<div dir="ltr">Date: Fri, 28 Oct 2016 16:55:36 -0400<br>
From: =?windows-1252?Q?Mitchell_<wbr>Pavao-Zuckerman?= <<a href="mailto:mpzucker@UMD.EDU">mpzucker@UMD.EDU</a>><br>
Subject: Graduate Assistantships in Urban Ecosystems, Soil Quality, Ecosystem Services - University of Maryland<br>
<br>
PhD or MS student assistantships are available to work in Mitchell<br>
Pavao-Zuckerman=92s lab at the University of Maryland<br>
(<a href="http://pavaozuckerman.wordpress.com" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">http://pavaozuckerman.<wbr>wordpress.com</a>) in urban ecosystem ecology. 2<br>
projects are available:<br>
<br>
(1) Using innovative practices to enhance soil quality for vacant lot<br>
afforestation<br>
This is a fellowship supported by the TREE Fund to conduct field trials<br>
comparing biochar, compost, and cover crops (forage radish) to improve so=<br>
il<br>
quality and facilitate the establishment of trees in vacant lots in<br>
Baltimore. Students will help conduct a literature review on urban soil<br>
amendments, implement the field study, and examine soil properties<br>
(physical, chemical, biological), plant performance, and ecosystem servic=<br>
e<br>
indices. Strong experience in soil science, soil ecology, or<br>
biogeochemistry is expected. This would ideally be for a PhD applicant, b=<br>
ut<br>
MS students are welcome to apply as well =96 students would ideally start=<br>
in<br>
Summer 2017 (or January 2017 for motivated and qualified applicants).<br>
<br>
(2) Exploring the ecosystem services of green infrastructure and urban<br>
ecosystems.<br>
In this project students can explore a variety of green infrastructure ty=<br>
pes<br>
(rain gardens, bioretention cells, green roofs, etc.) and explore drivers=<br>
of<br>
ecosystem service provision. Students would develop field and lab researc=<br>
h<br>
projects focusing on abiotic and biotic drivers of ecosystem function in<br>
urban environments, with a particular emphasis on linking soil quality,<br>
urban hydrology, and ecosystem services. There is the potential to also<br>
address social-ecological questions related to management and<br>
decision-making for these systems as well. Students would start in Fall 2=<br>
017<br>
(potentially summer 2017).<br>
<br>
Applicants should have a degree in ecology, environmental science, soil<br>
science, or closely related field (an MS degree is required for the PhD<br>
program). Lab and/or field experience in soils, biogeochemistry, and<br>
ecosystem ecology is required. Experience with sensors and data loggers,=<br>
<br>
ecosystem service assessment, GIS, statistical analysis, or remote sensin=<br>
g<br>
would be an advantage. Successful applicants will be self-motivated and a=<br>
ble<br>
to work well in teams.=20<br>
<br>
The students would be enrolled in the Department of Environmental Science=<br>
<br>
and Technology at the University of Maryland. See program websites for mo=<br>
re<br>
information on application and program details (<a href="http://enst.umd.edu" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">http://enst.umd.edu</a> and<br>
<a href="http://enst.umd.edu/graduate" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">http://enst.umd.edu/graduate</a>). Assistantships include a tuition waiver,<br>
stipend, and health benefits.<br>
<br>
To apply, please contact Dr. Pavao-Zuckerman (<a href="mailto:mpzucker@umd.edu">mpzucker@umd.edu</a>), indicate=<br>
<br>
which project you are interested in, and include your CV, unofficial<br>
transcript(s) & GRE scores, and a short statement (1-2 paragraphs)<br>
describing research interests and career goals.</div>