PhD Assistantships in Aquatic Ecology, Baylor Univ., Fall 2009 The Aquatic Ecology Lab (www.baylor.edu/aquaticlab) at Baylor University is seeking applicants for up to two PhD graduate assistantships starting Fall 2009. Applicants may apply to PhD programs in Biology (www.baylor.edu/biology/index.php?id=14903 or Ecological, Earth and Environmental Sciences (EEES; www.baylor.edu/tieees). Students desiring an interdisciplinary PhD degree spanning geology, biology, environmental science, and chemistry departments are encouraged to apply to EEES.
We are particularly interested in applicants who will structure their PhD research within one or more of the following ongoing research areas in the lab: 1) Watershed physiography, upland vegetation, and riparian wetlands: How do these factors interact to influence nutrient availability and recycling in headwater stream foodwebs in south-central Alaska? What are the implications for juvenile salmon production? 2) How does nutrient enrichment influence biogeochemical processes in stream bacterial-algal (periphyton) communities? How do consumers (macroinvertebrates and fish) interact with nutrient enrichment to influence stream biogeochemical processes? 3) What are the physical, chemical, and/or biological mechanisms responsible for threshold declines in stream biodiversity in urbanizing watersheds, and do these mechanisms differ regionally? 4) How has reduced hydrological connectivity influenced historical fish species distributions in reservoir-dominated stream networks in Texas? Baylor affords outstanding research and teaching facilities. The Aquatic Ecology Lab is housed in the new 500,000 sq. ft Baylor Sciences Building and is in the process of moving into brand-new expansion space in spring 2009 to accommodate growth of the lab. Student offices are situated adjacent to the lab and other aquatic teaching and research labs, most notably the Center for Reservoir and Aquatic Systems Research (www.baylor.edu/crasr), a state-of-the-art analytical laboratory supporting a suite of water, soil, and tissue chemical analyses. A stable- isotope mass spectrometer lab available on-site for student research also is opening in spring 2009. Off campus, the 180-acre Lake Waco Wetlands (www.lakewacowetlands.com) supports our new Baylor Experimental Aquatic Research (BEAR) outdoor stream facility, one of the largest and most realistic experimental stream facilities in North America (www.baylor.edu/aquaticlab/index.php?id=45868). Baylor offers excellent financial support for highly qualified applicants. Annual stipends range from $19,000-25,000, with the higher stipends awarded to top applicants. Admission to either Biology or EEES PhD programs guarantees full tuition remission (up to a $20,000 value per year as of 2009), health insurance benefits, and additional funding opportunities to cover fees, books, etc. Biology assistantships will initially require teaching in fall and spring semesters with possibility of moving over to a research assistantship, depending upon availability of funding. EEES assistantships require only 1 semester of teaching assistant service per academic year. To apply to either Biology or EEES, please review university admission guidelines (www.baylor.edu/graduate/index.php?id=42273). In addition to these application materials, applicants should possess an M.S. degree or substantial undergraduate research experience, a GRE verbal + quantitative score of 1200 or higher, and a GPA of 3.25 or higher. Applicants also much possess a U.S. driver’s license. If you meet these criteria and are interested in applying, please contact Dr. Ryan S. King ([email protected]) for more information. Applications must be received by FEBRUARY 15, 2009.
