[PCA] JOB: Graduate Research Assitantship (Logan, UT)

[Kwong, Olivia]

Graduate Research Assistantship Announcement

Native Forb Functional Traits to Enhance Biodiversity on Great Basin
Rangelands

Drs. Kris Hulvey, Doug Johnson, and Tom Monaco Department of Wildland
Resources, Utah State University and USDA-ARS, Logan, UT

A Master of Science graduate assistantship is available with Dr. Kris
Hulvey in the Department of  Wildland Resources at Utah State University
and Drs. Doug Johnson and Tom Monaco at the USDA-ARS Forage and Range
Research Lab in Logan, UT. The project will be in collaboration with the
USDA-NRCS Plant Materials Center (Aberdeen, ID), USDA-Forest Service Shrub
Sciences Lab (Provo, UT), and USDA-ARS Range and Meadow Forage Management
(Burns, OR). The goal of this research is to better understand how forbs
native to the western U.S. can be successfully established in restoration
projects in the Great Basin to increase biodiversity and ecosystem
functioning.

This study will use a combination of field and greenhouse studies to
examine traits that lead to successful germination and establishment of
native forbs in the Great Basin. Work will include literature review of
native forb trait data, germination and seedling establishment trials, and
measurement of suites of traits contributing to establishment success. In
addition, the student will work with an interdisciplinary research team to
produce a review of the ecological, social, and economic factors that
contribute to restoration decisions and success in Great Basin rangelands.
Results from this work will improve our understanding of how to use native
forbs in restoration projects in the Great Basin when restoration goals are
to increase biodiversity and provide increased ecosystem services.

This graduate assistantship will consist of coursework, field research
(sites in Utah and Idaho), and greenhouse studies that elucidate key
functional traits in important rangeland forb species. The duties of this
position will include completion of required coursework, field and
greenhouse sampling, data organization, data analyses, and completion of a
thesis and peer-reviewed publication(s).

Candidates for this position should have a B.S. degree in range science,
ecology, or closely related discipline, proficiency in written and oral
communication, strong GRE scores, and evidence of scholastic success. The
position will begin Sept. 2015.

The successful candidate will receive a competitive stipend, an in-state
tuition waiver, and student medical insurance. To apply, please submit the
following to Dr. Kris Hulvey (email:

1)      Statement of career goals
2)      Resume or curriculum vitae
5)      Three references with contact information

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until a suitable
candidate is selected.

Please contact Kris Hulvey with any questions (email: kris.hulvey at usu.edu
).
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