The Tumber-Dávila lab provides individual-centered mentorship utilizing multi-mentor models that center mentee career goals in a collaborative, co-learning environment. Applicants who self-identify as individuals from groups historically excluded from ecology and/or persons excluded because of their ethnicity or race (PEERs) are particularly encouraged to apply. All lab members contribute to the cultivation of an equitable, inclusive, and antiracist lab group.
My teaching and mentoring philosophy relies on three main principles: 1) centering the trainee, 2) teaching and mentoring for lifelong learning, and 3) cultivating inclusivity, community, and joy. I have a continued commitment to mentoring and have had the privilege of mentoring countless students through organized research experiences, and through more informal mentoring pathways. I acknowledge the value and opportunities that I have received through mentorship and am committed to ensuring that the next generation of scientists, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds, receive all the opportunities, supports, and empowerment they justly deserve.
Tumber-Dávila Lab graduate students and postdoctoral researchers are a part of the Ecology, Evolution, Environment & Society (EEES) Program, a highly interactive and vibrant interdisciplinary community of over 100 faculty, graduate students, and post-docs. Dartmouth College is a research-intensive Ivy League university located in Hanover, New Hampshire, 2.5 hours northwest of Boston and nestled between the picturesque Green and White Mountains.
Lab and Field Research Assistant (Apply by September 3rd!)
Full-time Research Assistant for the Tumber-Dávila lab. The RA’s duties (outlined in detail in the Key accountabilities) include: 1) lab management, 2) field work and research travel, 3) lab work and analysis, 4) lab group organization and logistics, and 5) record keeping. The lab uses field, lab, and computational approaches to better understand terrestrial ecosystems and global environmental change.
For more information & to apply, click here
PhD Students
Students will develop an independent research trajectory broadly related to these research topics: 1) the size and shape of plant root systems, plant allometry, and trait-based ecology 2) climate change and disturbance impacts on terrestrial ecosystems 3) forest carbon offsets and policy 4) justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion in STEM and the academy. All accepted PhD students are guaranteed 5 years of funding including summer salary and health insurance. No GRE or application fee is required.
Prospective students should apply to the Ecology, Evolution, Environment & Society (EEES) Graduate Program at Dartmouth College.
For graduate studies in EEES, we seek creative and committed scholars who share our interests in ecology, evolution, environments and society. New students generally enter EEES by joining a specific lab with a pre-identified major advisor. We encourage prospective applicants to communicate directly with one or more individual faculty to explore shared interests and learn about current openings. Applications can be submitted to EEES at any time and Ph.D. programs can begin in any academic term. However, we normally have interviews in January or February, make offers in March, and most new students begin in summer or fall term. For full consideration on this cycle, applicants are encouraged to have their applications complete by 1 December. To submit an application, please go the Dartmouth Graduate Programs online application site .
We recognize that the graduate application process can be opaque and difficult to navigate, presenting many barriers to prospective students. As part of efforts to increase the diversity and accessibility of graduate studies in ecology, evolutionary biology, environmental studies and earth systems, we encourage applicants to apply to the Dartmouth EEES Scholars Program, an in-person, fully funded 3-day workshop designed to demystify the graduate school application process. Applications are accepted in the spring for the fall workshop.
Postdoctoral Researchers
Prospective postdocs are encouraged to contact me by filling out the form (preferred), or you can email me to discuss potential projects. I encourage postdocs to explore independent funding sources and am happy to discuss ideas for proposals. External sources include the NSF PRFB, USDA-NIFA, Ford Fellowships, Smith Fellows, and more. Dartmouth also funds postdoctoral fellows through the Society of Fellows, the Provost's Fellowship (PROF) Program, and the Neukom Fellows for Computational Science.
Prospective postdocs are encouraged to contact me by filling out the form (preferred), or you can email me to discuss potential projects. I encourage postdocs to explore independent funding sources and am happy to discuss ideas for proposals. External sources include the NSF PRFB, USDA-NIFA, Ford Fellowships, Smith Fellows, and more. Dartmouth also funds postdoctoral fellows through the Society of Fellows, the Provost's Fellowship (PROF) Program, and the Neukom Fellows for Computational Science.
Undergraduate Students
Undergraduate students are the heart of the Tumber-Dávila Lab! All research activities involve undergraduates and Dartmouth students interested in research opportunities are welcome to email me. Students are encouraged to reach out early, ideally as first or second year students, to gain the training necessary to conduct independent research/thesis projects. To help alleviate wealth disparities in STEM access, all undergraduate researchers in the lab are paid and federal work-study eligible students are encouraged to reach out. Many campus programs financially support undergraduate research and we are happy to help connect you!
High School Students
High School students located in the Upper Valley interested in lab or field research are welcome to contact me. I am unable to advise high school students located outside of the Upper Valley on remote research projects.
