Research Opportunities in Forest Ecology: Post-Doctoral Research Associate and Ph.D. Student
One post-doctoral research associate and one Ph.D. graduate student are sought to conduct research in forest ecology within a newly funded research project entitled “Temporal and Spatial Patterns of Pine Mortality in the Southeastern United States”. The project will address two questions: (1) is there a decline in southern pine forests that are different from historical (healthy) patterns of growth and mortality? (2) what are the patterns of decline in time and space? These questions will be addressed at stand, landscape, and regional scales using data obtained from remote sensing, forest inventory, and field sampling. Aerial photos and various satellite images will be used to reconstruct the historic forest dynamics to explore possible pine decline. Tree ring analysis (dendrochronology) will be used to study historical growth pattern and investigate possible role of global/climatic change on pine decline. Working closely with the PIs (Dr. Geoff Wang of Clemson University and Dr. Joan Walker of USFS Southern Research Station) and other collaborators, the post-doc is responsible to oversee the project with assistance from other project personnel (including the Ph.D. student, one full time technician and summer research assistants). We are seeking an outstanding candidate with PhD in Forestry, Biology, Ecology, Geography, and Environmental Sciences. The person should be experienced in remote sensing techniques (e.g., forest classification, land use change, and ground truth data sampling) or in dendrochoronology. A past record of scientific publication and presentation is essential. Some familiarity with the southeastern US would be beneficial, and a forestry background is preferred. Good people skills are important since the person must interact with land managers on many National Forests and Department of Defense installations. The position is for a minimum of three years starting as soon as possible. The salary of the position starts from $40k/year with benefit, and the starting salary may increase depending on the previous working experience of the candidate. The Ph.D. student is expected to working in the area of either remote sensing or dendrochronology. We are seeking an outstanding candidate with BS and/or MS in Forestry, Biology, Ecology, Geography, and Environmental Sciences. A past experience in conducting tree ring analyses or applying remote sensing technique to ecological research is desirable. The student will be offered a full graduate research assistantship ($19,000/year) plus a tuition waiver. Additionally, competitive university and/or college scholarships are available for outstanding candidates, and students working in our lab have had a great track record to obtain these scholarships. Supplementary teaching assistantship may also be available to suitable candidate. The assistantship is for 3.5 years, which is renewable annually based on satisfactory performance. The assistantship will start in January 2010 or as soon as possible. If you are interested in either the post-doc or the graduate opportunity, Please contact Dr. Geoff Wang, Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, 261 Lehotsky Hall, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634-0317 (Phone: 864-656-4864; Email: [email protected]). For information about Clemson University and the Silviculture/Ecology Lab, visit www.clemson.edu and www.clemson.edu/~gwang/
