The Harvey Lab at the University of Rhode Island is recruiting a PhD
student in wildlife disease ecology to start in Fall of 2026. We seek
one highly motivated students with experience working with wild birds,
pathogens, immunology, transcriptomics and potentially nutritional
ecology. We particularly encourage candidates who are from poorly
represented backgrounds in Biology to apply. We will assess candidates
based on the alignment of their research interests, shared values,
experience, and their preparedness to undertake a long-term, independent
research project.

Students will have 5 years of guaranteed support through a combination
TAships/RAships. They will be encouraged to apply for independent
fellowships. Students are accepted through the Biological and
Environmental Sciences Graduate Program either through the Ecology
and Ecosystems specialization or the Evolution and Marine Biology
specialization.  URI is located in Kingston which is small but in close
proximity to beaches, lots of outdoor recreation, and birding.

The Harvey lab is recruiting students interested in avian diseases
with projects integrating immunology, immunogenetics, transcriptomics,
evolutionary genetics, conservation genetics.

The labs research aims are to:
- Understand the evolutionary mechanisms involved in immune response
  (immunogenetics) in the wild
- Identify emerging disease drivers of wildlife decline and inform
  conservation management
- Identify wildlife disease dynamics in the contexts of multiple
  anthropogenic drivers

Please visit the Lab website for more information:
https://jharvey.netlify.app

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- B.S. Degree in evolutionary biology, molecular biology, conservation
  genetics, bioinformatics or a related field
- Preference will be given to candidates with an M.S. degree in an
  related field
- experience with statistics, R, and command line
- able to begin Fall 2026

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- interest in core concepts in evolutionary biology and disease ecology
- motivation to do lab research
- proficiency in spoken and written English
- experience working with viral pathogens, endoparasites, or host-
  parasite systems is an advantage
- knowledge of (and experience with) wild waterfowl or seabirds
- field experience in capturing, banding, and auxiliary marker
  deployment among waterfowl, seabirds or other birds.
- Experience in transcriptomics, evolutionary genetics, or molecular
  evolution and with molecular data

APPLICATION PROCESS:
To apply, please send Dr. Johanna Harvey (j_harvey@uri.edu) a copy of
your CV,and a one-page cover letter explaining your background and path
to research, any research outcomes to date or relevant experience, your
future research interests and expectations, potential career goals, and
what type of research projects you would envision developing in my lab.
Please, also include unofficial academic transcript and the name and
email, phone numbers for three professional references.  Please include
"Graduate Student Application 2026" in the email subject line.

Johanna Harvey, PhD (pronouns: she/her/hers)
Assistant Professor Wildlife Disease Ecology
Department of Natural Resources Science
University of Rhode Island
j_harvey@uri.edu

Johanna Harvey <j_harvey@uri.edu>

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