Opportunities

Here is some information about research in my lab, general expectations, the department and graduate studies at Columbia

Open Opportunities

The Uriarte lab at Columbia University in Bew York is seeking a doctoral student to work on questions related to tropical forest recovery after Hurricane Maria in the island of Puerto Rico. Within this general area, the topic of research is flexible. A master’s degree and strong quantitative skills are desirable. Interested parties should contact Dr. María Uriarte at mu2126@columbia.edu. Please include your CV and a brief statement about your interests. Details about applying to graduate school at Columbia are available at https://gsas.columbia.edu/prospective-students.

Interests

I am interested in advising graduate students whose research interests overlap with my own, especially those who seek to learn and apply quantitative approaches. While I welcome students who want to contribute to the lab’s ongoing projects and/or conduct research on the systems I currently study, I am also open to inquiries from students that want to pursue more independent projects linked to my interests and expertise. I have a strong commitment to promoting diversity in academia and especially welcome inquiries from students from underrepresented groups.

General expectations

I expect students to develop their own questions and thesis projects under my guidance. Choosing a question and assessing its feasibility for a PhD project are crucial parts of your education. My role as an advisor is to guide trough the intellectual journey you undertake by placing your work in a bigger context. Your job is to work hard and keep the lines of communication open.

I expect graduate students to participate in activities such as the departmental seminar series and lab meetings. I also encourage students to develop collaborations and side projects with other faculty and students with whom they share research interests.

Department & Funding

The department provides 4-5 years of guaranteed funding for Ph.D. students accepted into the program. You will be responsible for securing funding for any additional years. Even if you can successfully complete the program in 4-5 years, it is in your best interest to apply for grants since this will give more flexibility with your schedule, teach you the art of grant-writing, and enhance your CV to make you a stronger candidate for jobs after you’ve graduated.

Detailed information about the department is available at the E3B website. You may also want to check out the E3B Graduate Student Association page to learn more about departmental life.

Application

If you are interested in working with me:

1.  Send me an email that contains a detailed description of your research interests (e.g., research questions and possible systems), as well as a synopsis of your educational background and previous research experiences. If you have a CV prepared or any publications, please send them along as well. This information will help me asses my suitability as a potential advisor for you and your fit in the lab;

2.  If we both agree that we are a good match, check out Columbia application procedures at http://www.columbia.edu/cu/gsas/ps/main/pages/wel/index.html

3.  If you have any questions about the application process, please contact our department administrator.