Several opportunities are currently available in the Sewall Lab at Temple University. These include:
- An open postdoctoral fellow position in Butterfly ecology and conservation beginning in early to mid 2024
- An open postdoctoral fellow position in Quantitative Ecology and Conservation Biology
- An open doctoral position to study Protecting Hibernating Bats from White-Nose Syndrome beginning in summer or fall of 2024
- An open doctoral position to study the Ecology and Conservation of Rare and Threatened Butterflies beginning in summer or fall of 2024
- Other 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 other Prospective Postdoctoral Researchers interested in the Sewall Lab at Temple University
Please scroll down to learn more.
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Postdoctoral researcher – Butterfly ecology and conservation (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
A postdoctoral research position is available to study the ecology and conservation of rare and threatened prairie butterflies and other prairie-dependent species. Focal butterfly species include the rare and threatened eastern regal fritillary, a charismatic species that has been extirpated from nearly its entire historical range. The researcher will engage in applied research in conservation biology and population biology to understand population change in its remnant population over time and factors influencing this change. The researcher will take advantage of data collected in the field over more than two decades. The postdoctoral researcher will work as part of a team with the primary goal of analyzing these existing data to develop high-quality manuscripts suitable for publication. Findings will increase understanding of the conservation status of this species and directly inform management. Secondary goals will include engaging in experimental design, field ecology research, and conservation work for prairie butterflies and other prairie-dependent species. This project is an exciting opportunity to advance scientific understanding in the fields of conservation biology, population biology, entomology, and community ecology, all while directly benefiting the conservation of rare butterflies and prairie ecosystems. While the researcher will focus primarily on this butterfly ecology project, additional opportunities may be available to participate in separate ongoing research and conservation work in our lab group on wildlife conservation, habitat restoration, and invasion biology. The researcher will also participate in mentoring graduate students, undergraduate students, and technicians.
The position will begin in early to mid 2024 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 located in and near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The position will be in-person and will take place on both Temple University’s Main Campus in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and at the Temple Ambler Field Station in Ambler, Pennsylvania (https://ambler.temple.edu/fieldstation), located just outside of Philadelphia. Some travel, mostly within Pennsylvania, will be required to visit field sites and collaborate with partners. The position will be a full-time position initially for one year, with opportunity for renewal for one or more additional years, dependent on satisfactory progress and funding availability. Competitive salary and benefits will be provided; for more details, see https://grad.temple.edu/postdoctoral-affairs/salary-schedule .
Required qualifications are:
- Doctoral degree and expertise in entomology, statistics, population biology, community ecology, conservation biology, or a related field;
- Experience with statistical analysis of population-biology data;
- Experience with field work on butterflies or other insects;
- Expertise with Geographic Information Systems (GIS);
- Experience publishing research in peer-reviewed journals;
- Ability to establish a close, positive, and productive working relationship with the principal investigator and teams of faculty, students, and management professionals;
- Ability to progress independently and efficiently while maintaining clear communication with the principal investigator and other team members.
It is preferred that the applicant has:
- Experience mentoring undergraduate or graduate students.
Application
Temple University is committed to building a diverse educational community founded on the appreciation of others, open-mindedness and respect. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.
To apply, please send:
- a cover letter describing your interest in and qualifications for this position along with dates of availability,
- a current curriculum vitae (cv),
- pdfs of one or more relevant publications, and (if these are multi-author publications) a description of your contribution to the work, and
- contact information for 3 references familiar with your qualifications
Application materials should be sent to Dr. Brent Sewall by email at bjsewall@temple.edu. Please write “Postdoctoral researcher – Butterfly ecology and conservation” in the subject line. Review of applications will proceed on a rolling basis and will continue until the position is filled.
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Postdoctoral research position available – Quantitative Ecology and Conservation Biology
Position description:
A postdoctoral research position is available through the Sewall Lab in the Department of Biology at Temple University, a large public research university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The research will focus on understanding ecological communities and evaluating critical and emerging threats to biodiversity. The postdoctoral researcher will assist with statistical analysis and modeling for ongoing studies of population change in species of conservation concern, understanding mutualistic and host-parasite interactions within ecological communities, understanding emerging infectious diseases of wildlife, and evaluating the effects of land management on biodiversity in working landscapes. The researcher will analyze existing data on a variety of taxa, including bats, primates, birds, butterflies, trees, annual and perennial plants, wildlife pathogens, invasive insects, and interactions among these taxa. Opportunities are also available for research into other topics that are of mutual interest to the postdoctoral researcher and the PI. Opportunities are also available for student mentoring. Additional information on the Sewall Lab can be found at https://sites.temple.edu/bjsewall .
