M.S. or Ph. D. Research Assistantship Managing Native Warm Season Grass Plantings for Pollinators and Biomass
This is a multi-disciplinary project to evaluate the effects of managing native grass plantings for biofuel and feed on pollinators in the Southeast. Collaborators include faculty from Wildlife and Fisheries, Plant and Soil Sciences, and Animal Science. Successful applicant will have the opportunity to collaborate on studies involving pollinators, predators, forage quality, animal health, plant diversity, human-wildlife interactions, carbon sequestration and biofuel potential. Responsibilities: Evaluate pollinator response to 11 different native grass practices including grazed and ungrazed mixed native grass pastures, intercropped switchgrass in intensively-managed forests, forage production systems, and biofuel production systems. Student will be responsible for conducting field work (pollinator trapping, measuring pollinator visits and bloom times of key plant species, supervising field technicians, analyzing data, and preparing technical reports and peer-reviewed publications. There is also potential to serve as teaching assistant for select courses. Qualifications: Passion for integrating wildlife objectives into productive agricultural systems. Experience with pollinators is strongly desired, especially identification but not required. Student must be able to work as part of an integrated team and be willing to work cooperatively with other students on related projects. Starting Date: January 2011 (some flexibility) Stipend: Starting 15K (M. S.) or 20K (Ph. D.) per annum plus complete waiver of tuition fees. Closing Date: Until position is filled. Inquiry emails are welcomed and should be directed to Dr. James A. Martin (Co-Project Director, jmar...@cfr.msstate.edu) or Dr. Sam Riffell (Co-Project Leader, sriff...@cfr.msstate.edu). Drs. Wes Burger (MSU), Jerry Belant (MSU), and Josh Campbell (High Point University) are cooperating on the study, as well. Application: Submit: 1) transcript(s) and GRE scores (unofficial copies fine initially), 2) vita, 3) contact information for 3 references, and 4) letter of application which (a) describes your interest in the position, (b) describes your career goals, and (c) details your work or educational experience that is most relevant to this position. To: Dr. James A. Martin, Department of Wildlife & Fisheries, Box 9690, Mississippi State, MS 39762 MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER James A. Martin, Ph.D. Research Associate Box 9690 Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Aquaculture Mississippi State, MS 39762 Phone 662.325.4722 Fax 662.325.8726 jmartin @ cfr.msstate.edu Address for overnight shipping James Martin Rm 110 Thompson Hall 775 Stone Blvd. Mississippi State, MS 39762 It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain an idea without accepting it. ---Aristotle
