Post-doctoral Research Associate Tropical Cloud Forest Ecology University of Utah
Dr. Nalini Nadkarni, Professor, Department of Biology, and Director, Center for Science and Math Education A three-year Post-doctoral Associate position is available in the Department of Biology at the University of Utah, in Salt Lake City, in the lab of Dr. Nalini Nadkarni. As part of an ongoing and long-term study (27 years) of forest canopy ecology, the Post-doc will work closely with Dr. Nadkarni to: 1) design and implement a field study - observational, experimental, and/or modelling - on the ecological roles of canopy biota in tropical cloud forest ecosystem ecology; 2) co-author a series of review papers on aspects of tropical montane forest ecology, and; 3) develop research dissemination and outreach materials for public audiences, including visitors to regional canopy zipline facilities, Monteverde Reserve Visitor Center, and/or local K-12 schools Both of these tasks will draw upon over 25 years of research in the Monteverde landscape on topics that include forest dynamics, epiphyte biology, bird/plant interactions, canopy invertebrates, effects of climate change on canopy organisms, and canopy and forest floor soils. This work has been supported by the National Science Foundation (Ecology, Ecosystems, Long-term Studies, International, Informal Science Education Programs), the Mellon Foundation (Plant Sciences), the Whitehall Foundation, and the National Geographic Society (Committee for Research and Exploration). Field and research resources available include: In Monteverde: * Research plots in which trees have been tagged, identified to species, and mapped (4 ha of primary forest; 1 ha of secondary forest; 6 ha of pasture with relict trees); * Over 60 papers and one scholarly book (The Ecology and Conservation of a Tropical Montane Forest, Oxford University Press, 2000) published on Monteverde forest ecology * Excellent field lab 1 km from study site, with electricity, Internet, and drying ovens, dissecting scopes, and support from Monteverde Reserve field staff; * Datasets over 25+ yr on climate, soils, forest and epiphyte composition and dynamics, nutrient pools and fluxes (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Al) * Excellent relations with local and regional organizations and individuals At the University of Utah: * Access to large, newly renovated lab space with nutrient and general lab analysis; * Support to attend 1-2 professional meetings/yr * Excellent data analysis and computer support * Opportunities to carry out broader impacts and dissemination to public audiences, facilitated by the Center for Science and Math Education * Interactions with vibrant Biology Department faculty, including an active tropical biology research group * Generous leave and benefits package The candidate must be able to: * live and work in Monteverde for extended periods of time (2-5 months/yr); * manage, coordinate, and mentor local field assistants and undergraduate and graduate students; * foster positive informal interactions with Monteverde community members; * be conversant in Spanish (fluency preferable); * write peer-reviewed proposals and papers independently and in collaboration with the senior ecologist; * carry out the design, implementation, and communication of high-quality original and synthetic work * present research to scientific audiences, and help engage undergraduates, graduate students, and scientific colleagues * enthusiastically carry out broader impacts by disseminating research to traditional and non-traditional public audiences * show leadership in communicating with and guiding the forest canopy and the tropical montane forest research communities Position is funded for up to three years. Start date is flexible anytime after November 1, 2011. Post-doc is expected to co-write a grant proposal for the NSF LTREB program for the January 2012 deadline in partial support of this work. Please contact: Nalini Nalini M. Nadkarni, Ph.D. Member of the Faculty President, International Canopy Network The Evergreen State College 2700 Evergreen Parkway NW, Lab II Olympia, Washington 98505 (360) 867-6621 www.evergreen.edu/ican www.researchambassador.com www.sustainableprisons.org canopy.evergreen.edu
