Bird Physiology PhD Position at SUNY ESF

The Downs, Briggs, and Arsenault labs in the Environmental Biology Department at the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) in Syracuse, NY, are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic PhD student to work on a Tree Swallow nest box colony in New York’s Adirondack Mountains. The study aims to examine trade-offs between diet quality, physiology (particularly immunology), and reproduction.

The student will have flexibility to develop their own questions.

• BS in Biology, wildlife, or related field
• Ability to work safely and independently in a field setting
• Ability to cope with typical Adirondack field conditions (e.g., black flies, variable weather, kayaking and hiking to nest boxes, black flies)

• Previous experience with bird banding and/or nest box monitoring
• Experience with R and statistical modelling
• Previous experience with publishing

The successful applicant will receive a 9-month TA stipend, tuition waiver, and health insurance in addition to summer funding. Matriculation into the graduate program will begin in August 2026, and funding is available for a prospective student to be hired to work at the field site in summer 2026 (dates are flexible).

Review of applications will begin immediately, and the selected candidate will be invited to apply through the official ESF admission process.

To apply, email a letter of interest, CV/resume, unofficial transcripts, and contact information for three references to Dr. Cynthia Downs: cjdowns. If accepted, the candidate will need to apply to the graduate school at ESF, which will require GRE scores.