PhD Position in Stress Ecology and Fear-Fire Interactions Department of Ecosystem Science and Management Pennsylvania State University Supervisor: Dr. Michael Sheriff
I am searching for a PhD student to work in the field of stress ecology or the ecology of fear. The project is open ended and would explore the interactive effects of predation risk and fire on the behavior and physiology of free-living mammals, potentially eastern cotton-tail rabbits or cotton rats as a focal species. The position is fully funded, including tuition and summer salaries. The starting date is flexible but preference will be for a starting date this coming summer or September 2016. Application review will begin immediately. This project is part of a long term investigation into the ecological role of meso-mammalian predators in a longleaf pine ecosystem (http://www.jonesctr.org/research/wildlife/). Longleaf pine ecosystems are characterized by globally significant levels of biodiversity that is maintained by frequent low-intensity fire. Fire influences the distribution and abundance of food and cover resources for wildlife and this project aims to investigate the effects of that spatio-temporal process on predator-prey interactions. With climate-induced changes in fire ecology, it is critical to understand how predator-prey dynamics will respond to the drastic and immediate changes to their environment induced by fire. The research focus of my lab (michaeljsheriff.weebly.com) addresses one of the fundamental questions in biology: what limits and regulates animals in their natural world? Our approach is to bridge physiology, behavior, and ecology to understand how animals interact with the world around them. As such, we are broadly interested in the underlying physiological mechanisms by which ecological interactions (predation, competition, climate, etc…) alter behavior and cause changes in reproduction, survival, and ultimately population demography and community structure. Projects in my research group are centered on two major themes: 1) How ecological stressors drive changes in free-living animals’ physiology and behavior, how this impacts reproduction and survival and how this drives changes in population dynamics and ultimately community structure. 2) How maternal stress may impact offspring physiology, behavior and fitness. I place a premium on analytical skills, writing ability, research experience, hard work, and enthusiasm. If and when you decide to contact me, please take some time and write a thoughtful letter (because this is more likely to generate a thoughtful response). Please send me your CV, GRE test scores (foreign students (to the US) don’t need to send this if they do not have it), and transcripts. Tell me a bit about your interests, and why you’re interested in working with our group. If you are interested in joining our research group please contact me via email at [email protected]. Cheers, Michael -- Michael J Sheriff Assistant Professor, Mammalogy and Ecology Department of Ecosystem Science and Management Penn State University phone. 814 863-0135 http://michaeljsheriff.weebly.com
