EMILY M. ELLIOTT
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Research and Funding Opportunities:

PhD Opportunities

Applications are invited for multiple PhD assistantships in the Elliott Stable  Isotope Biogeochemistry Laboratory for Fall 2013 in the Department of Geology & Planetary  Sciences.  We are seeking  new graduate students to join our dynamic and interdisciplinary research  group dedicated to using stable isotope geochemistry to examine nitrogen  dynamics in atmospheric-ecosystem-hydrologic systems.  Specific projects  include examination of reactive nitrogen dynamics in urban watersheds,  quantifying fluxes and sources of atmospheric deposition, tracking sources  of nitrogen eutrophication to surface waters, quantifying gaseous nitrogen  fluxes from watersheds, and assessing the impact of non-conventional  natural gas extraction activities (Marcellus) on the nitrogen status of  regional ecosystems.  Our work spans Earth systems and land use types  (including forested watersheds, agricultural ecosystems, and urban  watersheds). 

Candidates from diverse disciplinary backgrounds are welcome, but prior  research experience is required.  M.S. degree preferred.  Interested  candidates are encouraged to contact Dr. Elliott directly  (
eelliott@pitt.edu ) via an email that briefly describes research  experiences and interests.  Anticipated start date is September 2013.   Applications received prior to January 31, 2013 will receive fullest  consideration.   

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Additional information about ongoing research, publications, group  members, and facilities in the Elliott Stable Isotope Biogeochemistry  Laboratory can be found
here.  Further  information regarding application materials can be found here.  Please convey this information to those who may be interested.  

Graduate student funding:

In addition to receiving funding from external grants and teaching assistantships, graduate students are encouraged to pursue fellowships based on their research interests.  Ideally, graduate students are funded through a combination of these three sources.  Potential fellowship opportunities include the following:
      -
U.S. EPA Science to Achieve Results (STAR) Graduate Fellowship
      -NASA  Earth Systems Science Graduate Fellowships
      -National Defense Science and Engineering  Graduate Fellowship 
      -Geological Society of  America, Graduate Student Research Grants  
      -
NSF Graduate  Research Fellowship Program

Undergraduate research and funding opportunities:

If you are interested in gaining either  research or laboratory experience in interdisciplinary geoscience  research, please
email me (
eelliott@pitt.edu).  Pitt has several internal funding mechanisms to facilitate undergraduate research including:           
    -University of Pittsburgh,
Chancellor's Undergraduate Research Fellowships
    -University of Pittsburgh, University Honors College, Brackenridge Summer Research Program 

If you are looking for opportunities outside of Pittsburgh, subscribe to the
Ecological Society of America listserv, where
abundant paid, summer field research opportunities are listed weekly.
 
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