Ph.D. and M.S. position in Community Ecology starting Fall 2017: University of Connecticut

School: University of Connecticut

Location: Storrs, Connecticut, USA

Job Category: Graduate Assistantships

Website: http://bagchi.eeb.uconn.edu/join-us/graduate-student-opportunities/

Salary: $24,000 (approx.)

Start Date: 08/21/2017

Last Date to Apply: 10/31/2016

 

Description:

     The Bagchi laboratory in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Connecticut invites applications from motivated and independent Ph. D. and M. S. students to start in the Fall of 2017. Our group combines experimental and quantitative approaches to investigate processes that regulate diversity in ecological communities, especially in the context of natural and anthropogenic gradients. Our work involves both tropical forests and temperate systems.

Some questions that we are interested in are:
1) Is coexistence of competing plant species maintained by natural enemies?
2) How do interactions between plants and their natural enemies vary along environmental (e.g. precipitation and soil fertility) and anthropogenic (e.g. habitat fragmentation and hunting) gradients?
3) What factors influence the relative abundances of host-specialist and host-generalist herbivores in ecological communities?
4) How does fruiting synchrony affect seedling survival in Southeast Asian rain forests and what factors increase asynchronous fruiting?
5) How do different coexistence mechanisms influence the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning?

     This is far from an exhaustive list and ideas for other questions that fit in with our overall research themes are welcome.

 

Qualifications:

Essential qualifications:
1) Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in Ecology or a related discipline.
2) Strong written and verbal communication ability in English and quantitative skills.

Preferred:
1) Broad knowledge of ecology.
2) A Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Ecology or related discipline if applying for a Ph. D. position.
3) Preference for proven research aptitude (e.g. published papers).
4) Experience of field work.
5) An interest and knowledge of natural history (especially in intended study system).

Application process:
Interested and qualified candidates should browse my web page (http://bagchi.eeb.uconn.edu) and then email me (robert.bagchi@uconn.edu) with:

1) A cover-letter including a description of (i) qualifications, (ii) research interests and (iii) brief ideas for research projects (5-6 sentences).
2) An up-to-date CV, transcript (unofficial is fine).
3) GPA and GRE scores.
4) A sample of scientific writing (e.g. a published paper, a manuscript or an excerpt from a thesis/dissertation or scientific essay).

      I will give preference to applicants who contact me by Monday, October 31st 2016 so that we have plenty of time to discuss projects and funding opportunities before the UConn Graduate School’s application deadline on December 15th 2016. Strong applicants will be contacted to schedule an informal interview via Skype.

     Financial support is available through research assistantships, teaching assistantships and university fellowships, but applicants are strongly encouraged to seek external funding. The UConn Graduate School has several funding opportunities for outstanding applicants and groups that are historically under-represented in science. For additional information please contact Robert Bagchi (robert.bagchi@uconn.edu).