Join the Lab
Postdoctoral Researchers
Unfortunately, we do not have any open positions at this time, however there are two programs that folks might be interested in:
BU Microbiome Initiative Postdoctoral Fellowship
Society of Fellows at BU Arts & Sciences
If you think that you are a good fit for either of these programs and that I would be the right mentor for you, please reach out (daviessw@gmail.com)!
PhD Student Researchers
Seeking PhD Student in the Davies Marine Population Genomics lab Fall 2025
The Davies Marine Population Genomics lab is recruiting a prospective Ph.D. student focused on fundamental questions in coral thermal physiology. Our lab was recently recommended for funding for a project focused on understanding how diel thermal variability influences coral performance. This project will require significant time spent in Bocas del Toro Panama (weeks to months at a time) and the work will involve a combination of fieldwork, mesocosm work, and genomic analyses.
Skills or experiences that are specifically relevant to the funded research include:
AAUS certified scuba diver (or desire to be an AAUS diver)
Comfortable conversing in basic Spanish
Experience in the rigors of field research
Strong team player
Background or strong interest in thermal physiology and genomics
We encourage scientists from diverse backgrounds to apply, as we strive to promote historically excluded groups in ecology and evolution. The PhD student would be accepted through the Ecology, Behavior and Evolution (EBE) Biology graduate program at Boston University and be based in Boston, MA. The program offers a guaranteed stipend (~$43k/year) and health insurance for 5 years through a combination of teaching fellowships, an entrance fellowship, and research grants. It is worth noting that the BU Graduate Student Union is currently on strike and in negotiations regarding salary and benefits, among other things (https://bugwu.org/), therefore these parameters are likely to be modified over the coming year. In general most students in the lab teach during the spring and fall semesters and are supported on research stipends for the summer months or semesters where they are conducting intensive field research
In addition, there is the potential that the incoming student could be hired as a field technician starting as early as January 2025.
Students who will thrive in our lab tend to be interested in:
molecular and genomic approaches with strong backgrounds in quantitative approaches and bioinformatics
answering core ecological and evolutionary questions
fieldwork opportunities with a deep interest in investing in the local community
being a research mentor to high school and undergraduate students through a series of established relationships with local programs
increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion in science through pedagogy and outreach
To apply, please send the following materials to daviessw@gmail.com by August 31, 2024 with “Application to PhD Opportunity 2025: [YOUR LAST NAME]” in the subject line:
1. PDF of Current CV with contact email for 3 references (academic or non-academic are appropriate). Letters will not be requested immediately, however references will be contacted for short-listed candidates.
2. 1 page cover letter (in PDF) describing the scientific questions that excite you and how you will ensure an inclusive environment
Our lab conducts pre-screening of candidates, followed by zoom interviews and then the top candidates are invited to apply to the PhD program formally. We do recruitment this way to ensure transparency and save folks application fees. Potential graduate students should read over our Davies Lab Graduate Student Mentoring Compact to make sure they would be a good fit for the lab culture before applying.
Undergraduate Student Researchers
Unfortunately, we are not currently accepting new undergraduate researchers, however please check back as our needs are always changing!