One Ph.D. graduate student is sought to conduct research on redbay (Persea borbonia) ecosystems affected by laurel wilt disease (LWD) transported by an exotic beetle. The research project will assess redbay (Persea borbonia) ecosystem responses to LWD, focusing on the range-wide changes in redbay population, the patterns of redbay mortality and regeneration, forest succession and possible expansion of invasive plants, and changes in dead woody materials and its implication to fire behavior. Both data obtained from sampling LWD affected stands and data from existing LWD monitoring plots and FIA plots will be used in the study.
We are seeking an outstanding candidate with BS and/or MS in Forestry, Biology, Ecology, and Environmental Sciences. A past record of scientific publication and experience in conducting vegetation sampling in forest ecosystems are desirable. The student will be offered a full graduate research assistantship ($20,000/year) plus a partial tuition waiver. The assistantship is for 3 years, but needs to be renewed annually subject to satisfactory performance. Competitive university and/or college scholarships are available for outstanding candidates, and students working in our lab have had a great track record to obtain these scholarships. Supplementary teaching assistantship may also be available. The assistantship may start in May 2012, August 2012, or January 2013. If you are interested, contact: Dr. Geoff Wang, School of Agricultural, Forest, and Environmental Sciences, 261 Lehotsky Hall, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634-0317 (Phone: 864-656-4864; Email: [email protected]). In your initial contact, please send the following information: statement of your research interest, degrees earned. GPAs, GRE score, and TOFEL scores (for foreign students). For information about Clemson University and the Silviculture/Ecology Lab, visit www.clemson.edu and www.clemson.edu/~gwang/ Clemson University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any individual or group of individuals on the basis of age, color, disability, gender, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status or genetic information.
