Applications are being accepted for a post-doctoral position associated with an NSF-funded study on climate change in northern Mongolia (for details about the project, see http://mongolia.bio.upenn.edu/). The position is for two years with a possibility of a third year. The post-doc would be involved in the planning and execution of experiments investigating the combined ecological consequences of a warming climate and overgrazing by domestic herd animals. The field site is located near Lake Hovsgol in an area of discontinuous permafrost, where steppe grassland joins taiga forest. The primary focus is on changes to the herbaceous plant community and associated soils. Passive warming chambers are being employed to further elevate temperatures. Opportunities exist for collaborative research investigating the climate history of the region and changes to the carbon cycle. Summer residence in this remote but unique ecological setting is a requirement. Camp life consists of living in gers and a primarily meat-based diet. The post-doc would otherwise be located at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia and would work most closely with Brenda Casper, a plant population/community ecologist, and Brent Helliker, a plant physiological ecologist. Inquiries and applications (CV, statement of research interests, and names and email addresses of three references in pdf format with the subject line “Mongolia post-doc”) should be sent to Peter Petraitis [EMAIL PROTECTED] Applications are due by August 15, 2008, with the position beginning no later than January 1, 2009.
