***PhD Assistantship in Applied Forest Ecology and Silviculture***
The University of Minnesota, Department of Forest Resources is seeking a PhD-level graduate student to participate in a research project examining the response of lowland black ash forests to simulated emerald ash borer mortality and silvicultural treatments aimed at conferring resilience to this introduced insect. Given the role black ash plays as a foundation species in these systems, mortality due to this introduced insect are likely to have dramatic ecological and hydrologic impacts. The student will join a team of collaborators from the University of Minnesota and USDA Forest Service-Northern Research Station to provide an assessment of these impacts on this regionally important forest type within the Lake States.
Within the larger project, the student will be responsible for developing a PhD study to examine how black ash mortality, through both EAB and forest harvesting, affects forest regeneration and understory plant community dynamics. Research will involve extensive field work across northern Minnesota and the student will be responsible for conducting field and lab work in support of project goals, supervising field and lab assistants, analyzing data and preparing peer-reviewed publications.
The start date is somewhat flexible, but preferably the student will begin field work in Summer 2012 with classes beginning in Fall 2012. There are four years of funding for this position (stipend, tuition waiver, and health insurance).
Qualifications: M.S. in forest ecology, forestry, silviculture, 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, and a record of leadership.
Deadline for receiving applications is December 15, 2011. Interested candidates should contact: Dr. Anthony D'Amato (<mailto:[email protected]>[email protected], 612-625-3733)
