Graduate Research Assistantship in Restoration Ecology
We invite applications for a graduate research assistantship (GRA; Ph. D. level preferred) from students interested in arid lands restoration and specifically grass-shrub interactions at the critical seedling establishment phase of the shrub life cycle. Desired starting date is January 2008. The student will be based in the School of Natural Resources, University of Arizona, Tucson, but will actively collaborate with USDA/ARS CO-PIs in Las Cruces, NM on a 4- year project aimed at improving our understanding of patterns of woody plant encroachment into ecosystems in the Southwestern USA. Field sites include the Sevilletta and Jornada LTER sites in New Mexico and the Santa Rita Experimental Range in southeastern Arizona. The overall goal of the project is to provide analytical and conceptual tools to guide the management aimed at shrub proliferation and grassland restoration. The graduate research assistant will focus on shrub dispersal and shrub seedling establishment questions within a broader framework that seeks to use geospatial mapping of soils, land-use history, climate, and shrub invasion patterns to distinguish four basic classes of land on a regional basis: 1) shrub dominated areas that are poor candidates for grassland restoration, 2) shrub-dominated areas where restoration to savanna is feasible, 3) grasslands that are at risk of invasion but are not yet invaded, and 4) grasslands/savannas that are at low risk of shrub domination. For additional details, go to http://ag.arizona.edu/research/archer/ . The assistantship includes an annual salary of $14,502 (MS) or $15,815 (PhD) (with 3% annual increases); waiver of out-of-state tuition; 90% remission of in-state tuition; and health insurance. Applications will be accepted until until suitable candidate is found, and should include 1) a statement of interests and goals, 2) a CV with copies of transcripts and GRE scores, and 3) names and contact information for 3-5 references. For general admission requirements see http://ag.arizona.edu/srnr/ academicprograms/renewable/graduatestudies.html . Applications and information requests should be directed (preferably via email) to Steve Archer ([EMAIL PROTECTED]), 325 Bio Sciences East, School of Natural Resources, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721-0043; 520 626-8791).
