Swierk Organismal Ecology Lab, Department of Biological Sciences, Binghamton University · New York · assistantship · posted today
The Swierk Organismal Ecology Lab in the Department of Biological Sciences at Binghamton University (SUNY) is seeking 1-2 PhD students to join the lab starting Fall 2027 or Spring 2028. Our lab is broadly interested in the function, evolution, and underlying mechanisms of traits associated with animal communication, reproduction, and predator avoidance. We study how selection and phenotypic plasticity shape these traits in heterogeneous environments. Much of our lab’s work is addressed using reptiles (primarily anoles) and amphibians in the Neotropics and in the Northeastern USA. The Swierk Lab seeks PhD students who are interested in developing questions that build upon our existing work in either of two research areas: 1) animal body coloration as a dynamic signal in conspecific and heterospecific communication, with an emphasis on visual modeling with respect to animal visual systems; and 2) specialized adaptations facilitating antipredator strategies, specifically the morphology, behavior, and respiratory physiology of rebreathing in semi-aquatic anoles. These projects will be developed using Neotropical anoles as a study system. Qualifications: - BA/BS in related field - Motivated, independent, collaborative - Relevant research experience - Demonstrated scientific writing and communication skills - Willing to spend 2-3 summer months/year conducting research at Neotropical field stations Preferred candidates will also have: - Strong statistical / quantitative skills - Prior experience with tropical field research, animal behavior, and/or herpetology - Completion of MS degree (though any candidate is welcome to apply) - Interest in applying for external grants/fellowships (e.g., NSF GRFP) Binghamton University (BU) is the top-ranked institution in the SUNY system and is consistently rated as one of the premier public universities in the Northeast. BU is included in the Carnegie Classification system's "very high research activity" (R1) category. PhD students are supported by tuition-waived teaching assistantships. Our 930-acre campus is located in the Southern Tier of New York, between the Catskills and Finger Lakes, about a 3-hour drive from NYC. The region features abundant opportunities for outdoor recreation and a very reasonable cost of living. To indicate interest: Please email *LSwierk@binghamton.edu <LSwierk@binghamton.edu>* with a subject line “Prospective PhD 2027”. In the email, please include which of the two research areas (outlined above) you are interested in, a brief description of past research experience, your GPA and relevant coursework, and your CV with references. You may also send reprints of published papers or writing samples, if you wish. Qualified applicants will later be invited to send in a formal application to BU’s Graduate School.
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