A two year post-doctoral position is available with Dr. Elizabeth Boughton at the MacArthur Agro-ecology Research Center www.maerc.org , a division of Archbold Biological Station www.archbold-station.org in Lake Placid, FL. Archbold operates a full scale working cattle ranch at the MacArthur Agro-ecology Research Center (MAERC), which provides a unique platform for agro-ecology research, and provides many opportunities for study of the ecology of wetlands embedded in grazing lands. Wetlands comprise ~15% of the landscape in the headwaters of the Everglades, the watershed where MAERC is located. More information is needed to understand the ecological effects of grazing in both hydrologically restored and unrestored wetlands, as well as the trade-offs or synergies among managing for biodiversity in agricultural production systems.
The post-doc will utilize existing long-term field data sets that have been collected by MAERC and collaborating researchers from other institutions in two different studies: 1) two long-term wetland restoration sites that are being restored through the USDA’s Wetland Reserve Program with five years pre-and five years post-hydrological restoration groundwater and vegetation data, including vegetation data from within grazing exclosures and 2) a large factorial experiment examining pasture management intensity, prescribed fire, and release from grazing on 40 wetlands, initiated in 2006. For a description of the experiment see: Boughton, E. H., Quintana-Ascencio, P. F., Bohlen, P. J., Fauth, J. E., Jenkins, D. G. (2015), Interactive effects of pasture management intensity, release from grazing and prescribed fire on forty subtropical wetland plant assemblages. Journal of Applied Ecology. doi:10.1111/1365-2664.12536 A main goal of the post doc will be to analyze data and prepare at least two manuscripts ready for publication by the end of 12 months based on two existing long-term datasets. The focus will be on assessing the effects of cattle grazing on wetland plant composition, diversity, and biomass, an issue of extreme interest to land managers, ranchers, and agencies. The post-doc will also assess the effect of hydrological restoration on groundwater levels and vegetation in two large wetland restoration projects and analyze the effects of vegetation change through time and in response to ranch management practices. Other potential analyses could be conducted on how land use, prescribed fire, and grazing affect wetland plant forage quality and plant tissue nutrients. The post doc will be author on publications stemming from this work, and senior author if responsible for all analyses and major paper writing, but collaborating researchers will also be included as authors. Additional responsibilities will include administrative duties and oversight of a USDA Wetland Reserve Easement, as well as developing outreach and education materials on wetland restoration, and analysis and publication of an additional wetland plant data set from a long-term grazing and hydrological restoration monitoring project from the Archbold Reserve. Minimal fieldwork is expected, but there will be opportunities to interact and supervise research interns, participate in fieldwork if desired, participate in outreach and education activities and other minor administrative duties as they arise. Strong background in one or more of: multivariate statistics, assessing vegetation change trajectories, analyzing groundwater, ARC GIS, LiDAR, spatial statistics and experimental design. Start date is between January and February 2016. Salary is commensurate with experience with benefit package. All requirements for the PhD must be completed before starting. Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, CV, a short (1-2 page) description of research accomplishments, copies of publications, and letters of recommendation from three references by Dec 1, 2015 to Elizabeth Boughton at [email protected]. Working Conditions and Physical Demands The demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. • Minimal field work is expected, but there will be opportunities for fieldwork if desired. Potential physical activities including lifting, pushing and pulling items up to 50 pounds; reaching, stooping, bending, kneeling, climbing, crouching and prolonged periods of sitting. • Ability to work in outside conditions that include inclement weather, heat and humidity. • Ability to work various shifts during occasional emergency situations, including evenings and weekends, with little or no notice. • Stand and walk for long periods of time • Exposure to potentially hazardous chemicals Archbold is an Equal Opportunity Employer
