PhD Research Assistantship at Colorado State University We are seeking a PhD candidate for a graduate research assistantship to examine hydrologic fluxes between ephemeral streams, alluvial aquifers, vegetation, and the atmosphere in the Sonoran Desert of southwestern Arizona. The student will quantify interactions between streamflow and subsurface water in a network of sites with monitoring wells and soil moisture sensors. Eddy covariance techniques will be used to measure exchanges of water and CO2 between riparian ecosystems and the atmosphere. The student will have opportunities to participate in interdisciplinary research including: geophysical mapping of alluvial deposits; geomorphic characterization of stream networks; gas exchange from leaf to ecosystem scales; and identification of plant water sources using isotopic tracers. These data sets will be integrated to develop models describing the function of Sonoran Desert ephemeral streams, and how they may respond to climate change. The successful applicant will have a quantitative background in earth sciences, experience operating extensive networks of sensors and data loggers, and the ability to conduct research under (sometimes) physically-challenging desert conditions. Experience with eddy covariance techniques is a huge plus. The student would be admitted through either the Department of Geosciences or the Graduate Degree Program in Ecology in Colorado State Universitys Warner College of Natural Resources. The student would be based in Fort Collins, Colorado, but do field work in southern Arizona. Contact Dr. Stephanie Kampf (ska...@warnercnr.colostate.edu) and Dr. David Cooper (david.coo...@colostate.edu) with a letter of interest, an up to date CV, and a list of references. A masters degree in an appropriate field is required. The graduate research assistantship pays a monthly stipend, tuition, and all field expenses.
