Postdoctoral Researcher
Postdoctoral Researcher
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Job Description
Plant Physiological Ecology
The Holden Arboretum
Postdoctoral Position
Description: Holden Forests & Gardens (HF&G)
Holden Forests & Gardens is made up of two of Northeast Ohios most important environmental and cultural institutions Holden Arboretum and Cleveland Botanical Garden whose mission is to connect people with the wonder beauty and value of trees and plants to inspire action for healthy communities. The 12th largest public garden in the country HF&G has close to 15000 member households and more than 350000 annual visitors who enjoy inspirational and educational experiences. HF&G is making a positive impact in the region and beyond through urban greening and forestry initiatives environmental research naturebased educational programs and worldclass visitor experiences at its two campuses.
When you join HF&G you join a team of professionals who are passionate about improving Northeast Ohios communities through our missiondriven programs. By joining HF&G you will not only have the opportunity to work in a beautiful setting but you will also have the opportunity to contribute to our fulfilling and groundbreaking work.
Opportunity:
The Research department seeks to fill an NSFfunded Postdoctoral Position available immediately at Holden Forests & Gardens. This position will study the physiological climate tolerance of Red Cedar Juniperus virginiana in relation to recent range expansion of the species. We are looking for a highly motivated PhD with experience in ecophysiological techniques such as gas exchange water relations plant hydraulics and fieldbased sensor deployment. This position will offer opportunities to develop complementary research in plant physiology.
Key responsibilities of the Plant Physiological Ecology postdoctoral position include:
- Conduct research on plant physiological ecology
- Mentor undergraduate students working on the project
- Participate in or lead public outreach activities
- Performs other duties as required by supervisor
This is a collaborative project between faculty at Kent State University Denison University The Ohio University and Holden Forests & Gardens. The successful candidate will join the research team based at the Holden Arboretum campus www.holdenarb located in NE Ohio (east of Cleveland) and work will be conducted in the labs at the Holden Arboretum and/or at field locations within the species range in the continental United States depending on the candidates particular research interests. The duration of the funding for this position is 1.5 years. This position is open to US citizens and permanent residents.
Qualifications and Skills:
- PhD in biology ecology plant science or related discipline by the starting date
- This position is open to US citizens and permanent residents
- Pass a criminal background check
Project Abstract:
Project Abstract: Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana) is native to the eastern United States where this attractive tree has been a popular choice for landscaping. But out in the Great Plains Red Cedar is known as the green glacier because this slowgrowing species is taking over onceproductive grasslands. Ranchers face substantial economic costs in removing Red Cedar from grazing lands and it reduces grassland biodiversity through competition with native species. But how do you stop a green glacier Populations might be expanding because environmental variability has altered frost and drought regimes or because humans have implemented prairie management practices such as fire suppression or even because of changes in the migration patterns of seeddispersing birds. It is more likely however that many factors are at work. For example environmental variability might allow plants to move into a new region but seed dispersal by birds could promote population expansion within a region. Rather than focus on one factor this study will determine the relative importance of several causal factors. Data from experiments will be used in a model that predicts the rate and locations where Red Cedar range expansion is likely to occur. Findings will be presented to the public at the Holden Arboretum Scientist Lecture Series and incorporated into Holden Arboretums Working with Nature K12 Camp and Tree Corp adult workforce development program.
Uncovering scaledependent mechanisms controlling range and niche expansion of plants is a key issue in biodiversity research. This work integrates physiological and ecological processes across scales to determine the potential for further range expansion. The central hypothesis is that at a large spatial scale changes in prairie management are more important than physiological climate tolerance for promoting range expansion while at smaller scales biotic factors such as avian dispersal competition and facilitation are more important. The spatial scale of variation will be determined using microsatellites in historical encroaching and niche expanding populations. The effects of fire will be examined using longterm data from the Konza Prairie NSFLTER while manipulative and field experiments will determine how the interaction of frost and drought impact Red Cedar performance. Seed dispersal by birds and changes in bird migration over time will be examined to determine how far and where birds disseminate Red Cedar. Empirical data will be integrated into a spatially explicit populationlevel age/stage matrix model based on inputs from structural equation modeling at all three spatial scales with spatial resolution determined by the results of microsatellite studies.
Apply:
Review of applications with begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.
Qualified applicants should cover letter curriculum vitae a twopage statement of research and outreach interests and the contact information for 3 professional references.
For questions concerning the position please contact Juliana Medeiros .
Holden Forests & Gardens (Holden Arboretum and Cleveland Botanical Garden) is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to hiring a diverse and talented workforce. We seek skilled knowledgeable and experienced individuals to join our staff and enhance our reputation as one of the countrys foremost public gardens.
Employment Type
Full-Time
