Position Description – Research Associate (9702) Department of Forest Resources
Researcher sought with expertise and interest in impacts of global change on plant communities and ecosystem processes. Availability: Immediately or no later than May 1, 2012 – through August 2013, with the possibility of an additional year. The position is located in St. Paul, MN. Requirements: Ph.D. in forest ecology, forestry, ecosystem ecology, ecophysiology or a closely related field, experience with plant identification, as well as a strong work ethic, demonstrated quantitative capabilities, and a proven ability to work independently. Expertise and experience: Global change biology, invasion biology, ecophysiology, community ecology, ecosystem ecology, or other relevant area. Main responsibilities will be assisting an ongoing project funded by the Legislative Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) which is assessing the links between forest attributes and plant invasion. The goal of the research is to better understand whether forest characteristics, especially those amenable to management, can be effective deterrents to plant invasion. A large number of forest study sites have been established in Minnesota to assess invasive plant species and a set of key indicators relevant to invasion, including disturbance history; tree canopy cover; native plant diversity; light and soil resources; native and nonnative biotic agents; and other factors that may be important. We will determine the links between these attributes and plant invasion, and attempt to discern cause and effect. Results will be presented in the peer reviewed scientific literature, and the project will develop guidelines for forest management to resist invasion. The secondary responsibilities of the post‐doc will involve engagement in existing research. As part of the activities in the Reich laboratory there are ongoing studies and associated data sets reflecting plant and ecosystem responses to experimental manipulations of atmospheric CO2 levels, N deposition, biodiversity, water, temperature, and fire, as well as to natural disturbances involving windstorms and wildfires. The studies include BioCON (a 13‐year experiment in perennial grasslands of CO2, N, and biodiversity, as well as a 4‐year study of CO2, N, and water availability; http://www.biocon.umn.edu/), the Cedar Creek fire frequency project (a 55‐year experiment with fire frequency in oak woodland; http://forestecology.cfans.umn.edu/oak%20savanna.html), B4WarmED (a 2‐year study in boreal forest of open air warming; http://forestecology.cfans.umn.edu/B4WARMED.html), and several linked observational studies of wildfire and windstorm disturbances in southern boreal forest. The postdoc will analyze data from one or more of these projects to address important questions not previously examined. The combination of the two assignments is geared towards advancing the scientific training and career potential of the successful applicant. The field study will require at least one field season, generating data suitable to craft scientific publications. Data from the existing projects are available now for analyses and publication preparation. During the postdoc position, he/she will be able to engage in both initial and latter stages of research, and be able to further develop their scientific publication record without the long delay that field ecology often entails. Application Instructions: Applications and required documents must be submitted online at the University of Minnesota Employment website: https://employment.umn.edu/applicants/jsp/shared/position/JobDetails_css.jsp?postingId=176958 Application should include a cover letter, statement of interest and goals, resume/CV, and names and contact information for three references. Questions can be directed to Dr. Peter Reich (pre...@umn.edu). * * *As an institution committed to demonstrating excellence through diversity, the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences is committed to hiring a diverse faculty and staff, and actively encourages candidates from historically underrepresented groups to apply.*
