Restoration and Landscape Ecology - Ph.D. position available A Ph.D. position in Restoration and Landscape Ecology is available at the University of Nebraska. The Ph.D. student will have the opportunity to build on existing research efforts in the labs of Dirac Twidwell (Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources) and Craig R Allen (Nebraska Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit) and advance our understanding of species invasions, their social-ecological impacts, and how to prioritize restoration actions.
The focus of the project is to develop local to sub-continental assessments for understanding the vulnerability of grasslands to woody invasions and to establish relative measures of restoration potential following transition to woodland dominance. Landscape-level restoration actions have been implemented for years in various priority landscapes within Nebraska, but the success of those restoration investments have not been assessed. These locations provide the foundation for determining the temporal and spatial efficacy of interventions across the state. Efficacy will be measured using remote sensing technology to assess whether interventions are having a lasting and desired impact, or if juniper woodlands are rapidly recovering following intervention. A student with a strong background in geospatial analysis is therefore highly preferred. Data output will allow comparisons across priority landscapes and across scales, in order to elucidate interventions that may be suitable for control at localized scales but inadequate at a larger scale (and vice versa). Additional information: In 2014, the Nebraska Conservation Roundtable, a panel consisting of state, federal and private conservation groups, identified Juniperus virginiana invasion as the biggest threat to conservation values in Nebraska. Those groups are anticipating the findings from this research project will shape future conservation actions and provide innovative solutions that reprioritize existing programs. The successful candidate will therefore be expected to build relationships with a diverse group of agency personnel and communicate results in a manner that enhances learning and adaptive management in this landscape. Successful candidates will be joining a collaborative group of graduate students conducting unique experiments studying fire-invasion dynamics throughout the Great Plains. Students are given opportunities for cross-project collaborations and to pursue independent research interests. Qualifications: The successful candidate will be highly motivated, passionate about scientific inquiry, possess excellent writing and communication skills, and publish research in refereed scientific journals. The student will be expected to lead a team of undergraduate technicians to conduct field sampling in remote areas in stressful environments. Excellent GIS skills are desired. Familiarity with spatial modeling and other quantitative statistical or mathematical techniques are also preferred. Contact and application information: Students interested in this position should send a statement of interest with research qualifications and career goals, GPA and GRE scores, your most recent transcript (unofficial is fine) and a CV that includes contact information for three references (email preferred). Please send applications to Dirac Twidwell (dirac.twidw...@unl.edu). Funding is available to start immediately. Full funding is available for 4 years. The stipend rate for 2016 is $25,200. Full tuition waiver and graduate student health benefits are provided at a reduced rate. Review of applications will begin June 8, 2016, and continue until a qualified candidate is identified.
