Recruiting 3 PhD students at: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Texas Tech
University, and University of Nevada Las Vegas
in Marine Mammal Physiology, Behavior, and Genetics
We are seeking PhD candidates to work on an NSF-funded project using Weddell
seals in McMurdo Sound, Antarctica as a model to examine why some individuals
within populations produce more offspring than others. The successful
candidates will be part of a highly-collaborative team that aims to distinguish
which plastic (physiologic and behavioral) and fixed (genetic) traits make some
‘robust’ female Weddell seals particularly successful at producing pups
year-after-year, while other ‘frail’ females produce far fewer pups throughout
their lifetime than the population’s average. The positions ideally would begin
Fall 2020, but it would be possible to start later. Student research projects
will reflect program needs in the following core fields, but will also be
tailored to student interest.
Physiology: One student will focus on the physiological factors that impact
energy dynamics, aerobic capacity, and reproductive success so experience with
biochemistry/molecular labwork is a plus. Example projects include studying
female-to-pup energy transfer during lactation in ‘robust’ vs ‘frail’ female
Weddell seals, links between female physiologic dive capacities and her pup’s,
and differences in female reproductive phenology (ovulation timing, pregnancy
rates, pregnancy loss) and hormones between ‘robust’ and ‘frail’ seals. This
student would be housed at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution’s Biology
Department, in a joint-program with MIT, advised by Dr. Michelle Shero
(www.shero-lab.com <http://www.shero-lab.com/>). Details on the WHOI/MIT joint
PhD program and admission criteria can be found at
http://mit.whoi.edu/program-description
<http://mit.whoi.edu/program-description>, applications due Dec 15.
Behavior & Bioenergetics: One student will focus on year-round foraging
behavior and the impact this has on activity budgets and bioenergetics, so any
prior modeling or programming experience would be viewed favorably. Example
projects include studying female-pup pair dive behavior during lactation,
differences in summer/winter dive behavior between ‘robust’ and ‘frail’ seals,
impacts of physiology on post-weaned pup dive behavior, and developing a
bioenergetics model to identify crucial deviations in how ‘robust’ vs ‘frail’
seals navigate critical life history events. This student would be housed at
Texas Tech University’s Department of Biological Sciences with Dr. Jennifer
Burns (http://burnslab.wix.com/burnslab <http://burnslab.wix.com/burnslab>).
Prospective student information can be found at
https://www.depts.ttu.edu/biology/academics/graduate/prospective-students/
<https://www.depts.ttu.edu/biology/academics/graduate/prospective-students/>,
applications due Jan 15.
Genomics: One student will focus on the inherent genomic differences between
‘robust’ and ‘frail’ Weddell seals, so experience with bioinformatics analysis
would be an asset. Example projects include identifying genetic variants in
genes responsible for energy allocation, aerobic scope, and fertility between
Weddell seal cohorts through whole-genome sequencing. This student would also
perform experiments to demonstrate that genetic variants ultimately have
functional effects on animal phenotype (i.e., transcription, translation), and
there is additional opportunity for cell culture experiments. This student
would be advised by Dr. Allyson Hindle
(https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Allyson_Hindle
<https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Allyson_Hindle>) at the University of
Nevada Las Vegas, and would also work closely with Dr. Brandon Briggs
(University of Alaska Anchorage;
https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/academics/college-of-arts-and-sciences/departments/biological-sciences/faculty/briggs.cshtml
<https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/academics/college-of-arts-and-sciences/departments/biological-sciences/faculty/briggs.cshtml>).
Interested students should see:
https://www.unlv.edu/degree/phd-biological-sciences
<https://www.unlv.edu/degree/phd-biological-sciences>; application deadline is
Jan 15.
Preference will be given to highly motivated candidates with a Bachelor of
Science or Master of Science degree in biology or closely related field, who
have a strong academic record, and that enjoy working both in the laboratory
and field. Candidates must be physically fit, able to work long hours outdoors
in the cold, able to pass medical and dental screening criteria for long
deployments in remote field locations and be the holder of a valid passport
(U.S. or other). Prior laboratory and/or field research in ecology of mammals
is a plus. The successful applicants will spend 2-4 months in the field at
McMurdo Station, Antarctica, each year. The grant/institutions will provide
student stipend and tuition, and students will be expected to occasionally work
as a teaching assistant (varies slightly by institution). The positions are
open until filled.
Interested applicants should contact Dr. Michelle Shero at <msh...@whoi.edu
<mailto:msh...@whoi.edu>> and provide a C.V., unofficial transcript, and a
cover letter that indicates which project aspect(s) is/are of greatest interest
to the applicant. For further information, please also contact Michelle Shero.
Dr. Michelle R. Shero
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
266 Woods Hole Rd MS#50
Woods Hole, MA 02543
508-289-3961
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