Post Doctoral Research Associate in Ecology School of Life Sciences Arizona State University
Closing date: January 31, 2011 Start Date: April, 2011 %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Responsibilities: We seek a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher to lead an NSF-funded project that aims to understand how water and energy limitation determine species interactions and trophic structure in riparian food webs along the San Pedro River in southeastern Arizona. The larger project goal is to link declining surface flows and groundwater levels in the San Pedro basin to individual water budgets and the abundance and diversity of animals in riparian ecosystems. This will be accomplished using a diverse set of methods in community and physiological ecology including lab and field measurement of metabolic and water use rates and large scale field experiments involving invertebrate and vertebrate animals. Thus there is ample opportunity for the successful candidate to expand knowledge and toolsets into the related fields of eco- physiology and eco-hydrology. The selected applicant will perform the following tasks: 1. Spearhead and coordinate a large scale, replicated field experiment designed to ascertain the role of groundwater in determining patterns of abundance, interaction strength, and trophic structure of animals in above-ground food webs in desert floodplains. 2. Collect and analyze samples of all members of the riparian food web for energy content (via calorimetry) and water content (via gravimetric methods). 3. Learn lab methods related to analyzing the composition of stable isotopes of water (2H and 18O) in body waters of animals. 4. Advise and manage a large team of undergraduate and graduate personnel in rugged field conditions during a spring-summer field research program 5. Perform essential administrative duties associated with the project, including financial reporting, progress reports and project collaboration 6. Actively publish in scientific journals, present research at society meetings, and interact regularly with other faculty in related fields at ASU The successful applicant will be advised by Dr. John Sabo and work closely with partners at ASU (Jon Harrison, Senior Personnel on award) and staff at the Gray Hawk Nature Center, a non-profit K-12 environmental education NGO who provide us with access to our primary field site. Qualifications: PhD in ecology, environmental physiology, ecohydrology or related field. Applicants must exhibit strong quantitative and communication skills, demonstrated ability to publish in peer‐reviewed journals, and a proven record of leadership and ability to coordinate large research programs. Location: The position will be located within the School of Life Sciences (SoLS) at Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona. SoLS includes ~100 faculty, 200 graduate students, a well developed undergraduate research enrichment program, and about 300 administrative and research staff. John Sabo is a member of the Faculty of Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Sciences, one of six faculty groups in SoLS. SoLS has demonstrated research strengths in both ecosystem and physiological ecology. The research to be undertaken by the successful candidate will bridge these two strengths by linking water budgets of watersheds and animals to understand components of food web structure. The San Pedro River (primary research site) is one of the last free-flowing rivers in the western US supporting cottonwood-willow gallery forest along its shores. The river also provides an important stopover for an estimated 2-4 million migratory birds, has extremely high richness of birds, mammals, and reptiles, and supports endangered species such as the southwest willow flycatcher. Thus, this area is of considerable conservation concern and of notable aesthetic value. Salary: $36,200 annually plus benefits; funded for 1-2 years contingent on performance and funding. Contact: To apply email a cover letter that addresses your interest, experience (in response to the requirements stated above) and future career goals, curriculum vitae, most relevant (3) publications (PDF), and contact information for at least three references to: Dr. John Sabo, School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University at [email protected]. Screening of applicants will occur immediately and will continue until a suitable candidate is found. A background check is required for employment. Arizona State University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer committed to excellence through diversity. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply. For ASU's complete non-discrimination statement point your browser to: https://www.asu.edu/titleIX/. More information about John Sabo’s research can be found at the following URLs: Sabo: http://sols.asu.edu/people/faculty/jsabo.php Sabo Lab: http://www.public.asu.edu/~jlsabo/about_sabo.html News: http://asunews.asu.edu/20101014_riverresearch, http://asunews.asu.edu/20101213_cadillac_desert Field Site: http://www.grayhawknaturecenter.org/
