Doctoral Research Assistantship Climate change effects on migratory geese-vegetation interactions in Alaska Utah State University
I seek applicants for a PhD-level graduate research assistantship focused on the interactions between geese and their vegetation under changing climate scenarios in the Yukon-Kushokwim (Y-K) Delta, Alaska. This research project combines goose biology with ecosystem ecology, and the successful candidate must have a strong interest in pursuing the intersection between community and ecosystem ecology. The successful applicant will be expected to: (a) take the lead, while working with faculty and other students, in designing, planning, and implementing a three-year field experiment on the interaction between geese and their vegetation under changing climate scenarios in the Y-K Delta; (b) collect, analyze, and interpret carbon and nitrogen cycling data from the three-year field experiment; (c) collaborate with a post-doctoral researcher and faculty to develop models of ecosystem responses to changing climates, goose arrival times, and growing season conditions for the Y-K Delta; and (d) incorporate analyses of field data into dissertation chapters and publications. Competitive candidates will be expected to have: (a) strong field experience related to the project in the areas of either goose biology or ecosystem ecology, previous experience in Arctic systems is a plus; (b) strong interest in the intersection between community and ecosystem ecology; (c) evidence of success in previous projects, including publications and/or professional presentations; and (d) a cumulative GPA above 3.5 and GRE scores above 70th percentile is preferred. Candidates should have a masters degree in a relevant discipline. Exceptional candidates without a masters degree also will be considered. Successful candidates must be available to start field work in April 2014. The home department will be Wildland Resources in the College of Natural Resources at USU, though students will be expected to work with a cross- institutional research team that includes researchers from University of Alaska Anchorage, University of Nevada, Reno, Colorado State University, and the USGS Alaska Science Center. Full research assistant support for a qualified student is initially guaranteed for 3 years at a rate of $22,000 per year (plus a full tuition award), with expectations and opportunities to pursue supplemental funding from internal and external sources in future years as well as teaching opportunities in year 4. Prospective students should contact Dr. Karen Beard (karen.be...@usu.edu) for more information: please include a current resume with GPA and GRE scores, and statement of research interests with your inquiry. Application deadline is November 1, 2013. Why Utah? The Wasatch Front of Northern Utah offers a stunning landscape for work (and play). The Wasatch/Cache National Forest provides unlimited outdoor recreation year-round. Housing costs are lower than the national average, and there are diverse cultural opportunities. Northern Utah is a short trip from the most scenic National Parks in the USA, including Zion, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Arches, Capitol Reef, Grand Teton, Great Basin, and Yellowstone. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Karen H. Beard Associate Professor Department of Wildland Resources and Ecology Center Utah State University Logan, UT 84322-5230 Ph: 435-797-8220; Fax: 435-797-3796 Email: karen.be...@usu.edu ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
