Lichtenberg Lab, University of North Texas · Texas · assistantship · posted 45 days ago
A PhD position is available in the Lichtenberg lab starting fall 2027. This position is part of an NSF-funded project that is developing a new framework and tools for understanding and valuing ecosystem services, with a focus on crop pollination. In collaboration with a computer scientist (Xiaohui Yuan at the University of North Texas) and another ecologist (Rufus Isaacs at Michigan State University), this student will provide ecological knowledge for development of computer vision (AI) models and conduct fieldwork to ground-truth those models. These models, and ecological theory, will contribute to development of the valuation framework by two environmental economists (Erik Lichtenberg at the University of Maryland, Kathy Baylis at the University of California, Santa Barbara). Additional project details are on the NSF awards page: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/show-award/?AWD_ID=2617908. Research activities include fieldwork in Texas, literature synthesis, development of model training datasets, and contributing ecological knowledge to computer vision and economic model development. The student is also expected to conduct dissertation research related to this project or that leverages tools the Lichtenberg lab has built for working with species occurrence records. Preferred qualifications include fieldwork experience, ability to work in hot conditions, and patience. Funding includes semester and summer salary, a tuition scholarship, and health insurance. The Lichtenberg lab combines community and behavioral ecology to study plant-animal interactions, pollinator foraging and insect biodiversity. We are particularly interested in how land use change and land management practices affect these phenomena. The lab is committed to providing an inclusive and supportive environment to trainees from diverse backgrounds. More details at https://cos.unt.edu/biology/lichtenberg-lab/index.html. Application: Please contact Dr. Elinor Lichtenberg (elichten@unt.edu) before applying. Send your CV, information on relevant experiences, the degree and kinds of questions you are interested in, career goals, and unofficial transcripts. The University of North Texas is a R1 university located in Denton, near Dallas and Fort Worth. We are a Minority Serving Institution, a Hispanic Serving Institution and a Bee Campus. Department of Biological Sciences researchers study diverse topics, including conservation, sustainable production of plant-based materials, environmental education, remote sensing and neuroscience. The Lichtenberg Lab participates in the Advanced Environmental Research Institute, an interdisciplinary group that seeks to find solutions to pressing environmental issues. Denton is a vibrant college town known for its live music, and was ranked No. 1 Best Small Town in America. North Texas offers many opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, swimming, bird watching, wildflower viewing and horseback riding. Dallas and Fort Worth provide additional attractions, including museums, theater, restaurants and pro sports.
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