We seek a self-motivated and creative doctoral student to conduct research on the evolutionary ecology of Song Sparrows on the California Channel Islands. Fieldwork will start in late spring 2013 and the student will enroll at Colorado State University (CSU) in the 2013 fall semester. This dissertation research will be part of multi-investigator project involving CSU, the Smithsonian Institution, the U.S. National Park Service, and The Nature Conservancy. The student will be co- advised by Dr. Chris Funk and Dr. Cameron Ghalambor at CSU, and be supported by both teaching and research assistantships.
A key project objective is to understand how population structure and local adaptation can inform conservation management of the sparrow in Channel Islands National Park. The student will have freedom to develop a thesis topic, so long as the dissertation overlaps sufficiently with this objective. We welcome applications from prospective students with a record of academic excellence, a strong interest in evolution and avian ecology, and extensive training in the observation, capture, and handling of wild birds. Ideal candidates will have a Master’s degree, molecular lab experience, at least one publication, and graduate coursework in statistics and genetics. The successful applicant will need to meet the entrance requirements for doctoral candidates at CSU’s Department of Biology (http://www.biology.colostate.edu/graduate- programs). To apply, email your CV (including names, phone numbers, and email addresses of three references) and a one-page statement of research interests to [email protected]. We anticipate selecting a Ph.D. candidate by February 2013.
