Invasive Species Research Program Brackenridge Field Laboratory, University of Texas at Austin UT Austin job posting 171208020708
We are recruiting a PhD level researcher to study the community ecology South Texas grasslands that have been disrupted by woody plant removal and introduction of exotic grasses (e.g. buffel grass and guinea grass). The appointee will work closely with other UT researchers and ranch biologists to assess responses to ongoing management treatments of grazing and fire aimed at restoring native diversity, and to elucidate the ecological processes and mechanisms that underlie invasion success of these exotic grasses. The Research Associate will: 1) develop and test hypotheses to elucidate mechanisms of plant community dynamics and invasion processes under ongoing and historic land management, 2) document baseline conditions in advance of future biological control treatments aimed at reducing negative impacts of invasive exotic grasses, 3) participate in studies of the African home range ecology of the exotic grass species. The appointee will develop a research program according to his/her expertise, and will also support parallel studies into grass decomposition and biological control. While the position is based at the Brackenridge Field Laboratory, and appointed in the Department of Integrative Biology, UT Austin, the job will involve substantial field work at several remote study sites in South Texas in a ranching and wildlife management environment and culture. Candidates should hold a Ph.D. in ecology of plant communities and should have a strong publication record. An ideal candidate would have at least three years postdoctoral experience of designing and conducting research into savanna grassland plant communities where exotic grass species have invaded. The position requires a demonstrated capacity for conducting field and greenhouse studies in plant communities (especially savannah grasslands) and designing field experiments to elucidate community and population processes, plant demography, productivity, nutrient cycling. Experience of GIS and multivariate analyses of plant community dynamics on landscapes. Strong publication and grant writing record. Experience supervising work of technicians and undergraduates. The assignment is for 12 months from initial hire date. It is renewable based upon availability of funding, work performance and progress toward research goals. All standard UT Austin conditions of hiring and employment apply to this position. Applications must be made through the UT Austin jobs site, position 171208020708. Details on the UT posting take precedence over this information.
