Post-Doctoral Research Associate, Forest Soils, Soil Fertility, Tree Nutrition
A Post- Doctoral Research Associate position is available in Forest Soils in the Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. The overall goal of the research project will be to increase nutrient uptake efficiency following forest fertilization. The specific focus will be to determine the N uptake efficiency and related growth and
ecophysiological responses following fertilization in loblolly pine plantations. The project will involve the use of 15N fertilizer in both lab and field experiments. The project will also investigate the potential application of enhanced efficiency fertilizers, including slow and controlled release fertilizers, in forestry. A portion of the work will be conducted in clonal plantations to minimize genetic variation. A PhD in Forest Soils, Soil Fertility, Soil Chemistry or related field is required. Previous experience with stable isotope techniques is desired. Salary will depend on background and experience.
This project is supported by Forest Nutrition Cooperative (www.forestnutrition.org). The Forest Nutrition Cooperative an international partnership among Virginia Tech, North Carolina State University and the University of Concepcion in Chile working to increase the productivity, profitability and sustainability of plantation forestry throughout the Americas. Additional support will be provided by the NSF Center for
Advanced Forestry Systems (http://cnr.ncsu.edu/fer/cafs). This NSF ndustry/University Cooperative Research Center links forestry research programs at several of the major forestry programs in the U.S. We are working collaboratively to optimize genetic and cultural systems to produce high-quality forest
products for traditional and emerging markets.
Virginia Tech has a strong program in Forest Soils with excellent lab facilities. The Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation at Virginia Tech is regognized as one of the leading Forestry programs in North America with strengths in all aspects of Forestry including Silviculture, Tree Physiology, Watersheds and Wetlands, Remote Sensing and Geospatial Analysis. Additional information is available at http://www.cnr.vt.edu/forestry. Faculty in the Forest Soils programs work closely with the colleagues in Soil Science in the Crop and Soil Environmental Science Department at Virginia Tech.
Additional information on Virginia Tech is available at http://www.vt.edu.
Virginia Tech is located in Blacksburg, VA. The population of the area is approximately 100,000.The climate is pleasant with four distinct seasons. Numerous recreational opportunities exist in the surrounding area. Blacksburg has been recognized as one of the “Top 10” places to live in the United States. Additional information on Blacksburg can be found at http://www.blacksburg.gov
Online applications are required. Please visit the website for Human Resources at Virginia Tech http://www.hr.vt.edu/employment/ to apply for this Special Research Faculty position. Position # 115264. Posting #0100065. Review of Applications will begin April 1. The anticipated starting date for the position is June 2010. Virginia Tech offers a competitive salary and benefits package.
For additional information, contact:
Dr. Thomas R. Fox
Professor of Forest Soil and Silviculture
Co-Director, Forest Nutrition Cooperative
Site Director, NSF Center for Advanced Forestry Systems
Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation
Blacksburg, VA 24061
(540) 231-8862
trfox@vt.edu
