MS or PhD Student Position in Ecology – Colorado State University

One position is available for a highly motivated M.S. or PhD graduate student at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado. This research is focused on the question of whether restoring the vegetation of a high mountain meadow in California’s Sierra Nevada will affect greenhouse gas sequestration processes.  This funded project seeks to clarify the ecological effect of reducing small mammal herbivory and planting a native sedge in a degraded wet meadow on carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide fluxes. The study site is Tuolumne Meadows in Yosemite National Park. The student would be responsible for collecting and analyzing gas flux data and developing a model of methane and nitrous oxide exchange for the whole growing season. The student will also assist in a comprehensive synthesis paper of all work done on the project. This will be years 3 and 4 of a 4-year project. Keen interest in greenhouse gas modeling, hydrology, vegetation dynamics, restoration ecology, and vegetation ecology is essential and experience is preferred. The student must be able to work independently, direct field crews, and show initiative on the project. Extensive field work is required for this project.
Application details: Interested students should send their CV and a cover letter that documents their interest and relevant experience to Dr. David J. Cooper, Department of Forest and Rangeland Stewardship, Colorado State University. Please send all materials via email: David.Cooper@colostate.edu

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