Three Postdoctoral Positions in Ecology

Three postdoctoral positions are available to work to understand longleaf
pine understory plant community assembly and restoration, in collaboration
with John Orrock (Washington University), Ellen Damschen (Washington
University), Lars Brudvig (Washington University), and Joan Walker (Forest
Service Southern Research Station and Clemson University), and with funding
from the Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP).
The successful candidates will conduct experimental research to determine
how local ecological processes (dispersal limitation, competition,
consumers) interact with landscape context to influence plant community
diversity, composition, and restoration at three sites located in the
Carolinas (including Fort Bragg, NC and Savannah River Site, SC). The
successful candidates will be responsible for implementing a large-scale
experimental study (manipulating seed additions, consumer exclosures, and
competitor removals) and must be adept at working with local managers and
managing field assistants to assure the execution of the project. In
addition to facilitating the goals of the larger project, each postdoc will
also be encouraged to develop their own independent research within the
context of the larger project.

Funding for salary, benefits, and research expenses is available for three
years for each of the postdoc positions. The preferred start date is spring
2009. The primary location for each of the postdocs will be determined
together with the research group, but substantial time will need to be spent
at the field sites in the Carolinas to conduct the experimental portions of
the work (each postdoc will likely be responsible for one of the field
sites). Applicants must have relevant Ph.D. experience in ecology,
conservation biology, or restoration ecology and be eager to work as a
collaborative team with the other postdocs and scientists on the project.

Application review will begin January 1, 2009, and continue until the
positions are filled. Women and Minorities are strongly encouraged to
apply. Washington University is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.

Applications should consist of a 1-2 page statement of research interests
focusing on projects that could be conducted related to the themes of this
research project, a curriculum vitae, relevant publications, and names of
three references. The application should also contain a cover page that
highlights the applicant's skills and abilities in areas relevant to this
project, including experience with community ecology, experimental ecology
(e.g., consumer exclosure construction, seed additions, etc.), ecological
restoration, landscape ecology (e.g., landscape analyses, GIS skills, etc.),
managing volunteers and field crews, and collaborating with management
agencies. Applications should be sent (e-mail preferred) to:

Ellen Damschen
E-mail: damschen@wustl.edu

Department of Biology
Washington University
1 Brookings Drive
Campus Box 1137
St. Louis, MO 63130