Postdoctoral Research Opportunity A Postdoctoral Research Associate in Biology at Kansas State University is sought to organize and lead a series of stream field experiments across North America associated with the “Scale, Consumers and Lotic Ecosystem Rates (SCALER): Centimeters to Continents” project. This project coordinator will play a central role in developing methodology and bridging collaborative experiments at 5 regions from Puerto Rico to Alaska from execution to synthesis. The SCALER project, funded by the National Science Foundation, will examine scaling of stream metabolism, nutrient uptake, and effects of consumers across spatial extents from centimeters to kilometers. A modeling team will explore scaling relationships from sub-reach to continental scales. Research sites include tropical forest, temperate deciduous forest, prairie, boreal forest, and tundra. The post-doctoral associate will contribute to development of protocols and experimental design, will travel to the 5 sites to assist! with initiating experiments at each site, and will have the opportunity to address research questions linking large stream animals to nutrient cycles and energy flow in streams. This is a unique opportunity to collaborate with top stream scientists around the United States. The principal investigators on the project are Drs. Walter Dodds, Keith Gido (Kansas State), Ford Ballantyne (Univ. Kansas), Amy Rosemond, John Kominoski (Univ. Georgia), Breck Bowden (Univ. Vermont), Michael Flinn (Murray State), Matt Whiles (University of Southern Illinois), Jay Jones, Tamara Harms (Univ. Alaska), and Wil Wollheim, Bill McDowell (Univ. New Hampshire).
Qualifications: The candidate must have a Ph.D. in ecology or aquatic ecology. The preferred candidate will have experience with field measures of stream ecosystem function and stream consumer effects. The candidate must be prepared to travel to remote field sites in multiple biomes and perform rigorous experimental field work in locations that may require physical effort to transport equipment. The ability to work in a group setting is essential, as this researcher will work collaboratively with the PI’s, other post docs, graduate students and personnel at the National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) in methodological design and experimental implementation. The successful candidate will demonstrate an ability to work effectively with the data manager as well as the modelers associated with the project and a diverse population. High organizational and communication skills, creativity in methodological development, and understanding of basic experimental design an! d statistical analyses are required for this position. Duration and Start Date: Initial appointment is for 1 year, and may be renewed for a total of 2.5 years depending upon satisfactory performance. Anticipated start date is January 2012, but start date is negotiable. Location: Kansas State University (http://www.ksu.edu) is located in the city of Manhattan (http://www.core.manhattan.ks.us), a vibrant university community of about 50,000 in the scenic Flint Hills of north-central Kansas. Konza Prairie Biological Station, a primary research site, is about 8 km from the University. To Apply: Send a letter of interest, curriculum vitae, up to three relevant reprints, and have three recommendations sent seperately (electronic versions of all materials are required) to [email protected] with “Dodds Postdoc” in the subject line . For more information concerning the nature of this position, contact Dr. Walter Dodds ([email protected] or 785-532-6998) or Dr. Keith Gido ([email protected] or 785-532-5088). Deadline: Review of applications will commence 1 October 2011 and continue until the position is filled. KSU is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer, and actively seeks diversity among its employees Background check required ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Walter Dodds University Distinguished Professor in Biology Kansas State University 785 532 6998 http://www.k-state.edu/doddslab/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
