The Gompert lab at Utah State University (Department of Biology) is recruiting PhD students for Fall 2014. In our research we seek to better understand adaptation, speciation, and the determinants of genetic and phenotypic variation in nature. We work with a variety of organisms and use diverse approaches to investigate these topics. Most projects in the lab involve generating large, genome-scale DNA sequence data and applying existing or new statistical analyses to these data to test alternative hypotheses. You can read more about research in the Gompert lab here, https://gompertlab.wordpress.com/research/.

We are looking for students broadly interested in evolutionary genetics, genomics, or computational biology, and students with academic training in biology, statistics, or computer science are encouraged to apply. Potential research topics for these PhD students include (i) fluctuating selection and the maintenance of genetic variation in the wild, (ii) adaptation from standing variation in phytophagous insects, (iii) polygenic adaptation, (iv) hybridization and speciation, (v) the repeatability and predictability of evolution, and (vi) computational analyses of genome sequence variation. This is not an exhaustive list and students interested in alternative, but related research topics are also encouraged to apply. You can learn more about my expectations for graduate students and my mentoring approach here, https://gompertlab.wordpress.com/join-us/.

Graduate students accepted into the lab are provided financial support through Teaching Assistantships (TAs) or Research Assistantships (RAs). Interested students are also strongly encouraged to apply for graduate research fellowships, such as the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship. Importantly, students are eligible to apply for this and other fellowships in their final year as undergraduates. Additional funding exists for graduate student research and travel to scientific meetings.

Utah State University (USU) is a first-class research university located in the US Rocky Mountains. The faculty and graduate students at USU are highly interactive and include a great and diverse group of evolutionary biologists. The Gompert lab has ample computational and molecular resources for modern genome sequence analysis. We are also well-equipped for field work and lab or field experiments. Logan is a small town in northern Utah with a strong sense of community. The town is just minutes from great opportunities for outdoor recreation including mountain biking, rock climbing, cross-country and downhill skiing, and back-packing. Logan is also within a few hours of several national parks, major ski resorts, and world famous slickrock mountain biking.

Interested students are encouraged to e-mail me (zach.gompert@usu.edu). Please include a short description of your academic background and research interests and a CV. Prospective students need to submit a pre-application to the Biology Department (https://www.biology.usu.edu/htm/graduate-info/application-info/preapplication/), followed by a full application to the University. The full application is due on or before January 15th, 2014. Additional information about applying to the USU graduate program can be found here (http://www.biology.usu.edu/htm/graduate-info/application-info). USU and the Gompert lab are committed to providing equal educational and employment opportunities regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, socio-economic background, age, disability, or veteran status.

Zach Gompert
Assistant Professor

Department of Biology
Utah State University
Phone: 435 797-9463
e-mail: zach.gompert@usu.edu
Website: https://gompertlab.wordpress.com/