- Chalcraft Lab -

Population and Community Ecology

Dept. of Biology

East Carolina University

Doctoral students

An NSF-supported research assistantship is available for a PhD student to participate in a 5-year project that examines the consequences of biodiversity loss in temporary ponds located in the coastal plain of North Carolina.  The position is based out of Dr. David Chalcraft’s lab in the Department of Biology at East Carolina University .  The PI will primarily be focusing on the biodiversity of aquatic insects and larval frogs.  Although the PI will consider students who desire to work with insects and amphibians, he is particularly interested in recruiting students that have prior experience working with algae and/or invertebrates other than insects. The successful candidate will be expected to develop an independent dissertation project that focuses on some component of the ecology of temporary ponds. 

Applicants should send a brief cover letter, CV/resume, statement of relevant research experience and interests (1-2 pages), and list of names of people who are willing to provide letters of reference (preferably as a single PDF document) to Dr. David Chalcraft. It is possible that the successful candidate could be hired as a technician in the lab (beginning in April 2008) prior to enrolling in the doctoral program so the candidate should also express whether they have an interest in this position.

Master's students

Although I am currently only able to accept one new doctoral student for 2008, I am willing to consider applications from additional master's level students. Applicants for the master's program will be eligible to compete for teaching assistantships and out-of-state tuition remissions.

Applicants should send a brief cover letter, CV/resume, statement of relevant research experience and interests (approx. 0.5-1 page), and list of names of people who are willing to provide letters of reference (preferably as a single PDF document) to Dr. David Chalcraft. It is possible that the successful candidate could be hired as a technician in the lab (beginning in April 2008) prior to enrolling in the master's program so the candidate should also express whether they have an interest in this position.

Undergraduate students

Opportuntities are available in the lab to 1) conduct independent research projects, 2) part-time employment during the spring semester, and/or 3) full-time employment during the summer. Employment opportunies will be in the form of field assistants for work on an NSF grant studying the effects of diversity loss in temporary pond communities. Field assistants should expect to spend long, hot hours in the field (i.e., working around snakes and biting insects) hiking through forest and wading through ponds.

Technician

I currently have funding to support a full-time (5 month) technician to work on an NSF grant studying the effects of diversity loss in temporary pond communities. Ideally, the successful candidate will have a bachelors degree in biology or natural resources and have experience working in aquatic systems (particularly with aquatic invertebrates and amphibians). Applicants should send a brief cover letter, CV/resume, statement of relevant research experience, and list of names of people who are willing to provide letters of reference (preferably as a single PDF document) to Dr. David Chalcraft.