Two PhD Assistantships in remote sensing and conservation biology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison; Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology
Position Description: Two PhD research assistantships are available in two projects using remote sensing to monitor land cover and land use change, and its effects on biodiversity in Russia. Russia has undergone dramatic changes in land use and land cover since the breakdown of the USSR in 1990. In some regions, more than half of the agricultural land is out of production and succession to shrublands and forests is widespread. This offers unique opportunities for biodiversity conservation. On the other hand, forest exports are rising, and harvesting rates especially in the temperate forests of European Russia may not be sustainable. In our projects, we will monitor recent land cover changes with satellite imagery, link the changes to socioeconomic drivers, and assess effects on biodiversity and protected areas. The first PhD position will focus on developing methods for large-area mapping based on Landsat TM/ETM+ time series, and on analyzing forest changes in Western Russia during the last decades. The PhD student in this position will be advised by Prof. Mutlu Ozdogan The second PhD position will focus on the monitoring of land use change surrounding protected areas in the Caucasus and Ural Mountains, and will relate the observed changes to biodiversity inventories, and wildlife habitat. The PhD student in this position will be advised by Prof. Volker Radeloff. University, Department, Lab: The University of Wisconsin –Madison is one of the major research universities in the United States (www.wisc.edu). It ranks 2nd in research expenditures among all U.S. universities and first among public universities. Total student enrollment is 41,500, out of which 8,800 are graduate students. Employees include 2,000 faculty. UW-Madison has a long history of excellence in ecology, conservation biology, and remote sensing science. This project will be housed in the SILVIS laboratory (http://silvis.forest.wisc.edu) in the Department of Forest Ecology and Management (http://forest.wisc.edu). Town: Madison, Wisconsin consistently ranks as one of the best places in the United States to live, work, and study. It is Wisconsin's capital city, with a vibrant population of approximately 200,000 that combines small town charm with a nice variety of leisure and cultural opportunities. For more information on campus and town see http://www.uc.wisc.edu/profile/ Stipend/Salary: Current annual stipend levels are $19,596 per year before taxes, plus tuition remission and health care benefits. Financial support is provided by NASA and available for three years. Positions area available immediately, a start date no later than Fall of 2009 is strongly preferred, but a later start date may be negotiable for exceptional candidates. Qualifications: A MS degree in geography, environmental science, forestry, wildlife ecology, or other related disciplines is required. Applicants with a BS degree may be considered if substantial relevant experience can be shown. A solid working knowledge of remote sensing, GIS, and statistics software is required. Good English writing and verbal communication skills, as well as the ability to work in a team, are essential. Knowledge of a Slavic language and familiarity with Russia is a plus. Application Process: Applications will be reviewed upon receipt and review will continue until candidates are chosen. Applications received by May 1st, 2009 will be guaranteed consideration. The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. We promote excellence through diversity and encourage all qualified individuals to apply. Interested applicants are asked to e-mail to [email protected] the documents listed below (preferably in one PDF file). Please specify in your e-mail if you are applying for both positions or only one, and when you would be available. - Cover letter outlining research interests, academic and professional backgrounds - Resume/CV - Copies of transcripts (unofficial copies acceptable at this point) - GRE scores if available - Reprints if available - Names and contact addresses of three references Volker Radeloff, Associate Professor Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology University of Wisconsin 1630 Linden Drive Russell Laboratories Madison WI 53706 [email protected] Mutlu Ozdogan, Assistant Professor Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology University of Wisconsin 1630 Linden Drive Russell Laboratories Madison WI 53706 [email protected]
