Ph.D. Graduate Assistantship in Ecology and Environmental Sciences: Modeling phenological responses to Climate Change
University of Maine, Orono in the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Conservation Biology
The research group of Dr. Sydne Record (https://umaine.edu/wle/faculty-staff-directory/sydne-record/) seeks applicants for one Ph.D. position in Ecology and Environmental Sciences at the University of Maine in Orono in the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Conservation Biology starting in January 2023. Our research group focuses on population and community ecology from a biogeographical perspective. We apply computational methods to data from various environmental observatory networks to explore ecological dynamics across space and time. Funding for this assistantship comes from a National Science Foundation grant and aims to develop predictive models of phenological sensitivity to climate and other environmental factors using an unprecedented number of in-situ and herbarium observations and to generate near-term forecasts of phenological sensitivity into the future. The preferred start date for this position is January 17, 2023. This position is fully funded for 12-months through a combination of research and teaching assistantships for up to five years and includes tuition and health insurance.
Qualifications: B.S. in biology, ecology, statistics, or other relevant discipline; M.S. in environmental data science preferred. The ideal applicant will have quantitative skills (e.g., R, Python, geographic information systems) and interest in learning new skills, previous research experience and a strong background in ecology and environmental science, creativity, and an excellent track record in seeing projects through from start to finish. Successful applicants will be expected to work both independently and collaboratively, mentor undergraduates in the group, develop K-12 curricula with a Research Experiences for Teachers fellow, develop independent research questions related to overall project goals, embrace environmental data science, and publish research results. This is project is primarily devoted to computational work and involves little field work. Good oral and written communication skills and flexibility given the unexpected nature of research are highly valued. We are committed to anti-racism and value diverse identities, experiences, and skills.
Location: The University of Maine Orono campus is a community of ~12,000 undergraduate and graduate students. UMaine is in beautiful central Maine with an excellent quality of life (little traffic, reasonable cost of living, safe neighborhoods). Outdoor recreational activities abound with Mount Katahdin (Baxter State Park) and Acadia National Park within one hour drive and fifteen miles of running, biking, and cross-country skiing trails on campus.
Closing date: review of application will begin 9/30, open until filled.
Application: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe0whSnT5UuniDMwRLeE4Y7xfFE7nxX7KVDSmZw0O6m9B-S2g/viewform
Contact: Email sydne.record@maine.edu with the subject line “Phenology PhD Assistantship” if you have questions.
We especially encourage applicants from historically excluded groups to apply. The University of Maine Orono is an EEO/AA employer, and does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, including transgender status and gender expression, national origin, citizenship status, age, disability, genetic information or veteran’s status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities.
