Graduate Student Assistantships in Plant & Insect Ecology
We are seeking highly motivated individuals who are interested in
conducting collaborative Masters research in plant community ecology and
insect ecology. The successful candidate will assist in research across
the state of Kansas comparing grazed and ungrazed grasslands in the
Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). In Kansas, the CRP program currently
has over 2 million acres—much of which is re-established, native
grassland; however, there is currently no dominant grazer on most of
these sites despite the critical role that bison historically played in
these systems. Our study will test how two CRP plantings (CP2 and CP25),
which differ in the number of forbs planted, influence the restoration
of 108 grassland sites across the precipitation gradient in Kansas and
whether periodic grazing can enhance habitat diversity for plants,
insects, and birds.
The ideal student for this position is self-motivated, works well with a
team of field researchers, has a basic understanding of statistics, has
knowledge of grassland ecosystems, and has a strong interest in ecology
and entomology. However, strong students with the aptitude to learn
quickly will also be considered. The successful applicant will have a
strong commitment to plant community ecology and entomology and desire
to learn a range of tools/techniques/methods. Proficiency in oral and
written English required. Applicants should have a B.S. in ecology,
biology, or entomology and must meet the requirements for admission at
Wichita State University (
http://webs.wichita.edu/?
u=bioscience&p=/academics/mdindex/). Successful applicants will receive
a 2-year assistantship with stipend, full tuition waiver, and health
benefits. Deadline for applications is 1 March 2017, but early
applications are encouraged. Anticipated start date for the plant
ecology position is Fall of 2017 or January of 2018, while the
entomology position start date is summer 2017 or August 2017. Interested
applicants for plant ecology should email CV, transcript, and a letter
describing your research interests and future goals to Dr. Greg Houseman
(
[log in to unmask]); interested applicants for entomology should
email CV, transcript, and a letter describing your research interests
and future goals to Dr. Mary Liz Jameson (
[log in to unmask]).
Wichita State University is a metropolitan research-intensive university
set in a suburban area (~640,000 people) with a diverse student body,
yet close to numerous high quality grasslands including the iconic Flint
Hills. Wichita offers many opportunities for cultural/artistic
activities and low cost-of-living. The Department of Biological Sciences
at WSU includes core facilities in environmental biology, imaging and
bioinformatics, an animal care facility, greenhouse, and a Biological
Field Station. Previous graduate students have gone on to Ph.D. programs
or are employed with state or federal management agencies. More
information about the Department, including a complete list of
departmental facilities, and current Graduate Faculty and their teaching
and research interests is available on our web site at:
http://www.wichita.edu/biology/. Information about graduate school at
WSU is available at
http://webs.wichita.edu/?u=gradschool.