Two graduate positions are available for qualified individuals to study peatland ecology at Michigan Technological University (http://forest.mtu.edu/faculty/chimner/wetlandlab/home.htm) and the US Forest Service Northern Research Station. The first position is seeking a PhD student to work on questions related to global-scale peatland ecosystem change. The exact research topic is open but could include feedbacks between anthropogenic change in peatlands, peatland greenhouse gas emissions, fire, and climate change. Peatland ecosystems are under threat from land use change, increased fire frequency, climate-driven changes in hydrologic regimes and a suite of other factors. Understanding the magnitude and consequences of these aspects of human-accelerated environmental change are critical to our ability to conserve peatland ecosystems, determine feedbacks to the climate system, and respond to climate change. Our group has expertise in boreal, temperate and tropical peatlan! d ecosystem research, including Alaska, Colorado, Minnesota, the Andes and Asia, and seeks applicants who are excited about the opportunity to work across boundaries, think about big questions, and contribute to an integrated understanding of peatland ecosystems across the globe.
The second position is seeking a MS student to work on quantifying C storage and organic soil physical and chemical characteristics across a range of forested peatland types in the western Great Lakes region. This project will develop new field techniques for Forest Inventory Analysis (FIA) organic soil sampling. Extensive field work collecting peatland soils will be required. Michigan Tech is located in the snowbelt (>200” annual snowfall) of Michigan's Keweenaw Peninsula on the South Shore of Lake Superior. The region is dominated by vast areas of lakes, forests and wetlands. Michigan Tech is in the small town of Houghton, which was rated as one of the top 10 U.S. adrenaline outposts by National Geographic Adventure Magazine http://www.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/0107/trips_5.html and boasts excellent skiing, hiking, kayaking and mtn. biking. Michigan Tech's School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science doctoral program has been recently ranked fourth in the nation by Academic Analytics http://www.admin.mtu.edu/urel/news/media_relations/526/). Consideration of applications begins immediately and will continue until the positions are filled. Start date is flexible. Please send a cover letter that states your research interests, your curriculum vitae, and any other relevant materials, and provide the names and contact information for three references, by email to Rod Chimner (rchim...@mtu.edu).
