PhD position in plant ecology and evolution I am currently recruiting motivated graduate students for my lab in the Biology Department at Temple University. Research in my lab addresses a broad range of questions in plant reproductive ecology and evolution, exploring how ecological, demographic, and genetic factors influence plant mating patterns and shape the evolution of reproductive traits. Current foci in the lab are (1) the effects of habitat fragmentation on plant-pollinator interactions, mating system dynamics, and floral trait evolution and (2) the evolution of mixed-mating and of the selfing syndrome. Additional interests include the evolution of plant sexual systems such as dioecy. We use a variety of approaches including observational and experimental field studies, population and quantitative genetics, demographic modeling, and greenhouse studies.
I am looking for a PhD student to join the lab who is broadly interested in plant ecology and evolution and looking to develop independent research questions that complement my own. If interested, please send a cover letter describing your research interests and background, a CV including GPA, GRE scores (if known), and contact information for three references to Dr. Rachel Spigler at [email protected]. Applicants must have a Bachelors degree in biology, ecology, or a related field, prior research experience, and meet Temples requirements for admission. A Masters degree is preferred. Interested applicants should contact me as soon as possible; Temples deadline for admission is January 15, 2015. For additional information about my research and the Biology Department at Temple University please visit: http://rachelspigler.weebly.com/ https://bio.cst.temple.edu/ About the Biology Department at Temple University Temple University is a large, comprehensive public research university in Philadelphia, PA, with more than 37,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students enrolled in over 400 academic degrees. The Biology Department at Temple University represents an active research community with strengths in ecology, genomics, conservation, and evolutionary biology. The Biology Department is also home to the newly formed Center for Biodiversity (http://cst.temple.edu/research/centers-and- institutes/center-biodiversity), Center for Computational Genetics and Genomics (https://bio.cst.temple.edu/~hey/CCGG/), and Institute for Genomics and Evolutionary Medicine (http://igem.temple.edu/). Philadelphia is the fifth largest city in the US, rich in history, known for its arts and culture, and is brimming with a vibrant science community. There are approximately 90 colleges and universities in the Greater Philadelphia region, with plenty of opportunities for collaboration. Recreational science activities abound, including Science on Tap, a monthly science café that features a brief, informal presentation by a scientist or other expert followed by lively conversation, the Academy of Natural Sciences, the Wagner Free Institute of Science, and the annual Philadelphia Science Festival. Philadelphia is also home to Fairmount Park, one of the worlds largest city park systems.
