Diversity and inclusion are more than just words for us. These are central in guiding how we come together as a research team, cultivate excellence, and go forth into the world to share our discoveries and our love of our work. If this sounds good to you, then please inquire about joining the lab!
It's 2023 and the lab is growing! This is a great time to join our team.
It's 2023 and the lab is growing! This is a great time to join our team.
Postdoctoral researchers
Current Funded Project: We are excited to focus these next several years on the evolutionary interplay of morphology and behavior, specifically the growth and structure of animal weapons and the consequences for male-male competition. Our work is funded by the National Science Foundation.
Sexual selection has resulted in some of the most astonishing traits in the animal kingdom, such as the tusks, horns, and antlers used by males as they compete with rivals for mating opportunities. These and other sexually selected weapons have evolved to function physically in battle. We are examining weapon composition, structure, and use in a fighting insect, the leaf-footed cactus bug, Narnia femorata (Hemiptera: Coreidae). We bring ecology into our work on evolution and behavior, testing the profound effects that natural variation in nutrition can have on both the processes and outcomes of sexual selection.
Postdoctoral Associate #1: The application deadline has passed (May 9th), but we will still consider applications until the position is filled: This postdoctoral position is for someone who thrives in a leadership role and prefers a team approach to science. This position has a substantial leadership component; the Postdoctoral Associate will supervise laboratory activities and be heavily engaged with many projects taking place in the lab, while also having the freedom to conduct complementary projects of their own design. For more information, you can see the position description here. To apply, download a copy of the application document and send it along with your CV, cover letter, and contact information for three references to Dr. Miller, cwmiller@ufl.edu. Please write "Postdoctoral Associate #1" on the subject line. The start date is August 15, 2023, and the salary starts at $50,000 plus benefits. Funding is available for three years. This position is open to international applicants as well as those from the United States. If you are also considering the NSF Postdoctoral Fellowship (see Opportunity #3 below), please communicate that in your application.
Postdoctoral Associate #2, application deadline July 24th: This postdoctoral position will use biomechanical and functional approaches to address how nutrition influences the assembly and use of sexually selected weapons. For more information, the position description is here. To apply, send your CV, cover letter, and contact information for three references to Dr. Miller, cwmiller@ufl.edu. In your cover letter, please clearly explain 1) your expertise and major accomplishments, 2) your interest and/or experience in functional morphology and biomechanics, 3) how your previous research experience is relevant to the topics addressed by this research group, and 4) how you expect your career will benefit from working in the Miller Lab. Please write "Postdoctoral Associate #2" on the subject line. The review of applications will begin on July 24th, 2023 and will continue until the position is filled. The salary starts at $50,000 plus benefits. This position is open to international applicants as well as those from the United States. If you are also considering the NSF Postdoctoral Fellowship (see Opportunity #3 below), please communicate that in your application.
Opportunity #3: Are you interested in a National Science Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship or another outside fellowship? If so, let's chat. I'm especially interested in applicants who would like to work on 1) animal weapon evolution and biomechanics or 2) the influence of ecological factors on the construction of the arthropod cuticle, 3) chemical ecology and sexual selection, 4) nutritional ecology, 5) the evolution of courtship and fighting behaviors across the leaf-footed bugs, 6) the effect of temperature on sexual selection. Send an email to Dr. Miller, cwmiller@ufl.edu, soon so we can prepare for the NSF deadline in November 2023. This position is open to U.S. citizens and permanent residents.
Sexual selection has resulted in some of the most astonishing traits in the animal kingdom, such as the tusks, horns, and antlers used by males as they compete with rivals for mating opportunities. These and other sexually selected weapons have evolved to function physically in battle. We are examining weapon composition, structure, and use in a fighting insect, the leaf-footed cactus bug, Narnia femorata (Hemiptera: Coreidae). We bring ecology into our work on evolution and behavior, testing the profound effects that natural variation in nutrition can have on both the processes and outcomes of sexual selection.
Postdoctoral Associate #1: The application deadline has passed (May 9th), but we will still consider applications until the position is filled: This postdoctoral position is for someone who thrives in a leadership role and prefers a team approach to science. This position has a substantial leadership component; the Postdoctoral Associate will supervise laboratory activities and be heavily engaged with many projects taking place in the lab, while also having the freedom to conduct complementary projects of their own design. For more information, you can see the position description here. To apply, download a copy of the application document and send it along with your CV, cover letter, and contact information for three references to Dr. Miller, cwmiller@ufl.edu. Please write "Postdoctoral Associate #1" on the subject line. The start date is August 15, 2023, and the salary starts at $50,000 plus benefits. Funding is available for three years. This position is open to international applicants as well as those from the United States. If you are also considering the NSF Postdoctoral Fellowship (see Opportunity #3 below), please communicate that in your application.
Postdoctoral Associate #2, application deadline July 24th: This postdoctoral position will use biomechanical and functional approaches to address how nutrition influences the assembly and use of sexually selected weapons. For more information, the position description is here. To apply, send your CV, cover letter, and contact information for three references to Dr. Miller, cwmiller@ufl.edu. In your cover letter, please clearly explain 1) your expertise and major accomplishments, 2) your interest and/or experience in functional morphology and biomechanics, 3) how your previous research experience is relevant to the topics addressed by this research group, and 4) how you expect your career will benefit from working in the Miller Lab. Please write "Postdoctoral Associate #2" on the subject line. The review of applications will begin on July 24th, 2023 and will continue until the position is filled. The salary starts at $50,000 plus benefits. This position is open to international applicants as well as those from the United States. If you are also considering the NSF Postdoctoral Fellowship (see Opportunity #3 below), please communicate that in your application.
