The Follstad Shah Lab in the Department of Geography at the University of Utah is recruiting two Master’s students to work on projects related to organic matter dynamics in streams and rivers at continental to global scales. Funded positions are available for students interested in 1) expanding a project, funded by the NSF (2015616) and Smithsonian Institute, analyzing how urban water infrastructure, hydrology, and resource availability influences water column ecoenzyme expression over an annual cycle; or 2) identifying how differences in nutrient availability and biome-level variation in other key environmental factors affect the temperature sensitivity of organic matter breakdown. Both opportunities entail analysis of existing datasets, while allowing interested candidates to conduct complementary laboratory or field work. Other duties include mentoring undergraduate students, preparing manuscripts for publication, and delivering presentations at scientific meetings. Funding will depend on project focus and may include a teaching or research assistantship.
Qualifications: Talented individuals with a variety of academic backgrounds will be considered, with preference given to candidates with experience studying aquatic ecology or conducting field work in streams and rivers and familiarity with coding for statistical analyses and data visualization. Interested candidates must apply to the Master of Science degree program in Geography at the University of Utah (Deadline: December 12, 2023).
Why Utah?: Graduate programs within the Department of Geography amongst the top-tiered programs nationwide and provide interested applicants the opportunity to blend studies of aquatic ecosystem ecology with spatial data analysis and artificial intelligence applications. Candidates may augment their Master’s degree with a Graduate Certificate in Hydrology and have the option to be a part of interdisciplinary cohorts of fellows associated with the Global Change and Sustainability Center and the Wilkes Center for Climate Science and Policy.
Utah is a great place to live! Outstanding outdoor recreational opportunities abound throughout the state, including five national parks, 43 state parks and recreation areas, and 15 alpine ski resorts, some just minutes from campus.
Start date: Fall 2024
Contact: Please submit inquiries by December 1, 2023 to Dr. Jennifer Follstad Shah, Associate Professor, Department of Geography / Environmental & Sustainability Studies (jennifer.shah@envst.utah.edu). Inquiries should include an email with a short introduction including undergraduate degree and relevant coursework, reason for interest in advertisement, and CV or resume.
Web link: https://faculty.utah.edu/u0957378-JENNIFER_FOLLSTAD_SHAH/hm/index.hml
Application information: https://geog.utah.edu/graduate/application-information.php