Wednesday, February 17, 2021

Ecology: Wetland Restoration Research - ORISE Fellowship

Description 

Under the guidance of a mentor, the selected candidate will participate with USACE Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) Environmental Laboratory (EL) wetland and soil scientists on research that will expand our understanding of wetland responses to natural to restoration activities. Specifically, the candidate will conduct research investigating the formation and fate of iron sulfides (FeS) in a restoration context. Recent studies have documented the development of FeS following restoration actions, and FeS has the capacity to alter soil chemistry through oxidation and generation of sulfuric acid. As a result, materials containing FeS pose challenges to wetland restoration success and more research is required to inform wetland restoration practitioners about this topic. The candidate will participate with the design and execution of mesocosm and field studies investigating FeS formation and fate under a variety of wetland restoration scenarios. The results of those studies will be used to parametrize a model to predict the effect of FeS on future restoration initiatives. We anticipate that the research effort will result in the development of several journal articles, conference presentations, and other opportunities for the candidate to interact with the scientific community and develop their career.

Qualifications

The selected candidate will have general knowledge of wetland ecology, ecosystem function, and restoration. Ideal candidates will have experience working with wetland soil systems and have a general understanding of soil chemistry. Detailed knowledge of iron and sulfide chemistry is preferred but not required for this position. Candidates should have a strong interest in applied science and developing practical guidance for field practitioners, participate in a diverse team setting, and display the desire to publish results in peer reviewed journals. The candidate should have Master's or Doctoral degree received within the last 60 months or pursuing the degree. Candidates from backgrounds traditionally under-represented in science are strongly encouraged to apply.