PLANT ECOLOGY/CLIMATE CHANGE POST-DOCTORAL POSITION

A full-time post-doctoral position in plant ecology and climate change is 
available in the lab of Brenda Casper, Department of Biology, University of 
Pennsylvania, to develop investigations using data already in hand from a 
four-year climate change experiment in steppe vegetation in northern Mongolia.  
The particular questions to be addressed are flexible, dependent on the 
individual’s interests and area of expertise; investigations will be in 
collaboration with other plant and soil ecologists involved with the project.  
The experiment manipulated temperature, precipitation, and grazing and 
incorporated landscape scale variation in plant community composition and soil 
properties.  Measured variables include flowering phenology; cover and biomass 
by plant species; plant functional traits, including N and C isotopes; nutrient 
availability; litter production; soil respiration; and microclimate.  Strong 
quantitative skills are necessary, including the ability to work with large 
data sets.  Experience using R programming preferred.  The position would be 
for a minimum of two years, with opportunity for annual renewal.  Applicants 
should submit a current CV with a cover letter explaining prior research and 
their particular interest in this project and have three letters of 
recommendation sent to [email protected].  The words “Mongolia post-doc” 
should be included in the subject line of all correspondence.  Review of 
applications will begin April 15, 2014 and continue until the position is 
filled.  Start date is negotiable.  The University of Pennsylvania is an equal 
opportunity employer.     




Brenda B. Casper
Professor and Chair
Department of Biology
322 Leidy Labs
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA  19104-6018
(215) 898-8569 office

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