M.S. Graduate Assistantship University of Idaho, Department of Forest, Rangeland and Fire Sciences
Full-Time
Job Description: An M.S. graduate assistantship, starting in Spring/Summer 2018, is available in the Department of Forest, Rangeland and Fire Sciences at the University of Idaho. We seek a highly-motivated graduate student to conduct research on the relationships between plant communities, soil moisture regimes, soil classification, and geomorphology in seasonally dry landscapes of the northwestern United States. The ideal candidate will have a degree in soil science, environmental science, ecology, or closely related discipline with a strong interest in pedology and taxonomic classification.
The currently funded study focuses on addressing the usage of soil moisture regimes in taxonomic classification across the western US; particularly in the Pacific Northwest, where climate can vary considerably over short distances as a function of landscape position. Soil moisture regimes are commonly correlated with plant communities; however, relatively little data has been available to substantiate the relationships between SMRs and plant communities. We will establish a network of soil monitoring sites across NRCS Major Land Resource Areas (MLRA’s) 3, 10, 12, 43A/B to examine the effects of aspect, slope gradient, and elevation on SMR – plant associations, and the degree of soil-plant characteristic overlap with adjoining SMRs. Outcomes from this research will inform the ongoing discussions regarding the utility of SMRs and their most appropriate placement in Soil Taxonomy. For the applicant, you will gain a greater understanding of SMRs and the foundational role they play in soil survey, enhancing your employment opportunities within the NRCS’s Soil Science Division.
To apply: For more information, please contact Dr. Mark Kimsey, at mkimsey@uidaho.edu or Dr. Paul McDaniel at paulm@uidaho.edu. If you would like to apply for this position, email Dr. Kimsey with “Spring/Summer 2018 graduate assistantship” as the subject line. Include the following in a single pdf: 1) statement of interest; 2) complete CV; 3) unofficial transcripts; and 4) contact information for 3 references. Applications (emailed pdf) will be reviewed as they arrive or until position is filled. Deadline for submission is March16, 2018.
