The University of Minnesota, Department of Forest Resources is seeking a
PhD-level graduate
student to participate in a research project examining the effects of
Scotch broom (/Cytisus//
//scoparius/) on soil processes and vegetation dynamics in Douglas-fir
forests of the Pacific
Northwest. Scotch Broom is an invasive plant species of major concern,
potentially causing
long-term changes in soil ecological processes, resource supply, and
forest community
structure. Relatively little is known about links between management
practices and invasion,
the impacts associated with it, and whether these impacts can be
reversed. The student will
join a team of collaborators from the University of Minnesota, the
University of Vermont, and
USDA Forest Service-Pacific Northwest (PNW) Research Station to provide
an assessment of
these impacts on this critically important forest type within the
Pacific Northwest.
Within the larger project, the student will be responsible for
evaluating the effects of Scotch
broom on soil properties and plant community structure and how these
ecosystem
components change over time following broom removal. Research will
involve summer field
work at project sites in Oregon and Washington while being based at the
USDA PNW lab in
Olympia, WA. The student will be responsible for conducting field and
lab work in support of
project goals, analyzing data, and preparing peer-reviewed publications.
The start date is somewhat flexible, but preferably the student will
begin field work in Summer
2015 with classes beginning in Fall 2015. There are three guaranteed
years of funding for this
position to cover stipend (~ $20,000 annually), tuition waiver, and
health insurance with
additional support likely from teaching and research assistantships.
Qualifications: M.S. in forest soils, forestry, silviculture, ecology,
or a closely related field.
Applicants must be able to work independently, but also cooperatively
with other researchers
working on the larger project. Knowledge of soil sampling/analytical
techniques and plant
identification (PNW flora) is desired. Applicants should also have a
strong work ethic,
demonstrated writing and quantitative capabilities, and a record of
leadership.
Deadline for receiving applications is December 15, 2015.
Interested candidates should contact:
Dr. Robert Slesak ([email protected], 651-603-6756)
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Anthony D'Amato
Associate Professor
Department of Forest Resources
University of Minnesota
1530 Cleveland Ave. North
St. Paul, MN 55108
Phone: (612) 625-3733
FAX: (612) 625-5212
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: http://silviculture.forestry.umn.edu/
