M.S. or PhD opportunity for studies in population and community ecology at East Carolina University
I invite applications from prospective MS and PhD students. Research in my lab focuses on a variety of questions in conservation, population, and community ecology as well as the development of experimental and quantitative approaches that help to better link empirical data to ecological and evolutionary theory. In my research, I typically take a mechanistic approach aimed at understanding how variation in individual traits (e.g. size, stage and phenotype) scale up to influence population and community level processes and spatial coupling across ecosystems. Within this broader context, my research can be loosely categorized into five interrelated conceptual themes; 1) the ecological consequences of phenotypic plasticity, 2) body size dependence of ecological interactions, 3) cross ecosystem links formed by the sequential process of complex life cycles, 4) understanding predator diversity effects, and 5) the development of innovative experimental and quantitative approaches. I work in a variety of systems including temperate, tropical, terrestrial, aquatic, and marine ecosystems. I will consider students with interests in a variety of topics and systems (including but not restricted to those in which I work) that address complementary questions in population and community ecology, climate change and conservation. For additional information about me, my research and the application process please visit: http://blog.ecu.edu/sites/mccoym/prospective-students/ http://www.ecu.edu/cs-cas/biology/McCoy_Michael.cfm About ECU East Carolina University is the third largest campus in the University of NC system and has an active and well-supported group of faculty working in the areas of ecology and evolution. Students accepted into the Interdisciplinary Doctoral Program in Biological Sciences will receive at least two years of support with no teaching obligations and at least five years of support total, at a very competitive level. TA-ships are readily available in two MS programs and Biology faculty members also supervise students in ECU's Coastal Resource Management PhD program. Graduate students will be encouraged to participate in the newly formed North Carolina Center for Biodiversity (NCCB) at East Carolina University. Goals of the NCCB include training graduate students in biodiversity research and providing them opportunities to participate in related outreach. Students enjoy living in the affordable community of Greenville, NC, participating in seminar series and journal clubs that feature research in ecology and evolution, and having access to several natural areas, universities and research centers located in central and eastern NC. Application deadlines vary with particular programs but applying early is recommended. Please visit http://www.ecu.edu/biology/ to find out more about the Biology department at ECU and graduate programs.
