SUMMER RESEARCH POSITIONS IN ALASKA FOR UNDERGRADUATES AND RECENT COLLEGE GRADUATES
We are seeking enthusiastic undergraduates and recent college graduates who are interested in summer field research in Alaska. The overall objective of our research program is to understand the ecosystem and global consequences of potential future changes in arctic vegetation. Successful applicants will be expected to assist with fieldwork in our tussock tundra site and laboratory work consisting of tasks such as plant sorting and data entry. In addition, successful applicants will attend weekly seminars on the research at the station, will develop their own small, individual research projects on a topic related to the program and their own interests, and will present their work at an informal symposium at Toolik Field Station. The focus of this experiment is to understand the mechanisms by which winter processes affect the summer growth of vegetation, and the consequences of shrub expansion under a warming climate for biogeochemical cycling of C and N. We have set up snowfences in tussock tundra, low shrub tundra, and taller shrub tundra, in order to assess how increased winter snow affects mineralization of N overwinter and growth and recovery from snow-loading of shrubs and other vegetation in the following summer. We will measure vegetation characteristics, decomposition, and mineralization behind the fences, and will apply a 15N tracer at the end of the summer. We will also assess shrub growth and biogeochemical cycling of C and N in areas where natural shrub expansion has occurred over the last 50 years. This project should improve our understanding of land surface changes currently occurring in the Arctic, and their potential impacts on climate. Successful applicants will be based at Toolik Field Station, north of the Brooks Range in arctic Alaska (http://www.uaf.edu/toolik/), which is a focus site for research by nearly 100 scientists who work on a variety of terrestrial and aquatic ecology projects. For more information, contact Dr. Syndonia Bret-Harte ([EMAIL PROTECTED]), who is the supervisor for these positions. There are 2 positions, each of which pays a stipend of $387 per week (before taxes). These positions are open only to US citizens who are undergraduates or who have graduated since Dec. 2005. One position will start in late May, and end in mid-August. The other position will begin in late June and end in mid-September. Travel from your university to and from the field site will be covered. Class background in plant ecology, botany, ecosystem ecology, statistics, and computer science would be an advantage. Experience in field or laboratory, experience with data analysis, and experience working in a remote field site is preferred. You should have skills with plant identification, data collecting and recording, data manipulation in Excel, and data analysis. Applicants must be willing to work long hours in the field, occasionally under adverse weather conditions. Competent, careful, emotionally mature, and enthusiastic people desired! We want the work to be both fun and challenging. We encourage applications from women and minorities. A valid U.S. Drivers license is required, and successful applicants must provide a copy of their social security cards at the time of employment. You must apply for these jobs on-line. To apply, go to https://www.uakjobs.com/applicants/Central?quickFind=54299. A complete job description can be downloaded from the web site at http://www.uakjobs.com. You will need to submit a cover letter that explains why you are interested in the program and how it fits into your long-term education and career goals. Also, describe your background and include anything that you think would convince us that you are the most appropriate person for this position. You must also submit a C.V. or Resume and the names, telephone numbers, and email addresses of three professional references. If you need assistance, please contact UAF Human Resources at 907-474-7700. Applications will be reviewed beginning March 17, 2006.
