A funded position(s) with Dr. Christopher Lortie at York University is available to do research either at the MSC or PhD level on positive interactions using shrubs, annual plants, and animals Our lab website is http://www.ecoblender.org, and the personal blog of Lortie is found is http://christopherlortie.info
The primary focus of the research is exploring how we might better use positive interactions between plants for restoration and management of arid systems. In particular, we want to examine influences on other taxa such as insects (including pollinators), endangered animal species (such as leopard lizards and kangaroo rats - cute), and on community biodiversity dynamics. The research is in California, and we have partners with the BLM and Nature Conservancy. Each Fall, we plan experiments, analyze data, and write papers. In these deserts, it is a winter growing season with some rains. Hence, January to May are spent in California. Summers usually spent in Toronto for teaching assistant positions provided by university. Please contact [email protected] for more information. Start date as early as Sept 8, 2016 if you apply rapidly and have a GPA of B+ (with experience) or an A. Canadian and International Students eligible, but Canadian Citizens pay significantly less tuition.
