University of Memphis

What you'll study

This PhD emphasises integrative research across ecology, evolution, systematics and population biology. Early in the programme students take advanced coursework in topics such as population genetics and genomics, phylogenetic methods, community and landscape ecology, evolutionary theory, quantitative methods and ecological modelling. Practical training commonly includes molecular techniques, bioinformatics, field methods, experimental design and statistical analysis. Programme elements typically include a set of core and elective courses, laboratory rotations or project apprenticeships, a qualifying or comprehensive examination, and the design and execution of an independent dissertation research project under the supervision of a faculty advisor.

• Core subject areas: evolutionary theory, systematics and phylogenetics, population biology, community and landscape ecology.
• Quantitative training: population and quantitative genetics, statistical modelling, experimental design, and ecological forecasting.
• Techniques: molecular methods and genomics, bioinformatics, field and experimental methods, and long-term ecological monitoring.
• Programme structure: coursework, qualifying exams, original dissertation research, and teaching or service components such as graduate teaching assistantships.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to hold a relevant master’s degree or a strong bachelor’s degree with substantial research experience in biology, ecology, evolution, or a closely related field. Competitive applicants demonstrate prior research experience (for example honours projects, published or in‑preparation manuscripts, or research assistant roles), solid preparation in genetics, ecology and statistics, and clear research interests that align with departmental faculty expertise.

• Academic record showing strength in biological sciences or related subjects.
• Statement of research interests outlining proposed areas of study and potential faculty mentors.
• Curriculum vitae detailing research experience, laboratory or field skills, and publications or presentations if applicable.
• Letters of recommendation from academics or research supervisors who can speak to research potential.
• International applicants must meet the university’s English language proficiency requirements.

Career prospects

Graduates of this PhD are prepared for a wide range of professional paths where advanced training in evolution, systematics and population biology is required. Many alumni pursue tenure-track academic positions or postdoctoral research, while others move into government research agencies, conservation organisations, environmental consulting, natural resource management, science policy, and biotechnology. The programme’s quantitative and molecular training also makes graduates competitive for roles in bioinformatics, ecological modelling, and applied biodiversity assessment.

• Academic research and teaching (postdoctoral fellowships, faculty positions)
• Government and agency positions in wildlife, fisheries, and conservation biology
• Environmental consulting and natural resource management
• Non-governmental organisations and conservation planning
• Industry roles in biotechnology, bioinformatics and ecological data science

Why study at University of Memphis

The University of Memphis offers a PhD environment with access to diverse research settings and cross-disciplinary collaboration. The department’s faculty work on a broad spectrum of evolutionary and ecological topics, enabling students to pursue projects from molecular evolution and phylogenomics to landscape ecology and conservation biology. The campus’s geographic location provides convenient access to riverine systems, wetlands and temperate forest ecosystems useful for field research, and the university maintains core laboratory and genomic facilities that support modern molecular and computational approaches.

• Faculty mentorship across multiple subfields of evolution and ecology.
• Hands-on access to regional field sites and long-term ecological studies.
• Laboratory infrastructure for molecular ecology, genomics and bioinformatics.
• Opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration and engagement with regional conservation organisations and agencies.
• Financial support options such as research and teaching assistantships available to qualified PhD students.