M.S. student positions rodent social systems
I am seeking one or two highly motivated students interested in pursuing a
research-based M.S. degree in biology at the University of Louisiana at
Monroe. The start date would be in August 2011. My lab group studies the
social systems of two rodents, Octodon degus (in Chile) and Microtus
kikuchii (in Taiwan). I seek prospective students interested in one of the
following research themes: (i) ecological and neural causes of mating system
variation or (ii) reproductive fitness consequences of social group living.
However, I will consider students with other interests in the area of
mammalian sociality and mating systems.
Prospective students should have strong writing skills and previous research
experience (preferably with a publication or manuscript near submission).
Although GPA and test scores are important, previous research experience,
strong writing and analytical skills, and ideas for thesis work are most
important. The ideal candidate will be committed to writing a NSF GRFP
(http://www.nsfgrfp.org/) to support their research (prior to admission or
during their first semester in our program). Students interested in research
in Taiwan will be asked to write a NSF EAPSI
(http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5284) grant proposal in the
autumn of their first semester.
I can offer students working on projects in Chile support for one field
season in June-November 2012 ($6000 per diem, travel costs, tuition waiver).
The ULM Department of Biology offers Teaching Assistantships ($4000/sem) and
tuition waivers (up to six semesters) to students accepted into our
research-oriented thesis program. Please visit the ULM Department of Biology
(http://www.ulm.edu/biology/ ) and ULM Graduate Studies
(http://www.ulm.edu/gradschool/) webpages for more information.
I encourage highly qualified and motivated students interested in writing a
NSF GRFP proposal (by the November 2010 deadline) to review the tips for
writing a GRFP
(http://www.nsfgrfp.org/applicant_resources/tips_for_applying) and to
contact me ([email protected]; phone: 318 342 1798) as soon as possible to
discuss a project idea. Otherwise, I will review applications to work in my
lab in Nov-Dec 2010. I highly recommend that prospective students send me a
CV, unofficial transcripts, contact information for two references, and a
brief summary of research interests (in a single pdf file, please) before
submitting a full application to the ULM Graduate School. Due to funding
restrictions, I can only support U.S. citizens at this time.
