1 PhD and 1 MS position - Summer/Fall 2021
1. PhD Student (Desert Ecology): We are looking for a PhD student to work on a recently funded ‘Critical Zone Thematic Cluster’ grant to study nutrient cycling and microbial communities in the carbonate-dominated soils of dryland ecosystems. This NSF-funded project is collaborative, interdisciplinary and focuses on field-based investigations in Texas, New Mexico and Idaho (see https://drylandcz.utep.edu/). The research for this project will examine biogeochemical processes and microbial access to nutrients in the Chihuhuan Desert, with a particular focus on phosphorus cycling. This student will be supported through a combination of RAships and TAships. This position will start in Fall 2021.
2. Masters Student (Arctic Ecology): We are looking for a MS student to be involved in an NSF-funded project examining the role of small mammals in affecting carbon cycling through a combination of field experiments manipulating mammal densities, measurements of plant and soil responses, and modeling. The project is a collaboration with faculty at Columbia University, Towson University, University of New Hampshire and the Marine Biological Laboratory and involve summer field work at Utqiaġvik in northern Alaska. The student will assist with data collection for the larger project as well as conduct his/her own project in conjunction with our research questions. The student will be supported primarily through TAships and partial RAship support. This position will start in Summer 2021.
For both positions, qualified candidates should have a B.S. (MS preferred for the PhD position) in Ecology, Biology, Environmental Science or related field, and show a strong interest in plant ecology, ecosystem ecology or biogeochemistry. Ideal candidates will have some previous research experience in field ecology, a strong work ethic, be able to work independently and with a field crew.
More information about my lab at UT El Paso is available at www.jenniemclaren.com More information about the Department of Biological Sciences and its graduate programs can be found at https://www.utep.edu/science/biology/index.html and https://www.utep.edu/science/eeb/. Applications for graduate school are due Feb 1 but students are encouraged to contact me well in advance of that date.
Interested students should send a c.v. and short statement of research interests to Jennie McLaren at jrmclaren@utep.edu prior to applying.
Potential Students
Thank-you for your interest in joining my research group! My lab currently consists of 3 PhD students, 1 MS student and a number of undergraduate researchers. I'm always on the lookout for enthusiastic and motivated potential graduate students at both the MSc and PhD levels. If you are interested in pursuing graduate work with me, please send me an email and let me know why you are interested in grad school, how our research interests overlap and attach your CV. Also, please visit the Department of Biological Sciences and University of Texas at El Paso webpages for more information.
Funding is primarily available in the form of teaching assistantships and I am also happy to support (and strongly encourage) prospective students to apply for fellowships, both internal and external to the University. While the deadline for applications in the Department of Biological Sciences is Feb 1, I encourage interested students to contact me well before this deadline.
1. PhD Student (Desert Ecology): We are looking for a PhD student to work on a recently funded ‘Critical Zone Thematic Cluster’ grant to study nutrient cycling and microbial communities in the carbonate-dominated soils of dryland ecosystems. This NSF-funded project is collaborative, interdisciplinary and focuses on field-based investigations in Texas, New Mexico and Idaho (see https://drylandcz.utep.edu/). The research for this project will examine biogeochemical processes and microbial access to nutrients in the Chihuhuan Desert, with a particular focus on phosphorus cycling. This student will be supported through a combination of RAships and TAships. This position will start in Fall 2021.
2. Masters Student (Arctic Ecology): We are looking for a MS student to be involved in an NSF-funded project examining the role of small mammals in affecting carbon cycling through a combination of field experiments manipulating mammal densities, measurements of plant and soil responses, and modeling. The project is a collaboration with faculty at Columbia University, Towson University, University of New Hampshire and the Marine Biological Laboratory and involve summer field work at Utqiaġvik in northern Alaska. The student will assist with data collection for the larger project as well as conduct his/her own project in conjunction with our research questions. The student will be supported primarily through TAships and partial RAship support. This position will start in Summer 2021.
For both positions, qualified candidates should have a B.S. (MS preferred for the PhD position) in Ecology, Biology, Environmental Science or related field, and show a strong interest in plant ecology, ecosystem ecology or biogeochemistry. Ideal candidates will have some previous research experience in field ecology, a strong work ethic, be able to work independently and with a field crew.
More information about my lab at UT El Paso is available at www.jenniemclaren.com More information about the Department of Biological Sciences and its graduate programs can be found at https://www.utep.edu/science/biology/index.html and https://www.utep.edu/science/eeb/. Applications for graduate school are due Feb 1 but students are encouraged to contact me well in advance of that date.
Interested students should send a c.v. and short statement of research interests to Jennie McLaren at jrmclaren@utep.edu prior to applying.
Potential Students
Thank-you for your interest in joining my research group! My lab currently consists of 3 PhD students, 1 MS student and a number of undergraduate researchers. I'm always on the lookout for enthusiastic and motivated potential graduate students at both the MSc and PhD levels. If you are interested in pursuing graduate work with me, please send me an email and let me know why you are interested in grad school, how our research interests overlap and attach your CV. Also, please visit the Department of Biological Sciences and University of Texas at El Paso webpages for more information.
Funding is primarily available in the form of teaching assistantships and I am also happy to support (and strongly encourage) prospective students to apply for fellowships, both internal and external to the University. While the deadline for applications in the Department of Biological Sciences is Feb 1, I encourage interested students to contact me well before this deadline.
