PhD Assistantship, Human Evolutionary Biology and Health

The Human Evolutionary Biology and Health Lab at Baylor University – directed by Prof. Samuel Urlacher in the Department of Anthropology (https://www.baylor.edu/anthropology/index.php?id=964325) – is seeking applicants for a fully-funded PhD graduate assistantship starting Fall 2020. Applicants will apply to the PhD program in Biology (https://www.baylor.edu/biology/index.php?id=961605) or, potentially, in the Institute for Ecological, Earth, and Environmental Sciences (TIEEES, https://www.baylor.edu/tieees/index.php?id=869832).

Applicants should be interested in engaging in research in our BSL2+ lab (equipped for doubly labeled water stable isotope analysis, ELISA, etc.) as well as in the field. Current field projects are based in Amazonian Ecuador and Papua New Guinea. Applicants wishing to focus on topics relating to childhood evolutionary medicine, the energetics of obesity and epidemiological transition, the developmental origins of health and disease, and the biocultural pathways of stress and inflammation in the developing world are especially encouraged to apply.

Native Spanish or Tok Pisin speakers and those from traditionally underrepresented groups are also highly encouraged to apply. For more information on research being performed in the lab visit https://scholar.harvard.edu/samuel_s_urlacher/research.

The graduate assistantship provides the PhD student with five years of guaranteed financial support. Annual stipends start at $24,000 but can reach up to $32,000 for top applicants. Support also includes full tuition remission, health insurance benefits, and funding opportunities for travel and conferences. In addition to Biology and TIEEES, the successful applicant will join the vibrant and growing community of the Department of Anthropology at Baylor (https://www.baylor.edu/anthropology/).

Interested candidates should contact Prof. Urlacher (samuel_urlacher@baylor.edu) no later than November 15th 2019, providing a basic description of their academic/research background and interest in the position. Final applications are due to the Graduate School by January 1st 2020.