The Breuner Lab is recruiting for a PhD position in the Wildlife Biology Program

The Breuner Lab at the University of Montana is recruiting a PhD student to investigate sublethal effects of arsenic contamination on tree swallow physiology and reproductive success in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem starting Fall 2025. This project is part of a large, multi-investigator collaboration between three labs at the University of Montana (the Colman Lab, the UM Bird Ecology Lab, and the Breuner Lab), USFWS, USGS, and MTFWP focused on effects of heavy metal contamination in riparian species across multiple river systems in Montana. This PhD project specifically will focus on glucocorticoid physiology and telomeres as biomarkers of health and longevity across the GYE. This ecosystem provides the opportunity to study one of the primary contaminants resulting from historic mining—arsenic—in isolation, as it occurs naturally in the GYE watershed.

We are looking for a candidate with interests crossing basic and applied approaches, and an interest in conservation outreach.

Required qualifications: bachelor’s degree in organismal biology, wildlife/conservation biology, ecology, or related field. Preferred qualifications: Experience in lab techniques (pipetting, enzyme immunoassays, PCR) and/or field experience with passerines. Experience with R statistical analysis.

Interested candidates can email a CV and statement of interest to Creagh Breuner (creagh.breuner@umontana.edu), and may submit applications through the Wildlife Biology Program here (due Jan 1st).

Contact: creagh.breuner@umontana.edu