I am seeking an M.S. or Ph.D. student for research of the influence of prescribed fire on the quality of residual overstory trees. This work is funded by the Joint Fire Sciences Program and the U.S. Forest Service - Northern Research Station. It will take advantage of existing studies on the Hoosier National Forest, Indiana State Forests, and NSWC-Crane and broaden the scope of existing work to a large portion of Central Hardwood Forest region.
Specifically, the incumbent will install a retrospective study of fire damage over 20+ sites in each of the Wayne, Shawnee and Mark Twain National Forests, building on effects begun in the Hoosier this past summer. Relationships between tree grade and lumber grade will be determined by harvesting over 200 trees collect from all sites. In additional, this individual will be partially responsible to maintain a long-term research study on Morgan-Monroe and Yellowwood State Forests and NWSC-Crane. This study follows a variety of trees of differing species and tree grades designated within over 20 burn areas, installs fire monitoring equipment on a subset of individuals when prescribed fires occur, and documents prescribed fire damage to these individuals for several years after each fire. Work will be on remote field sites and in harsh environments typical of southern Indiana, Ohio, Missouri and Illinois. Preference will be given to candidates with strong mensurational skills, tree/lumber grading experience, and fire and/or chainsaw certification. To meet FNR departmental requirements, candidates must have a B.S. or M.S. degree in forestry, wildlife or a closely related field, and a minimum GPA of 3.2; GRE scores must be above the 50th percentile on verbal and quantitative sections and above 4.0 on the analytical writing section. Departmental assistantships are awarded at $19,430 (M.S.) and $22,295 (Ph.D.) per year, and include a subsidized insurance plan. This position is for a Spring 2017 (preferred) or Fall 2017 admission. Purdue deadlines for materials for spring admission is September 15, but that deadline can be delayed slightly for qualified candidates. Interested individuals MUST CONTACT Dr. Mike Saunders prior to formally submitting materials. CONTACT: Mike R. Saunders, Hardwood Tree Improvement and Regeneration Center, Department of Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR), Purdue University. Email: msaun...@purdue.edu<mailto:msaun...@purdue.edu>; Phone: 765-430-1440? Purdue University is an equal opportunity-affirmative action employer.?
