PhD Position in Arctic Meta-Ecosystem Ecology and Genomics at University of Alabama University of Alabama in United States

A fully funded PhD position is available at the University of Alabama, Department of Biological Sciences, in the laboratories of Dr. Carla Atkinson and Dr. Jeff Lozier. This opportunity is part of the NSF-funded Evolving Meta-Ecosystems (EvoME) Institute, which focuses on the resilience of Arctic organisms and ecosystems in response to rapid environmental change. The successful candidate will study the physiology and traits of terrestrial and stream invertebrates, such as ground beetles, mayflies, and stoneflies, to explore connections between community ecology, trait variation, thermal biology, and genomics across a broad latitudinal gradient in Alaska.

The EvoME Institute is a six-year collaborative project, and the student will join a dynamic team addressing major questions about adaptability to a warming Arctic in diverse species, including fish, willows, sparrows, beetles, and mayflies. The position offers the unique experience of conducting summer fieldwork at Toolik Field Station in the Alaskan tundra, involving specimen collection and experimental work both in the field and laboratory settings. Applicants should have an interest or experience in working with insects from various taxonomic groups and be comfortable with extended fieldwork in remote locations.

The Atkinson and Lozier labs are known for their collaborative and supportive environments. The position includes funding for a summer stipend and research support, with the possibility of a teaching assistantship for academic year stipends. The start date is flexible, with the position available from summer 2026. Interested candidates should contact Dr. Carla Atkinson or Dr. Jeff Lozier for more information and are encouraged to review the lab websites for further details.

Key research areas include Arctic ecology, meta-ecosystems, insect physiology, community ecology, thermal biology, and genomics. This position is ideal for students passionate about climate change research, fieldwork, and collaborative science in a unique Arctic setting.