Graduate Research Assistantships in Forest Soils/Biogeochemistry Two Graduate Research Assistantships will be available in 2012 in the area of forest soils and ecosystem biogeochemistry in the laboratory of Ivan Fernandez at the University of Maine. We are seeking highly motivated students interested in developing their research within the context of a larger multi-disciplinary team. Students seeking a Ph.D. or highly qualified M.S. students may apply. Applicants with research experience in forest soils, ecology, environmental science or biogeochemistry are preferred. The assistantship includes a competitive stipend, tuition, and health insurance. There are several degree program major options available to the students, depending on their background and professional interests, such as Forest Resources or Ecology and Environmental Sciences.
Both positions will include rigorous field research as well as detailed laboratory studies. One position will focus on the use of biochar as a soil amendment to develop an advanced biofuel pathway for New England. The research will be conducted as part of a multidisciplinary research project, and approaches for the use of biochar will include both mesocosm and field experiments. The second position will focus on the biogeochemistry of soil response to long-term whole-watershed acidification, nitrogen enrichment, and recovery. Specific emphasis will be on sulfate and base cation response mechanisms in soils. This project also is part of a larger, long-term, multi-disciplinary, and collaborative research team. Other opportunities are also possible in the overall program in 2013. The University of Maine is Maine’s Land Grant/Sea Grant flagship institution, conveniently located near Acadia National Park on the scenic Maine coast, and the mountains of the Mt. Katahdin and the Moosehead Lake regions. For more information about The University of Maine visit http://www.umaine.edu/. Interested applicants are encouraged to send a letter of interest (prior accomplishments, research experience and interests, future career goals), a CV, transcripts, and GRE scores. Details about the graduate admissions process at The University of Maine can be found at The Graduate School web site (http://www.umaine.edu/graduate/ <http://www2.umaine.edu/graduate/>). Please contact: Dr. Ivan J. Fernandez, University of Maine, School of Forest Resources and Climate Change Institute, 5722 Deering Hall – Room 1, Orono, ME 04469-5722. 207-581-2932. E-mail: iva...@maine.edu. -- Ivan J. Fernandez, Ph.D. University of Maine 5722 Deering Hall - Room 1 Orono, ME 04469-5722 USA Phone: (207) 581-2932 FAX: (207) 581-2999 e-mail: iva...@maine.edu School of Forest Resources http://www.forest.umaine.edu/ Climate Change Institute http://www.climatechange.umaine.edu/ Department of Plant, Soil and Environmental Sciences http://www.umaine.edu/pse/
