MS Assistantships in Silviculture and Applied Forest Ecology at the University of Vermont

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MS Assistantships in Silviculture and Applied Forest Ecology at the University of Vermont
Project: The University of Vermont, Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources is seeking two master’s-level graduate students to participate in two different research projects examining the dynamics and management of forests in northeastern North America. The first project is focused on developing management guidance for addressing the impacts of southern pine beetle (SPB) on pitch pine forests in New England and New York. The student will join a team of collaborators from the University of Vermont and U.S. Forest Service Forest Health Protection program in quantifying forest conditions in areas impacted by the recent range expansion of SPB to inform a stand hazard rating system for guiding SPB management and restoration efforts in these areas.
The second project project is focused on quantifying the impacts and outcomes of management practices designed to mitigate the impacts of the introduced emerald ash borer (EAB) on the current and future composition and structure of northern hardwood forests in New England and New York. The student will join a team of collaborators from the University of Vermont, U.S. Forest Service Forest Health Protection program, and University of Quebec at Montreal in quantifying forest development in areas impacted and threatened by EAB and integrating these results into a decision support tool to evaluate appropriate management responses to EAB across the region.
Both positions are available for Summer 2019 and include two guaranteed years of funding (stipend, tuition waiver, and health insurance).
Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in forestry, biology, natural resources, environmental sciences or a closely related field.  Applicants should be able to work independently, but also cooperatively with other researchers in the lab and on the larger project. Applicants should also have a strong work ethic, demonstrated writing and quantitative capabilities, plant identification skills, and a record of leadership.

Application: Interested applicants should supply all application materials to the UVM Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources (RSENR) Program (MS in Natural Resources) by February 1, 2019 – when applying, please state your interest in this position in the “Statement of Purpose.”
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