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
Spring 2026 or beyond
PhD- Adaptation genomics in bears
The Puckett Lab in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Memphis is recruiting a highly motivated student for a 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. The student will contribute to an NSF funded grant to study Arctic adaptation in polar bears, specifically focusing on pangenome analysis and population genomics.
Required Qualifications: Academic interests in evolution, genetics/genomics, and/or bioinformatics. Candidates should be organized, persistent, a team-player, and have strong communication skills.
Preferred Qualifications: A Master’s degree, 2 years work experience, or a post-bac. 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. The successful applicants will then be asked to fill out the formal University of Memphis application.
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.