The Harvey Lab at the University of Rhode Island is recruiting PhD
students in wildlife disease ecology to start in Fall of 2025. We seek
one to two highly motivated students with passiona and experience working
with birds, pathogens, immunology, or transcriptomics.  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, 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 Kingston, and is a small but in close
proximity to beaches, lots outdoor recreation, and birding. Kingston is
nearby to cities such as Providence (~30 min) and Boston (~1hr).

The Harvey lab is recruiting students broadly interested in endemic
and emergent wildlife diseases with projects integrating
immunology, immunogenetics, transcriptomics, evolutionary genetics,
conservation genetics. Our lab works with primarily birds, but we
are open to a variety of taxa (i.e., mammals, reptiles). 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
- Highly self-motivated, independent, and creative thinkers that are
  enthusiastic about pursuing a career in disease ecology, conservation,
  and evolutionary genetics.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- interest in core concepts in evolutionary biology and disease ecology
- motivation to do lab research
- proficiency in spoken and written English
- experience with statistics and R is an advantage
- experience working with viral pathogens, endoparasites, or host-
  parasite systems is an advantage
- knowledge of (and experience with) wild waterfowl, seabirds, or
  passerine systems
- 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 2025" in the email subject
line. I will set up zoom interviews with candidates that could be a good
fit in my lab.

I will notify students that are encouraged to apply in time to prepare
applications by the December 15, 2024 deadline.

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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