- Agency
- DePaul University
- Location
- Chicago
- Job Category
- Graduate Assistantships
- Salary
- ~$17,000/yr
- Start Date
- 09/01/2023
- Last Date to Apply
- 01/31/2023
- Website
- http://lamontagnelab.weebly.com/ms-opportunity---sept-2023-start.html
- Description
- The lab of Dr. Jalene LaMontagne, in the Department of Biological Sciences at DePaul University (in Chicago, IL) is looking for a MS student to work on a macrosystems biology project examining spatial and temporal patterns and drivers of tree reproduction (known as "mast seeding") at NEON sites across the continental United States. The National Science Foundation's National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) is a continental-scale observation facility (https://www.neonscience.org/about). Our lab has been collecting tree reproduction data at NEON sites since 2020, with data from 25 NEON sites since 2021, spanning sites in Florida to Alaska. As part of the project, there may be opportunities to connect patterns of tree reproduction at NEON sties to the dynamics of seed-eating small mammals, birds, and/or tick populations. The MS student will receive a stipend of ~$17,000 per year through a combination of a Teaching Assistantship during the academic year and a grant-funded summer stipend, plus a full tuition waiver for the two-year MS program. The LaMontagne Lab is a collaborative and supportive group. We work on questions to understand patterns of population change over space and time, and the drivers of those patterns. We work on a range of scales, from individual organisms to global scales. Our research includes a number of study systems; from highly-variable patterns of reproduction in plants ('mast seeding') and consumer-resource dynamics, to the impacts of climate change on tree reproduction, and variation in habitat quality associated with urbanization. The Department of Biological Sciences at DePaul University is located in the Lincoln Park area of Chicago, 4 miles north of downtown. Interested applicants should contact Dr. LaMontagne (jlamont1@depaul.edu) expressing their interest and including a copy of their CV and transcripts as soon as possible, and would then also apply to DePaul's graduate program http://tiny.cc/8eu2vz Note: There is no GRE requirement. The Graduate Committee will begin reviewing completed applications submitted to the university on 1 Feb 2023.
- Qualifications
- - B.S. degree in a related field. - Some experience in quantitative data analysis using R is desired, which can be developed further during the program. - Some summer field research will be required, and a drivers’ license (with a clean driving record) are needed. - The student will be a good team player, have a demonstrated ability to show initiative, and the drive to work both independently and collaboratively. - Individuals who are first-generation university students and/or identify as belonging to a group that is underrepresented in STEM are particularly encouraged to apply.
- Contact Person
- Dr. Jalene LaMontagne
- Contact eMail
- jlamont1@depaul.edu
