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The Senko Lab is located in the School of Ocean Futures
at 
Arizona State University

Successful applicants for our lab are detail oriented and driven, demonstrate strong writing skills, and thrive in collaborative and independent settings. We seek humble team players who are highly empathetic, have strong social skills and emotional intelligence, and value diversity and inclusivity. Prospective graduate students typically apply to the lab through one of ASU’s School of Ocean Futures or School of Life Sciences graduate programs. In most cases, prospective PhD students need to secure partial funding (e.g. NSF GRFP) in order to ensure a highly competitive application. Undergraduate students must be enrolled in-person at ASU and have taken one of Dr. Senko’s classes (SEA 201 or SEA/FIS 400) in order to be eligible to apply. Unfortunately, we are unable to accept volunteers.

My approach to graduate student mentorship

I empower graduate students who are passionate about environmental and social justice. I expect lab members to become engaged, resilient, and adaptable global conservation leaders who are strong ambassadors for our lab, their projects, and the communities they work in.

How to apply

I consider new graduate students in most years. I receive many more inquiries than available positions, so the strongest PhD applicants will have a masters degree and/or previous research experience. If you are interested in joining our lab, please send the following materials to Dr. Senko (jesse.senko@asu.edu):

  1. A copy of your CV.
  2. A statement of purpose outlining your research and conservation interests, proposed graduate research questions and study sites, and career goals. (The strongest PhD applicants will propose clearly defined research questions and, if possible, prospective study sites and/or collaborators). 

  3. A writing sample that demonstrates your ability to assimilate complex information. This could be copies of authored published papers, technical reports, or class research projects. (The strongest PhD applicants will have at least one first-authored peer-reviewed publication). 

  4. Names, email addresses, affiliations, and phone numbers of three professional references who can speak to your potential to conduct graduate-level research.