Ph.D. Graduate Research Assistantship – Wetland Water Quality and Macroinvertebrates, Division of Forestry and Natural Resources, Wildlife and Fisheries Resources Program, West Virginia University
STARTING DATE: January 2019 CLOSING DATE: Position is open until filled. DESCRIPTION: Student will be supported by an EPA-funded 12-month Research Assistantship for 4 years. Student will work with an interdisciplinary team on a statewide wetland water quality and macroinvertebrate index of biotic integrity (IBI) study in West Virginia. Student will be responsible for collecting and analyzing water quality samples, developing a macroinvertebrate IBI, and evaluating wetland condition. Ample opportunities for developing independent research questions related to wetlands, water quality, and invertebrates and for presenting at conferences is available. Specific objectives of the study are to: 1) characterize water quality conditions for a statewide wetland sample stratified by ecoregion and wetland type; 2) evaluate water quality conditions in relation to surrounding landuse, and biotic and abiotic parameters, 3) identify functional groups of wetlands with high (or low) water quality functions and those with high potential for restoring water quality; 4) develop a macroinvertebrate IBI; 5) investigate the role of hydrologic variation in temporal water quality variation, and 6) review national and state standards, and use existing and proposed WV data to recommend standards for state wetland water quality regulatory guidance specific to WV wetlands. The student will be working toward a Ph.D. in Forest Resources Sciences with an Emphasis in Wildlife and Fisheries at West Virginia University (http://bit.ly/WVUForestry). QUALIFICATIONS: M.S. in Wetlands, Ecology, or closely related field. Minimum GPA of 3.5 and combined quantitative/verbal GRE scores of 310. A strong interest and experience in wetlands, macroinvertebrates, and water quality is required. Experience in GIS, statistics, modeling, and wetland vegetation identification is desired. STIPEND: $21,000/year plus health insurance and complete tuition waiver. CONTACT: Student will be advised by Dr. James T. Anderson. Interested individuals should send a letter of interest, resume, a 500-word statement of purpose (why do you want to work on this project, your research interests, and long-term career goals), unofficial copy of transcripts and GRE scores, and contact information for 3 references to jim.ander...@mail.wvu.edu<mailto:jim.ander...@mail.wvu.edu>. James T. Anderson, Ph.D. Davis-Michael Professor Forestry and Natural Resources West Virginia University (304) 293-3825 Office http://wildlife.wvu.edu/
