We are seeking a M.Sc. student to evaluate how stand composition and inter-tree distance influences wood characteristics of Spruce and Aspen growing in mixedwood stands.
Mixedwood forests comprise a large component of the land base in British Columbia, and western Canada generally. While conifer dominated stands have historically been preferentially harvested, utilization of softwood and hardwood fiber from mixedwood stands is projected to increase. Advancing our understanding of how stand composition and forest structure influence wood and fiber attributes will promote better utilization and management of these forest resources. The student working on this project will use a combination of dendrochronology methods, wood fiber analysis, and forest measurement to analyze relationships between tree growth, forest structure and wood properties.
Applicants should be interested in studying the drivers of tree growth at the individual and stand level and relating this information to forest management. Research associated with this project will be done at established silviculture research sites, and in natural forest stands, near Fort St. John in north eastern British Columbia.
This M.Sc. research project will entail a combination of field sampling under difficult conditions and data modeling. Ideal candidates will have a strong forest ecology or plant physiology background. Strong quantitative skills and experience conducting data analysis and modelling in R or Python would be beneficial.
Successful applicants will be working with Dr. Ché Elkin and Dr. Lisa Wood (University of Northern British Columbia), and Richard Kabzems (B.C. Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations & Rural Development (FLNRORD)). UNBC is located in Prince George and is surrounded by intermontane sub-boreal forest providing untold opportunity for exploration and field research and study. UNBC has a well-regarded program in Forest Ecology and Management, and is Canada’s Green UniversityTM as well as a top ‘green employer’ within Canada. Two years of funding are guaranteed for this position.
Interested students should contact Ché Elkin for further information on this research opportunity and position. Applicants for this position are asked to send a letter of interest, detailed CV, transcripts, and names of 3 references to Dr. Ché Elkin (che.elkin@unbc.ca). Applications will be evaluated as they are received, with the aim of selecting a student by May 11th, 2018. The preferred start date for this position will be Sept. 2018, with the potential for a January 2019 start.
For more information please see:
Ché Elkin
Associate Professor
FRBC-Slocan Mixedwood Ecology and Management Chair
University of Northern British Columbia
Ecosystem Science and Management