M.S./Ph.D. Assistantship in forest biogeochemistry

Description: A graduate student position is available for investigating how acid deposition affects the nutrient dynamics and productivity of deciduous forests in central Appalachia.

The student will conduct their research at the Fernow Experimental Forest and would receive training in the use of analytical instrumentation, experimental design, data analysis, computer modeling, communication skills, and teaching.  More about our research at the Fernow can be found at: www.as.wvu.edu/fernow/

Summer support is available for four years and this would supplement support received during the academic year for being a teaching assistant in the Department of Biology at West Virginia University. Information about the graduate program in biology, and how to apply, is available at: http://biology.wvu.edu/graduate/admission.

Requirement: A successful applicant should have: (1) a bachelor's or master's degree in a relevant field of study; (2) a strong interest in ecosystem ecology and environmental change; (3) a willingness to learn techniques used to analyze the chemical composition of soil, water, and plant samples; (5) strong writing skills,  and (6) a commitment to the effective communication of science to technical and non-technical  audiences.

A student able to begin in the Summer 2017 and who has experience, or a strong interest, in using  computer models to synthesize long-term ecological data is desirable.

To learn more, please contact:
Dr. William Peterjohn
Department of Biology
West Virginia University
bpj@wvu.edu
304-293-1300

A PhD Position Available: Restoring Function in Grassland Ecosystems

Description: A Ph.D. Assistantship as part of the ReFuGE Project is available beginning in January 2017.  We seek a Ph.D. student to investigate the effects of tallgrass prairie restoration and management (prescribed fire, bison grazing, and predator exclusion) on insect community assembly and plant-insect interactions. 

Requirement: Experience with arthropod identification, quantification of functional traits, or stable isotope analysis are desirable.  Applicants should have a B.S. in ecology, environmental science, wildlife science, entomology, natural resource conservation, or closely related discipline, with at least one peer-reviewed publication or an M.S. degree; a M.S. is preferred.  Preference will be given to candidates who have past experience leading their own research project, with strong basic ecology backgrounds, and those that have experience working in inclement conditions.  The assistantship includes two years of support (tuition, stipend, and research funds) after which the student will be supported by a departmental teaching assistantship. 

Northern Illinois University is a 20,000-student research university located in DeKalb, IL, a diverse community with a low cost of living west of the Chicago suburbs.  The Department of Biological Sciences at NIU is a highly collaborative department with a supportive graduate program and ideal opportunities for students to develop research, teaching, and science outreach skills.  Field work for the ReFuGE project takes place at The Nature Conservancy’s Nachusa Grasslands, a landscape-scale tallgrass prairie restoration project 40 minutes from NIU’s campus. 

How to apply: Qualified candidates should submit the following to Nick Barber (nbarber@niu.edu) by September 9, 2016:

1) Cover letter explaining your research interests and qualifications

2) CV including GRE scores

3) Names and contact information of three references

For details please contact:
Nick Barber
Assistant Professor

Department of Biological Sciences

Northern Illinois University

DeKalb, IL 60115

Lab:  317 Montgomery Hall

Office: 449 Montgomery Hall

Phone: (815) 753-4215

Email: nbarber -AT- niu.edu

M.S. and Ph.D. Assistantships in Stream Ecology & Biogeochemistry

Currently Available: Graduate Assistantships (M.Sc. and Ph.D.) in Stream Ecology & Biogeochemistry 

Location: Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA

Description: Students will join and expand research in the Hotchkiss Lab exploring how land-water interactions, hydrology, and aquatic ecosystem processes (carbon metabolism, nutrient cycling, food web dynamics) shape the transport, transformations, and fates of carbon and nutrients in streams, rivers, and fluvial networks. Additional information about potential research topics and areas of interest can be found on this website.

Successful applicants will have: a keen interest in stream/river ecology, ecosystem ecology, and/or biogeochemistry; previous research and scientific writing experience; and the ability to work well independently and in groups. Candidates with strong quantitative skills are especially encouraged to apply. In most cases, Ph.D. applicants should already have a M.Sc., but exceptions with substantial research experience will be considered. 

Students will be supported by research/teaching assistantships that include summer stipends and tuition. Students will be members of the Stream Team/ Ecosystem Research Group and may be eligible to join the Interfaces of Global Change Program. 

To Apply: Before applying through the Virginia Tech Graduate School, applicants should send Dr. Erin Hotchkiss a CV or resume and a short letter describing your research interests and experience, future goals, and why you are interested in joining the lab. Include whether you are interested in pursuing a M.S. or Ph.D. and your preferred start date. Please email any questions and/or applications to ehotchkiss[at]vt.edu. Virginia Tech's Department of Biological Sciences application requirements and guidelines can be found at: http://www.biol.vt.edu/graduates/.

Start Date: January or August 2017.

Application Due Dates, Virginia Tech Department of Biological Sciences:

• 31 October for a January start. This option is available to US students only.
• 31 December for an August start. This option is available to all qualified students.

Closing Date: Open until available positions are filled.

To learn more please contact:

 Erin R. Hotchkiss, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Department of Biological Sciences
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, VA 24061 USA
ehotchkiss@vt.edu
http://sites.google.com/site/ehotchkiss/