Postdocs

I am always happy to hear from researchers who are interested in joining the lab as a postdoc. Please send me an email with a brief statement of interest and your CV. If I am currently hiring for a funded postdoc position the ad will be posted on this page. Other funding sources you might consider include the Smith Conservation Fellowship (September deadline), the NSF Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Biology (USA citizens only, fall deadline), the Simons Foundation, and NSERC Postdoctoral Research Awards (for Canadian citizens only, fall deadline).

Graduate Students

I am looking for highly motivated, creative Ph.D students who bring enthusiasm and rigor to their research. In return you can expect from me the commitment to help you do your best work and achieve your scientific and career goals during your time in our lab. If this sounds like a good fit for you, please email me with a brief description of your research interests, your CV, your undergraduate transcript (an unofficial transcript is fine), and your GRE or SAT score (if you’ve taken either of these tests). The Ecology & Evolution graduate program application deadline is December 1 of each year. 

Job Ad – PhD Position in Pollination Ecology: The Winfree Lab in the Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Natural Resources at Rutgers University is seeking a PhD student to begin in September 2027. This is an NSF-funded graduate student position to join us in conducting research on how heat waves affect bee pollinators. The graduate student will collaborate with grant PIs (Rutgers, University of California Davis, University of Minnesota) to collect data on bee and plant populations in California’s Sierra Nevada, develop AI-assisted remote cameras for purposes of bee monitoring, and complete data analysis and writing of papers. Previous experience with bees, insects, big data, and field monitoring technology is welcomed but not required; see our Join page for further info on shared expectations in our lab group. Interested individuals should email rachael.winfree@rutgers.edu, using subject line ‘NSF PhD position’ and attaching one pdf file with file name = your name, that contains (1) a brief description of your background and interests; please write this yourself without the use of AI, (2) a CV, (3) undergraduate transcript, and (4) GRE or SAT scores. Informal versions of transcripts and test scores are fine. I will respond to applications weekly, and will encourage competitive applicants to apply to the December 1, 2026 deadline for the Rutgers Ecology & Evolution graduate program.

Undergraduates

We are always looking for self-motivated and scientifically curious undergraduates to join us in our lab’s research. From you, we expect dedication, commitment and careful work in the field and lab; from us, you can expect support in obtaining independent funding for your research, developing your research skills and ideas, and presenting your work at conferences and/or in peer reviewed publications. If you are interested in applying, please email Dr. Rachael Winfree to describe why you want to join the lab, and include your major and GPA.