Research Assistantship (1 or 2 available at MS level): Fresno River Watershed Assessment (Madera County, CA)
One or two MS-level research assistantships are available starting in the summer or fall 2008 at California State University-Fresno (Fresno State). Students will participate in a collaborative project with the goal of using past and current stream monitoring to identify watershed functions and processes that are most compromised by current watershed activities and most at risk with future development. Priorities for a student thesis within the project include bioassessment using macroinvertebrates or microbial indicators of septic infiltration, but other theses based on hydrology and/or water chemistry within a watershed context may be considered. Assistantship duties will include supervising stream sampling field crews and laboratory processing of macroinvertebrate samples in addition to the thesis. Successful applicants should demonstrate evidence of being able to work collaboratively, but also independently, as well as the ability to effectively supervise undergraduate technicians. Experience with data analysis including multivariate techniques is desirable. Presentations at conferences and publication is expected. Depending on the number of students on the project, one or two years of support of at least $15,000 is available. The assistantships will be largely supported through a research grant, but may also include a teaching assistantship and internal support. Fresno is a relatively affordable area in central California at the base of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Yosemite National Park is 50mi north of Fresno, and of two other national parks are within 1.5hrs drive. Monterey (on the coast) is approximately 2.5hrs west. To apply, send an e-mail message (and attachments) describing research interests and career goals; names, phone numbers, and email addresses of 3 references; academic history and GRE scores to Dr. Steve Blumenshine: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Phone: 559-278-8770; Address: Biology Dept. M/S SB73, CSU-Fresno, Fresno, CA 93740.
