2-3 PhD Graduate Assistantships in Terrestrial ecosystem/Land surface modeling and applications
We invite highly motivated graduate students to join us at Auburn University for investigating cutting-edge research in the field of Ecosystem Dynamics and Global Ecology.
We use a systems approach (a combination of ecosystem modeling and ground/satellite observations) to examine biogeochemical and hydrological cycles, GHG emissions (CO2, CH4 and N2O), land-atmosphere interactions, or terrestrial-coastal coupling at multiple scales from watershed, regional, continental to global in the context of multifactor global change. Each graduate student can work on one or two of these research areas by developing and applying terrestrial ecosystem/Land surface models (If interested, please see some sample publications by our graduate students). Successful applicants will be supported by multiple projects funded by NASA, NSF, USDA and the University. We expect that these new graduate students will join us in Spring or Fall 2013. The applicants should possess a degree in ecology/biology, hydrology, meteorology, geography, earth system science, forestry, agronomy, or soil science. Quantitative skills and experience in terrestrial ecosystem/land surface modeling are desirable. Interested applicants should send a cover letter outlining their qualifications, resume, and copies of transcripts, TOFEL, GRE scores, and contact information for three references to Dr. Hanqin Tian at Email: tianhan@auburn.edu
Some sample publications by our graduate students at the EDGE Lab:
Chen, G., H. Tian, C. Zhang, M. Liu, W. Ren, W. Zhu, A. Chappelka, S. Prior and G. Lockaby (2012) Drought in the Southern United States over the 20th century: Variability and its impacts on terrestrial ecosystem productivity and carbon storage. Climatic Change DOI 10.1007/s10584-012-0410-z
Lu, C., H. Tian, M. Liu, W. Ren, X. Xu, G. Chen and C. Zhang (2012) Effects of nitrogen deposition on China’s terrestrial carbon uptake in the context of multiple environmental changes. Ecological Applications22:53–75.http://dx.doi.org/10.1890/10-1685.1
Ren, W., Tian, HQ, Tao, B, Huang, and Y, Pan SF. (2012) China’s crop productivity and soil carbon storage as influenced by multifactor global change. Goble Change Biology DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2486.2012.02741.x
Xu, X., H. Tian, M. Liu, W. Ren, G. Chen and C. Lu and C. Zhang. 2012. Multiple-factor controls on terrestrial N2O flux over North America. Biogeosciences 9, 1351-1366, doi:10.5194/bg-9-1351-2012,http://www.biogeosciences.net/9/1351/2012/
Zhang, C., H. Tian, G. Chen, A. Chappelka, X. Xu, W. Ren, D. Hui, M. Liu, C. Lu, S. Pan, G. Lockaby (2012) Impacts of Urbanization on Carbon Balance in Terrestrial Ecosystems of the Southern United States. Environmental Pollution 164, 89-101. doi:10.1016/j.envpol.2012.01.020
Banger, K., H. Tian and C. Lu (2012) Do nitrogen fertilizers stimulate or inhibit methane emissions from rice fields? Goble Change Biology DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2486.2012.02762.x
