The Matter lab at the University of Cincinnati is recruiting highly qualified and motivated Ph.D. students beginning in summer or fall 2018. Major foci of the lab are on dispersal, spatial population dynamics, and the persistence of spatial population networks, although former students have conducted research on a range of Ecological topics. Students will develop independent research projects, but we are particularly interested in students whose research will contribute to and benefit from our long-term data on the Rocky Mountain Apollo butterfly and its host plant, Sedum lanceolatum.
Students interested in joining the lab should contact Steve Matter ([email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>) to discuss their interests. Please include a brief statement of your research interests, CV, transcripts, and GRE scores. The Department of Biological Science's Environmental Change & Biological Resilience research and graduate training group (http://www.artsci.uc.edu/departments/biology/research/ECBR.html) seeks to better understand and predict how organisms, populations, and ecosystems respond to environmental change. This group addresses basic and applied questions, transcending traditional levels of biological organization. The group is currently expanding with the addition of new faculty in conjunction with UC's Water Cluster (https://www.uc.edu/provost/initiatives/cluster-hiring-initative.html) and offers opportunities to collaborate with aligned research programs in UC's Environmental Studies program, in UC's nationally-renowned College of Engineering, and at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Research and Development in Cincinnati. The Cincinnati Center for Field Studies, located 30 minutes west of campus, is a major regional center for environmental research and an additional resource for ECBR researchers (http://magazine.uc.edu/issues/1013/field_studies.html). The department offers competitive support packages for qualified students. The University of Cincinnati, the Department of Biological Sciences, and the Matter lab have a strong commitment to diversity in science and graduate education. Students from underrepresented ethnic or racial minorities will be considered for the new Provost Graduate Fellowship, which provides a 3 year $25,000 stipend plus tuition remission, and the Yates Fellowship, which awards grants to underrepresented minority candidates. The University of Cincinnati is a top-25 public 'research-intensive' institution and is ranked among the nation's best institutions for undergraduate education. Founded in 1819, our campus boasts award winning, modern architecture and is located in close vicinity to collaborative resources including, Cincinnati Children's Hospital and the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden. Cincinnati is a vibrant city on the banks of the Ohio River. The region is home to year-round cultural and entertainment opportunities such as the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, as well as numerous annual music and cultural festivals. Cincinnati is also home to major professional sports teams including the Cincinnati Bengals, Cincinnati Reds, and FC Cincinnati - a new professional soccer team which draws over 20,000 fans per game. City and county park systems provide extensive green space for outdoor activities as well as research and outreach opportunities. More information about the graduate program in the Department of Biological Sciences can be found here: http://www.artsci.uc.edu/departments/biology/graduate/future.html. Graduate applications are due January 1. To apply: http://www.grad.uc.edu/ApplyOnline.aspx. Sincerely, Steve Matter
