Graduate research (M.S.) opportunity to develop
an invasive plant management plan for the campus of the
University of Alaska Fairbanks
We are offering a two-year research assistant position in Natural
Resources Planning at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. The successful
applicant will earn a master’s degree as they work with a wide range of
publics and University entities to develop a long-term invasive plant
management plan for the University campus.
The University of Alaska Fairbanks campus is located about 5 miles west of
Fairbanks. The region has about 80,000 people. Fairbanks is the largest
town in interior Alaska, an expansive area of very few roads, little
development, and pristine boreal ecosystems. Approximately forty invasive
plant species now occur on campus lands at UAF. One of the incentives for
the project is to prevent the spread of invasive plants from the UAF
campus to the surrounding natural ecosystems of interior Alaska.
Throughout the US and Canada, communities, states and provinces have found
the best way to deal with invasive species is to develop a comprehensive
plan that tackles the problem from a number of angles and that considers
the underlying causes of the weed infestation. The most successful plans
are developed in collaborative processes by a team of stakeholders. We
propose to follow this model at UAF. A UAF Invasive Plant Task Force has
been established which includes invasive plant experts, campus landscaping
staff, faculty, students, and members of the public. A map of the current
distribution of the 14 most common invasive plants on campus was produced
in summer, 2008. These two steps provide the groundwork for this planning
effort.
The successful candidate must be energetic and outgoing, and work well
with a wide variety of people and administrative groups. Groups that will
be involved in the development of the invasive plant plan include many
University departments, faculty, administrators, students, the University
Facilities Services, and the Cooperative Extension Service. In addition,
the Northern Alaska Environmental Center, Alaska Department of
Transportation, the Alaska Railroad, the Alaska Department of
Environmental Conservation, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the
Agricultural Research Service and the U.S. Forest Service will also be
involved.
Strong academic training, excellent communication and interpersonal
skills, and ability to work in team and individual settings are
essential. Skills in GIS, collaborative processes, planning, meeting
facilitation and knowledge of plant biology, invasive plants, or weed
science are desirable.
Stipend will be $23,900 for each of two years, in addition, tuition will
be covered and health benefits offered. To learn more about the position
or project, contact Susan Todd ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) or Trish Wurtz
([EMAIL PROTECTED]). To begin the application process, submit (preferably
by e-mail) a cover letter that includes a brief review of your research
experience, interests and goals (2 page max), resume, transcripts, GRE
scores, and three letters of reference to:
Dr. Susan Todd
Box 757140, School of Natural Resources and Agricultural Sciences
University of Alaska Fairbanks
Fairbanks, AK 99775
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
To learn more about graduate studies at the University of Alaska
Fairbanks, visit www.uaf.edu/gradsch
Applications will be evaluated in early February, 2009
