PhD-this one is for carbon and nutrient dynamics/forest biomass harvesting, U of MN

[Sherry Sandretto <slsandre@xxxxxxx>]

The University of Minnesota, Department of Forest Resources, is seeking 
a Ph.D.-level
graduate student to participate in a research project examining the 
impacts of forest biomass harvesting on primary productivity and carbon 
and nutrient dynamics.

The student will join a team of collaborators from the University of 
Minnesota, University of Wisconsin, University of Missouri, and USFS 
Northern Research Station, working to assess the environmental 
sustainability of woody biomass feedstock procurement from regionally 
important forest types (aspen and northern hardwoods) within the Lake 
States.

Within the larger project, the student will utilize field measurements 
to quantify the immediate impact of biomass removal on carbon cycling 
and nutrient availability and incorporate the results into ecological 
simulation models to assess the long-term sustainability of repeated 
biomass harvests. Experience with and/or interest in ecological 
simulation models is desired. Research will involve extensive field work 
across the northern Lake States and the student will be responsible for 
conducting field and lab work in support of project goals, supervising 
field and lab assistants, analyzing data and preparing peer-reviewed 
publications.

The start date is somewhat flexible, but preferably the student will 
begin classes in Spring 2010. Position is funded for four years from 
DOE/USDA.

Qualifications: M.S. in ecology, forestry, silviculture, biology or a 
closely related field. Applicants should be able to work independently, 
but also cooperatively with other researchers in the lab and on the 
larger project.
Application materials: Please send a statement of interests and goals, 
CV, and names and contact information for at least 3 references to Dr. 
John Bradford (jbbradford@xxxxxxxxx) and/or Dr. Anthony D’Amato 
(damato@xxxxxxx) or hard copies to 1530 Cleveland Avenue North, 115 
Green Hall, St. Paul, MN 55108. Deadline for receiving applications is 
November 15.