MS Biology position in conservation genetics
Emporia State University
Salary: tuition waived, health insurance available, minimum wage stipend
Start: August 2022
Close date: March 31st, 2022, or until filled
Description: Stream degradation due to change in land use and land cover is especially an issue in the Great Plains, which have experienced up to 99.9% loss in native range. In Kansas, 47% of available land was converted from native vegetation to agriculture over a 62-year period. Quantifying the extent of stream degradation via bioindication in complex, and an indispensable part of global water quality monitoring. The presence and abundance of bioindicator taxa are primarily multicellular eukaryotes like aquatic macroinvertebrates or fishes, which are integrated into a type of Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) or used for other various biotic indices. Conversely, microorganisms are seldom used as bioindicators in routine assessments even though they have repeatedly been recognized for their importance in environmental processes. The student will be involved in the initial restoration process of a portion of ESU-owned riparian land and assess the changes in the diatom community that occur due to this restoration. Five stream monitoring sites will be established and samples regularly before and during the restoration process. Results of this project will provide morphological and genetic diatom species identification lists fo the Neosho River. The student will be expected to collaboration with folks at ESU’s Prophet Aquatic Research and Outreach Center, Kansas Wildlife and Parks, Kansas Water Office, the City of Emporia’s Natural Resources Advisory Board, Grassland Heritage Foundation, and Native Lands LLC.
Qualifications: BS in biology or microbiology, or related field.
Application: To apply please send an email to emartin7@emporia.edu with w statement of interest and relevant qualifications. Include and up-to-date resume or CV and contact information for three references.
Dr. Erika Martin
emartin7@emporia.edu
www.ecologymartin.webs.com
www.esuparoc.com