Graduate Research Assistantship in Forest Micrometeorology The Center for the Environment (http://www.plymouth.edu/center-for-the- environment/) at Plymouth State University (PSU) in NH is inviting applications for a MS graduate research assistantship specifically in the area of forest micrometeorology using an eddy covariance tower at the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest. The student is expected to take course work to earn a MS in Applied Meteorology.
The current research area of interest is in interpretation of energy balance estimates in complex terrain. This project involves synthesizing data from an eddy covariance flux tower, and making ancillary measurements to support energy balance closure. The research will require the student to understand field instrumentation, how to analyze large data sets with open source scripting languages, and the principles around forest energy budgets. Responsibilities: The graduate student will assist with maintaining and analyzing data from the eddy covariance flux tower at Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest. This includes comparisons of eddy covariance measurements with other instruments at the sites, data management, and possibly satellite derived products. The student will travel monthly to the remote forest site to maintain equipment, deploy experiments, and participate in field data collection. Required qualifications: The candidate must have proven abilities to conduct independent research and to work as part of a scientific team. Experience in data analysis, strong quantitative skills and the ability to work in a harsh environment are also required. Experience in or an interest in learning open source scripting languages (e.g., python, R) is also required. A strong background in statistics is desired. Also, an interest in working at the interface of meteorology and forest ecology is desired. The participating degree program for this GRA is the Department of Atmospheric Science & Chemistry (ASC). The annual GRA stipend ($5,331) and tuition support (12 credits) are supported through CFE but the MS degree resides in and is managed by ASC. The student will be co-advised by Eric Kelsey (ekels...@plymouth.edu, Meteorology) and Mark Green (mbgr...@plymouth.edu, Hydrology). Applications should be submitted to PSU Graduate Studies, http://www.plymouth.edu/graduate/. For more information about the MS in Applied Meteorology, please contact Program Coordinator, Eric Hoffman ehoff...@plymouth.edu.
