Dr. Caz Taylor is seeking applicants to fill two PhD positions starting in Fall 2015. More information about the lab can be found at http://caz.tulane.edu and information about the department at http://tulane.edu/sse/eebio/
1) Shorebird Stopover Ecology. This project will continue our study of shorebirds on the Gulf Coast, examining the effects of habitat degradation and sea level rise. The project is flexible and will be designed by the student but will certainly involve trapping and re-sighting of color-banded shorebirds in Gulf coast habitats and may involve integration of data into population models. Experience working with small birds, particularly shorebirds is strongly preferred. A masters degree or significant independent research experience is also desirable. 2) Monarch Butterfly migration and behavior. I am seeking a PhD student to study migratory and resident Monarch Butterflies in the Gulf Coast region. This is part of a new project with collaborators Sonia Altizer (UGA), Richard Hall (UGA) and Karen Oberhauser (U. Minnesota). The project is flexible and will be designed by the student but we are particularly interested in the potential of introduced milkweed species to alter the migratory behavior of monarchs and other potential changes to migration patterns and population dynamics. No previous experience with butterflies is necessary but some previous ecological research experience, particularly at the masters level, is preferred. Support for both positions will be a combination of Research Assistantships and Teaching Assistantships, depending on funding. Students are encouraged to apply for their own fellowships through NSF or other agencies. Our department has one fellowship available for a student from an underrepresented minority and any such applicants are strongly encouraged to apply. If interested in either position, please send a cover letter (specifying which position you are interested in and why you are interested in graduate work in my lab) and a resume/CV to Caz Taylor [email protected] before Nov 21st . I will contact a small number of qualified applicants soon after this date and invite them to apply formally to EEB at Tulane (http://tulane.edu/sse/eebio/academics/graduate/apply.cfm). Formal applications are due by Jan 15 2015.
