Stony Brook University, Department of Ecology and Evolution (Griffith Lab) · New York · assistantship · posted 29 days ago
I am recruiting a doctoral student to join my lab in the Department of Ecology and Evolution at Stony Brook University. I am particularly interested in working with a student who wants to understand how plants and plant communities respond to environmental change by combining field ecology, remote sensing, and quantitative approaches. Research in my group focuses on the ecology, evolution, and biogeography of open ecosystems, including grasslands, savannas, and drylands. We study how plant functional traits, evolutionary history, disturbance, and species interactions shape ecosystem distributions and functioning, with current work increasingly focused on the Turkana Basin, Serengeti, and other East African ecosystems. A PhD student could develop research on plant responses to drought, grazing, and fire; trait and lineage variation along environmental gradients; or links between field measurements and imaging spectroscopy or other remotely sensed observations. I am especially interested in projects that move across scales, from individual plants and communities to landscapes and regions, and that integrate field-based measurements with satellite data. I am looking for an intellectually curious student motivated to develop an independent research program and enthusiastic about both plant ecology and quantitative ecology. Previous research experience is strongly preferred. Experience with field ecology, plant identification, ecophysiology, R or Python, GIS, remote sensing, or spectroscopy is valuable, but expertise in all these areas is not expected. Most important is an interest in developing skills that span field and remotely sensed ecology. Applying to fellowships is encouraged. Fieldwork may include intensive vegetation sampling and plant functional-trait or ecophysiological measurements in East African ecosystems, as well as research in North America. Please see https://griffithdan.github.io/ for more information about the lab. Stony Brook University is a top-tier public research (R1) university located on Long Island, close to beaches, the train to NYC, and ferries. The Department of Ecology and Evolution has a thriving graduate culture, strong mentorship, and access to extensive field and laboratory resources. The program application deadline is Dec 1st, 2026 for Fall 2027, and more details can be found here: https://www.stonybrook.edu/ecoevo/academic-programs/phd-admissions.html. The position offers a competitive stipend and benefits package, supported roughly equally by research and teaching assistantships. Prospective applicants are encouraged to contact Dr. Daniel M. Griffith at daniel.griffith@stonybrook.edu before applying. Please send a (1) CV and a (2) brief statement describing (a) the ecological questions that most interest you, (b) why you are interested in joining my lab, and (c) your previous research experience and relevant skills. (3) Please also include contact information for two references. Warmly, Dan *Daniel M. Griffith, Ph.D.* Assistant Professor Dept. of Ecology & Evolution | Turkana Basin Institute Stony Brook University griffithdan.github.io Griffith GS Profile
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