PhD position in Plant Paleobiology, University of Michigan

Prof. Selena Smith is looking for a graduate student interested in using the plant fossil record to address questions of plant macroevolution and ecosystem change through time. A PhD students is sought to document and examine drivers of plant diversity and floristic change in the Cretaceous (e.g., Antarctica). This is part of an NSF-funded project in collaboration with Prof. Brian Atkinson at Kansas University aimed at better understanding the role of Antarctica in flowering plant evolution. The student will receive training in specimen preparation and curation, X-ray tomography, morphological phylogenetic analysis, and outreach. A foundation in botany and fieldwork experience is beneficial. We strive to cultivate an inclusive and accessible collaborative team. Interested students are strongly encouraged to contact Selena. Information on the graduate application process in the Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences, University of Michigan can be found here.