Two Ph.D. Student Assistantships:
Carbon-mineral biogeochemistry of earthworm invasion
We seek two highly motivated candidates with M.S. or equivalent research experience to join our USDA National Research Initiative funded project entitled “Acceleration of inorganic nutrient release and mineral-organic matter association by biophysical soil mixing along an earthworm invasion chronosequence.” This project aims at quantitatively coupling the ecology of earthworm invasion with two major terrestrial biogeochemical processes: mineral chemical weathering and carbon cycling. The project has intensive field, laboratory, and modeling components. The field site is located in the Chippewa National Forest in Minnesota.
Glacial extent in North America. |
The glaciated area in the N. America has been devoid of native earthworms until the recent invasion of European species. Although earthworms are known for their agricultural benefits, paramount impacts of the exotic earthworms on the future sustainability of the forests in the glaciated area have been only recently discovered.
This study will yiled insight into how and how fast the ecology of earthworm invasion alter (1) the inorgannic nutrient cycling via mineral weatheirng and the (2) complexation of organic matter and minerals and subsequently carbon storage in the soils.
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Accepted students will be mentored by an interdisciplinary team of scientists – Kyungsoo Yoo at University of Delaware (soil geomorphology and geochemistry), Anthony Aufdenkampe at UD and Stroud Water Research Center (organic and isotope geochemistry), and Cindy Hale at the University of Minnesota, Duluth (ecosystem ecology). Stipend and tuition waiver are available as early as February 2009. Degrees will be granted by the University of Delaware’s Dept. of Plant and Soil Sciences. Reflecting the mission of UD’s new Center for Critical Zone Research, coursework toward degrees will be completely customized to meet the needs of individual students in this multidisciplinary project and will draw from the extensive offerings within UD’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, UD’s College of Marine and Earth Studies, and UD’s College of Arts and Sciences. State-of-art laboratory facilities are available for this study at the UD and the Stroud Water Research Center.
Applicants should have a strong academic background in a field of earth, environmental, or ecological science and preferably some coursework in biogeochemistry or soil science. Applicants should also have experience in more than one of the following: fieldwork, geochemical laboratory analyses, computer modeling, scientific presentations and writing. We seek students who could start in summer or fall 2009. We encourage interested students to email Kyungsoo Yoo and Anthony Aufdenkampe for further details while preparing a CV, statement of academic interest, and contact information of two references.
Official applications should be made to UD’s Graduate Office by April 1, 2009 for Summer or by July 1, 2009 for fall admission.