We seek a Postdoctoral Research Associate to help lead a landscape experiment examining how attributes of focal habitat patches and the surrounding landscape matrix jointly structure plant communities. This experiment employs a series of landscape restoration strategies (prescribed fire, overstory tree thinning) to experimentally manipulate focal (remnant) and matrix (post-agricultural) longleaf pine woodland patches at the Savannah River Site, near Aiken, SC. Our goals are to understand basic drivers of plant community diversity and spatial distributions (including constraints to spatial spread) and to test strategies for landscape restoration in the imperiled longleaf pine ecosystem. The postdoc will join a group of collaborators (Lars Brudvig, Michigan State University; John Orrock, University of Wisconsin; the USDA Forest Service-Savannah River; technicians and graduate students) and will be centrally involved in all aspects of this project. In addition to facilitating the goals of the core landscape experiment, the successful candidate will have substantial opportunities to develop their own independent research.
A Ph.D. is necessary. We particularly welcome applicants with backgrounds in landscape/spatial ecology, community ecology, plant-animal interactions, and/or conservation/restoration ecology. Interest in plant community ecology is important, but need not be the applicant’s research focus. Funding for salary, benefits, and research expenses is available for two years, with second year renewal contingent on performance. A late spring/early summer 2013 start date would be ideal; however, there is flexibility in the start date and candidates should indicate their availabilities. The primary location for the postdoc will be determined together with the research group, but substantial time will need to be spent at the field location in SC. To apply, email Lars Brudvig ([email protected]) with a CV, cover letter explaining research interests, and contact information for three references. Review of applicants will begin immediately and continue until a suitable candidate is selected. A criminal background check is a prerequisite for all Research Associate appointments at Michigan State University. The offer of appointment will be contingent on satisfactory criminal background check results, including degree verification.
