GRADUATE STUDY IN FOREST PRODUCTIVITY AND BIOMASS/BIOFUELS 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 Forest Productivity and Biomass/Biofuels. The position will be filled at the Ph.D. or M.S. level. RESEARCH AREA: Trees have enormous potential to serve as a feedstock for biofuel production in the south-central United States and offer a much more energy efficient and carbon neutral source of biofuels than traditionally produced agricultural commodities. Understanding the potential productivity and mechanisms related to tree growth are essential to efficiently manage forests as a source of biofuel feedstock as well as traditional forest commodities. The successful candidate will conduct studies on genetically improved loblolly pine and cottonwood to determine the effects of stand density, interspecific competition, and fertility on stand-level growth and the biological mechanisms related to productivity. Study sites will be in southeastern Oklahoma. The potential exists for multi-state collaboration and use of additional study sites in Louisiana. The student will do coursework at Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK. Information regarding Oklahoma State and the Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management can be found on our web site at nrem.okstate.edu 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: August 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 one of the following: Dr. Rodney Will, 405-744-5444, [email protected] Dr. Tom Hennessey, 405-744-5443, [email protected] Dr. Charles Tauer, 405-744-5462, [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, forestry 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 Services, and the U.S. Forest Service.
