The Gugger Lab (http://pgugger.al.umces.edu) at the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science (UMCES) is seeking a motivated Ph.D. student to develop a dissertation project on ecological genomics of trees. The lab uses next-generation sequencing approaches to understand how populations of long-lived trees respond evolutionarily to environmental change, the molecular basis of local adaptation, the factors influencing population divergence, the role of hybridization in adaptation and speciation, and implications for conservation under global change.
The ideal applicant will have prior research experience in population genetics or plant ecology/evolution, molecular laboratory skills, strong quantitative skills, and interest in learning basic bioinformatics. A Master’s degree is preferred, but not required. The Ph.D. student will matriculate through the Marine, Estuarine, and Environmental Sciences (MEES) Graduate Program (http://mees.umd.edu/) at the University of Maryland, College Park but will reside at the Appalachian Laboratory in Frostburg (western MD, http://www.umces.edu/al) for the duration of the degree. Three years of support are available through research assistantships, with additional support through competitive teaching assistantships and fellowships (e.g., http://www.umces.edu/ education/graduate/fellowships). Starting date can be as soon as January 2017 and no later than August 2017. If interested, please email Paul Gugger (pgug...@umces.edu) a single PDF containing (1) a statement of interest, (2) a CV, and (3) contact information for three references. Please indicate “Genomics PhD position” in your subject line. UMCES is an affirmative action, EOE. Individuals with disabilities, veterans, women and minorities are encouraged to apply. This ad is also posted at http://www.umces.edu/al/employment.
