Assessing the biogeochemical sensitivity of aquatic ecosystems to patterns of urbanized land use
We are seeking 3 graduate students to work as part of a multidisciplinary team on an NSERC-funded strategic research program in the area of Aquatic Biogeochemistry and Ecology. The project is intended to determine the sensitivity of key biogeochemical processes of aquatic ecosystems to patterns of urbanization. The graduate positions would be based at Trent University as part of the Environmental and Life Sciences (ELS) Graduate Program. Financial support will be provided through a combination of research and teaching assistantships. Interested candidates should have a background in ecology, environmental science, physical geography, hydrology, biology and/or environmental chemistry and be able to develop and conduct independent scientific research. For more information on the ELS graduate program at Trent University please see http://www.trentu.ca/els/. The positions would ideally begin between January and September 2009. The graduate positions are intended to be funded at the Ph.D. level but we will consider exceptional M.Sc. candidates. For consideration, please send to the appropriate contact below (e-mail is preferred): a letter of intent, a statement of interests, a c.v., and the contact information for 3 references. 1) Carbon and nutrient burial in urban aquatic ecosystems. This graduate project will study how the rates and efficiency of elemental (C, N, and P) retention in urban aquatic ecosystems relate to key ecosystem and watershed properties. The student will be primarily supervised by Dr. Paul Frost (http://people.trentu.ca/paulfrost/). 2) Water budgets and export of elements from urban catchments. This project investigates how the timing and quantity of hydrological flow affects the delivery of C, N and P to urban aquatic ecosystems. The student will be primarily supervised by Dr. James Buttle (http://www.trentu.ca/academic/geography/Buttle.html). 3) Greenhouse gases fluxes in urban aquatic ecosystems. This project will examine the magnitude of carbon and nitrogen greenhouse gas losses to the atmosphere from urban aquatic ecosystems and the biological and physico-chemical processes that control these fluxes. The student will be primarily supervised by Dr. Marguerite Xenopoulos (http://people.trentu.ca/mxenopoulos). To apply or for more information please contact the potential supervisor associated with project of interest: Dr. Paul Frost Department of Biology [EMAIL PROTECTED] Dr. James Buttle Department of Geography [EMAIL PROTECTED] Dr. Marguerite Xenopoulos Department of Biology [EMAIL PROTECTED]
