*Post-doc/PhD positions*
*Climate change effects on freshwater food webs & fish in Alaska* * * *University of Alaska Fairbanks* We are seeking to fill two positions, at either the post-doc and/or PhD (Research Assistantship) levels, on a study that aims to understand climate change effects on the food base (freshwater invertebrates and fishes) of eiders and loons on the Arctic Coastal Plain of Alaska. Primary goals are to document freshwater invertebrate communities across a range of eider and shore-bird habitats, conduct manipulative field experiments that elucidate how environmental changes from climate warming influence nutrient flux and invertebrate communities, and determine the role of hydrologic connectivity and limnological controls on occupancy, growth, and dynamics of fish in lakes used by breeding loons. This is a highly collaborative, team-oriented, research effort among University and USGS scientists, graduate students, and technicians. Strong academic training in appropriate field (e.g., entomology, invertebrate ecology, freshwater ecology, avian ecology, fish ecology), excellent communication (written and oral) and interpersonal skills, supervisory skills, solid field experience and competence, and ability to work in team and individual settings are essential. Candidate will be required to complete training in boat operation, aviation, gun/bear safety, wilderness survival, first aid, and CPR. Driver's license is required. Work will be based from the University of Alaska Fairbanks, and fieldwork will involve camping and working in remote field sites during most of the field season (May -- Sept). Weather during the research season ranges widely (0 C -- 25 C) and can be wet, as well as bear and bug-ridden. PhD students will have the option of obtaining their degrees in either Fisheries or Biology, and will be expected to assist with course instruction (TA) one out of every three semesters during their program. Funding is for 3.5 years. To begin the application process, submit via email a cover letter that includes a brief review of your research experience and interests, and professional goals (1 page max), resume, transcripts, GRE scores, and names of at least three references to: Dr. Mark Wipfli, Alaska Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Institute of Arctic Biology, 209 Irving I Bldg, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK 99775, USA; [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>; www.iab.uaf.edu/~mark_wipfli/ <http://www.iab.uaf.edu/%7Emark_wipfli/> To learn more about graduate studies at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, visit www.uaf.edu/gradsch. Position to be filled no later than spring 2011. Contact Dr. Mark Wipfli ([email protected]) for more information on the invertebrate component, and Dr. Chris Zimmerman ([email protected]) on the fish component. -- **** note new email address [email protected] **** ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Mark S. Wipfli Associate Professor and Assistant Unit Leader USGS Alaska Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit 209 Irving I Bldg Institute of Arctic Biology University of Alaska Fairbanks Fairbanks, AK 99775 office: 138 AHRB 907-474-6654 labs 474-6740 and -7061 fax 474-6101 [email protected] skype: mark_wipfli www.iab.uaf.edu/~mark_wipfli/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
