Open Positions

I’m always looking for motivated students to join my lab but do not have any funded positions open at the moment.

If you are interested in applying for funding opportunities (NSF GRFP, NSERC etc) have a look at my publications contact me (danielle.l.levesque[a]maine.edu) with your CV, research interests, and possible sources of funding.

Summer Undergraduate Research Position 2024

The Levesque Lab is primarily interested in the comparative energetics and evolution of mammalian temperature regulation. Our research integrates comparative physiology, ecology, evolutionary biology, and the synergies between these disciplines. Through field and laboratory based experiments, we seek to understand how rigidity or flexibility in metabolism and body temperature regulation affects the energetics of a species, and how their evolutionary history has shaped these patterns.

This particular project hosted in collaboration with the Institute for Biodiversity and Environmental Conservation (IBEC) at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) aims to prod several questions regarding mammalian endothermy in generally nonseasonal tropical climates: what are the characteristics of mammalian endothermy in the wet tropics? Why maintain homeothermy while your environment is constantly warm? and so on. Our targets consist of several squirrel, murid rat, treeshrew, and moonrat species. The methods we employ measure a number of proxies that approximate an animal’s energy expenditure such as metabolism, heart rate, body temperature, etc. You will be trained in the necessary methods for this project; no prior experience is necessary:

  • Cage trapping and live-animal handling
  • Morphometric measurement
  • Flow-through respirometry
  • Radio-collaring and telemetry

Timeline & Compensation

  • The REU will commence after early May and conclude by mid-August 2024; start and end dates are flexible and will be determined upon candidate selection; up to 12 weeks
  • Field work typically is conducted on a week-on, week-off basis to allow for resupply of respirometry materials on the UNIMAS campus
  • $15/hr for 40hrs/week average
  • Covered expenses:
    • Travel to/from and within Sarawak
    • Accommodations
    • Travel insurance
    • Food while in the field

Qualifications

  • Must be a US citizen or permanent resident (sorry, NSF stipulation)
  • Must be a continuing undergraduate student in the Fall 2024 semester (i.e. cannot be graduating before/during this REU; sorry, another NSF stipulation)
  • No prior experience necessary! This REU is intended to facilitate new experiences and develop new skills
  • Must be comfortable in a wet, tropical, forested climate w/ biting critters
    • Avg high temps ~33-34°C; avg. low 26-27°C; high humidity always
    • Venomous and spiked creatures abound at our field sites: vipers and cobras, ants, centipedes, spiked trees, etc.
  • Must be able to hike regularly on uneven terrain in light and dark
  • Must enjoy eating reeeeeally good food every day
  • Must have an appetite for new experiences: culture, language, science, food, etc.; Sarawak’s got it all!

Application & Contact

If interested, please send a 1-page letter of interest and resume/CV to Eric Brown (eric.brown1@maine.edu) by day’s end 7 January 2024 describing why you are interested in joining us in Sarawak on this project, how the project aligns with your future goals, and why you think you would perform well in the humid tropics. Please shoot me an email with any questions! Check out our lab website for more info on our research.