IL — Illinois State University is now accepting applications for fully funded PhD and MSc positions in Evolutionary Ecology, with flexible start dates in Spring, Summer, or Fall 2026. The positions are housed in the Goldar Lab within ISU’s School of Biological Sciences and are designed for research focused on plant-insect interactions, chemical ecology, and climate-related ecological responses.
Research Focus Areas and Objectives
According to the official university announcement, the program emphasizes the evolutionary dynamics of plant defense mechanisms, examining how factors like environmental gradients, climate change, and global stressors shape interactions between plants and insects.
Students will have the opportunity to engage in both lab and field experiments, including greenhouse-based studies. Projects will involve tracking how interactions vary across ecosystems and how these dynamics affect the performance of plants and herbivores under multiple environmental pressures.
Key scientific frameworks referenced in the research include:
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Plant Defense Theory (Feeny 1976; Coley et al. 1985)
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Resource-based interaction shifts (McKey 1979; Rhoades 1979)
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Recent models of global stressor response (Hamann et al. 2021; Zandalinas & Mittler 2022)
Application Requirements
Prospective students should hold a degree in any field of biology and demonstrate a strong interest in evolutionary ecology. Proficiency in English and prior experience with insect/plant ecology, chemical ecology, genomics, or biostatistics is considered an advantage.
Applicants must send a single PDF file that includes:
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A brief statement of research interests and career goals
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A CV or résumé
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A writing sample (publication, manuscript draft, or thesis)
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Contact details for up to three references
Deadline to apply: June 30, 2025
Contact: xlopezg@ilstu.edu
What ISU Offers
The School of Biological Sciences at ISU provides access to molecular and ecological tools, greenhouse facilities, and field plots for experimental plant cultivation. The university offers several research and teaching assistantships and fosters interdisciplinary collaboration across neuroethology, conservation biology, microbiology, and more.
Located in Normal, Illinois, the campus is within driving distance of multiple research sites and offers high quality of life with access to outdoor activities and nearby urban hubs.
Are you a biology or ecology graduate looking to advance your research career with full funding? Tell us what field excites you most in the world of evolutionary science — comment below or share with someone who may benefit from this opportunity on ChicagoSuburbanFamily.com.
