We aim to recruit at least one new PhD student interested broadly in the relationship between people and nature, to start Fall 2025. If interested, please get in touch directly with Taylor Ricketts.

We are ALWAYS looking to welcome new Post-docs, PhD students, undergraduates, and visitors into our lab.

We welcome people of all backgrounds, personal experiences, values and perspectives, and we strive for an inclusive lab where all feel respected. See our Commitment to Diversity.

Interested in pursuing a PhD in our lab? See Taylor’s message below specifically for you. Interested in a postdoc, undergraduate research, or any other ways to get involved, just email Taylor.

Graduate students are very important…
They are future leaders. They bring new ideas into our group. And they contribute to the vibrant, stimulating environment that makes this job so fun. So I take graduate training and mentoring very seriously.

You can expect me…
To take an active interest in your work and to help secure the resources and opportunities you need to succeed. Resources include funding, space, and field/computer gear. Opportunities include regular chances to get feedback on your ideas, invitations to participate in workshops and speak at meetings, and connections with colleagues who can help with your projects and career. You can also expect me to pay attention to your specific needs and expectations, and adjust my advising accordingly so I can best support you.

I will expect you…
To take ownership of your graduate education and to commit to it full time. Your success is up to you. I expect students to take complete advantage of the the opportunities and resources we provide. Students should plan to publish their work from day one, and I expect you to follow through in doing so. Finally, I expect students to engage actively in the overlapping communities of the Living Landscape Lab and the Gund Institute.

How to proceed
The first step is to make sure your interests intersect with ours, so read about our projects and some publications . Also check out the Gund Institute for Environment, since that's a big part of my life at UVM. Students don't have to work on exactly what I do, but the closer our interests align, the better advisor I'll be (and sometimes funding restricts whom I can support). Next, send me an email, briefly describing your research and conservation interests, the specific kinds of graduate projects that interest you, and your background. Attaching a resume is a good idea too. We'll go from there, but you should plan to visit sometime before deciding - in part so you can assess me, the group, and UVM.

Applying to UVM
To work with me here at UVM you need to apply to the Graduate College to be admitted as a student in the Rubenstein School. This website has all you need to know about that. In your application essay, be sure to describe clearly why you would like to work with me, and whether we've discussed any specific projects.

Funding opportunities
We work hard to secure funding for graduate students to support tuition, stipend, and research costs. Students in our lab are typically supported by a mixture of TA-ships for teaching in the Rubenstein School, RA-ships from active grants, and research fellowships that the student applies for. The strongest students go after these graduate fellowships both before and after they begin. UVM has several competitive fellowships you should investigate, including the Gund Institute PhD Awards and the Food Systems PhD Fellowship.

External funds for PhDs and Postdocs (they constantly change, so some links may be out of date)