A PhD position is available in the Forest and Fire Ecology Lab
(http://forestfire.fwrc.msstate.edu/) at Mississippi State University
(Starkville, MS) to study stand dynamics, fire ecology, and forest restoration
of upland oak and/or pine forests. The student’s research will examine how
changes in forest composition and structure as a consequence of changing fire
regimes and/or herbivory impact regeneration of desired species and the
potential outcomes for forest restoration at a variety of sites, including
Spirit Hill Farm and Holly Springs National Forest in northern Mississippi and
Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest in western Kentucky. The student will
interact with faculty in the Departments of Forestry and Wildlife, Fisheries,
and Aquaculture, private landowners, and state/federal agency personnel. The
student will be appointed as a Graduate Research Assistant (GRA) in the
Department of Forestry. In addition to developing and executing dissertation
research, the student will be expected to (1) act as a teaching assistant for
undergraduate courses in Dendrology and/or Ecology during several semesters,
(2) assist other collaborating researchers with their projects, and (3)
contribute to departmental, college, and university service. Applicants must
have a Bachelor's degree in forestry, ecology, biology, or a related field;
preference will be given to applicants with a M.S. degree in one of these
fields and/or those with a publication record. Prior experience in fieldwork
related to forest ecology, silviculture, and/or wildlife habitat management is
required. Successful candidates must demonstrate an aptitude for research,
strong analytical and oral and written scientific communication skills,
attention to detail, and ability to work independently and as a team.
Applicants must be capable of working long hours outdoors exposed to harsh
weather, biting insects, and thorny vegetation. If interested, please email to
Dr. Heather Alexander ([email protected]) (1) a cover letter
discussing interest in the research, qualifications, and applicable background
experience; (2) a resume/CV; (3) unofficial transcripts; and (4) contact
information for three professional references. Incomplete applications will not
be considered. Details on the full application process to the MSU Graduate
School can be found at http://www.grad.msstate.edu/prospective/. Financial
support is guaranteed for at least three years, starting in August 2019, and
includes a stipend, tuition waiver, and health insurance. Review of
applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.
