PhD Graduate Research Position
Population dynamics in desert stream ecosystems
Department of Zoology, Oregon State University
The Lytle Lab at Oregon State University
(science.oregonstate.edu/lytlelab) seeks a highly motivated PhD student
to pursue doctoral research as part of a collaborative project that aims
to understand how flow intermittence and landscape connectivity govern
the population dynamics of aquatic invertebrates and amphibians in
southern Arizona streams. The student will use fieldwork (population
surveys, habitat measurements) and laboratory methods (mtDNA and
microsatellites) to understand how hydrologic connectivity influences
the population dynamics of aquatic organisms. The successful applicant
will be advised by Dr. Dave Lytle (Department of Zoology, Oregon State
University, Corvallis), and will work closely with researchers from
University of Washington, State University of New York, and partners in
Arizona including AZ Game and Fish Department and The Nature Conservancy.
Qualifications: BS or MS in ecology, zoology, or related field with
competitive GPA and GRE scores. Priority will be given to applicants
with previous experience studying aquatic invertebrates (biology,
ecology, and sampling techniques), quantitative skills, and/or a
background in molecular methods such as mtDNA or microsatellite
analysis. A demonstrated ability to publish in peer-reviewed journals
and experience conducting research in arid and semi-arid ecosystems is
preferred, but not required.
Location: The position will be located within the Department of Zoology,
Oregon State University. Zoology houses expertise in ecology, evolution,
physiology, and genomics of aquatic and terrestrial organisms. Corvallis
is home to a productive community of aquatic biologists, distributed
across the OSU campus and at regional research labs for the EPA, USGS,
and USFS. OSU maintains the largest insect collection in the Pacific
Northwest (osac.science.oregonstate.edu) and is among the top-ranked
North American universities for conservation biology and ecology
/evolutionary biology.
Funding: The position will be funded primarily by graduate research
assistantships (GRAs), with the opportunity to hold a teaching
assistantship (GTA) during some academic quarters. The Department of
Zoology guarantees 5 years of support for PhD students.
Start date: Fall 2010 (Summer 2010 preferred)
Contact: To apply email a cover letter that addresses your interest and
experience, curriculum vitae, unofficial transcripts, and contact
information for at least three references to: Dr. Dave Lytle,
[email protected]. Screening of applicants will occur prior to the
Zoology application deadline on January 15, 2010. OSU is an equal
opportunity employer and actively seeks diversity among its employees.
