Applicants are invited from one doctoral student (official start date January 2021) to join the lab of Dr. Donald Yee. The position will focus on aspects of the population or community ecology of ants in El Yunque National Forest in Puerto Rico at the NSF funded Luquillo Long Term Ecological Research site (LTER). The position will be supported during the summer months by the LTER (travel, lodging, and per diem). More info on the LTER can be found here: http://luq.lter.network/
Multiple areas of ant-focused research interests are welcomed. Research at the LTER site is currently focused on effects of climate change including drought and large disturbances like hurricanes on various taxa and on food web dynamics. We have data from ant communities pre- and post-Hurricane Maria (2017) that would serve as a good foundation for more specific hypothesis driven questions. Amazing opportunities exist to collaborate with scientists in the LTER studying ant-relevant topics and to explore some foundational questions about ants in the rain forests of Puerto Rico. The LTER in Puerto Rico has multiple decades worth of data on various taxa that may be relevant.
Required experience: coursework in ecology, entomology (specifically ants), and statistics
Preferred experience: tropical field work, Spanish
More information about the Yee lab can be found at: https://aquaticinsectecology.o
Full tuition scholarships for the successful applicant are provided. Support is provided by teaching assistantships and research assistantships (when available).
Although the School of Biological, Environmental, and Earth Sciences at USM does not have a minimum set of scores to be eligible for entrance into the graduate program, potential applicants should expect to have a minimum GPA of 3.00 and have taken the GRE before application. For more information on admission follow this link: https://www.usm.edu/biological
Deadline for Spring 2021 applications is 1 October 2020. Women and students from underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply. The Yee Lab is committed to an inclusive environment for all members.
The University of Southern Mississippi, a Carnegie Research High Activity institution with 15,000 students, is located in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, near the Gulf Coast and has abundant opportunities for outdoor recreation. Hattiesburg is the medical, commercial and cultural center of southern Mississippi and is ranked in the top five small metropolitan areas in the United States. The School of Biological, Environmental, and Earth Sciences is comprised of about thirty faculty and offers baccalaureate, Master of Science, and Ph.D. degrees. Over 60 graduate students are currently pursuing degrees. Further information about the school may be found at: https://www.usm.edu/biological
To inquire, submit (via e-mail) a cover letter with a brief (~ one page) review of your research experience and interests and goals and a CV to:
donald.yee@usm.edu
Donald A. Yee, Ph.D.
School of Biological, Environmental, and Earth Sciences
University of Southern Mississippi
twitter: @mosquitolab
