data analysis
How to Apply
To apply, please send a letter of interest, CV, unofficial
transcript, and contact information for 2 references to Dr. Kim
O’Keefe (kiokeefe@nmu.edu).
Review of applications will begin immediately and all
applications received by November 15, 2026 will receive
full consideration.
Northern Michigan University is an equal opportunity employer
and educational institution. We welcome applications from all
qualified candidates.
Kim O'Keefe (she/her)
Assistant Professor
Department of Biology
Northern Michigan University
Marquette, MI 49855
Posted 10/17/26
Multiple MS position openings with
the School of Forestry at Northern Arizona University
Dr. Georgia Roberts and Dr. Jesse Abrams at Northern Arizona
University’s School of Forestry are recruiting up to four
master’s students with interests in wildfire risk, governance,
and economics to work as part of the Wildfire Insurance and
Resilient Economies (WIRE) program in collaboration with the
Ecological Restoration Institute (ERI). Students will have the
opportunity to work as part of an interdisciplinary team that
includes Dr. Andrew Sánchez Meador, Dr. Melanie Colavito, and
Dr. Tris O’Mara from the Ecological Restoration Institute and
Dr. David Auty from the School of Forestry. Funded
assistantships are available to pursue research on the policy
and economic dimensions of wildfire risk and community fire
adaptation in Arizona. The student should have prior coursework
and experience in issues such as natural resource governance,
wildfire, environmental economics, or research methods in social
and economic sciences. The program could begin in spring,
summer, or fall 2027.
Funding will include a graduate research stipend, tuition
waiver, health benefits, and a summer stipend.
Potential project opportunities include:
• What is mitigation worth? Linking treatments to insurance
outcomes
• How do Arizona homeowners perceive and respond to wildfire
risk?
• Insurance availability, affordability, and equity in the
wildland-urban interface
• Insurance ripple effects on housing markets and local
economies
• The role of Homeowners’ Associations (HOA) in mitigating
residential fire risk
• Scenario planning to inform wildfire and insurance policy
• Trends in Arizona home insurance premiums
Northern Arizona University is a 28,000-student institution with
its main campus in Flagstaff, AZ, at the base of the majestic
San Francisco Peaks. The School of Forestry has a long tradition
of experiential learning for NAU forestry students in the NAU
Centennial Forest and neighboring national forests. Flagstaff
has a population of about 76,000 year-round residents and, at
7,000 feet, it is situated in the world’s largest contiguous
ponderosa pine forest. Flagstaff and Coconino County are rich in
sites of cultural and historical significance and feature
numerous national parks and monuments throughout the Colorado
Plateau, including the Grand Canyon.
To be considered, send a CV, one-page cover letter, and contact
information for two professional references to Georgia.Roberts@nau.edu
and Jesse.Abrams@nau.edu.
These will be reviewed starting on November 16, 2026.
The deadline for full applications for those encouraged to apply
will vary by program start date.
Posted 10/17/26
Seeking a PhD Student: UMaryland -
Paulinella biodiversity and genomics
PhD in Paulinella biodiversity and evolution of primary
endosymbiosis
University of Maryland, Biology department: Van Etten lab
About the position: The Van Etten lab at the University of
Maryland, US (Biology dept) is looking to recruit a full-time,
five-year PhD student (funded). You should reach out to juliave@umd.edu with the
subject heading “VE lab inquiry - Paulinella” if interested to
schedule an exploratory meeting. If asked to apply, you will go
directly through the UMD BISI program (https://bisi.umd.edu/), which
has a deadline of December 1.
About the project: For this project, the Van Etten lab is
seeking applicants with a strong interest in evolutionary
biology, fieldwork, lab culturing, protist diversity, and most
importantly-working with Paulinella, a non-model
organism. More specifically, this would entail fieldwork to
collect new populations, lab work to isolate cells and establish
long-term cultures, and computational work in the form of
downstream multi-omic analyses of both single-cell isolated and
cultured organisms. This project will require a lot of time at
the microscope doing single cell isolation, advanced imaging,
and culture optimization. Although the direction and goals of
this project are already established, there will still be plenty
of room to develop your own research questions about the ecology
and evolution of this important lineage, devise experiments,
investigate the origins and mechanisms of primary endosymbiosis,
and gain skills in comparative genomics, phylogenetics, and
other types of bioinformatics analyses. Prior experience
isolating cells <20um, establishing algal cultures, and in
microscopy are preferred but not required. We are most
interested in finding a motivated student who will put in the
time to become proficient in these lab techniques that are
challenging with such a small, non-model organism, and to
ultimately train others. This PhD project will contribute to the
Paulinella Consortium (https://www.vanettenlab.org/paulinella-consortium)
in which our lab and collaborating labs work with hobby
naturalists to find and isolate new Paulinella
populations across the US. This is a great opportunity to grow
your own science communication project/skills and engage the
public with your work.
Some background: Photosynthetic Paulinella is a clade of
rhizarian amoebae that no longer consumes prey and relies on
photosynthesis as its main energy source. This is possible
because it acquired a photosynthetic organelle, via the process
of primary endosymbiosis, from a cyanobacterium. This is how all
algae and land plants on earth evolved photosynthesis over a
billion years ago, but it’s hard to study exactly how that
happened because the event is so ancient. Paulinella is
the only other known organism on the planet to evolve a
photosynthetic organelle from primary endosymbiosis and because
it did so *only* ~100 million years ago, we can study this
process in more detail as the Paulinella chromatophore
is in an earlier state of establishment than the canonical
plastid. This organism has a low abundance in nature although we
hypothesize it has a cosmopolitan distribution. It can therefore
be difficult to find and isolate, it grows slowly in the lab,
and only six species have been described. There are only two
nuclear genomes currently available and a handful of organellar
genomes. Our goal is to better characterize the biodiversity of
this lineage, establish more cultures in the lab, sequence more
genomes (+ do comparative genomics), and provide our isolates to
other labs who wish to study other aspects of Paulinella
cell biology.
Julia Van Etten, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
University of Maryland, College Park
Website: vanettenlab.org
Posted 10/17/26
MS
Opportunity in Avian Behavioral Ecology (or related) Fall 2027
TA Supported MS Positions Available for Fall 2026 in Avian
Behavioral Ecology or Related Projects.
****Available Position*****
The Perez Lab at the University of South Alabama is looking to
recruit 1 to 2 Master's students for a fall 2027 start date. We
are primarily looking for someone to take over our Eastern
Bluebird project. Historically our nest box trail has supported
research on a variety of projects related to threat recognition
and response as well as collecting annual reproductive success
data. While there is a strong preference for continued work on
threat recognition and response through behavioral trials, there
is broad scope for a student to design and shape independently
driven research questions using the system provided they fit
within the PI's expertise to supervise. Possible topic areas
include reproductive endocrinology, stress physiology, animal
behavior, reproductive trade-offs, and reproductive ecology
broadly.
****Desired qualifications*****
Bachelors in Biology or related field
Ability to work outdoors in hot conditions
Prior experience working with birds is a plus, but not required.
****Support****
This position will be supported for 2 years via a departmental
TAship that provides a stipend and tuition coverage for up to 10
credit hours per semester. Students are responsible for fees.
****How to Apply*****
Interested students should send a CV and letter of interest (1
page max) to Jonathan Perez at jhperez@southalabama.edu.
Review of Applications will begin 12/15/2026
Short listed candidates may be contacted for virtual interviews.
Selected candidates will then be asked to submit a full
application via the University portal. https://www.southalabama.edu/departments/admissions/graduate.html
Jonathan Pérez, PhD (He/Him/His)
Associate Professor
Department of Biology
(P): 251-460-7527
--
University of South Alabama
133 Earth and Life Sciences Building
5871 USA Dr. N
Mobile, AL 36688
southalabama.edu
Posted 10/15/26
PhD
Position in Plant Community Ecology, UW-Madison Biology
A PhD student position is available in the Li Lab
(https://www.dlilab.com/) in the Department of Biology at the
University of Wisconsin-Madison, starting Fall 2027. PhD students
generally have funding for at least five years through teaching
assistantships, fellowships, or research assistantships. The
application deadline for Fall 2027 enrollment is December 1,
2026. Application instructions are at https://botanyibio.sites.wisc.edu/botany-graduate-program/.
About the lab
The Li Lab studies how environmental change, including climate
change and urbanization, affects plant biodiversity, phenology,
and species interactions. We combine fieldwork with open-data
synthesis, computer vision and AI, and hierarchical statistical
modeling. Current projects include Phenobase, a global plant
phenology platform built on millions of community-science
observations, and GUBIC, a global study of urban plant diversity
and non-native species spread across hundreds of cities.
About this position
We are looking for a student interested in plant community
ecology: how plant communities assemble, change through time, and
respond to global change. Applicants who are skilled at plant
identification, or eager to become so, are especially encouraged
to apply. Students are encouraged to develop independent research
questions that align with or expand on lab themes (see examples
and publications on the lab website).
Potential projects include:
- A third resurvey of the Curtis stands. John Curtis’s 1950s
vegetation survey stands across Wisconsin were resurveyed in the
2000s, giving a rare multi-decade record of plant community
change. We plan a third resurvey, which would let a student
quantify change across three time points and test the roles of
climate change, land use, and urbanization.
- UW-Madison Arboretum. The Arboretum offers field sites,
restoration experiments, and long-term data and records that can
support community change, restoration, and invasion questions
close to campus.
- Other directions within lab themes, such as plant phenology,
urban plant diversity and non-native species, or plant-plant and
plant-pollinator interactions, drawing on lab datasets (e.g.,
Phenobase, GUBIC) and approaches (e.g., statistics, machine
learning).
Who should apply
- Strong interest in plant community ecology and global change
biology,
- Field botany skills (regional flora, keying, herbarium or
vegetation sampling experience), or a demonstrated strong interest
in learning them
- Comfort with, or interest in learning, quantitative analysis in
R
- Applicants from diverse academic backgrounds are welcome,
including biology, ecology, botany, statistics, computer science,
and related fields
- Students from historically underrepresented groups in STEM are
especially encouraged to apply
How to apply
Before submitting an official application, email Dr. Daijiang Li (dli55@wisc.edu) with the
subject line “PhD position fall 2027.” Include a CV and a cover
letter that briefly describes:
- Your research interests and relevant experience, especially in
plant identification and fieldwork
- The overarching question you wish to pursue in the lab
- Three hypotheses you would like to test during your PhD
- Proposed study systems, available data, and methodological
approaches
Living in Madison
Madison is a vibrant, progressive city known for its high quality
of life and active outdoor culture. Surrounded by lakes and parks,
it offers abundant hiking, kayaking, cross-country skiing, and
cycling. As the capital of Wisconsin and home to a top-ranked
public university, Madison blends a dynamic academic atmosphere
with a thriving arts and music scene, excellent local food, and a
strong sense of community. With four distinct seasons and a
walkable, bike-friendly design, it is an ideal place to study,
live, and grow, and it is consistently ranked among the best
places to live in the US.
Daijiang Li
https://www.dlilab.com/
Assistant Professor
Department of Biology
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, WI
Posted 10/15/26
MSc/PhD
opportunity in boreal forest ecology
The Vanderwel Forest Dynamics Lab at the University of Regina is
looking to recruit a highly motivated individual for an MSc or PhD
project investigating the influence of increasing climatic aridity
on tree growth and mortality in western Canada.
Canada’s western boreal forest has experienced unprecedented
drought and wildfire activity in recent years. Summer water
deficits have increased abruptly since 2020 as the following five
summers were all drier than any in the previous 40 years.
Decreased moisture over that period has been accompanied by
record-breaking wildfire, with the area burned across western
Canada in four of those years greater than any other since 1990.
The longer-term implications of these increasingly dry conditions
for forest dynamics are not yet well understood.
This project will examine how tree growth and mortality are
affected by spatial and temporal variation in moisture
availability across Canada’s western boreal forest region. The
successful candidate will leverage geographically extensive forest
inventory data, as well as data on canopy structure derived from
unmanned aerial vehicle surveys, to investigate forest dynamics
during an extended period of abnormally dry conditions. The
project will include summer field work in remote areas.
The position will start in September 2027 and will be hosted at
the Department of Biology at the University of Regina, working
under the supervision of Dr. Mark Vanderwel (http://vanderwelforestlab.weebly.com).
A minimum stipend of $27 500/year for two years (MSc) or $30
000/yr for four years (PhD) is provided.
Applicants at the MSc level should possess a four-year Bachelor’s
degree (ecology, biology, forestry, environmental science, or a
related field), strong inter-personal skills, field work
experience, and an enthusiasm for research. In addition to these
qualifications, applicants at the PhD level must possess a
Master’s degree in a relevant field.
To apply, please send a cover letter describing research interests
and experience, a CV, unofficial academic transcripts, and contact
information for 2 references by e-mail to mark.vanderwel@uregina.ca.
Review of applications will begin on Nov 2 and will
continue until the position is filled.
Posted 10/15/26
Graduate
position in phenotypic plasticity at The Ohio State University
I am recruiting a highly-motivated masters or PhD student to work
in my lab in the Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal
Biology at The Ohio State University (eeob.osu.edu). The
prospective student should be excited to work with fishes and
possess enthusiasm for laboratory and/or field work, strong
communication skills, and attention to detail. Prior research
experience in ecology, evolution, behavior, or ichthyology is
preferred, but not required. Start date is August 2027. The
position is fully-funded through teaching and research
assistantships, with stipend, full tuition waiver, and health
insurance.
The student will be expected to develop an independent research
program that expands or compliments current research in the lab,
including the role of developmental and transgenerational
plasticity in helping organisms cope with natural and
human-induced environmental change. We study marine and freshwater
fish (e.g., sticklebacks, mangrove rivulus), with existing field
sites in California and Alaska as well as possibly Florida.
Interested students are encouraged to view recent publications and
visit my website (https://jehellmann45.wixsite.com/home)
to get a better idea of current work.
I welcome applicants from under-represented groups in STEM
(including first-generation students) to apply. To begin the
application process, please send a CV, a brief statement of
research interests, an unofficial transcript, and contact
information for three references to Dr. Jennifer Hellmann (Hellmann.13@osu.edu).
Informal review of candidates will begin immediately. Formal
applications to the department are due November 15.
Jennifer Hellmann
Assistant Professor
Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology
The Ohio State University
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Posted 10/15/26
MS and PhD recruitment -
Environmental governance at Colorado State University
Dr. Holly Nesbitt is recruiting PhD and Master’s students to
study collaborative environmental governance in the Forest
Sciences Graduate Program in the Forest and Rangeland
Stewardship department at Colorado State University in Fort
Collins.
Students will have the opportunity to engage in
interdisciplinary research with other scholars and work in
partnership with practitioners to inform policy and programming.
Students should have prior experience or interest in topic areas
like collaboration, environmental governance, natural resource
policy and planning, conservation social science,
social-ecological systems, and research methods in social
sciences.
Students will receive a monthly stipend and have tuition/fees
covered.
For more information on how to apply, please see the following
recruitment announcement: https://docs.google.com/document/d/17S6xx3E1GknU2H8KnbAgmMEDHjpizTnmtdgvgrV5KzM/edit?usp=sharing
Posted 10/14/26
PhD Fellowships in Ecology
Graduate fellowship in ecology and evolutionary biology are
available for Ph.D. students in the Siepielski Lab in the
Department of Biological Sciences and the Ecology, Evolution,
and Organismal Biology group at the University of Arkansas. https://asiepielski.wordpress.com
Our lab focuses on questions at the intersection of ecology and
evolutionary biology. Current projects include: the contribution
of evolution in shaping species coexistence, how species evolve
in response to multi-species interactions such as competition,
predation, and parasitism, and how extreme ecological events
drive eco-evolutionary change. To explore these topics, we use a
combination of observational, experimental, meta-analytical, and
theoretical approaches.
