We have an opportunity for a PhD student interested in investigating the mechanisms of drought tolerance and water-use in grasses. The supply of water through the plant hydraulic system is fundamental to understanding the growth and survival of plants under a range of conditions, but little is known about grass hydraulic responses to variability in soil moisture. We are seeking a PhD-level student to help us investigate how this important growth-form responds to- and recovers from- drought. The research involved in this project will initially focus on investigating mechanistic explanations for the decline in plant hydraulic conductance on a model species (maize), and then will expand these results to investigate how these mechanisms vary among a wider range of grass species from natural plant communities. We are seeking applicants with an MS degree in plant ecophysiology (or related field), but all applicants with experience in plant physiology or ecophysiology and a strong quantitative background will be considered. Ideally, the successful applicant will begin school in Fall 2016, but start dates in January 2017 will also be considered. This position will be funded in part through a full-time seasonal appointment through the USDA in combination with a teaching assistantship (1 semester per year) in the Graduate Degree Program in Ecology at Colorado State University. If you are interested in this position please send your current CV and a cover letter summarizing your experience and interest in plant ecophysiology/plant hydraulics to both Troy Ocheltree (troy.ochelt...@colostate.edu, webpage:troyocheltree.wordpress.com) and Sean Gleason (sean.glea...@ars.usda.gov).
