[APWG] JOB OPPORTUNITY: Paid Graduate Assistantship to Study the Effects of Invasive Annual Grasses on Native Species in the Mojave Desert (preferred start date Nov/Dec 2018) (Nevada)

[De Angelis, Patricia]

We seek a highly motivated graduate student to examine the interactions
among native and invasive plant species in the Mojave Desert. Invasive
annual species, including red brome (*Bromus rubens*), Mediteranean
grass (*Schismus
barbatos*), and Russian thistle (*Salsola* spp.) have become prevalent in
the Mojave Desert. This has severe consequences for native wildlife
habitat, including the desert tortoise (*Gopherus agassizii*), as well as
rare plant species (ex. white-margined penstemon - *Penstemon
albomarginatus*). The Bureau of Land Management is interested in
investigating the effects of rehabilitation treatments (herbicide, seeding,
etc.) on native and rare plant species, as well as desert tortoise habitat.
Research questions will focus on plant-plant, plant-soil, and plant-animal
interactions. Research will be in conjunction with the Las Vegas office of
the Bureau of Land Management.



*Funding:* The competitive stipend for the research assistantship is
$19,200 per year for four years, which includes a tuition and fee waiver.
PhD candidates are preferred although MS students may be considered.



*Qualifications:*

   - BS degree in biology, ecology, or related field
   - Field experience and coursework in plant and soil ecology
   - Desire to interact with land managers and help improve land management
   decisions
   - Previous research experience with good experimental and field skills
   - Strong verbal and written communication skills
   - Evidence of statistical knowledge, laboratory analytic skills, and
   ability to publish research results in refereed journals is highly desired.



*Personal Qualifications:* The candidate should be self-motivated, focused,
and able to work independently and as part of a team. You should be capable
of driving to remote sites on 4WD roads, hiking several kilometers,
withstanding harsh field conditions, and willing to camp in primitive areas
with no facilities. Fieldwork will be located outside of Las Vegas, NV.



*How to Apply:* Please email the following to Beth Newingham at
beth.newingham at ars.usda.gov: (1) your resume or CV (including GRE scores
and percentiles); (2) a letter of interest, including research interests,
professional goals and prior experience, and (3) contact information for
three references.



Further questions can be directed to Dr. Newingham at
beth.newingham at ars.usda.gov. The student would be a UNR student although
housed with the USDA Agricultural Research Service on campus. Information
about the University of Nevada, Reno’s graduate programs in the Natural
Resources and Environmental Science department can be found at
https://www.unr.edu/nres/graduate-degrees. Information about the Newingham
Lab can be found at http://newinghamlab.weebly.com.



Applications will be considered starting immediately and will continue
until the position is filled*. The preferred start date is November or
December 2018 *as a technician to assure sampling for the spring and summer
of 2019. Student status may start when appropriate.
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