Postdoctoral Research Associate Position in Ecosystem Ecology/Urban Ecology in the School of Life Sciences at Arizona State University (ASU) and University of Cape Town (South Africa)
The School of Life Sciences at Arizona State University (http://sols.asu.edu/) announces an opening for a postdoctoral research associate position available with Dr. Sharon J. Hall (School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, USA), Dr. Adam West, and Dr. Edmund February (Botany Dept., University of Cape Town) to undertake research on ecosystem consequences of the urban atmosphere in fynbos shrublands of the Cape Town metropolitan area. The project will be carried out in the protected areas within the South African National Parks and CapeNature reserve system, and within fynbos remnants within the city of Cape Town. In addition to conducting a specific research mission, the postdoctoral research associate will also coordinate and oversee project activities, including undergraduate and graduate student mentoring at UCT. The successful candidate will be expected to reside in South Africa but will be expected to also travel to the US to interact with students and researchers at Arizona State University. Project participants include scientists from Arizona State University (Dr. Sharon J. Hall), University of Cape Town (Drs. Edmund February, William Bond, and Adam West), and the South Africa Environmental Observation Network (SAEON; Dr. Nicky Allsopp). The postdoctoral research associate will work as part of an interdisciplinary team of ecologists, plant physiologists and ecosystem scientists and will have freedom to develop individual research questions in collaboration with the participating scientists. Additionally, the associate will have opportunities to engage with a broader research network of scholars at UCT and ASU focused on global environmental change and urbanization. Among these groups are the Africa Centre for Climate and Earth Systems Science (ACCESS) program, the African Centre for Cities (ACC), the Central Arizona Phoenix Long-term Ecological Research project (CAP LTER), and ASU's Global Institute for Sustainability (GIOS). Candidates must have a PhD (or near completion of a PhD) in ecology, biogeochemistry, earth system science, or related field. Applicants are expected to have considerable knowledge, experience, and proven ability in experimental methods used in ecology, and in the development of independent research projects. Preference will be given to candidates with a proven track-record receiving external funding for their research and publishing their work in peer-reviewed scientific journals. ASU is an affirmative action/equal employment opportunity employer and is dedicated to recruiting a diverse community. Interested candidates must submit a formal cover letter indicating qualifications and experience, CV, and three references (including name, telephone, mail and e-mail address of reference). Applications will be reviewed beginning September 16th, 2009; if not filled, then again on the 16th of each month until the search is closed. For further information, contact Drs. Sharon J. Hall (sharonjh...@asu.edu) and Edmund February (edmund.febru...@uct.ac.za).
