Graduate Research Assistantship Announcement Department of Forestry – University of Missouri Joseph W. Jones Ecological Research Center
“Recruitment dynamics in naturally regenerated longleaf pine woodlands” A Master of Science graduate assistantship is available with Dr. Benjamin Knapp in the Department of Forestry (http://www.snr.missouri.edu/forestry/) at University of Missouri. The assistantship will be in collaboration with and supported by the Joseph W. Jones Ecological Research Center co-sponsorship program, under supervision of Dr. Steve Jack (conservation ecologist) and the USDA Forest Service, Southern Research Station. The goal of this research is to better understand the patterns, rates, and demographics (age and size) of longleaf pine recruitment in naturally-regenerated, second- growth stands. We will evaluate the effects of silvicultural treatments such as ‘gap’ harvesting on recruitment patterns of saplings. This study will use a combination of destructive sampling (stem analysis), field measurements, and previously collected data to address study objectives. Results from this work will improve our understanding of longleaf pine stand dynamics and will inform silvicultural prescriptions for reaching regeneration and structural objectives in longleaf pine ecosystems. This graduate assistantship will consist of approximately one year of coursework at the University of Missouri, Columbia and one year of field sampling/research work at the Jones Center at Ichauway, located near Newton, GA. The duties of this position will include completion of required coursework, field sampling, data organization, and data analyses related to study objectives, and the completion of a thesis and peer-reviewed publication(s). Competitive candidates for this position will have a B.S. degree in forestry or a closely related discipline, proficiency in written and oral communication, strong GRE scores, and evidence of scholastic success. The position will begin in August 2015. The successful candidate will receive tuition support and a competitive stipend. To apply, please submit the following to Dr. Benjamin Knapp ([email protected]): 1) personal statement of career goals 2) resume or curriculum vitae 3) transcripts 4) GRE scores 5) contact information for three references Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until a candidate is selected. Dr. Benjamin Knapp Assistant Professor Department of Forestry University of Missouri 203S Anheuser-Busch Natural Resources Building Columbia MO 65211 Email: [email protected]
