Post-doctoral position announcement: mycorrhizal fungal community function research
We are announcing an opportunity for a post-doctoral candidate to join a project with the U.S. Forest Service, Northern Research Station in Houghton, MI. The primary responsibility of the post-doc would be to contribute to a USDA-funded project focused on understanding the interaction of soil chemistry, ectomycorrhizal fungal community composition and plant function. Ectomycorrhizal fungal community responses to elevated soil inorganic nitrogen availability have raised questions about the functional significance of these community changes. We are testing alternative hypotheses about how changes in ectomycorrhizal fungal community composition and function driven by soil resource availability in turn affect host plants (carbon allocation, stoichiometry, nutrition and growth), soil enzymes and soil organic N formation. The post-doc will be integrally involved in controlled experiments in which soil nutrients as well as the species (and strain) composition and complexity of ectomycorrhizal communities are varied to assess how soil nutrients interact with number and identity of species/strains to influence plant function and soil organic N formation. The post-doc will have flexibility in designing a research program that is suited to areas of personal interest within the overall framework of the project. Depending on interests and expertise there is also the potential for involvement with other efforts underway in our group, including development of a large scale microbial community database linked to biogeographic modeling, exploration of the effects of invasive soil organisms on soil microbial communities and C cycling, and investigation of the effects of climate change on mycorrhizal community function. A PhD in ecology, mycology, microbiology, soil science or a related field is required, as is a proven interest in the linkages between community-, physiological- and ecosystem ecology. Experience with any of the following will be an asset, but is not required: ectomycorrhizal fungal culture, molecular identification of microorganisms, mycorrhizal inoculation of plants, soil extracellular enzyme assays, C and N stable isotopic tracer studies and plant physiological ecology methods. Proficiency in spoken and written English is a necessity. The USFS Forestry Sciences Laboratory is located on the campus of Michigan Technological University. There is a large group of faculty interested in forest ecosystem science at MTU and a well-established partnership between MTU School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science and the Forestry Sciences Laboratory, which are directly adjacent to each other. Both institutions have state of the art facilities for ecological research. We are located in Houghton, Michigan, on the scenic Keweenaw Peninsula. Proximity to beautiful Lake Superior and extensive forests, lakes and rivers provides opportunities for a range of recreational activities, including hiking, canoeing and kayaking, fishing and cross-country skiing. Houghton has been ranked as one of the 100 best places to live, and cost of living is quite reasonable in the Houghton area. Funding is available for two years of support, renewable annually. Salary starts at $36,000/yr plus benefits and the post-doc would be funded through Michigan Technological University. Funding is available now, and the position is open until filled. Start date is negotiable, but the position can be filled as soon as someone is available. Interested candidates should send a letter of interest, CV and contact information for three references by e-mail to Dr. Erik Lilleskov ([EMAIL PROTECTED]). Erik A. Lilleskov, PhD Research Ecologist Northern Research Station USDA Forest Service Forestry Sciences Laboratory 410 MacInnes Dr. Houghton, MI 49931-1199 Tel: 906-482-6303 ext 22 Fax: 906-482-6355 e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://ncrs.fs.fed.us/people/Lilleskov
