MS or PhD Position - Ecosystem Resiliency to Fire University of Idaho We seek a highly motivated MS or PhD student to examine ecosystem recovery after extreme wildland fire in the western United States. While post-fire recovery is often measured a few years after fire, little is known about long-term ecosystem responses and what the various ecosystem trajectories are after extreme events. This graduate position will focus on quantifying ecosystem recovery and trajectories based on field soil and vegetation indicators and may include shrubland, grassland and forest ecosystems. Research questions are flexible and may include topics related to community ecology, ecosystem ecology, restoration, and climate change.
The candidate will work in an interdisciplinary team in an effort to link concepts on ecosystem and human resiliency. While the student will have a disciplinary focus, collaborations will include remote sensing and social scientists. The University of Idaho is strong in interdisciplinary endeavors and provides numerous opportunities for the student to interact with others in more formal interdisciplinary programs (i.e. NSF-IGERT). We seek candidates with a high degree of analytical, written, verbal, and collaborative skills. Evidence of the ability to publish research results in refereed journals is highly desired. Applicants should have a degree in biology, ecology, soil science, natural resources, environmental sciences or a related field. The assistantship includes a stipend for 3 years plus instate-fees and insurance. We prefer a start date in April or May 2012 to facilitate a field season this summer. Potential students should contact Dr. Beth Newingham (b...@uidaho.edu) for more information and may learn more about the Newingham Ecology Lab at http://www.webpages.uidaho.edu/~beth. Information about the University of Idahos College of Natural Resources can be found at www.cnr.uidaho.edu. Please send the following to Dr. Newingham: 1) a letter of interest and qualifications, 2) resume or curriculum vitae, 3) names, emails, and phone numbers of three references, 4) academic transcripts, and 5) GRE scores. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until filled.
