University of Idaho
Palouse Team
PhD Assistantship Announcements
Interdisciplinary PhD Research Assistantships in Conservation Biology,
Sustainable Production and Resilience of the Palouse Prairie Ecosystem.
Up to five Ph.D. research assistantships will be available to join a
collaborative team working on aspects of conservation of the
endangered Palouse Prairie ecosystem in the context of bioregional
planning in southeastern Washington State and Northern Idaho. The
linked dissertation projects will work in the context of expected
exurban development and sustainable agricultural production in the
region. With funding from the National Science Foundation’s
Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship program
(IGERT), the individual fellows will pursue disciplinary research
important for the overall theme, and work together to identify and
address interdisciplinary issues critical for development of effective
planning and policy. The team will interact with members of five
other IGERT-sponsored student/faculty teams pursuing similar
objectives in other ecosystems in which sustainability and
conservation in the face of changing conditions and pressures is
desired.
PhD Assistantship in Soil Biogeochemistry. Seeking a highly motivated
and qualified student to pursue the study of soil-plant relations and
feedbacks in the endangered Palouse Prairie. The student will
contribute to our understanding of resiliency in this unique ecosystem
that is increasingly threatened by invasive weed species and urban
sprawl. Research will focus on: 1) the importance of soil and site
properties in determining the likelihood of invasion, and 2) the
impact of invasive species on processes that control carbon storage
and nutrient availability. In addition, the student will conduct
collaborative research to examine interdisciplinary aspects of
conservation of Palouse Prairie within a dynamic, human dominated
landscape with team members in fields such as entomology, conservation/
restoration plant ecology, virus ecology, and rural and community
economics. Contact Jodi Johnson-Maynard (jmayn...@uidaho.edu).
PhD Assistantship in Entomology and Landscape Genetics. Seeking a
highly motivated and qualified student to pursue the study of
populations of native insects linked to the ecological communities
specific to the Palouse Prairie, now existing exclusively as widely
distributed small remnants. Target populations will be key
pollinators, specialist herbivores affecting predominant plant species
and other indicator species. Research will focus on: 1) determining
the genetic diversity and structure of arthropod populations, 2)
examining how behavioral and ecological correlates of genetic
structure influence level of landscape connectivity, and 3) assessing
elements required to sustain connectivity as part of conservation
plans. In addition, the student will conduct collaborative research
to examine interdisciplinary aspects of conservation of Palouse
Prairie within a dynamic, human dominated landscape with team members
in fields such as soil science, conservation/restoration plant
ecology, virus ecology, and rural and community economics. Contact
Sanford D. Eigenbrode (sanfo...@uidaho.edu) and Lisette Waits (lwa...@uidaho.edu
).
PhD Assistantship in Conservation/Restoration Plant Ecology. Seeking a
highly motivated and qualified student to pursue restoration ecology
research within the Palouse Prairie and related canyon grassland
systems of Northern Idaho. The field research will develop
restoration methods appropriate for a range of plant communities at
various stages of secondary succession to enhance resilience of those
plant communities. The outcome of the research will include
development of a decision tool to assist those actively involved in
restoration. Research may include: 1) sequence of introduction of
native species, 2) seeding techniques, 3) invasive plant management,
3) species selection for seed mixes that may incorporate native
annuals, and 4) feasibility of establishment of biological soil
crust. In addition, the student will conduct collaborative research
to examine interdisciplinary aspects of conservation of Palouse
Prairie within a dynamic, human dominated landscape with team members
in fields such as soil science, entomology, virus ecology, and rural
and community economics. The student must have a strong desire for
collaboration with other students within or attached to the IGERT
program. Contact Tim Prather (tprat...@uidaho.edu).
PhD Assistantship in Rural and Community Economics. Seeking a highly
motivated and qualified student to pursue the study of rural community
economics and social dynamics found in the Palouse Prairie region,
including both patterns of decline and revitalization. The student
will contribute to our understanding of patterns and perceptions
affecting rural community opportunities and constraints related to the
surrounding environment. Research will focus on: 1) determining the
economic and social factors that contribute to forming vibrant
communities, 2) examining the economic relationships embedded in
community-based uses and values attached to natural resources and
natural amenities, and 3) assessing social networks and forms of
capitals needed to ensure community vitality and well-being. Methods
that may be employed include regional general equilibrium economic
modeling, social accounts modeling, capitals framework analysis,
nonmarket valuation, and behavioral modeling. In addition, the
student will conduct collaborative research to examine
interdisciplinary aspects of conservation of Palouse Prairie within a
dynamic, human dominated landscape with team members in fields such as
soil science, entomology, virus ecology, and conservation/restoration
plant ecology. Contact Philip Watson (pwat...@uidaho.edu) and J.D.
Wulfhorst (j...@uidaho.edu).
PhD Assistantship in Virus Ecology and Virology. Seeking a highly
motivated and qualified student to pursue the study of plant viruses
and virus ecology in the endangered Palouse Prairie and surrounding
agricultural landscape. Research will focus on studies to: 1) reveal
the breadth of viruses in native plants and invasive species in the
Palouse Prairie, 2) assess vector transmission and virus spread and
their role on dynamics of virus populations in the landscape, and 3)
examine the role of viruses on plant and vector fitness. The student
will use a variety of sequencing and bioinformatics methods applied to
field-collected material, and conduct controlled field and greenhouse
experiments. In addition, the student will conduct collaborative
research to examine interdisciplinary aspects of conservation of
Palouse Prairie within a dynamic, human dominated landscape with team
members in fields such as soil science, entomology, conservation/
restoration plant ecology, and rural and community economics. Contact
Nilsa Bosque-Pérez (nbos...@uidaho.edu) and Alexander Karasev (akara...@uidaho.edu
).
This unique graduate education program will provide students:
· Team-based interdisciplinary education
· International perspective
· Broad geographic and ecological exposure
· Participation in integrated interdisciplinary teams
· Cross-cultural experience
Requirements: Applicants must be American citizens or permanent
residents of the USA. Successful applicants must have obtained an
M.S. degree in a discipline of relevance to the project and will join
the program to begin course work at the end of July 2010. Interviews
of top applicants will be conducted at the University of Idaho campus
in Spring 2010.
For information on our previous IGERT project visit the web page:
http://www.cals.uidaho.edu/igert/
For information on the University of Idaho College of Graduate Studies
see: http://www.uidaho.edu/cogs/
