Postdocs
I do not currently have funding to support a postdoc. However, I am open to discussing opportunities with interested finishing graduate students. Specifically, I could foresee working on a proposal together to support your time in the lab.
Graduate Students
Fall 2025
PhD (2 positions)- Adaptation genomics in bears
The Puckett Lab in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Memphis is recruiting two highly motivated students for PhD in Evolutionary Genomics. The Puckett Lab utilizes population and comparative genomics to understand the evolutionary history of bears with a particular emphasis on translating work for conservation and management decision makers. Both students will contribute to an NSF funded grant to study Arctic adaptation in polar bears. Techniques to be used include comparative transcriptomics and proteomics, pangenome analysis, and population genomics including ancestral recombination graphs.
Required Qualifications: Academic interests in evolution, genetics/genomics, and/or bioinformatics. Candidates should be organized, persistent, a team-player, and have strong writing skills. Availability to begin graduate school in August 2025.
Preferred Qualifications: A Master’s degree, 2 years work experience, or a post-bac. Experience analyzing transcriptomic or proteomic data (but not necessarily both). Experience working within Unix/Linux or a programming language (R, perl, python, etc).
Students will receive five years of stipend support through a combination of Research and Teaching Assistantships and tuition waivers. To learn more about the graduate program and intellectual community within the department, visit: http://www.memphis.edu/biology/
Please email Emily Puckett ([email protected]) with application materials (personal statement including relevant experience and future goals, CV, and contact information for two references) as a single pdf. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until May 28, 2025 for entrance to the program in Fall/August 2025. The successful applicants will then be asked to fill out the formal University of Memphis application.
Spring 2026 or beyond
PhD– Defining conservation units for American black bears in British Columbia
PhD– Comparative transcriptomics of American black bears
PhD– Temporal adaptive genomics and demography of a threatened population of American black bear
PhD– Spatial-temporal population genetics of a lethal allele in American black bears
Students interested in PhD level work in evolutionary and conservation genomics should email me to discuss opportunities ahead of a formal application to the University of Memphis Graduate School and Biology Department. Please describe your research interests and experiences and attach a CV.
Students eligible to submit an NSF GRFP should contact me to discuss.
Please note that I do not support conferral of MS degrees in the process of a PhD. An MS requires a thesis, a PhD a dissertation; an MS in the process of the PhD with me would be a 7+ year process with expectations of publishing a thesis and dissertation.
Undergraduates
Undergraduate opportunities will be available in Fall 2025. If you are interested, please reach out with 1) your name, 2) major and year, 3) information on availability (specifically your time blocked weekly schedule), and 4) a short paragraph on why you are interested in the lab and your career goals.