MSc or PhD Research Opportunity in Paleoecology in Coastal British Columbia
I am looking for students interested in pursuing research at the MSc or PhD level to start in the summer or fall of 2008 in the Department of Geography at the University of Victoria (UVic) http://www.geog.uvic.ca/. I am currently setting up a new research lab at UVic - the Earth Systems Ecology Lab. Earth systems ecology aims to understand the interactions among organisms, ecosystems and earth processes by integrating knowledge and approaches from the life and earth sciences. The integration of earth science with ecology is critically important to address the many challenges associated with global environmental change, and more information is urgently needed on the nature, rate and magnitude of ecosystem response to environmental change. The main approach of my lab is to examine ecological dynamics and interactions between the biosphere, geosphere and climate using techniques such as pollen analysis that provide a long-term perspective on vegetation dynamics. My research focuses on the development and dynamics of vegetation communities since the last glaciation, the climatic and non-climatic factors that drive these vegetation dynamics, and the response of plant communities to past climatic change. The main geographical focus of the lab is the Pacific coast of Canada, a region characterized today by temperate rain forest and dominated by large, long-lived conifers. Prior experience in this area of research is an asset, but is not necessary. Applicants should be highly-motivated, with a strong background in ecology, geology or physical geography. Funding for these graduate positions is flexible with regard to the research topic. Guaranteed funding is available through a combination of fellowships, research assistantships and teaching assistantships. The University of Victoria is consistently ranked as one of the top comprehensive universities in Canada. Victoria is a lovely city of 350,000 characterized by warm, dry summers and cool, rainy winters. It is an exciting time to join the Department of Geography as we are moving into a new building. Lab space is custom-designed and well-equipped for research in any aspect of paleoecology. Other research groups in the Department include the UVic Tree-Ring Lab, Whale Research Lab and Spectroradiometry Lab. Students interested in any aspect of paleoecology are encouraged to contact me via email ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) to discuss their background and interests. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Terri Lacourse, Ph.D. Assistant Professor Department of Geography University of Victoria Victoria, BC V8W 3P5 CANADA Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
