The Department of Natural Resources Science, University of Rhode Island, is recruiting a Ph.D. student who will conduct research in habitat suitability assessment and predictive modeling using remote sensing data and GIS analysis. The research will focus on the relationship between ecological conditions of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail (A.T.) and factors such as land-use and land-cover change and climate change. The graduate student should have a background in remote sensing and GIS and an interest in biodiversity, wildlife habitats and management. The assistantship is provided by a NASA-funded project that is developing a decision support system for monitoring, reporting and forecasting the ecological conditions of the A.T. This decision support system will integrate multi-platform remote sensing data, Terrestrial Observation and Prediction System (TOPS) models, and in situ measurements for understanding the ecological conditions of the A.T. land and for conservation of biodiversity. Expected starting date: Summer or Fall 2010 semester. The graduate student will work under the supervision of Dr. Y.Q. Wang. Please submit a letter of interest, CV, transcripts and GRE scores and the names of 3 references to Professor Y.Q. Wang ([email protected]). Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until filled.
