evolutionary ecology lab
Welcome! The research conducted in my lab, although a bit of an eclectic mix, primarily considers the factors promoting the origin, maintenance, distribution and conservation of biodiversity. Currently, my students are studying [1] phylogeography and local adapation in two coastal fish species, [2] molecular phylogenetics of predaceous diving beetles, [3] the influence of traits on species coexistence, and [4] landscape genetics of prairie fish species. I also maintain active interests in community phylogenetics, geography of diversification, enemy-victim interactions, species invasions, and the ecology and evolution of angiosperm breeding systems.
Opportunities - please read before contacting me
Updated October 2012: In addition to inquiries from potential postdoctoral fellows with/competitive for external funding (see below), I have one graduate student opening in my lab for September 2013 (see below), by which time I expect two of my current graduate students will have sucessfully defended.
Postdoctoral Fellow openings: I do not have funds to support the stipend of a postdoctoral fellow. That said, inquiries from interested folks with external funding - or those that want to apply for external funding (e.g., NSERC Postdoctoral Fellowships) with me - are always welcome.
Graduate openings: I am looking for a student* with a strong interest/background in merging evolutionary and molecular ecology approaches to studying local adaptation and species interactions in northern temperate fish and/or aquatic insects. Students with external funding (e.g., a Postgraduate Scholarship from NSERC) will be given priority, but I remain open to appropriately trained students with a strong CV; ideally, that means a GPA of 3.6 or higher, plus a publication or two for potential PhD students.
*Please note: given the size of the RV* group, I cannot seriously consider any students without at least one prospective academic referee that I know at least indirectly, with the fewer degrees of separation the better. The abilities to [i] be a responsible citizen in shared molecular and aquatic lab facilities and [ii] work independently will be weighed on par with demonstrated academic/research excellence. The latter I can make out from publication records, academic transcripts, etc. where I really need more for the former. Finally, form letters from prospective applicants with unrelated backgrounds (e.g., X-ray crystallography, biotechnology) will likely go unanswered.
Undergraduate openings: Although a bit early, I am open to serious inquiries from strong candidates for Summer 2013. I especially welcome students interested in applying for an NSERC USRA or a University of Calgary PURE in January 2013. For both awards, a strong GPA and a well-crafted project idea are essential - if you combine the former with enthusiasm, we can take care of the latter together.
Contact Information
Dr. Steven M. Vamosi
Associate Professor, Population Biology
2500 University Drive NW
Department of Biological Sciences
University of Calgary
Calgary AB
T2N 1N4 Canada
Phone: 403.210.8508 (Office) | 403.210.8466 (Lab)
Fax: 403.289.9311
Email: smvamosi+ucalgary.ca