地点: 美国 发布时间:2013-09-17 00:54:08 |
Post-Doctoral Positions
Complex Systems Modeling of Watershed Processes
EPSCoR Program, University of Vermont
Three 2-year Post-Doctoral Research Associate positions are available at the University of Vermont as part of a new research study of the complex dynamics and ecological integrity of the Lake Champlain watershed. Lake Champlain, like many water bodies across the globe, is suffering from high phosphorus concentrations and summer algae blooms that inhibit full use of the lake. Changes in land use, stream and riparian corridor condition, and aquatic biodiversity are also apparent throughout the watershed. Although huge investments have been made to restore water quality and ecological integrity over the last two decades, significant improvements are not apparent. The scale-dependent interactions between physical, chemical, and biological systems are often strongly nonlinear, making it difficult for environmental scientists and managers to address declining water quality, habitat fragmentation, species survival, and pollutant mobility. As a consequence, systemic environmental problems cannot be understood using traditional modeling frameworks or small-scale experiments. Systems thinking and multi-scale analysis are key to understanding complex interactions, feedbacks, thresholds, and patterns of self-organization that emerge in ecosystems.
We seek three postdoctoral assistants to work with an interdisciplinary team of faculty and PhD students to address the following research theme and questions:
Overall theme: How do physical, chemical, and biological processes that operate on different temporal and spatial scales interact to affect watershed ecosystem function?
Question 1. How do non-linear processes generate spatial and temporal dynamics in phosphorus loading to surface waters in the Lake Champlain Basin?
Question 2. How can watershed patterns of biodiversity be explained and forecast by complex systems models of nutrient inputs and disturbance regimes?
Question 3: How much model complexity is necessary to usefully explain and predict the behavior of linked landscape-river-lake ecosystems?
Qualifications include a Ph.D. in a relevant discipline, with experience in developing and applying computational complex systems modeling approaches. The ideal candidate will have familiarity with the dynamics of water quality, habitat or biota in the landscape.
Successful applicants will be co-mentored by faculty members from at least two different disciplines, that might include of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics, Biology, Geology, or Natural Resources. All three individuals selected will be expected to interact substantially across the project.
Faculty include: Donna Rizzo (Civil and Einvironmental Engineering), Josh Bongard (Computer Science), Margaret Eppstein (Computer Science); Charles Goodnight (Biology); Lori Stevens (Biology); Nicholas Gotelli (Biology), Breck Bowden (Natural Resources), Paul Bierman (Geology) and Mary Watzin (Natural Resources).
Competitive salary and health benefits are available. Start date June 1, or as soon thereafter as possible. We will begin reviewing applications February 15.
For further information, contact: Dr. Mary C. Watzin, Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources, Phone 802-859-3086. E-mail: Mary.Watzin@uvm.eduTo apply: please send CV, names and contact information for three references, and a cover letter outlining research interests, expertise and availability. To: Ms. Nora Joyal, Vermont EPSCoR Office, 528 Cook Physical Science Building, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405
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