Scholarships for Graduate Research – Hardwood Tree Improvement and Regeneration Center, Purdue University (USA)

Fred M. van Eck scholarships are available for outstanding graduate student candidates to study the restoration ecology and silviculture of native forest trees. Research may focus on high-value North American hardwood species (walnut, oak, cherry) and/or development of restoration strategies for threatened species such as American chestnut, butternut, and ash (in the Central U.S.) or koa (in tropical Hawaii).
The nature of this endowment provides flexibility for the candidate to work with faculty in developing a specific research focus, which may emphasize aspects related to ecophysiology, plant propagation, silvicultural systems, ecological restoration, tree improvement, molecular genetics, invasive species, pathogens/pests, and global change biology. Candidates would work within the Hardwood Tree Improvement and Regeneration Center, a collaborative research organization comprised of U.S. Forest Service and Purdue University scientists in concert with industry
and governmental partners, administratively located in the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources at Purdue University. The interdisciplinary nature of our research program suggests that most projects will integrate aspects from several, related disciplines to enhance the complexity and impact of the research.

Candidates should have a GPA of at least 3.4 and GRE scores averaging > 60th percentile. Preference
will be given to Ph.D. students, though M.S. students with strong credential should also inquire.
Assistantships will be awarded at $18,500 (M.S.) and $21,000 (Ph.D.) per year. In addition, an annual
budget of $10,000 will be available for research support and a new laptop computer will be provided
for the duration of the scholarship. For fall semester 2015, scholarship applications must be received
by December 12, 2014.  For more information:

Douglass F. Jacobs, Ph.D.
Professor and Fred M. van Eck Chair of Forest Biology
Editor-in-Chief, New Forests
Hardwood Tree Improvement and Regeneration Center (http://www.htirc.org/)
Tropical Harwood Tree Improvement and Regeneration Center (http://www.trophtirc.org/)
Department of Forestry and Natural Resources
Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907 USA
Email: djacobs@purdue.edu; Phone:  +1 765-494-3608
Website:  http://www.agriculture.purdue.edu/fnr/faculty/jacobs