The Darrouzet-Nardi lab at the University
of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) is recruiting two Ph.D. students to work on a recently funded NSF
grant to study interactions among plants, biocrusts, and fungi in the deserts of the
Southwestern United States. Three years of full funding (RA support including summers,
project supplies, and travel costs) are available. In addition to joining our growing ecology
program at UTEP, students will have the opportunity interact extensively with leading
ecologists at both the University of New Mexico and the U.S. Geological Survey in Moab, Utah.
The main goal of the project is to test the "fungal loop hypothesis" using isotopic
and other biogeochemical techniques. More info on the project goals here. Students will have
the opportunity to work at three desert field sites: the Jornada Experimental Range in New
Mexico, the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge in New Mexico, and a site on the Colorado
Plateau near Moab, Utah. The ideal candidate would have some research experience, a published
paper from work in any discipline as an undergraduate or M.S. student, strong performance in
science courses, and a desire to do field work. Though initially students will work with our
team on grant objectives, they will also have considerable opportunity to springboard into
projects of their own design. If you love deserts and science, this is a fantastic Ph.D.
opportunity. Contact [email protected] if you are
interested or have questions.
