Graduate research opportunities: Sequential stage-specific predator effects on leaf-breeding treefrogs
The Vonesh lab at Virginia Commonwealth University invites applications from prospective graduate students for Fall 2009 to collaborate on our NSF-funded project "Fear, death, and life history switch points: cumulative effects of predation and phenotypic plasticity across three life stages." This project is a joint effort between the Vonesh and Karen Warkentin (Boston University) labs, and focuses on the effects of sequential stage-specific predators on the survival and life history of the Red-eyed treefrog. Students are expected to develop independent research projects that fit within the larger framework of the grant. The Vonesh and Warkentin lab team in Gamboa includes several graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and interns. In addition, the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama offers a diverse and intellectually rich international scientific community in a tropical rainforest environment.
VCU is the largest public university in Virginia and has an active, well-supported, and diverse Ecology and Evolution faculty that are engaged in research around the world. Prospective students may apply through the Biology Masters in Science or Integrative Life Sciences Ph.D. programs. Competitive funding, tuition waivers, and support for field work are available.
Desired qualifications include a BS/MS in ecology (or related field), strong quantitative skills, and an ability to work independently in the field. Some proficiency in Spanish is desirable.
Interested persons should send a letter that summarizes their background, educational goals, and research interests, along with curriculum vitae (include GPA and GRE scores) with contact information for three references to Dr. James Vonesh ([EMAIL PROTECTED]).
