Two graduate student assistantships are available in the laboratory of Dr. Tamara Harms at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Contact Dr. Harms (tamara.ha...@alaska.edu) regarding interest in the following projects. Please include a brief description of research interests and experience and academic preparation. The application deadline for the graduate program in the Department of Biology & Wildlife (http://www.bw.uaf.edu/graduates/index.php) is Jan 15. Applicants for either position should have strong academic backgrounds in natural science, prior research experience, and demonstrated interests in ecosystem ecology or biogeochemistry.
1) Climate-mediated coupling of hydrology and biogeochemistry in arctic hillslopes We are seeking an M.S. student to develop a thesis related to biogeochemistry of arctic hillslopes. The student will join a team that is investigating how climate-induced changes in water and nutrient cycles on land are propagated to stream networks in permafrost-influenced catchments. This is an inter-disciplinary project that includes hydrologists and biogeochemists, and the candidate will have the opportunity to engage with students and faculty across these disciplines. Candidates should have interests or experience in terrestrial or aquatic biogeochemistry, stream ecology, or wetland ecosystems. Field work for the project is based at the Toolik Field Station, and the student should be willing to spend the majority of the summer at the station. 2) Nutrient dynamics in the region of discontinuous permafrost I am seeking an M.S. student to develop a thesis project investigating the mechanisms underlying elevated hydrologic or gaseous nitrogen export from ecosystems subject to permafrost loss or disturbance. Candidates should have interests or experience in nutrient cycling, catchment biogeochemistry, stream ecology, or soil science. Research will focus on interior Alaska, and the student will join a broader collaborative research community anchored by the Bonanza Creek Long-Term Ecological Research program.
