Searching for graduate research assistants to join my group housed within the Soil and Water Systems Department at the University of Idaho. I lead a supportive group of students, post-doctoral scholars, and technicians to carry out research related to soil, air, and water in natural and managed systems.
Currently, I would like to recruit a student interested in soil gas flux (CO2, CH4, N2O) resulting from changes in agroecological systems. Across the state of Idaho, we will have instrumented field stations and grower fields to capture these gas emissions. There are several opportunities to relate the gas flux estimates with soil carbon and nutrients, microbial communities, plant interactions, and more. The project is part of a $55 million project awarded to the University of Idaho. The student will join a large team of students and scientists working toward cropland CO2 removal.Qualifications: A BS/BA degree or MS in an appropriate field (soil science, plant science, biogeochemistry, physics, chemistry, etc.). A familiarity or demonstrated interest in gas flux instrumentation is beneficial. Field research experience is also desirable. A driver's license is necessary.
The successful candidate will start their studies in Fall 2024, but they can join the lab and field activities as a paid lab assistant throughout the Spring and Summer semesters of this year.
The lab also houses state-of-the-art isotopic analyzers, flow injection analyzers, and mass spectrometers. The University of Idaho also maintains its own sequencing and bioinformatics laboratory. Projects in the lab include accelerator mass spectrometry and biogeochemical modeling through collaboration with national lab partners.
The University of Idaho is located in Moscow, a small college town on the cusp of the Northern Rocky Mountains. There is plenty of space, clean air, and clear water for any kind of activity (hiking, fishing, mountain biking, etc.). Highlights include the farmer's market, the Jazz festival, and local theaters.
Please contact Dr. Kayler for more information. The positions offered come with a full stipend ($28K), tuition, and health insurance. Send an email with the subject "PhD Student Application" to: Dr. Zachary Kayler (zkayler@uidaho.edu ) that contains the following: (1) a one-page cover letter describing your academic and research experience, reasons for pursuing graduate school, your specific current research interests; and (2) your curriculum vitae. I will contact those individuals with compelling experience.