Ph.D. student to study the role of soil microbial communities in restoration of grassland ecosystem functions
Oklahoma State University’s Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management has openings for 2 Ph.D. students to study restoration ecology, plant community ecology, and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in the Wilson and Hickman research programs. These positions will provide graduate training and experiences through participation in a Department of Defense funded collaborative research project involving laboratories at Oklahoma and Indiana, with field sites in Illinois, Kansas, and Oklahoma. Our major research objective is to evaluate the best way to restore native ecosystems following non-native species invasion of grassland ecosystems by improving our understanding of soil ecosystems. The ultimate goal is to improve our understanding of the ecological causes and consequences of invasion by non-native invasive plant species. Research collaborators: Gail Wilson, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater Oklahoma USA Karen Hickman, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater Oklahoma USA Jim Bever, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana USA Peggy Schultz, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana USA Find information about the Graduate Programs at Oklahoma State University at: http://gradcollege.okstate.edu/ Wilson PhD student research will focus on mycorrhizal and soil ecology, Hickman PhD research student will focus on plant community and restoration ecology, This research will be conducted as a team approach with all collaborators from both universities. Qualifications: • Interest in restoration ecology and plant community or mycorrhizal ecology • Master’s degree in a related field of study • Strong writing skills • English fluency Application Deadline: Selection of students to fill these positions will begin immediately and continue until successful candidates have been identified. For Mycorrhizal Ecology position: Send CV and letter of interest to Gail Wilson before June 15, 2013 E-mail: [email protected] Tel: 405-744-5539 For Plant Community Ecology position: Send CV and letter of interest to Karen Hickman before June 15, 2013 E-mail: [email protected] Tel: 405-744-9579 008C Ag Hall Natural Resource Ecology & Management Oklahoma State University Stillwater, OK 74078 USA
