Thanks for your interest in the Johnson Lab!
We are always interested in finding exceptional and highly motivated students to join our team. The Johnson Laboratory strives to create a safe and inclusive environment to support individuals from all backgrounds. We are committed to learning from each other, and we highly value the perspectives and contributions of our lab members and colleagues. Together, we wish to create an atmosphere that fosters personal growth and success.
Students in the lab employ a diverse range of approaches, including laboratory experiments, field research, and modeling, to address broad questions in ecology. Because much of our work is collaborative, students should be able to work effectively in a group dynamic. Students interested in joining the Johnson Lab for undergraduate, graduate, or postdoctoral research should contact the Johnson Lab at johnsonlab@colorado.edu with a letter of interest in PDF format.
Highschool student research opportunities in the Johnson Lab are available as we partner with the program called Science Discovery! Science Discovery is a science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) outreach program at the University of Colorado Boulder. Science Discovery manages programs that engage K-12 students and students with the STEM research happening at CU Boulder. Each summer we host 1-2 high school students to conduct real time research in the Johnson Lab! To register or read more about Science Discovery, check out their website here!
Undergraduate research opportunities in the Johnson Lab are available both during the academic semester and over the summer. Undergraduates interested in summer research should contact Dr. Johnson early in the spring semester to ensure ample time to develop a research plan and secure potential funding. It’s a good idea to explore the lab website, read some recent publications, and identify the types of projects or questions that resonate with you. You should also explore potential funding opportunities such as those provided through CU’s Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP). By contacting our lab early in the spring semester, we can develop a research plan that both fits your long-term research goals and your busy schedule.
Graduate research opportunities in the EBIO department involve first making contact with a prospective advisor prior to applying (see EBIO) so make sure you reach out well in advance of submitting an official application (typically in late summer or early fall). We encourage prospective students to read about CU’s Advantage Program which supports applicants from traditionally underrepresented and underserved backgrounds. We have closed our graduate applications for August 2025. Please check back in the future for updates on August 2026!
Whether you are interested in undergraduate research (e.g., volunteer to get lab experience, pursue and independent study or honors thesis, etc.) or a graduate degree (e.g., Ph.D.)
For more information on graduate degrees, check out our departmental webpage. For undergraduates interested in honors, see here: https://www.colorado.edu/ebio/undergraduate/honors-program.
We look forward to hearing from you!
