Funding and other resources are just a click away
We encourage scientific inquiry for its own sake and for the sake of local and global communities. For the broadest impact, science must also be communicated. So, the curious investigator or storyteller both have a place in the Igwe Lab.
For each position, a short CV and brief paragraph are requested. In some cases, applicants may want to apply for independent funding. Resources are available on the Igwe Lab Resources page.
The Igwe Lab has completed recruiting graduate students for Fall 2025. Further instructions will be provided to prospective students who have been invited to apply. Undergraduate students are still invited to reach out. Prospective postdocs who are interested in pursuing independent funding may reach out too.
Prospective Undergraduate Students
Our lab focuses on plant-microbe interactions and soil science with some field, lab, and greenhouse work. If you have an interest in science communication or social media content creation, we have space for you too! Depending on the project, undergraduate students can expect to learn aseptic microbial techniques, standard ecological field techniques, plant husbandry, or more.
If you are interested in conducting research or communicating our science via social media, please send an email with your CV or resume, a paragraph with why you want to join the lab, and your general availability.
Students may be eligible to conduct research for course credit or as part of the Federal Work-Study Program. Please let me know if either of those options are of interest to you.
Prospective Graduate Students
Graduate students are accepted through the Department of Biological Sciences (December 15 deadline) and the Translational Plant Sciences Center (TPSC) Graduate Program (January 5 deadline). I am recruiting PhD students who are interested in starting Fall 2025.
If you are applying through the Department of Biological Sciences, please send a CV and a 2-paragraph statement detailing why you want to go to graduate school and why you have selected my lab for your research before submitting an official application to Virginia Tech.
Things to know if you’re applying to the Department of Biological Sciences:
– The GRE is neither required nor considered when making admission decisions.
– The $75 application fee may be waived. Please request, if needed and you do not meet one of the Fee Waiver Qualifications.
– All graduate students are required to teach for at least one semester.
– Current starting stipends are ~$32K/year and Ph.D. students receive a raise after passing their preliminary exams.
Prospective Postdoctoral Researchers
The lab does not currently have funding for a postdoctoral researcher, but is willing and able to support independent grant and fellowship applications. If you have an idea for an interesting project, please reach out with a CV, 1-page project outline, and funding guidelines so that we can collaborate.
Igwe Lab 