Recruiting up to 2 PhD students for fire ecology research, Michigan State University
Up to two PhD student positions are available for research addressing the role of fire on ecosystem processes in fire-prone temperate conifer forests and/or barrens ecosystems, to begin in Fall 2017 (data collection may begin in Summer 2017). The student(s) will be responsible investigating soil and vegetation response to wildfire and/or prescribed fire, and will be expected to develop independent research questions related to the overall project objectives. We seek applicants with a high level of enthusiasm for research that includes field measurements as well as laboratory procedures that together contribute to understanding ecosystem processes and responses to natural and anthropogenic disturbances. Strong written, verbal and computation skills are essential. Prior experience participating in or leading field research or monitoring projects is strongly desired. Successful applicants will be expected to work independently as well as collaboratively as an active member of a research group, conduct field work in variable weather conditions, and perform detailed laboratory analyses with a high level of precision. The student will be advised by Dr. Jessica Miesel at MSU ( https://www.msu.edu/~mieselje/) and will have opportunity for close communication with (and potential co-advisorship by) Forest Service researchers. The student will be based at Michigan State University in East Lansing, MI during the academic year, with extended summer travel to perform fieldwork in the northern Lake States region and/or California. To express interest, please email as a SINGLE PDF: (1) a statement of research interests/background and professional goals, (2) a CV, (3) a list of 3-4 professional references (names and contact information), (4) GRE scores, and (5) unofficial transcripts to Dr. Jessica Miesel at [email protected]. Funding is available for outstanding applicants (US cititzens). For full consideration (and after discussing interests with Dr. Miesel), interested students should apply to the MSU Graduate School ( http://grad.msu.edu/apply/online.aspx) before December 1, 2016. Successful applicants will be housed in the Department of Forestry, with opportunity to participate in MSU’s interdisciplinary Ecology, Evolutionary Biology and Behavior program (http://eebb.msu.edu/) (ranked among the top Ecology & Evolutionary Biology PhD programs by the National Research Council) and/or the Environmental Science & Policy Program ( http://www.espp.msu.edu/index.php). For more information about the Department of Forestry, go to http://www.for.msu.edu/. Questions about these opportunities should be directed to Dr. Jessica Miesel ([email protected]). -- *Jessica R. Miesel, PhD*Assistant Professor Department of Forestry Michigan State University 480 Wilson Rd. Rm. 126 East Lansing, MI 48824-1222 Office location: Natural Resources 112 Office phone: 517-355-8239 Google voice (mobile): 920-341-3473 Email: [email protected] Website: http://www.for.msu.edu/people/jessica_miesel
