-----Original Message-----
From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Me card
Sent: Wednesday, January 06, 2010 2:35 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [ECOLOG-L] 2 Graduate research assistantships in Ecosystem Services
available at Purdue University

Ecosystem services:  Two research assistantships are available at  
Purdue University to work on a new, interdisciplinary project that  
will quantify ecosystem services provided by tallgrass prairie.

.      The Department of Entomology seeks a PhD research assistant to  
work on the spatial modeling of soybean aphid predators. Experience  
with spatially explicit modeling, a valid driver's license, and  
ability to do field work are essential. Experience with entomological  
surveys and GIS are advantageous.  Please contact Dr. Jeff Holland  
([log in to unmask]) for more information.

.      The Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR) Department seeks a  
M.S. research assistant to study carbon fluxes in soils under  
different plant communities and land management practices in a  
tallgrass prairie agroecosystem.  The ideal candidate should have  
good written and quantitative skills with a background in ecology,  
biology, or a related field. A valid driver's license, and ability to  
do field work are essential. Please contact Dr. Helen Rowe  
([log in to unmask]) for more information.

This new project, entitled "Enhancing Ecosystem Services From  
Agricultural Lands: Management, Quantification, and Developing  
Decision Support Tools" will explore how ecosystem services of carbon  
storage and crop protection by beneficial insects are affected by  
land use decisions. As natural areas within agroecosystems are  
developed or converted to cropland, ecosystem services such as  
biocontrol and carbon storage may be compromised. We hypothesize that  
ecosystem services and landowners' net profits can be increased by  
optimizing the spatial distribution and management practices of  
grasslands that are interspersed in agricultural landscapes. We will  
test this hypothesis in a representative Midwestern landscape by  
developing and parameterizing a spatially explicit model of crop  
production, soybean pest control practices, carbon storage, and  
grassland natural enemy abundance and dispersal.

The assistantships will start in late May or early June 2010 and  
coursework will commence Fall semester 2010.  Interested students  
should send cover letter, resume, GRE (and TOEFL, if applicable) and  
transcripts to Dr. Jeff Holland ([log in to unmask]) for the spatial  
modeling position or Dr. Helen Rowe ([log in to unmask]) for the soil  
carbon position. The application review will begin January 15, 2010  
and remain open until filled.

Purdue is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and  
encourages applications from women and members of minority groups.

Please distribute this announcement widely.