An NSF-funded MS assistantship at Utah State University is available starting in January or May of 2021 to work in the Beard Lab and closely with the Atwood Lab and the Waring Lab. We seek an enthusiastic and inquisitive student who is interested in understanding the role of herbivory, climate change, and wetland ecology and management in affecting microbial communities and carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas (carbon dioxide and methane) exchange in wetlands of the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta. The project will focus on waterfowl impacts on vegetation and implications of atmospheric exchange. This study does not focus on waterfowl themselves but instead on the ecosystem services of coastal wetlands in Alaska.
Utah State University is a highly selective, public, land-grant university and is classified as a Carnegie R1 Research University. The main campus is located in Logan, a community of 100,000 people.. For more information on Logan see http://www.tourcachevalley.com. The Beard Lab is committed to supporting and advancing diversity in STEM. Applications from members of historically underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged.
Required Qualifications: An undergraduate degree in ecology, soil microbiology, biological sciences, biogeochemistry or other closely related environmental science field with quantitative abilities and self-motivation. Required skills: Fieldwork experience in ecology. Preferred experience: Experience with R, DNA analysis, laboratory experience, and experience with LiCORs or other greenhouse gas analyzers. The successful applicant will spend two summers in a remote research camp on coastal western Alaska. Applicants should have experience or interest in learning how to drive boats and snowmobiles, and live in remote field sites for extended periods of time is needed. In your cover letter, please describe your experience or willingness to gain these experiences, and to live in a remote area.
Review of applications will begin on October 10, 2020 and continue until the position is filled. The appointment will begin between January 1, 2021 and May 10, 2021, with an initial commitment of two years of funding. A competitive stipend (~$18,000) and full tuition package will be offered.
In your application, please include:
- A cover letter that explains how your research and experience aligns with the skills and research activities listed above
- A CV or resume, including your GPA and relevant experience (GRE scores are optional)
- A list of three professional references and their contact information.
Please send your application and any questions to Karen Beard: karen.beard@usu.edu