A postdoctoral scientist position is available at the University of Wyoming. The postdoc will be a part of a project team that is developing and testing a scaling framework for understanding forest diversity and productivity. The project involves three main components organized around the following questions. How do plant traits related to tree form and function vary between species, and how do evolutionary versus environmental drivers affect trait variability? Is a species-specific representation of form and function necessary to describe community and ecosystem properties? How do we develop a general scaling framework for predicting large-scale forest dynamics that includes species-specific trait variability and key physiological mechanisms? Data-model integration methods will be developed and applied to address these questions, including: (i) dynamic process models that link tree form and function; (ii) Bayesian meta-analysis tools for analyzing literature data on species-specific traits that incorporate phylogenetic information; and (iii) rigorous statistical and computational methods for informing the process model with large and disparate data sources. Qualifications: (1) a PhD with expertise in one or more of the following or related areas: ecology, ecological modeling, statistics, or ecological informatics; (2) strong mathematical and statistical background, especially in likelihood or Bayesian methods; (3) proficient programming skills; (4) background in forest ecology or plant physiological ecology, or ability and desire to develop quickly a proficiency in these areas; (5) good verbal and written communication skills; and (6) ability and desire to interact and collaborate with other scientists. The project PIs are Drs. Kiona Ogle (Botany & Statistics; www.uwyo.edu/oglelab) and Jarrett Barber (Statistics). Application materials: (1) cover letter stating research interests, why this position is of interest, and relevant qualifications and experience, (2) CV, and (3) names and contact information of three references. Send via email a PDF copy of the application materials to Dr. Kiona Ogle ([email protected]). Please submit applications by May 1, 2009. Pending final approval of funding, the preferred start date is before July 1, 2009. For more information, contact Dr. Ogle via email.
