Global change research within the Tree Physiology and Ecosystem Science Lab at NC State University
Three research positions are immediately available to examine the effects of climate change on
bioenergy production, ecosystem dynamics and carbon cycling in managed and natural forests of North
Carolina. Screening of applications will begin immediately and continue until suitable candidates are
found, with the objective of filling all positions by spring/summer/fall 2015. Interested persons should
send cover letter, CV, academic transcripts (unofficial copies are fine), relevant reprints, and (brief)
letters of recommendation to Dr. John King: john_king@ncsu.edu.
Position 1 - MS graduate teaching assistantship in ecophysiology of sycamore for bioenergy
Short-rotation coppice (SRC) culture of woody crops has potential to generate clean sustainable energy
from marginal lands and contribute to local economic development. However, data on the sustainability
and tolerance to environmental stress of such land use systems is severely lacking. This position will
investigate productivity, water use, and drought tolerance of sycamore planted at high density and
managed as an SRC system. Research will include leaf-level physiology, NPP, whole-tree and stand
water use, site water balance and bioenergy water use efficiency. The position will also provide
significant teaching experience as a graduate teaching assistant for undergraduate courses in NC State’s
interdisciplinary Environmental Sciences program. Required qualifications include a BS degree in a
complementary discipline from a recognized college/university, good academic record, and
demonstrated interest in research. Desired qualifications/competitive advantage include significant
experience in an academic research project in ecology, bioenergy or forest ecophysiology, co/authorship
on a peer-reviewed publication, and strong letter(s) of recommendation. Position is anticipated to last
two years starting in August 2015 and is contingent upon continued availability of funding and
satisfactory performance. The position includes stipend, tuition remission, student health fees, and
research expenses.
Position 2 - PhD research assistantship in root physiology and production in natural and managed
forested wetlands
The land-ocean interface along the coast of North Carolina is an extremely dynamic environment subject
to short- and long-term changes in hydrology, land use, and climate. Conserving the significant natural
resources of the region, and at the same time protecting human welfare and the rapidly growing
economy, creates the need for a better understanding of how coastal ecosystems adjust to the changing
conditions. In particular, natural forested wetlands provide many ecosystem services, including C
storage, water cycling, biodiversity conservation, economic development and protection from storm
surges and flooding. The widespread loblolly pine industry is a main economic engine of the region and
an important land use component across the Southeast. Our group is using a combination of ecosystem
monitoring (using eddy covariance and biometric approaches), ecosystem modeling, and experimental
manipulations in a long-term research program to quantify natural and managed forest responses to the
dynamic coastal environment. This PhD assistantship will lead efforts to understand belowground tree
growth and C inputs to soils by conducting a series of root phenology and production experiments.
There will also be opportunities to study to root physiological responses (growth, gas exchange,
hydraulic conductivity, etc.) to changes in salinity, hydroperiod (rapidly fluctuating water table), and
management. Required qualifications include a BS degree in a complementary discipline from a
recognized college/university, good academic record, and demonstrated interest in research. Desired
qualifications/competitive advantage include significant experience in an academic research project in
belowground ecology, GIS (for scaling and mapping) and forest ecophysiology, co/authorship on a peerreviewed publication, and strong letter(s) of recommendation. Position is anticipated to last three years
and is contingent upon continued availability of funding and satisfactory performance. The position
includes stipend, tuition remission, student health fees, and research expenses.
Position 3 – Postdoctoral research fellowship in soil microbial ecology and belowground carbon cycling in
natural and managed forested wetlands
Closely related to Position 2, this position will be responsible for characterizing soil microbial community
composition and activity in terms of converting tree-derived organic inputs into soil organic matter
(SOM), and dissolved and gaseous fluxes of soil C (DOC/DIC, CO2/CH4). Duties will include: 1)
characterization of biochemical and isotopic composition of leaf, wood, root, microbial biomass, and
SOM; 2) estimation of SOM formation and area-scaled fluxes of dissolved/gaseous C fluxes; 3)
quantification of soil microbial extracellular enzymes and activities; 4) isotopic tracing of the flow of C
from plants to soils to groundwater/atmosphere using labeled substrate; 5) integration of results into
ecosystem models; and 6) managing new C stable isotope measurement capacity within the lab.
Required qualifications include a PhD in a complementary discipline from a recognized
college/university, good academic record, and demonstrated record of achievement in research.
Desired qualifications/competitive advantage include significant experience in soil microbial ecology, GIS
(for scaling and mapping), wetlands biogeochemistry, laboratory analytical skills, and strong letter(s) of
recommendation. Position is anticipated to last three years and is contingent upon continued
availability of funding and satisfactory performance. The position includes competitive salary and NCSU
postdoctoral benefits described at the NCSU Postdoctoral Affairs Office website.