Two post-doctoral positions Ecosystem services, Biodiversity and Biofuel Agroecosystems University of Wisconsin-Madison
We are seeking two highly motivated postdocs to work across the disciplines of community, ecosystem, and landscape ecology as part of a large interdisciplinary team evaluating the sustainability of potential cellulosic biofuel cropping systems. The focus of this work is measuring biodiversity and biogeochemical responses and linking them to key ecosystem services. These positions are supported by the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center (GLBRC; www.greatlakesbioenergy.org) housed at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. One postdoc will be expected to measure insect biological control in biofuel crops at the landscape-level. Expertise in entomology, predator-prey interactions, and experimental design is required. Ability to analyze and interpret spatially-explicit data is preferred. Familiarity with ArcGIS and simulation models desirable. One postdoc will be expected to measure carbon and nitrogen stocks and fluxes, including NPP, greenhouse gases, and decomposition, in addition to characterizing herbaceous plant communities. Expertise in linking diversity and productivity in grassland ecosystems is preferred. Ability to perform ordination and run ecosystem simulation models such as EPIC or DAYCENT desirable. We expect these two postdocs will integrate research questions in their respective biodiversity and biogeochemical response experiments. Successful applicants will be required to develop new and independent research directions while helping to fulfill the mission of the GLBRC, which is to overcome the bottlenecks on developing a sustainable cellulosic ethanol economy. To apply, please send a single pdf file including 1) a cover letter explaining background and interest in the position, 2) a current CV, 3) representative publications or other writing samples, and 4) a list of 3 references to either Dr. Claudio Gratton (Entomology, [EMAIL PROTECTED]) or Dr. Randy Jackson (Agronomy, [EMAIL PROTECTED]). Target start date is January 2009. Positions are annual with possibility to extend an additional 1 to 2 years contingent upon progress.
