A highly-motivated applicant is sought who is interested in pursuing graduate studies in ecological restoration of mixed-conifer forest. The selected student will investigate long term dynamics of southwestern mixed-conifer forests, focusing on reference conditions and changes in species composition, demographics, and spatial patterns. This project will likely receive a high degree of exposure to techniques such as dendrochronology, spatial statistics, and demographic modeling. This position will be co-advised by Dr. Andrew Sánchez Meador, School of Forestry (http://nau.edu/cefns/forestry) and Dr. David Huffman, Ecological Restoration Institute (http://www.eri.nau.edu) at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, AZ
The position starts Fall of 2013, with the possibility to begin data collection in the summer of 2013. To apply, send (as a PDF or Word Document): 1) a CV (including GPA, GRE scores and complete contact information); 2) a letter of interest (stating clearly research interests); and 3) the names and contact information of three references to: [email protected]. After an initial screening, selected finalists will be asked to submit a formal application to the School of Forestry (http://nau.edu/CEFNS/Forestry/Degrees/MS). Women and applicants from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds are especially encouraged to apply. Students who do not have a previous degree in forestry are eligible for admission to the NAU School of Forestry graduate program. However, upon admission, students who are admitted without a previous degree in forestry must take 15 hours of remedial coursework in forestry. Flagstaff is located at an elevation of 2,280 m on the southern edge of the Colorado Plateau and offers exceptional recreational opportunities. The Ecological Restoration Institute is a pioneer in conducting research and disseminating information about restoration treatment outcomes, strategies, and techniques in the Southwest and the School of Forestry is one of the top Forestry Schools in the nation. Both are extremely productive research environments, with faculty and staff specializing in a variety of ecological topics such as landscape ecology, ecological restoration, fire ecology, plant ecophysiology, entomology, plant population dynamics, and soil ecology among other topics.
