See below for information about PhD student and lab technician openings in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at Rice University (Houston, TX).
1. Graduate opportunities I am recruiting 1-2 PhD students to join my lab beginning August 2011. Research in the lab is focused on demography, population dynamics, species interactions, and invasion biology, with emphasis on plants and insects. Current projects are examining: - range expansion by invasive organisms, especially insects - effects of herbivores and mutualists on plant population dynamics - population dynamics of dioecious organisms - community structure and competitive coexistence of plant-tending ants - symbiosis between plants and vertically transmitted fungi - the evolution of plant life history strategies Incoming students will be expected to develop an independent research program within these or related areas. For more information about research in the lab and recent publications, see http://www.owlnet.rice.edu/~tm9/. A major theme of the lab is combining theoretical and experimental methods to tackle ecological questions. Prospective students with strong quantitative skills and experience or interest in theoretical ecology and theory/data interface are especially encouraged to apply. PhD students in my lab making satisfactory progress will receive full fellowship support with minimal teaching for up to five years, including a competitive stipend. The Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at Rice University is home to a collegial and vibrant community of scholars. We have an unusually strong concentration of faculty and students studying the ecology and evolution of species interactions (http://eeb.rice.edu/faculty.html). We are located in Houston, TX, an exciting, diverse, and affordable city with world-class opportunities for dining, arts, and culture (http://eeb.rice.edu/about_houston.html). Applicants should contact me directly ([email protected]) and provide the following: (1) a paragraph describing your academic background, including any research experience and a statement about why you want to earn a graduate degree, (2) a paragraph describing the type(s) of research you would like to pursue as a graduate student and how your research interests would fit the lab, (3) CV, (4) undergraduate transcripts and GRE scores (need not be formal reports), and (5) contact information (name, institution, email, and phone) for 2-3 references. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis (open immediately), but no later than May 6, 2011. Please contact me ([email protected]) if you would like additional information. 2. Technician I will be hiring one laboratory technician to begin August 2011 or sooner. The minimum commitment for this position is one year; longer is possible. A Bachelors degree in Biology or relevant sub-discipline is required. Salary is $13.50/hour and benefits are included. The technician will be responsible for managing ecological experiments involving plants and insects in the laboratory and greenhouse, as well as maintenance of plant and insect populations. Some field work will also be required. The appointment will be 40 hours/week, and this may include evenings and/or weekends as experiments demand. The technician will be the immediate supervisor of undergraduates working in the lab, so strong communication and leadership abilities are essential. This position is ideal for a recent college graduate considering graduate school in ecology and evolution and looking to gain more experience. The technician will be involved in all stages of the research process, will be encouraged to develop independent projects related to research in the lab (see above), and will have opportunities to co-author papers. Desirable experience and skills: - strong quantitative skills, including experimental design, statistics, and mathematics - programming skills (ideally R) - GIS knowledge - basic molecular techniques (DNA extraction, PCR, gel electrophoresis) To apply, please submit the following to [email protected]: (1) a statement describing your interest in the position and how it relates to your long-term career goals, (2) CV, (3) college transcripts (need not be formal reports), and (4) contact information (name, institution, email, and phone) for two references. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis (open immediately), but no later than May 6, 2011. Please contact me ([email protected]) if you would like additional information.
