PhD Graduate Research Assistantship: Fire and plant ecology in the Central Hardwood Region
Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign I am seeking a highly motivated individual interested in studying plant community and ecosystem response to fire in southern Illinois forests within the Central Hardwood Region. The overall purpose of the project is to evaluate the efficacy of fire-based approaches for meeting management goals in the region in light of heterogeneity in environmental conditions, non-native species invasions, and historical factors (e.g., fire and land-use history). The project will be conducted in collaboration with scientists at the Shawnee National Forest. A similar project being conducted in central Indiana will offer additional opportunities for collaboration with scientists at the University of Florida and the Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge. Desirable qualifications include excellent written and oral communication skills, basic knowledge of quantitative methods in ecological research, an interest in field based research, and experience with GIS. Applicants should have a GPA of at least 3.25 and satisfact ry GRE scores (verbal/quantitative: 1150 combined score, analytical writing= 4.0). Applicants with a Masters Degree in ecology, botany, forestry, or related field are preferred. Consideration of applications begins immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Please send a cover letter that states your research interests and provides the names and contact information for three references. Also include your curriculum vitae (with GPA, and GRE scores and percentiles) and any evidence of scholarly activity (i.e., publications). Please email all application materials to Dr. Jennifer Fraterrigo ([email protected]). Suitable candidates will be required to apply to the graduate program within the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences.
