Graduate Students
Given the recent growth of the lab, I do not anticipate taking a graduate student to begin Fall 2025. I will update this page if anything changes, and anticipate accepting applications the following year (to begin Fall 2026).
If you think your interests are a good fit for the lab based on the descriptions on this website and our recent publications, please contact Tyler with (i) a brief description of your research interests and experience, and (ii) a copy of your CV. We especially seek applicants who embody the broadest possible spectrum of backgrounds and experiences. Students interested in working on topics in plant evolutionary and/or community ecology, savanna ecology, or human impacts on ecosystem structure and function are particularly encouraged to apply; given the number of interested candidates last year, students wishing to work outside these areas are encouraged to look at other faculty at Notre Dame who may be better aligned with their interests!
For general information about applying to the graduate school, please see the Department of Biological Sciences website. Please also note that a number of intra- and extramural funding opportunities exist for students at Notre Dame; applications for graduate school are typically due in early December.
Eligible Ph.D. students are particularly encouraged to pursue external funding through the NSF GRFP program. Currently, NSF accepts applications from students prior to and shortly after they begin their graduate studies. As applications are due in October, please reach out to Tyler several months in advance if you are interested in developing a GRFP proposal together.
If you think your interests are a good fit for the lab based on the descriptions on this website and our recent publications, please contact Tyler with (i) a brief description of your research interests and experience, and (ii) a copy of your CV. We especially seek applicants who embody the broadest possible spectrum of backgrounds and experiences. Students interested in working on topics in plant evolutionary and/or community ecology, savanna ecology, or human impacts on ecosystem structure and function are particularly encouraged to apply; given the number of interested candidates last year, students wishing to work outside these areas are encouraged to look at other faculty at Notre Dame who may be better aligned with their interests!
For general information about applying to the graduate school, please see the Department of Biological Sciences website. Please also note that a number of intra- and extramural funding opportunities exist for students at Notre Dame; applications for graduate school are typically due in early December.
Eligible Ph.D. students are particularly encouraged to pursue external funding through the NSF GRFP program. Currently, NSF accepts applications from students prior to and shortly after they begin their graduate studies. As applications are due in October, please reach out to Tyler several months in advance if you are interested in developing a GRFP proposal together.
Postdoctoral Fellows
We are always interested in hearing from prospective postdoctoral fellows and anticipate advertising a funded position to start in 2024 (details will be published on this page, when available). We also welcome inquiries about collaborations that might be funded through external fellowship programs, such as those available through NSF and other sources. Eligible candidates should consider applying to Notre Dame's ND-ECI Partial Postdoctoral Fellowship and the new Society of Science Fellows program.
Undergraduate Students
Each year we anticipate working with undergraduates in at least two capacities: (i) summer and semester research assistants working directly with current graduate students and/or postdoctoral researchers in the lab, field, and/or greenhouses, and (ii) Honors students working on independent research under the supervision of Dr. Coverdale. We welcome inquiries from interested undergraduate students, who should email a brief description of your research interests and experience (if applicable) and a copy of your CV or transcript.