Description We have an opening for a Ph.D. or MS student at Brigham Young University (BYU) with Dr. Matthew Madsen in the Department of Plant and Wildlife Sciences. The student’s research will seek to improve seeding success of native plants after large-scale catastrophic wildfires in Wyoming big sagebrush plant communities of the Great Basin. Research will focus on 1) understanding how seed dormancy influences seed germination timing, with specific investigation into the role of abscisic acid (ABA), 2) using historic seedbed microclimate data to identify periods (windows) of the year that are typically more favorable for plant establishment and 3) developing novel seed enhancement technologies that use ABA to control seed germination timing so that it occurs within periods that are optimal for plant growth. Seed germination modeling will be used to assist in engineering and evaluating enhancement technologies. Treatments that are shown to provide the desired germination events will be evaluated in replicated field trials. The proposed research has the potential to dramatically improve the effectiveness of seeding treatments that are intended to protect or restore the diversity and productivity of sagebrush ecosystems.
The graduate student will work on a funded project that provides a competitive RA stipend, undergraduate student support, and funding for supplies and travel. Additional information about a degree in Wildlife and Wildlands Conservation at BYU can be found at http://graduatestudies.byu.edu/content/plant-and-wildlife-sciences- courses Qualifications We are seeking an individual with a background in the natural sciences or engineering, with an interest in restoration ecology. The successful candidate should be self-motivated and have the capacity to work effectively in a team environment and across multiple disciplines. Minimum requirements can be found at http://graduatestudies.byu.edu. Interested individuals should send a letter of interest and CV (include GRE scores and GPA) to [email protected].
