The Conservation and Coexistence research group in the School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS) at the University of Michigan is currently seeking a PhD student to begin in Fall 2025.
The distribution of several novel emerging pathogens, including SARS-CoV-2, highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1), and human-pathogenic fungi (e.g., Coccidioides spp., Blastomyces spp.) are influenced by wildlife hosts. The PhD student will examine the impacts of human-wildlife interactions on human health, a salient topic of worldwide concern. Potential research topics include investigating the effects of predator-prey dynamics on disease transmission, uncovering the zoonotic influences in the maintenance and geographic dispersal of environmentally persistent fungi, or examining the role of human-wildlife interface in emergence of multi-host pathogens. The PhD student will work closely with collaborators in the U-M School of Public Health with potential to work with collaborators in other departments, such as Ecology and Evolutionary Biology.
Minimum Qualifications:
Desired Qualifications:
The SEAS PhD Program:
The School for Environment and Sustainability at the University of Michigan guarantees each PhD student is supported for five academic years, including stipend, tuition/mandatory fees waiver, and a generous benefits package. SEAS provides one year of fellowship support and one year of Graduate Student Instructor (GSI) appointment. The PhD's mentor is responsible for providing support for three years of support (through teaching or research assistantships, and/or assisting the student in obtaining external fellowships). In addition, there are opportunities for funded graduate field trips, research funds, and yearly conference travel support. Graduates go on to successful careers in academia, governmental research, or private industries.
How to Apply:
Information about the application process to SEAS can be found here: https://seas.umich.edu/admissions/how-apply. The deadline for applications is December 2, 2024 to start the graduate program in Fall 2025. Prior to submitting an application to SEAS, please fill out an inquiry form here: https://forms.gle/U4dPdPY6iTpXQvGU7.
The distribution of several novel emerging pathogens, including SARS-CoV-2, highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1), and human-pathogenic fungi (e.g., Coccidioides spp., Blastomyces spp.) are influenced by wildlife hosts. The PhD student will examine the impacts of human-wildlife interactions on human health, a salient topic of worldwide concern. Potential research topics include investigating the effects of predator-prey dynamics on disease transmission, uncovering the zoonotic influences in the maintenance and geographic dispersal of environmentally persistent fungi, or examining the role of human-wildlife interface in emergence of multi-host pathogens. The PhD student will work closely with collaborators in the U-M School of Public Health with potential to work with collaborators in other departments, such as Ecology and Evolutionary Biology.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Biology, Conservation, Ecology, Geography, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Health Sciences, or related field.
- Strong quantitative skills, including proficiency using R and ArcGIS, or other statistical and GIS software.
Desired Qualifications:
- Master of Science (M.S.) in Biology, Conservation, Ecology, Geography, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Health Sciences, or related field.
- Experience monitoring wildlife in the field, for example, using GPS telemetry or camera traps.
- Experience with Geographic Information Systems, remote sensing, and geospatial analysis.
- Experience with molecular analysis of environmental samples.
- Experience modeling wildlife behaviors, movements, and habitats.
- Demonstrated research success through peer reviewed publications.
- Experience working in collaborative teams.
The SEAS PhD Program:
The School for Environment and Sustainability at the University of Michigan guarantees each PhD student is supported for five academic years, including stipend, tuition/mandatory fees waiver, and a generous benefits package. SEAS provides one year of fellowship support and one year of Graduate Student Instructor (GSI) appointment. The PhD's mentor is responsible for providing support for three years of support (through teaching or research assistantships, and/or assisting the student in obtaining external fellowships). In addition, there are opportunities for funded graduate field trips, research funds, and yearly conference travel support. Graduates go on to successful careers in academia, governmental research, or private industries.
How to Apply:
Information about the application process to SEAS can be found here: https://seas.umich.edu/admissions/how-apply. The deadline for applications is December 2, 2024 to start the graduate program in Fall 2025. Prior to submitting an application to SEAS, please fill out an inquiry form here: https://forms.gle/U4dPdPY6iTpXQvGU7.
The CoCo research group at the annual "Fall Frolic"
|
CoCo getting out in the field in Idaho.
|
