Ph.D. Assistantship to investigate the effects of climate change on forest ecohydrology in the Upper Midwest Advised by Dr. Molly Cavaleri http://forest.mtu.edu/faculty/cavaleri/
Seeking outstanding applicants for a fully funded 4-year Ph.D. Assistantship to work in cooperation with the Ecosystem Science Center at Michigan Technological University and the USDA Forest Service Northern Research Station. The student will lead experiments investigating the effects of climate change on the water use of northern hardwood tree species. The student will be responsible for the implementation and monitoring of ecohydrological studies of aspen at the Marcell Experimental Forest near Grand Rapids, MN, and possibly a second sugar maple study site at the MTU Ford Research Forest in Alberta, MI. The project will include working with sap flow sensors, micro-meteorological sensors and soil moisture sensors. There will also be opportunities to pursue additional studies involving stable isotope analysis, canopy interception techniques, and other ecophysiological techniques if interested. The student will have the freedom to develop a study plan and cutting-edge research questions applicable to the field of climate change research. Applicant must have already or be very close to obtaining a Masters degree in ecology or forestry-related field. Proficiency in at least one statistical software package and excellent writing skills are required. Preference will be given to applicants with prior experience in ecophysiological or ecohydrological techniques. The quality of life for Michigan Tech students is outstanding. Michigan Tech is located in Michigan's Keweenaw Peninsula on the south shore of Lake Superior. The region is dominated by publicly-owned forests, and is rated as an excellent place for outdoor adventure (see www.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/0107/trips_5.html). Michigan Tech is in Houghton, Michigan and is a safe, inexpensive, & friendly community. Applicants should create a single pdf that includes the following: letter of interest, CV, unofficial undergraduate and graduate transcripts, unofficial general GRE scores, and contact information for three references. Please email the pdf as an attachment to Dr. Molly Cavaleri (macav...@mtu.edu) with Ecohydrology PhD Assistantship in the subject line. Screening of applicants will begin immediately and continue until position is filled. Desirable applicants will be invited to apply for admission to the graduate program in Michigan Techs School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science (forest.mtu.edu) for an August 2010 or January 2011 start date.
