PhD Funded Position in Climate Change Ecology and Bioacoustics at Rutgers University, USA [Salary: $40,000 per year]

Rutgers University is seeking applicants for a PhD position in Climate Change Ecology and Bioacoustics beginning in Fall 2027. The opportunity is based at the Cook-Douglass Campus in New Brunswick, New Jersey, and will focus on how bird communities respond to extreme weather events and how these responses are influenced by species traits and habitat structure.

The project combines field ecology, quantitative analysis, bioacoustics, artificial intelligence, bird surveys, and GIS. It is particularly suited to applicants who enjoy field-based research and are interested in understanding how climate-related disturbances affect wildlife communities.

One of the distinctive features of this PhD is the combination of technology and hands-on ecological fieldwork. The selected student will use bioacoustic and AI approaches alongside traditional point-count surveys, meaning the project includes substantial opportunities for birding as part of doctoral research.

Research Focus

The proposed PhD research will investigate avian community responses following extreme weather events. The research will examine how bird communities respond to these disturbances and whether responses vary according to species characteristics and habitat structure. Field research will include sites across central New Jersey, while broader datasets from across the eastern United States will provide opportunities to examine ecological patterns at a larger geographic scale.

The project therefore combines local field observations with extensive quantitative datasets. This approach can help researchers understand how individual species and broader bird communities respond to increasingly important climate-related disturbances.

Bioacoustics, AI, and Bird Surveys

A major component of the project is the use of bioacoustics and artificial intelligence to study bird communities. The PhD student will also conduct traditional point-count surveys, creating an opportunity to compare or integrate acoustic data with field-based observations. Applicants should therefore be comfortable with both quantitative research and direct fieldwork.

Strong visual and audio bird identification skills for species found in the eastern United States are specifically sought. Experience with GIS would be an advantage, although it is not listed as a core requirement. The combination of ecological fieldwork, acoustic monitoring, AI-assisted analysis, and quantitative methods makes this position particularly relevant to students interested in the growing field of ecological bioacoustics.

Outreach and Public Engagement

The position also offers opportunities to participate in public outreach and research communication. The successful student may become involved in a public outreach program that includes leading bird walks while communicating research findings to members of the public. This provides an opportunity to develop science communication and community engagement skills alongside doctoral research.

For students interested in combining scientific research with public outreach, this could be an especially valuable part of the graduate experience.

Ideal Candidate

The core requirements for the position are strong writing and quantitative skills, combined with visual and audio bird identification abilities in the eastern United States. Applicants do not need previous professional experience, and the listing identifies a bachelor’s degree as the required level of education.

A strong candidate may have an academic background in ecology, biology, environmental science, wildlife science, ornithology, conservation, bioacoustics, or a related field. However, applicants should focus on demonstrating their ability to conduct quantitative research, communicate scientific ideas clearly, and identify eastern U.S. bird species visually and acoustically. GIS experience is considered a plus rather than a core requirement.

Funding and Salary

The position offers a starting salary of $40,000 per year. The advertised position is a full-time graduate opportunity with an expected workload of 40 hours per week.

Because graduate funding packages can depend on the formal Rutgers program and appointment, applicants should review the official graduate program information for complete details regarding tuition, benefits, and funding conditions.

Important Application Dates

There are two important deadlines for prospective applicants. The first is the September 25, 2026 deadline for contacting the prospective advisor through the initial interest form. The professor plans to review these submissions and contact potential candidates with follow-up questions in early October. Applicants should therefore not necessarily expect an immediate response after submitting their initial expression of interest.

The formal Rutgers Ecology & Evolution (E&E) Program application for Fall 2027 is due December 1, 2026. These deadlines are separate, so interested applicants should plan accordingly and make sure they complete the appropriate steps for both the prospective advisor and the formal graduate program application.

This PhD provides an unusual combination of bird ecology, climate change research, bioacoustics, artificial intelligence, and field-based ecological surveys. The project also operates at multiple scales, from detailed field research in central New Jersey to analyses using data collected across the eastern United States. This creates opportunities to develop expertise in both hands-on ecological research and quantitative analysis.

For students interested in ornithology and climate change, the opportunity to combine traditional point-count surveys with modern acoustic and AI-based approaches is particularly appealing. The potential involvement in public bird walks and research outreach also provides a pathway to develop communication skills alongside technical research expertise.

Key Details

Detail	Information
Position	PhD Student in Climate Change Ecology and Bioacoustics
University	Rutgers University
Campus	Cook-Douglass Campus
Location	New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
Research Areas	Climate Change Ecology, Ornithology, Bioacoustics, AI, Quantitative Ecology
Project Focus	Avian responses to extreme weather events
Field Sites	Central New Jersey and eastern United States datasets
Salary	Starting at $40,000 per year
Workload	40 hours per week
Degree Required	Bachelor’s degree
Prior Experience	None required
Preferred Skills	Writing, quantitative analysis, visual/audio bird identification
GIS	Advantage/plus
Start Date	September 1, 2027
Initial Contact Deadline	September 25, 2026
Formal E&E Application Deadline	December 1, 2026
Advisor	Jeremy Cohen
Preferred Contact	jeremy3cohen@gmail.com

How to Apply

Interested applicants should first contact Jeremy Cohen: Interested applicants can contact us by filling out this form by September 25th, 2026.. Applicants can find the joining information and contact form here: https://forms.gle/rVDer6Qwa9LJF7Wr8

After the initial review, potential candidates are expected to receive follow-up questions in early October. Candidates interested in joining the program should also prepare for the formal Rutgers Ecology & Evolution Program application, which has a deadline of December 1, 2026 for Fall 2027 admission.

Applicants should demonstrate their fit for the project, particularly their quantitative research abilities, scientific writing skills, and knowledge of eastern U.S. birds. Experience with bioacoustics, AI, GIS, field ecology, or related analytical methods can further strengthen an application.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the PhD research about?

The research will investigate how avian communities respond to extreme weather events, including how species traits and habitat structure influence those responses.

What methods will be used?

The project will combine bioacoustics, artificial intelligence, quantitative analysis, and point-count bird surveys.

Will the PhD involve fieldwork?

Yes. The project is field-based and includes research at sites in central New Jersey. Broader datasets from across the eastern United States will also be used.

Do applicants need bird identification skills?

Yes. Strong visual and audio bird identification skills for birds of the eastern United States are listed as core requirements.

Is GIS experience required?

No. GIS experience is described as a plus, rather than a mandatory qualification.

What degree is required?

The advertised minimum education requirement is a bachelor’s degree.

Is previous research experience required?

No previous professional experience is required according to the position listing.

What is the salary?

The starting salary is $40,000 per year.

When does the PhD start?

The expected start date is September 1, 2027.

What is the first application deadline?

Applicants should submit their initial expression of interest by September 25, 2026.

Is there another application deadline?

Yes. Formal applications to the Rutgers Ecology & Evolution Program for Fall 2027 are due December 1, 2026.

Who should interested applicants contact?

The contact person is Jeremy Cohen, and the preferred contact method listed is jeremy3cohen@gmail.com.