This is a repost of an earlier advertisement with the application deadline extended to June 15.
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Funded PhD or MS Student Position in Plant Ecology: Apply by June 15
The Dovciak lab (http://www.esf.edu/efb/dovciak/) at the State University of New York (SUNY ESF) is looking for a highly motivated graduate student (PhD or MS) for a funded position to study vegetation dynamics of Long Island Pine Barrens of New York State. The student is expected to study forest plant communities and examine patterns of regeneration, recruitment, and mortality for pitch pine and oaks on vegetation plots surveyed in 2005/2006.
The data and protocols from this survey are available for use. The position will include (1) resurvey of the vegetation plots, (2) quantification of changes in forest community and tree populations, and (3) building statistical models to relate tree population processes to environmental conditions (including canopy cover, understory vegetation, and soil properties).
The position starts on August 20, 2018, but a later start (January 2019) may be considered. The position is based at SUNY ESF in Syracuse
(http://www.esf.edu/) and field work is based at Brookhaven National Laboratory on Long Island. Collaborative partners include the Central Pine Barrens Commission and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. The position will be supported by research (2 years) and teaching assistantships (1-3 years) that cover a stipend, tuition, and health benefits.
Additional collaborative research opportunities exist in our lab within an NSF-funded project examining ecotone dynamics between deciduous and conifer forests of northeastern United States.
Desired qualifications:
– MS or BS in plant or forest ecology, botany, or a related field
– Ideally GPA >3.5 and GRE scores >70% (lower may be acceptable with relevant research experience)
– Basic vascular plant identification skills and familiarity with ecosystems of the northeastern United States
– Excellent time management, interpersonal, and team/collaborative skills
– Ability to work long hours in potentially adverse field conditions over a period of 2-3 months
– Interest in organizing and managing large data sets (e.g., in Excel or Access)
– Ability to use, or willingness to learn, advanced statistical methods and packages (e.g., R)
– Driver’s license and an own car
To apply, send (1) cover letter summarizing your interests, educational goals (MS, PhD), and qualifications, (2) CV, including GPA and GRE, (3) transcripts (unofficial OK at this stage), and (4) contacts for three references to Martin Dovciak (mdovciak@esf.edu), ideally as a single pdf file. Please use “Plant Ecology Research Assistantship” in email subject line. Earlier inquiries are welcome. The review of the applications will start on May 15 and continue until a suitable candidate is identified.
Selected candidates will be asked to submit a full application (with official transcripts, reference letters, and GRE reports) to SUNY ESF
(http://www.esf.edu/graduate/admission.htm) as soon as possible.
Info on Syracuse academic community/environment is here:
http://www.esf.edu/efb/dovciak/Syracuse.htm
Info on Long Island Central Pine Barrens is here:
https://pb.state.ny.us/central-pine-barrens/overview/
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Martin Dovciak, Ph.D., Associate Professor and Roosevelt Forest Ecologist State University of New York, College of Environmental Science & Forestry (SUNY ESF) Faculty webpage: http://www.esf.edu/faculty/dovciak/
Research Gate profile:
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Martin_Dovciak?ev=prf_highl