PALMQUIST LAB
Plant Ecology at Marshall University
MS Position - Drivers of Dryland Plant Community Change
The Palmquist Lab at Marshall University is recruiting for an NSF funded MS position focused on evaluating the impacts of multiple global change drivers on dryland plant communities. Our research focuses on quantifying vegetation dynamics over space and time and identifying how the relative importance of ecological processes structuring plant communities changes with spatial and temporal scale. In addition, a key goal of our research is to understand how pattern and process in plant communities will be altered in the face of global environmental change. An important motivation for our work is to address ecological questions at large spatial scales to inform landscape conservation. We collect field data, use existing large observational data sets, and implement simulation modeling to address these goals in temperate shrublands, wetlands, woodlands, and forests. Additional information about the lab can be found at http://www.kylepalmquist.org/.
RESEARCH FOCUS: The successful candidate will broadly explore the interacting effects of climate change, wildfire, and livestock grazing intensity on big sagebrush plant communities throughout their spatial extent in the western US. These water-limited ecosystems are undergoing rapid environmental change due to multiple stressors (climate change, increases in wildfire activity, species invasions) and represent some of the most threatened systems in North America. This project is supported by a five-year NSF grant and will leverage an individual-based plant simulation model to quantify the impacts of multiple global change drivers on big sagebrush plant communities under future conditions. Potential focal projects the MS student would lead include: the role of competition in altering plant functional type responses to global change drivers and the implications for shrub-grass coexistence or leveraging livestock grazing as a tool to prevent the spread of invasive species and decrease wildfire risk under a future climate. This project will provide collaborative opportunities with ecologists at Yale University, and with scientists and managers from multiple federal agencies (BLM, USGS, USFWS, USFS, USDA ARS).
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: A background and relevant course work in ecology and statistics, knowledge and experience in sagebrush ecosystems of the western U.S., strong communication skills, and strong quantitative skills. Experience in ecological modeling and computer programming is highly desirable. An interest in learning modeling is required.
EXPECTATIONS: The successful candidate will be expected to conduct high-quality research, serve as a teaching assistant within the Department of Biological Sciences for one year, present their research to the scientific community at regional and national meetings, and publish in peer-reviewed scientific journals.
TIMELINE: The position is available starting August 2027.
FUNDING: Funding will consist of a combination of research and teaching assistantships for two years (one year teaching assistantship, one year research assistantship). A 12-month stipend ($24,000), and full tuition waiver will be provided. The student is responsible for covering University fees and health insurance.
HOW TO APPLY: Interested students should apply by submitting the following to Dr. Kyle Palmquist (palmquist@marshall.edu): 1) short statement of research interests and career goals (no longer than 1 page), 2) CV, 3) unofficial transcripts, and 4) contact information for three professional references. Please include: “MS position - dryland plant communities” and your name in the email subject.
DEADLINE TO APPLY: No later than November 2, 2026.
Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until a candidate is selected. I will contact you to discuss your research interests and goals for graduate school if I determine you would be a good fit for the lab. If selected, a full application must be submitted to the Department of Biological Sciences at Marshall University, Huntington, WV. Faculty in the Department of Biological Sciences have expertise in a variety of biological fields, including but not limited to ecology, evolution, organismal biology, and physiology. More information about the Department and its programs can be found here: https://www.marshall.edu/biology/. Application requirements for admission to the DBS graduate program can be found here: https://www.marshall.edu/biology/admission/.
MS Position - Plant Community Dynamics in Coastal Ecosystems
The Palmquist Lab at Marshall University is recruiting for a funded MS position at Marshall University in vegetation dynamics and plant community change in coastal ecosystems. Our research focuses on quantifying vegetation dynamics over space and time and identifying how the relative importance of ecological processes structuring plant communities changes with spatial and temporal scale. In addition, a key goal of our research is to understand how pattern and process in plant communities will be altered in the face of global environmental change. An important motivation for our work is to address ecological questions at large spatial scales to inform landscape conservation. We collect field data, use existing large observational data sets, and implement simulation modeling to address these goals in temperate shrublands, wetlands, woodlands, and forests. Additional information about the lab can be found at http://www.kylepalmquist.org/.
RESEARCH FOCUS: The successful candidate will explore plant community patterns and short-term vegetation change and dynamics in coastal ecosystems on Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island (MCRDPI), a sea-island in South Carolina. Coastal vegetation provides important ecosystem services, including storm protection, erosion control, and habitat for wildlife. These complex, highly zoned plant communities are structured by multiple environmental factors including salinity, elevation, soil texture, soil moisture, exposure, and light availability. The project will leverage an existing network of 57 permanent vegetation plots located throughout the island that were installed and sampled in 2022. The successful candidate will re-sample these plots in summer 2027 to evaluate plant community change. In addition, there is a rich plant community data set from 2022 that has yet to be fully explored. Finally, the student will be able to leverage and potentially improve existing vegetation maps of the island that were created from an integration of remotely sensed products and field validation points.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: A background and relevant course work in plant ecology, knowledge and experience with the vegetation of the southeastern US, strong communication skills, and strong quantitative skills. Experience with plant community analysis and an interest in questions that evaluate plant community patterns over space and time.
EXPECTATIONS: The successful candidate will be expected to conduct high-quality research, serve as a teaching assistant within the Department of Biological Sciences, present their research to the scientific community at regional and national meetings, and publish in peer-reviewed scientific journals.
TIMELINE: The preferred start date is January 2027. The student must start no later than May 2027.
FUNDING: Funding will be provided by teaching assistantships for two years, along with supplemental pay to conduct research during the academic year and summer. The 12-month pay for this position is $24,000 and a full tuition waiver will be provided. The student is responsible for covering University fees and health insurance.
HOW TO APPLY: Interested students should apply by submitting the following to Dr. Kyle Palmquist (palmquist@marshall.edu): 1) short statement of research interests and career goals (no longer than 1 page), 2) CV, 3) unofficial transcripts, and 4) contact information for three professional references. Please include: “MS position – coastal vegetation” and your name in the email subject.
DEADLINE TO APPLY: No later than October 16, 2026.
Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until a candidate is selected. I will contact you to discuss your research interests and goals for graduate school if I determine you would be a good fit for the lab. If selected, a full application must be submitted to the Department of Biological Sciences at Marshall University, Huntington, WV. Faculty in the Department of Biological Sciences have expertise in a variety of biological fields, including but not limited to ecology, evolution, herpetology, and physiology. More information about the Department and its programs can be found here: https://www.marshall.edu/biology/. Application requirements for admission to the DBS graduate program can be found here: https://www.marshall.edu/biology/admission/.