PhD in coastal plant ecology (USA)

The Virginia Commonwealth University Coastal Plant Ecology Lab (Dr. Zinnert and Dr. Young coPIs) has two openings, PhD and MS, beginning in the 2016-2017 academic year.  Our research focuses on relationships between plants and the environment on barrier islands at multiple scales.

Two current projects include 1) identifying non-linear feedbacks between vegetation, microclimate, water table dynamics, and associated biotic factors in barrier island state change from grassland to shrubland, and 2) understanding relationships between dune topography, swale vegetation, and effects on overall barrier island function and resilience to sea-level rise. We conduct our research at the Virginia Coast Reserve Long-Term Ecological Research site. We approach research questions at a variety of scales, from minutes to decades and from leaf to region, by combining laboratory studies, field work, and airborne/satellite remote sensing. Interested students can visit the lab webpage for more information (www.cpel.vcu.edu).

The Coastal Plant Ecology Lab is located in the Department of Biology at Virginia Commonwealth University (http://biology.vcu.edu/) in Richmond, VA. VCU is the largest public university in Virginia. We are located in Richmond, VA on the James River, within easy reach of the Virginia coastal plain, Blue Ridge Mountains, Chesapeake Bay, and Virginia barrier islands.

Applicants to the PhD program apply to the VCU Integrative Life Sciences graduate program (http://lifesciences.vcu.edu), which provides competitive stipends for Ph.D. students. The application deadline is February 1, 2016.

Applicants to the MS program apply to the VCU MS Program in Biology (http://biology.vcu.edu/graduate-program/ms-program-in-biology/). The application deadline is January 15, 2016

Interested students should contact jczinnert@vcu.edu  to discuss the position before applying.