A PhD position is available in the lab of Ryan Martin (http://biology.case.edu/faculty/ryan-martin/) in the Department of Biology at Case Western Reserve University. Research in the lab is broadly focused on understanding how biotic interactions and environmental variation drive adaptive evolution and diversification. Specific research topics of the lab include the evolution of resource polymorphism; causes and consequences of disruptive selection; the evolution of character displacement; and signal evolution in heterogeneous environments. We primarily investigate these topics in desert amphibians, and freshwater fishes.
The students and faculty of the Department of Biology at Case Western Reserve comprise a collegial, interactive and dynamic group. Faculty research programs in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology span interests in amphibian ecology, evolution and conservation (Mike Benard), theoretical ecology (Karen Abbott and Robin Snyder), plant community ecology and phylogenetics (Jean Burns), and ecological and evolutionary consequences of global change (Sarah Diamond). Case Western Reserve University is an excellent place for graduate research. In addition to CWRU, there are several nearby institutions with top-tier lab facilities and ecologically diverse field sites, including the University Farm, Holden Arboretum, and the Cleveland Metropark System. Students in the lab will also have opportunities to conduct research at the Southwestern Research Station, located in the sky islands of Southeastern Arizona. Case Western Reserve University is a private research university (RU/VH Carnegie classification) located in the culturally vibrant University Circle neighborhood of Cleveland, Ohio; University Circle is also home to a world-class symphony orchestra, botanical gardens and, several art and natural history museums. Cleveland has fantastic food, art, theatre and music scenes, combined with a low cost of living. Students interested in pursuing graduate research in my lab should email me at ryan.a.martin[at]case[dot]edu and include the following information: a summary of your educational and research experience, research interests, and potential areas of research you would like to pursue in the lab. Further information regarding the Biology Graduate Program can be found at http://biology.case.edu/graduate/admission/
