Looking for a competitive PhD student for NSF funded research in Prince William Sound. Please see full announcement below.
Nate Nibbelink Assistant Professor University of Georgia [EMAIL PROTECTED] Title: Ph.D. Assistantship Agency: University of Georgia Location: Athens, GA / Prince William Sound, AK Job Description: I am seeking a highly motivated graduate student (Ph.D.) to work on a GIS-based ecological model exploring the influence of nutrient transport by river otters on the coastal terrestrial environment in Prince William Sound, AK. Project description: Social behavior in coastal river otters is largely driven by the benefits of cooperative foraging on schooling pelagic fishes. Therefore, changes in abundance and distribution of these prey through global warming, pollution, or harvest, could change the transport of nutrients to otter latrine sites on the coastal landscape. Using stable isotope analyses and genetic markers we will quantify the variation of nutrient transport by river otters and explore its effects on the diversity of the soil microbial community, nutrient cycling, plant uptake of marine nutrients, diversity of plants, plant growth, and flowering and fruiting success. After establishing these responses to the variation in otter fertilization, we will develop a model that will simulate changes to the terrestrial landscape based on the distributions of schooling fish, otter activity, and C, N, and P transport by otters. Qualified candidates will be given some flexibility to find their ecological niche on this project; however the successful candidate will focus on the synthesis of one or more components of the nutrient transport model (fish>otters>plants>landscape) in a spatially-explicit context. The candidate will spend one to three months in the field per year for up to two years, depending on individual and project needs. Qualifications: The successful applicant will be motivated, have well- developed writing and communication skills, strong work ethic, and ability to work cooperatively in team setting. Experience doing field work in rough conditions, particularly aquatic, is preferred. Proficiency using ArcGIS for spatial analysis, some programming experience, strong quantitative skills, and most of all creative energy, are required! An M.S. in an ecological field, or substantial equivalent experience, is necessary. Minimum entry requirements are 3.2 GPA and combined verbal + quantitative GRE score > 1200. Send a cover letter, CV, and an example of your writing, via email, to: Nate Nibbelink, Warnell School of Forest Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602-2152; e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Salary: Competitive stipend, tuition remission, health insurance options Last Date to apply: January 1, 2006 for University of Georgia fellowship consideration, otherwise continuous until filled. Contact: Nate Nibbelink Warnell School of Forest Resources University of Georgia Athens, Georgia 30602-2152 e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
