The Ant Symbiosis Laboratory at the University of Texas at Tyler is seeking graduate students (MS level) to work on a new NSF-funded project (IOS-1552822) on ant-fungal interactions in North American Trachymyrmex ants.
Research focus: 1-2 highly motivated graduate students (MS-level) are sought to conduct research on the biology of ants and their symbionts. We employ a variety of methods including descriptive and experimental approaches, along with biochemical, physiological, bioinformatics, molecular and microbial techniques. Projects could range from phylogeography/population genetics to functional ecology and experimental studies. There is considerable flexibility for projects within this broad theme. Preferred applicants will have earned a Bachelor’s degree and exhibit equal enthusiasm for field-based work, experimentation, molecular ecology and bioinformatics. Support: Graduate Students will be supported by a combination of Research and Teaching Assistantships. Tuition remission scholarships are available on a competitive basis. Accepted students can expect support for two years. Teaching assistants in our program typically teach introductory biology or upper division laboratory courses (e.g., ecology or entomology). Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree and qualifying GPA and GRE scores. It is useful to have prior research experience, but not necessary. Most important is identifying your own research interests that are consistent with the ongoing research in our lab. Further information regarding our graduate program and admission requirements can be found at http://www.uttyler.edu/biology/graduate/master-science-degree.php Start Date: Flexible but must coincide with academic calendar: August 2016 (fall semester), January 2017 (winter semester), May (2017) (summer term). Application deadline: July 1st for Fall (2016) admission or October 1 for winter (2017) admission. Applications will be reviewed as they arrive, however. Application materials: Please send a brief cover letter, resume, transcripts, GRE scores, and contact information for three references to [email protected] by the deadline to be considered for this position. Part of the University of Texas System, UT Tyler is located in northeastern Texas at the ecotone between two state and federally designated ecoregions, southeastern pine forests (the ‘Piney Woods’) and post oak savannas. As a result, the area contains a mixture of eastern, western and southern species. We have a number of field sites established nearby and many others within driving distance in central and southeastern Texas. Additional field sites are in Florida and Arizona. Tyler has a regional airport, and is approximately a 90 minute drive to either Dallas, Texas or Shreveport, Louisiana. Departmental strengths include bioinformatics, microbial and molecular ecology, aquatic ecology, conservation biology, genomics and landscape ecology. Please see full departmental requirements and details at:http://www.uttyler.edu/biology/. Dr. Jon Seal Center for Environment, Biodiversity and Conservation Department of Biology 3900 University Blvd. Tyler, TX 75799 Office: (903)565-7126 Lab: (903)565-7151 Email: [email protected] Website: http://www.uttyler.edu/biology/research/seal/index.php
