Information for Prospective Students

I am always pleased to hear from prospective students considering graduate study in my lab. I am particularly interested to hear from those wanting to ask fundamental questions at the interface of community and ecosystem ecology. A curious mind, lots of enthusiasm for both the literature and field research, and a strong work ethic are all traits I look for in a graduate student. Contact me by email (jbenstead[at]ua.edu) if you think your research interests might be a good fit to mine (and tell me why!). Please also include a CV, a writing sample, and some information related to your background, which will allow me to judge how competitive you might be for the various opportunities for financial support available in our department. If I am trying to fill a gap in the lab (and this is not always the case), I will follow up your email with a phone call.

I am currently recruiting graduate students for a new project that will explore the effects of warming and drought on stream macroinvertebrate communities. Please get in touch if this work aligns with your interests.

If you would like to know more about the application process itself, please click here.