Graduate research fellowships ($32,000 - 42,000, plus health
insurance and tuition waiver) are available for highly
competitive candidates. Please see https://graduate-students.uark.edu/
for additional information on fellowship funding opportunities.
Prospective students should check out our lab website https://asiepielski.wordpress.com
for additional information. If interested in considering joining
our lab group, please contact me via email (amsiepie@uark.edu). In
your email, please include the following: 1) a brief description
of your overall research interests, career goals, and why you
think our lab would be a good fit for you, and 2) your CV. Ideal
candidates will be hard-working, highly motivated, and excited
about studying questions at the interface of ecology and
evolutionary biology. Please note that the deadline for Fall
2027 admission into our program is January 15, 2027. All
materials should be submitted well before then.
The University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, is a Tier I
research university located in the beautiful Ozark Mountains.
The faculty and graduate students at UARK are highly interactive
and include an internationally known group of evolutionary
biologists and ecologists. We are located in an ideal setting
for field-based projects in aquatic systems (AR has more than
2,300 lakes and thousands of smaller ponds, and equally
impressive numbers of rivers, streams and creeks). Fayetteville,
located in northwest Arkansas, offers a high quality of living
at a low cost, an excellent climate, and is a large enough city
to offer diverse activities and amenities. Rock climbing,
hiking, kayaking, canoeing, and especially mountain biking (tons
of amazing mountain bike trails, and more every year!)
opportunities are in close proximity.
Adam M. Siepielski
Department of Biological Sciences
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville AR, 72701
Website: https://asiepielski.wordpress.com
Posted 10/14/26
Ph.D. position on tropical bird
behavior, demography, and species interactions in Panama
The Tarwater Lab (https://www.tarwaterlab.com/)
at the University of Wyoming seeks a highly motivated and
curious Ph.D. student to study tropical birds in Panama, ideally
starting Fall 2027. The student may address questions in
behavior, demography, or species interactions. Projects can
build on ongoing work on army ant swarms, mixed-species flocks,
plant-disperser interactions, population declines, and
multi-taxon interactions among birds, bats, fruits, and insects.
Projects may examine environmental variation across space, using
Panama’s precipitation gradient, or through time, using
long-term data from a single site. A key strength of this
position is access to datasets already collected in Panama. The
student will divide their time between collecting new field data
and analyzing existing data, allowing them to start publishing
early while developing their own fieldwork. The student will
have flexibility to shape the focus of their dissertation within
these themes. Successful applicants will be expected to
contribute to a collaborative team, present results at
professional conferences, publish results in peer-reviewed
journals in a timely manner, and assist with grant proposals.
Support is provided through a combination of Research
Assistantship and Teaching Assistantships, which include a
living wage, tuition, and benefits.
Qualifications: Candidates must possess a B.S. or M.S. degree in
biology, wildlife ecology, natural resource management, or a
related field. Ideal candidates would have 1+ years of field
experience, including experience in the mist-netting of birds,
and some experience in analyses and writing manuscripts.
Preference will be given to applicants with proficiency in
Spanish and experience in tropical avian ecology.
To apply: Email Dr. Corey E. Tarwater (corey.tarwater@uwyo.edu)
with the subject line “PhD Application - Tropical Bird Ecology”
and attach a single document containing: 1) a cover letter
outlining experience and specific interests related to tropical
avian ecology and species interactions; 2) curriculum vitae; 3)
unofficial transcripts; and 4) contact information for 3
references familiar with your experience and qualifications. If
you are an international student, please include your TOEFL
scores. Review of applications will begin November 1, 2026,
and continue until filled.
The University of Wyoming is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative
Action institution and is committed to creating an inclusive
environment in which all members of the university community can
learn, work, and thrive.
Posted 10/14/26
PhD Student Position at Duke: remote
sensing of ecology
The Qiu Lab at Duke University is recruiting one fully funded
Ph.D. student to begin in Fall 2027 (application deadline: December
1, 2026). Our research aims to understand and predict
changes in biodiversity and ecosystem functioning across spatial
and temporal scales. The student will develop an independent
research direction within or across the themes below, with
opportunities to contribute to ongoing projects supported by
NASA, NSF, and private foundations. Learn more about our ongoing
research projects and future research directions at www.tongqiulab.com.
Research Directions
1. Ecological remote sensing for forest and savanna
ecosystems. Characterize and understand the spatial and temporal
variation in the structure, functioning, and dynamics of forests
and savannas. Integrate emerging remote sensing technologies,
including imaging spectroscopy, LiDAR, and satellite-based time
series, to investigate ecosystem responses to environmental
change.
2. Biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. Investigate how
interactions between plants and wildlife shape ecosystem
processes, including carbon and nutrient cycling. Combine remote
sensing, field inventories, wildlife monitoring, and statistical
models to understand how fire, grazing, and the reintroduction
of large herbivores (e.g., rhinos and elephants) influence
biodiversity and its contributions to ecosystem functioning.
3. AI for Ecology. Develop and apply advanced AI methods,
including deep learning and foundation models, to uncover
ecological patterns and improve ecological predictions using
large-scale Earth observation data and long-term ecological
monitoring datasets.
Preferred Candidate Expertise
Backgrounds in ecology, environmental science, remote sensing,
geography, statistics, computer science, or related fields are
welcome. Preferred qualifications include:
• Experience with LiDAR, hyperspectral data, statistical
ecology, or machine/deep learning.
• Experience with R and/or Python and
quantitative/statistical analysis
• Research initiative, intellectual curiosity, willingness
to learn, and a collaborative mindset.
Lab Resources
Remote Sensing Equipment: RIEGL VZ-400i Terrestrial Laser
Scanner; NaturaSpec UV–Vis–NIR–SWIR field spectroradiometers;
HySpex airborne hyperspectral imaging system. Computing:
individual research workstations and access to high-performance
computing clusters and GPU resources.
How to Apply
Formal applications: Apply to Duke’s Ph.D. in Environment
(https://nicholas.duke.edu/academics/doctoral-programs/environment-env)
or University Program in Ecology (UPE; https://nicholas.duke.edu/academics/doctoral-programs/university-program-ecology-upe),
depending on your research interests. Ecology emphasizes
biodiversity and ecological processes; Environment also
accommodates environmental remote sensing and interdisciplinary
work. For Fall 2027 admission, the Ecology deadline is December
1, 2026, and the Environment deadline is December 3, 2026.
Initial inquiry: Email tong.qiu@duke.edu
with subject “application for PhD 2027 – [Your Name]”. Please
provide:
• Your current CV and undergraduate/graduate transcripts
(as applicable).
• An approximately one-page statement describing previous
research, questions you hope to pursue, and why the Qiu Lab is a
good fit.
• A research paper or writing sample, if available.
• Names and contact information for three potential
references.
Tong Qiu,
Ph.D.
Assistant professor of Ecology
Nicholas School of the Environment
Duke University
A320 Levine Science Research Center,
Durham, NC 27708
Website: www.tongqiulab.com
Email: tong.qiu@duke.edu
Posted 10/14/26
PhD Position in Root Ecology – Penn
State Root Agroecology Lab
The Fleishman Root Agroecology Lab (https://sites.psu.edu/fleishmanrootagroecology/)
in the Department of Plant Science at Penn State University is
recruiting a PhD student to begin studies in Fall 2027, with the
opportunity to begin research activities as soon as spring 2027.
Our lab focuses on understanding the role of perennial root
systems in supporting plant health and enhancing soil quality.
We seek to explore the relationships between root system
properties, root-microbe interactions, and biogeochemical
cycling to improve agricultural and environmental resilience.
The initial PhD projects will focus on woody root ecology in
vineyards and orchards. There is ample flexibility for students
to tailor specific measurements and expand into related
agricultural or forest systems based on their research interests
and aptitudes. A background in plant science, sustainable
agriculture, soils, or ecology is preferred but not required.
Students have the option to complete their degree through the
Agricultural, Environmental, and Plant Sciences (AEPS) program
or the Ecology Intercollege Graduate Program at Penn State. The
lab is highly collaborative, with ample opportunities to
interact with other students and faculty through university-wide
initiatives, including the Center for Root and Rhizosphere
Biology and the One Health Microbiome Center.
How to apply: Interested students can send a CV, a short
description of your research interests and experience, and
unofficial transcripts to Dr. Suzanne Fleishman at smfleishman@psu.edu.
Please include "PhD Position in Root Ecology" in the email
subject line.
Suzanne Fleishman
Assistant Professor of Root Biology
201 Tyson
Department of Plant Sciences
Penn State University
she/her/hers
Root Agroecology Lab
Posted 10/14/26
PhD Assistantships: Wildfire
Social-Ecological Systems and Creative Technology | CU Boulder
| Nov 1 Deadline
PhD Assistantships: Wildfire Social-Ecological Systems and
Creative Technology
WILDD Systems Lab; University of Colorado Boulder; USA
Two PhD assistantships are available at the University of
Colorado Boulder for students interested in bringing together
social-ecological systems science and creative technology to
investigate wildfire, ecological disturbance, landscape change,
and recovery. Students will combine environmental data science
with interactive and immersive technologies to generate new
scientific insights and develop tools for environmental research
and decision-making.
Applicants may come from a range of disciplinary backgrounds;
curiosity about and commitment to working across these areas
matter more than prior expertise in all of them.
Students will be advised by Dr. Megan Cattau and will be active
members of the WILDD Systems Lab (Ways of Interpreting Landscape
Disturbance + Dynamics; https://www.colorado.edu/atlas/wildd-systems-lab)
within the ATLAS Institute (https://www.colorado.edu/atlas/)
at the University of Colorado Boulder (https://www.colorado.edu/).
Depending on their backgrounds and research interests, the
students may pursue a PhD in Creative Technology and Design (https://www.colorado.edu/atlas/academics/grad/ctd-phd)
at ATLAS or in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (http://colorado.edu/ebio/graduate/ma-phd-programs).
Initial interest form deadline: November 1, 2026.
Selected finalists will be invited to apply formally to the
appropriate CU Boulder PhD program by December 1, 2026.
Complete the
initial interest form
View
the full position announcement
Posted 10/14/26
MS or PhD Opportunity in Animal
Behavior and the Evolution of Mate Choice
The Dopman Laboratory in the Department of Biology at Tufts
University is seeking an MS or PhD student interested in animal
behavior, mate choice, and sexual selection. The student will
use the European corn borer moth, Ostrinia nubilalis, to
investigate how variation in sexual signals and mating
preferences affects mate choice, assortative mating, and the
evolution of reproductive isolation.
*****Project background*****
Mate choice can shape evolution by determining which individuals
reproduce and which combinations of traits and preferences are
transmitted to the next generation. Fisherian models of sexual
selection predict that mating preferences generate nonrandom
mating, creating genetic covariance between sexual traits and
preferences and allowing positive feedback in their coevolution.
Although this process is well established theoretically, the
behavioral steps connecting preference, mating patterns, genetic
covariance, and coevolution have been incompletely explored
empirically.
The European corn borer provides an unusually tractable system
for studying these questions. Females produce alternative
sex-pheromone blends, and males differ in their behavioral
preferences for those blends. Variation in the female pheromone
signal is associated with the locus pgFAR, whereas variation in
male preference for the female pheromone is associated with the
locus bab. These genes occur on different chromosomes but
nevertheless show strong genetic covariance in some natural
populations. These findings establish a foundation for studying
how individual mating decisions scale up to produce
population-level evolutionary change.
*****Graduate research*****
The student will develop an independent project centered on the
behavior and evolution of mate choice. Possible questions
include:
* How does genetic variation in female signals and male
preferences affect sexual selection and assortative mating?
* How consistent are mating preferences across individuals,
populations, and environmental conditions?
* How do experience, social context, or population composition
alter mate choice?
* How do climate, artificial light, air pollution, host plants,
or natural enemies affect pheromone communication?
* Does sexual selection act more strongly on female signals,
male preferences, or both?
* How do sexual selection and genetic drift interact to
maintain—or eliminate—variation in female signals and male
preferences within populations?
* How does divergence in mate choice contribute to reproductive
isolation between populations?
Research may involve controlled behavioral assays,
population-cage experiments, pheromone manipulations, insect
rearing, field experiments, and quantitative analysis of
behavior. Genetic or genomic approaches may be incorporated to
connect behavioral variation with the underlying signal and
preference loci, but prior molecular experience is not required.
The precise direction of the project will be developed
collaboratively based on the student’s interests.
*****Desired qualifications*****
Applicants must have a strong interest in animal behavior and
mate choice. Students interested in behavioral ecology, sexual
selection, animal communication, sensory ecology, evolutionary
biology, or entomology are especially encouraged to apply.
Previous experience with behavioral experiments, insect
husbandry, field biology, experimental design, video or
observational data, or statistical analysis would be helpful.
More important are curiosity about animal behavior, careful
observational skills, patience with experimental work, and
enthusiasm for developing independent research questions.
Students must also have an ability to work with others and a
strong sense of humor, both of which are needed to make science
fun and worthwhile.
*****Research environment*****
The Dopman Laboratory combines behavioral experiments with
genetic, genomic, and evolutionary approaches to understand how
ecological and behavioral differences arise. The student will
join the Department of Biology at Tufts University in Medford,
Massachusetts.
*****How to apply*****
Initial inquiries can be made by contacting:
Erik Dopman
Department of Biology
Tufts University
Erik.Dopman (at) tufts.edu
Please include:
* A brief description of your interests in animal behavior, mate
choice, or sexual selection.
* A curriculum vitae or resume.
* A description of relevant research, coursework, field,
laboratory, or quantitative experience.
* An indication of whether you are interested in the MS or PhD
program.
Applicants from a broad range of academic backgrounds are
encouraged to inquire. Direct experience with animal behavior is
welcome but not essential. Applicants should explain why they
are interested in studying mate choice and how graduate research
fits their longer-term goals.
* Anticipated start: Fall 2027
* Tufts application information: https://as.tufts.edu/biology/prospective-students/graduate-admissions-and-aid
Posted 10/14/26
Graduate Opportunity (MS or PhD) -
Fall 2027 - Appalachian Forest Carbon & Resilience -
University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science
Position summary: The Global Change Ecology Lab led by Dr.
Miriam Johnston at the University of Maryland Center for
Environmental Science (UMCES) invites applications for a
graduate student position (MS or PhD) in forest ecology. We
combine diverse measurements and models to understand and
predict the response of terrestrial ecosystems to climate,
disturbance, and management, with the ultimate goal of
supporting sustainability. In collaboration with The Nature
Conservancy, the student will explore the relationship between
forest ecosystem resilience and carbon sequestration in the
Central Appalachians. There is flexibility in the research
question to be addressed; key methods may include remote
sensing, dendroecology, eddy covariance, and/or ecosystem
modeling, depending on student interest.
Start date: Fall 2027
About the University of Maryland Center for Environmental
Science: UMCES comprises a network of research laboratories
located across the state with a shared mission to advance
scientific knowledge of the environment and to educate the next
generation of environmental scientists and professionals. The
Appalachian Laboratory (AL; https://www.umces.edu/al)
is in Frostburg (https://maps.app.goo.gl/m8boJcuRG45KzKBVA),
Maryland, in the western part of the state. The AL has a highly
collaborative and interdisciplinary environment. We prioritize
an inclusive and collegial lab culture and look forward to
welcoming new students. Students matriculate through the Marine,
Estuarine, and Environmental Sciences program (https://www.mees.umd.edu/program-overview).
They are affiliated both with UMCES and The University of
Maryland, College Park; degrees are joint between these two
universities.
Location: Frostburg, MD is a small college town (https://www.downtownfrostburg.com/)
in the scenic Appalachian Mountains with a low cost of living,
little traffic, and abundant outdoor recreational and cultural
opportunities. Nearby amenities include numerous state and
national parks and forests, whitewater areas, the C&O Canal
(https://www.nps.gov/choh/index.htm),
bike trails including the Great Allegheny Passage (https://gaptrail.org/), and
Frostburg State University (https://www.frostburg.edu/).
