Prospective graduate students

Migration ecology of birds in human-modified landscapes

We are seeking a PhD student to study the migration ecology of birds in human-modified landscapes. The research will use multiple technologies in forests embedded in urban and agricultural landscapes to understand the relative value of different stopover sites for migrating birds. Technologies may include NEXRAD radar, local radar, radio telemetry, acoustic monitoring, and physiological markers. The successful applicant will be expected to be familiar with mist netting, handling birds, operating field equipment, and analyzing large datasets using R or Python. The overall goal of the research is to gain a greater understanding of the behavior of migrants both during the day as they forage and at night as they depart and arrive at stopover locations, with the aim of informing the conservation of migratory birds. The student will be co-advised by Dr. Benjamin Van Doren (https://migrationbiology.org) and Dr. Michael Ward (https://ward.nres.illinois.edu). The student will begin graduate school in the fall of 2025.

At the University of Illinois, graduate students receive a monthly stipend (appointments range from nine to eleven months), tuition waiver (for those appointments equal to 25% to 67% FTE), and subsidized health insurance. Additional information may be found at https://grad.illinois.edu/gradmap/welcome. We are committed to diversity and inclusion and strive to support students with a range of career goals. The skills one develops as a scientist have value in academia, conservation, industry, and beyond.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree required, and a MS in ecology or a related discipline is preferred. Applicants should demonstrate a strong interest in working with migratory birds and should possess relevant field and analytical experience. Training or experience with capturing and handling birds and analyzing large datasets is preferred. We understand that applicants will likely not have experience with all the listed techniques and will provide training. The applicant should also possess excellent interpersonal and written and oral communication skills.

To Apply

Submit a letter of interest and academic CV via the following online form: https://forms.gle/EdrJJiMFVDRp3v8b8. The letter of interest should summarize your personal background, research interests, and relevant experience. Submit these materials by 20 October 2024 for full consideration. Finalists will be contacted by 1 November to schedule a conversation with Drs. Van Doren and Ward and informed by 22 November if we encourage them to formally apply to the University of Illinois in December. References will be sought for finalists. Contact vandoren@illinois.edu with any questions.

Other opportunities

We are also happy to discuss funding opportunities for students who have research interests aligned with the lab. For example, the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) may be one option for US applicants. Those interested in applying for the GRFP should ideally reach out by August of the year they wish to apply.

Students interested in discussing graduate opportunities should email an academic CV and letter of interest to Benjamin. The letter of interest should summarize your personal background, research interests, past experience relevant to research (including any field, lab, computational work, programming, or writing experience), and why you see a potential good fit with the lab.

Graduate students at the University of Illinois receive a monthly stipend (appointments range from nine to eleven months), tuition waiver (for those appointments equal to 25% to 67% FTE), and subsidized health insurance. Additional information may be found at https://grad.illinois.edu/gradmap/welcome. We are committed to diversity and inclusion and strive to support students with a range of career goals. The skills one develops as a scientist have value in academia, conservation, industry, and beyond