Two PhD graduate research assistantships are available beginning January 2011 (or sooner) for projects supported by the NSF at the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest (www.hubbardbrook.org) in New Hampshire. The study focuses on feedbacks between hydrology, soil characteristics, and catchment biogeochemistry and is aimed at explaining the spatial and temporal variation in stream water chemistry at the headwater catchment scale. The project will have an intensive field component that will require extensive travel. Students will work with faculty at Virginia Tech, as well as with federal and other university scientists involved in the project. A strong background in hydrology, forest soils, and/or geospatial analyses is highly desired. An M.S. degree in Hydrology, Soil Science, Ecology or related field is required.
The student may enroll in the Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation (www.frec.vt.edu/) or in the interdisciplinary Geospatial and Environmental Analysis (www.cnre.vt.edu/GEA/gea.htm) program in the College of Natural Resources and Environment at Virginia Tech. Additional support will be provided by the Virginia Water Resources Research Center. Virginia Tech has a strong program in Forest Soils and Hydrology with excellent analytical facilities and laboratory space. Six faculty and over 15 graduate students are actively involved in the Forest Soils and Hydrology programs. Strong supporting programs in Crop and Soil Environmental Sciences, Civil and Environmental Engineering, and Biological Systems Engineering exist at Virginia Tech. PhD assistantships will start at approximately $20,000 per year. For students on assistantship, tuition is covered and health services and student health insurance plans are available. Graduate research assistants are actively involved in the departmental teaching program. Virginia Tech is located in Blacksburg, VA, which is situated in the Appalachian Mountains. The population of the area is approximately 100,000. The climate is pleasant with four distinct seasons. Numerous recreational opportunities exist in the surrounding area. Blacksburg has been recognized as one of the Top 10 places to live in the United States by Outside Magazine. Additional information on Blacksburg can be found at www.blacksburg.gov. Interested students should contact: Dr. Kevin McGuire Research Assistant Professor of Forest Hydrology Virginia Water Resources Research Center & Dept. of Forest Resources & Environmental Conservation 210B Cheatham Hall (0444) Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VA 24061 Tel: 540-231-6017; Fax: 540-231-6673 [email protected] www.vwrrc.vt.edu/mcguire
