2 PhD positions in forest tree responses to climate change University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science Appalachian Laboratory, Frostburg, MD
Applications are invited for two NSF-funded PhD student assistantships at the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, Appalachian Laboratory (AL). We are seeking self-motivated students interested in working on tree responses to climate change using (1) macroecological modeling and remote sensing (Position 1), and (2) ecological genomics (Position 2). Students will join an interactive and growing team of ecologists and geneticists at AL working on understanding the responses of forest trees to climate variability. Position 1: Macroecological modeling and remote sensing The main project for this student is to combine macroecological approaches and remote sensing to link intraspecific variation (genetic composition, phenology, functional traits, etc) and environmental gradients at geographic scales, with an emphasis on understanding the response of forest trees to climate change. The student will help extend existing approaches in distribution modeling (e.g., species distribution models, community-level models) to model and map intraspecific variation at regional to continental scales and identify the geographic regions containing populations pre/mal-adapted to future climate change. Within this framework, there are numerous opportunities for a student to extend the broader project objectives. This is an ideal project for an individual interested in macroecology, remote sensing, and species distribution modeling. Candidates should have some experience with GIS and statistical analyses implemented in R. Position 2: Ecological genomics The focus of this student will be identifying the genomic basis of ecologically important traits involved in adaptation of forest trees to climate, especially along the southern range edge where growing seasons are early and long. This project will involve integrating next-generation sequencing with physiological traits and climate data to search for genotype-phenotype and genotype-environment associations indicative of local adaptation. This is an ideal position for students excited about using the latest genomic techniques to study fundamental issues in local adaptation, environmental change, and the effects of range limits. Previous experience in population genetics, plant ecology, and solid computer skills are required. Some programming experience (Perl, R) is a plus. Both positions are based at the Appalachian Laboratory in Frostburg, Maryland, working with Drs. Matt Fitzpatrick (macroecology) and Andrew Elmore (remote sensing), and Stephen Keller (genomics). The positions come with a highly competitive stipend and benefits package, including 3 years of support on a research assistantship, with additional support available from teaching assistantships. Students will matriculate through the Marine, Estuarine, and Environmental Sciences Program (MEES) at the University of Maryland, College Park and will reside at the Appalachian Laboratory in Frostburg for the duration of the project. Frostburg is a small college town in the mountains of western Maryland, providing abundant outdoor recreation opportunities. For more information, contact Matt Fitzpatrick (mfitzpatr...@umces.edu) or Steve Keller (skel...@umces.edu). To apply, please email as a single pdf document: (1) a statement of interest, (2) a CV, and (3) contact information for three referees to tree_g...@al.umces.edu. Please indicate in your subject line “macroecology” or “genomics” to indicate the position of interest. Review of applications will begin November 1, 2013 and will continue until suitable candidates are found, with starting dates available as soon as January 2014 and no later than Fall semester 2014. This ad is also posted at http://www.umces.edu/al/employment ***************************** Stephen R. Keller Assistant Professor Appalachian Laboratory University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science 301 Braddock Rd. Frostburg, MD 21532 301-689-7203 http://skeller.al.umces.edu/
