The Chaturvedi Lab at Tulane University, New Orleans, LA is seeking PhD and Masters students to start in Fall 2025.

The lab is seeking students with an interest in evolutionary genomics, plant-insect interactions, climate adaptation, and molecular evolution. Students will have the opportunity to participate in research which can be related to evolution of plant-insect interactions, co-evolution, spatial evolution and climate adaptation. Students will apply cutting edge ‘omics’ approach to study evolution in natural organisms. Students will be expected to develop their own dissertation project that reflects their own interests under these themes. All these projects are highly integrative and involve understanding of various topics in evolutionary biology, population genetics, inter-specific interactions, chemical ecology, and global climate change biology. Through this position, students will have the opportunity to conduct field work, develop skills in high-throughput genomic and transcriptomic sequencing, advanced statistical analysis, computational biology, and bioinformatics. Study systems in the lab include Lycaeides and Battus butterflies and their host plants of genus Aristolochia but this is not restrictive and students will be encouraged to develop their own projects in study systems of their interest.

Experience in field work, data analysis, molecular biology skills (DNA-based lab work), and quantitative analysis are preferred but not required. Students will have the opportunity to develop these skills as required by the proposed Ph.D. projects.

Students will be supported through a mix of graduate research assistantships and teaching assistantships. Students are also welcome to apply for graduate fellowships through NSF Graduate Research Fellowships.

Tulane University offers a vibrant scientific community with a strong PhD program in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. New Orleans is a vibrant town with an amazing cultural history and a vibrant atmosphere for graduate school experiences.

The deadline for applications is December 1st 2024. The successful applicant is expected to start in Fall 2025. To apply please send a CV, contact details for three references, and a cover letter stating qualifications, previous work and motivation to Dr. Samridhi Chaturvedi at schaturvedi@tulane.edu where you can also send any queries.