plavretsky

The University of Texas at El Paso College of Science Department of Biological Sciences Assistant Professor – Behavioral Ecologist POSITION DESCRIPTION: The Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) invites applications for a tenure-track assistant professor position for a Behavioral Ecologist. We are seeking highly collaborative candidates with expertise in the study of behavior of any non-model multi-cellular organism; although we encourage those applicants with expertise in entomology, mammalogy, and other non-aquatic vertebrates. The anticipated appointment date is fall 2022. The successful candidate is expected to (1) establish an extramurally funded research program; (2) teach and mentor undergraduate, masters, and doctoral students; and (3) have a strong potential for collaboration across ecology and evolutionary biology (EEB). Finally, UTEP is committed to expanding diversity among its faculty and staff, and strongly encourages candidates to apply who will enrich UTEP’s academic and culturally inclusive environment. ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT: The Department of Biological Sciences is among the most productive departments within UTEP. In addition to having doctoral programs in EEB and Bioscience, the Department of Biological Sciences contributes to interdisciplinary programs in Environmental Science and Engineering, Bioinformatics, and Computational Science. Core facilities in the NIH-sponsored Border Biomedical Research Center include capacities for DNA Next-Gen sequencing, bioinformatics, and statistics. In addition, UTEP’s internationally recognized Biodiversity Collections (https://www.utep.edu/biodiversity/) house thousands of specimens, not only providing unique research and teaching opportunities, but the potential for candidates to take on important curatorial roles. Similarly, a new state-of-the-art insectarium and multiple vivaria are also available to researchers. Finally, the 40,000+ acre Indio Mountains Research Station provides unique research and teaching opportunities (https://www.utep.edu/science/indio/). More information is available at the Department of Biological Sciences website. ABOUT UTEP: The University of Texas at El Paso is America’s leading Hispanic-serving university. Located at the westernmost tip of Texas, where three states and two countries converge along the Rio Grande, UTEP is a public research university that transforms lives. Ninety-four percent of UTEP’s nearly 25,000 students are minorities, and many are the first in their families to go to college. At UTEP, students have access to 168 bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs in nine colleges and schools. UTEP is the only open-access, top tier Research University in America, yet its retention rates exceed those of selective institutions. Located in the second-most educated city in Texas, UTEP is recognized as one of the best research universities in the country for connecting students with the community around them. It is one of only 28 institutions in the U.S. and three in Texas to hold both top tier research and community engagement distinctions from the Carnegie Foundation. UTEP advances discovery of public value and positively impacts the health, culture, education and economy of the community it serves. With more than $108 million in total annual research expenditures, the University is ranked among the top 5% of colleges and universities in research and fifth in Texas for federal research expenditures at public universities. The University employs approximately 4,000 faculty, staff and students. It has one of the lowest out-of-pocket costs of any research university in the U.S., underscoring its commitment to offer an exceptional education at a great value. Almost 25% of graduates from the poorest backgrounds reach the top income quintile, placing UTEP in the top 10 universities in America for social mobility. ABOUT EL PASO: El Paso is a highly livable, bicultural community of almost 700,000 people with rich cultural heritage that offers affordable homes and attractive neighborhoods. It has been repeatedly named among the safest large U.S. cities. El Paso experiences more than 300 days of sunshine annually, and residents enjoy outdoor activities year-round. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: Applicants must have a Ph.D. or equivalent degree, postdoctoral research experience, and a strong record of research accomplishments. APPLICATION PROCEDURES: Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Candidates should submit a letter of interest, curriculum vitae, statement of research interests, a brief description of teaching philosophy, a statement of your contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as complete contact information for at least three references. To apply, please visit https://www.utep.edu/employment Hiring decisions are based on budget approval. In keeping with its Access and Excellence mission, The University of Texas at El Paso is committed to an open, diverse, and inclusive learning and working environment that honors the talents, respects the differences, and nurtures the growth and development of all. We seek to attract faculty and staff who share our commitment. The University of Texas at El Paso is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. The University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity in employment or the provision of services in accordance with state and federal law. Discrimination on the basis of sex includes an employee's or prospective employee's right to be free from sexual harassment under Title IX of the Higher Education Amendments of 1972. COS BS-Behavioral Ecologist 21-01- Ad.pdf

The Lavretsky Lab at the University of Texas at El Paso (https://www.utep.edu/science/lavretskylab/) is currently recruiting a graduate student to start in the Fall of 2021! The NSF funded PhD position will unravel genomic consequences when domesticated individuals interbreed with their wild sister taxa. The student will join a vibrant and growing research body in the Department of Biological Sciences, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Program, at The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP). In short, the student will work to uncover the genomic and morphological consequences from a century of interbreeding between domestic and wild mallard ducks. The student will join a multi-institutional research team, and will apply a comprehensive set of molecular techniques to geographically broad species-wide sample sets from contemporary populations, where they will work with >100 full genomes of genetically vetted pure wild mallards, domestic mallards, and their hybrids. Genetic sampling will be extended 100 to 150 years into the past using ancient DNA approaches with museum specimens. Moreover, using 3D morphometric analysis of museum specimens, as well as feeding trails with live wild and domesticated mallards, we will examine how the movement of traits associated with domesticated birds (e.g., bill morphologies that affect feeding efficacy) into wild populations may affect the adaptability of wild populations. The PhD student will be required to live in Washington D.C. for several summer months where they will work alongside Smithsonian collaborators to collect ancient DNA and 3D morphometric data. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: - B.S. Degree in evolutionary biology, molecular biology, conservation genetics, bioinformatics or a related field - Highly self-motivated, independent, and creative thinkers that are enthusiastic about pursuing a career in population, conservation, and evolutionary genetics. DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS: - M.S. Degree in evolutionary biology, molecular biology, conservation genetics, bioinformatics or a related field - Experience in population genetics, evolutionary genetics, or molecular evolution and with molecular data - Experience with programing language such as Perl or Python - Experience with analysis of NGS sequence data APPLICATION PROCESS: To apply, please submit: a cover letter describing research interests, career goals, and experience related to, or interest in, a current CV; unofficial academic transcript; and, the name and full contact information for three references to Dr. Philip Lavretsky (plavretsky@utep.edu). Review of applications will begin November 16, 2020 and continue until the position is filled.