Job Description Post/Job Title: Post Doctoral Research Associate Position #: 00102228 Location: The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH Department: School of Environment and Natural Resources Pay rate: $4,000 per month + benefits Preferred starting date: 1st September 2018 (negotiable) Period of employment: 12 months
BACKGROUND Research in the Applied Disturbance and Fire and Ecosystem Restoration (ADFER) Lab at The Ohio State University (http://fireregimes.org.uk) focuses on assessing the responses of plant communities to variation in disturbance regimes. We currently have two key areas of focus: i) Peatland ecosystem function and management; and ii) Understanding how fire impacts natural and anthropogenic systems. Past research has focused on developing empirical models of fire behaviour, relating variation in fire behavior (intensity, severity) to ecosystem responses and evaluating how systems respond to altered fire regimes. We work across multiple ecosystems including semi-arid shrublands, temperate peatlands, tropical grasslands, and mid-Western prairies. A position is available in the lab to participate in multiple areas of our research. Initial focus will be on two projects: 1)“Long-term SUCCESS” (http://blogs.uw.edu/ecolsage): we are investigating how repeated wildfires and species invasions in the sagebrush steppe are driving changes in ecosystem state. Utilizing a long-term data set from the Columbia Basin (Washington State), we are interested in assessing how plant traits can be used to draw generalizable predictions about how plant communities respond to fire and post-wildfire restoration. Key challenges include cataloguing species traits for hundreds of species where little quantitative data exist, using multivariate methods to assess how traits are filtered by disturbance, and modeling the landscape-scale distribution of invasive species and plant communities. 2)PRO Peat Bog: we are assessing how plant and microbial species composition varies across Ohio’s rare remaining peat bogs. We are interested in how communities differ within and between peat bogs, particularly in relation to hydrochemical gradients and the peatlands’ landscape context. Across both projects, the primary role of the PDRA will be to contribute to data analysis, preparation of peer-reviewed publications and participation in grant funding applications. There will also be ample opportunity to participate in field and lab work. SUMMARY OF DUTIES An experienced field and lab scientist is required to assist with surveys of vegetation composition, multivariate data analysis and preparation of reports and scientific papers. The PDRA will present research results at national and/or international conferences and will contribute to the preparation of new funding proposals. In addition they will be involved in the supervision and training of undergraduate and graduate students in field and lab procedures. Essential duties 30% Analyse data to determine how ecological communities are arranged across abiotic gradients and are modified by disturbances such as wildfire 30% Collect, organize and conduct analyses of data and communicate research results to scientific community through reports, journal articles and seminars. 15% Participate in fieldwork and lab analysis of soil and plant specimens 15%Assist in preparation of grant funding proposals to support on-going research 5% Manage ADFER lab facilities, and equipment 5% Advise and interact with graduate and undergraduate students in research activities. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE Degree requirements - A PhD in ecosystem/community ecology, rangeland ecology or wildland fire science. This should preferably have a focus on fire and/or peatland ecology. Experience required - Strong quantitative skills and familiarity with statistical techniques appropriate to plant community data (permutational MANOVA, Indicator Species Analysis, NMDS, Redundancy Analysis, Principle Response Curves etc.) - Demonstrated ability to publish research in peer-reviewed journals - Experience designing, conducting, and monitoring vegetation research projects. - Ability to direct ecological field work with expertise in plant community ecology - Excellent botanical skills. - Use of R for statistical analysis - Experience with GIS software - Competent computer skills, with demonstrated capability in the use of word processing, spreadsheet, and database management software - Excellent organizational, communication, and presentation skills. Proven ability to write and speak effectively, targeting both scientific and management audiences. - Proven ability to set and reach goals, work independently without close supervision, and give acute attention to detail and deadlines. - Ability and willingness to conduct field work in a variety of conditions, including frequent travel, often for extended periods of time, and sometimes in primitive conditions. Desirable experience - Knowledge of, or experience developing, state-and transition models - Spatial data analysis and species distribution modeling - Experience with additional relevant statistical packages (e.g. PRIMER, Canoco, PC-Ord) - Knowledge of fire behaviour and ecology - Familiarity with the flora of the intermountain West and/or North American peatlands would be a strong advantage - Basic knowledge of soil microbiology DEADLINE AND ENQUIRIES Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until a suitable candidate is identified. Applicants should provide a copy of their CV and a letter of application (2 pages max) which briefly addresses how they meet the required experience and qualifications. Informal enquiries should be directed to Matt Davies (Phone: 614 292 3567; Email: [email protected])
