*Are you a masters student or undergraduate interesting in elevated CO2 experimentation and/or forest carbon dynamics? Possible collaborative work exists within my research projects. Contact me for more details.*


2. Project Manager in Panama (starting May/June 2013)

Project Description:

Tropical forest ecosystems have been found to be undergoing widespread changes. Of particular concern is the increasing dominance of lianas (woody climbing vines). Lianas (woody vines) influence tropical forest dynamics by reducing tree growth and reproduction, and increasing tree mortality. I am investigating whether increasing CO2 is a viable explanation for increasing liana dominance and, if so, through what mechanism CO2 favors lianas over trees. In a multifactorial experiment, liana and tree species will be grown in plant growth chambers and exposed to elevated levels of CO2 and varying light and soil conditions.

Position Description:

Project manager will have the opportunity to work closely with a PhD student to set-up and run the day-to-day activities of a multifactorial experimental plant growth study. You will learn the design and operation of elevated CO2 growth chambers, including instrumentation to measure CO2 levels and the photosynthetic activity of plants. Other duties will include growing and caring for seedlings, measurement of plant traits, soil manipulations, and other data collection. The study is being conducted at the Experimental Plant Research Facility run by the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) in Panama. Project manager will get a chance to interact/network with graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and staff scientists from STRI on a weekly basis. Project manager will also have the opportunity to attend weekly research seminars at STRI. Apply to be a part of the world’s leading tropical research community today!

Qualifications:

Ability to work long days in the field under tropical conditions (intense heat, rain, sun, biting/stinging insects), and a background in biology and/or ecology. Spanish language proficiency is preferred but not required. This is a position intended for persons looking to gain field and research experience, and stipend will be commensurate with prior experience. Positions start in late May/early June and will run to the end of August.

Please send cover letter (including earliest start date) and resume (with references) to marvs@umich.edu, with the subject line "Project Manager Position."