Graduate Assistantship: Ecological/Evolutionary Genomics of Trees

Cambridge MDThe Gugger Lab at the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science (UMCES) is seeking a motivated Ph.D. or M.S. student to develop a thesis project on ecological, evolutionary, or conservation genomics of trees. The lab uses next-generation sequencing approaches to understand how populations of long-lived trees respond evolutionarily to environmental change, the molecular basis of local adaptation, the factors influencing population genetic variation, the role of hybridization in adaptation and speciation, and implications for conservation under global change.

The ideal applicant will have prior research experience in population genetics or plant ecology/evolution, molecular laboratory skills, strong quantitative skills, and proficiency in or interest in learning basic bioinformatics.

The graduate student will matriculate through the Marine, Estuarine, and Environmental Sciences (MEES) Graduate Program (http://mees.umd.edu/) at the University of Maryland, College Park but will reside at the Appalachian Laboratory in scenic Frostburg (western MD, http://www.umces.edu/al) for the duration of the degree. Three years of support are available through research assistantships, with additional support possible through teaching assistantships and fellowships (e.g., http://www.umces.edu/education/graduate/fellowships). Starting date can be as soon as January 2018 and no later than Fall 2018.

To apply, please first email Paul Gugger (pgugger@umces.edu) a single PDF containing (1) a statement of interest, (2) a CV, and (3) contact information for three references. Please indicate “Genomics graduate position” in your subject line.

UMCES is an affirmative action, EOE. Individuals with disabilities, veterans, women and minorities are encouraged to apply.