The Environmental Systems Science Lab within the Department of Land Resources and Environmental Science has openings for two, fully funded graduate student positions (master’s or Ph.D.) to begin fall of 2023. Positions are funded for at least four years including a stipend (26K), tuition, health insurance, and fees. The specific project description for each position is below:
Project 1
Ecosystem recovery from climate-driven disturbances: We are keen to recruit a graduate student interested in leading projects focused on understanding how the structure and functioning of water-limited ecosystems recover from climate extremes (e.g., drought) and fire. Students will lead USDA- and NASA-funded projects and acquire an array of skills including in experimental ecology and in remote sensing. Projects are focused on western US ecosystems but could be expanded beyond this to go global.
Project 2
Understanding the seasonal origins of water resources across western US drylands: We are also keen to recruit a graduate student to lead a USDA-funded project focused on advancing our understanding of the seasonal origin of soil water used to drive ecosystem functioning across western US drylands. This work will provide a mechanistic basis for understanding which ecosystems may be most vulnerable to increases in climatic variability and extremes, such as drought. Students will acquire an array of skills in ecology and ecohydrology including field sampling methods and isotope analysis. This project is also focused on western US ecosystems but could be expanded to other systems and regions of interest.
If interested, contact Professor Andrew Felton at andrew.felton2@montana.edu