PhD Assistantship in Terrestrial Biogeochemistry
The Hicks Pries Lab is seeking a Ph.D. student to begin in the summer of 2021 on an NSF Office of Polar Programs-funded project, “Permafrost–climate feedbacks: How interactions among plants, microbes, and minerals affect biogeochemical projections in a changing Arctic.” The student would be part of the Ecology, Evolution, Ecosystems, and Society (EEES) graduate program at Dartmouth College. This is a collaborative research project that includes a microbial ecologist and biogeochemist at the University of New Hampshire (UNH) and an earth system modeler at the National Center for Atmospheric Research. The objective of the research is to understand how the mineralogy of and microbial communities in thawing permafrost interact with root carbon inputs to affect soil carbon losses. You can read more about the project here.
We are looking for a PhD student to:
- Participate in field sampling with the research team (a one-time trip).
- Carry out lab incubations that manipulate microbial communities and use stable isotopes to trace the fate of organic carbon.
- Assist with related research at UNH when needed.
- Participate in regular meetings with the research team to plan experiments and communicate results.
- Take the lead on at least 1 manuscript that is part of the collaborative research project and will be planned with input from the research team.
- Develop and take the lead on their own project related to the overall research question that is expected to result in 1-2 manuscripts.
The PhD student will also:
- Travel to UNH for collaborations and to learn new skills.
- Mentor undergraduate students through Dartmouth’s WISP and UGAR programs.
- Develop teaching expertise through teaching assistantships.
- Develop science communication skills through participation in outreach programs such as JSEP or SEPA (optional).
Qualifications:
- A strong interest in the research project.
- A Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field by June 2021. Post-baccalaureate experience or a Master’s degree in a relevant field is strongly
- Have experience working in teams.
- Be willing to work outside under potentially adverse conditions (e.g., cold, wet, long hours during the Arctic sampling trip).
- Have relevant experience in at least some of the following areas: a) field sampling, b) soils, c) laboratory work including sample processing, extractions, gas fluxes, running various instruments, or working with stable isotopes, and d) computer programming, mathematical modeling, statistics or data analysis.
Funding: The Dartmouth Ecology, Evolution, Environment, and Society (EEES) graduate program guarantees all accepted students a year-round stipend plus health insurance for five years. This position includes an NSF-funded research assistantship (RA) plus EEES programmatic support in exchange for serving as a teaching assistant (TA) for one or two 10-week quarters each year. EEES TA positions are assigned based on student interest and expertise, build capacity in teaching and leadership, and offer opportunities to meet potential undergraduate research assistants.
Interested? The formal EEES application deadline is in early December. Prospective students are encouraged to email Dr. Caitlin Hicks Pries at caitlin.hicks.pries AT dartmouth.edu to learn more about the project and receive a link to the application form as soon as possible. Selected applicants will be asked to chat via zoom or phone prior to officially applying to EEES.
Lastly, if you are feeling intimidated by this process and do not know where to start, apply for the EEES Scholars Program (applications due by November 19th). It is a two day virtual workshop that will help guide you through grad school applications.