The start date is flexible. The position will be a full-time position initially for one year, with opportunity for renewal for one or more additional years, dependent on satisfactory progress and funding availability. Competitive salary and benefits will be provided; for more details, see https://grad.temple.edu/postdoctoral-affairs/salary-schedule .
Qualifications – required
Required qualifications are:
- Doctoral degree in statistics, ecology, conservation biology, or related field
- Broad expertise in statistical analysis and modeling
- Expertise in population and community ecology, disease ecology, entomology, or conservation biology
- Experience with one or more of the following: analysis of population monitoring data, bipartite network analysis, analysis of community data, statistical modeling
- Experience publishing research in peer-reviewed journals
- Ability to establish a close, positive, and productive working relationship with the PI and teams of faculty, students, and land management professionals
- Ability to progress independently and efficiently while maintaining clear communication with the PI and other team members
It is preferred that the applicant has:
- Expertise with Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
- Previous field research experience
- Experience working with, or familiarity with the natural history or ecology of one or more of the taxonomic groups listed above
- Experience working with, or familiarity with seed dispersal, pollination, or host-pathogen interactions
- Experience mentoring undergraduate or graduate students
Application
Temple University is committed to building a diverse educational community founded on the appreciation of others, open-mindedness and respect. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.
To apply, please send:
- a cover letter describing your interest in and qualifications for this position along with dates of availability,
- a current curriculum vitae (cv),
- pdfs of one or more relevant publications, and (if these are multi-author publications) a description of your contribution to the work, and
- contact information for 3 references familiar with your qualifications
Application materials should be sent to Dr. Brent Sewall by email at bjsewall@temple.edu. Please write “Postdoctoral researcher – Quantitative Ecology and Conservation Biology” in the subject line. Review of applications will proceed on a rolling basis and will continue until the position is filled.
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Doctoral Position – Protecting Hibernating Bats from White-Nose Syndrome
A position is available for a doctoral student to study the ecology and conservation of bat species affected by white-nose syndrome, an infectious fungal disease of wildlife that has threatened hibernating bats across much of North America. Research will focus on management-relevant science designed to understand and conserve bats and reduce the impacts of this devastating disease. The doctoral student will undertake scientific studies to advance understanding of bats and their response to white-nose syndrome, and to evaluate strategies to protect them from the worst effects of the disease. This is an exciting opportunity to advance scientific understanding in the fields of conservation biology, population ecology, mammalogy, and mycology, all while directly benefiting the conservation of rare and threatened bat species. The position will begin in Summer or Fall of 2024 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 located in and near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Research will take place in the field at research sites across Pennsylvania and in neighboring states, and in the laboratory in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Funding support through a combination of fellowships, research assistantships, and teaching assistantships is available to support the student’s studies and research.
Applicants to this position should have prior research experience and a bachelor’s or Masters degree in Biology, Ecology, Conservation Biology, Zoology, Mycology, or related fields. Prior field experience with bats 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, wildlife 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 statement of research interests that describes 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). Please see this page for formal admission details: https://bulletin.temple.edu/graduate/scd/cst/biology-phd/#admissiontext
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Doctoral Position – Ecology and Conservation of Rare and Threatened Butterflies
A position is available for a doctoral student interested in the ecology and conservation of rare and threatened butterflies and their prairie habitats. Focal butterfly species include the rare and threatened eastern regal fritillary, a charismatic grassland species that has been extirpated from nearly its entire historical range. The doctoral student will engage in applied research in conservation biology and restoration ecology to understand and protect rare prairie butterflies, to engage in captive rearing studies, to restore prairie habitat, and to reintroduce butterflies to areas of their historic ranges from which they have long been extirpated. 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 2024 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 located in and near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Research will take place in the field at research sites across Pennsylvania and in laboratory and mesocosm settings in Philadelphia and nearby Ambler, Pennsylvania. Funding support through a combination of fellowships, research assistantships, and teaching assistantships is available to support the student’s studies and research.
Applicants to this position should have prior research experience and a bachelor’s or Masters degree in Biology, Ecology, Entomology, or related fields. Prior field 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 statement of research interests that describes 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). Please see this page for formal admission details: https://bulletin.temple.edu/graduate/scd/cst/biology-phd/#admissiontext
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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, though Dr. Sewall prefers to work with new students as part of 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 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.