November, 2021
University of Colorado, Denver: PhD position in Evolutionary Physiology
**NOTE** I will be at the ESA meetings in November and would be happy to carve out time to meet.
The Ragland lab in the Department of Integrative Biology at the University of Colorado, Denver is seeking a PhD student to contribute to a new NSF-funded project on the thermal sensitivity of transcriptional dynamics, with the goal of better understanding the evolutionary interplay between plasticity and evolution. In addition, the student will have opportunities to develop new lines of inquiry and to work with collaborators at multiple institutions.
Broader impacts are integral to this project, and the successful candidate will also work with Greg Ragland and Laurel Hartley (also in Integrative Biology) on the development and deployment of a Course Based Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE) aimed at improving participation and representation in STEM research. This would be an excellent opportunity for those interested in broadening both their research repertoire and their teaching experience to prepare for a future faculty position. The Office of Inclusive Excellence in STEM offers supporting resources, including opportunities for specific training in inclusive pedagogy.
The position will be fully funded for up to 5 years with a combination of teaching assistant and research assistant appointments, and will include tuition remission, a competitive salary, with allowance to cover health insurance. Ideally, applicants will have a solid background in either evolutionary biology, genetics, or comparative/ecological physiology. Experience in one or both of the following two areas would be helpful, but not required: 1) bioinformatic and statistical analysis of ‘omics data sets, or 2) wet lab molecular biology, particular as it relates to NGS library preparation. Strong scientific curiosity and a collaborative mindset are a must.
The Ragland lab is broadly interested in comparative and evolutionary physiology, the genomic architecture of rapid adaptation, and adaptation in variable environments (see https://raglandlab.wordpress.com). We are a friendly and diverse group who ask questions that cross biological disciplines and collaborate broadly to tackle these questions from multiple angles. We encourage a welcoming and inclusive environment and like to mix in some play with work, taking advantage of the world class outdoor opportunities on the Front Range and the fantastic city amenities in Denver. There will also be opportunities to interact with students, postdocs, and faculty at the CU Denver medical campus and other nearby universities in the Rocky Mountain region.
The PhD program in Integrative Biology at CU Denver includes a diverse set of research labs exploring questions from molecules to ecosystems, with close connections to Chemistry and Environmental Sciences programs as well. We are housed on the Auraria campus, just across the street from the performing arts center and downtown. Official applications to the Integrative Biology program at CU Denver, are due in December, but please contact me (gregory.ragland@ucdenver.edu) beforehand to discuss the position. It’s always helpful if you include a brief cover introducing yourself and your interests/career goals, and a CV.
Ragland Lab 