We are recruiting a postdoctoral fellow and field research assistant to join our research group at the University of Colorado Boulder. Details about the positions are listed below. Projects in the lab are broadly focused on community ecology, with an emphasis on biodiversity, plant invasions, environmental change, and restoration.
POSTDOCTORAL FELLOW: PLANT COMMUNITY ECOLOGY A postdoctoral position in community ecology is available in the research group of Katharine Suding at the University of Colorado Boulder. The successful candidate will be part of a NSF-funded project to explore how changes in precipitation influence the engineering (soil alteration, burrowing) and non-engineering (seed predation, herbivory) effects of a keystone species, the federally-endangered Giant Kangaroo Rat, on plant community structure. We are excited to work with someone with strong quantitative skills, a demonstrated publication record, and expertise in nutrient cycling, ecophysiology, and/or community ecology. Abilities in field experimental work (e.g., rainfall manipulations) and organizing research teams are also highly desirable. The position will begin as soon as a qualified candidate is found, no later than March 2015, and is available for at least two years. Position will be based at University of Colorado and will involve collaboration with the Prugh (Univ Alaska) and Brashares (Univ California Berkeley) lab groups. Fieldwork (which largely occurs in Spring) will require travel to the Carrizo Plains National Monument (San Luis Obispo County, California). Salary will be commensurate with experience. Review of postdoctoral candidates will begin January 30, 2015. To apply, email a research statement including a curriculum vitae, relevant publications, and names of two references to suding...@gmail.com. Please include your last name and position (postdoc) in the subject line. RESEARCH ASSISTANT: FUNCTIONAL DIVERSITY AND GLOBAL CHANGE We are looking for someone with a Bachelors degree in biology or environmental science to join our group as a full-time field (seasonal) research assistant. They will join an USDA-funded project relating functional diversity and ecosystem resilience to precipitation variation. This position requires good communication, organization, and problem-solving skills, willingness to work outside in sometimes harsh conditions, and a valid drivers license. Experience in field work, experimental design, botany, and/or soil or biochemistry techniques is desirable. The position will be based primarily at a field site near Grass Valley, California (Sierra Foothill Research and Extension Center). Shared housing at the research station will be provided. Start date is flexible, a date in March 2015 preferred. Position will run to mid- May with the possibility of extension into the summer in Colorado. Salary will be commensurate with experience. Review of research assistant candidates will begin January 30, 2015. To apply, email a cover letter, curriculum vitae and names of two references to suding...@gmail.com. Please include your last name and position (research assistant) in the subject line. The University of Colorado Boulder is an equal opportunity employer committed to excellence through diversity.