Ph.D. Graduate Assistantship in Community Ecology at the University of Alabama
The Howeth Lab in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Alabama invites applications for a Ph.D. Graduate Assistantship in community ecology beginning Fall 2016. A highly motivated student is sought to study either: (1) the influence of metacommunity dynamics on the establishment, spread, and impact of non-native species, using freshwater plankton communities and either Daphnia lumholtzi or zebra mussels a model system. This work will leverage observational studies of reservoirs in Texas, and mesocosm experiments at the University of Alabama Tanglewood Biological Station. Research on zebra mussels will additionally involve development and testing of risk assessment models. (2) metacommunity dynamics of aquatic taxa (crayfish, fish, zooplankton) among beaver-formed ponds in different stages of succession. This work will utilize observational and experimental approaches in the streams and ponds of the Talladega National Forest in Alabama. Interested students should send an e-mail to Dr. Jennifer Howeth (jghow...@ua.edu) with "Graduate Assistantship" in the title, and include their CV, statement of research interests and experience, writing sample, GRE scores, unofficial copies of undergraduate transcripts, and contact information for two references no later than November 25, 2015. Qualified applicants will be invited to apply to the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Alabama by the December 15, 2015 departmental deadline. The Department of Biological Sciences offers Graduate Teaching Assistantships and competitive fellowships to support admitted students. Departmental Aquatic Biology Fellowships students may be available to highly qualified applicants. Relevant Links: University of Alabama: www.ua.edu Department of Biological Sciences: http://bsc.ua.edu/ Howeth Laboratory: http://bama.ua.edu/~jghoweth/index.html Center for Freshwater Studies: http://as.ua.edu/cfs/ Tuscaloosa, Alabama is a vibrant university community with numerous cultural and recreational opportunities available. The Tuscaloosa Amphitheater, located on the banks of the Black Warrior River and just minutes from the UA campus, brings a variety of shows and musicians to the city. Recreational activities such as canoeing and hiking are quite popular in the nearby Black Warrior and Sipsey River natural protected areas, and the Talladega National Forest.
