Three Graduate Research Assistantships are available at Penn State beginning Fall 2014 to study soil biogeochemistry, ecology, mapping, or hydrology in forests and agroecosystems associated with the Susquehanna/Shale Hills Critical Zone Observatory (http://www.czo.psu.edu/). This NSF funded CZO includes a vibrant, interactive group of graduate students, postdocs, research support staff, and faculty from a range of disciplines including ecology, soil science, geochemistry, hydrology, and meteorology. Successful applicants will be encouraged to take full advantage of this interdisciplinary team. The CZO also includes substantial research infrastructure near Penn State, including an intensively instrumented watershed and new research watersheds where students will have the opportunity to design the next generation of Critical Zone science. Students with an M.S. in soil science, ecology, geoscience, or environmental science are especially encouraged to apply. Applicants with a B.S. and exceptional qualifications will also be considered. Interested applicants should contact Dr. Jason Kaye (jpk12 at psu dot edu) for soil biogeochemistry, Dr. David Eissenstat (dme9 at psu dot edu) for soil ecology, and Dr. Henry Lin (hul3 at psu dot edu) for soil-landscape mapping or hillslope/watershed hydrology. Students may apply to the Graduate Program in Soil Science (http://ecosystems.psu.edu/graduateprograms/soil-science) or the Inter-College Graduate Degree Program in Ecology (http://www.huck.psu.edu/education/ecology). Either of these degrees can be combined with the Biogeochemistry Dual Title Degree program (http://www.biogeochemistry.psu.edu/). Assistantships include up to 4 years of a competitive stipend, tuition waiver, and health benefits. First priority will be given to applications completed by January 1, 2014.
