A Ph.D. Graduate Assistantship is available in the Department of =20
Biological Sciences at the
University of Alabama to work on an interdisciplinary project at =20
Toolik Lake Arctic Research Station (www.uaf.edu/toolik). The =20
student=92s research interests should focus on application of stable =20
isotopes to plant ecophysiology, ecosystem physiology, or plant =20
ecology. The project will focus on developing a comprehensive =20
understanding of winter physiological processes for two tundra
ecosystems. The student will have the opportunity to interact with =20
scientists from the University
of Alabama, Florida International University and the Arctic LTER. =20
Working knowledge of stable
isotope ratio mass spectrometry is required and familiarity with LI-=20
COR photosynthetic and
Campbell Scientific equipments is a plus.
Northern latitudes are thought to be sequestering CO2 emitted from =20
anthropogenic activities.
However, the status of these ecosystems as a global sink of C in the =20
future hinges upon the
physiological responses of ecosystem components to changes in =20
climate. There is overwhelming
evidence for rapid climate change in the Arctic. Changes include the =20
physical environment,
changes in carbon balance, vegetation change. Furthermore, warming in =20=
the high latitudes is
predicted to predominantly occur in the winter, and climate data =20
support that prediction.
However, the vast majority of research on tundra vegetation has =20
focused on physiological
processes during the short 2-3 month growing season, with only a =20
handful of studies of
physiological processes during the 9-10 month cold season. Although =20
the rates of these
processes are low, summed over the long cold season they are extremely =20=
important. A
comprehensive understanding of cold-season physiological processes of =20=
tundra vegetation is
critically needed given the large potential for further climate =20
changes in the Arctic.
This is a fully funded assistantship that includes: stipend, health =20
insurance, travel and living
accommodations during the research season at Toolik Lake. Interested =20=
students should email
pdfs of 1) a current Curriculum Vita, 2) statement of research =20
interest, 3) names, phone number
and email addresses of three references as well as 4) an unofficial =20
copy of transcripts to Dr.
Behzad Mortazavi (bmortazavi from ua.edu).
For more information see: http://bama.ua.edu/~bmortazavi/
---------------------------------------------
Behzad Mortazavi, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Director of University of Alabama
M.S. Program in Marine Science
Dauphin Island Sea Laboratory
101 Bienville Blvd
Dauphin Island, AL 36528
251-861-2189 (Phone)
251-861-7540 (Fax)
bmortazavi from ua.edu