Qualifications: Applicants must have:
- A BA, BS, or MS in environmental science, ecology, biology,
forestry, data science, or a related field (note: PhD applicants
do not need prior MS);
- Proficiency in reading scientific literature;
- Enthusiasm to learn quantitative and/or technical skills as
required; and
- Strong interest in forested ecosystems of the eastern United
States.
Benefits: Annual stipend is ~$35.5K per year, with tuition
remission and excellent health benefits. Full support is
guaranteed for two years, with ample opportunity to co-write
proposals to secure additional funding.
How to Apply:
1. Please email miriam.johnston@umces.edu
with a cover letter, CV or resume, and unofficial college
transcript to express interest in this position. (Suggested time
frame: October/November 2026.)
2. Dr. Johnston will follow up with selected candidates for
additional conversation. (Within one month of email contact.)
3. A subset of students will be encouraged to apply formally to
the MEES program. (MEES application deadline: January 15, 2027.)
The University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science is
an equal opportunity employer. The Center’s policies, programs,
and activities are in conformance with pertinent Federal and
State laws and regulations on nondiscrimination regarding race,
color, religion, age, national origin, sex, and disability.
Inquiries regarding compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights
Act of 1964, as amended; Title IX of the Educational Amendments;
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; and the Americans
with Disabilities Act of 1990; or related legal requirements
should be directed to the Director of Human Relations, Center
Administration, P.O. Box 775, Cambridge, MD 21613.
Posted 10/14/26
Comparative Biology PhD Program
American Museum of Natural History
Deadline Date 15-Dec-2026
Program Information https://www.amnh.org/research/richard-gilder-graduate-school/comparative-biology-phd
Sponsor Website https://www.amnh.org/
Synopsis
The AMNH Ph.D. Program in Comparative Biology is training the
next generation of biologists through an integrative approach
focused on the history, evolutionary relationships, and
interactions among species. It builds on the Museum’s strength
and experience in research and training, educating a new
generation of scientists to become leaders in understanding the
history and diversity of life on Earth and in disseminating
their work in ways that will support advances in biological
research, human health, biodiversity conservation, and other
related fields. This is an accelerated program, designed for
students to complete their degrees in four years. The Richard
Gilder Graduate School will typically provide full financial
support to students matriculating in the Comparative Biology
Ph.D. Program.
Posted 10/13/26
PhD position in butterfly structural
coloration
The Rubin Lab at Texas Tech University seeks a highly motivated
PhD student to begin Fall 2027. Research in the lab focuses on
the evolution of elaborate traits in animals, especially through
the lens of predator-prey interactions. We use a combination of
behavioral experiments, physiological assays, phylogenetics, and
macroevolutionary analyses to answer questions at mechanistic
and evolutionary scales. Click here for the lab website (https://www.depts.ttu.edu/biology/people/Faculty/Rubin/index.php).
The primary project of the graduate student will focus on
structural coloration in butterflies via color quantification,
visual modeling, behavioral experiments, and bioinformatics.
While applicants are not required to have previous experience
with these techniques, an understanding of evolutionary
principles and behavioral ecology is preferred. This work will
involve outdoor fieldwork, indoor laboratory/computer work, and
natural history museum collections sampling.
This position is fully funded through a TA-ship with
supplementary summer RA and includes a tuition waiver and health
care benefits.
Required qualifications: 1) Previous experience with scientific
research, as evidenced by a peer-reviewed publication(s) or a
draft of a scientific manuscript, 2) Quantitative skills and
experience conducting statistical analyses in R and/or Python,
3) Strong motivation to work both independently and
collaboratively.
Preferred qualifications: 1) MS degree, 2) multiple
peer-reviewed publications, 3) Experience writing and acquiring
funding for research, 4) Experience mist netting birds, 5)
Experience and interest in mentoring undergraduate or
postbaccalaureate students
To apply: Applications are due to TTU in early December. Prior
to submitting your official application, please contact Dr.
Juliette Rubin by November 2: Juliette.Rubin@ttu.edu Include in
your email the following: 1) Curriculum vitae, 2) Cover letter
describing your interest in the lab/research (https://juliettejr.wixsite.com/julietterubin),
your previous research experience, and your qualifications that
would make you a good candidate for this position, 3) Names and
contact information for 3 references (these will not be
contacted until after the zoom interview stage).
Juliette J. Rubin, PhD
Assistant Professor
Department of Biological Sciences
Texas Tech University
she/her/hers
Personal website: https://juliettejr.wixsite.com/julietterubin
Posted 10/10/26
Forest Biogeography Graduate Student
Position at Western Washington University
A fully funded graduate student position will be available in
the Environmental Studies MA program within Western Washington
University’s College of the Environment starting in fall 2027.
The graduate student will be advised by Dr. Aquila Flower (https://wp.wwu.edu/flower/)
and will be affiliated with WWU’s Spatial Institute (https://cenv.wwu.edu/spatial-institute).
Thesis research will focus on forest biogeography in the Salish
Sea region using a combination of field methods, geospatial
analysis, remote sensing, and/or dendrochronology. Funding in
the form of a tuition waiver and stipend is available through
two academic years of Teaching Assistant positions assisting
with GIS and/or physical geography classes. A part-time Research
Assistant position during the student’s first summer at WWU may
also be available.
Qualifications:
•
Eligibility for admission to the Environmental Studies MA
graduate program.
•
Ability to succeed as a Teaching Assistant in GIS and/or
physical geography classes.
•
Completion of introductory or higher classes in GIS and
statistics prior to beginning the degree.
•
Strong writing skills.
•
Strong interest in understanding spatiotemporal forest ecosystem
dynamics in western Washington State.
•
Preferred qualifications include some combination of previous
experience with forest ecology, ecological fieldwork,
dendrochronology, advanced geospatial analysis techniques,
and/or LiDAR data analysis and familiarity with the temperate
forest ecosystems of Washington and British Columbia.
Interested candidates should reach out to aquila.flower@wwu.edu
with a resume/CV and summary of their research interests and
relevant experience.
Posted 10/10/26
PhD
Opportunity in Quantitative Insect Ecology
The Campbell Lab (https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/people-directory/lindsay-campbell/)
in the Department of Entomology and Nematology at the University
of Florida is recruiting a fully funded PhD student to begin as
early as January 2027. Later start dates will also be considered.
Our lab (https://lcampbelllab.wixsite.com/campbell-lab)
studies the spatiotemporal ecology of insects and the ecological
systems that shape human, animal, and environmental health. We
seek to understand and predict where, when, and why insect
populations, life cycles, and interactions vary across
environments. Our goal is to develop tools that help us to
understand and anticipate these dynamics to improve overall health
on our planet.
Our research is interdisciplinary, combining entomology and
ecology with geospatial science, data science, and quantitative
modeling. We have particular expertise in zoonotic arbovirus
systems, while working more broadly across insect taxa and
ecological systems. We are primarily computational and are
especially interested in approaches that bridge ecological
questions with advances in data science, modeling, and
computational methods.
The student will have the opportunity to develop a dissertation
project within one of several research directions. These include:
Extreme weather and insect dynamics: Develop a project within a
multi-lab NSF-funded collaboration investigating how extreme
weather events impact insect phenology and abundances at
continental scales.
Vector-borne disease ecology and forecasting: Extend ongoing
state-funded research examining the ecology and forecasting of
insect vectors and vector-borne disease.
Independent research: Develop a new project aligned with interests
and expertise broadly within overall lab research themes.
These research directions leverage substantial existing datasets
and a collaborative network, providing a strong foundation for
project development.
Because we are interdisciplinary, we are particularly interested
in applicants with experience or strong interest in insect ecology
+ data wrangling and data science, coding, quantitative ecology,
biodiversity science, or geospatial technologies. A background in
entomology is valuable but not strictly required.
The Department of Entomology and Nematology (https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/)
at the University of Florida is consistently ranked among the top
programs in the U.S. and internationally. The Campbell Lab is
highly collaborative, with opportunities to work with researchers
across the department, UF, and a broader network of academic and
agency partners.
Interested students can send a cv, a short description of your
research interests and experience, as well as contact information
for two references to Lindsay Campbell at lcampbell2@ufl.edu. Please
include PhD Opportunity and your last name in the email subject
line.
Lindsay P. Campbell, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Entomology and Nematology
IFAS | University of Florida
Steinmetz Hall, 1881 Natural Area Drive
Gainesville | FL 32611 |USA
Posted 10/9/26
PhD,
Masters, & Postdoc Opportunities in Wildlife Conservation
Ecology—Florida Atlantic University
I am seeking Ph.D., M.S., and postdoctoral researchers interested
in joining the Gorczynski Conservation Ecology lab at Florida
Atlantic University (FAU) in Southeast Florida starting in Fall
2027.
My research focuses on terrestrial mammal and bird ecology and
conservation, including camera-trap monitoring, landscape ecology,
tropical biology, human–wildlife interactions, and conservation
technology. I am looking for researchers whose interests overlap
with these areas while encouraging students and postdocs to
develop their own questions and directions. Please check out my
website for more information on the lab’s research program: https://danielgorczynski.weebly.com
You can also find information on the different FAU programs for
the various positions at the following: https://danielgorczynski.weebly.com/join-the-lab.html
Interested applicants are encouraged to fill out the following
interest form: https://forms.gle/ooN6GCsTeDFcs7dH7
Daniel Gorczynski, Ph.D.
Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
Biological Sciences
Florida Atlantic University
Posted 10/9/26
PhD
opportunity in environmental data science and global change
biology -- University of Pittsburgh
The Song Lab in the Department of Biological Sciences at the
University of Pittsburgh, welcomes inquiries from prospective PhD
students interested in starting in Fall 2027.
Our lab focuses on how global change alters phenology and
biodiversity, and how these ecological changes interact with human
activities. We integrate large-scale observational datasets and
cutting-edge analytical tools, from hierarchical Bayesian modeling
to artificial intelligence. We aim to provide both theoretical
insights and practical solutions to the challenges posed by our
rapidly changing world. For more about our research, please visit
https://yiluansong.github.io/.
We are recruiting a PhD student to develop research projects at
the intersection of phenology, biodiversity, and global change,
using large ecological datasets and innovative modeling
approaches. Potential projects include:
- Extracting phenological signals from multimodal data sources
(e.g., herbarium specimens, citizen science, observational
networks) to model phenological change across space and time.
- Modeling seasonal changes in biodiversity along environmental
gradients and their link to the phenology of species.
- Forecasting fine-scale pollen concentrations in urban landscapes
using models that integrate wind-pollinated plant composition and
phenology.
The PhD student will co-develop research questions and methods
with the PI, lead data analysis, collaborate with internal and
external partners, prepare manuscripts, and present scientific
findings. We welcome students trained in ecology who would like to
develop expertise in ecological modeling and data science, as well
as students who are passionate about applying statistical and
computational methods to tackle challenges in global change
biology.
Preferred qualifications:
- A background in ecology, environmental science, data science, or
related fields
- Strong quantitative skills, or demonstrated ability and
motivation to develop them further
- Curiosity about how environmental change (e.g., climate change,
human modifications) is shaping ecosystems
This is a full‑time, in‑person position based on the Pittsburgh
campus. The successful candidate will start in Fall 2027.
Prospective PhD students should reach out by filling out this
form: https://forms.gle/NN2JkyFxHtu5z5Um7.
Selected applicants will be invited for further conversations on
research interests.
Yiluan Song
Assistant Professor
Department of Biological Sciences
University of Pittsburgh
Posted 10/8/26
PhD
and Postdoc opportunities at Stanford Oceans in AI, robotics,
and marine ecology
I am starting a new lab (https://oceans.stanford.edu/people/levi-veevee-cai)
at Stanford in the Oceans Department and am recruiting PhD
students and Postdocs to begin in Fall 2027. The lab will be
interdisciplinary and focused on developing novel AI/machine
learning algorithms and robotic systems for monitoring,
conservation, and exploration of ocean ecosystems. These include
topics in geospatial AI and core machine learning development for
species-level detection and behavior understanding as well as
modeling of dynamical systems applied to topics in physical and/or
biogeochemical oceanography, species distributions, marine
ecology, and more. Students and postdocs will also be expected to
participate in field work.
These positions can be at either Hopkins Marine Station in
Monterey or at Stanford’s main campus in Palo Alto.
Interested PhD students should attend the Virtual Open House (https://oceans.stanford.edu/oceans.stanford.edu/academics/graduate-program/admissions)
on Oct. 15th, and the deadline to apply in the Oceans Department
is Dec. 2nd. All interested applicants (PhD or postdoc)
should fill out this Interest Form (https://forms.gle/HmpjZZRYLNd8THG77).
Veevee Cai
Posted 10/8/26
Funded
M.S. position in wildfire ecology and climate change
Portland State University | Fall 2027 | Global
Environmental Change Lab
The Global Environmental Change (GEC) Lab at Portland State
University is seeking a motivated M.S. student to begin in Fall
2027. The student will develop a thesis project in wildfire
ecology in the Pacific Northwest, with possible directions
including wildfire and the wildland–urban interface (WUI) or
changes in wildfire regimes under climate change. Research may
draw on field observations, remote sensing, ecological data
analysis, and collaboration with agency or community partners.
The student will join PSU’s NSF-funded RECHARGE graduate training
program. Year-one support is a 12-month fellowship from September
16, 2027, through September 15, 2028, with a $34k (ca. $2.8k/mo)
stipend and a tuition waiver. Year-two support is expected through
a graduate teaching assistantship at 0.34 FTE, currently ca. $17k
for a nine-month appointment (ca. $1.9k/mo). The GTA salary may
increase by Fall 2028. Students will also participate in RECHARGE
courses, seminars, workshops, and collaborative activities,
including transdisciplinary research and professional development.
Applicants should have a bachelor’s degree in ecology,
environmental science, geography, forestry, or a related field; a
strong interest in wildfire and climate-change research; and a
willingness to work across disciplines and with research partners.
Experience with field research, GIS or remote sensing, and
quantitative analysis is useful. Quantitative analysis skills in R
or Python are preferred. Oregon residency is required because
funding for the tuition difference for out-of-state students is
not assured.
How to apply: The selected student must first be admitted to the
PSU Geography M.S. program and complete the required RECHARGE
application form. The graduate-program application deadline is
currently January 15, 2027. Interested candidates should
email Andrés Holz at andres.holz@pdx.edu
with a brief statement of research interests and relevant
experience, a CV or résumé, and unofficial transcripts. Please
reach out early to discuss project fit and the application
process.
PSU is Oregon’s urban research university, located in the heart of
downtown Portland, a beautiful and vibrant city with easy access
to the Willamette Valley, Oregon Coast, Cascade Mountains, and
high desert. The GEC Lab (https://sites.google.com/a/pdx.edu/gec_lab/home?authuser=0)
studies forest disturbance and environmental change across the
Pacific Northwest and beyond. The lab conducts use-inspired
science, supports translational research, is committed to an
inclusive and supportive research environment, and encourages
applications from people with a range of backgrounds and
experiences.
Andrés Holz (he/him/él)
Professor,
School of the Earth, Environment, and Society (SEES - Geography)
Director, EES PhD program & PSU's Global Environmental Change
(GEC) Lab
Portland State University
Portland State University is located on the unceded homelands of
the Multnomah, Kathlamet, Clackamas, Tumwater, Watlala bands of
the Chinook, the Tualatin Kalapuya, and many other Indigenous
nations of the Columbia River, in what is known as Portland,
Oregon. Consider donating to PSU's Native American Student and
Community Center.
Posted 10/8/26
Accepting
apps for the M.S. in Environmental Biology program at Regis
University-Denver, CO
Over the last ten 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 natural resource 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
your needs and goals.
