Applications are invited for a Ph.D. position in the Zuckerberg Lab in the Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. We are seeking an outstanding Ph.D. student to lead an exciting multi-scale assessment of the relationship between bird diversity and vertical and horizontal heterogeneity of vegetation structure and the roles played by different organismal traits in structuring avian diversity across the gradient of vegetation heterogeneity. The student’s dissertation will involve: (1) integrating bird observations from eBird and NEON with newly developed remote sensing products on vegetation structure; (2) develop species distribution models of selected bird species, parameterized by LiDAR-based products; (3) work with project collaborators to explore biodiversity-vegetation relationships at multiple scales. The dissertation will be part of a larger project in collaboration with Drs. Marta Jarzyna and Kaiguang Zhao at The Ohio State University and Dr. Daniel Fink at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
The student would be enrolled in the Wildlife Ecology Ph.D. program housed in the Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology at UW-Madison. The position will begin in the spring semester of 2024 or the fall semester of 2024. Applicants must have a MS degree in ecology, wildlife, conservation, or other related discipline. We will only consider applicants with a BS degree if they have proven relevant experience. A solid working knowledge of avian ecology, GIS, and statistics are required. Prior publication experience is preferred. Excellent English writing and verbal communication skills are essential. Review of applicants will begin on September 1, 2023, but the position will remain open until a suitable candidate is found.
UW-Madison is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. We promote excellence through diversity and encourage all qualified individuals to apply. The position is open to both US citizens and international candidates. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation or identity, national origin, disability status, or protected veteran status. The project includes an annual stipend, plus tuition remission and health care benefits. Three years of guaranteed funding is available with additional funding likely available through a combination of teaching and research assistantships.
UW-Madison has a long history of excellence in ecology and conservation biology. The university ranks consistently among the top research universities in the United States. Total student enrollment is over 43,000 of which approximately 12,000 are graduate and professional students, and there are over 2,000 faculty. UW-Madison is an exciting place to learn and conduct research! The city of Madison ranks as one of the most attractive places in the U.S. to live and work.
To apply please send, in one pdf, a cover letter addressing how your expertise meets the position requirements listed above, CV, and contact info (phone and email) for three referees to bzuckerberg@wisc.edu. Please place “LiDAR-Birds: LASTNAME” in the subject of the email. The selection process will begin on September 1, 2023 and will continue until the position is filled. Please send all inquiries to Dr. Zuckerberg (bzuckerberg@wisc.edu). The Zuckerberg Lab believes that a diverse team will enable a broader perspective and enhance creativity, and strongly encourages applications from women, minorities, and otherwise underrepresented candidates.
