[ES_JOBS_NET] MSc or PhD position in Ecosystem Ecology (carbon cycling in riparian forests) at University of New Mexico

[Alex Webster]

The Webster Lab is seeking a prospective PhD and MSc student interested in
studying the resilience of carbon storage and transformation processes in
the Rio Grande’s floodplain forests to increasing water scarcity and
changing hydrologic regimes. Positions will start in Fall 2025 in the
Biology Department at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, NM.

Successful candidates will use a combination of field work, lab work, and
data analytics to investigate how river regulation and environmental
variability are modifying riparian ecosystem's elemental cycles and
hydrology. We use this information to anticipate changes to riverine carbon
storage and transformation with implications for global-scale climate
forecasts. Research takes place in the Rio Grande and its floodplain forest
as part of the Sevilleta Long Term Ecological Research Program’s mission to
advance our understanding of the biological consequences of environmental
variability (https://sevlter.unm.edu/). Opportunities to participate in the
lab’s research in subalpine headwater watersheds and/or work on topics in
equity-focused biology education as part of your graduate training are also
available.

Preferred Qualifications: The successful candidates will have a bachelor's
degree in ecology or a related field (e.g., biology, geology, statistics),
a valid driver’s license, and experience or a strong willingness to learn
the following skills: programming and statistics in R, scientific writing,
field work including hiking short distances and carrying heavy equipment in
variable weather conditions, maintaining advanced environmental sensors,
running analytical lab equipment, and other lab work. In addition, they
will have strong communication and organization skills, scientific
curiosity and enthusiasm, a commitment to contributing to an inclusive and
equity-focused culture in the lab and department, and the ability to work
independently and as part of a team.

Guaranteed funding is available for 2 years (MSc) or 5 years (PhD) through
a mix of research and teaching assistantships (summers and one semester per
year on research assistantships and one semester per year on a teaching
assistantship). Albuquerque is an affordable, diverse, culturally vibrant
mid-sized city with excellent outdoor recreation access.

To apply: Enquiries from interested students are encouraged. To enquire,
email Dr. Alex Webster (awebster2 at unm.edu) with a short description of
yourself and your interests (including whether you are seeking MSc or PhD).
Please provide a CV or resume (first draft is fine) and transcripts
(unofficial is fine). Once compatibility with the Webster Lab is
established through correspondence with Dr. Webster, applications to the
UNM Biology program are due December 1, 2024.

For more information, please see:
UNM Biology's website: https://biology.unm.edu/graduate/index.html
Admissions requirements:
https://biology.unm.edu/graduate/admissions-requirements.html
The application process:
https://biology.unm.edu/graduate/application-process.html
Webster lab website: http://alexjwebster.weebly.com/

--
Alex J. Webster (she/her)
Assistant Professor
University of New Mexico
Biology Department

*My working hours may not be your working hours. Please do not feel
obligated to reply outside of your normal work schedule.*
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