Postdoctoral Research Position: Tropical Montane Cloud Forest Canopy Ecophysiology
We are seeking a postdoctoral researcher to join an NSF-funded collaborative research project on the ecophysiology of canopy epiphyte communities in the tropical montane cloud forest of Monteverde Costa Rica. Our research concerns the functional traits, water relations, water use, and vulnerability to drought of epiphytes and trees along an elevation gradient to document variation in ecophysiological strategies in plants that are exposed to different microclimates in both forest and pasture habitats. We will also document photosynthetic strategies along the gradient, using stable isotopes. To assess the role of suites of functional traits on drought resistance, a subset of common species from forests and pastures will be subjected to a manipulative drought experiment. This post-doc will join the Gotsch Lab at Franklin and Marshall College (www.sybilgotsch.com), and will work in collaboration with co-PIs Nalini Nadkarni (University of Utah) and Todd Dawson (University of California- Berkeley). The post-doc will reside primarily in Costa Rica, but will visit the PIs' labs throughout the year and will attend conferences. Funding for this position is for two years, starting in May 2016. The post-doc will lead field operations during the academic year and will work closely with Gotsch during the summer months. There will be two graduate students working on this project (in Dawson and Nadkarni labs) as well as undergraduates from Franklin and Marshall College. Required Qualifications: PhD in Plant Ecophysiology or related field. Preferred Qualifications: Experience with plant water relations methods (including sap flow), competency in spoken and written Spanish, Excellent writing skills (English) and familiarity with canopy access techniques. To apply, send a letter of intent, CV and a list of three references to Sybil Gotsch ([email protected]). Applications will be considered as they are received. For full consideration, apply on or before February 1, 2016.
