An NSF-funded MS assistantship at Utah State University is available starting in January or May of 2021 to work in the Beard Lab and closely with the Atwood Lab and the Waring Lab. The project focuses on the role of herbivory, climate change, and wetland ecology and management in affecting microbial communities and carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas exchange in wetlands of the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta in Alaska.
Required Qualifications: An undergraduate degree in ecology, soil microbiology, biological sciences, or other closely related environmental science field with quantitative abilities, self-motivation and field experience in ecology. Preferred experience: Experience with R programming, DNA analysis, lab experience, and experience with LiCORs or other greenhouse gas analyzers.
The successful applicant will conduct a lab experiment, and spend two summers in a remote research camp. Applicants should have experience or interest in living in remote field sites. Review of applications will begin on October 10, 2020 and continue until the position is filled.
A competitive stipend (~$18K) and full tuition package will be offered.
Please send your application: (1) a cover letter that explains how your research and experience aligns with the skills and research activities listed above (2) a CV or resume, including your GPA and relevant experience (GRE scores are optional) (3) a list of three professional references, to Karen Beard: karen.beard@usu.edu