Are you interested in joining our lab? We have a PhD Assistantship in Evolutionary Ecology starting August 2025!
PhD Assistantship in Evolutionary Ecology
We are seeking a self-driven and highly motivated PhD student to join the Willoughby lab in the College of Forestry, Wildlife, and Environment at Auburn University. This fully funded NSF assistantship (starting August 2025) offers a unique opportunity to contribute to a cutting-edge research project focused on the evolutionary dynamics of trout, exploring the impacts of climate change and interspecies competition on population stability and adaptability. The successful candidate will work on a project specifically addressing the predicted range shifts of rainbow and cutthroat trout, using advanced agent-based modeling techniques to assess habitat conflicts, resource competition, introgression, and evolutionary responses. By targeting these components, this research will provide insights into how aquatic ecosystems adapt to environmental stressors, which is crucial for informing global conservation strategies and sustaining biodiversity in the face of a rapidly changing climate.
This project is part of a larger, interdisciplinary collaboration involving the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) and the University of Wyoming. The research is highly transdisciplinary, combining human dimensions and climate modeling with evolutionary modeling in our lab, offering a holistic approach to understanding and addressing the challenges posed by climate change on freshwater ecosystems. Models and data generated across these institutions will be integrated to provide comprehensive insights.
Key Responsibilities:
– Develop and implement an agent-based model to simulate the evolutionary and ecological dynamics of trout species under changing environmental conditions.
– Analyze ecological and climate data to understand the impact of introgression, competition, and environmental changes on population stability.
– Collaborate with a diverse team of PhD students and scientists, including experts in climate modeling, human dimensions, and evolutionary biology from NCAR, the University of Wyoming, and Auburn University.
– Communicate research findings through presentations at national and international conferences and publications in high-impact journals.
– Participate in outreach and science communication efforts aligned with Auburn University’s land-grant mission.
Qualifications:
– A Master’s degree in biology, ecology, genetics, or a related field (exceptional candidates with a Bachelor’s degree may also be considered).
– A strong interest in evolutionary biology, conservation genetics, climate modeling, and interdisciplinary research.
– Experience with programming (e.g., Python, R) and/or modeling software (e.g., NetLogo) is highly desirable.
– Excellent communication skills and the ability to work effectively in an interdisciplinary and collaborative team.
– A commitment to inclusion in the scientific community.
– Highly interested in the fate and evolution of threatened and endangered species, and in particular how evolution and genetic data inform our ability to conserve and manage these species
– Ability and desire to learn modeling without launching your computer out the window (thinking this occasionally is ok and expected)
Auburn University is a top-tier research institution located in a vibrant, mid-sized city in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. With its rich academic environment and a strong commitment to research excellence, Auburn provides a supportive and dynamic setting for graduate education. The university offers many resources for students, including a new game room, a recreational center with indoor climbing towers, a ⅓ mile track, leisure, and swimming pools, as well as other fitness equipment and facilities. Local attractions include farmers markets, Auburn City Fest, and the newly constructed Gouge Performing Arts Center. The nearby Kreher Forest Ecology Preserve and Tuskegee National Forest offer additional recreational opportunities year-round. Graduate students in the College of Forestry, Wildlife, and Environment receive a competitive stipend and tuition remission, along with opportunities for professional development and career advancement. Diverse viewpoints that incorporate knowledge and experiences historically and systematically underrepresented are highly valued in our lab for the direct enhancement of research and outputs and for the betterment of society. We strongly encourage applications from individuals with diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
We will be interviewing interested candidates prior to any official application to the College or University. Therefore, all candidates in the trout evolution portion of this multidisciplinary project should send an email to Dr. Janna Willoughby at jwilloughby@auburn.edu with your background, research interests, and a PDF of your CV. (Students interested in human dimensions aspects of this project should reach out to Dr. Kelly Dunning at the University of Wyoming, at kelly.dunning@uwyo.edu). Applications will be evaluated on a rolling basis, but all applications submitted by November 1, 2024, will be given full consideration. Join us at Auburn University and collaborate with leading institutions to tackle the critical challenges of climate change and species conservation through innovative, interdisciplinary research.