A graduate research assistantship (M.S. or Ph.D.) will be available starting in Fall 2010 in the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences (http://www.nres.uiuc.edu/Dynamic.aspx?PageId=107) or the Program in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology (http://www.life.uiuc.edu/peeb/index.htm) at the University of Illinois. The student will participate in multidisciplinary research at the interface of landscape ecology, natural resources management and non-native invasive plant species (NIS) biology to advance basic understanding of invasion dynamics within the biologically diverse longleaf pine - wiregrass ecosystem. Research efforts will focus on designing and implementing microsite- and landscape-scale studies in the North Carolina Sandhills to investigate edaphic, biological and anthropogenic factors influencing NIS germination, establishment and distribution and determine the relative importance of biotic and abiotic factors on NIS ecology at multiple scales. The successful candidate will be based in the lab of Dr. Jennifer Fraterrigo at the University of Illinois, and will work collaboratively with research partners at the US Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC). Contingent upon satisfactory performance, a stipend and tuition waiver will be provided with a mix of graduate teaching and research assistantships. Applicants are expected to be available to start in June of 2010.
Qualifications: A B.S. degree in ecology, botany, geospatial science, or related fields, and/or equivalent experience, 2) expertise in the application of GIS to research questions, 3) significant interest in invasive plant management, 4) capacity to quickly develop new skills, 5) demonstrated ability to work both independently and cooperatively with resource managers and other researchers, 6) strong organizational and interpersonal abilities, and 7) excellent written and oral communication skills. Salary: Commensurate with degree program. To Apply: Please send cover letter, full CV, pdf(s) of relevant publications and the names of 3 references (with phone numbers and email addresses) to the contacts listed below. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until a suitable candidate has been found. Once a suitable candidate is identified, they will formally apply for admission to the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences or the Program in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology. For specific questions or more information, please contact: Dr. Jennifer Fraterrigo Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Urbana, IL 61801 Email: [email protected] Telephone: 217-333-9428 http://nres.illinois.edu/directory/Jennifer_Fraterrigo or Matthew Hohmann ERDC-CERL P.O. Box 9005 Champaign, IL 61826-9005 Email: [email protected] Telephone: 800-872-2375, ext. 5863
