Natural Resources Job Board

PhD/MS student: Impacts of ranch management on insect pollinators

University of North Texas (State)

Details
Application Deadline:
09/30/2026
Published:
07/21/2026
Starting Date:
after 6/1/2027
Hours per Week:
at least 20
Salary:
$26,400 to $28,320 per year
Education Required:
Bachelors
Experience Required:
at least 1 year
Location:
University of North Texas (Denton, Texas)
Tags:
Graduate Opportunities
Description
A funded PhD/MS position is available in the Lichtenberg Lab starting summer or fall 2027. This position is part of a USDA-funded project investigating how ranch management impacts pollinator, plant, and soil microbe biodiversity both directly and through habitat modification. The selected student will focus on the pollinator component. Research activities will include fieldwork at local North Texas ranches, insect identification, and analyzing a multi-year dataset from the ranches. Funding includes semester and summer salary, a tuition scholarship, and health insurance for PhD students or a Health Assistance Scholarship for MS students. The Lichtenberg Lab combines community and behavioral ecology to study plant-animal interactions, pollinator foraging and insect biodiversity. We are particularly interested in how land use change and land management practices affect these phenomena. The lab is committed to providing an inclusive and supportive environment to trainees from diverse backgrounds. More details at https://cos.unt.edu/biology/lichtenberg-lab/index.html.
 
Application: Please contact Dr. Elinor Lichtenberg (elichten@unt.edu) before applying. Send your CV, information on relevant experiences, the degree and kinds of questions you are interested in, and unofficial transcripts.
 
The University of North Texas is a R1 university located in Denton, near Dallas and Fort Worth. We are a Minority Serving Institution, a Hispanic Serving Institution and a Bee Campus. Department of Biological Sciences researchers study diverse topics, including conservation, sustainable production of plant-based materials, environmental education, remote sensing and neuroscience. The Lichtenberg Lab participates in the Advanced Environmental Research Institute, an interdisciplinary group that seeks to find solutions to pressing environmental issues. Denton is a vibrant college town known for its live music, and was ranked No. 1 Best Small Town in America. North Texas offers many opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, swimming, bird watching, wildflower viewing and horseback riding. Dallas and Fort Worth provide additional attractions, including museums, theater, restaurants and pro sports.
Contact
Elinor Lichtenberg
elichten@unt.edu (preferred contact method)