Postdoctoral Research Fellow or Graduate Research Assistant
Project title: Modeling the Temperature Sensitivity of Plant Respiration
University of Florida, Gainesville, Department of Biology
Supervisors: Jeremy Lichstein
(<http://biology.ufl.edu/People/faculty/jlichstein.aspx>http://biology.ufl.edu/People/faculty/jlichstein.aspx),
Kaoru Kitajima
(http://www.biology.ufl.edu/People/faculty/kitajima.aspx), and Stefan
Gerber
(<http://soils.ifas.ufl.edu/personnel/gerber.html>http://soils.ifas.ufl.edu/personnel/gerber.html)
Plant respiration consumes roughly half of gross primary productivity
and is expected to increase with climate warming. In the tropics in
particular, plant respiration rates are expected to increase relative
to photosynthetic rates as the climate warms. The resulting decrease
in tropical net primary productivity (NPP) could threaten the
sustainability of current terrestrial carbon sinks, resulting in a
positive feedback to climate change. Alternatively, temperature
acclimation of respiration could minimize future temperature-induced
NPP declines. This project will use a state-of-the-art ecosystem
process model to quantify the impact of climate change on terrestrial
carbon balance, with particular emphasis on the temperature
sensitivity and acclimation of plant respiration. The project will
leverage multiple data sources, including an ongoing NSF-funded study
on the temperature response of tropical trees to experimental
warming. The NSF study involves in-situ measurements of leaf and
branch respiration using a canopy crane in central Panama, as well as
experiments with tropical tree seedlings (for more details, see
<http://people.biology.ufl.edu/jlichstein/respiration_summary.pdf>http://people.biology.ufl.edu/jlichstein/respiration_summary.pdf).
These and other data sources are providing improved information on
the temperature sensitivity and acclimation of plant respiration at
scales ranging from leaves to whole plants. However, our
understanding of the ecosystem-to global-scale implications of these
fine-scale processes remains primitive. The successful candidate will
use a process-oriented ecosystem model to "scale up" leaf- and
plant-level measurements to whole ecosystems. Candidate models
include the Ecosystem Demography (ED) model (Moorcroft et al. 2001,
Ecol. Monog. 71:557-586; Medvigy et al. 2009, J. Geophys. Res.
114:G01002) and the NOAA-GFDL LM3V land model (Shevliakova et al.
2009, Global Biogeochem. Cy. 23:GB2022; Gerber et al. 2010, Global
Biogeochem. Cy. 24:GB1001). In support of the NSF-funded project
described above, the modeling work will include applications focused
on central Panama. In addition, there is considerable freedom to
develop complementary aspects of the research program, which could
(for example) extend this work to broader spatial scales. This
flexible position is available to candidates who have already
completed their PhD (see Postdoc Opportunity below), as well as
candidates wishing to pursue a PhD at the University of Florida (see
Graduate Opportunity below).
I. Postdoc Opportunity:
Qualifications: PhD in ecology, plant physiology, geosciences,
applied mathematics, or related field; strong quantitative and
writing skills. Preference will be given to applicants with (1)
research experience in terrestrial ecosystem ecology or plant
physiology, and (2) strong mathematical, statistical, and
computational skills (i.e., proficiency with one or more scientific
programming languages, such as C, FORTRAN, or R). Applicants who lack
these qualifications should explain in a cover letter their
motivation for transitioning to ecosystem modeling research.
Start date is flexible, with a preferred start date between January
and October 2012.
Funding: two years, with competitive salary and benefits
To Apply: Email a single pdf to Jeremy Lichstein
(<mailto:jlichst...@ufl.edu>jlichst...@ufl.edu) with subject
POSTDOC-RESPIRATION including (1) cover letter with a 1-2 page
statement of research interests and goals; (2) CV; and (3) contact
information for three references. Applications will be reviewed as
they are received, and the position will remain open until filled.
II. Graduate Opportunity:
Qualifications: Undergraduate degree in biology, environmental
science, applied mathematics, computer science, or related field.
Funding: 2.5 years of Research Assistant support are available,
including summer support and funds for independent field work.
Additional funding is available through UF Department of Biology
Teaching Assistantships and external funding sources.
Start date: Fall semester (August) 2012.
Application instructions: Submit a formal application to the UF
Department of Biology graduate program (deadline December 15, 2011):
<http://www.biology.ufl.edu/Graduate/Application.aspx>http://www.biology.ufl.edu/Graduate/Application.aspx.
In addition, you should submit a four-part project application as
follows: Email a single pdf file to Jeremy Lichstein
(<mailto:jlichst...@ufl.edu>jlichst...@ufl.edu) with subject
GRAD-RESPIRATION with the following contents (1) cover letter,
including a 1-2 page statement of research interests and goals and an
explanation of your academic preparation to undertake the modeling
project described above; (2) GRE scores, if available (3) your resume
or CV; and (4) contact information for three references familiar with
your academic work or research potential. Your research statement
should describe one or more projects that you would be interested to
develop independently as a PhD student. The project(s) you describe
could be related to the temperature response of respiration, but
should demonstrate your individual interests and capacity for
independent research. It is recommended that you submit your
four-part project application at least three weeks in advance of
formally submitting your application to the UF Biology graduate program.
Minorities, women and members of other underrepresented groups are
encouraged to apply. The University of Florida is an equal
opportunity institution.