4. Offer small class sizes and a cohort experience that enables
students to build close relationships with other students and with
faculty members who are focused on helping each student navigate
their own career pathway.
Our alumni have indicated that the program’s emphasis on applied
skills 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. In our latest alumni survey, 84% of program graduates
reported finding employment in an environmental field within six
months of graduation.
We have Teaching Fellowships available for the 2027-2028 academic
year, which provide valuable teaching experience and offset a part
of 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, 2027.
We also offer merit-based scholarships to all eligible applicants
to the M.S. Environmental Biology Program for the 2027-2028
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.
Ariel Wooldridge, M.S. (she, her, hers)
Academic Program Coordinator | Affiliate Faculty
Department of Biology
3333 Regis Blvd., Denver, CO 80221 D-8
P 303.964.6429 | E woold729@regis.edu
| REGIS.EDU
Regis University
Posted 10/8/26
M.S.
Graduate Student Opportunity in Plant Conservation at the
University of Virginia
I am looking to recruit an M.S. student to the University of
Virginia's Environmental Sciences Department to study some aspect
of conservation of butternut trees (Juglans cinerea) as
part of an ongoing research project. Butternut trees are
undergoing steep population declines primarily due to infection
with butternut canker disease and I am looking for a student to
work in Virginia on some aspect(s) of tree conservation including
population health or genetics, disease resistance, epidemiology or
a related field. Some research experiences that would be highly
prized in a potential student include
· plant pathology
· fungal culturing
· plant propagation
· population genetics
· community science
The student would be based in Boyce, Virginia at Blandy
Experimental Farm during the summer and based in Charlottesville
for classes during the academic year. Blandy Experimental Farm is
a UVa ecological field station and home of the State Arboretum of
Virginia.
For more information, including how to apply and financial
support, please go here: https://blandy.virginia.edu/ms-student-sought-butternut-tree-conservation
T'ai Roulston
Research Associate Professor, Environmental Sciences Department,
UVa
Curator, State Arboretum of Virginia
tai.roulston@virginia.edu
https://blandy.virginia.edu/tai-roulston-home-page
Posted 10/8/26
PhD
position in plant-animal interactions at Florida State
University
The Williams Lab in the Department of Biological Science at
Florida State University is recruiting a PhD student interested in
community ecology to join the lab starting in Fall 2027. The PhD
student would study resource-consumer interactions between
seed-producing trees (such as pines and oaks) and seed-consuming
vertebrates (mainly mice). Potential research topics include
temporal resource dynamics, diet analysis, vertebrate population
dynamics, interactions among multiple trophic levels, and/or fire
ecology. Students will have the opportunity to conduct fieldwork
in the longleaf pine savannas of northern Florida and/or southern
Georgia.
Applicants should have a bachelor’s or master’s degree in ecology,
environmental science, biology, or a related field. Prior
experience with fieldwork, data analysis, and scientific writing
is preferred.
To apply, email Dr. Peter Williams (pwilliams15@fsu.edu) by November
1st, 2026 with the subject line "Prospective PhD Student".
Include (1) your CV or resume, (2) a one-page cover letter
summarizing your research background, research interests, and why
you are interested in joining the lab, and (3) contact information
for 2-3 professional references. Zoom interviews will be scheduled
with the most competitive applicants. Selected applicants will
then be asked to officially apply to the FSU biology graduate
program by December 1st.
Peter Williams, PhD
Assistant Professor
Department of Biological Science
Florida State University
pwilliamsecology.com
Posted 10/8/26
Master's
Position in Forest Ecology at Towson University
Master’s Student Position – Forest Ecology and Deer Impacts
Dr. Vanessa Beauchamp and Dr. Harald Beck in the Department of
Biological Sciences at Towson University are recruiting a Master’s
student to begin in September 2027. The successful applicant will
participate in a re-survey of our long-term deer exclosure
project, which is now more than a decade old (installed
2013–2014).
The project provides an opportunity to examine long-term changes
in forest communities following the exclusion of white-tailed deer
and to integrate multiple components of the forest ecosystem. The
thesis project will focus on resurveying herbaceous and woody
vegetation and tracked seedlings, as well as analyzing existing
datasets on vegetation, leaf litter accumulation, leaf-litter
invertebrates, and salamanders.
The student will be supported by a 9-month, 20-hour-per-week
teaching assistantship with tuition remission and a guaranteed
summer stipend.
Candidates must be self-motivated, comfortable working in the
field under challenging conditions (heat, humidity, sun,
mosquitoes, poison ivy, etc.), and have experience with scientific
writing. Experience with plant identification or data analysis is
desirable but not required.
Interested students should send a C.V. and a one-page statement of
research interests, goals, and relevant experience to Dr. Vanessa
Beauchamp (vbeauchamp@towson.edu)
by November 1, 2026 for consideration. Qualified and
competitive applicants will be invited to participate in a video
interview with Dr. Beauchamp and Dr. Beck. Competitive applicants
will then be invited to submit an application to the Biological
Sciences M.S. Program by January 15, 2026 https://www.towson.edu/fcsm/departments/biology/gradbiology/admission.html
Vanessa Beauchamp
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Professor | Department of Biological Sciences
P: 410-704-2286 | F: 410-704-2405
vbeauchamp@towson.edu
| www.towson.edu/fcsm/departments/biology/
https://calendly.com/vbeauchamp/15min
Posted 10/8/26
Graduate
(MSc) Position in Avian Ecology and Remote Sensing at Cal Poly
Pomona
The Scordato Lab at Cal Poly Pomona invites applications for a
Master’s student to study avian ecology in a Southern California
agroecosystem. The Scordato lab is part of the SPACES Institute, a
NASA-funded initiative aimed at integrating remote sensing data
into on-the-ground assessments of biodiversity and ecosystem
services. The SPACES Institute includes faculty from Cal Poly
Pomona, UC Santa Barbara, and the UC Agriculture and Natural
Resources extension. We work closely with farmers and conservation
non-profits throughout our study region with the overall aim of
improving biodiversity in complex agricultural landscapes.
We are recruiting a Master’s student to study how native plant
restoration and landscape-level vegetation structure affect avian
communities across spatial scales. There is broad scope for the
student to develop independent lines of inquiry, but any project
will involve point counts in the field and use of remote sensing
products. The student will have access to >4 years of
longitudinal data on bird community structure, data on arthropod
communities, newly collected high-resolution lidar and
hyperspectral data, as well as existing NASA remote sensing
products. The Master’s student will be expected to work on all
aspects of the research project, collaborate closely with other
members of our interdisciplinary research team, participate in
public outreach, and lead the preparation of at least one
peer-reviewed manuscript. This position is funded for two years
with the possibility of a third year. The expected start date is
Summer 2027.
Required qualifications: 1) a Bachelor’s degree in biology,
ecology, environmental science, wildlife biology, or similar
field; 2) strong writing and quantitative skills; 3) a valid US
driver’s license.
Preferred qualifications (but do not hesitate to apply if you do
not have these): 1) experience with avian point counts and/or
strong identification skills for Southern California birds; 2)
experience conducting field research, particularly in challenging
conditions; 3) familiarity with R and/or Python; and/or 4)
experience working with geospatial data.
Read more about the project here: https://www.scordatolab.com/
and the SPACES Institute here: https://www.spacesinstitute.org/
Please reach out to Liz Scordato at escordato@cpp.edu with any
questions. To apply, please send the following to escordato@cpp.edu
by November 13th:
Cover Letter (max 1 page)
CV with academic and professional experience
The names and contact information for 2-3 references
Review of applications will begin November 13th, and
interviews will be scheduled for mid to late November.
Dr. Elizabeth Scordato
Associate Professor
Department of Biological Sciences
Cal Poly Pomona
3801 West Temple Ave. | Pomona, CA 91768
T 909-869-3146
escordato@cpp.edu
| Lab Website
Posted 10/7/26
Explore
Applied Grad Degrees in Natural Resources (Virtual, Oct. 20)
Considering grad school? Join us for a Virtual Info Session!
Explore the applied graduate programs at Colorado State
University's Warner College of Natural Resources (https://warnercnr.colostate.edu/grad-students/)
on Tuesday, October 20, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. MT.
During the session, you'll learn:
What an "applied" graduate degree is and how it can elevate your
career
What makes Warner College's programs unique, including
interdisciplinary instruction, professional development support,
and hands-on learning
How our students and alumni are making an impact in conservation,
sustainability, and ecosystem science
👉 Register
here
Can't make it? RSVP anyway! We'll send you the recording and
connect you with our team to answer your questions.
What makes our programs different
Warner's applied programs focus on skills employers want: data
science, carbon accounting, project management, restoration,
climate risk, leadership, and communication. You don't need an
advisor for admission.
The impact you can make
Our grads are working at agencies, nonprofits, and companies to
restore damaged landscapes, help communities adapt to climate
change, manage wildlife and the people who share their habitat,
and lead conservation efforts from local to global scales.
Advance on your terms
Thinking about a promotion, a career change, or landing your first
job in the field? Start with a graduate certificate or go for the
full master's degree. With flexible online options, hands-on
internships, and dedicated career support, you can advance your
career in a way that fits your life.
Kathryn Metzger (she/her)
HDNR Graduate Programs Manager
Human Dimensions of Natural Resources
Fort Collins, CO 80521
Posted 10/7/26
Ph.D.
Assistantship at University of Florida (Summer or Fall 2027) -
Effects of regenerative management on nutrient cycling, soil
health and soil microbial ecology in organic systems of North
Florida
We are seeking a Ph.D. student to join an interdisciplinary team
at the University of Florida working on regenerative management in
organic systems. The Ph.D. student will be chaired by Dr. Gabriel
Maltais-Landry (https://soils.ifas.ufl.edu/sustainable-nutrient-management-systems/)
and Dr. Sunny Liao (https://sunnymicrobiome.weebly.com/)
both in the Department of Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences. The
student will focus primarily on nutrient cycling in crops and
soils, soil health, and soil microbial ecology, with the goal of
better integrating biologically and chemically mediated processes
to better understand and assess soil health. The student will
conduct field and laboratory experiments to evaluate how
regenerative management practices, including reduced tillage and
more diverse cover cropping, as well as different fertility and
pest management strategies, affects various crops (corn, carrot,
peanut, and watermelon) in organic production systems. They will
also apply molecular-based techniques to characterize microbial
communities and investigate their functions within these
agricultural systems. The assistantship is expected to start in
Summer (May) or Fall (August) semester of 2027 and includes a
twelve-month stipend and full tuition coverage over a four-year
period.
The student will focus on several of the following areas:
- Nutrient cycling, including measurements of nutrient cycling in
crops and soils, and nutrient budgets;
- Soil health, including measurements of different biological and
chemical indicators;
- Soil microbial ecology, including amplicon sequencing and qPCR
measurements;
- Other research focus areas chosen by the student to develop
independent research that is complementary to measurements and
experiments conducted as part of the main project.
The successful applicant will have all or some of the following:
- A degree in soil sciences or related disciplines – a MS degree
is preferred but applicants with a BS and a strong record of
relevant research/work experience will be considered;
- Experience conducting field work in agroecosystems, ideally
sampling crops and soils;
- Experience with protocols related to nutrient cycling and soil
health;
- Experience with microbial techniques such as amplicon sequencing
and/or qPCR;
- Experience with statistical analyses (regression, ANOVA),
ideally in R, and interest in expanding data analytical skills to
more advanced methods, including bioinformatics;
- The capacity to work outside in hot and humid conditions during
the Florida summer;
- A valid US driver’s license is preferred, but applicants with a
valid international driver’s license that can obtain a US license
within two months of starting the position will be considered.
Before applying officially, interested applicants should contact
Dr. Gabriel Maltais-Landry (maltaislandryg@ufl.edu)
and/or Dr. Sunny Liao (sunny.liao@ufl.edu)
directly with a one-page letter of research experience and
interests, a CV, and contact information (no letters required) of
three referees, all in a single pdf file. Interested applicants
should reach out by October 31, 2026, and be ready to
formally apply to the Department of Soil, Water, and Ecosystem
Sciences and/or the School of Natural Resources and the
Environment by the end of December 2026. Only selected applicants
will be encouraged to formally apply.
Posted 10/6/26
PhD
and MS opportunities in mammalian reproduction
MS and PhD openings are available in my research group (Javier
delBarco-Trillo’s lab: about.illinoisstate.edu/jdelbar)
in the School of Biological Sciences at Illinois State University
to start in the fall of 2027. My research topics are quite
diverse, including sexual selection (sperm competition), olfactory
communication, urban ecology/evolution, and animal behavior.
Current projects for example are investigating how urbanization
affects ultrasonic vocalizations and sperm function. Although I’m
happy to supervise projects in various topics and organisms, I’m
particularly searching for prospective students interested in
projects centered on how sperm physiology is affected by factors
such as urbanization and altitude. I’m mostly interested in
supporting self-driven, independent, and imaginative students with
high proficiency in written and spoken English, and with
experience collecting and analyzing data.
If interested, please send (jdelbar@ilstu.edu)
a copy of your CV, a copy of your course transcript, and a
one-page cover letter explaining your background, any research
outcomes to date, your future research interests and expectations,
and what type of research projects you would envision developing
in my lab. Please include “Graduate Student Application 2027” in
the email subject line. After an initial screening of
applications, we will set up Zoom meetings in the next few weeks.
Preferred candidates will then be encouraged to formally apply to
our graduate program, which deadline is February 1, 2027. Please
see this website for more information about our graduate program
and its admission requirements: https://biology.illinoisstate.edu/academics/graduate/
Javier delBarco-Trillo, PhD
Assistant Professor of Evolutionary Physiology
School of Biological Sciences
Campus Box 4120
Illinois State University
Normal, IL 61790-4120, USA
Pronouns: he, him, his
email (ISU): jdelbar@ilstu.edu
website: about.illinoisstate.edu/jdelbar
BlueSky Social: @delbarcotrillo.bsky.social
I’m not in X/Twitter
ORCID: 0000-0002-9948-6674
tel: +1 (309) 438 2666
Posted 10/6/26
Graduate
Student Opportunity (MS/PhD): Disease Ecology – Tomamichel Lab,
Iowa State University
The Tomamichel Lab in the Department of Ecology, Evolution, and
Organismal Biology (EEOB) at Iowa State University is seeking a
motivated MS or PhD student.
Our research sits at the intersection of aquatic ecology,
host-parasite dynamics, environmental cycles, and anthropogenic
influences. We balance fundamental ecological theory with
practical applications in management and conservation strategy.
Position Details
Program: Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EEB; https://www.eeb.iastate.edu/)
at Iowa State University.
Funding: Supported through a combination of Research
Assistantships (RA) and Teaching Assistantships (TA).
Core Responsibilities: Conducting field and/or lab research,
collaborating with interdisciplinary project partners, presenting
findings at scientific conferences, publishing in peer-reviewed
journals, and contributing to a supportive, collaborative lab
environment.
Desired Qualifications
We encourage applicants with experience or strong interest in any
of the following areas:
Field collection and sampling of aquatic organisms
Molecular or microscopic laboratory techniques
Quantitative skills (spatial analysis, time-series modeling,
mechanistic modeling, and/or experimental design)
How to Apply
Interested candidates should send the following materials directly
to Dr. Megan Tomamichel at megantom@iastate.edu by November 15.
Current Resume / CV
A short paragraph outlining your research background, academic
interests, and why you are interested in joining the lab.
Unofficial transcripts of undergraduate and/or graduate training
Contact information for three professional references
For more information on active research projects, visit mtomamichel-research.com/research.
Posted 10/6/26
Seeking
PhD students interested in lichens or corals
*** PhD Positions in Lichen/Coral Ecology and Evolution ***
The Nutritional Mutualisms Lab at Lingnan University is seeking
prospective PhD students interested in studying the ecology and
evolution of either lichens or corals. PhD positions are 3 or 4
years for students with and without a Masters degree,
respectively. More information about the lab and ongoing projects
can be found at: https://www.ingacontijerpe.com/. Candidates need
to apply for the competitive Hong Kong Postgraduate Fellowship
(~44,000 USD per year) or will be awarded a Postgraduate
Studentships (~$29,000 USD per year) along with medical benefits.
Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in biology, ecology, environmental science, or
related field with a GPA of 3.5 or higher
Previous relevant laboratory and/or field research experience
Strong written and verbal English communication skills
Ability to work both independently and in group settings
For students interested in corals: SCUBA certification strongly
preferred
If interested, please email Dr. Inga Conti-Jerpe your CV including
GPA, a 1-page cover letter describing research interests and
career goals, and the contact information for 3 references: ingacontijerpe@LN.edu.hk
Posted 10/3/26
Graduate
Assistantships in Aquatic Ecology and Fisheries Management and
Conservation
The Wagner Lab (https://wagneraqualab.weebly.com/)
is seeking highly motivated PhD or MS students to join our
research team in the Biology Department at Miami University,
Oxford, OH. The successful candidates will develop research
questions to understand and predict the effects of global change
drivers on aquatic ecosystems and freshwater fisheries, including
climate change, land use and land management, invasive species,
eutrophication, and persistent chemical pollutants (e.g., per- and
polyfluoroalkyl substances [PFAS]). Selected students will work
with dynamic, interdisciplinary research teams composed of
federal, state, and academic scientists.
Graduate student support will be a combination of research and
teaching assistantships beginning fall 2027. Preference will be
given to applicants wishing to pursue a PhD in Ecology, Evolution,
and Environmental Biology (https://miamioh.edu/cas/graduate-programs/biology/eeeb/),
although strong candidates seeking a MS in Biology (https://miamioh.edu/cas/departments/biology/)
will be considered. Assistantship includes stipend and full
tuition waiver.
Qualifications: The successful candidate must have completed a BS
or MS in ecology, fisheries, ecological statistics, or a related
discipline with a strong quantitative background or a desire to
learn and apply Bayesian hierarchical statistical models to answer
pressing ecological questions. Excellent written and oral
communication skills and the ability to work both independently
and collaboratively are essential. There is also an expectation to
present research findings at scientific conferences and contribute
to academic journal publications.
To apply: Please provide (1) a cover letter detailing your
research experience and interests; (2) a CV; (3) names and contact
information of three professional references; (4) academic
transcripts (unofficial transcripts are sufficient); and (5) a
relevant publication (if available). Please submit these materials
to Dr. Tyler Wagner via email (wagne263@miamioh.edu) as
a single merged pdf. To learn more about research in the Wagner
Lab, please visit https://wagneraqualab.weebly.com/. Further
information can be obtained by contacting Dr. Tyler Wagner (wagne263@miamioh.edu).
Applications submitted before 15 November 2026 will be
given priority; however, review of applicants will begin
immediately and continue until positions are filled.
Posted 10/3/26
Repost
- PhD Opportunity - Forest Remote Sensing and Soil Ecology at
UTEP
We are considering applications for a Fall 2027 PhD student to
begin at the University of Texas at El Paso through the EEB
Program. The student will work on the remote sensing of forest
vegetation structure (roots), soil ecology, and ecosystem function
with a collaborative team (SERC, UCONN, IU, Kenyon College) at the
Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC) (on objectives
for NSF Award #2621909).
Minimum requirements: At least a 3.2 GPA, previous independent
research experience including in the field, must obtain a US
driver’s license. This project has a heavy field component
requiring work at SERC (Edgewater, Maryland) for 1-2 semesters for
long-hours outdoors and in possible challenging weather. The
student will be based in El Paso, TX for the remainder of the UTEP
PhD program when not doing field research at SERC.
Benefits for UTEP PhD students: Graduate assistantship, student
health insurance, tuition remission.
Interested applicants can contact Dr. La Rue (ealarue@utep.edu) with your
CV (including any publications), a 1 page summary of your
research/career goals, and contact info for 2 references.
Posted 10/3/26
PhD
Student Position: Trait Prediction and/or Modeling Microbial
Communities in Permafrost
The Microbial Genomes And Metagenomes to Unravel Traits Lab
(mGAMUT Lab; PI: JL Weissman) at Stony Brook University (https://microbialgamut.com/)
is recruiting a PhD student to work on an NSF-funded project
developing microbial genomic trait prediction and microbiome
modeling approaches in permafrost systems (we also have openings
in trait-based approaches for studying the human microbiome).
Students with a strong background in theoretical ecology,
population genetics, and/or statistics and mathematics will
receive special consideration. We seek students interested in
developing new bioinformatics and mathematical modeling approaches
(not just an interest in applying bioinformatics tools or
developing pipelines). We primarily recruit students through
Ecology & Evolution, but can also support students via the
Genetics, and potentially even other programs (e.g., AMS). We
welcome a broad range of academic backgrounds to the lab, but we
specifically look out for rigorous quantitative preparation.
You can read more here: https://www.microbialgamut.com/join.html
*Please note that our lab has a strong no-AI policy for academic
writing and we do not expect each other to read AI-generated
content (e.g., emails). With this in mind, AI-generated inquiries
about this position will not be viewed positively. I would
rather you send me a less polished but honest email expressing
interest in the lab than a low-effort and/or generic one. The most
successful applicants show a real engagement with the work we do
and a familiarity with at least some of our published science.
Posted 10/2/26
Grad
student position: marine sediment ecology
A graduate student position (MS or PhD) is available to work with
Dr. Kelly Dorgan at University of Texas Marine Science Institute,
Port Aransas, TX, starting in Fall 2027. Research in the lab
integrates ecology, biomechanics (including engineering theory and
methods), geotechnical engineering, and invertebrate behavior,
morphology and physiology. This position will focus on infaunal
community structure and function as part of a collaborative
project studying how infaunal animals modify geotechnical and
geoacoustic properties of marine sediments.
I am looking for an enthusiastic student with research experience,
ideally with invertebrates, and strong quantitative skills.
Experience in programming in Matlab, R, and/or Arduino is desired
but not required. Our interdisciplinary approach to science
benefits from a lab group with diverse perspectives, backgrounds,
and experience. Students with strong backgrounds in biology or
marine science who also have expertise in other sciences (math,
physics/engineering, geology, etc.), creative writing or arts, or
technical skills (workshop, electronics, etc.) are especially
encouraged to apply.
For more information about the lab, see https://polychaetes.weebly.com/.
If you are interested in applying or learning more about the
position, please send a short email summarizing your research
interests and relevant experience and a copy of your CV to kelly.dorgan@austin.utexas.edu
Kelly M. Dorgan
Associate Professor
The University of Texas at Austin - Marine Science Institute
750 Channel View Drive
Port Aransas, TX 78373
phone: (361) 749-6755
Posted 10/2/26
PhD
Position(s) in Conservation and Landscape Genomics at UC
Riverside
The MacDonald Lab in the Department of Entomology at the
University of California, Riverside is recruiting up to two PhD
students for Fall 2027 interested in conservation genomics,
landscape genomics, and insect biodiversity.
We use chromosome-scale genome assemblies and whole-genome
resequencing, often from hundreds of individuals sampled across
species’ entire ranges, to study population structure,
connectivity, local adaptation, species limits, and conservation.
Much of our work is associated with the California Conservation
Genomics Project. We have several very large preprocessed datasets
available for immediate analysis. Students may develop projects
from these existing datasets, contribute to ongoing collaborative
studies, or establish their own landscape or conservation genomics
projects on insect taxa of interest. The lab has numerous
butterfly and damselfly projects at different stages of completion
and strong collaborative networks across UCR's Department of
Entomology, Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal
Biology, and universities and conservation agencies across the
U.S. and Canada.
Applicants with experience in bioinformatics, coding, statistics,
population genomics, evolutionary genomics, or related fields will
be prioritized. We increasingly outsource routine molecular lab
work. Wet lab experience is welcome but is less important than
analytical experience, natural history knowledge, and strong field
skills.
UC Riverside has one of the world’s leading entomology departments
and a strong community in evolutionary genomics. Riverside and
nearby communities such as Redlands offer comparatively affordable
living and exceptional access to the Transverse Ranges, Joshua
Tree National Park, the Sierra Nevada, and the Southern California
coast.
Prospective students should send a CV, a brief description of
their research interests and relevant experience, and contact
information for two to three references to Zachary MacDonald at zmacdona@ucr.edu with the
subject line “PhD inquiry: [Last Name].”
Zachary G. MacDonald (he/him)
Assistant Professor of Conservation Genomics and Biodiversity
Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside
Posted 10/2/26
PhD
student opportunity - forests, water, fire
We are recruiting a PhD student for a project to quantify the
effects of wildfire on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems at the
University of New Mexico (www.hurteaulab.org),
in collaboration with the Alex Webster (https://websterlab.weebly.com/)
and Harold Zald (https://research.fs.usda.gov/about/people/harold.zald).
The 2025 Garnet fire burned the Teakettle Experimental Forest
during fall 2025. The area is mixed-conifer and red fir forest and
had been heavily impacted by the 2012-2016 drought, resulting in
about 30% overstory tree mortality. We had been preparing for a
large experimental prescribed fire and have pre-wildfire forest
structure, surface fuels, stream flow and aquatic carbon
data. In addition to inventory data, there are multiple
pre-fire lidar acquisitions. Post-fire measurements began during
the 2026 field season. This data set offers the opportunity to use
field-based and remotely sensed data to develop an understanding
of how the distribution of biomass and burn patterns influence the
movement of carbon through and out of the system. The student will
work with our team to develop specific questions, while working
toward meeting the objectives of the funded research.
We are looking for a student that has interest in working across
terrestrial and aquatic systems and an interest in using remotely
sensed data. We have team expertise in each of these areas. A
strong quantitative background and curiosity about forest
ecosystems is ideal. Given the current immigration situation in
the US, we are only evaluating applications from US citizens and
permanent residents. We will not respond to applications from
international students.
Student support will include some combination of teaching and
research assistantships, including summer salary support and
research project support. Summer field seasons will be spent at
the Teakettle Experimental Forest in the Sierra Nevada of
California collecting data. Conditions at Teakettle are rustic.
There is a kitchen and bathroom facility, but people sleep in
tents. If the adventure of obtaining your PhD is going to be a
good and rewarding one, it is important that you find the right
advisor for you. I wrote this so potential students can get a
sense of my approach. If you read it and are intrigued, I may be a
good fit for you. If you read it and are put off, I’m not a good
fit for you.
If after reading the potential students page on my lab website you
are still interested, send me (mhurteau@unm.edu)
a single pdf with your CV, one-page statement of research
interests, and your unofficial transcripts. UNM Biology doesn’t
require GREs and the only thing I think they measure is how well
you did on your GREs, so I don’t require them. We use this
unofficial application process so you don’t have to spend $60 to
figure out if we think you are a good fit for the position. I
didn’t have an extra $60 when I was applying to grad school and I
figure you probably don’t either.
We will begin reviewing application materials beginning on 22
October. The priority deadline for the UNM Biology program is 1
December and we will complete interviews prior to this
date. We will ensure that any finalists have the opportunity to
speak with everyone on the team and in the lab. We are a
hardworking and supportive group that likes to work on research
projects that will hopefully leave the world in a little better
shape than before we started.
Matthew Hurteau
Professor
Dept of Biology
University of New Mexico
http://www.hurteaulab.org/
Posted 10/2/26
Graduate
Assistant Positions at the University of Cincinnati
The Siders Aquatic Ecology Lab at the University of Cincinnati is
seeking applicants for MS and PhD students to begin in Fall 2027.
The lab conducts research in a variety of aquatic ecosystems
including streams and wetlands, and studies a broad range of
topics such as food web ecology and biogeochemical cycling.
Applicants will have flexibility in study topics and will be
funded on a teaching assistantship through the Department of
Biological Sciences.
Cincinnati is a vibrant, affordable Midwestern city nestled along
the Ohio River and has a thriving food and arts scene. The city
blends big-city amenities with a welcoming, livable atmosphere.
The area offers scenic river trails and parks along with easy
access to the rolling hills of Ohio and Kentucky's natural
landscapes.
Start date: Summer or Fall 2027
Stipend: $24,000/yr for MS students; $30,000/yr for PhD students.
Health insurance is provided for both MS and PhD students
Qualifications:
•Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Environmental Science, or a related
field
•Must be comfortable working in and around water, and under
adverse conditions such as heat, cold, and with biting insects.
•Attention to detail and safety standards
Desired qualifications:
•Research experience in the field or laboratory
•Microscopy, especially with macroinvertebrates
•Analysis of dissolved nutrients
•Experience with data management
•Use of R for statistical analysis
To apply, please email the following to Dr. Adam Siders (adam.siders@uc.edu) in a
single PDF with email subject line “Graduate Assistant – (Last
Name). (1) A cover letter outlining (i) if you are interested in
an MS or PhD, (ii) your research interests and relevant skills,
(iii) why you are interested in joining this lab, (iv) career
interests/goals after earning a graduate degree; (2) CV or resume;
(3) names and contact information for three professional
references. Top candidates will be notified and encouraged to
apply to the graduate program. Please apply by Monday,
November 16.
Interested applicants are encouraged to visit my web page to learn
more about my research prior to applying. https://adamsiders.weebly.com/
Posted 10/2/26
PhD positions available in
“ecological synthesis” (Northern Arizona University,
Flagstaff, AZ)
The Ecological Synthesis Lab (https://nau.edu/oglelab),
directed by Dr. Kiona Ogle, at Northern Arizona University (NAU)
has openings for one or more PhD positions in the areas of: (1)
legacy effects of extreme climate events on carbon cycle
processes and (2) environmental controls on species- and
community-level vegetation dynamics. Both research areas focus
on ecological systems in the arid and semi-arid western US.
Students interested in area (1) would have the opportunity to
work with tree-ring data from various sampling networks and/or
carbon and water flux data from eddy covariance tower networks.
Projects falling under this theme may explore how trees and/or
ecosystems are impacted by prolonged drought, flash droughts,
pluvial events, or heatwaves, with the goal of understanding the
legacy effects of such events. Students interested in area (2)
would work with long-term inventory and monitoring data from the
National Park Service (NPS) and USGS, with a focus on
identifying factors governing changes in species occurrence and
abundance and potentially scaling up to evaluate drivers of
community change. This project focuses on grassland and
shrubland ecosystems in the western US.
Interested applicants must have solid quantitative abilities,
including basic training in mathematics (e.g., at least 2
semesters of calculus) and statistics (e.g., at least one
introductory statistics course), and possess good programming
skills (e.g., R, Python, etc.). Prospectives should also possess
good background knowledge in relevant fields of ecology/biology
and have developed good written and oral communication skills.
As part of their PhD program, students should be keenly
interested in strengthening these quantitative skills and
becoming proficient in Bayesian statistical methods, machine
learning, and computing.
Interested students should contact Dr. Ogle by email (Kiona.Ogle@nau.edu).
Posted 9/30/26
Recruiting a PhD Student in Dryland
Soil Ecology, University of Nevada Las Vegas — Dryland
Microbes Lab
Curious about cryptic cyanobacterial diversity and processes
that keep dryland ecosystems stable and resilient? The
Pietrasiak Dryland Microbes Lab at the University of Nevada, Las
Vegas (UNLV) is recruiting a PhD student for a collaborative,
interdisciplinary research program focused on dryland soil
ecology. Projects will use genomics, physiology, and ecological
data to uncover new cyanobacterial lineages, understand how they
adapt to extreme environments, and identify the physiological
and genomic mechanisms behind their unique survival strategies —
with a particular emphasis on carbon cycling.
