Summer field work as a field assistant (Southern Appalachians, NC, USA)

 Position Available: Summer field work as a field assistant sampling soils at the Coweeta LTER site in the Southern Appalachians, NC (https://coweeta.uga.edu/). Approximate dates: late May through August. Applicants should have a strong interest in field ecology and soil biogeochemical cycling.

Contact for details:
Kelsey Ream
Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Science
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
kream2@illinois.edu

Background: I am interested in studying how soil carbon cycling responds to disturbance. This project is being conducted at the Coweeta LTER site where the hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA), an invasive insect, has wiped out hemlocks over the past decade. Hemlocks are an important part of the vegetation in the Southern Appalachians, and can have a strong effect on element cycling in areas where they make up a large portion of the forest biomass. The purpose of this project will be to:
1. Understand how soil carbon cycling has changed over the course of hemlock mortality as a result of HWA
2. Understand how the impacts of HWA vary in a heterogeneous landscape characterized by varying levels of nitrogen deposition and changes in vegetation composition.

The field assistant will work with Kelsey Ream (Masters student at the University of Illinois) to sample soils, measure soil CO2 efflux, and conduct vegetation surveys in the Coweeta Basin, Otto, NC. The assistant will live in a dormitory with other researchers, graduate students, and interns for the summer. Housing will be provided but the assistant will pay for their own food. Compensation is $10 per hour and the position will be full time for ~3 months.

Candidates should have the following skills:
- Educational background in ecology, soils, environmental science, or a related discipline.
- Experience with field work, ideally soil and vegetation sampling
- Ability to work 9+ hour days in buggy, rugged terrain and hot, humid weather
- Motivation to work at a rural field station for the summer

Applicants should submit the following to Kelsey Ream at kream2@illinois.edu:

- Cover letter summarizing research interests and academic and professional background
- Resume/CV
- Copy of college transcripts (unofficial transcripts are fine)
- Names and contact information for two references (no letters needed)