William Karasov’s laboratory at the University of Wisconsin-Madison seeks a
motivated Ph.D. student interested in avian ecological immunology. Working
as part of a team with other Department of Forest & Wildlife Ecology
members (lab groups of Anna Pidgeon, Benjamin Zuckerberg) and colleagues at
the National Wildlife Health Center in Madison (Dr. Eric Hofmeister), the
graduate student will study variation in immune function in the annual
cycle of birds living in forest fragments in WI, and its response to
ecological variation in resource availability. Avian immune function plays
a central role in theories in ecology and evolution and has important
implications for avian conservation in future climate change scenarios and
for animal and human health. We will test for differences in components of
immune function in seed-eating birds with/without access to supplemental
food, provided in feeders. These are immune features that are constitutive
or inducible and nonspecific or specific; assays are tractable for use in
free-living birds. Seasonal change in immune function of birds will be
studied in relation to seasonal change in energy budgets, measured with
doubly labeled water. Also, the student will test the reservoir competence
of black-capped chickadees to West Nile Virus. Birds are reservoirs for
many zoonotic and livestock pathogens, and we will increase knowledge about
the likelihood of passerines serving as pathogen reservoirs, including
birds in close association with humans and livestock in Wisconsin. Strong
candidates will have some background/experience with field biology and
animal physiology. Questions about the position should be directed to
Professor Bill Karasov, wkarasov@wisc.edu.
Position is available starting summer or fall 2013 and is a standard 50%
research assistantship with a stipend (currently $20,400/year), tuition
remission, and access to health benefits.
Application process: Applications will be reviewed upon receipt and review
will continue until candidates are chosen. *The application deadline for
students interested in a fall, 2013 start is March 18, 2013*. The
University of Wisconsin-Madison is an equal opportunity/affirmative action
employer. We promote excellence through diversity and encourage all
qualified individuals to apply.
Interested applicants are asked to e-mail the following documents listed
below to our Student Services Coordinator Sara Rodock (rodock@wisc.edu) (in
ONE PDF file please).
*Required Documents:*
- The “Forest and Wildlife Ecology; University of Wisconsin-Madison
Graduate Application Cover Sheet” which can be found at:
http://
- A well-crafted cover letter outlining research interests, academic and
professional backgrounds (1-2 pages)
- Resume/CV
- Copies of transcripts (unofficial copies acceptable at this point)
- Names and contact addresses of three references
