Funded Ph.D. Position – New Mexico State University We are seeking a highly motivated Ph.D. student to work on amultidisciplinary desert/rangeland ecology project that spans the fields ofplant invasion ecology and soil microbial ecology. Research will be conductedin the Northern Chihuahuan Desert of New Mexico at the Jornada Long TermEcological Research (LTER) Site http://jornada.nmsu.edu/lter.The project will explore the abiotic and biotic drivers of Lehmann lovegrass (Eragrostislehmanniana) invasion, as well as assess the impacts of invasion on extantplant and microbial communities. As such, the project will ask questionsincluding: “Does altered climate affect competitive relationships betweenlovegrass and native species?” “How do microbial communities change underaltered climate, and how do these changes impact the plant community?” “Doplant-soil feedbacks facilitate the invasion of lovegrass and the demise ofnative grasses?” Additional research questions by the student will beencouraged. The student would join the labs of Drs. Lehnhoff andPietrasiak in Entomology, Plant Pathology & Weed Science (https://eppws.nmsu.edu/) and Plant &Environmental Sciences (http://aces.nmsu.edu/academics/pes/),respectively, and would also have the opportunity to interact with a dynamicgroup of ecologists at the Jornada LTER. Basic qualifications Candidates should have: aminimum of a BS degree (3.3 GPA minimum) in plant ecology or soil ecology (or aclosely related field) with strong quantitative and statistical skills;independent field ecology and laboratory research experience; the ability tocommunicate effectively both in writing and orally; and a willingness to worklong days in inclement weather including extreme heat. Preferred qualifications Ideal candidates will have:a MS degree in plant ecology or soil ecology (or a closely related field); ademonstrated capacity to lead field research including experimental design,data collection, and crew management; and ability to independently perform laboratoryanalyses. The position will start in June 2017 (start date may beflexible), and interested candidates should apply as soon as possible, but nolater than November 20, 2016. To apply, send a cover letter describingexperience and interests, CV, transcripts, and GRE scores, and provide contactinformation only for three professional references to both: [email protected] and [email protected]. New Mexico State University is a comprehensive land-grantinstitution of higher learning accredited by the Higher Learning Commission ofthe North Central Association of Colleges and Universities. An active researchuniversity, NMSU anchors the southern end of NewMexico’s Rio Grande Research Corridor, exceeding $140 million in research andpublic service expenditures. NMSU is classified as aHispanic-serving institution by the federal government with a total minorityenrollment over 48%. Home to the state’s NASA SpaceGrant Program, NMSU is located in Las Cruces, whichfeatures desert mesas, the farmlands of the Rio Grande Valley, and the OrganMountains, an extension of the Rocky Mountain chain. The University iscommitted to building a cultural diverse educational environment.
