Florida State University, Lemmon Lab · Florida · assistantship · posted today
PhD positions: Integrative evolutionary biology of speciation Lemmon Lab, Florida State University The Lemmon Lab (https://www.elemmonlab.com/) in the Department of Biological Science at Florida State University is recruiting two PhD students to start in Fall 2027. We study how new species form, and how ultimate evolutionary forces and proximate neural mechanisms feed back on one another during the early stages of speciation. These positions are part of a transdisciplinary project asking how the relationship between auditory neural circuits and mating behaviors facilitates the accumulation of reproductive isolation. The focal system is the Upland chorus frog (Pseudacris feriarum), in which reproductive isolation has evolved among populations as mating behaviors diverged independently multiple times under reinforcement. The program joins field research on natural populations with laboratory experiments. Student projects will center on behavioral experiments, neurogenomics, and computational modeling: characterizing the genetic basis of divergent mating phenotypes in brain regions involved in sound production and processing, and asking how neural and behavioral diversity contributes to speciation. We collaborate with the Rose Lab at the University of Utah on the neurophysiology component of this work. Students can learn these approaches, along with other neurobiology techniques in the lab at FSU, and can cross-train between the two groups. The work spans evolution, behavior, neuroscience, genomics, and computational modeling. Students are encouraged to develop their own projects within this framework. We welcome applicants interested in evolutionary biology, behavioral ecology, sensory neuroscience, and/or computational modeling. Experience in one or more of these areas is helpful but not required; training will be provided. Interested candidates should email chorusfrog@bio.fsu.edu chorusfrog@bio.fsu.edu with a CV and a brief cover letter describing previous research experience, future interests, and the kinds of projects you would like to pursue in the lab. I will meet with candidates by Zoom before applications are due. Candidates may apply through any of three programs to join this integrative research group: FSU’s Ecology and Evolution PhD program (https://www.bio.fsu.edu/ee/), the Neuroscience program in the Department of Biological Science (https://neuro.fsu.edu/), or the Department of Scientific Computing to work with Dr. Alan Lemmon (https://www.sc.fsu.edu/). Ecology and Evolution is a collaborative community with strengths in ecology, evolution, behavior, and genomics (https://www.bio.fsu.edu/). The application deadline for Ecology and Evolution and Neuroscience is December 1, 2026. Scientific Computing considers complete Ph.D. applications received by January 15, 2027 for departmental funding and university fellowships. More on the Ecology and Evolution program and how to apply: https://www.bio.fsu.edu/grad/eegrad/. Graduate support is provided for at least five years through teaching assistantships. Merit-based research assistantships will be offered to students after they demonstrate productivity in the lab. Students are encouraged to apply for independent fellowships (NSF GRFP and others). Questions: Dr. Emily Moriarty Lemmon, chorusfrog@bio.fsu.edu chorusfrog@bio.fsu.edu Emily Moriarty Lemmon, Professor Department of Biological Science and Program in Neuroscience Co-Director, Center for Anchored Phylogenomics Florida State University 319 Stadium Drive Please ship packages to: 89 Chieftain Way, Biology Unit 1 Florida State University Tallahassee, FL 32306-4295 Phone: 850-645-9170 http://www.anchoredphylogeny.com http://www.bio.fsu.edu/chorusfrog/index.html http://www.bio.fsu.edu/faculty-moriarty-lemmon.php
Apply on the employer's site →JobMoo watches every zoo, aquarium, wildlife, and marine source we know and emails you the roles that fit, once a day, with a real human keeping an eye on your search. Built by a dad and his daughter, and it worked: she landed the job.
Start your 7-day trial, $9/mo after