The lab of Dr. Kirsten Hofmockel (http://www.kirstenhofmockel.org) is looking for two highly motivated and enthusiastic undergraduates to participate in the Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) in Biogeosciences at Iowa State University (http://www.abe.iastate.edu/undergraduate-students/research-experience-opportunities/biogeosciences-reu-program/). The REU positions will be part of larger projects investigating soil nutrients, microbial processes, greenhouse gas emissions, soil run-off, root growth and architecture, and plant community production within conventional agricultural and next generation biomass systems. The proposed projects will contrast components of soil microbial communities in perennial biomass and traditional agricultural cropping systems and relate them to biogeochemical cycling. The student will participate in field work as well as extensive lab work, including soil sampling, soil structural analysis, and laboratory analysis of soil microbial community function. Also, the student will gain interdisciplinary experience using techniques from biogeochemistry, molecular biology, microbial and ecosystem ecology. Students with course and/or lab and field work experience in ecology, molecular biology, and/or chemistry are highly encouraged to apply.
The REU program is sponsored by the National Science Foundation and provides student researchers with a $4000 stipend for the 10-week program. The program runs May 29-August 3, 2012, but start and end dates are flexible. Students will have access to on-campus resources and facilities at Iowa State, including recreational facilities (e.g., the Lied Recreational Center), computing facilities, the library, and the student health facility. Applicants must be enrolled in an accredited undergraduate institution and a citizen of the United States. Interested students should contact Dr. Kirsten Hofmockel ([email protected]). Applications are due March 16, 2012.
