The College of Natural Resources is seeking applicants for a two-year MS assistantship investigating fire behavior, fire effects, and wildlife forage quality in oak woodland ecosystems in Central Wisconsin. The assistantship begins Fall 2023 (September) and will require two summer field seasons (2024-2025). The successful candidate will work on an ongoing silvicultural and wildlife research project investigating prescribed fire effects on oak regeneration and wildlife habitat and forage quality.
Research will include, fuel loading assessments, in-situ fire behavior monitoring, fire effects on woody competition and oak regeneration, and wildlife forage analysis. There may be different possibilities for additional research in wildland fire applications using remote sensing and drone-based fire monitoring.
The student will be employed under a two-year teaching assistantship with additional summer pay. Non-resident students taking at least 4-credits while on a graduate assistantship qualify for an out-of-state tuition waiver and will only pay WI resident tuition, except for MN residents who pay what the WI-MN reciprocity agreement requires. Students on graduate assistantships may be eligible for some insurance.
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point is a small college (~8,000) with strong programs in natural resource management that include ecosystem restoration, forestry, wildlife ecology, and fisheries management. Stevens Point is a small town (pop. 25,700) with reasonable living expenses and a wide range of outdoor activities.
Qualifications:
B.S. degree in forestry, rangeland, wildlife, or related natural resource field with a competitive GPA • Excellent written and verbal communication skills • Strong work ethic and interest in fire management and associated field work • GIS, drone, or remote sensing skills is a plus • NWCG FFT2 training and prescribed fire experience is desirable
To apply, please email with the subject line “Oak Fire MS Assistantship” and include the following documents: 1) One-page cover letter describing your background, interest in the position, and career goals 2) Your resume or CV 3) Unofficial transcripts 4) Contact information for three porfessional references, To Dr. Mike Tiller; eMail mtiller@uwsp.edu Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until a suitable applicant is found or until the closing date. Preferred start date is September 1, 2023.
Salary: Approximately $21,400 per year
Last Date to Apply: 07/26/2023
Contact Person: Mike Tiller, Contact eMail mtiller@uwsp.edu