Graduate Student Position – Arctic River Ecology Alexander D. Huryn, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alabama
I am recruiting a M.Sc. student to assist in an investigation of the effects of aufeis, or river icings, on arctic river ecosystems. Aufeis are massive accumulations of ice common to many arctic rivers. River aufeis form during freeze-up when thickening surface ice and permafrost restrict river discharge, causing local overflow due to local increases in hydrostatic pressure. Successive cycles of overflowing and freezing of water from upstream groundwater supplies accumulate enormous quantities of ice which subsidizes summer river discharge as it melts. The distribution and hydrology of aufeis is relatively well known, but understanding of the ecosystem role of aufeis, however, is primitive at best. The present investigation will pursue two general objectives. The first is an assessment of the dynamics of the aufeis-river linkage. The second objective is an assessment of the potential for year-round, unfrozen parafluvial/groundwater habitat beneath the aufeis field. Field research will begin during the summer of 2016 will take place at the Toolik Field Station on the North Slope of Alaska. Individuals with interdisciplinary research interests related to biodiversity, aquatic macroinvertebrates, and river/groundwater ecology are encouraged to apply. Funding will be provided via a teaching assistantship. Qualifications: Candidates should have a B.Sc. in ecology, environmental science, freshwater science, hydrology, or geosciences. Candidates with a strong quantitative background, excellent writing skills, and fieldwork experience in remote locations will be given preference. The project involves scientists from multiple institutions and the ability to work on an interdisciplinary team is a must. Fieldwork may involve long hours and strenuous sampling in wet and cold conditions. Start Date: Summer 2016 To Apply: Please send a brief letter of interest, CV including undergraduate GPA, GRE scores, and contact information for three references, and an unofficial copy of transcripts as a single PDF to [email protected] with ‘Aufeis MSc’ in the subject line. Applications will be reviewed starting 5 January 2015 and will continue until the position is filled. Alexander D. Huryn Department of Biological Sciences University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0206
