Graduate Study in Arctic Plant-Arthropod-Bird Interactions A Graduate Research Assistantship (GRA) is available to participate in an NSF‐funded arctic ecology research project with summer field work based at Toolik Field Station (http://www.uaf.edu/toolik/) in northern Alaska, the site of the Arctic Long‐Term Ecological Research (LTER) project (http://ecosystems.mbl.edu/ARC/). The position is in the plant ecology laboratory of Dr. Laura Gough at the University of Texas at Arlington (http://www.uta.edu/biology/gough/lab/index.htm). Ideally the student will spend the Summer 2012 field season in Alaska and could begin formal graduate study as early as January 2012. Ph.D. students are preferred. Applicants can find information relevant to our graduate program at: http://www.uta.edu/biology/graduate/index.htm.
This project is focused on determining how migratory songbird species are affected by availability of shrub habitat across several sites on the North Slope; Gough focuses on the vegetation and interactions with the arthropod community as well as the birds. The overall goal is to predict how ongoing changes in vegetation associated with climate warming may affect bird mating success and population viability [in collaboration with Natalie Boelman (Columbia University) and John Wingfield (University of California, Davis)]. Applicants must be in good physical condition, be able to hike over uneven terrain carrying heavy packs, and be available to spend summer field seasons (up to three months) in a remote location. To apply for this position, please e‐mail a c.v., names and contact information for three references, and a brief statement of interest to go...@uta.edu. Review of applications will begin August 15 and continue until the position is filled. For additional information about the Summer 2011 field season, see Boelman’s blog on the New York Times: http://scientistatwork.blogs.nytimes.com/author/natalie-boelman/ ---------------------------------------------------------------- Laura Gough Associate Professor and Graduate Advisor Department of Biology University of Texas at Arlington Arlington, TX 76019 office: 817-272-1453 FAX: 817-272-2855 http://www.uta.edu/biology/gough/index.htm
