Kellogg Experimental Forest near Kellogg Biological Station
The Evans Lab is committed to creating a diverse and safe environment that supports individuals regardless of cultural background, race, orientation, or ethnicity. See our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion page
UPDATES Postdoc position opening: postdoc opening in the Evans Lab in soil microbial ecology, using the LTER or GLBRC. See the full position description and submit applications at careers.msu.edu (search Job# 920551) by Jan 31, 2024.
Not accepting grad students:I am not accepting grad students for the 2024-2025 year. For other faculty working in similar areas at MSU, check out Greg Bonito, Lisa Tiemann, or Sarah Lebeis (PSM dept) or for more plant-focused, Lars Brudvig or Kadeem Gilbert (PLB dept).
Postdocs Beyond the specific positions, I am always looks for talented postdocs interested in seeking their own funding, and/or from underrepresented groups. Consider applying for an NSF Postdoc fellowship in Biology, the USDA NIFA Postdoctoral Fellowship, or the MSU EEB Postdoc Fellowship! I have many projects that could be leveraged to make for competitive postdoc fellowships, including anything at the LTER or GLBRC. The LTER Rainout Shelter experiment is especially well-poised to be leveraged by an external postdoc or grad student grant!
Graduate students For years I am accepting grads, here is information:
The deadline for admissions to enroll for graduate school at MSU is around December 15. I am open to accepting graduate students in 2025, so please contact me *well-before* the application deadline (see How to contact an advisor).
Students who wish to join my lab should have an interest in microbial ecology, and an interest in solving environmental problems. This website should give you a good general idea of what we do, but we are always developing new projects, and are open to exploring new areas that you are interested in, within our general themes. A thorough background in ecology or microbiology, or experience with data analysis, lab work, or field work, will come in handy, but is not required to join the lab. You should, however, have enough experience to know that you are passionate about science and ecology, and have a general willingness to learn and take on new challenges. A PhD generally takes 5-6 years to complete, and a masters 2-3 years. Much of this time is dedicated to independent work which demands a great deal of self-motivation and rigor. As an advisor, I will help you develop the intellectual and technical skills you need to be an outstanding scientist, and prepare you for whatever you aim to do with your degree.
Details for applying: I am in the degree-granting program of Ecology, Evolutionary Biology, and Behavior (EEBB), but you will apply to a department graduate program. I am in the Department of Zoology, and also will be an affiliate of Microbiology. Students should apply to one of these programs, which differ a bit in class/program requirements and teaching opportunities. You can join the EEBB program later on if you wish. Graduate students are generally funded by a combination of research assistantships (grants), teaching assistantships, university fellowships, and national fellowships.
Location: I am based at MSU’s Kellogg Biological Station, located in Hickory Corners, about 60 miles from the main campus in East Lansing. Most graduate students spend their first year or two on MSU campus while they take classes, and live at KBS after that and during the summer. KBS is more like a campus than a field station, with 13 full-time faculty, and many more postdocs, graduate students, staff, and other researchers. Adjacent to a large lake and nestled in Michigan forest, KBS has top-notch laboratories, acres of field sites, and many talented faculty from diverse areas of ecology and evolution.
If you are interested in joining the lab, please contact me. **It is generally best to contact a graduate advisor before you apply to a program.** See this document for how to write an email to a potential advisor! Attach a CV or resume. Also include a brief statement about your interests and why you want to join the Evans Lab. Take a stab at describing examples of your interests or background and how it aligns with specific publications, themes, or projects in my lab (i.e. beyond just 'microbial ecology and ecosystem stress').
Undergraduates KBS is a great place to spend a summer getting research experience as an undergraduate! There are opportunities for MSU students as well as students from other universities. Working at a field station can be a great way to see what field biology is like, and a lot of fun! And in my lab, you can get laboratory and molecular experience as well.
Check out the KBS Undergraduate Programs for opportunities. Plan early- REU and URA applications for summer research are due around February. Email me if you are interested in my lab specifically so we can look out for your application.
Lab and field technicians We often have openings for technicians (part-time and full-time) that perform laboratory analyses and help with field work. We value technicians and take technician professional development seriously, but open positions come and go. Contact me if you are interested (include CV and timeline).