A Ph.D. assistantship is available to study the wetland to upland forest ecosystem gradient in Southeast Alaska. We will study hydrologic processes that create and characterize this gradient, how plant species and vegetation are distributed along the gradients, and are particularly interested in how conifer tree species are able to live in both wetlands and uplands. Quantification of hydrologic patterns and soil geochemical processes, species reproduction and plant physiology, and field and lab experiments will be key components of this work. We are interested in identifying genetic differences among tree populations and mycorrhizae relationships developed by trees along this gradient. This is a collaborative project between Colorado State University, the US Department of Defense’s Cold Regions Research and Experimental Laboratory, the University of Alaska, and the US Forest Service’s Forestry Sciences Laboratory. Field work will be based near Juneau, AK, but could range throughout southeast Alaska. Preference will be given to an applicant who has completed a successful, field-oriented Masters project resulting in peer reviewed publication(s), and a student with extensive outdoor experience. The ability to work successfully in a team and to interact effectively with collaborators and land managers is essential. The successful candidate will begin field work in the spring (April or May) of 2009. Interested applicants should send an email with letter of interest, and curriculum vitae with references to Dr. David J. Cooper ([EMAIL PROTECTED])
