Description Once infected, an organism can either resist (try to kill) or tolerate (minimize fitness reductions of) the infecting pathogen. Although resistance has been well studied in animals, the mechanisms and consequences of tolerance in wildlife remain largely unknown. Revealing these is of paramount importance to understanding the dynamics and evolution of wildlife disease.
A Presidential Ph.D. fellowship is available, beginning in fall 2016, in the Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management at Iowa State University for a student interested in majoring in Wildlife Ecology. The successful candidate will contribute to projects on the physiological mechanisms and transmission consequences of pathogen tolerance. In addition, the student will be expected to develop their own novel project and contributions to this area of research, using avian disease systems, including house finches infected with Mycoplasma gallisepticum. My lab utilizes both field and lab techniques, from radio telemetry to qPCR, so students interested in a diversity of methods are encouraged to apply. Qualifications Minimum qualifications include a B.S. degree in biology, ecology, wildlife, or related field, GPA >3.0, and GRE scores at or above the 50th percentile on each of the three test components. Desired qualifications include excellent writing abilities, strong quantitative skills, experience using R, field experience with birds, and a M.S. degree in wildlife disease, ecology, physiology, or a related field. Candidates must have a valid driver’s license and a clean driving record. Stipend and Other Information The first year of support is provided by a Presidential fellowship and research assistantship with a stipend of approximately $23,000 per year. The student will receive health insurance and a waiver of all graduate tuition. Additional years of support will be a mix of teaching assistantships and research assistantships, with similar stipend levels, full waivers of graduate tuition, and health insurance. Graduate admissions to the NREM department are processed on a rolling basis, so review of applications will begin immediately; applications received by March 21, 2016 will be guaranteed full consideration. To apply, please email me the following documents: a cover letter highlighting professional interests, relevant experience, and career goals; a curriculum vita; copies of all college (and graduate, if applicable) transcripts; GRE scores; and the names, phone numbers, and email addresses of at least three references. Contact Dr. James S. Adelman, Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management, Iowa State University, [email protected].
