*Recruiting up to two graduate students in ecosystem ecology: Michigan State University*
The Miesel Fire and Ecosystem Ecology Lab at Michigan State University in East Lansing, MI invites applicants for up to two graduate student positions to investigate questions related to ecosystem ecology and biogeochemical processes in natural or plantation forests, to begin in Fall 2019 (data collection may begin in Summer 2019). One student will be expected to focus on soil and/or vegetation response to fire and restoration treatments in fire-prone temperate conifer forests. This position will require extended summer travel to perform fieldwork in the northern Lake States region and/or California. The second student will be expected to focus on biogeochemical processes and/or plant-soil relationships in agricultural soils amended with contrasting biochar treatments. This position will require summer field work at a nearby study site and other locations within the state. We seek applicants with a high level of enthusiasm for field and laboratory research that contributes to understanding ecosystem processes and responses to natural and anthropogenic disturbances, including management treatments. Excellent written, verbal and computation skills are essential. Prior relevant research and post-baccalaureate professional experience is strongly desired. Successful applicants will be expected to work independently as well as collaboratively as a member of a research group, conduct field work in variable weather conditions, perform detailed laboratory analyses with a high level of precision, and publish research results. Both students will have access to substantial existing data from prior experiments, and will be expected to develop independent research questions related to the broader overall objectives of the existing studies. MSc and PhD applicants will be considered. The student(s) will be advised by Dr. Jessica Miesel at MSU ( https://www.mieselecologylab.org/) and will have opportunity for close communication with Forest Service or other agency researchers. Students may choose a degree program either through the Department of Plant, Soil, and Microbial Sciences or through the Department of Forestry (*http://www.for.msu.edu/ <http://www.for.msu.edu/>)*. Successful applicants will also have opportunity to participate in MSU’s interdisciplinary Ecology, Evolutionary Biology and Behavior program (*http://eebb.msu.edu/ <http://eebb.msu.edu/>*) (ranked among the top Ecology & Evolutionary Biology PhD programs by the National Research Council) and/or the Environmental Science & Policy Program (*http://www.espp.msu.edu/index.php <http://www.espp.msu.edu/index.php>*). Interested students should contact Dr. Miesel at miese...@msu.edu prior to beginning a formal program application, by emailing as a SINGLE PDF: (1) a statement of research interests/background and professional goals, (2) a CV, (3) a list of 3-4 professional references (names and contact information), (4) GRE scores, and (5) unofficial transcripts. To receive full consideration for Fellowship funding, prospective students should apply to the MSU Graduate School (*http://grad.msu.edu/apply/online.aspx <http://grad.msu.edu/apply/online.aspx>*) before October 15, 2018. Questions about these opportunities should be directed to Dr. Jessica Miesel ( miese...@msu.edu).
