The Slade Lab research program involves a mix of the lab and the field. Graduate students in my lab should have a balanced experience between fieldwork and lab work and take advantage of opportunities to increase their skill sets. I expect prospective students to be enthusiastic about fieldwork and learning molecular skills such as DNA extraction, PCR, gel electrophoresis, Sanger sequencing, high-throughput sequencing, and analytical skills such as bioinformatics, phylogenetics, and statistics.

Fresno State is a minority-serving institution (MSI) and designated as an official Hispanic-serving institution (HSI), and an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-serving institution (AANAPISI).

Applicants should* have the following:

-Valid driver’s license
-Access to vehicle
-California resident (optional)+
-3.0 GPA or equivalent
-Proficient communication skills (written and oral) in English
-Proficiency in data organization, such as using Microsoft Excel
-Willing to work odd hours during the field season (early mornings, weekends, etc.)
-Academic interest in some of these topics: ecology (wildlife, urban, disease), evolution (population genetics and molecular evolution), microbiology, avian hematology, and ecoimmunology

*Applicants missing some of the above are still encouraged to apply
+Although I request non-resident tuition waivers, non-resident students are never guaranteed these waivers, and must be prepared to risk paying non-resident tuition costs. More details can be found at: https://catalog.fresnostate.edu/content.php?catoid=3&navoid=80

It is beneficial, but not required, for applicants to have the following:

-Experience banding and bleeding birds
-Microscopy skills in avian hematology
-Experience in a molecular biology lab
-Experience in microbiology and working in a BSL-2 environment
-Experience in bioinformatics and statistical computing in the R environment

Funding: The successful applicant must apply to be a teaching assistant through the Department of Biology at Fresno State to help receive finances during the academic year. All full-time domestic Fresno State teaching assistants receive tuition reimbursement. Tuition is not completely reimbursed for full-time non-resident teaching assistants (see above regarding non-resident students), but Fresno State does have non-resident tuition waivers, which I request for my lab. The MS student will receive full-time employment of their two-year MS degree (students will receive at least $16.00 per hour (negotiable), 40 hours per week, for 12 weeks).

Environment: The Slade Lab’s mission is to provide a welcoming, diverse, and equitable work environment, as it is a safe space for people from historically underserved groups and the LGBTQIA+ community. STEM students from historically underrepresented communities are strongly encouraged to apply.

Prospective graduate students should email Dr. Joel Slade (he/him/his) (joelslade@csufresno.edu) a single PDF containing the following:
-CV
-Cover letter with a statement of interest
-Diversity, equity, and inclusion statement
-Unofficial undergraduate transcripts
-Contact information for two academic references

Do not hesitate to email Dr. Slade if you have any questions.