A Ph.D. assistantship in Global Change and Forest Ecology is available in the Plant Ecology Laboratory of Dr. Martin Dovciak (http://www.esf.edu/efb/dovciak/) at the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY-ESF) in Syracuse, New York.
Position Overview: The student will develop his or her dissertation research to examine how forest dynamics, location of montane forest ecotones, and/or elevational distribution of plant communities may have changed due to anthropogenic stresses such as climate change and acid deposition in the Adirondack Mountains of northern New York State. The research will involve resurveying vegetation transects established on Whiteface Mountain in the 1960s and 1980s, and measurements of elevational gradients in climate and soil. Research may also include investigation of plant ecophysiology or dendrochronology, or the use of remote sensing/GIS. Direct collaborative opportunities exist with UC Berkeley and two related remote sensing/GIS and dendrochronology research projects at SUNY-ESF. Collaborative opportunities may also exist within a multi-investigator project, the Appalachian Trail MEGA-Transect Study examining relationships among vegetation, soil, climate, and acid deposition along the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine. Funding: Available for at least 4 years, starting in August 2011, via a combination of research and teaching assistantships. Opportunities exist to apply for additional internal and external funds. Early start in June 2011 may be possible. Qualifications: Academic background (M.S. preferred) in plant or forest ecology, relevant field research experience, GRE scores in the 70th percentile or higher, GPA at least 3.5 (graduate and undergraduate), and strong interpersonal, quantitative, and writing skills. Previous refereed publications may offset GRE/GPA requirements. A successful applicant will have a driver’s license, be able to live near research sites in the Adirondacks during the summer field season, and be able to hike and work long hours in difficult terrain, potentially under inclement weather. Applications: The official application deadline is January 15, however, applications will be considered after this date until the appropriate candidate is found. Online application instructions and forms are here: http://www.esf.edu/graduate/admission.htm Inquiries: Dr. Martin Dovciak ([email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>) with an email containing a single pdf with (1) a brief statement of purpose summarizing qualifications, research interests, and professional goals as they relate to this position, (2) curriculum vitae, and (3) contact information for three referees. Include GRE scores and GPA (undergraduate and graduate) and use “PhD Assistantship: Global Change & Forest Ecology” in the subject line. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dr. Martin Dovciak, Assistant Professor http://www.esf.edu/efb/dovciak/ State University of New York (SUNY) College of Environmental Science & Forestry Department of Environmental & Forest Biology 459 Illick Hall, 1 Forestry Drive, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
