The Center for Conservation and Research of Endangered Wildlife (CREW) at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden in collaboration with the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Cincinnati is offering a unique opportunity for a qualified, energetic Master’s student with a strong interest in plant conservation and molecular biology. The student will be part of a project supported by a Federal grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services involving the genetic evaluation of samples taken from six species of endangered oaks before and after initiation into in vitro culture. The specific focus for the student will be to analyze and compare these samples using genetic markers to look for any changes during this process.

The student will work under the direction of Dr. Theresa Culley, from the Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, in collaboration with Dr. Megan Philpott and Dr. Valerie Pence at CREW, at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden. The University and Zoo are within a mile of each other.

Candidates for this position should have a B.S. degree with a strong background in plant genetic analysis and molecular techniques, as well as in statistical analysis. A strong interest in plant conservation is also required.

The position provides an annual stipend of $23,000 in addition to a graduate scholarship which covers most tuition costs. The position will start in the fall of 2023, but a start date of early summer, 2023, is also possible.

To apply for this position, go online: http://grad.uc.edu/admissions.html. More information on the application process for the UC Biological Sciences program is at: http://www.artsci.uc.edu/collegedepts/biology/grad/application_info.aspx. Review of applications will begin on Dec 1, 2022, and will continue until a suitable candidate is found.

For further information on the project, contact Dr. Theresa Culley, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, 614 Rieveschl Hall, Cincinnati, OH 45221-0006, theresa.culley@uc.edu.; or Dr. Megan Philpott, Center for Conservation and Research of Endangered Wildlife, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, 3400 Vine Street, Cincinnati, OH, 45220: megan.philpott@cincinnatizoo.org.