PhD Position in Food Web Ecology and Management of Nonnative Mysis Shrimp Colorado State University in United States

Colorado State University’s Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology is inviting applications for a funded PhD position focused on food web ecology and the management of nonnative Mysis shrimp in Grand Lake, Colorado.

The student will be based in the laboratories of Dr. Zoe Almeida and Dr. Dan Preston and may work on long-term datasets on water quality and fish populations, in-lake mesocosm experiments, gut content and stable isotope analyses, bioenergetic modeling, and broader-scale ecological synthesis. The project also involves collaboration with partners and stakeholders including Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Northern Water, the Three Lakes Watershed Association, and the Bureau of Reclamation.

Applicants should have an undergraduate degree in limnology, ecology, biology, or a related field, plus strong science communication and quantitative skills. Clear communication and the ability to work collaboratively are essential. Preferred experience includes a master’s degree, publication experience, experimental design, limnology, fish ecology, food web analyses, stakeholder engagement, and familiarity with R.

The position is conditionally funded for 4 years through support from the Bureau of Reclamation and teaching assistantships. Funding includes a stipend, health insurance, and tuition.

Preferred start date is summer 2026, with formal enrollment during the 2026/27 academic year. To apply, send a single PDF with a 1-page letter of interest, CV, and three references to the two supervisors using the specified subject line. Finalists will be invited to complete the Colorado State University Graduate School application.