Ferraro Lab, University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability · Michigan · assistantship · posted 22 days ago
The newly established Ferraro Lab at the University of Michigan’s School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS) is recruiting a PhD student to begin in Fall 2027. Our interdisciplinary lab studies how animals interact with the ecosystems they inhabit, with particular emphasis on how animal movement, behavior, and population dynamics drive the transport and cycling of elements across landscapes. Ongoing projects examine caribou ecology in Newfoundland and Labrador, the ecological and ethical implications of rewilding herbivores across several northern ecosystems, and the ecological effects of deer species in Michigan. The student will receive training in integrating ecological theory, field-based research, and spatial modeling to investigate how animals influence ecosystem structure and function. As one component of their PhD, the student will be expected to contribute to a cross-species study of animal-derived material decomposition at sites spanning the United States and Canada. This work will examine the biological and environmental mechanisms that regulate decomposition across species and ecosystems. The project will involve travel and extended periods of fieldwork at remote or semi-remote sites, as well as provide opportunities for collaboration with multiple institutions. The student will contribute to this collaborative project while also having the opportunity to develop independent research questions and dissertation chapters of their own. Our work also engages with environmental and conservation ethics, including research that critically evaluates the values, assumptions, and norms underlying conservation biology. We welcome students interested in connecting ecosystem ecology, animal ecology, biogeochemistry, spatial ecology, and ecological modeling, and the environmental humanities. Qualifications: I am especially interested in working with a curious, self-motivated student who is enthusiastic about collaboration, eager to develop an independent research identity, and willing to work across disciplinary and methodological boundaries. The student should be interested in contributing actively to the intellectual life and culture of a newly established lab through collaborative project development, lab meetings, and peer mentorship. Applicants should have a bachelor’s or master’s degree in ecology, environmental science, biology, or a related field. Experience with field ecology, quantitative analysis, programming, or ecological modeling is desirable but not required; training will be provided based on the student’s background and research needs. Program and Support: The position is through the SEAS PhD in Sustainability and includes 5 years of guaranteed funding through research assistantships, teaching assistantships, fellowships, or a combination. Additional program and application information is available here. The Ferraro Lab is committed to fostering a respectful, supportive, and inclusive research environment for all. To express interest, please complete this Google Form. Of note, this form is an initial expression of interest and does not replace the official application to the SEAS PhD program. Kristy Ferraro Assistant Professor www.kristymferraro.com University of Michigan, 440 Church Street, Ann Arbor, MI www.seas.umich.edu
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