The Clark Lab is seeking a research technician to assist with a study examining tree species differences in ecophysiological responses to environmental stress. Current climate predictions for the Southeast indicate warmer and drier growing season conditions in the future which may further limit tree species which are highly sensitive to drought conditions. This research will focus on the potential impacts of drought and canopy shading on canopy conductance and transpiration for several co-occurring tree species and the implications for forest dynamics in the eastern United States.
This is a one year, full-time (40h/week) position, with some possibility of extension, beginning at any time between now and July. Primary duties will include Granier-style sap flux probe installation, system maintenance and trouble shooting, data collection and management. The position will include work with electronics, in the lab and field. Duties may also include, but may not be limited to, the following: 1) Assist with inventories of vegetation within forested study plots 2) Collect, sort and identify seeds 3) Collect and measure tree increment cores 4) Assist with maintenance of open-topped warming chambers 5) Collect data on germination, survival and phenology of seedlings in warming chambers 6) Take and analyze hemispherical photographs of forest canopies We are based in the Nicholas School of the Environment and the department of Biology at Duke University, an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. We study many aspects of forest community ecology including plant demography, population genetics, plant-insect and plant-fungal interactions, and responses to disturbance and climate change. <http://www.nicholas.duke.edu/people/faculty/clark/>. Our research sites are located in North Carolina, in the Duke Forest and at Coweeta Hydrologic Laboratory in the southern Appalachians. During the summer, there may be 1-2 weeks of travel to the mountain sites. Housing and transportation are provided for trips to the field sites in the Appalachian Mountains. Knowledge of the natural history of eastern forests and experience using Microsoft Excel and R (a statistical computing package) are beneficial, but not required. Applicants should be willing to work outdoors in a hot, humid environment with abundant insects, ticks and chiggers. The salary is $11/hour, plus health benefits. Successful applicants will need to secure housing in the Durham/Research Triangle area. Submit application by July 12. Application materials should include a cover letter, CV and a list of 3 references. Please submit these materials through e-mail as a single document to David Bell (dm...@duke.edu).
