Graduate Research Assistantship (Ph.D.) (Wetland Biodiversity & Climate Sensitivity)
Illinois Natural History Survey
Prairie Research Institute
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Project Description
A Ph.D. Graduate Research Assistantship is available at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign to help understand the resiliency of wetland biodiversity (including plants, insects, and herpetofauna) to climate change in the Midwestern United States. The main task is to estimate species' climate sensitivity using occurrence records, trait data, climate data layers, and other available information. These scores can enable conservation status updates, biodiversity resiliency mapping, and novel wetland bioassessments across the region.
The position is funded for 3 years through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 5, and will be supervised under the Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute in collaboration with the Midwest Landscape Initiative. The work will intersect with active related research supported by the USGS Midwest Climate Adaptation Science Center. The selected applicant is expected to apply in Fall 2024 for the Program in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology (PEEC) in the School of Integrative Biology at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Required Qualifications
- M.S. in biological sciences, environmental sciences, or natural resources field
- Strong analytical and computational skills, competence with R
- Ability to work independently
- Competitive GPA
Preferred Qualifications
- Proficiency using GIS, experience or aptitude in building online interactive maps
- Strong scientific writing skills, evidence of successful publications
- Experience working with occurrence records and climate data layers
- Interest/experience in wetlands, climate science, botany, entomology, herpetology
Salary and Appointment: This position includes a 50% research assistantship with a tuition waiver through the Program in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology (PEEC) beginning as early as Spring 2025. The current monthly stipend for this assistantship is $2,930.00 plus a tuition waiver.
The position is contingent on being accepted into PEEC (application deadline December 1, 2024).
Start date: January 16, 2025 (Summer or Fall 2025 will also be considered)
To Apply: Please email no later than September 15, 2024, a cover letter that explains your interest and qualifications, a C.V. including 3 references, and transcripts (unofficial is acceptable) to Dr. Jason Bried, bried@illinois.edu. For questions, please contact Dr. Bried.
