Several opportunities are currently available in the Sewall Lab at Temple University. These include:
- An open position for a Prospective Doctoral Student in the ecology and conservation of rare and threatened butterflies and their prairie habitats
- Opportunities for Prospective Graduate Students interested in the Sewall Lab at Temple University
- Opportunities for Undergraduate Students interested in the Sewall Lab at Temple University
- Opportunities for prospective Postdoctoral Researchers interested in the Sewall Lab at Temple University
Please scroll down to learn more.
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Open position for a Doctoral Student – Ecology and Conservation of Rare and Threatened Butterflies and Prairie Ecosystems
A position is available for a doctoral student to study the ecology and conservation of rare and threatened butterflies and prairie ecosystems. The doctoral student will engage in applied research in conservation biology and restoration ecology to understand and protect rare and threatened prairie butterflies and other prairie-dependent species and to restore their habitat. This is an exciting opportunity to advance scientific understanding in the fields of conservation biology, restoration ecology, entomology, and plant ecology, all while directly benefiting the conservation of rare butterflies and prairie ecosystems. The position will begin in Summer or Fall of 2026 in the research group of Dr. Brent Sewall (https://sites.temple.edu/bjsewall/ ) in the Department of Biology (https://cst.temple.edu/department-biology ) at Temple University, a large public research university in Pennsylvania. Research will take place in the field at research sites across Pennsylvania and neighboring states and in laboratory and mesocosm settings at Temple’s Main Campus in downtown Philadelphia and at the Temple Ambler Field Station (https://ambler.temple.edu/fieldstation ) in nearby Ambler, Pennsylvania. Funding through a combination of graduate fellowships, research assistantships, and teaching assistantships is available to support the doctoral student’s studies and research.
Applicants to this position should have prior research experience and a bachelor’s or master’s degree in Biology, Ecology, Entomology, or related fields. Prior field, greenhouse, or laboratory experience with native insect or plant species is desirable. Candidates with strong writing skills and training in statistics or other quantitative methods are particularly encouraged to apply. Candidates should be highly organized, motivated, and able to work both independently and as part of a team. Applicants should also have the ability to interact in a positive manner with students, researchers, land managers, and others from a wide variety of backgrounds. Interested candidates should contact Dr. Sewall at bjsewall@temple.edu, including your CV or resume, unofficial transcript, and a description of research interests, relevant experiences and training, and reasons you are interested in the position. Full applications are due to Temple University by December 15th (or as soon as possible for international applicants) at https://www.temple.edu/academics/degree-programs/biology-phd-st-biol-phd/admissions .
Graduate Students in the Sewall Lab at Temple University
Opportunities are available in the lab for motivated prospective students whose interests align with one of the principal research areas of the lab. Our department is expanding, and with the addition of several dynamic new faculty, we are building our programs in the areas of ecology and evolution. We offer both MS and Ph.D. degrees in the department. Funding is often available through TAships and sometimes RAships, though mostly for Ph.D. students. Graduate students working in the lab will also be expected to apply for external research and fellowship funding. Graduate students interested in working with Dr. Sewall should contact him in advance of applying to graduate school at Temple. Please send along a description of research interests, past research and experience, and – for students interested in working internationally – a summary of past travel or work experience and language skills relevant to the area in which you would like to work. Dr. Sewall prefers applicants with substantial previous research experience. For those wishing to do international field research, substantial international experience and language skills appropriate to the desired research area are required. Also please keep in mind that our department’s application deadline for fall-entry students is December 15th (or earlier, preferably by November 15th, for international students). Be sure to note Dr. Sewall’s name on your application and on your research statement when you apply.
Undergraduate Students in the Sewall Lab at Temple University
Opportunities are sometimes available for Temple undergraduate students to participate in research activities in the lab, especially for students who have completed and done well in related classes (Intro Bio Series, Principles of Ecology, Animal behavior, Conservation biology, GIS, Statistics, or advanced Mathematics classes); who are highly motivated to do research; who can dedicate more than one semester of part-time work in the lab; and whose interests align with those of the lab. Any student can apply by contacting Dr. Sewall or by connecting via formal programs such as the College of Science and Technology’s Research Scholars Program, the Temple Diamond Research Scholars Program, the Creative Arts, Research, and Scholarship Program, the Science Scholars Program, the Distinction program in the Department of Biology, or as an Honors Thesis Project. Interested students can contact Dr. Sewall.
Other Postdoctoral Positions in the Sewall Lab at Temple University
Postdoctoral fellow positions are sometimes available as funding permits. Please contact Dr. Sewall to inquire about current opportunities. Dr. Sewall is also open to collaborating with potential postdocs and other collaborators to raise funds for projects of mutual interest. Please contact him if interested.