RE: seeking multiple graduate students in fungi-plant interactions at the University of Alberta
The
research programs of Nadir Erbilgin, Justine Karst, James Cahill (University of
Alberta), Suzanne Simard (University of British Columbia), and Jonathan Cale
are seeking motivated and collaborative students (3 PhD, 1 MSc) to work on a project
investigating questions focused on the roles of soil fungal communities in
modulating boreal forest resistance and resilience to biotic and abiotic disturbances.
This project seeks to expand our recent findings demonstrating the effects of
mountain pine beetle outbreaks on below- and above-ground processes, including
decline of mycorrhizal fungi and pine resistance following forest mortality in
western Canada (New Phytol (2015) 208:
904-914; Plant & Soil (2015). 390: 29-47; PLOS One (2015) 10 (4): e0124691).
All students will be co-supervised by at least two investigators and the others
will be in the students’ theses committees. While student projects will use a
subset of these, this overall project will employ genomic, metabolomic, and
DNA-stable isotope probing techniques in field and greenhouse experiments. Student
research topics will include, but are not restricted to: (1) Soil fungal community response to and recovery
from forest disturbances (PhD); (2) Fungal communities as drivers of tree
insect and disease resistance (PhD); (3) Abiotic gradients and the response of
root-inhabiting fungi to pine mortality (PhD); and (4) Fungal community control of tree mineral
acquisition and carbon allocation (MSc).
Depending
on applicant interest and qualifications, all projects offer flexibility in
designing a research project pursuing areas of personal interest while
investigating the topics above. Depending
on research topic, a background in soil microbial or chemical ecology or plant-fungal
interactions will be an asset to successful candidates. Proficiency in spoken
and written English is required along with the ability to obtain provincial
driving privileges upon arrival. Candidate selection will be based on academic
achievements, reference letters, and previous research experience. Strong verbal, written, and computational
skills are essential. A standard U of A Graduate
Assistantship can be offered for successful candidates.
All
positions are available to start in Spring (May/June, 2016) term. Applicants
must satisfy University of Alberta Department of Renewable Resources entrance
requirements, available for review at: http://www.rr.ualberta.ca/GraduateProgram.aspx.
Interested
candidates are encouraged to email (1) an unofficial transcript (undergraduate
and/or MSc, as appropriate), (2) curriculum vitae, (3) a brief personal
statement describing research and career goals, and how this degree would help
the student achieve those goals, and (4) names and contact information for
three references to Dr. Jonathan Cale, Department of Renewable Resources, 4-42
Earth Science Building, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6E 2E3,
Canada. Please submit application materials or information inquires to Jacale@ualberta.ca.
Additional information: Department of Renewable Resources – http://www.rr.ualberta.ca/
--
Nadir ErbilginCanada Research Chair & Associate Professor
Department of Renewable Resources
4-42 Earth Sciences Building
University of Alberta
Edmonton, Alberta Canada T6G 2E3
Phone: (780)-492-8693
Fax: (780)-492-1767