Fwd: Graduate position: LouisianaStateU.ComputationalPhylo

[Ellen Hostert]

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: <evo...@evol.biology.mcmaster.ca>
Date: Tue, Jul 1, 2025 at 1:11 AM
Subject: Graduate position: LouisianaStateU.ComputationalPhylo
To: <ehos...@maine.edu>

PhD position opportunity in Computational Phylogenetics
Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University (LSU)
United States of America

Potential start dates: January 2026 or September 2026 (flexible)

Research focus

The Mendes Lab develops, evaluates, and applies cutting-edge computational
methods to study species evolution. Our research addresses questions
such as:

(i) Where, when, and how often species originate and go extinct,
(ii) Why species have the genotypes and phenotypes they do, and how
     these are interconnected,
(iii) How species distributions evolve over space and time,
(iv) How within-species processes influence or bias phylogenetic
     inferences related to these questions.

Work in the Mendes lab is cross-disciplinary, combining biology,
computer science, and statistics, and often involves collaborations with
researchers both within LSU and internationally.

Opportunities for the student

Students will be able to:

(a) Develop a deep understanding of computational methods and
    statistical models in evolutionary biology by engaging with recent
    literature. They will participate in discussions with local experts,
    and identify open questions from both empirical and methodological
    perspectives. Students will design an independent research project
    aligned with the lab's goals and the graduate program requirements;

(b) Gain hands-on experience with the inner workings of widely used
    scientific software, including BEAST 2, RevBayes, and various R
    and Python libraries. Students will develop coding skills,
    statistical modeling expertise, and may explore Bayesian
    inference, machine learning, and related methods depending on the
    focus of their research;

(c) Access world-class biological collections and expertise through the
    LSU Museum of Natural Science (https://www.lsu.edu/mns/index.php)
    and the Shirley C. Tucker Herbarium
    (https://www.lsu.edu/herbarium/index.php). This access will provide
    unique opportunities for integrating computational methods with
    empirical data.

Qualifications

Any and all applications that meet minimum qualifications will be
considered (but see more details below on how to apply).

Minimum requirements:
1. A bachelor's degree (BSc) or master's degree (MSc) in biology,
   evolution, computer science, statistics, mathematics, or
   related field,
2. strong interest in both organismal biology and computational methods,
3. eligibility for admission to LSU's graduate programs.

Competitive applicants will have:
4. Experience with programming in R, Python, or similar
   languages, and/or
5. background in mathematical modeling, statistical inference, and
   machine learning, and/or
6. experience with large datasets and/or computational biology
   methods, and/or
7. strong written and oral communication skills (English), and/or
8. interest in interdisciplinary and collaborative work.

About the principal investigator (PI)

Dr. Fabio K. Mendes is an Assistant Professor in the Department of
Biological Sciences at LSU. He has over a decade of experience developing
and using computational methods for evolutionary biology. His research has
appeared in top journals including Systematic Biology, eLife, Molecular
Biology and Evolution, and Methods in Ecology and Evolution. Dr. Mendes
also serves on the editorial board of Systematic Biology.

About the department and LSU

The Department of Biological Sciences (https://tinyurl.com/4drjwv97) at
LSU is nationally recognized for its strength in evolutionary biology,
systematics, and biodiversity science. Several faculty members are closely
affiliated with the LSU Museum of Natural Science, one of the premier
natural history museums in the U.S. Graduate students benefit from a
collaborative and interdisciplinary environment, with opportunities
to engage in cutting-edge research across a wide range of biological
disciplines.

LSU is Louisiana's flagship public university, offering excellent research
facilities, strong support for graduate students, and a welcoming,
diverse community. LSU is also renowned for its top-tier athletics - its
teams are among the most successful in the nation, and sporting events
are massive, energetic, and a major part of campus life. For students
looking to stay active, the university’s recreation center offers
state-of-the-art facilities for fitness, swimming, climbing, and more.

LSU is located in Baton Rouge, a vibrant city known for its history,
culture, and affordability. Students will also be just over an hour
from New Orleans, one of the most unique and culturally rich cities
in the United States, known for its music scene, incredible food, and
world-class festivals like Mardi Gras and Jazz Fest.

How to apply

The application process involves two steps: (i) an initial inquiry
stage in which candidates should contact the PI to express interest
and discuss fit for the position, and (ii) if encouraged to proceed,
candidates will then submit materials through LSU’s Graduate Program
application system. Admission decisions are made by the department after
review of all applicants.

Before contacting Dr. Mendes for the first time, please:

1. Review recent publications from the Mendes Lab to assess your fit and
   interests,
2. familiarize yourself with LSU's Department of Biological Sciences
   admission requirements and application deadlines
   (https://tinyurl.com/42m9t6be),
3. produce a single .PDF file with:

(a) a cover letter describing research interests and fit with the lab
    (max. 1 page),
(b) a short CV summarizing relevant experience, skills, and past or
    ongoing work,
(c) transcripts (unofficial are acceptable at this point),
(d) the names and emails of two references.

Send the .PDF file to fme...@lsu.edu with the subject line "PhD in the
Mendes lab - [Your name]".

In the email body, briefly introduce yourself, summarize your educational
background, and describe your research interests. Inquiries that do not
follow these instructions or clearly do not align with the lab's focus
may not receive a response.

Note for international applicants: Please plan ahead to allow sufficient
time for the application process and visa arrangements.

For questions about the lab or the application process, please contact
Dr. Mendes at fme...@lsu.edu.



Fabio Mendes <fme...@lsu.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