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Posted: Job

PhD Assistantships in Fire Science and Ecologyevaluating the effectiveness of fuel breaks in mitigating size and risk of damaging wildfiresand the fuel break ecological impacts in sagebrush steppe ecosystems. Dr.Eva StrandandDr. Tim Prather in the University of Idaho Rangeland Center are seeking a highly motivated PhD studentin Natural Resources at the Department of Forest, Rangeland and Fire Sciencesand Department of Plant Sciencesat the University of Idaho.

The successful applicant would conduct research that involvesvegetation and fuel samplingin the field, spatial and statistical analysisof data from past interactionsof fuel breaks and fire, modeling of fire behavior using existing tools and decision support systems,and conduct plant community analysis within and around fuel breaks. The successful applicant will provide evidence of experience with some aspect of computer modelingand spatial analysis, vegetation sampling, and utilize herbicides for annual grass management and ability to work in natural areas. The successful applicant will also provide evidence of good communication skills both written and oral.

The successful candidate will be working in an interdisciplinary team of faculty and students evaluating the effects of fuel breaktypeson fire mitigation, plant community ecology, and the rural economy. The team collaborates closely with research partners includingthe Bureau of Land Managementand the local ranching community of southern Idaho. Theproject isfundedby the Joint Fire Science Program.

The PhD assistantship has a starting date ofJanuary 2021. The assistantships includea stipend of $21,000-24,000per annum. To apply, please email Eva Strand (evas@uidaho.edu) or Tim Prather (tprather@uidaho.edu) with a cover letter describing your research interests, goals and relevant experience, a complete CV, college transcripts, GRE scores and contact information of three references.

Review of applications will begin immediately, and the positionis scheduled to remain open until a suitable candidate is found. After the selection, the successful candidate will apply to be admitted to the College of Graduate Studies of the University of Idahowith the earliest start date of January 2021; information about the application procedure is available online.