*Graduate Research Assistantships (Multiple Ph.D. & M.S. Positions)* *The Ohio State University - Aquatic Ecology Laboratory (AEL)*
*Drs. James E. Bauer, Stuart A. Ludsin, & Elizabeth A. Marschall* Openings are available for M.S. and Ph.D. students to conduct basic and applied research in aquatic ecology in a variety of systems using field, laboratory, experimental, and modeling approaches. Research topics include: * 1)* exploring life-history traits and optimal energy and parental effort allocation in a changing environment (*Marschall*); *2) *understanding how population structure, community and ecosystem processes, and abiotic factors interact to drive recruitment of top predators (e.g., largemouth bass, hybrid striped bass) in Ohio reservoirs (*Marschall/Ludsin*); *3)*identifying factors that regulate population dynamics and life-history strategies of *Chaoborus* (a predatory invertebrate) and its role in driving community dynamics, energy flow, and fish recruitment in Ohio reservoirs (* Ludsin*); *4)* understanding the genetic and ecological basis, as well as associated costs, for coping with environmental stress in animals (*Ludsin*); *5)* better understanding the biogeochemical cycling of carbon and associated elements in aquatic systems including lakes, rivers, estuaries, and coastal ocean waters (*Bauer*); *6)* quantitatively evaluating the sources of autochthonous and allochthonous materials supporting aquatic food webs, using isotopic and biogeochemical approaches (*Bauer*); and *7)*assessing the roles of biotic (e.g., microbial) and abiotic (e.g., light) factors in controlling the cycling and fate of dissolved and particulate organic matter in different aquatic systems (*Bauer*). *Location*: Successful candidates will join a dynamic, interactive group of students, post-docs, visiting scholars, and faculty at The Ohio State University’s Aquatic Ecology Laboratory (AEL) within the Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology (EEOB). *Qualifications: * Successful applicants will be creative, motivated, and capable of working effectively both independently and in collaborative groups. A degree in biology, ecology, biogeochemistry, chemistry, general aquatic sciences, or a related field is desired. Students must have strong writing and quantitative skills. *Salary:* ~$2,050/month plus full tuition waiver and some health benefits. Full support will be provided for the entire degree program. *Start date:* Summer or fall 2011. *How to apply:* EEOB graduate application procedures and forms can be found at *http://excelsior.biosci.ohio-state.edu/~eeob/drupal//?q=graduate<http://excelsior.biosci.ohio-state.edu/~eeob/drupal/?q=graduate> * and OSU Graduate School requirements at http://gradadmissions.osu.edu/. The deadline for all graduate admissions applications is January 15, 2011. International and U.S. applicants seeking University Fellowship support ( http://gradadmissions.osu.edu/OSUFellowships.htm) must submit official applications by Nov. 30, 2010 and Jan. 15, 2011, respectively. As part of the AEL's unofficial screening of interested applicants, please email to Drs. Jim Bauer ([email protected]), Stuart Ludsin ([email protected]), or Elizabeth Marschall ([email protected]): 1) a letter of interest that briefly describes your educational and research background, indicates which research topics interest you most, and specifies if you are interested in pursuing a M.S. or Ph.D.; and 2) a resume (or curriculum vitae) that also includes your GPA, GRE scores, and (if applicable) TOEFL/TSE scores. Unofficial screening of interested applicants will begin during late November. *Contact information: *For additional information, visit http://www.ael.osu.edu/ or contact Drs. Bauer, Ludsin, or Marschall at the above email addresses (or by regular mail at Aquatic Ecology Laboratory, The Ohio State University, 1314 Kinnear Road, 227 Research Center, Columbus, OH 43212).* ***
