Position Description – Research Associate Department of Forest Resources
Researcher sought with expertise and interest in impacts of global change on plant communities and ecosystem processes. * * *Availability*: May 1, 2011. The position is funded for at least two years and located in St. Paul, MN. *Requirements:* Ph.D. in forest ecology, forestry, ecosystem ecology, ecophysiology or a closely related field, experience with plant identification, as well as a strong work ethic, demonstrated quantitative capabilities, and a proven ability to work independently. *Expertise and experience*: Global change biology, invasion biology, ecophysiology, community ecology, ecosystem ecology, or other relevant area. Main responsibilities will be in a new field project assessing the links between forest attributes and plant invasion. The goal of the research is to better understand whether forest characteristics, especially those amenable to management, can be effective deterrents to plant invasion. We will establish a large number of forest study sites in Minnesota and assess invasive plant species and a set of key indicators relevant to invasion, including disturbance history; tree canopy cover; native plant diversity; light and soil resources; native and non-native biotic agents; and other factors that may be important. We will determine the links between these attributes and plant invasion, and attempt to discern cause and effect. Results will be presented in the peer-reviewed scientific literature, but the project will also develop guidelines for forest management to resist invasion. The secondary responsibilities of the post-doc will involve engagement in existing research. As part of the activities in the Reich laboratory there are ongoing studies and associated data sets reflecting plant and ecosystem responses to experimental manipulations of atmospheric CO2 levels, N deposition, biodiversity, water, temperature, and fire, as well as to natural disturbances involving windstorms and wildfires. The studies include BioCON (a 13-year experiment in perennial grasslands of CO2, N, and biodiversity, as well as a 4-year study of CO2, N, and water availability; http://www.biocon.umn.edu/), the Cedar Creek fire frequency project (a 55-year experiment with fire frequency in oak woodland; http://forestecology.cfans.umn.edu/oak%20savanna.html), B4WarmED (a 2-year study in boreal forest of open-air warming; http://forestecology.cfans.umn.edu/B4WARMED.html), and several linked observational studies of wildfire and windstorm disturbances in southern boreal forest. The postdoc will analyze data from one or more of these projects to address important questions not previously examined. The combination of the two assignments is geared towards advancing the scientific training and career potential of the successful applicant. The new field study will require at least a field season, and perhaps longer, generating data suitable to craft scientific publications. In contrast, data from the existing projects are available now for analyses and publication preparation. So while the new project is developing, the postdoc will be able to work on data analyses and publication preparation. Hence, during the postdoc position, he/she will be able to engage in both initial and latter stages of research, and be able to further develop their scientific publication record without the long delay that field ecology often entails. *Application Instructions*: Applications and required documents must be submitted online at the University of Minnesota Employment website: https://employment.umn.edu/applicants/jsp/shared/position/JobDetails_css.jsp?postingId=466607 Application should include a cover letter, statement of interest and goals, resume/CV, and names and contact information for three references. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Questions can be directed to Dr. Peter Reich ([email protected], 612/624-4270). *As an institution committed to demonstrating excellence through diversity, the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences is committed to hiring a diverse faculty and staff, and actively encourages candidates from historically underrepresented groups to apply. *
