Graduate assistantships are available for two MS or Ph.D. positions in the research group of Haldre Rogers in the Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology at Iowa State University (http://www.eeob.iastate.edu/). Our lab focuses on community ecology, evolution, and conservation in altered ecosystems. We tend to address questions that can both advance basic ecological or evolutionary knowledge and contribute to conservation goals. Our current research projects focus on seed dispersal, bird-arthropod food web dynamics, novel ecosystems, impacts of species extinctions, and invasive species (see http://haldre.weebly.com/research.html for more information).
I am looking for one student interested in developing their own project, and one student interested in working on a grant-funded project assessing whether non-native species can confer resilience to disrupted ecosystems through mutualistic interactions (see below). While much of the lab’s work takes place in the Mariana Islands through the Ecology of Bird Loss project (www.ecologyofbirdloss.org), I expect students to develop their own research questions, and find the most appropriate place to test their questions- this may be in the Mariana Islands, but it could be anywhere else in the world. I will be accepting students through the inter-departmental Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EEB) graduate program (https://eeb.iastate.edu/). Grant-funded position for Fall 2016 start: I am looking for one MS or PhD student interested in studying the role of non-native seed dispersers in the Mariana Islands. These species, including feral pigs and rats, are typically thought of as highly detrimental invasives in island ecosystems, but in the bird-less forests of Guam, they may be performing a unique role as seed dispersers. This student would develop a project assessing the contribution of non-native pigs and rats to seed dispersal of native tree species. The student will be funded through a research assistantship for four semesters, and will be expected to TA for the remainder of their degree. Applicants must have prior independent research experience in ecology and/or evolutionary biology, and some exposure to statistics. Prior computer programming (e.g. R) experience is beneficial. Interested students should check out my website (http://haldre.weebly.com) for more information. If you’re still interested, please contact me via email (hal...@iastate.edu). In your email, briefly describe your research interests, career goals, why my lab would be a good fit for you, and the names of three references. Indicate whether you are interested in a MS or PhD, and which of the two positions you are most interested. Please include an updated CV.
