PhD Assistantship

I have an opening for at least one (and possibly a second) Ph.D.
assistantship for the Fall of 2007 to work in the field of remote
sensing of landscape and ecosystem processes. The research in my lab
group looks at the effects of insect disturbances on forests at the
landscape to regional scale. One component of the research examines how
insect disturbances affect factors such as forest growth, nutrient
cycling and succession. We are also interested in how landscape patterns
(e.g., fragmentation), patterns of historical disturbances, and host
tree species distributions affect insect dynamics and the intensity of
the disturbances. In our research, we make extensive use of Landsat,
MODIS and SPOT imagery to map forest patterns and disturbance. The
student will also have the opportunity to employ hyperspectral imagery
for mapping species composition and canopy nutrient status. The study
areas for this research are the northern forests of the Upper Midwest
(Wisconsin and Minnesota) and adjacent Ontario.

Qualified applicants should have the following skills:
- Educational background in landscape/forest ecology, geography,
forestry, environmental science, or a related discipline;
- Interest in remote sensing of forests (e.g, disturbance, landscape
change, or nutrient cycling);
- Experience and/or some background in techniques of remote sensing
analysis;
- Motivation to work independently and to publish in peer-reviewed
scientific journals;
- Proficiency with GIS (e.g. ArcGIS) and/or statistical analysis software.
- Excellent English writing and verbal communication skills are essential.

The successful candidate will work collaboratively with a dynamic group
of researchers at the University of Wisconsin and U.S. Forest Service.

The position is available starting with the Fall Semester of 2007, but
the successful candidate may start with the Summer 2007 field season if
they are available. Interested applicants should contact Dr. Phil
Townsend as soon as possible, but we are hoping to make a decision by
May 1, 2007. More on Dr. Townsend's lab group can be found at
http://rs.forest.wisc.edu/. More on the department of Forest Ecology and
Management can be found at: http://forest.wisc.edu.

Application procedures for the Department of Forest Ecology and
Management can be found at http://forest.wisc.edu/grad_admissions.htm.

Applicants should also directly contact Dr. Phil Townsend
(ptownsend@wisc.edu) by email with the following information:
- Brief cover letter summarizing research interests and academic and
professional background
- Resume/CV
- Copies of transcripts (unofficial copies acceptable at this point)
- GRE scores, if available
- Names and contact information for three references.

Assistantships are available for 3-year periods and include an annual
stipend ($18,480 for 2006-2007), health insurance and a tuition waiver
(see http://www.wisc.edu/grad/).

University of Wisconsin and City of Madison
The University of Wisconsin - Madison is a major research university in
the United States ranking 2nd in research expenditures among all U.S.
universities and first among public universities. Total student
enrollment is 41,000, of which 11,400 are graduate and professional
students. UW-Madison has a long history of excellence in theoretical and
applied ecology, conservation biology, geography and remote sensing
science. Madison, Wisconsin consistently ranks as one of the top places
in the United States to live, work, and study. It is Wisconsin's capital
city, with a vibrant community of approximately 300,000 that combines
small town charm with a wide variety of leisure and cultural
opportunities. For more information on campus and town see
http://www.uc.wisc.edu/profile/.

Phil Townsend, Associate Professor