Fwd: Graduate position: UArkansas.ArthropodBiodiversityEvolution

[Ellen Hostert]

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: <evo...@evol.biology.mcmaster.ca>
Date: Wed, Jul 2, 2025 at 12:53 AM
Subject: Graduate position: UArkansas.ArthropodBiodiversityEvolution
To: <ehos...@maine.edu>

PhD position in Arthropod Biodiversity & Evolution
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA

The Forest Ecology & Health Lab at the University of Arkansas is seeking
a student interested in pursuing a PhD studying arthropod biodiversity,
evolution, and forest ecosystem function.  The focal project will be to
sample arthropods from high-elevation sites in the Ouachita Mountains of
Arkansas and Oklahoma, employ high-throughput DNA barcoding methods to
uncover biodiversity patterns, and relate those patterns to environmental
variables and ecosystem function.  Prospective applicants should have
research interests in entomology, ecology, and evolutionary biology, and
should have strong field, lab, and analytical skills.  Applicants with
previous experience using molecular techniques (e.g., PCR, NGS library
preparation, metabarcoding, etc.) and bioinformatics are preferred.
Experience with GIS and/or R is also desirable.

Financial support will be provided through a combination of teaching
and research assistantships.  Assistantships come with a full tuition
(not fees) waiver and 67% of the student health insurance paid for by
the university.  The selected applicant would need to be admitted to a PhD
program at the University of Arkansas for the Spring 2026 semester, which
begins January 12, 2026.  Students admitted to a PhD program may also be
eligible for a U of A Doctoral Fellowship that adds to their assistantship
stipend for 4 years.  More information about these fellowships can be
found at: https://graduate-students.uark.edu/cost-and-funding/index.php.
Note that applications for these fellowships require the GRE General
Test even if it is not required for admission to a graduate program.
Applicants who would be competitive for a doctoral fellowship will be
viewed favorably.  Continued support will be contingent on satisfactory
performance and progress.

Research in the Forest Ecology & Health Lab uses field experiments
and naturally occurring environmental gradients to examine how
biogeochemistry and nutrients impact community structure and trophic
interactions among soil arthropods and ant species primarily in forest
ecosystems.  This project is in collaboration with Dr. Donald Shepard
in the University of Arkansas, Department of Biological Sciences,
and Dr. Ashley Dowling in the University of Arkansas, Department of
Entomology and Plant Pathology.  More information about their research
and labs can be found at: https://shepardlab.wixsite.com/home and
https://adowling.hosted.uark.edu/index.html.  Information about
the PhD in Entomology program and its requirements is provided
here: https://enpl.uark.edu/programs/phd-program.php. Depending
on their interests and goals, the selected applicant may
have the option to apply through the PhD in Biology program:
https://biology.uark.edu/academics/graduate/index.php.

To apply, send an email to Dr. Natalie Clay (nc...@uark.edu) that
includes as attachments: 1) a cover letter expressing your interest and
highlighting your qualifications for the position as well as your future
career goals, 2) your curriculum vitae, 3) an unofficial copy of your
college transcripts, and 4) names and contact information for three
professional references.  To receive full consideration, submit your
application by August 1, 2025; however, applications will be considered
until the position is filled.  Note: the selected applicant will still
need to apply to and be accepted into a PhD program at the University
of Arkansas.  The application deadline for Spring 2026 admission is
September 1 for Entomology and October 1 for Biology.  Please email
Dr. Clay (nc...@uark.edu) with any questions or concerns about the
project/position.

Natalie A. Clay
Associate Professor
Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA
Email: nc...@uark.edu
Lab website: https://natalieclay.weebly.com/

Don Shepard <ds...@uark.edu>

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Ellen E. Hostert, Ph.D. (she/her)
Professor of Biology
University of Maine at Machias
116 O'Brien Avenue
Machias, ME 04654
(207) 255-1301
ehos...@maine.edu