Opportunity #3: Are you interested in a National Science Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship or another outside fellowship? If so, let's chat. I'm especially interested in applicants who would like to work on 1) animal weapon evolution and biomechanics or 2) the influence of ecological factors on the construction of the arthropod cuticle, 3) chemical ecology and sexual selection, 4) nutritional ecology, 5) the evolution of courtship and fighting behaviors across the leaf-footed bugs, 6) the effect of temperature on sexual selection. Send an email to Dr. Miller, cwmiller@ufl.edu, soon so we can prepare for the NSF deadline in November 2023. This position is open to U.S. citizens and permanent residents.
Prospective graduate students
I am looking for students with substantial research experience and strong motivation to do great science. You do NOT need previous experience with insects, instead I'm looking for researchers with a solid understanding of evolutionary biology, ecology, and/or animal behavior. The next positions available are specifically to work at the interface of ecology, evolution, biomechanics, and behavior under a grant from the National Science Foundation. We aim to understand the role of nutrition on the construction of a sexually selected weapon and the consequences for fighting behavior. If you would like to be considered, send an email to Dr. Christine Miller, cwmiller@ufl.edu, no later than October 1st, 2023. In this email, please include 1) a description of the kinds of research questions that motivate you, 2) how your previous work inspires your current interests and ties to work in this lab, 3) a brief overview of any publications, presentations, and your academic experiences, 4) a CV, 5) an unofficial transcript, and 5) why you feel you are ready for graduate school. I sort through applications and hold interviews before students apply to the UF Graduate Program (to save students time and money). View my mentor/mentee compact to understand expectations before joining the program. Graduate positions are open to international students and those from the USA.
Graduate student funding: All accepted graduate students receive UF tuition, a stipend, and health benefits. Funding for graduate students comes from grants to the lab, fellowships and assistantships from the University of Florida, and outside sources such as the NSF GRFP. Have you heard of the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program? The NSF GRFP recognizes and supports outstanding graduate students in NSF-supported STEM disciplines who are pursuing research-based master’s and doctoral degrees at accredited US institutions. The five-year fellowship includes three years of financial support including an annual stipend of at least $34,000 and a cost of education allowance of $12,000 to the institution. If you are interested in writing a NSF GRFP proposal, contact me by July 1st (the summer before you plan to apply for graduate school; well over a year before starting)! The NSF GRFP is only open to U.S. citizens and permanent residents.
Graduate student funding: All accepted graduate students receive UF tuition, a stipend, and health benefits. Funding for graduate students comes from grants to the lab, fellowships and assistantships from the University of Florida, and outside sources such as the NSF GRFP. Have you heard of the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program? The NSF GRFP recognizes and supports outstanding graduate students in NSF-supported STEM disciplines who are pursuing research-based master’s and doctoral degrees at accredited US institutions. The five-year fellowship includes three years of financial support including an annual stipend of at least $34,000 and a cost of education allowance of $12,000 to the institution. If you are interested in writing a NSF GRFP proposal, contact me by July 1st (the summer before you plan to apply for graduate school; well over a year before starting)! The NSF GRFP is only open to U.S. citizens and permanent residents.
Undergraduate research positions & Post-grad research internships
Are you intrigued by scientific research? Are you considering a career in evolutionary biology, ecology, or animal behavior? If so, this is the lab for you. Your research will matter -- it will advance science, helping to direct research in the lab and beyond. UF students: University of Florida academic credit is available for the first semester, and then many students apply for a stipend, scholarship, or fellowship to continue their research (see more information on the UF Center for Undergraduate Research Website). We have high standards for our interns and our undergraduate researchers, and the sky is the limit in terms of success! This lab is a great place to start your scientific research career! To apply, email Dr. Miller, cwmiller@ufl.edu with your resume (CV), cover letter, and an unofficial transcript.
Post-grad intern applicants: Applications for our 2023-2024 post-grad internship program are due June 1, 2023. These positions start during the fall of 2023, with a duration of 6 to 12 months. They are intended for recent graduates (B.S., B.A. or M.S.) who wish to eventually pursue a Ph.D. in behavioral ecology or evolutionary biology. Please include "Internship Application" in the subject line of your email so that it doesn't get overlooked. These are paid positions available to U.S. Citizens, permanent residents, and international scholars. To apply, email Dr. Miller, cwmiller@ufl.edu with your resume (CV), cover letter, and an unofficial transcript.
Post-grad intern applicants: Applications for our 2023-2024 post-grad internship program are due June 1, 2023. These positions start during the fall of 2023, with a duration of 6 to 12 months. They are intended for recent graduates (B.S., B.A. or M.S.) who wish to eventually pursue a Ph.D. in behavioral ecology or evolutionary biology. Please include "Internship Application" in the subject line of your email so that it doesn't get overlooked. These are paid positions available to U.S. Citizens, permanent residents, and international scholars. To apply, email Dr. Miller, cwmiller@ufl.edu with your resume (CV), cover letter, and an unofficial transcript.
Learn about Ummat's Ph.D. experience!