Fred M. van Eck Scholarship Graduate Assistantship Purdue University Outstanding candidates are sought for a graduate position as a Fred M. van Eck Scholar affiliated with the Hardwood Tree Improvement and Regeneration Center (HTIRC), Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University. HTIRC is a collaborative national research organization of industry, state and federal agency, and university partners. Its purpose is to improve the genetic quality and regeneration success of North American hardwood tree species. The successful candidate will focus on wildlife as factors limiting recruitment and restoration success of blight-resistant hybrid American chestnut and possibly other fine hardwoods, with topics potentially including but not limited to: frequency-dependent seed predation and seedling herbivory by vertebrates and invertebrates; habitat-specific effects on wildlife limitation of tree recruitment; and deterrence of seed predation and herbivory. The candidate will join a research team of forest scientists and wildlife ecologists actively engaged in the science of restoration, including ecological research on the implications for wildlife of resource (seed) pulses, and the effects of wildlife consumers on restoration/regeneration of hardwood trees.
Qualifications: Candidates should have well developed quantitative skills and knowledge and experience in biological sciences such as wildlife, forestry, genetics, pathology, or entomology. Candidates should have a GPA of at least 3.2 and a cumulative GRE score of at least 1200 (V+Q). Assistantships: Stipends are $18,000 (M.S.) and $20,500 (Ph.D.) per year. In addition, an annual research budget of $10,000 is available for research support, and a laptop computer will be provided for the duration of the scholarship. Applications: For consideration for fall 2011 semester, applications must be received by 15 November 2010. Send via email a short (1-page) letter of interest, resume, cumulative GPA, GRE scores, TOEFL scores (international students only), and three letters of reference to rswih...@purdue.edu<mailto:rswih...@purdue.edu>. Please see our web page HTIRC.org for more information. If selected for a van Eck Scholarship, we will notify you to make formal application to Purdue University. Purdue University is an equal opportunity/equal access/affirmative action employer fully committed to achieving a diverse workforce. Rob Swihart Professor and Head Department of Forestry and Natural Resources Purdue University West Lafayette, IN 47907-2061 PH: 765-494-3590
