University of North Dakota · North Dakota · posted 15 days ago
Description I am recruiting one or more MS or PhD students to join my lab in the Department of Biology at the University of North Dakota, with a target start of Summer/Fall 2027*. This is a new lab so incoming students will have real input into shaping its culture and research direction. My research examines food web and trophic dynamics in freshwater ecosystems using diet, stable isotope and other approaches, with particular interest in how climate change and disturbance (wildfire, shifting thermal and hydrologic regimes) reshape lake and stream food webs. My own field experience spans watersheds in Alaska and the Pacific Northwest, but I'm equally interested in students who want to develop projects in North Dakota's own freshwater systems — prairie pothole lakes, the Red River, Devils Lake — or Northern Minnesota’s boundary waters and prairie-to-boreal ecotone. Potential research directions include, but are not limited to: ●Fish and invertebrate secondary production in streams, rivers, and lakes ●Trophic responses of lakes and streams to wildfire or other acute disturbances ●Climate-driven shifts in thermal regime and cascading effects on food webs ●Braided river channel production and food web dynamics ●Stable isotope and biomarker approaches to tracking energy flow in aquatic systems ●Comparative food web structure across gradients of hydrologic connectivity or land use Students will be trained in traditional stream ecology, stable isotope methods, quantitative food web analysis, field sampling design, statistical/programming approaches (R), and scientific writing, and will be supported in attending and presenting at national conferences. *January start possible for well-qualified applicants who reach out prior to October 10 -- Please add 'January Start' to the end of your email subject line* Qualifications Required: ●B.S. in ecology, biology, environmental science, or a related field ●Genuine interest in freshwater ecosystems and willingness to develop independent research skills ●Ability to work both independently and collaboratively ●Willingness to conduct fieldwork in variable conditions Preferred: ●Prior field or laboratory research experience ●Familiarity with R or another statistical/programming environment Funding Incoming students begin on a Department of Biology Teaching Assistantship, with a stipend of roughly $1,888/month (MS) or $2,388/month (PhD), tuition waiver, and health insurance. Transition to a Research Assistantship is anticipated pending success of pending grant proposals. To Apply Interested applicants should submit the following as a single PDF to matthew.dunkle@und.edu with the email subject line “GA Position (Last Name)”: 1. A brief cover letter (1 page) describing your research interests, relevant experience, and career goals 2. A CV or resume 3. Contact information for three references Considering applications on a rolling basis until January 31, 2027. Formal application to the UND Biology graduate program is a separate step, due February 15 — happy to discuss timing with any interested applicant. Contact Dr. Matt Dunkle Department of Biology, University of North Dakota matthew.dunkle@und.edu
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