Ph.D. Assistantship in Silviculture and Forest Health – Northern Arizona University
One research assistantship is available beginning July 1, 2019 to study resilience of aspen through regeneration in northern Arizona. The project will be collaborative between the NAU School of Forestry, the USDA Forest Service, Forest Health Protection staff, and local National Forest staff. The student will focus on developing a project to examine the health and status of aspen regeneration and its relationships with a variety of damaging agents, including the emerging invasive insect, oystershell scale. The goal is to model the biotic and abiotic factors influencing successful regeneration under climate change and different management options; results will enable managers to better prioritize and manage aspen in the Southwest. Funding is available for a period of four years and includes an annual stipend, health benefits and tuition remission. Minimum qualifications include a background in forestry, ecology or natural resources, a strong academic record and a completed master’s degree; current driver’s license or ability to obtain one. For additional information about the graduate program in the School of Forestry at NAU, please see our website: https://nau.edu/cefns/forestry/. Interested applicants should contact Dr. Kristen Waring, Kristen.waring@nau.edu and include a statement of interest and current CV; use subject line ‘Aspen PhD’. Outstanding candidates may qualify for the NAU Presidential Fellowship Program (http://nau.edu/GradCol/Financing/Presidential-Fellowship-Program/). Review of applicants will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.