Graduate Research Assistantship Announcement Native Forb Functional Traits to Enhance Biodiversity on Great Basin Rangelands
Drs. Kris Hulvey, Doug Johnson, and Tom Monaco Department of Wildland Resources, Utah State University and USDA-ARS, Logan, UT A Master of Science graduate assistantship is available with Dr. Kris Hulvey in the Department of Wildland Resources at Utah State University and Drs. Doug Johnson and Tom Monaco at the USDA-ARS Forage and Range Research Lab in Logan, UT. The project will be in collaboration with the USDA-NRCS Plant Materials Center (Aberdeen, ID), USDA-Forest Service Shrub Sciences Lab (Provo, UT), and USDA-ARS Range and Meadow Forage Management (Burns, OR). The goal of this research is to better understand how forbs native to the western U.S. can be successfully established in restoration projects in the Great Basin to increase biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. This study will use a combination of field and greenhouse studies to examine traits that lead to successful germination and establishment of native forbs in the Great Basin. Work will include literature review of native forb trait data, germination and seedling establishment trials, and measurement of suites of traits contributing to establishment success. In addition, the student will work with an interdisciplinary research team to produce a review of the ecological, social, and economic factors that contribute to restoration decisions and success in Great Basin rangelands. Results from this work will improve our understanding of how to use native forbs in restoration projects in the Great Basin when restoration goals are to increase biodiversity and provide increased ecosystem services. This graduate assistantship will consist of coursework, field research (sites in Utah and Idaho), and greenhouse studies that elucidate key functional traits in important rangeland forb species. The duties of this position will include completion of required coursework, field and greenhouse sampling, data organization, data analyses, and completion of a thesis and peer-reviewed publication(s). Candidates for this position should have a B.S. degree in range science, ecology, or closely related discipline, proficiency in written and oral communication, strong GRE scores, and evidence of scholastic success. The position will begin Sept. 2015. The successful candidate will receive a competitive stipend, an in-state tuition waiver, and student medical insurance. To apply, please submit the following to Dr. Kris Hulvey (email: [email protected]): 1) Statement of career goals 2) Resume or curriculum vitae 3) Transcripts 4) GRE scores 5) Three references with contact information Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until a suitable candidate is selected. Please contact Kris Hulvey with any questions (email: [email protected]).