What our lab is looking for:
A strong interest and academic record in microbiology, ecology,
biology, or a related field
Ability to work both independently and collaboratively, with a
strong work ethic
Openness to working across field biology, lab work, and
bioinformatics
Preference given to candidates with prior research experience in
microbial, soil, or dryland ecology
Position details:
Fully funded through research and teaching assistantships
At least two semesters of teaching required (per department
policy)
Anticipated start: Fall 2027
About the lab: Learn more about Dr. Pietrasiak's research at
Google Scholar and follow lab updates on BlueSky:
@drylandalgae.bsky.social
How to apply:
Please apply directly through the UNLV Graduate Program: https://www.unlv.edu/graduatecollege.
Learn more about our graduate program at the School of Life
Sciences here: https://www.unlv.edu/lifesciences/admissions.
Note: Application materials cannot be reviewed prior to formal
submission. Please apply through the Graduate College first,
then reach out to confirm your application is complete.
Applications open in September; the deadline is December 1st,
but early applications are strongly encouraged so we can begin
conversations sooner.
Minimum admission requirements:
B.S./B.A. in biological sciences or equivalent
Minimum GPA of 3.00 (4.00 scale)
Relevant research or work experience preferred
GRE not required
Funding: All admitted students receive GA or RA support,
including health insurance; GA includes a 9-credit tuition
waiver (stipend details:
https://www.unlv.edu/graduatecollege/ga-stipend)
Posted 9/30/26
Funded M.S. position in soil
biogeochemistry
I am excited to recruit a M.S. student to join my new lab, the
Soil Carbon and Organic matter Response to Environmental change
lab (Soil CORE lab; https://sites.google.com/view/krocci/home)
at the University of Wyoming! The student will work with PI
Katie Rocci, as well as members of the Department of Ecosystem
Science and Management (https://www.uwyo.edu/esm/index.html)
and the Program in Ecology and Evolution (https://www.uwyo.edu/uwgrad/interdisciplinary-programs/pie/index.html),
to design and implement a project on soil organic matter
responses to climate and management changes, with a potential
focus on responses to fire. Expectations include attending lab
meetings, attending college seminars and activities, submitting
work to a peer-reviewed journal, and presenting at scientific
conferences.
The ideal candidate will hold a bachelor’s degree by May 2027,
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 have experience and interest in soil
science or terrestrial biogeochemistry, and in field, lab, or
computational scientific research (in or outside of a
classroom). If you already have an M.S., please consider the
funded Ph.D.
position in this lab.
As the lab PI, I will offer transparent expectations, research
guidance, opportunities to learn empirical and computational
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 combination of research
assistantships (RA) and teaching assistantships (TA) for at
least 2 years. 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 summer 2027 with
the potential for starting in fall 2027 if needed.
To apply please fill out the following form: https://forms.gle/FFgJPVLkxRKKpKRF8
Applications received prior to October 30, 2026 will
receive priority in review, but the position will remain open
until filled.
Posted 9/30/26
Funded Ph.D. position in soil
biogeochemistry
I am excited to recruit a Ph.D. student to join my new lab, the
Soil Carbon and Organic matter Response to Environmental change
lab (Soil CORE lab; https://sites.google.com/view/krocci/home)
at the University of Wyoming! The student will work with PI
Katie Rocci, as well as members of the Department of Ecosystem
Science and Management (https://www.uwyo.edu/esm/index.html)
and the Program in Ecology and Evolution (https://www.uwyo.edu/uwgrad/interdisciplinary-programs/pie/index.html),
to design and implement their own projects on soil organic
matter responses to climate and management changes. Project
ideas could include (but are not limited to): examining soil
organic matter vulnerability under global change or management,
investigating drivers (plants, microbes, or minerals) of soil
organic matter cycling, or integrating soil biogeochemical
mechanisms into process-based models. Community outreach to both
producers and the general public will be highly encouraged as a
part of the position. Other expectations include attending lab
meetings, attending college seminars and activities, submitting
work to peer-reviewed journals, and presenting at scientific
conferences.
The ideal candidate will hold a Master’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 have experience and interest in soil science,
ecosystem ecology, global change science, and/or management
impacts, as well as field, lab, and/or computational skills.
Candidates who do not meet all of these metrics are still
encouraged to apply. Requirements include a bachelor’s degree in
a relevant field, excitement about soil biogeochemistry, and
experience in field, lab, or computational scientific research
(in or outside of a classroom). If you do not already have an
M.S., please also consider the funded M.S.
position in this lab.
As the lab PI, I will offer transparent expectations, research
guidance, opportunities to learn empirical and computational
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 combination of research
assistantships (RA) and teaching assistantships (TA) for at
least 4 years. 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 summer 2027 with
the potential for starting in fall 2027 if needed.
To apply please fill out the following form: https://forms.gle/igbkefTMjLfLksuq8
Applications received prior to October 30, 2026 will
receive priority in review, but the position will remain open
until filled.
Posted 9/30/26
PhD Position in Freshwater Ecology
at UNC Chapel Hill (deadline extended)
The Freshwater Ecology and Biogeochemistry Lab (https://amandadelvecchia.weebly.com/)
at UNC is recruiting a PhD student to begin in Fall 2027.
A position description and project description are included
below.
To apply: please fill out this form
by October 30th (the earlier the better).
Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis.
Position Description (online; https://amandadelvecchia.weebly.com/join-the-lab.html)
The PhD project will have an ecosystem ecology focus. The
student will:
lead field and lab based experimental incubations to measure
biogeochemical process rates, and will lead estimation of
cryptic carbon sources to consumer biomass.
assist with experimental development, team training, and
communication and outreach while at UNC and all other locations.
spend the majority of their PhD at UNC, but will spend their
second year year working from Flathead Lake Biological Station
to facilitate year-round data collection, and will take two
major trips to Juneau, Alaska during their third year.
This affords a valuable opportunity to explore beautiful Rocky
Mountain landscapes and connect with scientists and community
members at both locations.
mentor undergraduate students and research assistants learning
field methods.
join a lab culture with an emphasis on mutual support for
collective success, and a strong sense of integrity.
Required Qualifications
A BS degree in a relevant scientific field
Fundamental coursework in chemistry, biology, and statistics
Experience using R to analyze data
Experience collecting and recording data in an organized,
reproducible fashion
Experience writing a scientific journal article (even if not
lead author or unpublished)
Experience in field and lab settings
Drive and passion for ecology
Comfort in the outdoors and/or a strong desire to learn
Ability to work as part of a team and individually
Preferred Qualifications
A MS degree in a relevant scientific field
At least one lead-author publication
Position Support
The position includes a substantial annual stipend for 4 years,
including summer and semester salaries (value will be shared
with applicants). If the PhD requires an additional year,
TA and summer support could be available.
Over this four year period, the student will be expected to TA
standard departmental courses for 3 semesters total (one
semester in each of years 1,3, and 4). The remaining
semesters will require a mix of TA and RA.
Additional internal and external fellowship applications will be
supported.
The student will interact with scientists across UNC Geography,
EMES, and E3P programs, Duke, NCSU, EPA, FLBS, and U. Alaska
Southeast.
Project Description
Life in streams, and on the planet in general, is predominantly
supported by biomass that is fixed from the atmosphere via
photosynthesis, and subsequently respired using oxygen. In the
main channels of streams and rivers, these biomass pathways are
facilitated by sunlight availability and mixing between waters
and atmosphere. However, emerging evidence suggests that
these are not the only pathways which support stream life.
Alternative biomass pathways can be difficult to detect, and
thus termed ‘cryptic’, but are important to understand because
they provide food to consumers such as insects and fish, even
where light and oxygen are not present. These food sources
likely develop in dark, slow-moving, or finer habitats of
streams, such as those between gravels and leaves, in backwater
habitats, or in the subsurface waters that contribute to surface
water. More variation in food resources can facilitate
animal survival even in unpredicted environmental
conditions. At this point, the importance of these biomass
pathways is poorly understood, limiting stream science and
management to assumptions that food source production occurs
only in main channel conditions. This project will
investigate how heterogeneity across stream landscapes supports
varying water chemical conditions and biomass pathways, then
estimate how these pathways contribute to the growth of insect
consumers that are the base of food webs supporting fish.
First, this project will quantify chemosynthetic primary
productivity and contributions to stream animal biomass across a
range of stream habitat types. By measuring rates of
chemoautotrophy, methanotrophy, and photosynthetic primary
production across varying biogeochemical conditions and
hydrologic gradients, it will be possible to assess the relative
contribution of chemosynthesis to biomass fixation. Stable
isotope mixing models will be used to estimate contributions of
each biomass fixation pathway to consumer (animal)
biomass. This suite of results will be synthesized to
compare variation in food resource usage across habitats in
floodplain environments to assess the role of landscape
heterogeneity. Second, this project will develop media,
educational materials, courses, and training programs which
explain project results in the context of interconnected
hydrology, biogeochemistry, and ecology. Classes will be
developed for in-classroom and field teaching at UNC Chapel Hill
and Flathead Lake Biological Station, in conjunction with
mentorship of a graduate student and undergraduates. Two
short public-access documentaries will explain how landscape
structure can contribute to ecosystem services in rivers and
correspond to in-person exhibits. The combined research
and teaching objectives will enhance communication between
research communities and local stakeholders of the northwestern
U.S., and students from urban and rural communities.
Amanda Gay DelVecchia
Assistant Professor
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Posted 9/30/26
Graduate
Fellowship – Master of Natural Resources in Environmental
Education and Science Communication
Graduate Fellowship – Master of Natural Resources in Environmental
Education and Science Communication This 10. 5-month position
starts in August and includes and financial support.
This 10.5-month position starts in August and includes and
financial support.
Build the skills to change the world. A University of Idaho –
Environmental Education and Science Communication (EESC) graduate
student earns a Masters of Natural Resources in 10.5 months.
While living at our incredible McCall Field Campus grads develop
an array of professional skills and expertise.
Applied coursework and targeted study in science communication,
leadership, place-based education, and ecology, give our students
what they need to earn a degree, make a difference, and find your
place. Check out our program at
https://www.uidaho.edu/mccall-field-campus/academics or contact
Leslie Dorsey at ldorsey@uidaho.edu
if you have questions or would like to apply.
NOTE: F1 and J1 visas are not eligible for this program.
LESLIE DORSEY (she, her, hers)
Graduate Program Manager
College of Natural Resources
NRS / McCall Outdoor Science School
Office: McCall Field Campus
Direct: 208-885-1085
PO Box 1025 | McCall ID 83638
1800 University Lane | McCall ID 83638
Posted 9/26/26
M.S. Graduate Research Assistantship
– Rangeland Ecology – South Dakota State University
A Graduate Research Assistantship (M.S.) is available at South
Dakota State University to work with the SDSU Cottonwood Legacy
Dataset, a rare long-term rangeland research dataset containing
historical and contemporary records spanning more than 80 years.
The student will pursue an M.S. in Biological Sciences with a
specialization in Natural Resources Management.
The student will use vegetation, grazing, and climate data from
the Cottonwood Field Station to investigate long-term change in
Northern Great Plains rangelands. Potential research directions
include plant community change, grazing effects, drought and
climate variability, and integration of long-term field data
with contemporary ecological monitoring approaches.
Applicants must hold a B.S. in Rangeland Ecology &
Management, Ecology, Natural Resources, Environmental Science,
Biology, or a closely related field and should have a strong
interest in rangeland or grassland ecology. Experience with
quantitative analysis, R, GIS, remote sensing, or vegetation
monitoring is beneficial but not required.
Compensation: $20,000–$23,500 annual stipend, depending on
experience, plus a full tuition waiver.
Anticipated start date: Spring or Summer 2027
Application deadline: Friday, October 30, 2026.
Applications will be reviewed as they are received.
The position is based at South Dakota State University in
Brookings, South Dakota, with opportunities for field work at
the SDSU Cottonwood Field Station near Rapid City, SD.
To apply, please send a CV/resume, unofficial transcripts, and a
brief cover letter describing your research interests and
relevant experience to:
Dr. Sean Di Stefano
South Dakota State University
Office Phone: 605-688-5122
Email: sean.distefano@sdstate.edu
(preferred contact method)
Sean Di Stefano
Assistant Professor of Rangeland Ecology and Management
Natural Resource Management
McFadden Biostress Laboratory 138, Box 2140B
Brookings, SD 57007
(605) 688-5122
Posted 9/25/26
PhD
position for aquatic ecology in Iceland
UW-Madison: PhD position for aquatic ecology in Iceland
The Ives Lab in the Department of Biology, University of
Wisconsin-Madison, is recruiting a PhD student interested in
working on a long-term ecological project at Lake Mývatn, Iceland.
The research focuses on interactions between the population
dynamics of midges in Mývatn and the aquatic ecosystem. The
project encompasses population ecology, community ecology and
ecosystem ecology, and the PhD student will have freedom to design
their own research program to fit in with the overall objectives
of understanding the ecology of Mývatn. The fieldwork is conducted
June-August by a team of researchers at Mývatn, including faculty,
postdocs, graduate students, and undergraduates. The graduate
student will not only be responsible for their own PhD research,
but will also participate with the rest of the research team and
mentor undergraduate students.
To be competitive, prospective students should have substantial
experience in collaborative research and fieldwork. Although not
required, quantitative skills in, for example, statistical
analyses are a plus. A Master's degree is not required.
If you are interested, please prepare a cover letter and CV as a
single pdf. Your cover letter should briefly outline your
background and why you are interested in this position. In your
CV, please include relevant information about your education and
work experiences. Also provide names and contact information for
at least three references whom we can contact to ask specific
questions about your qualifications for the position. Our lab and
the University of Wisconsin are committed to supporting scientists
from underrepresented groups such as first-generation college
students and students with underprivileged economic backgrounds.
Please send this information by 1 November, 2026, to
Tony Ives (professor) – arives@wisc.edu
https://ives.labs.wisc.edu/
Posted 9/22/26
Recruiting
graduate students in evolutionary demography
The Shefferson lab at the University of Tokyo is recruiting
graduate students at both the MS and PhD levels for a JSPS-funded
research project dealing with life history evolution in long-lived
plants.
The Shefferson lab specializes in evolutionary demography and
computational methods in ecology and evolution. We study
trade-offs, population dynamics, the conservation of rare plant
populations, the evolutionary loss of photosynthesis, and
mycorrhizal evolution. Our current JSPS-funded projects focus on
the use of game theoretical models to study the evolution of plant
populations and the dynamics of communities. We also develop
computational packages related to these topics (e.g., R package
adapt3 at https://cran.r-project.org/package=adapt3).
Students applying to work in the lab may focus on these topics, or
choose other research themes in plant or general evolutionary
ecology. Research methods typically involve in situ monitoring and
experimentation, combined with modeling and analysis based in R
and/or C++. Ongoing field projects are located in Japan, Estonia,
the United Kingdom, and the United States. Interested students may
read about our projects through our website, www.revolutionarydemography.com,
as well as the Journal of Ecology blog (https://jecologyblog.com/2018/03/22/richard-shefferson/),
Popular Science (https://www.popsci.com/plants-dormant-climate-change),
and other media sources.
We are located within the University of Tokyo, at the Komaba
Campus. U Tokyo is home to some of the finest scientists in Japan,
including ecologists and evolutionary biologists, and more Nobel
laureates than you can shake a stick at. We offer graduate
programs in both Japanese and English. Students wishing to pursue
their graduate research may do so fully in English via the
Graduate Program in Environmental Sciences (http://gpes.c.u-tokyo.ac.jp/),
or may pursue study in Japanese via the General Systems Sciences
program (http://system.c.u-tokyo.ac.jp/).
Please note that we have two entry periods per year, with strict
application deadlines. Please contact the lab for updated
deadlines, but note that applications must be complete and include
an official GRE score. The application deadline for entry in Sept
2027 is 9 November 2026, and 2 July 2027 for entry in
April 2028.
