M.S. Research Assistantship Opportunity

A two year M.S. Research Assistantship is available with the University of
Arkansas-Arkansas Forest Resources Center. This assistantship carries a
stipend of $15,000 per year plus tuition and fee waivers.

Requirements:
Satisfactory GRE scores
B.S. degree in soil science, forestry, chemistry, biology, or related field

Project:
Remote Sensing of Soil and Plant Chemistry in the Lower Mississippi Alluvial
Valley Physiographic Region of Arkansas Using Near-Infrared Reflectance
Spectroscopy

The successful candidate will work closely with other graduate students and
researchers on a long-term multidisciplinary woody biomass project looking at
sequestration of atmospheric carbon, production of cellulosic biofuels, and
impacts on multiple ecosystem services. The objective of this research is to
quantify and relate soil and foliar chemistry in a newly established biomass
plantation. Both standard chemical analytical techniques and remote sensing
technologies will be utilized. This research is expected to improve
techniques for rapidly and accurately characterizing ecosystem changes that
affect both site productivity and ecosystem services.

The starting date for the project is August 2007. Desirable qualifications
include prior field and laboratory experience and an interest in GIS. To be
considered for this position, applicants should send a letter of interest,
resume, transcripts, and a list of three references with contact information
to the address below (Initial e-mail contact is encouraged). Information
about the graduate program and application materials are available online at:
http://www.afrc.uamont.edu/graduate/default.htm. For priority consideration
inquiries and applications should be submitted by April 15, 2007. After this
date, direct contact by phone or e-mail is encouraged. The University of
Arkansas is an equal opportunity employer.

Contact Information:
Dr. Robert L. Ficklin
Forest Soils and Ecophysiology
Arkansas Forest Resources Center
School of Forest Resources
University of Arkansas- Monticello
P.O. Box 3468
Monticello, AR 71656
Phone: 870-460-1692
E-Mail: ficklin@uamont.edu

Research Facilities:
The School of Forest Resources houses several laboratories that support
graduate research and education. These facilities include the Soil, Water
Quality, Spatial Analysis, Wildlife, and Graduate Student Computer
Laboratories. Office space also will be provided.