*2 PhD Research Assistantships Available – Global change and resilience, University of Nebraska-Lincoln*
*Last Date to Apply* 03/31/2015 *Description* Two Ph.D. Graduate Research Assistantships are available starting in May or August 2015 to focus on risk, vulnerability and climate change adaptation. The two positions will be located within the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln. It is expected that one position will be housed within the Department of Agronomy and Horticulture and one within the School of Natural Resource. Both students will work collaboratively and with a research team composed of Craig R. Allen (Nebraska Cooperative Fish & Wildlife Research Unit, School of Natural Resources, University of Nebraska – Lincoln), Dirac Twidwell (Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska – Lincoln), and David Angeler (Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden). Our objectives are to develop spatial models to detect ecological regime shifts in space and time, identify components of adaptive capacity and identify species and techniques that may serve as leading indicators of thresholds of changing ecological regimes. Our geographic area of interest is, broadly, the interior plains and forests of the USA, and includes focus areas in Kansas and the panhandle of Florida. We will utilize long-term monitoring and survey data across (1) broad geographic extents that are currently available in North America (e.g., Breeding Bird Surveys) and (2) local sites of conservation priority (e.g. Department of Defense properties). These data sources will be employed along with novel statistical tools and theory to assess long-term trends in the resilience and transformability of landscapes and species vulnerable to decline and extinction. This will advance our current team’s use of spatial and time series modeling and discontinuity analysis in an effort to move toward quantitative measures of resilience that can inform adaptation measures in the face of global change. *Salary* 20,000.00 *Qualifications* Successful applicants will be highly motivated, with a strong work ethic, a passion for field and laboratory work, excellent communication skills, and the ability to work in collaboration. Applicants should be familiar with GIS and landscape ecology, and have an understanding of resilience theory and interest in global change ecology. Applicants should possess a M.S. in Ecology or Biology or a related field and have a valid driver’s license. *To Apply* Interested applicants should send a cover letter, names and emails of 3 reference, GPA and GRE scores, and an updated CV as an electronic PDF or Word document to: Craig Allen ([email protected]) or Dirac Twidwell ( [email protected]) Review of applications will begin March 1 and continue until qualified candidates are identified. Please forward all application materials to Craig R. Allen at [email protected] -- Hannah E. Birgé MS IGERT Trainee School of Natural Resources University of Nebraska-Lincoln
