Two Postdoctoral Positions in Plant Community Ecology Kellogg Biological Station, Michigan State University (Available June 2011, start date negotiable)
I am seeking two postdoctoral associates to work on questions related to the controls on diversity in grasslands. The primary focus of research in my lab is controls on plant diversity in grasslands and how these communities, and the species in them, respond to nutrient enrichment. Most of the research in the lab has focused on unmanaged systems - prairie savannah and old fields in SW Michigan - but we are now expanding this work to look at the implications of fertilization and harvesting/grazing in pastures and biofuel cropping systems.
Project 1: Predicting responses of plant communities to nutrient enrichment A species traits approach. We have established several sets of long term experiments in grasslands in SW Michigan and monitored changes in community composition, diversity and productivity. One set of experiments is in a low-productivity grassland in a prairie-savannah matrix. The others are in successional old-fields of moderate productivity and are part of the KBS LTER projects. Having documented changes in composition and productivity, we are now exploring how species traits, particularly those related to clonal growth and invasion capacity, affect the ability of species to persist in response to nutrient enhancement. A trait data base has been assembled for most of the species in these communities. There is also the opportunity to participate in a cross-site analysis of grassland community and species response to precipitation variability using data from a network of LTER and other sites (PDTNetwork).
Project 2: Maintaining diversity in managed grasslands: Pasture and biofuel cropping systems. This project builds on the research projects described above and will focus on developing hypotheses and establishing experimental studies to compare how different management scenarios for mixed species grasslands biofuel crops and pastures will impact the diversity, productivity and potential to deliver specific ecosystem services. The biofuel crops have been planted at KBS as part of the DOE-funded Great Lakes BioEnergy Center and are located near a recently established pasture-based dairy and the KBS LTER. Both systems provide the opportunity to test how management of grasslands for specific ecosystem processes, primarily productivity, impact diversity and related services
Requirements and to apply: Both positions require strong quantitative and writing skills, an interest in working collaboratively and to interact with the training of undergraduate researchers. Both will provide opportunities for developing independent projects related to the ongoing research. A PhD is required for final appointment. The positions are available 1 June 2011, but the start date is negotiable. Review of applications will begin 15 May. To apply, cover letter summarizing research experience and interests, C.V., names and contact information for three references to Kay Gross (<mailto:[email protected]>[email protected]). Please indicate if you are interested in the 1) prairie/old field or 2) pasture/biofuel or 3) either/both positions. Information about KBS and the research in the lab is available at (<http://www.kbs.msu.edu>www.kbs.msu.edu).
