The McCullough lab is located in the Department of Biology at Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts. Our department is a close-knit research community that offers degrees to undergraduate students, accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s students, and PhD students.
I am always looking for curious, enthusiastic, and motivated students to join the lab. Research in the McCullough lab explores sexual selection, reproductive evolution, and behavioral ecology in arthropods, with a particular focus on dung beetles.
If you are interested in working with us, please send me an email that includes: 1) a cover letter describing why you are interested in joining the McCullough lab and what research topics you are are most interested in pursuing, 2) your CV, and 3) names and contact information for two references.
Undergraduate students
There are lots of opportunities for undergraduate students to get involved in research in the McCullough lab. Students can receive credit for their work during the academic year (e.g., Biol 299, Directed Study) and are encouraged to apply for funding to continue their work during the summer.
Graduate students
If you are interested in joining, please contact me directly prior to submitting an application to the department.
Student will be encouraged to develop their own thesis/dissertation project related to one of the following themes:
1) Impact of sexual selection on the invasion dynamics of introduced dung beetles
2) Ecology and evolution of native dung beetles
3) Interactions between pre- and post-mating sexual selection in dung beetles
4) Evolution of male seminal fluid in dimorphic dung beetles
Admitted PhD students are guaranteed five years of Graduate Teaching Assistantship from the Department of Biology, which includes a tuition waiver, competitive stipend, and health insurance. I also encourage all eligible students to apply for external funding through the NSF GRFP.
Postdoctoral researchers
I do not have funding for any postdoctoral researchers at this time, but I am happy to help potential postdocs pursue external funding opportunities.