Fred M. van Eck Scholarships Hardwood Tree Improvement and Regeneration Center Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University
The Hardwood Tree Improvement and Regeneration Center (HTIRC) at Purdue University is seeking outstanding candidates interested in working toward M.S. or Ph.D. degrees. The HTIRC is a collaborative regional research organization of industry, state and federal agency, and university partners, administratively located in the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources at Purdue University. Funding for the van Eck Scholarships is provided by the Fred M. van Eck Foundation for Purdue University whose purpose is to support research in the genetic improvement of high-value North American hardwood tree species. Areas of research include: 1) chemically-mediated host colonization and mating behavior of bark and ambrosia beetles affecting native hardwoods; 2) enhanced detection methods for the walnut twig beetle and thousand cankers disease; and 3) exploring mechanisms of ash resistance to emerald ash borer (EAB) and increasing the efficacy of its biological control agents. Ideal students should be highly motivated and enthusiastic about working in the areas of forest entomology and chemical and behavioral ecology. Candidates should have well-developed quantitative skills, knowledge and experience in the biological sciences, a GPA of at least 3.4 and a top-tier GRE score (above the 60th percentile). Assistantships will be awarded at $18,500 (M.S.) and $21,000 (Ph.D.) per year. In addition, an annual budget ($10,000) will be available for research support and a laptop computer will be provided for the duration of the scholarship. For admission for fall semester (August 2015), applications must be received by December 12, 2014 (M.S. and Ph.D). Interested individuals should contact me directly via email ([email protected]) to discuss their background, qualifications, and research interests. Please also provide a short (one page) letter of interest and a CV that includes cumulative GPA, GRE scores and contact information for at least three references. More information on this scholarship opportunity can be found at www.htirc.org.
