The Fins and Limbs lab (https://sandykawano.weebly.com/) is recruiting graduate students for the Ph.D. in Biology program at George Washington University (GW) through the Systematics, Evolution, and Ecology track. Join a collaborative team, led by Dr. Sandy Kawano, who investigate the functional morphology, evolutionary biomechanics, and comparative physiology of fishes and herps.
NEW! PhD student for NSF CAREER grant!
We have an opening for one PhD student to work on the evolutionary biomechanics and functional morphology of salamander locomotion (more details are available at https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2340080&HistoricalAwards=false). The successful candidate would lead research on the biomechanical and material properties that promote or constrain water-land transitions in salamanders. This position would provide the successful candidate with opportunities to integrate electromyography, 3D high-speed videography, 3D force platforms, mechanical property testing, and macroevolutionary analyses.
Required Qualifications: Candidates must have completed (or be within a year of completing) a B.S. degree in biology, mechanical engineering, materials science, or related fields. At least one year of experience in leading an independent research project and working with a collaborative team is required.
Preferred Qualifications: Experience in at least one of the following: computer coding (e.g., R, MATLAB, Python, LabView), statistics, live animal experiments, micro-CT scanning and segmentation, and/or mechanical testing.
Applications are due December 1 of each year. PhD students are fully funded for five years with tuition waivers, monthly stipend, and health benefits in the form of Graduate Teaching Assistantships (one to two years) and Graduate Research Assistantships (three years). The Department also offers scholarly travel for conferences, field work, museum travel, etc. More Information about the Ph.D. Biology program can be found at: https://biology.columbian.gwu.edu/phd-biology.
Prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to email the PI (smkawano@gwu.edu) with the following information:
- A summary of your experience(s) with leading an independent research project,
- A copy of your CV, including presentations and publications (pending or otherwise),
- A description of a research project you plan to pursue during your dissertation, and
- A brief explanation of how a PhD degree would contribute towards your short-term and long-term career goals.
