Postdoctoral Research Opportunity-Kansas State University Forecasting Biodiversity and Ecosystem Function in Riverine Networks of the Great Plains
Postdoctoral Research Associate in Biology at Kansas State University is sought to lead a dynamic interdisciplinary team forecasting ecological properties in the Kansas River basin. Fragmentation of riverine networks caused by impoundments and loss of groundwater recharge combined with anthropogenic changes in flow regime and additions of pollutants have affected the distribution of fishes throughout the Great Plains, leading to extirpation of native species and the spread of non-indigenous species. Such changes have resulted in a strong shift in community composition that may compromise the biotic integrity and ecosystem function of these aquatic systems. This project, funded by the U.S. NSF, will employ a combination of hydrologic and spatial analysis of connectivity within riverine networks to link changes in species distributions (using a substantial georeferenced fish database and surveys of unionoid mussels). In addition, the candidate may elect to include records of aquatic insect diversity. We will also be using real time sensing of water quality and linking these data to ecosystem metabolism and community structure. The principal investigators on the project are Drs. Walter Dodds (aquatic ecology), Keith Gido (fish ecology), and Jim Koelliker (hydrology) at Kansas State University, Jim Thorp (river ecology) at the University of Kansas and Eric Strauss (river biogeochemistry) at Fort Hays State University. Qualifications: The candidate must have a minimum of a Ph.D. in the area of ecology, aquatic ecology, or landscape ecology. The preferred candidate will have experience in the analysis of species diversity patterns and aquatic ecological data; expertise in geographic information systems is highly desirable. Experience working in aquatic ecosystems is also preferred. The ability to work in a group setting is essential as this researcher will work collaboratively with the PI´s, a hydrologic modeler, several aquatic graduate students, and a part time technician. Duration and Start Date: Initial appointment is for 1 year, and may be renewed for a second year depending upon satisfactory performance. Anticipated start date is August 2006, but start date is negotiable. Location: Kansas State University (http://www.ksu.edu) is located in the city of Manhattan (http://www.core.manhattan.ks.us), a vibrant university community of about 50,000 in the scenic Flint Hills of northcentral Kansas. Manhattan is about 1.5 hours from the collaborating University of Kansas and 2 hours from Kansas City. To Apply: Send a letter of interest, curriculum vitae, up to three relevant reprints, and have three recommendations (electronic versions of all materials are preferred) sent to Dr. Walter Dodds ([EMAIL PROTECTED]). For more information concerning the nature of this position, contact Dr. Walter Dodds (785532 6998) or Dr. Keith Gido ([EMAIL PROTECTED] 785 532 5088). Deadline: Review of applications will commence 1 March 2006 and continue until the position is filled. KSU is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer, and actively seeks diversity among its employees This ad paid for by KSU. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Walter Dodds, Division of Biology ,Kansas State University 232 Ackert Hall, Manhattan, KS 66506 USA (785) 532-6998 http://www.ksu.edu/doddslab/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