If interested, please contact the Shefferson lab at:
E-mail：cdorm@g.ecc.u-tokyo.ac.jp
HTML: www.revolutionarydemography.com
Posted 9/22/26
Graduate student opportunity in
Rodent-Borne Disease Ecology at Washington State University
(USA)
The Veterinary and Medical Ecology Lab (https://labs.wsu.edu/vmel/)
at Washington State University is seeking a highly motivated,
ambitious, and organized student (MS or PhD), who is interested
in the epidemiology and ecology of rodent-borne diseases to
start in August 2027. The successful candidate would join a
growing team of veterinary and undergraduate students conducting
research within a One Health context. The position would include
field work in the Pacific Northwest, lab work in Pullman,
Washington, and quantitative modelling.
If you’re interested, please email Andreas Eleftheriou (Andreas.Eleftheriou@wsu.edu)
by November 1st, 2026, with subject line “Graduate
Application Rodent Disease” and include 1) a statement of your
research interests, relevant experience, and career goals, 2)
unofficial academic transcripts and 3) a CV with contact
information for three professional or academic references.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and top
candidates will be contacted via email for further guidance. The
successful candidate will be asked to submit a formal
application through the Multidisciplinary program in Infectious
Disease at the College of Veterinary Medicine.
Andreas Eleftheriou, DVM, PhD, MPH, MS, DACVPM
Assistant Professor
Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology
Public Health Program
College of Veterinary Medicine
Washington State University
Office: ADBF 4011
Office Phone #: 509 335 2406
Email: andreas.eleftheriou@wsu.edu
Lab website: https://labs.wsu.edu/vmel/
Pronouns: he/him
WSU Pullman is located on the homelands of the Nimiipuu (Nez
Perce) Tribe and Palus people.
Posted 9/19/26
PhD position - University of Georgia
PhD Position in Disease Ecology & Coronavirus Modeling
University of Georgia | Department of Infectious Diseases
Sundaram Laboratory
The Sundaram Laboratory at the University of Georgia is seeking
a PhD student to join the research group, with an intended start
date in January.
Our lab investigates wildlife reservoirs, coronavirus dynamics,
and the mechanisms driving zoonotic spillover using an
interdisciplinary approach that combines disease ecology,
spatial statistics, and machine learning.
Position Details:
Focus: Research centers on animal reservoirs, host dynamics, and
the predictive modeling of coronavirus spillover. Students are
encouraged to tailor projects to align with their specific
scientific interests within these broader themes.
Support: 5-year full graduate research assistantship, including
a stipend, tuition waiver, and health insurance.
Location: Athens, Georgia.
Responsibilities:
Curate and manage global databases on wildlife reservoirs and
disease outbreaks.
Process and integrate GIS environmental and socioeconomic data
layers.
Apply spatial modeling and machine learning to evaluate pathogen
persistence and spillover risk.
Author manuscripts for publication in scientific journals.
To Apply: Interested candidates with a background in ecology,
epidemiology, data science, or related fields are invited to
contact Mekala Sundaram at msundara@uga.edu.
Please include a CV, references and a brief statement of
research interests.
Posted 9/19/26
PhD opportunity in biodiversity and
ecosystem change -- University of Michigan, Fall 2027
The Zhu Lab at the University of Michigan School for Environment
and Sustainability (SEAS) is inviting inquiries from prospective
PhD students interested in beginning doctoral study in Fall
2027.
Our lab works at the intersection of global change biology,
ecological modeling, and environmental data science. Our
research centers on biodiversity and ecosystem change, with a
unifying focus on plants and terrestrial ecosystems. We
integrate ecological theory and modeling with experiments, field
observations, remote sensing, and statistical and computational
methods to understand and predict ecological change across
scales.
Learn more about our research, current projects, publications,
and lab community: https://zhulab.seas.umich.edu/
We welcome inquiries from students interested in developing
research on how environmental change reshapes species
distributions, community composition, biotic interactions,
phenology, productivity, or carbon cycling. Students with
relevant research experience and strong quantitative interests
are especially encouraged to inquire.
To express interest, please complete the Zhu Lab PhD Interest
Form: https://forms.gle/gZJECcqy2si8xDnz9
Due to the high volume of prospective student inquiries, the
interest form is the best way to share your background and
research interests for consideration. Selected candidates may be
invited to an online conversation to discuss their interests and
potential fit with the lab.
The interest form is for preliminary review and is separate from
the official application to the SEAS PhD Program. All applicants
must submit an official application through the Rackham Graduate
School by the applicable deadline. Please consult the SEAS
admissions website for current requirements and deadlines: https://seas.umich.edu/academics/doctoral-phd
The SEAS PhD Program provides five years of funding to admitted
doctoral students through research assistantships, teaching
assistantships, fellowships, or a combination.
Kai Zhu, PhD
Associate Professor
School for Environment and Sustainability
University of Michigan
https://zhulab.seas.umich.edu
Posted 9/19/26
Funded PhD position in ecological
theory or marine population dynamics
I am looking for a (fully funded) PhD student interested in (a)
theory of network, food web, or microbiome dynamics or (b) or
population dynamics of coastal marine species. Students with
strong interests in fundamental ecology/biology (required) and
course or research experience in math and modelling (not
required) would be great fits. More details here: https://resiliencelab.github.io/.
I take students through our Ecology and Evolution (BEES; https://bisi.umd.edu/concentrations/behavior-ecology-evolution-systematics-bees)
and Applied Math (AMSC; https://amsc.umd.edu/)
programs. Their application deadlines are in December, but
please reach out to me so we can chat beforehand - vadimk@umd.edu
Vadim A. Karatayev
Assistant Professor
University of Maryland College Park
Lab website: https://resiliencelab.github.io/
Posted 9/19/26
Ph.D. position in Aquatic Ecology –
Ohio State University
Hood Lab, Aquatic Ecology Laboratory, Department of Evolution,
Ecology, and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University
The Hood Lab is recruiting a Ph.D. student to conduct research
on a U.S. Department of Agriculture funded project that focuses
on phosphorus cycling in ditches and streams in
agriculture-dominated landscapes. The graduate student would
join an interdisciplinary team focused on understanding how tile
drainage impacts water, sediment, and nutrient dynamics. The
student’s research would focus on determining how tile drains
influence in-channel phosphorus storage and transformations. The
project involves fieldwork in Ohio and Michigan as well as the
use of sensors and game cameras to characterize dissolved
oxygen, temperature, stream-channel form, and hydrologic
characteristics.
The ideal candidate would have a Masters degree and be highly
motivated and honest, with strong quantitative skills, an
interest in applied aquatic ecology, and a background in
ecology, biogeochemistry, soils, geomorphology, and/or
hydrology. I seek to maintain a productive, diverse, and
team-orientated lab group.
The student would be supported by teaching and research
assistantships. In EEOB, graduate assistantship includes a
stipend of at least $2,750 per month, health benefits, and a
tuition/fee waiver.
If interested, please email Jim Hood (hood.211@osu.edu) a single
PDF containing (1) a statement of interest, (2) a CV, and (3)
contact information for three references. I will begin reviewing
candidate applications immediately and ultimately invite
selected applicants to apply to the department. The department's
application deadline is 15 Nov 2026.
Additional information about application procedures and
requirements: https://eeob.osu.edu/grad/program-admissions
More information about the Aquatic Ecology Lab: https://ael.osu.edu
The Ohio State University
Jim Hood (he, him, his)
Associate Professor, Department of Evolution, Ecology, and
Organismal Biology
Core faculty, Translational Data Analytics Institute
Co-Director, Aquatic Ecology Laboratory
Aquatic Ecology Laboratory, 228 Research Center, 1314 Kinnear
Road, Columbus, OH 43212
College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Evolution, Ecology,
and Organismal Biology
614-292-5383 Office / 614-292-0181 Fax
hood.211@osu.edu Email
http://u.osu.edu/hoodlab
| http://ael.osu.edu
Posted 9/15/26
AI for Ecology PhD opportunity at
University of Michigan SEAS
Dr. Lauren E. Gillespie’s new lab (https://gillespl.com/) at the
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor is looking to recruit a PhD
student to join in Fall 2027 for a fully-funded PhD position.
Dr. Gillespie’s research group in U-M’s School for Environment
and Sustainability (https://seas.umich.edu/)
develops AI-integrated approaches for monitoring ecosystems at
scale in the Anthropocene.
This highly interdisciplinary work cross-cuts AI, ecology, and
remote sensing to uncover the effects of rapid environmental
change on species and improve our ecological forecasting of the
natural world. These research directions involve both
computational and field-based methods, and current focal systems
include Michigan, the Neotropics, and California. A global-scale
focus or other regions of high biodiversity importance will also
be considered. Please see the lab’s Interests (https://gillespl.com/#Interests)
and Projects (https://gillespl.com/#Projects)
for more details and potential research themes.
Students with a strong interdisciplinary background across
computer science, ecology, environmental science, data science,
and remote sensing are especially encouraged to apply, along
with students with deep expertise in any of these areas. While
previous research experience is preferred, ideal candidates
should show intellectual curiosity and a capability for
independent growth.
If you are interested in this opportunity, please fill out this
google form (https://forms.gle/s9PGeTtr5MgFKAMcA)
to express your interest in joining the lab. Review of
applications will begin in October and continue on a rolling
basis. The official SEAS PhD application deadline (https://seas.umich.edu/admissions)
is December 1st, 2026 for a start date in Fall of 2027.
If you have any additional questions, feel free to reach out (gillespl@umich.edu).
University of Michigan Ph.D. students have one of the strongest
PhD compensation packages (https://seas.umich.edu/prospective-students/funding#doctoral)
in the United States, including 5 years of fully-funded support
plus health insurance. Additionally, the University of Michigan
has a strong commitment to supporting interdisciplinary studies,
including a dual-degree PhD program (https://rackham.umich.edu/navigating-your-degree/student-initiated-doctoral-program/).
The dual-degree program enables SEAS PhD students to get a joint
PhD in both Sustainability and another department if they so
choose, including the computer science (https://cse.engin.umich.edu/academics/graduate/current-phd-students/),
ecology (https://lsa.umich.edu/eeb/graduates/prospective-students/program-overviews/ph-d--program.html),
information sciences (https://www.si.umich.edu/programs/degree-programs/phd-information),
earth science (https://lsa.umich.edu/earth/graduate-students/phd-requirements.html),
and climate & space science (https://clasp.engin.umich.edu/)
departments. Lastly, as a mentor Dr. Gillespie strives to foster
a supportive, safe, and inclusive environment for students so
they have the community and the resources they need to grow into
curious, independent, and interdisciplinary researchers.
Dr. Lauren E. Gillespie (https://seas.umich.edu/research/faculty/lauren-e-gillespie)
https://gillespl.com/
Assistant Professor, U-M SEAS
Posted 9/11/26
Ph.D.
Opportunity: Coastal Sciences Doctoral Fellowship at USM
Ph.D. Opportunity:
COASTAL SCIENCES DOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP
Division of Coastal Sciences, School of Ocean Science and
Engineering
The University of Southern Mississippi
Description:
The Division of Coastal Sciences of the School of Ocean Science
and Engineering at The University of Southern Mississippi is
pleased to announce the availability of fellowships for
prospective students seeking a Ph.D. These fellowships are awarded
competitively and are intended to recruit graduate students in
coastal and marine science who demonstrate exceptional scholarly
promise. Fellows are supported to focus full-time on their
research and coursework and receive dedicated research and travel
funds to develop their own program of work. Additional information
on the Division of Coastal Sciences and the Coastal Sciences
graduate program is available at https://www.usm.edu/graduate-programs/coastal-sciences.php.
Candidates must contact potential faculty advisors in the Division
of Coastal Sciences to discuss their research and educational
interests and must identify a faculty sponsor prior to submitting
a fellowship application. The graduate school application fee will
be waived for students applying to the Coastal Sciences Doctoral
Fellowship.
Location:
The University of Southern Mississippi, Gulf Coast Research
Laboratory, Ocean Springs, MS
Support:
Awardees receive a stipend of $28,500 per year, plus a tuition
waiver and access to university-sponsored health insurance.
Awardees additionally receive a total of $15,000 in research and
travel funds.
Application deadline:
January 15, 2027 for Fall 2027 admission.
How to apply
Fellowship applications are submitted at the same time as the
application for admission, at https://graduateadmissions.usm.edu/apply/.
To be considered for the fellowship, applicants must submit the
following by the application deadline:
CV.
Official transcripts.
A Statement of Purpose not to exceed 1,200 words, developed
without AI assistance, addressing at a minimum: academic and
career goals; why The University of Southern Mississippi's
Division of Coastal Sciences is well suited to help the applicant
achieve those goals; how the applicant's experiences and
background have shaped their career path and influenced their
decision to pursue graduate studies; and how the research the
applicant is considering will produce impactful outcomes for their
field of study, the state of Mississippi, and the Gulf region.
Three letters of recommendation addressing the applicant's
qualifications for the Fellowship. It is the applicant's
responsibility to ensure letters are submitted by the deadline.
Candidates will be evaluated on the completeness of their
application, their academic record as evidenced through the CV and
transcripts, and their potential to flourish in the COA program as
evidenced through the Statement of Purpose and letters of
recommendation. Finalists will be invited to a virtual interview
with the Fellowship Selection Committee. Questions about the
Coastal Sciences Doctoral Fellowship can be sent to Jordyn.Fletcher@usm.edu.
Posted 9/9/26
MSc
opportunity - University of Alberta
We are recruiting an MSc student to build on recent work
quantifying the links between fire regime, canopy type, and
ecosystem nitrogen balance in boreal forests. This next phase of
the research will focus on the role understory plants play in
nitrogen accumulation in soils of aspen forests following
wildfire. Justine Karst (University of Alberta) and I are
recruiting a student to start summer/fall 2027 at the University
of Alberta. The co-supervised candidate will be given freedom to
develop their ideas on the topic. A two-year stipend ($25,000 per
year) will be provided and there are opportunities for TAing in
the Department of Renewable Resources, University of Alberta.
Please send your CV and a one-page cover letter explaining your
interest in the position to Justine Karst karst@ualberta.ca by October
31, 2026. Feel free to inquire about the position beforehand
to see if it’s right for you.
Information on the departmental MSc program can be found here (https://www.ualberta.ca/en/agriculture-life-environment-sciences/programs/graduate-programs/prospective-students/renewable-resources/master-of-science.html).
Please check your eligibility (https://www.ualberta.ca/en/agriculture-life-environment-sciences/programs/graduate-programs/prospective-students/renewable-resources/renewable-resources-admissions/index.html)
before you apply.
Stefan Hupperts (he/him)
Researcher
Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
Dept. of Forest Ecology and Management
Skogsmarksgränd 17
90183, Umeå
+46 70 240 1914
Posted 9/9/26
Recruiting
MS/PhD students in behavioral ecology - Reichert Lab Oklahoma
State
The Reichert Lab in the Department of Biology at Oklahoma State
University is recruiting 1-2 graduate students (MS or PhD) for
Fall 2027. Our lab does integrative research in animal
communication and cognition. Our main study system is acoustic
communication in gray treefrogs, but we also work on other taxa
(other frog species, insects) and questions (social behavior,
learning, aggression, visual communication). We are searching for
students with strong interests in animal behavior to develop
projects related to our main areas of interest. Students should be
motivated to develop independent research projects, develop skills
in experimental design, programming, data analysis and writing,
and to contribute to our positive and supportive lab atmosphere.
Students will be primarily supported by teaching assistantships,
with the possibility for RA and summer funding depending on
overall funding support for the lab. The Department of Biology has
a strong group of faculty and students working on organismal
biology, and the university is in a biodiverse state with a very
reasonable cost of living.
We are an inclusive and supportive lab environment and encourage
applications from everyone interested.
To apply, please send an email to michael.reichert@okstate.edu
and attach a document containing a statement of interest
(describing your background and motivation for the position) and
your current CV by October 31, 2026. Candidates will be
evaluated on a rolling basis, and competitive candidates will be
contacted at the latest by Mid-November for an interview.
