PhD in Molecular and Population Ecology of Endangered Species (USA)

I am seeking an outstanding student to pursue a PhD in conservation biology in the Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology (FWE) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The student’s dissertation will involve integrating molecular and population ecology approaches to inform key knowledge gaps for two high-profile endangered species in the western United States – Marbled Murrelets and California Spotted Owls. Possible topics the student’s thesis would address include the foraging ecology of Marbled Murrelets and the demographic history of California Spotted Owls, but there is flexibility in the specific questions the student would address. The student’s research would involve a blend of field work, genetic laboratory work, and population analyses.

Funding for the successful applicant is available for 3.5 years via a combination of research and teaching assistantships. The successful applicant and advisor would work closely to secure funding for additional graduate student support.

​Applicants must possess bachelor’s degree and preferably a master’s degree in animal ecology, conservation biology, or closely related field. Applicants with strong genetics and quantitative skills will be given preference. To be considered for this position, please send a cover letter outlining your interests and research background, a curriculum vitae (including GPA and GRE scores), and contact information for three professional references (name, email, phone, address) as either a PDF or MS Word file to mpeery@wisc.edu.

​The selected student is expected to enroll at the UW-Madison and begin field work in the Summer Semester of 2016. More details on the graduate programs can be found at http://forestandwildlifeecology.wisc.edu/graduate-overview. Application materials will be accepted until a suitable candidate is found.

For more info, contact:
Zach Peery
Associate Professor
Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology
University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, WI 53706 http://labs.russell.wisc.edu/peery/