RESEARCH ASSOCIATE: STABLE ISOTOPES and BIOGEOCHEMICAL CYCLING
The POSITION:
There is a position available immediately for a research associate to be
involved with ecosystem studies of carbon and water cycling in grassland
and boreal forest environments. The research involves a combination of gas
exchange (eddy covariance and chamber techniques) and stable isotope
analyses to improve our understanding of processes, and to quantify the
components contributing to total ecosystem carbon and water budgets. A list
of example publications is provided below.
The stable isotope facility consists of a Finnigan MAT Delta-Plus isotope
ratio mass spectrometer with dual inlet and continuous-flow interfaces; and
a CE carbon and nitrogen elemental analyzer. In addition, there are a
variety of off-line preparation systems including systems to: (i) purify
carbon dioxide from air and organic samples; (ii) extract water from plant
and soil samples; (iii) equilibrate carbon dioxide with water samples; (iv)
purify cellulose from wood samples.
DUTIES:
The successful candidate will be expected to perform a variety of stable
isotope analytical procedures; instruct students in stable isotope
techniques; collect and process data in support of lab research projects.
Some field work will be required. In addition to the prime responsibilities
of managing the stable isotope facility, the successful candidate will help
with the maintenance and data processing from our ecosystem carbon dioxide
and water flux studies (using the eddy covariance technique as part of the
Ameriflux program).
QUALIFICATIONS:
- An individual capable of independent work, with strong oral and
written communication skills
- A minimum of a B.Sc. degree in Chemistry, Earth Science, Ecology,
or a related field.
- Experience with stable isotope analytical techniques including the
operation and routine maintenance of an isotope ratio mass spectrometer.
- Competence with electronics trouble-shooting and repair.
- Previous training or experience with carbon and water cycle studies
involving gas exchange techniques would be a strong asset.
Salary is dependent on qualifications and relevant experience. Secure
funding is currently available for a minimum of four years.
TO APPLY:
Please send an application letter describing qualifications and experience;
along with a CV; and the names, addresses, and e-mail addresses of three
references to:
Dr. L.B. Flanagan
Department of Biological Sciences
University of Lethbridge
4401 University Drive
Lethbridge, Alberta
T1K 3M4, CANADA
Telephone: (403) 380-1858
FAX: (403) 329-2082
e-mail: [log in to unmask]
WEB page: http://home.uleth.ca/bio/faculty/flan.html
Selected List of Relevant Publications:
Flanagan, L.B. and J.R. Ehleringer. 1998. Ecosystem - atmosphere CO2
exchange: interpreting signals of change using stable isotope ratios.
Trends in Ecology and Evolution 13: 10-14
Flanagan, L.B., D.S. Kubien and J.R. Ehleringer. 1999. Spatial and temporal
variation in the carbon and oxygen stable isotope ratio of respired CO2 in
a boreal forest ecosystem. Tellus 51B: 367-384
Flanagan, L.B., J.R. Brooks, G.T. Varney and J.R. Ehleringer. 1997.
Discrimination against C18O16O during photosynthesis and the oxygen isotope
ratio of respired CO2 in boreal forest ecosystems. Global Biogeochemical
Cycles 11: 83-98
Flanagan, L.B., J.R. Brooks, G.T. Varney, S.C. Berry and J.R. Ehleringer.
1996. Carbon isotope discrimination during photosynthesis and the
isotope ratio of respired CO2 in boreal forest ecosystems. Global
Biogeochemical Cycles 10: 629-640
Farquhar, G.D., J. Lloyd, J.A. Taylor, L.B. Flanagan, J.P. Syvertsen, K.T.
Hubick, S.C. Wong and J.R. Ehleringer. 1993. Vegetation effects on the
oxygen isotopic composition of atmospheric CO2 Nature 363: 439-443.
Flanagan, L.B. 1998. Oxygen isotope effects during CO2 exchange: from leaf
to ecosystem processes. In Stable isotopes: integration of biological,
ecological and geochemical processes. Ed. H. Griffiths. BIOS Scientific
Publishers, Oxford, UK, pp. 185-201.
Rochette, P., D.A. Angers and L.B. Flanagan. 1999. Maize residue
decomposition measurement using soil-surface CO2 fluxes and natural
abundance of 13C. Soil Science Society of America Journal 63: 1385-1396
Rochette, P., L.B. Flanagan and E.G. Gregorich. 1999. Separating total soil
respiration into plant and soil components using analyses of natural
abundance of 13C. Soil Science Society of America Journal 63: 1207-1213
Rochette, P. and L.B. Flanagan. 1997. Quantifying rhizosphere respiration
in a corn crop under field conditions. Soil Science Society of America
Journal 61: 466-474
Johnsen, K.H., L.B. Flanagan, D.A. Huber and J.E. Major. 1999. Genetic
variation in growth, carbon isotope discrimination and foliar N
concentration in Picea mariana: analyses from a half-diallel mating design
using field grown trees. Canadian Journal of Forest Research 29: 1727-1735
Flanagan, L.B. and K.H. Johnsen. 1995. Genetic variation in carbon isotope
discrimination and its relationship to growth under field conditions in
full-sib families of Picea mariana. Canadian Journal of Forest Research 25:
39-47.
Brooks, J.R., L.B. Flanagan and J.R. Ehleringer. 1998. Responses of boreal
conifers to climate fluctuations: indications from tree-ring widths and
carbon isotope analyses. Canadian Journal of Forest Research 28: 524-533
Williams, T.G., L.B. Flanagan and J.R. Coleman. 1996. Light and humidity
effects on photosynthetic gas exchange and discrimination against 13CO2 and
C18O16O in tobacco plants modified by an antisense construct to have low
chloroplast carbonic anhydrase. Plant Physiology 112: 319-326
Williams, T.G. and L.B. Flanagan. 1996. Effect of changes in water content
on photosynthesis, transpiration and discrimination against 13CO2 and
C18O16O in Pleurozium and Sphagnum. Oecologia 108: 38-46
Flanagan, L.B., J.R. Ehleringer and J.D. Marshall. 1992. Differential
uptake of summer precipitation among co-occurring trees and shrubs in a
pinyon-juniper woodland. Plant, Cell and Environment 15: 831-836.
Flanagan, L.B. 1993. Environmental and biological influences on the stable
oxygen and hydrogen isotopic composition of leaf water. In: Stable isotopes
and plant carbon/water relations. Eds. J.R. Ehleringer, A.E. Hall and G.D.
Farquhar. Academic Press, San Diego, California. pp. 71-90.
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