[SOS-PCA] JOB OUTREACH: Graduate Assistantship to Study the Effects of Invasive Annual Grasses on Native Species in the Mojave Desert (University of Nevada, Reno)

[Prescott, Leah]

Graduate Assistantship to Study the Effects of Invasive Annual Grasses on
Native Species in the Mojave Desert



*Deadline: 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.



*Overview: 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.



*Position: Graduate Assistantship



*Location: Fieldwork will be located outside of Las Vegas, NV.



*Compensation: 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.



*Who may apply: Open to all.



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.



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.




-- 
Leah Prescott
Bureau of Land Management
Plant Conservation & Restoration Program
Data Coordinator
202-912-7232

National Seed Strategy for Rehabilitation and Restoration
<https://www.blm.gov/programs/natural-resources/native-plant-communities/national-seed-strategy>
Plant Conservation Alliance <http://www.plantconservationalliance.org/>
Seeds of Success
<https://www.blm.gov/programs/natural-resources/native-plant-communities/native-plant-and-seed-material-development/collection>
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