PhD Assistantship in remote sensing and conservation biology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison; Department of Forest Ecology and Management

Position Description:
One PhD position is available in a project using remote sensing to monitor land cover and land use change, and its effects on biodiversity.

Eastern Europe has undergone dramatic changes in land use and land cover since the breakdown of the USSR in 1990. In some regions, more than half of the agricultural land is out of production and succession to shrublands and forests is widespread. This offers unique opportunities for biodiversity conservation. Recent land cover changes have created a unique ‘natural experiment’ to test hypotheses on the relative importance of environmental versus socioeconomic factors as drivers of land use change. In this project we will (1) Monitor land use and land cover change (LULCC) in Eastern Europe from 1985 to 2002 using MODIS and Landsat satellite data; (2) Examine the role of socioeconomics and political changes as primary drivers of LULCC; (3) Examine effects of LULCC in Eastern Europe on habitat availability for umbrella species of biodiversity; and (4) Spatially model future LULCC scenarios across Eastern Europe and examine potential biodiversity changes. The project is funded by NASA and will be conducted in close collaboration with an existing network of scientists throughout Eastern Europe.

University, Department, Lab:
The University of Wisconsin –Madison is one of the major research universities in the United States (www.wisc.edu). It ranks 2nd in research expenditures among all U.S. universities and first among public universities. Total student enrollment is 41,500, out of which 8,800 are graduate students. Employees include 2,000 faculty. UW-Madison has a long history of excellence in ecology, conservation biology, and remote sensing science. This project will be housed in the SILVIS laboratory
(http://silvis.forest.wisc.edu) in the Department of Forest Ecology and Management (http://forest.wisc.edu).

Town:
Madison, Wisconsin consistently ranks as one of the top places in the United States to live, work, and study. It is Wisconsin's capital city, with a vibrant population of approximately 200,000, that combines small town charm with a nice variety of leisure and cultural opportunities. For more information on campus and town see http://www.uc.wisc.edu/profile/

Stipend/Salary:
Current annual stipend levels are $18,102 per year before taxes, plus tuition remission and health care benefits. Financial support is provided by NASA and available for three years. Positions area available immediately, a start date in Fall of 2005 is preferred, but a later start date may be negotiable.

Qualifications:
A MS degree in geography, environmental science, forestry, wildlife ecology, or other related disciplines is required. Applicants with a BS degree may be considered if substantial relevant experience can be shown. A solid working knowledge of remote sensing, GIS, and statistics software is required. Good English writing and verbal communication skills, as well as the ability to work in a team, are essential. Knowledge of a Slavic language, and familiarity with Eastern Europe is a plus.

Application Process:
Applications will be reviewed upon receipt and review will continue until candidates are chosen. Applications received by July 1st, 2005 will be guaranteed consideration. The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. We promote excellence through diversity and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.

Interested applicants are asked to send or e-mail
- Cover letter outlining research interests, academic and professional backgrounds
- Resume/CV
- Copies of transcripts (unofficial copies acceptable at this point)
- GRE scores if available
- Reprints if available
- Names and contact addresses of three references

Volker Radeloff, Assistant Professor
Department of Forest Ecology and Management
University of Wisconsin
1630 Linden Drive
Russell Laboratories
Madison WI 53706
radeloff@wisc.edu

PS.: V. Radeloff will be out of the country in June 2005. For initial inquiries during my travels please contact Alexander Prishchepov, PhD student on the project, at a.prishchepov@okstate.edu