GRADUATE STUDY IN SILVICULTURE/APPLIED FOREST ECOLOGY
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCE ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT, OKLAHOMA STATE
UNIVERSITY
The Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management, Oklahoma State
University is seeking qualified individuals to work on a research project
in Silviculture or Applied Forest Ecology. The position will be filled at
the Ph.D. or M.S. level.
RESEARCH AREA: Understanding the mechanisms related to the growth and
productivity of forest stands is important to efficiently manage forests
for traditional commodities, i.e., wood and fiber, but also for
nontraditional commodities and ecosystem services such as carbon
sequestration, water quality and yield, biofuel feedstocks, wildlife
habitat, and aesthetic quality. The successful candidate will undertake
studies at the tree or stand level. Flexibility exists in developing
specific projects, but potential research directions may entail the
effects of silvicultural treatments on stand biology, canopy architecture,
effects of fire on natural regeneration, establishment and physiology of
plants species important for wildlife habitat, and invasive species.
Given the rainfall gradient in Oklahoma, from >50” in the southeastern
corner to <20” in the panhandle, Oklahoma comprises a wide range of forest
and plant communities that include commercial loblolly pine forests,
shortleaf pine savannas, oak-hickory forests, cross-timbers (post oak-
blackjack oak dominated forests), and prairie-shrub communities. The
student(s) will do coursework at the Oklahoma State University,
Stillwater, OK.
STIPEND: A graduate research assistantship is available of $17,500 for
Ph.D. or $15,500 for M.S. annually for a half-time appointment. Benefits
include tuition waiver and student health insurance (for student only,
family coverage available for an additional fee).
TENTATIVE STARTING DATE: July 1, 2009
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS: B.S. and/or M.S. in forestry, plant biology, or
related degree. If applicable, a minimum grade point average of 2.70 (A =
4.00) and acceptable GRE scores are required.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE: Interested individuals should contact:
Dr. Rodney Will
008C Agriculture Hall
Stillwater, OK 74078
405-744-5444
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
LOCATION AND FACILITIES:
The Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management is part of the
Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources at Oklahoma State
University. The University is a land grant institution with an enrollment
of about 25,000 students located midway between Tulsa and Oklahoma City.
The Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management conducts
interdisciplinary research, instruction, and extension education to
address the sustainable management and conservation of the fishery,
forest, rangeland, and wildlife resources of Oklahoma and beyond. This
department is a source of cutting-edge research, quality instruction, and
effective outreach to students, landowners, managers, and public agencies.
Within the Department, research is currently being conducted in
silviculture, forest management, forest economics, forest biometrics,
forest genetics, tree physiology, and watershed management. The Department
works in conjunction with the Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station
that maintains a research center in southeastern Oklahoma that focuses on
forestry research. In addition the department has cooperative research
relationships with several forest industries, the Oklahoma Forestry
Service, and the U.S. Forest Service.
