Join the lab

We'll soon be hiring a postdoc! See below for more info.

The lab is not currently recruiting graduate students. 

Our lab is housed within the Department of Zoology & Physiology at the University of Wyoming. Ph.D. students can also be advised through the interdisciplinary Program in Ecology and Evolution (PiEE). We are also part of the UW Museum of Vertebrates, and WYOBIRD.

Values

We are committed to supporting a diverse community of scientists. In all that we do, we work to make academia more inclusive. We are independent scholars and team players who always strive to support one another. We collaborate closely with local partners and NGOs in the regions where we work. We are passionate about studying and protecting the world's biodiversity. 

Scope of projects

Projects in the lab should address evolution, ecology, and/or ecophysiology of birds in the following topic areas:

(1) elevational and/or austral migration (particularly across environmental gradients)

(2) adaptation and plasticity in high-elevation or mountain environments

(3) seasonal physiological changes in response to elevational migration

The work we do is integrative and question-driven. Fieldwork typically takes place in Peru, Chile, and Wyoming / the Intermountain West. To address our questions, we use a variety of methods –– from migration tracking with miniature devices to manipulative field experiments to sequencing of whole genomes. Projects at the organismal level, as well as comparative projects focused on species-/family-level or macroevolutionary comparisons are welcome. Work in our lab typically involves data collection in the field, natural history museums, wet lab, and on the computing cluster. 

Examples of current projects include: Migration and genomics of giant hummingbirds, ecology and evolution of 'extreme' elevational migrants, blood physiology of Andean hummingbirds, and high-altitude adaptation and gene expression. See our research page for more info on current/past projects.

Prospective graduate students

If you're interested in joining the lab as a PhD or MS student, please fill out this prospective student inquiry form (Se aceptan respuestas en inglés o español!) This will help me learn more about you and your research interests. If your interests are a good fit, I'll reach out to coordinate a time for us to talk via Zoom.

Competitive applicants will have strong overlap in interests with core research areas in the lab and experience with field ornithology, molecular lab work, and/or coding/bioinformatics. Some fluency in Spanish is recommended. Please take some time to read 1-2 of our lab’s recent papers in which Dr. Williamson is first or last author to make sure your research interests mesh. Those planning to apply for the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship (example applications here) or other fellowship to join the lab should reach out by early September.  

The application deadline for the UW Zoology & Physiology PhD and MS programs is rolling; however, for best consideration, submit applications via email to Dr. Williamson (jessie.williamson[at]uwyo.edu) by December 15th. Please speak with Dr. Williamson before moving forward with your application. Graduate students receive a stipend, tuition scholarship, and health insurance. Prospective students can learn more here. 

Note on advising philosophy: I aim to help my students reach their fullest potential as scientists and research professionals. I invest significant time, effort, and funding into each of my students over the ~5-year PhD or ~2-year MS and to continue to support my students in their careers long after graduating. It is important to me to build a lab community that shares values of inclusion, enthusiasm, and strong work ethic. It is equally important to me that prospective students feel I am a good fit to their academic needs and personalities.

Prospective undergraduate students

The lab is always open to UW undergrads seeking field and wet lab research experience in ornithology! Contact Dr. Williamson (jessie.williamson[at]uwyo.edu) for more information. When reaching out, please describe your research interests, background, what skills you're hoping to develop in the lab, and attach a CV or resume.

Prospective postdocs

Aug 2025: I will soon be recruiting a postdoc for a new NSF-funded project. The position will be based at the University of Wyoming in Laramie, WY, with possible opportunities for international fieldwork in South America. Preferred candidates will have a strong publication record and demonstrated skills and experience in genomic/transcriptomic analyses and datasets, fieldwork, bird handling, and statistical modeling. Candidates with Spanish-speaking and writing skills are strongly encouraged to apply. Interested candidates should contact Jessie (jessie.williamson@uwyo.edu) to learn more – formal ad coming soon.

I am always happy to support applications to the NSF Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Biology, Smith Conservation Research Fellowship, Schmidt Science Fellows, and other funding opportunities (see database of postdoc fellowships compiled by Allison Barner here and by Dieter Lukas here). Please reach out via email (jessie.williamson[at]uwyo.edu) to discuss proposal ideas, and include a copy of your CV.

About Laramie & big, beautiful Wyoming

University of Wyoming is based in Laramie, a small college town in the heart of the Rocky Mountain West situated at 7,220 ft / 2,200 m above sea level. Laramie is tucked between the Snowy Range (~30 mi west) and the Laramie Range (~10 mi east) with nearly endless opportunities for outdoor recreation: Hiking, birding, fishing, trail running, mountain biking, rock climbing, snow shoeing, skiing –– you name it. Laramie is one hour from Fort Collins, CO, 2 hrs from Denver, CO and an easy jumping-off point to great habitats and epic mountain ranges (like the Tetons, Winds, Big Horns, and various northern Colorado ranges).

Recently, Laramie was dubbed the most affordable mountain town in the West and the #1 college town in the U.S. It has abundant sunshine, massive big blue skies, and nature in every direction –– some call it “Laradise”.