Due to the appointee dropping out at the last minute our group has an immediate and urgent opening for an ecologist to join our "PRO-Peat bog" project.
PRO Peat Bog is an interdisciplinary research project, funded by the OARDC SEEDS grant program and the Ohio Water Resources Center, that aims to assess the current ecological status and ecosystem functioning of Ohio’s remaining peat bogs. Our project will study variation in the plant and microbial (e.g. bacteria) communities of Ohio’s bogs in relation to the level of each sites’ historic degradation. We will relate the composition of these communities to the rate at which they are producing or storing greenhouse gases. The position will provide immersion in an interdisciplinary “applied ecology” project spanning 3 lab groups; full or partial leadership of manuscript writing; involvement in proposal writing to major national funders (DOE, NSF); co-mentoring of students; as well as extensive career mentorship for the researcher themself, with an emphasis on clear communication of their science. The researcher will also have the opportunity and framework for engaging with the large and vibrant community of environmental scientists at The Ohio State University. POSITION DUTIES 50% - Supervise and participate in fieldwork to establish and monitor peat bog vegetation structure, water chemistry and GHG fluxes 20% - Collect, organize and conduct analyses of data and communicate research results to scientific community through journal articles and seminars. 10% - Support efforts to map the current and historical range of peat bogs in Ohio 10% - Travel to field sites for fieldwork and data generation. 5% - Manage GC-MS analysis of GHG samples 5% - Advise and interact with graduate and undergraduate students in research activities. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE A PhD (preferred) or MS in ecosystem/community ecology, microbiology or environmental science Desirable experience: - Research experience in peatland ecology, ecohydrology or microbiology - Experience of measuring GHG fluxes using chamber techniques and gas chromatography - Plant identification (ideally both higher and lower plants) and vegetation surveying - Data management including the development of Access databases - Statistical analysis such as multivariate techniques used in community ecology and mixed effects modeling - Use of appropriate statistical software e.g. R, PRIMER, Canoco - Basic skills in GIS (e.g. ArcGIS or QGIS) - Evidence of familiarity with fieldwork planning and logistics - Research and writing skills to publication standard - Supervision/mentoring of research volunteers and/or student researchers - Interdisciplinary research collaboration - Research collaboration with stakeholders including public and private land-owners DEADLINE AND ENQUIRIES Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until a suitable candidate is identified. Applicants should provide a copy of their CV and a letter of application (2 pages max) which briefly addresses how they meet the required experience and qualifications. Informal enquiries should be directed to Dr. G. Matt Davies (Phone: 614 292 3567; Email: [email protected])
