The Macrosystems Ecology Lab (PI Benjamin Blonder) will be moving from the University of Oxford to Arizona State University (http://www.asu.edu)
in Tempe, Arizona. The lab's focus is on predictive community ecology
and biogeography, paleoecological and anthropogenic effects on
biodiversity dynamics, and global change plant ecophysiology. We use a
combination of field, eco-informatics, and modeling approaches to
address these questions with a broad team of international
collaborators. Field sites are focused in forests and alpine
environments in Latin America, southeast Asia, Scandinavia, and the
United States. Learn more about this work at http://benjaminblonder.org/res
The
lab will be a collaborative working environment within a dynamic
university that hosts many other excellent ecology and sustainability
research groups. Arizona State University is easily reached by light
rail service from the Phoenix international airport. The Phoenix area
hosts a vibrant multicultural community, and the region provides
excellent recreation and research opportunities, with the Grand Canyon,
Colorado Plateau, Madrean Sky Islands, and northern Mexico all close by.
Up
to two PhD positions are available within any of the School of Life
Sciences (SOLS). More information about the graduate program is
available at https://sols.asu.edu/degree-pr
Independently-developed
theses are encouraged and may be broad-ranging within the scope of the
lab's focus areas. However possible dissertation areas include:
(1)
Building more predictive models of community dynamics via incorporation
of energy budget and trait-based performance concepts into coexistence
theory. This work could involve a combination of mathematical modeling
and field observation / manipulation in a range of long-term plant
census plots throughout the Colorado Rockies, Peru, and Malaysian
Borneo.
(2) Assessing the role of species
interactions and phenology in modulating plant performance and
demography. This project could involve coupling a range of leaf-level
plant ecophysiology measurements with leaf lifespan and herbivory
observations across environmental gradients, and would be primarily
field-based. Sites could encompass a Canada - Mexico latitudinal
gradient or a South American elevation / rainfall gradient.
(3)
Assessing historical anthropogenic effects on species distributions and
ecological disequilibrium. This project would focus on exploring human
uses of food/medicine/fiber plants throughout the Americas as a key
driver of community and regional diversity patterns. The work would
involve synthesizing many historical and ethnobotanical resources with
contemporary informatics resources and field surveys.
(4)
Integrating network theory, niche/hypervolume, and control theory
concepts into community ecology. This project would develop mathematical
approaches to better predict and manage shifts in community
composition, or delineate when such predictions would not be possible.
The project would also involve field tests in a range of manipulative
and observational field contexts.
Students
should be independently motivated and come with strong writing and
critical thinking skills. Those with an interest in developing their
training in computational statistics, modeling, field methods, and/or
foreign languages are especially encouraged.
The
lab also has a strong community outreach component via inquiry-based
science education partnerships with underserved communities. Students
interested in contributing to these efforts are very welcome.
The
School of Life Sciences has a vibrant graduate program with a strong
graduate student community. Funding for five years is guaranteed via a
combination of teaching and research assistantships for both United
States and international applicants. There are additional funds
available for summer fieldwork and conference travel. The fall priority
application deadline is 1 December 2016. Applications can be submitted
via the SOLS website. Please get in touch by email (bblonder@gmail.com) if you are interested in applying.
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