Research Assistantship
Graduate Research Assistantship at the McGuire Center for Lepidoptera, Florida Museum of Natural History, and the Department of Entomology, University of Florida, for Fall 2008
A Graduate Research Assistantship (RA) position is available for the academic year beginning Fall 2008 for a starting PhD student at the University of Florida's Department of Entomology and Nematology. The RA will be based at the McGuire Center for Lepidoptera of the Florida Museum of Natural History, and will assist in activities related to the NSF-funded project "The Butterflies of Ecuador (Lepidoptera: Papilionoidea) - A Comprehensive Survey of a Megadiverse Fauna" (DEB 0639861). Activities include assisting with curatorial tasks such as preparation, identification, databasing, photography, and integration of butterfly specimens into the FLMNH. Depending on interest and experience, the RA will also be involved in morphological and/or molecular systematic study and biogeographic analysis of Ecuadorian butterfly data.
The ideal candidate should have a proven ability to conduct field- or collection-based studies of butterflies or another diverse insect group, and a demonstrable enthusiasm to pursue their own research into the systematics, biogeography, ecology or conservation of butterflies. Familiarity with the geography of the neotropical region, an interest in tropical ecosystems and experience with curating insect collections would be valuable.
The RA is initially available for two years and includes an annual stipend of $16,000, health insurance contribution and tuition waivers for all semesters. There is a possibility of the position being extended to a four-year joint research and teaching assistantship, to be determined in spring 2008.
Applicants should submit the following:
1. Summary curriculum vitae (maximum 2 pages)
2. A letter of interest describing your past and current experience in the field or a related field of study.
3. A 1-page statement of potential areas of graduate research and longer term career goals.
4. Three letters of recommendation from professional referees qualified to comment on your academic and personal abilities to conduct independent research.
5. A copy of any piece of independent research, thesis, presentation, poster, scientific article or other material that supports the application.
Submit application materials to Keith Willmott (kwillmott@flmnh.ufl.edu) by January 31st 2008. For questions regarding this position please contact Keith Willmott on (1) (352) 846 2000 ext 484, or at the above e-mail address. For information regarding the application process for admission to the graduate program at UF's Department of Entomology, click here, or contact Dr Don Hall (gradc@ifas.ufl.edu). Information on applying to the UF Office of Admissions is available here. Additional information for international students is available here.
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