Opportunities
I will likely be recruiting Ph.D. students through the Biological Sciences Graduate Program at Clemson University to begin Fall 2026. If interested, please reach out several months before Clemson's application deadline of December 1st. I intend to guide students in their research and in their careers, while encouraging them to explore their independent interests. My goal as a mentor is ultimately to foster an environment that leaves students feeling safe, confident, and empowered in their abilities as both scientists and critical thinkers. I believe in structured goal-setting, in the clear communication of expectations (of both the mentor and mentee), and developing a work-life balance. Students admitted to the lab can expect to receive rigorous training in ecology, data science, science communication, and project management. While many students may go on to work as ecologists in academia, the government, or at non-governmental organizations, others may choose to pursue careers in data science, policy, or something different entirely. I fully support this diverse set of career paths as a graduate advisor. I plan to work with students to determine what their primary research interests and long-term career goals are, and to develop a plan of action to achieve these goals.
What is expected of graduate students in the lab?
I expect students to have a can-do attitude and contribute to a respectful, vibrant, collaborative atmosphere in the lab. I expect students to view a Ph.D. as an opportunity to develop a set of skills and to contribute to the larger scientific community’s understanding of natural systems. As an advisor, I intend to help students find their path and to develop strategies to overcome any and all obstacles that they encounter. However, a Ph.D. is also a personal journey, and students must take ownership of their experience. I expect students to take advantage of expertise in the lab and the University more generally, to identify opportunities for training and personal development, and to be accountable for commitments over the entirety of their graduate career.
How does one apply?
If you are interested in joining the lab, please email the below materials to Dr. Casey Youngflesh. I will schedule Zoom interviews with the most competitive applicants. I look forward to hearing from you!
In your email please send:
- A short (<1 page) cover letter that conveys who you are, why you are interested in joining the lab, what kind of research you hope to do in graduate school, and your short- and long-term career goals.
- A writing sample that demonstrates your ability to synthesize information (e.g., scientific paper, thesis, class project).
- A CV that summarizes your work and academic experience.
I do not currently have funding for additional postdocs. However, I am always happy to host postdocs with independent funding and to assist with the development of proposals for postdoctoral fellowships. Examples of some independent fellowships include: