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2 - PhD positions - U of Wyoming - beetle study



TWO Ph.D.  Assistantships

 in Physiological/Ecosystem Ecology and Soil Science/Biogeochemistry
at the University of Wyoming:

We seek two motivated Ph.D. students to conduct graduate research starting in January or May, 2010 on Rocky Mountain forests.  Our interdisciplinary project investigates the consequences of beetle-induced tree mortality on the interactions between ecosystem structure and function, successional processes, energy partitioning and water, carbon and nitrogen cycling. One student will be operating at the intersection of physiological and ecosystem ecology. This student will be given the opportunity to gain or enhance key skills including eddy covariance, energy balance, sap flux, stable isotopes and plant, soil and ecosystem gas exchange. The other student will be investigating biogeochemical consequences of the outbreak by evaluating interactions among the carbon (including methane), water and nitrogen cycles. In addition to participating in the skills above, this student will also enhance or learn key skills in soil biogeochemistry, litter decomposition, microbial processes, trace gas emissions and understory vegetation analysis.

Students with a background in biology, ecology, soil science or appropriate engineering, preferably with a MS degree, and strong quantitative and analytical skills, should apply by November 30. UW is ideally situated in close proximity to varied ecosystems of the Rocky Mountains with easy access to outdoor recreation, and only 2 hours from Denver, CO. Students can apply to the PhD Program in Ecology or Botany through this website (http://uwadmnweb.uwyo.edu/Botany/grad_oct08.html) or Soil Science at this website (http://uwadmnweb.uwyo.edu/UWrenewable/Soil_info.asp#Graduate_program). Direct questions and application materials (resume, unofficial transcripts and GRE scores, and research objectives) to Brent Ewers (beewers@xxxxxxxx), Elise Pendall (pendall@xxxxxxxx) or Urszula Norton (unorton@xxxxxxxx).