Finalists will be invited to submit a full application to the
graduate program (application due date January 15 2027).
For more information, see:
https://reichertlab.com/
https://reichertlab.com/join-the-lab/graduate-students/
https://cas.okstate.edu/biology/graduate_studies
Michael Reichert
Associate Professor
Department of Integrative Biology
Oklahoma State University
524 Life Sciences West
Stillwater, OK 74078 USA
+1-405-744-5555
https://reichertlab.com/
Posted 9/9/26
MSc
and PhD Positions in Freshwater Science, Management and
Conservation at UBC - Olden Lab
Location: Department of Forest & Conservation Sciences,
Faculty of Forestry & Environmental Stewardship, University of
British Columbia, Vancouver (Grey Point campus)
Start date: September 2027
Deadline: Considering applications on a rolling basis until Jan
15, 2027 (UBC deadlines: Feb 1, 2027)
Details: https://www.oldenfish.com/ubc
The Olden Lab (https://www.oldenfish.com/)
at the University of British Columbia (UBC – Vancouver) invites
applications for multiple graduate student positions at the MSc
and PhD levels. Successful applicants will be supervised by Dr.
Julian Olden (Eddie Goldenberg Research Chair of Canada in
Freshwater Ecosystem Sustainability) in the Department of Forest
and Conservation Sciences (https://forestry.ubc.ca/department-of-forest-and-conservation-sciences/)
at UBC – Vancouver (Grey Point campus). At the Olden Lab, we
advance creative, collaborative, and interdisciplinary science to
address the intertwined challenges of securing water for people
and nature. This is a unique opportunity to help shape the lab
from the ground up — you'll be joining the inaugural cohort of
students and post-docs as we build our research program and
culture together at UBC.
Successful candidates will work on research that advances
freshwater science, management, and conservation in Canada and
beyond. Topics include those listed below as well as co-developed
research of mutual interest.
· Hydropower and ecologically
sustainable water management
· Climate change impacts and
adaptation strategies
· Nature-based solutions to
restoration
· Protection and recovery of
species at risk
· Ecology and management of
invasive species
· Community ecology, food-web
dynamics, macroecology
· Application of biotracers,
eDNA biosurveillance, and other emerging approaches to
conservation
· Water security in an era of
expanding AI infrastructure
· iEcology, big data,
conservation technology, and machine learning
· Knowledge co-production and
collaborative, community research
Graduate students will have opportunities to undertake priority
research activities that directly advance the Olden Lab’s mission.
Additionally, students may contribute to knowledge mobilization
activities that engage directly with academic researchers,
industry partners, policy practitioners, different levels of
government, and Indigenous communities across British Columbia,
Canada and beyond.
Visit here (https://www.oldenfish.com/ubc)
to learn more.
Posted 9/9/26
M.S.
Student Opportunity in Ecological Genomics and Evolutionary
Ecology
We are seeking a motivated M.S. student to join our research in
ecological genomics and evolutionary ecology using Daphnia
as a model organism in the Department of Biological Sciences at
East Tennessee State University (ETSU), starting in Spring, 2027.
Potential research projects include the evolution and genomics of
salinity tolerance and the effects of dietary and biochemical
interventions on longevity, with opportunities to develop related
projects based on the student’s interests.
Our department has several active research labs and provides
excellent opportunities for collaboration and training across
evolutionary biology, ecology, genetics, and genomics. ETSU is
located in Johnson City, Tennessee, in a beautiful region
surrounded by the Appalachian Mountains, lakes, and extensive
natural areas.
For questions about research projects, contact Lev Yampolsky at yampolsk@etsu.edu. For
questions about the M.S. program, contact Tianhu Sun at sunt02@etsu.edu.
Application: https://www.etsu.edu/gradschool/
Deadlines: October 1 for international applicants; January 1
for domestic applicants.
Lev Yampolsky
Professor
Department of Biological Sciences
East Tennessee State University
Johnson City TN 37614 USA
1 423 676 7489
yampolsk@etsu.edu
Posted 9/3/26
PhD
positions in terrestrial biogeochemistry
The Krichels Biogeochemistry lab (https://krichelslab.ecology.uga.edu/?page_id=63)
at the University of Georgia's Odum School of Ecology (https://ecology.uga.edu/),
is recruiting two graduate students to start in Fall 2027.
Students will develop independent projects examining how
disturbances affect nitrogen and/or carbon cycling in terrestrial
ecosystems. PhD applicants are preferred; master's applicants will
also be considered.
Ideal applicants will have strong interests in ecosystem ecology,
environmental science, soil science, or biogeochemistry. Prior
experience with lab work, field work, data analysis, and
scientific writing is preferred. Applicants should have
demonstrable quantitative skills (previous job experience and/or
master’s degree preferred).
To apply, email Alex Krichels (alexander.krichels@uga.edu)
by November 1st, 2026 with 1) a cover letter summarizing
your interest in the position, 2) contact information for two
professional references, 3) your resume or CV, and 4) a writing
sample. Please include “PhD position” in the subject line of your
email.
Competitive applicants will then be asked to apply to the Odum
School of Ecology (OSE) by December 1st. Please do not apply
directly to OSE without invitation; your application will not be
considered.
Alex Krichels
Assistant Professor | Odum School of Ecology
120 Cedar St. Building B (Biological Sciences)
Room 226
Athens, GA 30605
w: krichelslab.ecology.uga.edu
University of Georgia
Posted 9/3/26
PhD opportunity in
Plant Ecology and Global Change
I am recruiting a doctoral student to join my lab in the
Department of Ecology and Evolution at Stony Brook University. I
am particularly interested in working with a student who wants
to understand how plants and plant communities respond to
environmental change by combining field ecology, remote sensing,
and quantitative approaches.
Research in my group focuses on the ecology, evolution, and
biogeography of open ecosystems, including grasslands, savannas,
and drylands. We study how plant functional traits, evolutionary
history, disturbance, and species interactions shape ecosystem
distributions and functioning, with current work increasingly
focused on the Turkana Basin, Serengeti, and other East African
ecosystems. A PhD student could develop research on plant
responses to drought, grazing, and fire; trait and lineage
variation along environmental gradients; or links between field
measurements and imaging spectroscopy or other remotely sensed
observations. I am especially interested in projects that move
across scales, from individual plants and communities to
landscapes and regions, and that integrate field-based
measurements with satellite data.
I am looking for an intellectually curious student motivated to
develop an independent research program and enthusiastic about
both plant ecology and quantitative ecology. Previous research
experience is strongly preferred. Experience with field ecology,
plant identification, ecophysiology, R or Python, GIS, remote
sensing, or spectroscopy is valuable, but expertise in all these
areas is not expected. Most important is an interest in
developing skills that span field and remotely sensed ecology.
Applying to fellowships is encouraged.
Fieldwork may include intensive vegetation sampling and plant
functional-trait or ecophysiological measurements in East
African ecosystems, as well as research in North America. Please
see https://griffithdan.github.io/
for more information about the lab.
Stony Brook University is a top-tier public research (R1)
university located on Long Island, close to beaches, the train
to NYC, and ferries. The Department of Ecology and Evolution has
a thriving graduate culture, strong mentorship, and access to
extensive field and laboratory resources. The program
application deadline is Dec 1st, 2026 for Fall 2027, and
more details can be found here: https://www.stonybrook.edu/ecoevo/academic-programs/phd-admissions.html.
The position offers a competitive stipend and benefits package,
supported roughly equally by research and teaching
assistantships. Prospective applicants are encouraged to contact
Dr. Daniel M. Griffith at daniel.griffith@stonybrook.edu
before applying. Please send a (1) CV and a (2) brief statement
describing (a) the ecological questions that most interest you,
(b) why you are interested in joining my lab, and (c) your
previous research experience and relevant skills. (3) Please
also include contact information for two references.
Daniel M. Griffith, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Dept. of Ecology
& Evolution | Turkana
Basin Institute
Stony Brook University
griffithdan.github.io
Griffith
GS Profile
Posted 9/2/26
Phd position in tree ecophys / heat,
University of Nevada Las Vegas
Hi I am recruiting for the following position:
PhD in tree thermal physiology to investigate the impacts of
heat extremes on tree performance and survival. The PhD student
would pursue independent research to identify the thermal limits
to tree survival in natural forests and urban canopies. A major
focus of the position is on studies using thermal cameras, field
sampling of plant stress through metrics like water potential,
and monitoring of tree mortality. The student would also have
the opportunity to develop their own research questions and
participate in the Southwest Climate Adaptation Center (SWCASC,
https://www.swcasc.arizona.edu/about/overview).
Required qualifications:
· BS or MS in a
related field (env sci, ecology, statistics, forestry, biology,
etc.)
· Some knowledge
of plant physiology
Preferred qualifications:
· Comfortable
working in R
· Ecophys
experience (e.g., water potential, gas exchange)
· Experience
with thermal imagery
· Scientific
writing experience
Applications due Dec. 1st through UNLV Graduate
College: https://www.unlv.edu/graduatecollege/apply
Candidates can email describing their interests in the position
and relevant experience, including a CV. However: I am unable to
assess candidate suitability before students have formally
applied through the UNLV Graduate College.
Drew Peltier
he/him/his
Assistant Professor
School of Life Sciences
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Office: SEB 4174; (207) 895 3119
Website
Bluesky
Google
scholar
Posted 9/2/26
Ph.D. Opportunity: Coastal Sciences
Doctoral Fellowship at USM
COASTAL SCIENCES DOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP
Division of Coastal Sciences, School of Ocean Science and
Engineering
The University of Southern Mississippi
Description:
The Division of Coastal Sciences of the School of Ocean Science
and Engineering at The University of Southern Mississippi is
pleased to announce the availability of fellowships for
prospective students seeking a Ph.D. These fellowships are
awarded competitively and are intended to recruit graduate
students in coastal and marine science who demonstrate
exceptional scholarly promise. Fellows are supported to focus
full-time on their research and coursework and receive dedicated
research and travel funds to develop their own program of work.
Additional information on the Division of Coastal Sciences and
the Coastal Sciences graduate program is available at https://www.usm.edu/graduate-programs/coastal-sciences.php.
Candidates must contact potential faculty advisors in the
Division of Coastal Sciences to discuss their research and
educational interests and must identify a faculty sponsor prior
to submitting a fellowship application. The graduate school
application fee will be waived for students applying to the
Coastal Sciences Doctoral Fellowship.
Location:
The University of Southern Mississippi, Gulf Coast Research
Laboratory, Ocean Springs, MS
Support:
Awardees receive a stipend of $28,500 per year, plus a tuition
waiver and access to university-sponsored health insurance.
Awardees additionally receive a total of $15,000 in research and
travel funds.
Application deadline:
January 15, 2027 for Fall 2027 admission.
How to apply
Fellowship applications are submitted at the same time as the
application for admission, at https://graduateadmissions.usm.edu/apply/.
To be considered for the fellowship, applicants must submit the
following by the application deadline:
CV.
Official transcripts.
A Statement of Purpose not to exceed 1,200 words, developed
without AI assistance, addressing at a minimum: academic and
career goals; why The University of Southern Mississippi's
Division of Coastal Sciences is well suited to help the
applicant achieve those goals; how the applicant's experiences
and background have shaped their career path and influenced
their decision to pursue graduate studies; and how the research
the applicant is considering will produce impactful outcomes for
their field of study, the state of Mississippi, and the Gulf
region.
Three letters of recommendation addressing the applicant's
qualifications for the Fellowship. It is the applicant's
responsibility to ensure letters are submitted by the deadline.
Candidates will be evaluated on the completeness of their
application, their academic record as evidenced through the CV
and transcripts, and their potential to flourish in the COA
program as evidenced through the Statement of Purpose and
letters of recommendation.
Finalists will be invited to a virtual interview with the
Fellowship Selection Committee. Questions about the Coastal
Sciences Doctoral Fellowship can be sent to Jordyn.Fletcher@usm.edu.
Posted 9/1/26
PhD position Rutgers - Avian disease
ecology
The Sauer Lab in the Department of Ecology, Evolution, and
Natural Resources at Rutgers University - New Brunswick is
recruiting a PhD student to start Fall 2027. We are looking for
applicants who are interested in projects exploring the disease
ecology of cavity nesting wild birds especially as they relate
to climate change and urban ecology. Previous experience
handling and banding birds is preferred though not required.
Interested applicants can contact me by filling out the form
linked below. More info on my website www.sauerlab.com. Please
share with your networks and potential applicants!
I will be reviewing applications and contacting potential
candidates with follow-up questions in mid-October (i.e., do not
expect to hear back from me until then). Formal Rutgers E&E
Program applications for Fall 2027 are due by December 1st
2026. For more information about the E&E Program at
Rutgers see: https://deenr.rutgers.edu/graduate/about.
For details on stipend and other benefits see (but note that
stipends for 2027 are currently being negotiated and are likely
to increase): https://ohr.rutgers.edu/ta-ga-highlights-collective-negotiations-agreement.html
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdvu2lqRsVuytfHfflgmqK_9AuMbVXDZkW9ysfoJOeiTuL9QQ/viewform?usp=header
Erin L. Sauer, Ph.D. (she/they)
Assistant Professor
Department of Ecology, Evolution, & Natural Resources
Rutgers University
https://www.sauerlab.com/
Posted 8/25/26
PhD
/ MS opportunities at Kansas State University - grassland /
savanna ecohydrology
The Ecohydrology Lab at K-State is currently seeking two graduate
students (MS or PhD) to start in either spring (January) 2027 or
fall (August) 2027.
Our research focuses on interactions between ecological and
hydrological processes in grasslands, savannas, and shrublands. We
combine approaches from plant ecophysiology, ecology, hydrology,
and soil science to understand how vegetation shapes water
movement and critical zone function under changing climate and
land-use conditions. K-State is located in Manhattan, KS in the
Flint Hills ecoregion of the Great Plains, with easy access to the
Konza Prairie Biological Station (https://lter.konza.ksu.edu/).
We aim to foster a fun, collaborative, supportive lab environment
for students to grow their research skills and create long-lasting
networks of peers, collaborators, and mentors. Research projects
can be tailored to student interests, but should be relevant to at
least one of the following themes:
Research Themes:
Subsurface impacts of land-use / land-cover change – How do woody
encroachment, agriculture, and land management strategies alter
the subsurface (root distributions, soil structure, etc.) in ways
that influence water fluxes in grasslands? What are the
consequences for local water yield?
Plant water-use strategies and coexistence in water-limited
ecosystems – How do differences in rooting and water-use
strategies influence competition, coexistence, and ecosystem
resilience during drought and other climate extremes?
Drivers and consequences of preferential flow – How do root
systems and rainfall characteristics (intensity, duration, etc.)
interact to determine preferential flow occurrence and its
ecological consequences (nutrient / pollutant / solute transport,
microbial activity, carbon cycling, etc.)?
Position details: Graduate positions at K-State include an annual
stipend of $30,771 (paid bi-weekly) and include coverage of
tuition and university fees. Students also qualify for a
university-subsidized health insurance plan.
Desired Background: Applicants should hold an undergraduate degree
(or higher) in ecology, biology, earth sciences, or a related
field by the time of hire. Must have strong oral / written
communication skills and a willingness to work outdoors in hot
weather. Previous research / field experience and coding skills
(Program R) are desired, but not required.
How to Apply: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis,
starting right away – please send a brief personal statement
(1-pg), your CV, informal transcripts, and contact information for
three references to Rachel Keen (rkeen@ksu.edu).
Selected applicants will be contacted for a Zoom interview.
Spring semester position – January 2027 start; applications
accepted no later than September 15, 2026
Fall semester position – August 2027 start; applications accepted
no later than December 1, 2026
Please visit our lab website (https://rleasey.wixsite.com/keenecohydrology)
for more details about the application process and ongoing
research projects!
Posted 7/27/26
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