�鶹��Ժ

Thanks for your interest in the Johnson Lab!

We are always interested in finding exceptional and highly motivated students to join our team. The Johnson Laboratory strives to create a safe and inclusive environment to support individuals from all backgrounds. We are committed to learning from each other, and we highly value the perspectives and contributions of our lab members and colleagues. Together, we wish to create an atmosphere that fosters personal growth and success.

�鶹��Ժ in the��lab employ a diverse range of approaches, including laboratory experiments, field research, and modeling, to address broad questions in ecology. Because much of our work is collaborative, students should be able to work effectively in a group dynamic. �鶹��Ժ interested in joining the Johnson Lab for undergraduate, graduate, or postdoctoral research should��contact Dr. Johnson directly��with a letter of interest in PDF format.

Undergraduate research opportunities��in the Johnson Lab are available both during the academic semester and over the summer. Undergraduates interested in summer research should contact Dr. Johnson early in the spring semester to ensure ample time to develop a research plan and secure potential funding. It’s a good idea to explore the lab website, read some recent publications, and identify the types of projects or questions that resonate with you. You should also explore potential funding opportunities such as those provided through CU’s Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP). By contacting our lab early in the spring semester, we can develop a research plan that both fits your long-term research goals and your busy schedule.

Graduate research opportunities��in the EBIO department involve first making contact with a prospective advisor prior to applying (see����������) so make sure you reach out well in advance of submitting an official application (typically in late summer or early fall). We encourage prospective students to read about��CU’s Advantage Program��which supports applicants from traditionally underrepresented and underserved backgrounds.

We are currently seeking an exceptional and highly motivated graduate student��to join the Johnson laboratory ()! We are looking for an independent, self-motivated student who is passionate about pursuing research in aquatic disease ecology and conservation. �鶹��Ժ in the lab can employ a diverse range of approaches, including laboratory experiments, field research, and modeling, to address broad questions in ecology. As a lab we are deeply committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in our field. �鶹��Ժ interested in joining the Johnson Laboratory for Ph.D.-level research are encourage to include all requested questions in a composed letter of interest.

How extreme weather events affect disease and threatened species:

California and the western United States are experiencing increases in the frequency and severity of extreme weather events, including droughts, floods, and heatwaves. Such extreme weather events interact with other stressors – including invasive species and disease – to affect amphibians in ways that may be difficult to predict. Amphibians are the most threatened vertebrate taxon on earth, and DoD installations in California represent essential refugia to many threatened and endangered amphibian species. Resource managers at DoD installations, who are challenged with managing these species in the face of multiple stressors, require knowledge, tools, and approaches to provide cost-effective stewardship of the natural resources and ecosystems on their lands. The objective of this proposal is to advance scientific understanding of, and develop management strategies for, the interacting effects of multiple stressors on threatened amphibian species in California. Our focal stressors are (a) extreme weather events, including heat waves, droughts, and floods, (b) infectious diseases, and (c) introduced species, but we will also obtain information on the effects of other stressors, including livestock grazing and (opportunistically) wildfires.

The graduate��student on this project will spend summers in the Bay Area of California camping at the Blue Oak Ranch Reserve where they will lead a field crew to complete yearly��field sampling of freshwater ponds as well as lead a large mesocosm project that will test mechanisms of drought. The ideal student will have well developed field technical skills, understanding of trematode lifecycles and morphological identificaiton, leadership and organziation skills, and excellent communication skills.

Please include the following in your letter of interest (PDF):

• Curriculum vitae or resume;
• Your general research interests, previous research experience;
• Why you are specifically interested in the work being done in the lab;
• Your contributions to inclusion and diversity;
• Post-graduate career plans.

Send your letter of interest in PDF as an attachment in your introduction email to: Johnsonlab@colorado.edu by��November 1st, 2024. Please use “Prospective Graduate Student” in the subject line.

��

Whether you are interested in undergraduate research (e.g., volunteer to get lab experience, pursue and independent study or honors thesis, etc.) or a graduate degree (e.g., Ph.D.)��
For more information on graduate degrees, check out our��departmental webpage. For undergraduates interested in honors, see here:��/ebio/undergraduate/honors-program.

��

We look forward to hearing from you!

��