The Center for the Environment (CFE) at Plymouth State University (PSU) is inviting applications for M.S. graduate research assistantships (GRA) in the areas of ecohydrology, forest ecology, landscape ecology, environmental social sciences, or any combination of these topics in the White Mountains and Lakes Region of New Hampshire or in the broader Central and/or Northern New England regions.
Students will conduct field sampling, analytical, and/or theoretical work on projects related to CFEs mission, and have opportunities to collaborate with trans-disciplinary teams of faculty and students, and scientists from other institutions working at the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest and other academic, governmental, and non-governmental organizations. Research topics for the assistantships are flexible, but must address controls on, or societal relevance of, key environmental processes (physical, biogeochemical, ecological, or socio-economic). Individuals from all relevant disciplinary backgrounds (physical, biogeochemical, ecological, or environmental socio-economic) will be considered, however applicants with an interest in field research and who possess strong quantitative analysis skills are preferred. These GRAs provide an excellent opportunity to work with a broader cohort of students (and their mentors) focused on the intersection of plant ecology, biogeochemistry, hydrology, and environmental social sciences. A signature of the program is that graduate research must involve a substantive outreach contribution, above and beyond publication of a thesis or project report. The GRAs will have responsibilities to work on CFE activities, including but not limited to: (1) Serve as GIS Laboratory administrator, maintaining spatial databases, and/or supporting other students and faculty; (2) assist in the Environmental Research Laboratory with sample analyses and/or participate in monitoring schemes and related outreach activities; (3) Work at Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest in support of ongoing or new ecological and hydrology projects in collaboration with the US Forest Service; (4) contribute to CFEs development of ecological models and methods, data visualization, and communicating results to the public. Prospective students are invited to contact Patrick Bourgeron ([email protected]) and/or Betsy Ayotte ([email protected]).
