A Master of Science (M.S.) Research Assistantship is available in the College of Forestry, Wildlife, and Environment (CFWE) at Auburn University. This research assistantship focuses on evaluating alternative silvicultural regimes for southern pine plantations to address the evolving land management objectives of regional non-industrial forest landowners.

Project Objectives Related to the Forestry Industry:

1)  The project will employ simulation modeling (e.g., FVS model), big data, and other appropriate methodologies to compare novel silviculture regimes.

2) Assist with establishing long-term pine silviculture-genetics field trials in Alabama, conduct early observations, and synthesize information derived from various silviculture experiments conducted in the southeastern United States.

3) The student will receive mentorship from a team of scientists at the CFWE (Drs. Ajay Sharma, Hao Chen, Chen Ding, and Annakay Abrahams) and may have opportunities to collaborate closely with forest industry professionals, family forestland owners, and regional forestry cooperatives.

Minimum Qualifications

· Applicants must possess a Bachelor of Science degree in Forestry or a related discipline.

· Strong quantitative skills and knowledge of forest stand dynamics.

· Candidate is expected to publish their research findings in peer-reviewed journals promptly.

· Present research findings at professional conferences.

Preferred Qualifications

· Prior experience with forest growth and yield modeling (e.g., FVS), big data analytics, statistical analysis (R/Python), experimental design, GIS applications, genetics, and data management is preferred.

· Applicants should demonstrate strong oral and written communication abilities.

To apply, please submit (email) the following as a single PDF to Dr. Ajay Sharma (sharma@auburn.edu) and Dr. Hao Chen (hzc0134@auburn.edu).

· Personal statement of research interest and career goals

· Resume or curriculum vitae

· Transcripts

· Contact information for three references

Financial support for two years is available starting in the fall of 2025 or spring of 2026, including an annual stipend of $22,600 and tuition support. The review of applications will commence on March 30, 2025, and will continue until a suitable candidate is selected. For inquiries, please contact Dr. Ajay Sharma at sharma@auburn.edu.

Poultry and forestry contribute $43 billion annually to Alabama’s economy, with most of the 210,000 poultry and forestry-related jobs in rural areas of the state. This project aims to advance rural Alabama by leveraging and applying modern technology to these two industries. Our focus will be on the forestry industry by partnering with stakeholders to learn about key issues/challenges and develop technology solutions to improve the industry’s competitiveness and sustainability.

Project Objectives Related to the Forestry Industry:

1) Develop technology solutions and market intelligence that will help landowners, loggers, and timber processors improve their competitiveness and sustainability.

2) Promote technologies that will advance the timber industry.

3) Predict and protect against cyber-physical vulnerabilities in the timber industry.

4) Facilitate the development of new case studies that provide a vision for new opportunities in the forestry industry in Alabama and the rural South.

Minimum Qualifications

· Applicants must possess a PhD in forestry.

· Self-motivated with a solid background in forest operations.

· Willing to conduct fieldwork and travel to remote research sites.

· Possess a valid U.S. driver’s license by the start date

· Candidate must meet eligibility requirements for work in the United States at the time the appointment is scheduled to begin and continue working legally for the term of employment.

Preferred Qualifications

· Familiarity with the forest industry in the United States (loggers, foresters, timber buyers, mills, transportation, etc).

Applications should be received by March 31, 2025. We anticipate a start date of May 1, 2025. The contract will last 12 months and is contingent on extension upon funding availability and satisfactory performance.  Applicants must complete the online application at this link: https://www.auemployment.com/postings/50808, including a letter of interest, Curriculum vitae, names and full contact information of at least three professional references and official transcripts (transcript should show conferral of Doctorate and date of conferral).

A Master of Science Research Assistantship is available with Dr. Ajay Sharma (Assistant Professor of Silviculture in the College of Forestry, Wildlife, and Environment at Auburn University) and Dr. Joshua Puhlick (Silviculturist, Ecological Silviculture Lab, The Jones Center at Ichauway) on research to inform management that will occur during second entries into longleaf pine stands with different types of selection cutting.

Fieldwork will mainly include:

1. Measuring stand attributes that influence tree regeneration outcomes

2. Coring trees to evaluate growth response to timber harvesting and natural disturbances

Fieldwork will be conducted primarily at The Jones Center at Ichauway, a 28,500-acre research site in southwestern Georgia. Additional work on related aspects of the research may be conducted in Auburn or other parts of the Southeast.

Required Qualifications

· Bachelor of Science degree in Forestry or a related field.

· Strong desire to work in the field and laboratory.

· Expected to publish research findings in peer-reviewed journals.

· Present at professional conferences.

Desired Qualifications

· Previous experience with research, data analysis using statistical software and data management skills.

· Must also possess a valid driver’s license.

To apply, please submit the following to Dr. Ajay Sharma (sharma@auburn.edu) and Dr. Joshua Puhlick (joshua.puhlick@jonesctr.org):

1. Personal statement of research interests and career goals
2. Resume or curriculum vitae
3. Transcripts
4. Contact information for three references

Financial support is available for two years, starting in the fall of 2025, and includes a stipend ($22,600 per year) and tuition support. On-site housing will be provided while the student is conducting fieldwork at Ichauway.

The Collaborative Conservation & Adaptation Planning Lab at Auburn University is seeking a motivated master’s student to contribute to a research project examining the challenges related to localization efforts within the international conservation and development context.

The student will be responsible for:

1. Conducting literature reviews.

2. Conducting qualitative research (interviews, focus groups, ethnographic fieldwork) on sustainable international development programs and localization efforts.

3. Work with local NGOs and communities to coordinate data collection using both remote and in-person interview strategies.

4. Analyze qualitative and quantitative data related to sustainable livelihoods, environmental security, economic alternatives, and localization in Mexico/Latin America.

5. Share findings through academic publications and conference presentations.

Required Qualifications

· Completed an undergraduate degree in Conservation Social Science, Human Dimensions of Natural Resources, Environmental Sociology, Parks, Recreation, Tourism Management, or a related field prior to starting.

· Experience with or interest in qualitative research methods (interviews, focus groups, ethnographic observation).

· Strong analytical and writing skills.

· Interest in sustainable development, environmental justice, and localization.

· Ability to work independently and collaboratively in international research settings.

· Potential candidates for this position must meet admission standards and be accepted into the College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment MS program More information can be found here.

· Candidates must also meet general (minimum) admission requirements for the Auburn University Graduate School, as outlined here.

Desired Qualifications

· Experience working in Mexico, Latin America, or on development projects in rural natural resource-dependent communities.

· Knowledge of Spanish (fluency highly preferred).

· Background in NGO work, environmental security, or rural economies research.

Interested individuals should contact Dr. Matthew Jurjonas at mdj0048@auburn.edu with any questions and to apply. To apply, please state “Conservation & Development Localization MS Assistantship” in the email subject line and include a single PDF document with the following:

1. A Statement of Interest/Personal Statement detailing research interests and relevant experience

2. A CV/Resume

3. TOFEL or IELTS scores (if applicable) and GRE scores (if available)

4. Unofficial transcripts

5. A Writing Sample (e.g., thesis chapter, research paper, or report)

6. The names and email addresses of three professional references

Application Deadline: Review of Applications will begin on March 7th, 2025, and continue until the position is filled.

TES Research Technician – Feral Hogs

Learn more and apply online.