A PhD research assistantship is available to evaluate impacts of Pacific Northwest woody energy crop plantations on dynamics of soil productivity and ecohydrology. Feedstocks from large-scale poplar coppice plantations will be used for production of cellulosic biofuels in an interdisciplinary project. Soil productivity research involves assessing soil chemical, physical and biological responses to poplar coppice culture, including soil gas exchange, extracellular enzyme activity, substrate induced respiration, and ion exchange. Ecohydrology will determine storm runoff and soil erosion impacts, including off-site movement of sediments and agricultural products using automated Isco samplers. Impact assessments will compare woody coppice culture relative to traditional agricultural cropping systems. Selected candidate will meet research standards by having good work ethic, strong quantitative skills, demonstrated publication potential, and effective team-membership qualities. Prior soil and hydrology courses and work experiences are highly desirable. Fall 2011 start date is preferred, but spring 2012 will also be considered. Students can apply to graduate programs in Natural Resources or Environmental Sciences depending on interests and professional aspirations. Interested students should first email a letter describing common interests, contact information for three references, and a brief resume (including GRE scores, graduate and undergraduate transcripts, and TOEFL (where appropriate) to Mark Coleman ( [email protected]). For parallel research activities see websites for Intermountain Forest Tree Nutrition Cooperative (http://www.cnr.uidaho.edu/IFTNC/) and Short Rotation Woody Crops Cooperative Research Program (http://www.srs.fs.usda.gov/srwc/).
Mark D. Coleman Forest Ecology and Biogeosciences University of Idaho PO Box 441133 Moscow, ID 83844-1133 208-885-7604 [email protected]
