A graduate research assistantship position at either the MS or Ph.D. level is available starting Fall 2009 (September 2009) in the Department of Forestry (www.for.msu.edu) at Michigan State University (MSU). The position includes a tuition waiver and health benefits, and a competitive stipend for 2 years at the MS level (~$19,000/year) or 3 years at the PhD level (~$21,000/year). MSU is a land grant institution and there are many opportunities to conduct research at the network of MSU experiment stations throughout Michigan (http://www.maes.msu.edu/stations.htm).
Either of the following two major lines of research could be explored: 1) Impact of climatic change on the sustainable development of woody biomass through tree-ring analyses of hybrid poplars There is limited understanding of the climatic sensitivity (e.g., degree of drought tolerance) of short rotation woody crops such as hybrid poplars. The general objective of this project is to elucidate the key climatic controls (water stress and temperature stress) of hybrid poplar growth and physiology. Tree-ring analysis techniques (dendrochronology) will be used to retrospectively assess year-to-year (interannual) changes in stem wood properties of hybrid poplars. Mechanistically based models between past instrumental records of climate (e.g., temperature and precipitation) and physical (e.g., ring width and density) and chemical (e.g., cellulose and lignin content) wood parameters will provide the basis for projecting these wood parameters under different future scenarios of climate change in the 21st century. This research will have implications for optimizing forest management practices for improved wood quality, and contribute towards reducing uncertainty in the future supply of biomass feedstocks in the context of future climate change. 2) Restoration of oak savannah and regeneration of oak In the Midwest of the United States, the area previously covered by open canopy oak savannah communities (dominated by black oak and white oak) has shrunk considerably and this has been attributed primarily due to fire suppression. The objective of this project is to examine the impact of climate, vegetation competition (i.e., grass species), and prescribed fire on oak regeneration and growth dynamics of mature trees in oak savannah ecosystems. Oak savannah represents an ecotone between forest and prairie, and ecotones are expected to be very sensitive to climate change. In dry-mesic, closed-canopy forest communities, oak species such as white oak and red oak are difficult to regenerate both naturally and artificially. The objective of this project is to increase the reliability of oak regeneration. One of the challenges faced with regenerating oak is the lack of a mechanistic understanding of factors controlling acorn mast years. Climate data, and stand and tree parameters such as tree foliage and tree-ring data will be related to acorn production levels. In addition, it has been reported that the decline of oak forest cover in some areas is related to fire suppression. Consequently, the effect of prescribed burning in oak stands on subsequent rates of oak regeneration will be examined. If you are interested, contact: Dr. Sophan Chhin Assistant Professor, Silviculture and Forest Ecosystem Productivity Department of Forestry Michigan State University 126 Natural Resources Building East Lansing, MI 48824-1222 Tel: (517) 353-7251 Fax: (517) 432-1143 E-mail: ch...@msu.edu Web: https://www.msu.edu/~chhin/ In your initial inquiry, please submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, unofficial transcripts and GRE scores, and contact information of three references. Applications will be considered immediately and continue until the position is filled. To ensure full consideration please submit material by June 12, 2009. MSU is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
