Dr. Zhang's Lab
The Zhang lab focuses on understanding and predicting how global changes and anthropogenic disturbances affect ecological dynamics at regional and global scales via scaling up individual behaviors (e.g., dispersal, resource competition) and interactions between organisms and environments. We use an interdisciplinary approach integrating field observation/experiment and computational modeling to address fundamental and applied ecological questions across a range of spatial and temporal scales.
Some of our current projects investigate:
- How do climate and anthropogenic factors drive species distribution shifts? Relavant publications: Zhang et al. Environ. Res. Lett. 2019; Zhang et al. Ecol. Appl, 2021.
- How to incorporate movement into modeling to project ecological dynamics at continental scale? Relavant publications: Zhang et al. Ecol. Lett. 2017; Zhang et al. Trends Ecol. Evol. 2021; Zhang et al. Ecol Lett. 2021.
- How to scale up individual stress responses to continental range suitability? Relavant publications: Zhang et al. Am. Nat. 2020; Zhang et al. Ecology, 2021.
Funding Sources
Join Our Lab
I am recruiting a postodc (start in Fall 2022), and both M.S. and Ph.D. students (start
in Spring/Fall 2023). Please see below for more information.
Interested in joining us? Please email me.
2-year postdoc position, start Fall 2023
The Zhang Lab in the Department of Integrative Biology at Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, is keen to recruit a postdoctoral associate to work on an NSF funded project. Our project aims to develop mechanistic models for seasonal avian migration to understand if migrating animals can adjust their migration routes and schedules to track key resources even as the phenology of these resources shifts with climate change. We look for a candidate with experience and research interest in analyzing large dataset (such as using machine learning-based algorithms) and building mechanistic models (such as agent-based model).
Tasks
The primary responsibility of the successful candidate is to:
- Leverage remote sensing data on spring green-up across the Western Hemisphere with population level migration data for bird species from eBird database, for parameter estimation and model result comparison.
- Develop agent-based models to predict of how migratory animals determine their routes and timing in response to environmental cues, and how those can be affected by climate change.
Qualifications
Applicants should hold a Ph.D. in quantitative biology or theoretical ecology or similar field, particularly with research experience on analyzing large-scale datasets. The candidate should be capable of working independently and collaboratively, has excellent writing skills and a demonstrated desire and ability to publish in peer-reviewed journals.
Time Frame
Initial appointment will be for one year, with possibility to extend to two years based on performance. Start date is flexible (preferred to start in Fall 2023), and the position is available immediately. The selected candidate will need to meet all hiring requirements, including a background check, prior to the start date. The workplace will be in Stillwater, OK.
Salary/Benefit
Salary ($50K per year) and benefits are available for 12 months. Some travel funds will be available attend professional conferences.
Applications
Submit a letter of application describing your background and experiences as they relate to this position, a CV/resume, and contact information for three professional references to Prof. Bo Zhang. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.
Graduate Student Position, Can Start in Both Spring and Fall semesters
The Zhang Lab in the Department of Integrative Biology at Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, is keen to recruit two bright and highly motivated graduate students (one M.S. and one Ph.D.) to join our lab for Spring/Fall 2023. Our lab is interested in understanding and predicting how global changes and anthropogenic disturbances affect ecological dynamics at regional and global scales via scaling up individual behaviors and interactions between organisms and environments.
We are particularly interested in identifying optimal movement strategies in heterogeneous environments, characterizing the roles of stressor spatial distribution and stress avoidance on selecting an optimal movement strategy, and understanding how temporally fluctuating environments determine evolution of movement strategy. We use laboratory system of nematode Caenorhabditis elegans to perform competition experiments and develop new mathematical theory based on empirical data. Students will also be encouraged to develop their projects under the lab’s general interest.
Salary/Benefit
Graduate students are supported by teaching assistantships, research assistantships, or fellowships. Graduate teaching assistantship are readily available, and the nine-month stipend is $19,944 (for M.S. students) and $23,175 (for Ph.D. students).
Qualifications
Applicants should have:
- A B.S. in biology, ecology, or a related field;
- An undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher. Desired qualifications include:
- Laboratory experience such as:
- pipetting
- weighing
- making chemical solutions
- Laboratory experience such as:
- Willingness to learn computer programming skills.
Applications
Applicants must create a single PDF with the name containing the first and last name of applicant. Email the PDF to Dr. Bo Zhang before November 10, 2022. The PDF must contain:
- A brief research interest;
- Curriculum Vitae or resumé;
- Names and contact information for three professional references.
We no longer require GRE scores.