Graduate students

Thank you for your interest in the Rangeland Ecology and Restoration Lab in the Department of Animal and Range Sciences at New Mexico State University. I am recruiting several students at the MS or PhD level to begin in summer or fall 2026 to conduct research related to the following projects: 

Forest management and restoration: This position will be associated with the NSF funded “Forest Research for New Mexico Water and Carbon Management” project (FOR-NM). The student will be expected to utilize both experimental and synthesis approaches to assess the impacts of forest management and restoration treatments on understory vegetation dynamics. Fieldwork associated with experimental restoration and monitoring of ongoing forest management treatments is expected. The student will work in close collaboration with graduate students and researchers from NMSU, University of New Mexico, and FOR-NM partners.

Forage quality across ecological sites: This position is focused on creating a framework to integrate forage quality into ecological site descriptions. The student will be responsible for assessing forage quality of dominant grass species throughout southern New Mexico, qualifying how forage changes throughout the year and in relation to edaphic factors, and linking easy-to-measure plant characteristics or traits to forage quality. These data will be used in conjunction with plant community composition data to integrate forage quality into ecological site descriptions. This position is contingent on final funding approval from the NM NRCS.

Functional mechanisms of vegetation change in the Jornada Basin: This position will be supported by the Jornada LTER and will focus on clarifying how environmental drivers interact with species traits to shape vegetation dynamics in the Jornada Basin. Specifically, the student will be expected to collect and integrate functional trait data with existing long-term monitoring and experimental data to assess how functional traits influence species and community responses to stressors such as drought and grazing. The student will also be expected to explore how functional traits can inform restoration of degraded areas in the Jornada Basin.

Minimum qualifications for all positions include a bachelor’s degree in ecology, natural resources, or related field; experience conducting ecological lab or fieldwork; ability to obtain US driver’s license. Preferred qualifications include research experience, a master’s degree for PhD positions, familiarity with western US plant species, and experience with statistical software such as R.

Additional information: All positions will be housed in the Department of Animal and Range Sciences at New Mexico State University located in Las Cruces, New Mexico. The area provides exceptional recreational activities including biking, hiking, hunting, and climbing, a low cost of living, and a good food scene. Each position will provide students at financial support through a combination of research and teaching assistantships. The support package includes an annual stipend of at least $28,300 per year, tuition, and health insurance.

How to apply: Email Dr. Garbowski (garbowsk@nmsu.edu) by November 14, 2025, with:

• A statement of interest outlining how your educational and professional background aligns with one of the projects listed above and your motivations for pursuing a graduate degree
• CV or resume
• Unofficial transcripts
• Contact information for three professional or academic references

Applicants must meet requirements of the Range Science Graduate Program.

Undergraduate students

I am excited to support undergraduate researchers through paid work positions or independent research projects. Please contact me via email to learn of opportunities.

Postdoctoral researchers

I do not currently have funding to support postdoctoral researchers, but am eager to support applications for postdoctoral fellowships (e.g., USDA NIFA, NSF, Smith Fellowship).