Jobs in Silviculture

A masters or doctoral level graduate research assistant position will be available to work on one or more of the following projects:

1. How does understory vegetation (including invasives) relate to the structural composition of mature oak forests? (community ecology)

2. To what extent do practicing foresters tailor management prescriptions to fit stated landowner objectives? (forestry)

3. Developing a Structure Area Curve for central PA: how large does your stand need to be in order to evaluate structural complexity? (structural indices)

4. What is the spatial relationship of overstory trees and tree regeneration? (structural indices)

5. What is the optimal technique for producing woody biomass from hardwoods on reclaimed mine sites? (plantations)

6. Where on the landscape in PA should oak be favored and where not, based on site characteristics such as geology and existing vegetation complexes? (ecological land types)

7. At what age, and what intensity, should regenerating oak be released? (growth and yield)

8. How much woody biomass is actually available in PA for bioenergy production? (economics)

9. How is understory vegetation and tree regeneration affected by various overstory harvest practices? (botany and management)

10. What is the influence on understory vegetation and tree regeneration of prescribed fire? (botany and fire)

11. What are the most efficient means for converting high-graded stands into healthy, productive forests?

Compensation: Full academic year (9-month) support includes tuition and standard graduate student salary (including benefits) at Penn State University. Student fees and books are not included; summer salary is likely. Academic year support is guaranteed, pending adequate progress, for 2 years (3 years for PhD).