THE UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST INDIES
ST. AUGUSTINE, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, WEST INDIES
VACANCY
FACULTY OF SCIENCE & AGRICULTURE
Department of Life Sciences
Post-Doctoral Fellow –
Plant Ecophysiology/Ecohydrology/Forest Soils
A postdoctoral position is available in the Department of Life Sciences. A multidisciplinary team is
currently investigating the ecology of moist tropical forest ecosystems in Trinidad in terms of carbon
sequestration and forest productivity. This study will extend the investigation to examine the influence of
soil properties on ecosystem patterns and function using hydro-geophysics. The work will be carried out
in collaboration with the Forestry Division (Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources). The overall
objective of the postdoctoral position will be to understand the influence of soil properties as determined
using electromagnetic techniques on the survival of tropical forest seedlings and the productivity of adult
trees.
____________________________________________________________________________
Minimum Qualification
A PhD. in Forest Ecology/Ecophysiology/Ecohydrology/Soils or related discipline with a
proven publication record.
____________________________________________________________________________
Experience/Skills
Candidates with experience in one or more of the following will enjoy an advantage:
o
Investigating plant –soil interactions using instrumentation to measure plant physiological
characteristics such as photosynthesis, water status and water use efficiency and soil
parameters, particularly in a moist tropical forest context.
o
Experience in managing and analyzing large datasets captured by data loggers and other
instrumentation, experience with geospatial analysis.
o
Experience with hydro-geophysical methods, including electromagnetic induction or
resistivity survey.
____________________________________________________________________________
Responsibilities
Analyzing permanent sample plot data previously collected by the Forestry Division and
establishing experiments to assess seedling survival and performance. Must be prepared
to conduct field work in demanding tropical forest environment.
The appointment is for one year in the first instance.
The Post-Doctoral Fellow is expected to work with a multi-disciplinary team and good interpersonal skills
are essential. A good working knowledge of English is required.
Applications (two copies) should be sent to the Head, Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science & Agriculture, The
University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago, W.I., Fax No: 1-868-663-5241. Full CV and application
form must be submitted. Informal queries should be directed to Dr Mike Oatham (mike.oatham@sta.uwi.edu) or Dr David
Robinson (david.robinson@sta.uwi.edu). In order to expedite the appointment procedure, applicants are advised to ask their
referees to send references under confidential cover directly to the Head, Department of Life Sciences at the above address
without waiting to be contacted by the University.
Deadline for applications: 2009 July 31