Office of Postdoctoral Affairs
The application period for the 2024 - 2026 John J. and Katherine C. Ewel Postdoctoral Fellowship Program in Ecology and Environmental Science in the Tropics and Subtropics is now open! Apply by Sunday, January 7, 2024 by 11:59 p.m. EST (Eastern Standard Time).
Click here to apply!Cindy Cosset, Ph.D., works at the intersection of community ecology, movement ecology and landscape ecology to investigate how species move and persist across landscapes. Dr. Cosset’s research aims to understand how species’ ecological traits can be used to inform landscape connectivity models to guide reforestation initiatives in tropical forests. As a Ewel Postdoctoral Fellow, Dr. Cosset is mentored by UF IFAS faculty, Dr. Brett Scheffers, Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation.
Anya Brown, Ph.D., combines community ecology, microbial ecology and evolutionary ecology to ask questions about species interactions. Dr. Brown's research aims to understand how host-microbial systems respond to stress to inform conservation decisions. While a Ewel Postdoctoral Fellow, Dr. Brown was mentored by UF IFAS faculty, Drs. Julie Meyer, Soil and Water Science Department and Thomas Frazer, School of Natural Resources and the Environment. Learn more about Dr. Brown's research.
Ariana Corales, Ph.D., studies the ecology and evolution of ectomycorrhizal communities associated to tropical tree species and how ectomycorrhizal associations influence ecosystem functioning in tropical forests. While a Ewel Postdoctoral Fellow, Dr. Corales was mentored by UF IFAS faculty, Dr. Matthew Smith, Department of Plant Pathology. Learn more about Dr. Corales' research.
The John J. and Katherine C. Ewel Postdoctoral Fellowship Program in Ecology and Environmental Science in the Tropics and Subtropics will enable a recent doctoral recipient to study tropical or subtropical ecology and environmental sciences at the University of Florida (UF). The Fellow will conduct research for two years with a UF faculty member in any department, in any subdiscipline of ecology or environmental science. The fellowship is intended to advance science and enrich the scope and depth of research credentials of both the Fellow and the faculty mentor. A successful application will be based on a partnership between the applicant and the mentor that builds on the strengths of both. Evidence of joint development of the research proposal is key.
The fellowship will provide an annual stipend of $60,000 plus an annual allowance of $20,000 for health insurance, research support, professional development, and travel.
Potential candidates should start now to identify and establish a relationship with a UF faculty member to host their research. The UF faculty member will be a mentor to the Fellow and will provide office space, lab space if required, basic administrative support, and any additional research support needed to meet the objectives of the proposal. The mentor will work with the candidate to develop a postdoctoral mentoring plan in alignment with UF’s policies on postdoctoral mentoring. Potential candidates should search appropriate departments and interdisciplinary units such as Centers and Institutes to identify a faculty member with whom they wish to work. The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs cannot help with finding mentors.
Applicants for the 2024 Ewel Fellowship should have earned their PhD no earlier than January 2022.
Applicants with a doctorate or equivalent in any field are eligible, provided they propose research related to tropical or subtropical ecology and the environment.
Applicants must secure a commitment letter from one or more UF faculty to serve as mentor(s). The UF sponsor’s expertise should provide a significant opportunity to broaden the applicant’s research expertise.
The University of Florida is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer. Individuals from groups historically underrepresented in science are encouraged to apply.
Citizens of any country may apply.
Only individuals may apply.
Candidates must be proficient in English (writing and speaking).
The successful candidate should be prepared to commit to work at UF for the full two years. The fellowship requires residency at UF for at least half of the fellowship period, i.e., 12 months, not necessarily continuously.
UF PhD graduates are not eligible.
Current UF postdocs are not eligible.
A complete postdoctoral fellowship application consists of a completed Ewel Fellowship Application with all required documents submitted as a single document. The external letter of support may be submitted separately and emailed directly to UF-EwelPostdoc@ufl.edu or as part of the application by the applicant.
Guidance on Your Proposal
The project description is your research and training plan; it covers the research you will do and the training you will receive during your fellowship. Include a brief introduction, a statement of your research objectives, methods, significance and potential impact of your research, a timeline/work plan for the two-year fellowship period, your training objectives, an explanation of how the fellowship activities will enhance your career, and a justification for the selection of your UF mentor.
Guidance on the Letter of Support From the UF mentor
The letter of support from the UF mentor should include a brief description of their research, and how the Fellow's research and training plan would fit. A description of the UF mentor's role in training should also be included. The Ewel postdoc is intended to support original research proposed independently by the Fellow in collaboration with the mentor.
The mentor should confirm that they are prepared to provide appropriate office and laboratory (if needed) space for the Fellow, as well as tangible resources needed to conduct the research. The annual allowance provided as part of the fellowship is not intended to fully support the research.
The mentor should include a two-page résumé with publications relevant to the Fellow’s proposed research.
Questions?
If you have questions about the fellowship or application process, please contact:
Brittany M. Hollister, Ph.D.
Director, Office of Postdoctoral Affairs & Prestigious Awards
The Graduate School
University of Florida
UF-EwelPostdoc@ufl.edu