Graduate Research Assistantship Available
Ecosystem Change In the Arctic
International Tundra Experiment
Toolik Lake Long Term Ecological Research Site, Alaska
Applications Accepted Until Position Filled
For further information, please contact:
William Gould
E-mail: wgould [at] fs.fed.us
The USDA Forest Service International Institute of Tropical Forestry
(IITF) and Department of Biology at University of Puerto Rico-Rio
Piedras (UPR) invite applications for a graduate student position as
part of the International Tundra Experiment (ITEX) to examine the
response of arctic vegetation to changes in climate. ITEX involves
measuring experimentally controlled changes in productivity, phenology,
vegetation composition, and nutrient fluxes within small-scale
vegetation plots replicated at many sites across the Arctic.
The successful candidate will continue long term measurements by
sampling vegetation composition in natural and experimentally modified
(by warming and altering snow depth) plots at the Toolik Lake Long Term
Ecological Research (LTER) Site in northern Alaska and analyzing
vegetation change over the last two decades using data from long term
monitoring. The goals of these analyses are to determine real and
potential responses of arctic tundra to climate in order to further
understand ecosystem response to climatic change and to facilitate
better response to these changes in terms of land management. The
project is part of the International Polar Year and is funded by the
National Science Foundation.
The successful candidate will join the research team in the IITF GIS and
Remote Sensing Laboratory in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico and will work
under William Gould (U.S. Forest Service) in cooperation with Jess
Zimmerman (UPR) and several collaborators.
Applicants should have a strong interest in field ecology, vegetation
(including bryophytes and lichens), statistical analyses and modeling,
GIS analyses, and ecosystem change studies. Applicants should also have
an educational background in ecology, botany, environmental studies, or
a related discipline, proficiency and experience in identifying and
keying plant species, motivation to work independently, excellent
computing and writing skills, and motivation to publish in peer-reviewed
journals.
To apply, please submit a cover letter summarizing research interests
and academic and professional background, resume or CV, transcripts
(unofficial copies acceptable), GRE scores (if available), and names and
contact information for three references, to:
William Gould
E-mail: wgould [at] fs.fed.us
The position is available to start in May 2007 with coursework to begin
in fall 2007. Field work in Alaska will take place from mid-July through
August in 2007 and 2008.