REU in climate change and plant populations – CO

Jill Anderson and Susana Wadgymar at the University of Georgia are searching
for an enthusiastic undergraduate with a strong interest in evolutionary
ecology for field research in an NSF REU position (National Science
Foundation, Research Experience for Undergraduates) from June-August 2017.

We study the ecological and evolutionary consequences of climate change for
natural plant populations. We focus on research on Drummond¹s rockcress
(Boechera stricta in the plant family Brassicaceae), a mustard plant native
to the Rocky Mountains. Our studies take place around the Rocky Mountain
Biological Lab (http://www.rmbl.org/), which is located in Gothic, Colorado
near the wildflower capital of Colorado (Crested Butte).  We quantify plant
fitness and traits to ask whether climate change could disrupt
long-standing
patterns of local adaptation, and to test whether phenotypic plasticity
will
enable populations to persist in the short-term. We perform large-scale
reciprocal transplant experiments to examine patterns of adaptive evolution
and natural selection in contemporary landscapes. Since fall 2013, we have
planted ~60,000 seeds and seedlings into five experimental gardens ranging
in elevation from 2500 m to 3340 m (8202 feet to 11000 feet). Our summer
research involves intensive monitoring of these experimental plants to
record data on germination success, survival, growth, reproductive success,
as well as life history and morphological traits. We conduct most of our
work in the field, with a small proportion of indoor lab work.
The successful candidate will assist with ongoing fieldwork. In addition,
there are many opportunities for students to develop independent projects
associated with our overall objectives, including studies on: 1) population
divergence in ecologically-relevant traits, especially drought, UV
tolerance, and herbivore resistance; 2) phenotypic plasticity at multiple
spatial scales; 3) population density and species composition of the
herbivore community that attacks Drummond¹s rockcress; 4) flower color
polymorphism; and 5) the importance of maternal effects in biological
responses to climate change.

We are offering a stipend of $500/week for a full time REU student (40
hours/week) for 10 weeks.  The exact start and end dates are flexible. We
will cover room and board at the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory and
reimburse travel expenses up to $500. Fieldwork will involve hiking to
experimental gardens through rough terrain (1-3 miles one-way daily).

The University of Georgia is committed to maintaining a fair and respectful
environment for living, work, and study.  To that end, all qualified
applicants from individuals with a strong interest in evolutionary biology
will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color,
religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity,
disability status, or age.  The application consists of a cover letter
listing your qualifications, a CV/ résumé, and contact information for two
references, all of which can be emailed to Dr. Jill Anderson at:
jta24@uga.edu

Applications are due by March 24th, 2017.

Feel free to contact Jill or Susana (susanaw@uga.edu) if you have any
questions about the position.  Additional information about the our work
can
be found at: http://andersonlab.genetics.uga.edu/Home.html