Exurban Forest Ecosystem Management Fellowship program in the Department of Natural Resources and the Environment at UConn

MS Assistantships (Six) in Exurban Forest Ecosystem Management Starting August 2020

Exurban development impacts ecological functioning and creates myriad challenges for land management practitioners such as small parcel management, changing landowner attitudes and objectives, and increased importance of non-traditional land management entities. The next generation of land management professionals will require intensive interdisciplinary training and knowledge, skills, and abilities that match these novel landscapes and stakeholder needs. We offer a total of 6 MS positions beginning in August 2020 for a new Exurban Forest Ecosystem Management Fellowship program in the Department of Natural Resources and the Environment at the University of Connecticut.

The overall focus of the fellowship program is on training students to effectively navigate the land management profession in our increasingly exurban world. Specific research topics could focus on one or more of the following areas: 1) carbon and nutrient cycling, 2) managing for ecosystem resiliency, 3) synanthropic wildlife, 4) ecosystem toxicology, 5) human dimensions and landowner decision-making, 6) land-use planning and parcelization, and 7) specialty wood products and non-timber forest products.

As part of the Fellowship experience, each student will receive training in exurban forest management and planning, socio-ecological systems theory and application, ecosystem science and management, and communication and engagement through project-based service learning. Fellows will conduct engaged scholarship through cooperator-based research and gain direct experience working with categories of potential employers in novel and expanding sectors of land management stakeholders.

Qualifications: An undergraduate degree in forestry, natural resources, environmental studies, or related degree program; an interest in collaborative, multi-disciplinary approaches to research and problem-solving; evidence of effective technical writing and a commitment to publishing peer-reviewed articles; applicants must be US citizens or native residents of U.S. territories.

Application procedures: Please submit the following information as a single pdf document to robert.fahey@uconn.edu with a subject line “Exurban Forest Ecosystem Management Graduate Assistantship” 1) Letter detailing your interest in this opportunity (including preference for focus area/s) 2) CV 3) Transcripts and GRE scores (unofficial acceptable initially) 4) Contact information (name, affiliation, phone, email) for 3 references   Review of application materials will begin December 15, 2019 and continue until positions are filled.

The University of Connecticut is committed to building and supporting a multicultural and diverse community of students, faculty and staff. As an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity employer, UConn encourages applications from women, veterans, people with disabilities and members of traditionally underrepresented populations.