Students

We are accepting applications from prospective Ph.D. students to join projects in the comparative embryology of arthropods, working with both model genetic systems and new or emerging models. There are many potential projects to choose from, from classical fruit fly genetics to molecular embryology of spiders! The work is multidisciplinary and can combine molecular biology, classical genetics, experimental embryology, and advanced live imaging. All projects will feed into our primary research foci of the evolution of early cell fate specification, germline specification and development, and gonad morphogenesis in arthropods, but students will be encouraged and expected to contribute to project development as their interests evolve. Motivated, independent students from a variety of backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Interested students should email Dr. Extavour with a brief statement of research interests.

Students can join the lab as Ph.D. candidates through a variety of graduate programs:

• The PhD program of the Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology (OEB)
• The Molecules, Cells and Organisms (MCO) Ph.D. training program administered by the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology (MCB)
• The Ph.D. program in Developmental and Regenerative Biology Program (DRB) within the Biomedical and Biosciences Program (BBS) of the Harvard Medical School

All of these PhD programs include advanced coursework and teaching opportunities, and benefit from the stimulating academic environment provided by close ties with neighbouring labs in several departments. All programs provide stipend, full tuition, and benefits.

Because the OEB department only accepts candidates whose interests can be matched with a faculty member, interested applicants should contact Dr. Extavour directly before applying.

The MCO and DRB programs require students to rotate through at least two labs before finally joining one. Students interested in working in the Extavour lab as a member of one of these departments can contact Dr. Extavour before applying or upon acceptance to the program.

Graduate school applications will need to be sent to both the Graduate School of Arts and Science (GSAS) for the OEB and MCO programs, and to the Harvard Integrated Life Sciences Program (HILS). For admission to the DRB program, applications will need to be sent here. The deadline for applications is generally in the middle of December of each year, for entry in the following academic year. See the following links for information on how to apply:

• Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology (OEB)
• Molecules, Cells and Organisms Training Program (MCO)
• Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology (MCB)
• Developmental and Regenerative Biology Program (DRB)
• Biomedical and Biosciences Program (BBS)
• Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS)
• Harvard Integrated Life Sciences Program (HILS)

Postdocs

Postdocs interested in joining current projects, or developing their own projects within the framework of the lab foci, are encouraged to contact Dr. Extavour with a brief statement of research interests or project proposals. Experience in at least one of our “component fields” (developmental genetics, molecular biology, zoology, evolutionary biology, cell biology, reproductive biology) is desirable but not absolutely required.